War: WWI Flashcards
How were splints developed during WWI?
The splint was invented before the war by Hugh Owen Thomas
During WW1 they were used extensively Sir Robert Thomas
In 1914 80% with broken thighs died. By 1918 80% survived.
How were X-rays developed during WWI?
Discovered in 1895 by Wilhelm Roentgen
WW1 saw doctors was to treat injured soldiers ASAP
Mobile X-ray machines were developed by Marie Curie for the French army near to the front line
X-rays found broken bones, bullets and shrapnel
How were blood transfusions developed during WWI?
Blood groups discovered in 1901 and the first transfusion took place in 1907 but no way of storing blood
WW1 saw storage improved. Agote and Hustin added sodium citrate to stop it clotting and citrate glucose to make it last longer. It was discovered that the plasma could be taken out of blood so that it could be stored longer.
1917 the British set up blood banks for blood type O
How was plastic surgery developed during WWI?
French and German doctors had been developing skin graft techniques before WW1
Harold Gillies set up a British army plastic surgery unit, using pedicle tubes to help reconstruct faces.
What other developments were made during WWI?
The huge number of casualties on the Western Front, with injured soldiers being passed from one doctor to another led to the use of medical cards.
Anaesthesia and antiseptics meant that many more wounded soldiers were able to survive their wounds than ever before.
New areas of medicine were developed, such as false limbs. The terrible scenes witnessed by soldiers meant that many suffered from ‘shell-shock’. From then on progress was made in understanding and treating mental illness.
The war meant that far more doctors and nurse were needed than ever before. Many women became doctors and the first women’s nursing units were set up. The First Aid Nursing Yeomanry (FANY) was set up in 1916.
