Often times soldiers had to wait a day or two for treatment. Doctors did not practice careful hand washing before surgery. They also wore blood splattered clothes. If a tool were to be dropped the doctor would simply wash it off in cold bloody water. Dirty sponges from previous surgeries were used multiple times and washed off in cold water. 

    A surgeon recalled: "We operated in old blood-stained and often pus-stained coats, we used undisinfected instruments from undisinfected plush lined cases. If a sponge (if they had sponges) or instrument fell on the floor it was washed and squeezed in a basin of water and used as if it was clean". 4

    Civil War surgeons were portrayed as butchers, when in reality they were some of the most hardworking, competent and compassionate individuals. Many surgeons risked their own health to help save others lives. "Forty Union doctors lost their lives in battle. Dr. J.B. Fontaine, of the cavalry corps of the ANV, was killed in the line of treating a wounded soldier, Dr. E.S. Galliard had to have his arm amputated after being wounded treating Joe Johnston. Many medical officers, including Jonathan Letterman, died young".

    Hospital sites were often chosen based on proximity to water, due to the lack of water, basic supplies and drugs. Doors were often used as operating tables. Surgeons had little time to complete operations. Lighting was typically a hand held light. Surgery was often septic, due to the lack of understanding about germs. 

    Field hospitals were terrible. Farms, school houses, homes and churches were often used as operating rooms.Operating tables could even be a door or kitchen table. Surgeons often had to stand over operating tables for hours. Men screamed in delirium, while others laid pale and quiet from shock. Surgeons that did the operating were called operators. Surgeons often did not operate on soldiers wounded through the head, belly and chest, since they would most likely die. Surgeons preferred to operate on soldiers that would survive. 

    When wounded surgeons would probe around in the wound with his finger or a probe, looking for materials: bits of cloth, bone or a bullet. If a bone was broken or a major blood vessel was torn he would amputate the soldiers limb, to avoid infections.6