Injuries + Illnesses Flashcards
What were the 3 types of gas attacks
- chlorine
- Mustard
- Phosgene
What were the effects of gas attacks
- (mostly temporary) Blindness
- coughing
- burns
When were the British troops all given gas masks
July 1915
How did the British protect themselves against gas attacks before they were given gas masks
Protected faces with cotton pads soaked in urine
Were gas attacked the major cause of death
No - but were greatly feared
What were the symptoms of shell shock
- mental breakdowns
- headaches, nightmares, loss of speech
What was the number of British troops that suffered from shellshock
80,000 - unexpectedly common
What were the attempted solutions to shell shock
- not well understood
- some sufferers accused of cowardice — > punished / shot
- many treated close to the Front but some evacuated to British hospitals
Symptoms of trench fever
- flu-like symptoms
Attempted solution of trench fever
- caused by lice: 1918- trooped devoured—> reduced cases
Causes of trench foot
Standing in waterlogged trenches (cold mud + water)
What could trench foot lead to
- Gangrene (decomposition of body tissue due to loss of blood supply) - treated by amputation
- painful swelling
Attempted solution of trench foot
- rubbing whale oil into feet to protect
- give spare socks + regularly changing them to keep warm + dry
- pumps used to drain trenches
- duckboards added to keep feet above water
attempted solution to prevent head injuries
- 1915: original soft cap were replaced by Brodie caps (steel helmet + strap) —> reduced fatal head wounds by 80%
What was responsible for most deaths + injuries
High-explosive shells + shrapnels - removed limbs + major internal injuries
