Surgery - Advancements in WW1 Flashcards
IGCSE History 1848 - 1948 (13 cards)
What was a consequence of more powerful guns in WWI for Surgery?
More severe wounds and deeper infections which were harder to deal with.
The battlefield conditions were dirty, increasing the risk of infection.
What advancements were made in blood transfusions during the 1910s?
1914 - Lewisohn develops sodium citrate
1915 - Rous and Turner develop glucose citrate, which allowed up to 4 weeks of storage
The first non-direct transfusion was performed in 1914 by Hustin using sodium citrate.
When was the first blood bank set up
1917 on the Western front.
He recognized the need to stockpile blood for transfusions.
Who developed mobile x-rays for use in WWI?
Marie Curie.
These mobile x-rays were closer to the front lines, allowing for quicker surgery.
What was a limitation of x-rays in WWI medical treatment?
They could not detect clothing in a wound and required the patient to remain very still.
Additionally, glass tubes could overheat and high radiation dosages could cause burns.
What method proved effective in fighting infection in war zones?
Cutting away infected tissue and soaking the wound in saline solution.
Other effective methods included excision, debridement, and the Carrel-Dakin method.
What were some limitations of the methods used to fight infection?
Procedures were time-consuming and often led to amputation.
Excision, debridement, and the Carrel-Dakin method were limited in scope.
What impact did the Thomas Splint have on femur fracture survival rates?
Survival rates improved from 20% to 80% by 1916.
It stabilized the leg, preventing infection and allowing quicker healing.
Who set up a hospital for facial reconstruction and how many patients did he treat?
Harold Gillies treated 2,000 patients after the Battle of the Somme in a hospital in Sidcup.
He aimed to fix wounds caused by shrapnel, which often dragged dirt into injuries.
What was a limitation of skin grafting during WWI?
It was risky and not perfect, making reintegration into society challenging.
Patients underwent experimental surgery with uncertain outcomes.
How many soldiers lost a limb during WWI and what was developed to assist them?
Over 240,000 soldiers lost a limb, and lighter metal alloy prosthetics were developed.
These prosthetics featured more advanced mechanisms.
What was a limitation associated with prosthetic limbs?
They took a long time to make, resulting in long waiting lists.
Patients also needed training to use the prosthetics effectively.
What challenges did surgeons face with brain surgery in WWI?
They dealt with complex brain injuries and experimented with magnets to remove metal from wounds.
Cushing found that local anaesthetic was better than general anaesthetic to prevent brain swelling.
