During the American Civil War, medical treatment was often crude and haphazard. Medical science was still a hit and miss proposition, and most physicians were still reading Paracelsus, a medieval Swiss alchemist, for their medical knowledge. Casualties from infection and gangrene outnumbered outright deaths in most battles, as the military doctors on both sides struggled to treat injuries with their limited and sometimes harmful techniques.
General Robert E. Lee, the Confederate military leader, was especially concerned about the welfare of his troops. He wrote in his military daybook in 1863: “Today sees scores of our men losing limb after limb to the corruption that sets in after a battle. Our doctors seem helpless to stem this grim tide, leaving in its wake not an army of soldiers but an army of cripples!”
One of the few bright spots in this era of medical ignorance was the discovery by the Confederate Surgeon General David C. DeLeon of the benefits of cassia oil-soaked bandages in dramatically reducing the incidence of infection and gangrene when applied to battle wounds. He implored General Lee to find a way to circumvent the Union blockade so that a shipment of the volatile oil that lay sequestered in Baltimore Harbor could be released to the South for use in treating the wounds of its soldiers.
Lee, in turn, brought the matter up with the President of the Confederacy, Jefferson Davis. Davis immediately sent a dispatch through enemy lines direct to President Lincoln -- asking if the precious oil could be released to alleviate the suffering of soldiers in the South. After discussing things over with his cabinet, Lincoln gave his approval for the cassia oil to be released, observing to his Secretary of War Edwin Stanton: “Those rebel soldiers may not think like us, but surely they suffer just like us -- a little mercy may help the South realize we don’t rejoice in this ugly business of war.”
And so the precious oil was made available to Robert E. Lee’s troops, alleviating the suffering of hundreds of men on the battlefield. The practice of using cassia-soaked bandages spread quickly from the South to the North, and after the War DeLeon continued his experiments with essential oils for the better treatment of many illnesses and injuries.
Today cassia oil, which is mentioned in the Bible, is still used for disinfecting purposes, as well as in aromatherapy for its vigorous uplifting aroma.
For further information, and for an absolutely free, no obligation, sample of three of the most commonly used oils, including lemon and lavender, contact Wellness Advocate Amy Snyder at http://bit.ly/2vHgrH6 Please put your name and address in her Comments box. She has used these superb essential oils for years herself and will be delighted to share her experiences with you in a professional and friendly manner!
Your doTERRA Wellness Advocate, Amy Snyder
NOTICE TO READERS: The information contained in this blog is for educational purposes only. It is not intended to diagnose, prescribe, or treat any emotional or physical condition, illness, or injury. The author, publishers, and distributors of this blog shall have no liability or responsibility to any person or entity with respect to any and all alleged damage, loss, or injury caused or alleged to be caused directly or indirectly by the information contained in this work. This work contains suggested uses of oils based on acceptable dosage amounts recommended by the manufacturer. The author makes no claim to have verified or validated these suggestions. The readers must validate acceptable dosage amounts from the manufacturer before application. The information in this book is in no way intended as a substitute for medical advice. We recommend that all readers obtain medical advice from a licensed healthcare professional before using essential oils for any reason.
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