I Am Perhaps Dying: The Medical Backstory of Spinal Tuberculosis Hidden in the Civil War Diary of LeRoy Wiley Gresham by Dennis A. RasbachMy rating: 5 of 5 stars
Totally enjoyed reading this -- it is an excellent companion piece to my edited work "The War Outside My Window: The Civil War Diaries of LeRoy Wiley Gresham, 1860-1865." It gives the reader a lot more information about the terminal illness that LeRoy was struggling with, and which he did not know he had. Dr. Rasbach's input added a great deal to my overall work!
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LeRoy's journals are an important piece of the historical record of not just the Civil War, although they are exactly that. But they also add a great deal of depth to the history of 19th century medicine, and without Dr. Rasbach's contribution to the completed work, we probably still would not know what the truth was behind LeRoy's early passing.
**spoiler alert**
While working on transcription and with Ted adding his very valuable contributions to the footnotes, we discussed LeRoy's illness frequently. We never could come to an agreement, but he changed the ambiguity by asking one of his other authors to help with this mystery. Dr. Dennis Rasbach has an extensive medical background and has a great deal of interest in the medical profession of the 19th century as well. Ted had me prepare what I like to call "LeRoy's Medical Records" for him; it included his compliants, doctor visits, medications, treatments, everything that could be related to his health.
