WAR CASUALTIES

Bay of Plenty Times, Volume LXXIII, Issue 13557, 15 September 1944, Page 3

WAR CASUALTIES

DEATH RATE LOW TRIUMPH OF SURGERY The famous medical weekly. The Lancet, has recently published a valuable analysis of the death rate for wounded casualties suffered by the Army, which shows that’ it is much lower than in the last war, states an English exchange. Of 28,993 wounds treated in the general hospitals of the Middle East forces for the year ending March 31, 1943, the death rate worked out at only 2.1 per cent s compared from six to ten per cent in the war of 1914-1918. Many reasons are given for the remarkable improvement. While at forward units the mortality rates are about the same, the better organisation for the collection of the wounded for treatment has greatly in-

creased the chance of survival. A much better mobility in field surgical units in advanced areas, too, enables wounds to be treated with promptitude. Evacuation by air was freely used for long distances. Then there is the extension of the blood transfusion service, which has brought about a higher standard of recovery. It is stated that between nine and 18 per cent of the wounded need this service: on the average they receive two pints each, but some required 20 pints or more. The mobility of modern armies is a considerable factor. Wounded men are more likely to recover from wounds when not exhausted by excessive marching.