Trench Illnesses Flashcards
How was Trench Fever spread?
Trench Fever was spread by lice.
What are some symptoms of Trench Fever?
- Severe headaches
- Shivering
- Eye pain
- Joint pain
- Sometimes rashes
What is the medical term for Trench Fever?
Pyrexia
What efforts were used to deal with Trench Fever?
- Disinfecting clothing
- Using bath-houses
- Louse-repellent gel/other chemicals
- Bedding was also disinfected
- Some soldiers just picked lice out of their clothes.
Why could Trench Foot be so serious?
Trench Foot could be so serious because if it developed and deteriorated, it could lead to gangrene, which often has to be treated with amputation.
What caused Trench Foot?
Standing in waterlogged trenches for long periods of time left men’s feet numb, swollen, blistered and turning blue. Tight boots restricted blood flow, which added to the problem. This all led to Trench Foot.
How did the soldiers try to reduce the chances of Trench Foot?
Every man had to have three pairs of socks, and change them twice a day, and rub whale oil into their feet for protection, amongst other things.
Which animal also caused health problems?
Rats.
What does NYD.N stand for?
Not Yet Diagnosed. Nervous
What was shellshock?
It was Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, often brought on by bomb/shells.
Why did the doctors/army call shellshock ‘NYD.N’?
They weren’t allowed to call it shellshock, as that would mean it was a ‘real’ disorder, and they didn’t want soldiers to fake it, in order to get out of fighting. They didn’t understand it, as they didn’t know how to properly deal with it/treat it.
