Doctors in the Great War

Description

This book examines the role of the doctor in war, with reference to the Western front 1914-1918. It examines the system that was developed for recruiting medical officers, highlighting the tensions between civil and military needs, and the BMA's determination to protect the interests of the profession. Separate chapters deal with the position of medical students and the contribution of women doctors. The book looks at the training of doctors for war, and the differences that existed between military and civilian medicine. The Army's utilization of doctors is assessed in the context of contemporary accusations that its organization was wasteful and ignorant of the requirements of medical science. These issues are addressed through a discussion of evacuation procedures, the development of wound therapy and the provision for preventing and treating the diseases of war Content: Ch. 1. Doctors and the Army, 1854-1914: the struggle for recognition -- Ch. 2. The medical volunteers: the recruitment of medical officers, 1914-1916 -- Ch. 3. Medical practitioners and compulsory service, 1916-1918 -- Ch. 4. Medical students and military service -- Ch. 5. Medical women and war service -- Ch. 6. RAMC administration on the western front -- Ch. 7. Doctors and military medicine: the training of medical officers -- Ch. 8. The way of the wounded: the medical officer's work from front to base -- Ch. 9. The fight against disease.