Amen-and another piece that needs a lot more study...the contributions of Black women in the Civil War Army as nurses. Not only their physical work as nurses, for which they were highly prized. (They were paid 10 per month and a ration-the same as the soldiers received.) Their contributions to the direct medical care was even more important. One of the chapters in my own current research deals with the medical aspects of the CW-and I have found enough direct references to know that there is a lot more out there to be found.

When I speak of direct medical care, I am addressing the issue of local knowledge about plants, folk remedies and treatments. Many of the doctors were so impressed with some of these, that they were incorporated into their treatment plans, and indeed became common practice. This was especially true in dealing with the chronic and endemic diseases of the South. They not only added vastly to the care of their husbands, fathers, brothers and friends; but to the field of medicine as well.

Sharon