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Teaching with Primary Sources: Civil War Surgical Saw

Explore This Exhibit

This online exhibit from Duke University Libraries provides historical context for some of  the topics and primary sources included in this class session. Briefly review the short exhibit text before your class session.

Class Materials

Instructions for Activity

In this activity, work in small groups or individually and complete a short worksheet that will guide your critical analysis of the Civil War era surgical saw. This activity can be completed in person or asynchronously. 

  1. Warm Up – KWL (Know/ Wonder/ Learned)  - Complete the K and W portions of the Warm Up
    1. Ask yourself: "What do you KNOW about the Civil War? What do you Wonder?"
  2. Review of Responses – "K/W" answers  
  3. Activity  Examining the 19th Century Surgical Saw Toolkit 
    1. Put on gloves.
    2. Review the safety protocols for handling surgical materials that are sharp.
    3. Examine the surgical saw and contents of the surgical set with your eyes and hands.
    4. Write down ANY characteristics or questions you have.
  4. Complete Document Analysis Worksheet AND the “L” Section of the KWL
  5. Partner Work – Think/Pair/Share (If time permits) 
  6. Whole Group Discussion (If time permits) 
  7. If Time Permits: Read the following blog article: https://blogs.library.duke.edu/rubenstein/2021/09/21/if-these-saws-could-talk/

Remote Learners 

  1. Follow the link provided to the digital images of the “Amputation set, early to mid-19th century” from the Rubenstein Library
  2.  Closely examine all the pictures provided. Zoom in on the images.
  3. Begin Document Analysis Worksheet
  4.  Find a Partner and take 1-2 mins. to share responses- Think/ Pair/ Share 
  5. Share your responses in a whole class discussion
  6. If Time Permits: Read the following blog article: https://blogs.library.duke.edu/rubenstein/2021/09/21/if-these-saws-could-talk/

Discussion Questions Ideas

  1. What are some misconceptions about Civil War surgery?
  2. What type of questions might a surgeon have to make regarding whether to amputate or not?
  3. What issues did many amputees face when returning home from battle?
  4. How does surgery today differ from that of Civil War surgery?
  5. Do all the items in the surgical set serve the same purpose? What are their uses?