Medical advancements

• Thomas Splint


  Why was it needed:

  • The splint used before did not keep the leg rigid so soldiers lost a lot of blood

  How did it help:

  • Kept the leg rigid so bones wouldn't rub on each other
  • Reduced death rate from 80% to 20%
  • Fewer amputations were needed
• Brain Surgery


  Why was it needed:

  • Very few doctors had experience in neurosurgery before the war
  • Difficult to move men with head injuries as they were often confused or unconscious

  How did it help:

  • Cushing's method of using local anaesthetic was more effective
  • His operation survival rate was 71% compared to the general 50%
• Plastic Surgery


  Why was it needed:

  • War caused severe disfigurements
  • Men needed a way to restore parts of the face that had been destroyed

  How did it help:

  • Restored their faces