Napoleonic
Medical 1815
Introduction

Medical services in all armies were very poor by modern standards, but things were changing and all were gradually realising the benefits of trying to save soldiers from wounds rather than just letting them die. France had much the best organisation of any army of the time. They had dedicated personnel to remove and treat the wounded, and better hospitals and evacuation vehicles.

In the British and other armies, bandsmen and lightly wounded were expected to remove casualties, and they wore their ordinary uniform. There were no stretchers available for evacuation at Waterloo - either blankets were used, or anything like a door might be pressed into service.

The situation for the Prussians was much the same as the British, with medical officers, but basic work done by bandsmen and seconded infantry.

After Waterloo much aid was rendered by the local civilian population. Ordinary townsfolk and peasants would routinely be called upon to help move wounded and bury the dead after any large battle.

The focus of the poses in this set is men in action, i.e. actively tending wounded etc.
Appearance

France had uniformed surgeons and other personnel, but also uniformed attendants (nurses) and stretcher-bearers. The surgeons wore uniforms similar to other officers, and when conducting surgery wore an apron over their uniform to keep it clean. They might also remove their coat and hat, and work in their shirt sleeves.

French stretcher-bearers wore a uniform similar to the infantry, with shako, habit-veste and gaiters. Initially given muskets, these were withdrawn by Waterloo. Working in pairs, between them they carried everything to construct a stretcher. Each man had a wooden piece behind his knapsack that formed the end and 2 legs of the stretcher (see image 119 and 118). Each also had a pike which was used as one side of the bed, plus a length of material wrapped round the waist (see image 119, 117 and 118) which was the bed of the stretcher.

French attendants (nurses) worked away from the battlefield in a hospital, and they wore ordinary fatigue wear, including the bonnet de police shown, plus an apron.

British surgeons wore standard officer uniforms. When operating on a patient they would remove their coat and hat, and usually wear an apron. Any attendants at hospitals would be bandsmen or soldiers on secondment.

Prussian arrangements were much the same as the British, so surgeons wore uniforms but assistants were bandsmen or seconded infantry.

Civilians assisting would have worn ordinary, practical clothes.

Pose Summary

No poses associated with this project

Reference Images
115
115. French surgeon or doctor in normal uniform.
120
120. French stretcher-bearer and surgeon in full uniform.
121
121. French hospital attendant.
127
127. French hospital attendant without apron, showing short jacket and slippers
130
130. Model of French hospital attendant, front and rear
119
119. French hospital attendant, stretcher-bearer and surgeon.
116
116. French surgeon (normal uniform), senior officer, stretcher-bearer.
117
117. French surgeon (mounted and on foot) and stretcher-bearers.
118
118. French surgeon with apron over uniform, stretcher-bearers, other medical staff with casualties.
129
129. Model of the French stretcher put together and in use
122
122. British Surgeon
126
126. British surgeons
224
224. Regimental surgeon in working clothes - forage cap and apron over shirt.
123
123. British moving a casualty with a blanket.
124
124. Clearing up after Waterloo - allied/civilian medical services.
125
125. Clearing up after Waterloo - allied/civilian medical services.
128
128. Good general impression of a field hospital in any Napoleonic battle