Medical procedures and inventions are constantly being developed and made better. World War 1 was a time in which many of the procedures used today were first thought of and used. It was a time that inspired the doctors and nurses working today, not to mention the fact that it’s a topic that still affects everyone in the world today. Medical advancements made during World War 1 had a major impact on the world as evidenced by those advancements still in use today. Some of the inventions that were brought about during World War 1 include the Thomas Splint, Vehicle X-Ray Units, and the Brodie Helmet. Vehicle X-Ray Units were invented by Marie Curie in 1914, in France. These were used near the battlefield to check for any broken limbs on soldiers before they were sent to a hospital. These are still used today so any injuries can be spotted as soon as possible.(www.ethw.org) The Thomas Splint was originally invented in …show more content…
Hygiene was extremely poor prior to and during World War 1, especially for soldiers. Because of this and the fact that fighting soldiers couldn’t clean up wounds quickly enough, there were many deaths caused by infection alone. One big issue was trench foot. This was an awful infection caused by soldiers standing in the trenches for too long during battles. Over the course of the war, hygiene and infectious issues were being better dealt with. These issues led to vaccinations and treatment advancements. The earliest forms of the vaccinations and treatments used today were actually introduced in 1914. Those vaccinations and treatments have been improved upon since World War 1. One of the most fascinating things regarding medical procedures at this time has to be blood transfusions. It was 1917, when the first of hundreds of millions of blood transfusions was made. This idea has been improved upon as
Medicine has developed so dramatically over the last century that it is difficult to imagine a world in which its many benefits did not exist. Even as humans manage to eradicate some diseases, a look at history reminds us that there was a time when these and other diseases were rampant, and good health was the exception rather than the norm. There are many comparable time periods that medicine was needed and was used. With each, there were drastic changes to medical procedures and medical rules. Of the many different time periods that medicine was used; the comparison of medical care during the American Civil War and medical care during World War I is the most interesting. How did Civil War battlefield medicine compare with World War I battlefield medicine? That's a question that cannot be simply answered, but can be broken down into the overall sanitation of individuals, medical techniques, and overall medical staff for armies.
The contributions of several doctors, researchers, and scientists helped improve the health of the growing population. In 1850 the average life expectancy was 42 years. By 1910 the average life expectancy had risen to nearly 55 years. Between 1850 and 1910 there were several advances in the medical field. The introduction of genes, white blood cells, blood groups, insulin, rubber gloves, aspirin, and vitamins and the discoveries of Pasteur, Charcot, Halsted, Zirm, Lister, and Koch were the starting point of an international fight against disease.
The Medical advancements of WWI had a huge impact on the war; many soldiers’ lives were saved due to advances in medicine and the invention of the ambulance. The First World War had many casualties and deaths, many of these deaths were not caused by the “invisible soldier”. Most of the injuries in the war were caused by large explosions and gunshot wounds. With the invention of the ambulance, many soldiers were aided sooner rather than later, resulting in their lives being saved.
Before World War II, medicine and medical practices in the United States was lacking and ineffective. This made it so the majority of fatalities in war were not caused by trauma but by diseases. Diseases were often caught and incurable because of the lack of medical expertise the United States retained, causing death rates to be high. In war, diseases would wipe out soldiers before bullets were even fired. In the early 1930’s when the great depression started, the U.S was at its lowest point. Because of the poor state the United States was in, medical advancements were at a stop. Medical advancements with blood transfusions, vaccines, and antibiotics made it so the U.S strengthened as a whole. These medical advancements on the battlefield Reduced the loss of life in World War II.
Medical science had not yet discovered the importance of antiseptics in preventing infection. Water was contaminated and soldiers sometimes ate unripened or spoiled food. There weren’t always clean rags available to clean wounds. Because of frequent shortages of water, surgeons often went days without washing their hands or instruments. So now germs were passing from patient to patient.
Most of these medical advances were a result and were an influence of World War I. Probably one of the most important medical advances was the discovery of penicillin in 1928 by a Scottish, microbiologist named Alexander Fleming, he had actually accidently discovered it, when he noticed that a bacteria culture he had been growing, had stopped, he realized that it had been contaminated by a rare form of mold called Penicillin and that it had killed the bacteria.
World War I was beginning of inventing new ways to produce more casualties to the enemy’s force and reduce the probability of losing Soldiers from their own line of defense or offense. They did this by conducting extensive research in chemical warfare. At the same time, it will motivate the troops and win the hearts and minds of the people from their country if they had new ways on ending the war quickly. Chemical warfare affected tactics and techniques of warfare and almost changed the outcome of World War I. (LTG Carl E. Vuono)
World War I allowed for the emergence of many new types of warring equipment. The airplane proved to be very useful and successful. The armored tank became an integral part of an army. However, one of the many new innovations that is frequently overlooked is the introduction of the ambulance.
"Top 10 Inventions Discovered During WWII." WAR HISTORY ONLINE. N.p., 26 Dec. 2013. Web. 4 May 2014. .
"Science & Technology in World War I." Shmoop: Study Guides & Teacher Resources. Web. 04 Feb. 2010. .
Science and Technology of World War II The WWII National Museum n.d. [Web] 22 February
There were many medical advancements during World War I that has changed many lives in a positive way. Blood transfusion allowed to save those who were fatally wounded back then and now. Prosthetics and plastic surgery helps those who are considered different regain their confidence. WWI helped other less known medical treatment be developed as well. WWI made way for many medical advancements such as blood transfusion, prosthetics and plastic surgery, and other minor procedures.
Thesis: Though many argue that World War 2 was an unnecessary show of violence that benefitted no one, World War 2 uniquely and critically revolutionized the world in science, technology, and medicine.
Since during the civil war times the education about medical tools and medicine, the doctors would often use the same tools continuously on many of the wounded soldiers. This would spread the disease more than they already were. Also the soldiers were not so hygienic themselves, neither were the doctors. The soldiers would not shower daily and the doctors would not clean
World War One, in its own time, was the most destructive war Earth itself had ever seen, and this was due to the new technology. “There are two groups of people in warfare – those organized to inflict and those organized to repair wounds – and there is little doubt but that in all wars, and in this one in particular, the former have been better prepared for their jobs.” There were many advancements, disadvantages, and foundations involving medicine in World War I. The assassination of Franz Ferdinand on June 28, 1914 started the war, and things spiraled out of control from there. With there being so many existing alliances with countries all over, almost all of Europe became involved. Eventually two sides emerged which were the Central Powers and the Allies. America had tried to stay out of the war, but when Russia backed out in 1917 America slipped in.