Sgt Mike is correct. In addition to the loss of life from infection in the Civil War, the two most disabling conditions were amputations, which were performed to prevent / treat infection, and a nerological condition called reflex sympathetic distrophy which is a sequilae of infection. I have had two clients with RSD, and both were totally and permanently diabled. One, by the way, from an imbedded foreign body throw by a lawn mower that went untreated.