Conditions requiring medical treatment on the Western Front

Question 1

What illnesses arose because of the Trench environment?

Answer 1

Trench fever (caused by lice and flu-like illnesses).
→ Affected nearly 500,000.

Trench foot (caused by the conditions and led to gangrene).
→ 20,000 were affected during the winter of 1914/15.

Shellshock (caused by stress and led to tiredness, nightmares and headaches).
→ 80,000 approx suffered from Shellshock.

Question 2

What wounds did men suffer because of rifles and explosives?

Answer 2

Mental and physical scars.

Question 3

What were the consequences of shrapnel wounds and head injuries?

Answer 3

Shrapnel would get lodged in the skin and lead to gangrene.

Head injuries increased due to the new weaponry such as rifles, machine guns and other artillery. A steel “Brodie” Helmet replaced the soft flat cap in 1915.

Question 4

How did gas attacks affect people?

Answer 4

Chlorine → First used at the Second Battle of Ypres → led to death by suffocation.

Phosgene → Faster acting than Chlorine.

Mustard → First used at the Third Battle of Ypres → odourless gas that caused blisters and could burn skin through clothing.