War Surgery 1914-18

This book is an analysis of surgical practice during the Great War, 1914-1918, focusing closely on the human aspects of the surgery of warfare and how developments in the understanding of injuries sustained in warfare occurred.

The First World War resulted in appalling wounds that quickly became grossly infected. The medical profession had to rapidly modify its clinical practice to deal with the major problems presented by overwhelming sepsis. Besides risk of infection, there were many other issues to be addressed including casualty evacuation, anesthesia, the use of X-rays and how to deal with disfiguring wounds - plastic surgery in its infancy.

The core of the book lies in 10 essays covering a wide variety of topics, including: the evacuation of casualties; anesthesia, shock and resuscitation; pathology; X-rays; orthopedic wounds; abdominal wounds; chest wounds; wounds of the skull and brain; the development of plastic surgery. All material is supported by an extensive number of figures, tables and images.

This book is firmly aimed at all those with a passion for the history of this period. While it will be of interest to those in medical spheres the editors have ensured that the essays are accessible and of interest to a non-medical readership.

War Surgery 1914-18 contributes greatly to our understanding of the surgery of warfare. Surgeons working in Casualty Clearing Stations during the years 1914-1918 laid the foundations for modern war surgery as practiced today in Afghanistan and elsewhere.