History - Medicine through time

• What is the closest medical unit to the front line called?

  Regimental Aid Post (RAP)
• What was the main purpose of the RAP?

  To give immediate first aid
• How did the RAP handle serious injuries?

  They quickly moved them to the next stage
• What are the stages of evacuating wounded soldiers from the front line?

  1. Regimental Aid Post (RAP)
  2. Dressing Stations (ADS & MDS)
  3. Casualty Clearing Stations (CCS)
  4. Base Hospitals
• Where were Advanced Dressing Stations (ADS) located?

  Behind the RAP
• What was the staffing structure of a Dressing Station?

  10 Regimental Medical Officers and others
• What was the maximum number of casualties a Field Ambulance Unit was planned to handle?

  150 wounded men
• How many casualties did the Field Ambulance Unit in the Ypres Salient deal with on August 11, 1917?

  1,000 casualties
• What was the purpose of Base Hospitals?

  To treat soldiers close to ports for transport
• How many beds did the new Base Hospitals have by 1917?

  2,500 beds
• What was the role of Casualty Clearing Stations (CCS)?

  To carry out operations for critical injuries
• What was the triage system used in CCS?

  To categorize soldiers based on injury severity
• What percentage of men admitted to CCS died?

  3.7%
• What were the unhygienic conditions in the trenches?

  Flooding, sewage, and corpses
• How did rats contribute to the spread of disease in the trenches?

  They fed on dead bodies and spread bacteria
• What were the symptoms of shell shock?

  Headaches, nightmares, and shaking
• How was shell shock treated during the war?

  It was poorly understood and often ignored
• What was the impact of trench foot on soldiers?

  It caused severe pain and potential amputation
• What caused trench fever?

  Contact with lice
• What was the role of the RAMC?

  To provide medical care in the army
• How many medical officers were in the RAMC by 1918?

  113,000 medical officers
• What was the underground hospital at Arras used for?

  To treat soldiers and provide rest
• What was the first women's voluntary organization to send nurses to the war?

  FANY
• What was the role of FANY nurses in the war?

  To provide medical care and support
• How did the work of nurses change attitudes towards women?

  It showed women's skills and contributions
• What was the main cause of infection in wounds during the war?

  Bacteria from dirt and surroundings
• What was the impact of artillery shells on soldiers?

  They caused nearly 58% of all wounds
• How did gas attacks affect soldiers' morale?

  They caused panic and fear among troops
• What was the first gas used by the Germans in 1915?

  Chlorine gas
• How did soldiers initially protect themselves from gas attacks?

  By soaking clothing in urine
• What was the significance of gas masks by 1915?

  They provided better protection against gas
• What were the types of gas used in WWI?

  • Chlorine Gas
  • Phosgene Gas
  • Mustard Gas
• What were the main types of injuries caused by weapons in WWI?

  • Gunshot wounds
  • Shrapnel injuries
  • Gas gangrene
  • Tetanus
• What was the chance of survival for a gunshot wound to the leg at the start of the war?

  20%
• Why did gas attacks cause panic among British troops?

  They had never experienced gas attacks before
• What did soldiers use before receiving gas masks?

  Clothing soaked in urine
• What was the purpose of oxygen tanks delivered to soldiers by 1917?

  To help them breathe after gas exposure
• When was chlorine gas first used and by whom?

  In 1915 by the Germans
• What was the effect of phosgene gas compared to chlorine gas?

  It was faster acting and more powerful
• What type of gas was first used by the Germans in 1917?

  Mustard gas