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Modern Medicine Might Have Saved Lincoln

Posted by Zonk on from the quickly-to-the-delorean dept.

Pcol writes "For the past 13 years the University of Maryland School of Medicine has presented a historical clinicopathological conference where they consider famous historical medical cases such as the death of Alexander the Great and composer Ludwig van Beethoven and provide a modern diagnosis and treatment in each case. This year Dr. Thomas M. Scalea, physician-in-chief for the R Adams Cowley Shock Trauma Center discusses if the world's first center for trauma victims could have improved the outcome had Lincoln's assassination occurred in 2007. 'This could be a recoverable injury, with a reasonable expectation he would survive,' Scalea said, noting that assassin's weapon was relatively impotent compared to the firepower now on the streets today. The modern prognosis predicts that Lincoln might have conceivably recovered enough to return to the White House to complete his second term."

9 of 281 comments (clear)

  1. Besides that Mrs. Lincoln... by andy314159pi · · Score: 5, Funny

    Besides that Mrs. Lincoln... how was the play?

    1. Re:Besides that Mrs. Lincoln... by Daychilde · · Score: 5, Funny

      Too soon! Too soon! ;-)

      --
      A cheerful little bird is sitting here singing.
  2. so, what this article is saying is... by yagu · · Score: 5, Insightful

    So, what this article is saying is, "Today's technology better than technology 150 years ago..."

    And, as pointed out in the article, the weapon used then was relatively impotent. Would it not be safe to consider that if the assassination were committed today the assassin likely would have also used updated technology (i.e., something more, ahem, potent)?

    1. Re:so, what this article is saying is... by jfengel · · Score: 5, Interesting

      It's kind of ironic, given that Americans had just fought their bloodiest war ever, to call it a more "civilized time".

      It's often said that people were more civil to each other in the past. I'm not certain if it's true, or if it's just rose-colored glasses.

    2. Re:so, what this article is saying is... by OldeTimeGeek · · Score: 5, Informative
      He absolutely did have security. The following is excerpted from the White House security review after an airplane landed in the White House grounds in 1994 (the whole report: http://www.fas.org/irp/agency/ustreas/usss/t1pubrp t.html).

      By 1860, the bitter atmosphere arising from the discord between the northern and southern states had greatly increased the danger of political violence. As soon as Abraham Lincoln was chosen to be the Republican candidate for President that year, he began to receive numerous death threats. During the campaign, he was constantly surrounded by a phalanx of bodyguards. In at least one instance, one of these bodyguards was Alan Pinkerton, the founder of the celebrated detective agency.

      Lincoln's security detail grew after he assumed the Presidency. He chafed under this protection and worried that it made him appear unmanly, but he ultimately conceded its necessity. Numerous Metropolitan Police were detailed to the Executive Mansion to serve as guards. Because Lincoln did not want the Executive Mansion to take on the characteristics of an armed camp, the guards inside the Mansion (the doormen) dressed in civilian clothes and concealed their firearms. Uniformed, armed sentries were posted at the gates to the grounds and at the doors to the Executive Mansion itself.

      During the Civil War, the military helped protect the Mansion. When the conflict started, soldiers actually camped inside the Executive Mansion until Washington was adequately fortified. Even after the city was deemed secure, military units were often assigned to serve as guards there.

      Troops also frequently accompanied Lincoln during his travels. Indeed, throughout the Civil War, no member of Lincoln's family left the White House grounds unescorted. Thus, they were the first White House occupants to receive extensive personal protection. An armed, plainclothes member of the Metropolitan Police regularly accompanied Mrs. Lincoln on her outings. Moreover, the White House doormen never lost sight of the Lincolns' son Tad, who was considered a target for kidnappers. By 1864, four Metropolitan Policemen were assigned to serve as President Lincoln's personal bodyguards. One of these men, responsible for protecting Lincoln at Ford Theater on the evening of April 14, 1865, was having a drink at a nearby saloon when John Wilkes Booth fatally wounded the President with a shot to the head.

    3. Re:so, what this article is saying is... by Puff+of+Logic · · Score: 5, Funny

      It's kind of ironic, given that Americans had just fought their bloodiest war ever, to call it a more "civilized time". On the contrary, it was the most civil war we ever had.
      --
      P.P.S. I'm doing Science and I'm still alive.
    4. Re:so, what this article is saying is... by Hijacked+Public · · Score: 5, Interesting

      Almost certainly plenty of people cheered Lincoln's death back then, they just weren't the people who wrote our history books.

      Even today there are people who can make a convincing case that Lincoln was just as crooked and underhanded, if not more so, than Bush.

      --
      "Sacrifice for the good of The State" - The State
  3. Re:Such a shame... by markbt73 · · Score: 5, Funny

    You don't need cryogenic centers. Two guys with a phone booth will do just fine.

    "Hello San Dimas!"

    --
    "Oh boy! Are we going to try something dangerous?"
  4. and in another 100 years... by SparkyFlooner · · Score: 5, Funny

    ...they'll announce "We finally have the technology to save Lincoln."

    Obligatory Joke:

    If Lincoln were alive, what would he be doing today?

    Clawing desperately at the lid of his coffin.