During World War I, soldiers decided to construct trenches in order to protect themselves on the frontlines. This ultimately led to a common medical condition called trench foot, which caused the feet to swell two or three times their normal size and go completely numb. Soldiers were forced to stand in these trenches where the environment was damp, unsanitary, and cold in order to survive. If the condition was left untreated, symptoms would become so severe that amputation was required since the foot is no longer functional. This is a prime example of the hardships the soldiers endured and how medical techniques saved the lives of thousands. The medical advancements before and during World War I were much more effective at decreasing mortality
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The most effective device created at the time was the X-ray machine which was brought to French hospitals and handled by highly educated individuals. When these machines were introduced, it was much more efficient than the thorough inspections made by nurses and doctors. For the first time, ruptured organs were able to be located within minutes and treated almost immediately. This reduced the chances of patients bleeding out internally or dying from the failure of a critical organ, such as the kidney. There were also laboratories built for diagnostic testing for more complicated procedures like blood transfusions. These technology advancements decreased mortality rates by allowing medical professionals to locate and treat wounds more effectively (“Military Medicine” 1994). Overall, medical advancements that were made leading up to and during World War I decreased mortality rates significantly. Some essential developments during the War include: vaccinations that helped prevent the spread of disease; advancements in surgery that prevented death from weapons of mass destruction; and biotechnology development which allowed medical attention to be more efficient. All of these components contributed to the fact that mortality rates during World War I were much lower than those in previous
The most effective device created at the time was the X-ray machine which was brought to French hospitals and handled by highly educated individuals. When these machines were introduced, it was much more efficient than the thorough inspections made by nurses and doctors. For the first time, ruptured organs were able to be located within minutes and treated almost immediately. This reduced the chances of patients bleeding out internally or dying from the failure of a critical organ, such as the kidney. There were also laboratories built for diagnostic testing for more complicated procedures like blood transfusions. These technology advancements decreased mortality rates by allowing medical professionals to locate and treat wounds more effectively (“Military Medicine” 1994). Overall, medical advancements that were made leading up to and during World War I decreased mortality rates significantly. Some essential developments during the War include: vaccinations that helped prevent the spread of disease; advancements in surgery that prevented death from weapons of mass destruction; and biotechnology development which allowed medical attention to be more efficient. All of these components contributed to the fact that mortality rates during World War I were much lower than those in previous