Full Citation

Title: Was Civil War Surgery Effective?

Citation Type: Dissertation/Thesis

Publication Year: 2016

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Abstract: During the U. S. Civil War (1861-65) surgeons performed a vast number of surgical procedures. The efficacy of surgery has been continually debated since the war began, in part because of lack of evidence for the (in)effectiveness of surgery. I analyze data gathered by Dr. Edmund Andrews, a surgeon with the 1st Illinois Light Artillery. The data can be arranged as observational data on surgery and recovery, with controls for wound location and severity, and with instruments for surgery. Analysis of the data using bivariate probit and a switching regression suggests that surgery was effective, was applied selectively by surgeons, and increased the probability of survival with an average treatment effect of 0.06-0.25 points. Results also suggest that surgeons applied surgery selectively and in situations in which it was likely to be beneficial; among those receiving surgery, I find an average treatment effect of 0.25-0.28 points.

Url: http://econ.hunter.cuny.edu/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/RePEc/papers/HunterEconWP444.pdf

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Authors: Baker, Matthew J

Institution: The City University of New York

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Publisher Location: New York, New York

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Data Collections: IPUMS USA

Topics: Health, Other

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