Doctors in the Civil War era had little understanding of what causes infection, hardly any effective remedies and swore by drugs like mercury chloride that caused terrible discomfort. This presentation will chart the unanticipated revolution in knowledge and practice that followed the war - the advent of germ theory, the widespread introduction of sanitation, the regulation of medical practice and the conquering of the giant contagious killers. This period is also full of controversy. We'll learn how the fruits of medical science were unevenly distributed and how basic features of U.S. society sets its system of providing medical care on a very different trajectory than that of western Europe.

One of the MSU Alumni Office's long-standing featured offerings, the Coffee with the Profs series highlights research and work done by some of MSU's finest faculty and staff. This lifelong education program is open to all.

There is no cost to attend, but registration is required. Register by March 24 at https://alumni.msu.edu/learn/on-campus/coffee-with-profs.cfm

Location:	Virtual
Price:	free
Sponsor:	public
Contact:	Elizabeth Wheeler szufnar@msu.edu
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