Ps1 parasite eve3/21/2023 ![]() ![]() This seemingly small outbreak across a Confederate encampment changed the course of the war immensely, because it turned the Mississippi River into the North’s hands, consequently splitting the Confederacy in half. One of the reasons the Union siege of Vicksburg was successful was because the Confederates were debilitated by an outbreak of malaria. ![]() One could argue the Confederate Army’s struggle with the parasite was a contributing factor to the outcome of the war. Due to the naval blockade, Southern soldiers could not access Quinine and had to resort to weaker native plants and medicinal herbs to combat the illness. Lee had such confidence that malaria would continue to plague the Union army that, in the summer of 1863, he said, “troops ordered from Virginia to the Mississippi at this season would be greatly endangered by the climate,” and went on to assure that “the climate in June will force the enemy to retire” (Freemon 223).įortunately, the Union army had access to the effective drug, Quinine, to treat malaria. After outbreaks of malaria forced significant setbacks in many Northern campaigns, Confederate General Robert E. Malaria is a parasitic Plasmodium infection that is commonly transmitted through the bite of an infected mosquito, however, medical experts back then believed it was caused by humidity or “swamp effluvia” (a harmful air or odor). Mosquitos, another infamous external parasite, contributed its share of damage as well. ![]() These bugs lived on bodies, in clothing, floor coverings, and crevices of living quarters. Camp mascots and other animals living in close vicinity to the soldiers also brought in the vermin. As for fleas, mites, and ticks, these were all found in the outdoors in which the soldiers lived for years until the end of the Civil War. A Sergeant from an Iowa unit reported: “I have seen many men literally wear out their underclothes without a change and when they threw them off they swarm with Vermin like a live Ant hill when disturbed” (Sartin 581). Heavy, layered wool clothing provided the perfect temperature and environment for body lice to thrive. Although surgeons examining recruits were told to not approve soldiers who carried lice (also dubbed “greybacks” and “bluebellies”), they still found their way into camp in great numbers. Such parasites exposed soldiers to diseases such as Typhus, relapsing fevers, malaria, and other infections. Ticks, fleas, mites and lice infested camps at unbelievable rates. ![]()
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