Treatments

What medical treatments did they use in the First World War?

Doctors developed new treatments for the illnesses and injuries that were caused by the fighting and by the conditions in the trenches.

What medical treatments for wounded limbs were developed during the First World War?

There were many injuries to arms and legs in the First World War - 240,000 soldiers lost limbs through amputation. New techniques were developed as a result:

• ❖ The Thomas splint was used to keep injured legs still, while soldiers were being transported from the front.
• ❖ Lighter and more mobile prosthetic limbs were developed for amputees.

Which medical treatments were used to treat gas injuries in the First World War?

Around 186,000 British soldiers on the Western Front were affected by gas injuries, but only around 2.6% of them died. There were different treatments for different gas injuries:

• ❖ Soldiers affected by chlorine and phosgene gas needed oxygen, and were kept in hospital for up to two months.
• ❖ Mobile shower units were set up for soldiers affected by mustard gas, as they had to wash with soap and water to prevent burns. Their eyes also needed bathing as soon as possible.

Which medical treatments were used to fight infections in the First World War?

During the First World War, doctors developed a number of ways to prevent wounds becoming infected in the dirty conditions of the Western Front:

• ❖ Soldiers were given anti-tetanus serum to protect against tetanus.
• ❖ Wounds were washed in carbolic lotion, an antiseptic solution. Once the wounds were closed, they were wrapped in bandages soaked in carbolic acid.
• ❖ Amputations were carried out to prevent life-threatening infections spreading through the bodies of the injured.
• ❖ Wound excision, or debridement, involved cutting dead tissue away from a wound to prevent infection.
• ❖ The Carrel-Dakin method was a system of tubes that ensured a constant supply of sterilised salt solution to a wound.

What new medical treatments were developed in the First World War?

Doctors developed several new medical techniques and practices to deal with injuries in the First World War. These included:

• ❖ The use of mobile X-ray machines.
• ❖ Blood transfusions and blood banks.
• ❖ Brain surgery.
• ❖ Plastic surgery.