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The Western Front - Injuries and illnesses (British soldiers on the…
The Western Front - Injuries and illnesses
British soldiers on the Western Front were at risk of death and injury from rifles, machine guns and explosives, but also illnesses caused by the conditions in which they were living and fighting.
Gas attacks
were greatly feared, but not a major cause of death. they caused (mostly temporary) blindness, coughing and burns. In July 1915, gas masks were given to all British troops. Before this, they protected their faces with cotton pads soaked in urine.
Head injuries
were unexpectedly common and were mostly caused by shrapnel. By late 1915, the soldiers' soft caps were replaced by Brodie helmets, which reduced head wounds.
Shell shock
caused a wide range of symptoms, including total mental breakdown. Some sufferers were accused of cowardice. Many were treated close to the Front but some were evacuated to British hospitals.
Trench fever
produced flu-like symptoms, which could last for months and keep reoccurring. It was caused by lice so, in 191, troops were deloused, which reduced cases.
Trench foot
was caused by standing in waterlogged trenches. It could lead to gangrene, treated with amputation. To try and protect troops' feet, they were given whale oil and spare socks, pumps were used tp drain trenches, and duckboards were added for soldiers to keep their feet above the water.
Bullets
from rifles and machine guns could penetrate organs and fracture bones.
High explosive shells and shrapnel
were responsible for most deaths and injuries, removing limbs and causing major internal injuries.
Specific injury problems
Some injuries had rarely been seen before, while others had never seen this scale. All weapons, but particularly explosions, could cause major blood loss. Bullets and shrapnel had to be located and then removed. Extensive head wounds required brain surgery and or/ facial reconstruction.
Wound infection
This was a major problem as soil on the Western Front contained tetanus and gas gangrene bacteria. These would enter wounds wither during an attack, or when victims were lying on the ground (often for some time) before being collected. From late 1914, tetanus injections were given but there was no prevention for gas gangrene.