What was medicine like in the early 20th century?

Question 1

What was people’s understanding of infection?

Answer 1

Most operations were carried out using aseptic methods, but this was not possible on the Western Front.

Question 2

Why was aseptic surgery not possible on the Western Front?

Answer 2

Treatment needed to be portable.

→ Carrel-Dakin method (salt solution) was used instead, however the solution only lasted six hours.

→ Amputation was often the only remaining course of action.

Question 3

How had X-Rays developed?

Answer 3

X-Rays were being used in hospitals but the tubes in X-Rays were fragile and overheated quickly.

Question 4

What was possible with blood transfusions?

Answer 4

Need for person to person transfusions ended with the discoveries in 1915 (Sodium Citrate) and 1916 (Citrate Glucose).

Question 5

What were developments in the storage of blood?

Answer 5

→ 1901: Blood groups had been discovered by Karl Landsteiner.

→ 1915: Sodium Citrate meant blood could be stored without clotting taking place.

→ 1916: Citrate Glucose meant that blood could be stored for up to four weeks.

Blood Bank at Cambrai in 1917.