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the historic environment

The Western Front

Paul Short and Dan Silverman consider what we can learn about developments in wartime medical treatment by examining the system used on the Western Front in the First World War

Source A First aid being given at a Regimental Aid Post

It is well known that the Great War prompted significant developments in medical treatment and technology. The huge number of casualties was unprecedented as were the nature and extent of wounds suffered. From rifles to machine guns and heavy artillery to gas attacks, trench conditions posed further challenges to the provision of battlefield medicine.

During the course of the war there were numerous developments in key branches of medicine including surgery, the treatment of infection, orthopaedics, radiology and psychiatry. Underpinning these advances was a developing system for the provision of battlefield medicine which was further established as the war progressed. This system was divided into six different stages of treatment.

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Radical groups, 1647–49

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9/11 and its aftermath

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