WW1 Importance

Question 1

Unprecedented problems of WW1 (in terms of wounds)

Answer 1

• Bomb fragments caused death and disfigurement and went deep into the body
• Bullets caused damaged to organs and bones, bacteria entered, causing infections, rats

Question 2

How did WW1 change the role of women in medicine?

Answer 2

• Initially faced restrictions (but needed the win and avoid repeat of Boer War, so willing to overcome traditional attitudes)
• Eventually served as nurses, ambulance drivers and a few doctors
• QAINMS nursing service grew
• Female doctors back at home as male doctors went to war fronts to treat wounded

Question 3

What happened to the role of women after WW1?

Answer 3

• Prejudices and stereotypes reasserted
• Number of female doctors fell

Question 4

How does WW1 indicate medical development?

Answer 4

First major war that the British Army lost fewer men to disease than battle

Question 5

How did WW1 improve surgical techniques and which in particular?

Answer 5

• Brain: local anaesthesia to prevent brain swelling, specialised clearing stations, improved by development of x-rays (Harvey Cushing using magnets to remove fragments)
• Plastic: disfigured soldiers needed reconstruction to fit back into society, pioneered by Gillies

Question 6

How were X-rays used during WW1?

Answer 6

• Saved many lives
• Mobile so could be used on battlefields for locating bullets in soldiers
• Marie Curie created X-ray units which improved diagnostics
• But dangerous because of radiation overexposure
• Could not locate pieces of dirt/uniform which resulted in infection
• Dangers became better understood so in later part of war, gloves and aprons were used
• Standardised in peacetime

Question 7

What were the advancements in blood transfusions?

Answer 7

• Before limited to person-to-person transfer
• Sodium citrate delayed clotting and refrigeration could preserve use
• Transfusions could be closer to front lines
• Small scale
• Development by William Hope Robertson (sodium citrate + dextrose + glass bottles surround by ice) could preserve for nearly a month
• Larger scale
• Applicable for peacetime

Question 8

How did WW1 improve infection control in battlefields?

Answer 8

• Dropped due to improved wound cleaning and amputation techniques
• Carrel-Dakin method: sterilised salt solution passing through wounds (widely accepted by 1917)
• But risk of re-infection when returned to poor trench conditions

Question 9

Did wartime medical advancements affect peacetime healthcare?

Answer 9

• War proved catalyst of change
• Wartime medical innovations adapted to peacetime
• However healthcare during war was limited due to lack of research funding and doctor shortages