You learned that Pres. Garfield was assassinated by gunshot in 1881. In fact, docs treated him by digging into the wound to find the bullet. Bare handed. Antisepsis was well known by that point, but they weren't taken in by bacteriology. Garfield suffered for months until sepsis overwhelmed him.

I used coca-wine in a minor storyline in my 11th novel. Where the Light Enters, author Sara Donati (pen name), Penguin/Berkley. Much of the story is set in a charity hospital in Manhattan 1883. I do a lot of research, considering the way women practicing medicine impacted the poor and working class.

I'm a historical novelist and have spent years researching 19th century medical practices. Glad to have found you and your #startpack
My novels appear under a pen name: Sara Donati.

I'm writing a longer reply in my first post, just fyi.

Why am I just hearing about this fantastically wonderful dream now? Tonight's insomnia will be usurped by hysterical laughter. And: who told about the cannoli?