Did Hospitals Use Water Beds in the Civil War?

Did you know …

After Private William McCarter was wounded in the Battle of Fredericksburg, the army sent him to the Eckington Army Hospital, located less than two miles from Washington  D.C.

At Eckington Army Hospital

Two wooden buildings made up the hospital. The one-story building William went to was soon filled with wounded soldiers. After about five weeks, his doctor moved him to the other building to stay in a room with four officers.

A Surprising Sight

William described a “water bed” which he had never seen or heard of before. One of the lieutenants in his room was severely wounded, and even a feather mattress wasn’t comfortable. The doctors gave him a new mattress.

It was about six feet long, four feet wide and eighteen inches deep. It appeared to be made out of gum or India rubber. It had a brass nozzle that could be opened. Each morning, sixty gallons of cold water were placed into the mattress through the nozzle. Covered with a sheet and blanket, it helped the lieutenant to rest.

President Lincoln visits the army hospital

President Abraham Lincoln visited the hospital and stepped into William’s ward to greet him and the others for a moment.

Soon after this, William was sent to a Philadelphia hospital. Since it was close to where he lived, his wife was able to visit him. He was discharged from the army a couple of months later.
– Sandra Merville Hart