A Sadistic Surgeon Medically Tortures One of His Patients.

This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 12/7/2017

A rather sadistic Union Surgeon's letter, 4pp. 8vo., written by Sur. Orin Warren, 33rd Mass. Vols., Stafford Court House, Va., Mar. 2, 1863 to his brother in law Asst. Surgeon William C. Towle of the 23rd Maine, in part: "…since I have got back I find a little feeling against me at Hd. Qrs for not asking the Med. director for my leave of absence…I have not heard from M. Director directly yet, but have been relied from the position I held and now I am on the 1st operating staff. Tis a case of petty military tyranny…I am satisfied that they will try to get hold of me if they can. Perhaps they think to stick me on operative surgery as I head to staff…I expect I may get into a fuss. The Surg. in charge of our Division hospital sent word by one of our men that he wanted me to come over there & I sent word that I'd be damned if I would go…our Regt is pretty healthy now. We lost one case from typhoid fever last month. We are doing nothing here but picket duty and building corduroy roads preparatory to a "change of base"…Lida is as well as usual…we have had some little surgery here from accidents. I have an old Bummer here. What shall I do with him. I have blistered cupped & cupped & applied cold turpentine…& hot turpentine all to no effect. His complaint is rheumatic pains thro the hips. He is now being troubled with a large blister on each hip extending well onto the buttocks so that he can only lie on his face. I shall keep them sore for 15 or twenty days with basilican ointment if he will stand it. He is also on 1/2 diet. I have threatened him with the hot iron but he is not afraid of that. What shall I do next to drive him to duty. I have tried to get some contage [?] to put between his shoulder blades where he cannot get up to scratch but there is none in this corps. I am bound not to be beat till every torture (medical) has been tried…O. Warren." The original transmittal cover is included. Near fine.

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