Western front - key features

• 2 key features of Aseptic surgery

  -One key feature was the invention of an autoclave. This is when the French scientist Charles Chamberland invented a machine ( autoclave), the use of steam sterilisation aimed to sterilise surgical instruments in boiling steam -Another key feature was the development of the two German surgeons (Gustav Neuber and Ernst von Bergmann). The air was sterilised by being pumped over the heating system to kill germs
• 2 key features of Casualty clearing stations

  -Casualty clearing stations needed to be close enough to the frontline to be able to deal quickly with the wounded, but far enough away to have some protection from shelling. -A Triage system was used to divide the wounded into groups in the clearing stations. Those who were not likely to survive would only be made comfortable, but not treated.
• 2 key features of the trench system on the Western Front

  -One key feature of the trench system on the Western front is the frontline trench. This was the most advanced position where attacks would be made from soldiers spent 15% of time here -Another key feature was communication trenches. They linked the firing line with the command support and reserve trenches
• 2 key features of the work of the nursing units such as the FANY

  -One key feature of the FANY was that it provided front line support for the Medieval services by driving ambulances and engaging in emergency first Aid. -Another key feature was that they drove supplies such as food and clothes to the front line.
• 2 key features of RAMC ( Royal Army Medical Corps)

  -One key feature was that they were responsible for medical care. For example, they provided 113,000 doctors, stretcher bearers and orderlies by 1918. -Another key feature was they ran field ambulance, these were mobile units of the RAMC which were important in dressing stations e.g. at Hodge
• What are the key features of Base hospitals

  -One key feature was the location; by the coast / ports so men could be easily transported to Britain. -Another key feature was that as the CCS's had taken on a lot of their roles they experimented with new techniques e.g. operating hospitals into wards and letting one doctor become specialised.
• What were features of the issues associated with bone breaking?

  · shrapnel wounds created compound fractures if large bone like the femur was fractured this would mean lots of muscle damaged and hence major bleeding the original splint used didn't keep lab straight this led to more blood loss in transit which could increase chances of getting shock· there was also a chance of getting an infection from the bacteria rich soil which made up the western front particularly if you did have a compound fracture and the protective barrier of the skin was punctured
• 2 key features of trench foot

  One key feature was the causes and symptoms; cold water in trenches caused painful swelling of the feet and then in stage 2 gangrene , which is the decay of tissue due to loss of blood One key feature was the solution; mostly based around prevention e.g. rubbing on whale oil as It was waterproof and could act as insulation, keeping your feet dry and changing your socks. if gangrene did develop the solution was to amputate the foot to stop it from spreading to the rest of the left
• 2 key features of plastic surgery 


  -One key feature was that it was lead by Harold Gilles and Charles Valadier. They had to devise new operations as they had never had to treat these issues before. Gilles set up Queens Hospital Kent where 12000 operations were carried out. -Another key feature was the technique they used. For example, grafting - involved a flap of skin being separated but not detached from a healthy part of a soldier's body, stitched into a tube, and then sutured into place.
• 2 key features of the front line trenches

  One key feature was it was the most dangerous part of the trench. For example, a soldier only spent 15% of his time there as they experienced dangers such as shelling, gas and also machine gun fire (if theyput their head above the parapetA second key feature was there were protective features of a trench. For example, a dugout to shelter in during shelling and sandbags to help stop bullets.
• 2 key features of trench fever

  One key feature was the causes and symptomsflu like symptoms, high temperature, headaches and aches. Another key feature was the treatment; in 1918 they linked It to lice so they set up delousing stations sometimes this was done manually and other times they used steam to disinfect clothing and bedding.