The Impact of World War One on Medicine 1845-1945 Flashcards
How did WWI help surgeons to improve?
They had the opportunity to experiment with new techniques. Surgeons developed techniques to repair broken bones, and perform skin grafts – Early plastic surgery.
Surgery on several parts of the body improved during WWI. What parts were they?
Surgery of the eye, ear, nose and throat all improved rapidly. Brain surgery also advanced.
How did X-Rays improve surgery during WWI?
X-rays immediately improved the success rate of surgeons in removing deeply lodged bullets and shrapnel which would otherwise have caused fatal infections.
What was the problem with blood transfusions before 1900?
It sometimes worked and sometimes failed. Scientists didn’t know about different blood groups.
When and who discovered blood groups?
Blood groups were discovered in 1901 by Karl Landsteiner. The discovery made transfusions successful.
Why did the storing and transportation of blood need improving during WWI?
During the First World War vast amounts of blood was needed. On-the-spot donors were impractical.
Many soldiers bled to death in the trenches before blood could get to them.
How did the storing and transportation of blood improve during WWI?
Doctors discovered how blood can be bottled, packed in ice and stored where it was needed. This discovery helped to save many lives.
What was ‘Homes for Heroes’?
Soldiers were promised good housing when they returned. This helped to get rid of unhealthy slum housing.
