men's aprons

[2RIV]

This question may seem odd, but here it goes. As seen in a lot of surgeon portrayals at events, every surgeon seems to wear an apron. I have never seen an original image of this. So, my question is two fold:

Has anyone seen an original image of a surgeon wearing an apron, if so, where can it be found?

Was there any differences in men's and women s' aprons? If so, what and where could I find that info?

Thank you for your help with these silly questions.

[sigman]

Maybe the butcher's smock is a reenactorism?
Andy Siganuk, 12th NJVI, Co. K

[2RIV]

Thats what I am trying to uncover here. I have never thought of looking into it until recently.

[mdreb]

Most images of the day were staged which might account for the lack of aprons,on the other hand it is curious the lack of these photos now I want to look for them also. One primary source to check would be Civil War Museum of Medicine in Frederick Md if any one would know they should.


Paul
Sparks
10th Va inf

[sigman]

My pet peve is seeing a reenactor surgeon marching out with a regiment already be-decked in a bloody smock. I don't think that happened at all. Surgeons might be at a forward dressing or triage station. Stewards would be near the front at a dressing station for sure.
Andy Siganuk 12th NJVI, Co. K

[2RIV]

I too find it a little out of place to see a surgeon heading out to a dressing station in a bloody apron, way before the carnage starts, let alone that he would be out of uniform and in shirt sleeves at that point. Even though the medical service was less than the ideal of military decorum at times, as an officer they were still held to a standard of dress and regulations.

I will try to get in touch with the museum, but I am still hoping for info from some of the knowledgeable folks here.

[cwmed]

Dear Friends,

When I set up a dressing station I usually wear my full uniform and cary a medical haversack full of bandages while my aid carries my Hospital knapsack and we tie a red flag on a tree of limb. I also carry my CLEAN apron not bloody and my red flag in the haversack as well. It works pretty well.

Luke Castleberry

[Regular DOC]

Most images of the day were staged which might account for the lack of aprons,on the other hand it is curious the lack of these photos now I want to look for them also. One primary source to check would be Civil War Museum of Medicine in Frederick Md if any one would know they should.


Paul
Sparks
10th Va inf

To my knowledge there is only one exsisting photo that is known to be an actual surgery being performed almost all the others were staged. So I wouldn't really look to photos I would look at other sources. We kinda have to use some thinking on this one the surgeons would have had to have used something otherwise they would have been replacing their uniforms after every battle. Having said that likewise we can only theorize until we can find a reference in a diary, letter, or supply request or even an exsisting example. "Quick Robin to the bookshelf!"

[NoahBriggs]

The butcher's smock is definitely a reenactorism.

This conversation started out with bloody sleeves but inevitably segued into the presence of aprons and the appearance of same.

The difference in men's and women's aprons are noticeable. Women's aprons tended to be cotton, sometimes different colors and/or patterns, have a bib which was pinned to the bodice with straight pins. And of course it was cut to cover a dress front, not grungy trowsers. Men's aprons tended to have a straighter cut, a neck strap for the bib, and came in several different materials - leather, canvas, finer cloth, or whatever was needed for the trade in question. Blacksmiths and printers, for example, needed leather aprons of dark colors because those aprons would protect from the ink stains or burning cinders after a strike on the anvil. A waiter or barkeep, on the other hand, needed only a basic apron to guard against food and drink spills and drips.

The debate will probably shift to "what sort of apron was worn by surgeons in the field?" a couple of candidates have been mentioned. Leather? Rubber blanket or oilcloth? I reckon. I sometimes wonder if someone improvised an apron from an old rubber blanket. Easier to wash than your average snow white cotton canvas, I'd say. but as 2RIV pointed out, there appears to be a lack of candid pictures of aprons out in the field.

Also "conventional wisdom" has the majority of the medical reenactors wearing the white aprons, so if you attended an event in a (possibly) accurate leather apron, you are going to have to defend your "heresy" from the mainstream, and reassure the amused crowds of visitors that no, you are not Leatherhead.

[Regular DOC]

I sometimes wonder if someone improvised an apron from an old rubber blanket.

I had a thought about doing that myself but not from an actual blanket but ordering a yard or two from a sutler and making some. But the price is a little steep right now for me so I got some Canton Flannel from NJ Sekela and tape to make the ties and neck strap. I am wondering would these have been issued or just made purchased by the Surgeons. If they were issued there has to be some quatermaster records somewhere.