5.1.2
The Impact of WW1
The Impact of the First World War
The Impact of the First World War
The First World War (1914-1918) led to many advances in medicine. Notable advances were made in X-rays, blood loss & transfusions, and plastic surgery. Just like Penicillin later in World War 2, war can fuel (support) a lot of medical developments.
Plastic surgery
Plastic surgery
- The development of plastic surgery was motivated by the First World War.
- A doctor called Harold Gillies set up a unit to transplant skin for soldiers with facial wounds.
- In 1917, Queen’s Hospital in Sidcup, Kent was established to treat soldiers with facial wounds.
- By the Second World War, Archibald McIndoe was using drugs such as penicillin to treat soldiers with facial wounds.
Blood transfusions up to 1900
Blood transfusions up to 1900
- Blood transfusions often failed because scientists didn’t know that different people had different blood types. Infections could be passed on through transfusions.
- Between 1900 and 1901, Karl Landsteiner discovered different blood types. He categorised these into type A, type B, type AB and type O.
- Blood transfusions had to be matched to a patient's’ blood type to work.
Blood transfusions after 1900
Blood transfusions after 1900
- In 1914, Albert Hustin discovered how to store blood for long periods without clotting (using sodium citrate). This was needed for blood to reach the battlefield in time.
- In 1938, the British National Blood Transfusion Service was opened. Prompted by the Second World War, the British and US developed large blood banks to treat wounded soldiers.
X-rays before WW1
X-rays before WW1
- In 1895, Wilhelm Röntgen discovered x-rays.
- Before the First World War x-rays were used to help doctors identify broken bones and disease.
- By 1901, radiotherapy was used to treat cancer.
X-rays during WW1
X-rays during WW1
- During the First World War, x-rays were used on the battlefield.
- Marie Curie developed mobile x-ray machines which were transportable.
- This allowed surgeons to identify where shrapnel or bullets were in a wounded soldier on the front line.
1Medicine in Medieval England
1.1Ideas about the Cause of Disease & Illness
1.2Approaches to Prevention & Treatment
2The Medical Renaissance in England
2.1Ideas about the Cause of Disease & Illness
2.2Approaches to Prevention & Treatment
3Medicine in 18th & 19th Century Britain
3.1Ideas about the Cause of Disease & Illness
3.2Approaches to Prevention & Treatment
4Medicine in Modern Britain
4.1Modern Understanding of Disease
4.2Approaches to Prevention & Treatment
5Treatment in WW1
6Themes in Medicine
7Some Extra Context (Not Compulsory for Exam)
7.1Medieval Medicine
Jump to other topics
1Medicine in Medieval England
1.1Ideas about the Cause of Disease & Illness
1.2Approaches to Prevention & Treatment
2The Medical Renaissance in England
2.1Ideas about the Cause of Disease & Illness
2.2Approaches to Prevention & Treatment
3Medicine in 18th & 19th Century Britain
3.1Ideas about the Cause of Disease & Illness
3.2Approaches to Prevention & Treatment
4Medicine in Modern Britain
4.1Modern Understanding of Disease
4.2Approaches to Prevention & Treatment
5Treatment in WW1
6Themes in Medicine
7Some Extra Context (Not Compulsory for Exam)
7.1Medieval Medicine
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