On July 9, 1859, readers of the Journal de Genève could read a heart-rending appeal, coming from Solferino, of which we quote the following passages:
For 3 days I have been treating the wounded from Solferino at Castiglione and have cared for more than one thousand men in misery. We have had 40,000 wounded, of which as many Allies as Austrians, involved in this terrible affair. There are not sufficient doctors, and I had to replace them as well as I could with the help of some local women and some prisoners who were in a fit condition.