Experiments and New techniques

• Why was aseptic technique not possible in DSs and CCSs?

  Contaminated conditions and large numbers of men needing treatment
• What was Wound Excision (debridement)?

  The cutting away of dead/damaged/infected tissue from the site of the wound. Had to be done quickly to prevent infection and then wound would need to be closed by stitching
• By 1918 how many had lost limbs?

  240,000
• What was the Carrel-Dakin method?


  Sterilised salt was pumped into a wound through a tube to treat gas gangrene. It had to be made on the spot as it did not last very long.
• What was a major issue for wounds to legs?

  In 1914-1915 only 20% survival rate for men with gunshot/shrapnel wound to the leg. This is because a broken bone could pierce muscle and skin and cause major bleeding.
• How did the Thomas Splint work?

  A splint was placed which kept a broken limb from moving. A broken limb could potentially pierce the skin which could then cause further bleeding or infection.
• What was the impact of the Thomas Splint?

  Survival rates for leg wounds increased from 20% to 82%
• What was the main use of x-rays during the war?

  Identify shell fragments and bullets to be removed. 2 x-rays were taken from different angles to accurately locate the impaled object.
• What were some problems with x-rays?

  Could not detect all objects- e.g. clothing fragments that also needed removing

  -Keeping patient still

  -machine large
• Where were the static x-ray machines?

  Base Hospitals and larger CCSs. If these were not available, mobile units could be called upon.
• Why was availability of blood at blood depots so important?

  Only severely wounded men were taken to CCSs and were not in the position to provide blood for transfusions. Blood could now be stored and transported around.
• What % of wounds were to the head, face and neck?

  20%, due to the amount of exposure.
• Why were brain injuries likely to prove fatal at the start of the war?

  Issue of infection, difficulties moving men with head injuries due to confusion and men being unconscious and also few doctors had experience in neurosurgery.
• What observations were made to improve brain surgery?

  Men who were quickly operated on were more likely to survive: CCSs became the centres for brain surgery. Patients remained at the CCS for 3 weeks after surgery. All head wounds were carefully examined to make sure they weren't hiding anything major.
• What did Harold Gillies do?


  Facial reconstruction for men who suffered injuries from explosions and gas
• Who pioneered blood transfusions?

  Lawrence Bruce Robertson, a Canadian doctor
• What did Robertson do and what was its impact?

  Indirect blood transfusions via a syringe. Those who did not react negatively to the transfusion generally survived.
• What did Geoffrey Keynes design?

  A blood transfusion kit that allowed blood transfusions to be carried out on the frontline
• What was the blood bank at Cambrai?

  Blood was stored in small glass bottles. During the Battle of Cambrai men were administered with O-negative blood which saved many lives.
• What changes made it possible to store and administer blood more successfully?

  The discovery of O-negative blood which was universal, Sodium nitrate which allowed blood to be refrigerated for two days, citrate glucose which allowed blood to be stored for weeks
• What factors contributed to medical advanced on the western front?

  The role of individuals such as Cushing, Adaptation to situations which arose in the battlefield, new technologies such as blood transfusion and X-rays