How World Wars Influenced Modern Medicine
Medical Developments in World War One
The World war led to prompt developments in the field of medicine and medical technology. It involved from time soldiers were injured until they were at home and the treatment, they all experienced. During world war one, weapons like machine-gun fire caused multifaceted wounds that needed surgical techniques in fields like plastic surgery and orthopedics. As such, wound care was established with antiseptic treatments (Bell &Louise). Medical care depended on several factors such as climatic changes, the number of soldiers that needed surgery, and the working personnel such as nurses and doctors. Doctors and scientists developed various inventive methods and treatments. Some of the innovations include the treatment of fractured femurs. Thomas splint was applied in 1916 due to mortality rates caused by fractures, especially femur fractures (Van Way et al.).
Artificial limbs. Most of the soldiers returned with disabilities that were caused by new weapons. Several British service members lost an arm after being injured. Hospitals were established to assist men with amputations. Men who had amputations were employed to make prosthetic limbs, which was a source of employment to them. Hospitals had to emphasize rehabilitation. Rehabilitation assisted men in doing both leisure activities as well as work such as hairdressing and beekeeping (Van Way et al.). Moreover, blood transfusion in world war one refined the available methods that were in use already. At first, there was a challenge that was preventing blood from clotting while in storage. Paraffin sing inside the collecting vessel could stop clothing for a more extended period. Blood could be stored for a longer time with no aversive effects, and it could be distributed where it was required. Blood transfusions could aid in the treatment of bleeding before an operation was undertaken.
World War Two Medical Advancements
World War 2 began in 1939 AD and resolved in 1945, leading to the development of various accomplishments in the areas of medicine. Medical achievements saved human lives, especially service members on the battlefield (Jonathan & Stolz). Throughout the war, policies were developed for surgeons on the techniques to use and whom to operate. Innovative blood effort in dried plasma with the national donors enhanced sufficient management injuries that were life-threatening. It also made transfusions conventional. Doctors applied collective sanitization actions for human waste disposal. It reduced the spread of infections that had occurred in previous wars. Pharmaceuticals produced enough penicillin o save lives. Troops were vaccinated to protect them from Yellow Fever, especially in the pacific—technical advances, which include abdomen and chest surgical operations that saved the lives of many people. Surgeons specialized in orthopedics conserved limbs that were amputated during the First World War. Some wounds were psychological; thus, psychiatrists made a diagnosis and treated the patients with battle fatigue (Jonathan & Stolz).
World War Two exposed doctors to deep practical involvements, unlike the earlier experiences. As such, the government-sponsored different groups of academic researchers by giving financial assistance to carry out their activities well. By 1945, there was a considerable impact in the field of medicine. Health care in the US began a new period of medical analysis and treatment. Intense research and the principle of therapeutic significance, American medical innovativeness is growing at a faster rate (Smith &Crystal). Approximate of seventy-two percent of American citizens that were born around 1944 and other generations are kicking well. It is as a result of advances in medical care that happened during World War Two that are of significance up to date.
Work cited
Bell, Louise. “Medical Developments in World War One.” The British Library, 7 Nov. 2018, www.bl.uk/world-war-one/articles/medical-developments-in-world-war-one. Accessed 7 Apr. 2020.
Jonathan L. Stolz, MD. “The Lasting Effects of World War II Medical Advances.” Dailypress.com/virginiagazette, 31 May 2019, www.dailypress.com/virginiagazette/opinion/va-vg-stolz-0601-story.html. Accessed 7 Apr. 2020.
Smith, Crystal. “Medical Perspectives on World War 2.” Circulating Now from NLM, 13 June 2019, circulatingnow.nlm.nih.gov/2017/04/27/official-documents-of-world-war-ii-a-medical-perspective/. Accessed 7 Apr. 2020.
Van Way, III, Charles W., et al. “Practice of Medicine in WW1.” Home – World War I Centennial, www.worldwar1centennial.org/index.php/practice-of-medicine-in-ww1.html. Accessed 7 Apr. 2020.