Napoleon's Missed Opportunities to Maintain Combat Forces through Medical Innovations and Battling the Hidden Enemy

Abstract

During Napoleon Bonaparte's reign the theory of miasma dominated and medicines were comprised of a combination of many drugs, often in excessive amounts that caused more harm than good. Moreover, while Napoleon revered the doctors he trusted, he failed to support their profession. It also seemed that Napoleon had the belief that a nation in arms is an inexhaustible reservoir of manpower. Therefore, these opinions could possibly explain his paradoxical attitude toward the medical profession and why he did not support his doctors. As the commander, Napoleon had the opportunity to enhance his combat capabilities with the advancement in medical innovations, but Napoleons lack of support to maintain the health of his forces compromised his campaigns which ultimately was one reason that led to his downfall.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Dec 07, 2011
Accession Number
AD1019074

Entities

People

  • Kelly Gambino-shirley

Organizations

  • Air Command and Staff College

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Biomedical

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Combat Casualty Care
  • Combat Injuries
  • Health Services
  • Hospitals
  • Medical Evacuation
  • Medical Personnel
  • Military Hospitals
  • Military Medicine
  • Physicians
  • Therapy
  • Wound Infections

Readers

  • Medical or Health Care Field.
  • Military History of the United States in the 20th Century.