Medicine in Britain 1250 - Present day (trenches) Flashcards
Two features of the western front
One feature was…
- Most fighting took place around the town of Ypres.
- Three main battles: 1914, 1915 and 1917.
*Chlorine gas used in 1915, Mustard in 1917.
A second feature was…
- Famous and bloody battle at the Somme in 1916
- 60,000 British casualties on the first day of the battle.
Two features of the Frontline trenches
One feature was…
- Men would leave their trench over a firestep and run or march into no-man’s land; trying to reach the enemy.
A second feature was…
- You would rest in a support trench but also be prepared for a counter-attack.
Two features of support trenches
One feature was…
Men would rotate between time in a frontline trench and time in a support trench.
A second feature was…
The support trenches were connected to the other trenches.
Two features of how mines were used
One feature was…
- Mines were placed by sappers.
A second feature was…
- Mines were used for building tunnels.
Two features of the developments around Arras
One feature was…
- The network of caves and quarries were built
A second feature was
- The network of caves allowed for the building on an Underground Hospital.
Two features of How the environment created problems for medical staff
One feature was…
- The Doctors (RAMC) had to deal with lots of severely injured very quickly.
- The Nurses (FANY) were ignored by the British at first - because they were women - meaning they ended up treating Belgian soldiers.
Two features of Communication and transport issues
One feature was…
- The British public raised money to send motor ambulances in 1915.
- There were four stretcher-bearers per unit of men.
Two features of Illness in the trenches
One feature was…
- A common illness was trench fever.
A second feature was…
- A common illness was trench foot which was caused by water getting into boots
Two features Injury in the trenches
One feature was…
- A common injury was head wounds.
A second feature was…
- A common injury was shrapnel wounds.
Two features How people tried to prevent illness
One feature was…
- Soldiers would rub whale oil as they thought this would protect against muddy conditions.
A second feature was…
- In 1918 delousing stations were set up.
Two features Gas attacks
One feature was…
- Chlorine and phosgene gas made it difficult to breathe.
A second feature was…
- Mustard gas made you blind and caused blisters on the skin.
Two features stretcher bearers
One feature was…
- Muddy conditions meant stretcher bearers were slow.
A second feature was…
- Stretcher bearers had to cross no man’s land meaning they could easily get shot.
Two features Ambulances
One feature was…
- The government sent horse ambulances at first.
A second feature was
- Canal barges and trains were modified to become ambulances.
Two features The chain of evacuation
One feature was…
- The Regimental Aid Post was close to the fighting.
A second feature was…
- The worst injured were sent to Base Hospitals on the coast.
Two features Problems with the chain of evacuation
One feature was…
- Injuries were so severe.
A second feature was…
- Stretcher bearers were slow in their work.
