Book excerpt: This historical reference highlights the people, diseases, and innovations that have impacted the health of soldiers and civilians during wartime, focusing on U.S. conflicts from early colonial skirmishes to the current War on Terror. This intriguing text examines the connections between war and health, addressing both the good and bad aspects of this relationship and tracing the evolution of medical practice under its influence. The work features 12 American military operations—from the Revolutionary War to the American Indian Wars to the Spanish-American War to the current War on Terror—and offers insight into the conflicts' contributions to medical advances as well as the unique health challenges presented during battles of the time. From George Washington's decision to inoculate his troops against smallpox to the development of modern plastic surgery techniques to treat disfigured World War I veterans, this valuable work illustrates the progression of medical practice from trial and error to scientific management. Cross-disciplinary essays profile each of the wars, and alphabetical entries cover such topics as the use of biological weapons, federal responsibility for veterans, and the influence of sickness and disease on military affairs.