Topic 15 (Trenches) - significance of the western front

Question 1

Define the term ‘aseptic surgery’

Answer 1

surgery without any contamination from bacteria or other micro-organisms that could spread disease

Question 2

When had the benefits of aseptic surgery been discovered?

Answer 2

1n 1867 with Listers antiseptic discovery and then further developed in the 1890’s when surgeons moved away from chemicals and used steam to sterilise instruments

Question 3

Give 2 reasons as to why aseptic surgery was so hard to do on the battlefield

Answer 3

1. Conditions were usually muddy and dirty

2. It was hard to supply antibiotics in a large enough quantity to the front line

Question 4

Name the technique employed by WW1 surgeons to stop infection from spreading and explain why this prompted the advancement of aseptic surgery

Answer 4

Technique: Amputation
- the long term effect/trauma of losing a limb meant developing aseptic surgery was seen as a preferable option when dealing with this type of injury in the future

Question 5

At the beginning of the war, what percentage of patients died from a broken femur?

Answer 5

80%

Question 6

Describe the invention that helped reduce death rates from a broken femur

Answer 6

The Thomas Splint: It stopped the leg from moving around easily, which meant it was far less likely to rupture a key artery in the femur and result in massive blood loss

Question 7

By 1917, the splint was supplied to most of the British Army. What was the death rate now?

Answer 7

15%

Question 8

Descibe one reason why x-rays were needed more during WW1 than any time before

Answer 8

x-rays were needed as the increased use of explosives meant that it was more likely for legs to be broken on impact

Question 9

What was the biggest problem with access to x-ray machines at the start of WW1 and how was this problem resolved?

Answer 9

• The biggest problem was that machines were static and couldnt be moved to the front lines.
• The problem was solved by the invention of a mobile (moving) x-ray machine that was able to go nearer to the front lines

Question 10

Which famous scientist helped to develop the mobile x-ray machine?

Answer 10

Marie Curie

Question 11

What long term effect of x-rays still existed during WW1?

Answer 11

Cancer

Question 12

At the start of WW1, how was blood restored to patients that had lost a lot of it?

Answer 12

Blood would be transferred from another living osldier to the patient

Question 13

Describe two problems with blood tranfusion, that were discovered as the war went on

Answer 13

1. There was too many soldiers who needed blood transfusions and not enough heathy soldiers to do the job
2. Blood could not be stored for later use, which meant there was not enough blood readily available when it was needed

Question 14

What key component was discovered that prevents blood from clotting when stored?

Answer 14

Sodium Citrate