The Impact of World War Two on Medicine 1845-1945 Flashcards
How did blood transfusions improve during WWII?
Blood could be stored for longer, civilians donated blood.
How did people’s diets in the UK improve during WWII?
Rationing improved some people’s diet, government encouraged healthy eating.
What were the key features of the work of Alexander Fleming?
Key feature: Discovers Penicillin
Facts:
Leaves out petri-dishes in his lab
Discovers mould growing on the dish which has killed the bacteria colony.
Studies the mould, writes a paper on it and calls it Penicillin. Doesn’t have the funding to take it any further.
Importance:
Discovery of first anti-biotic—a super drug. Leads to the mass production by Florey and Chain during WW2.
What were the key features of the work of Florey and Chain?
Key feature: Tests Penicillin/Mass produced it.
Facts:
Test on mice, 8 mice 4 given penicillin survive.
USA enters the war and gives $80 million to mass produce it.
Test on human who is critically ill, begins to recover.
It is successfully mass produced, enough for all casualties on D-day.
They run out as they can only make it in small amounts, patient dies.
Saves 10-15% of allied soldiers lives.
Importance:
Proves that it is an effective & powerful drug. Helps to win WW2 for the allies as Germany did not have it. Leads to civilian use, people no longer die of small infections.
How far were the two World Wars responsible for changes in medicine between 1900-1945?
Paragraph 1:
Developments in surgery during WWI - X-Rays, Blood transfusions and early plastic surgery
Paragraph 2:
Developments in surgery and other areas during WWII - Further improvements in the storing and transportation of blood, Homes for Heroes, Improvemtns in diet due to rationing
Paragraph 3:
The development of Penicillin - Worl of Alexander Fleming, Work of Florey and Chain, Role of US Government in development of Penicillin and impact of Penicillin at the end of WWII.
