Medical Problems

• What were the trenches described as?

  Muddy, filthy, and rat-infested
• What condition could soldiers develop from standing in filthy cold water?

  Trench foot
• What were the consequences of untreated trench foot?

  Gangrene, rotting flesh, and amputation
• How many soldiers could be affected by trench foot in cold weather?

  Up to a sixth of the army
• What symptoms were associated with trench fever?

  Back pain, headaches, and fever
• What caused trench fever during World War I?

  Infestations of lice
• How did soldiers try to deal with lice in the trenches?

  Crushing lice and fumigating clothes
• What was a significant cause of infection in wounds during World War I?

  Filthy clothing fragments
• How did the conditions of World War I differ from earlier wars regarding infections?

  Wet and muddy conditions increased infections
• What was gas gangrene?

  Infection causing flesh to rot
• What was the only treatment for gas gangrene?

  Amputation
• What were the main health problems faced by soldiers in the trenches?

  • Trench foot
  • Trench fever (PUO)
  • Gas gangrene
  • Shell shock (PTSD)
• What were the conditions in the trenches that led to health issues?

  • Muddy and filthy environments
  • Rat infestations
  • Lack of hygiene facilities
  • Exposure to enemy fire
• What were the consequences of trench foot?

  • Swelling of feet
  • Possible gangrene
  • Risk of amputation
  • Severe pain and numbness
• What were the methods used to combat lice in the trenches?

  • Crushing lice
  • Fumigation of clothes
  • High-temperature laundry
  • Mobile showers for hygiene
• What were the challenges in treating shell shock during World War I?

  • Poor understanding of mental health
  • Stigma around the condition
  • Treatment focused on physical symptoms
  • Need for soldiers to return to duty quickly
• What were the implications of infections from wounds in World War I?

  • High mortality rates from infections
  • Lack of antibiotics for treatment
  • Need for new medical practices
  • Increased focus on hygiene and sanitation