The Fevered Fight: Medicine and Disease in the American War of Independence

Join historian Martin Howard for an engaging talk on the management of injuries and illness during the conflict between Britain and its American colonies.

The American War of Independence (1775-83) was a conflict of global significance, fought between Britain's North American colonies and the British colonial government. The war also presented a significant challenge to the medical services of both armies, particularly on the American side, where the medical department was as new as George Washington's Continental Army.

Eighteenth-century medical services were rudimentary, resulting in high infection rates from battle injuries. However, diseases were the major killers, often claiming more lives than injuries sustained in battle. Despite these challenges, positive steps were taken in disease prevention, including the promotion of military hygiene and inoculation against smallpox.

In this captivating talk, historian Martin Howard will explore the impact of disease on soldiers during the American War of Independence, how it influenced the outcome of the revolution and its lasting legacy in the field of military medicine.

About the speaker

Martin Howard is a former hospital consultant and honorary visiting professor at the University of York. He is a Fellow of the Royal College of Physicians and Pathologists, and the Royal Historical Society. He is the author of several books including 'The Fevered Fight'.