MEDICAL TECHNIQUE

Otago Daily Times, Issue 25561, 14 June 1944, Page 5

MEDICAL TECHNIQUE

TREATMENT OF THE WOUNDED REMARKABLE DEVELOPMENTS (Rec. 7.30 p.m.) RUGBY, June 13. The prompt arrival of casualties in Britain, a few hours after the initial landings, was an occasion for wonder. This remarkably rapid process is the result of the development of medical technique evolved in four years of war experience by the Royal Army Medical Corps, states the British Medical Journal. “The most important discovery was that surgery and other specialised treatment must be brought forward as near the fighting line as possible. This has led to a great development of mobile units.”

Speed is the essence of treatment. Every soldier is now supplied with his own dressings, and with skill enough to apply them for "the first time in the history of war. Stretcher-bearers go to battle with the soldiers, taking the wounded immediately to a post where they can get blood transfusion, and lavish supplies of penicillin. They can even be operated on if that is essential Parachute field ambulance units consist of eight to ten doctors with dispensers, nursing orderlies, stretcher bearers, and full equipment, including operating tables, dropped by parachute. At present, as the Allies are fighting near the coast, casualties are removed for more elaborate treatment to Britain, but as the lines of communication lengthen, an organisation of first-rate medical services on French/ soil is ready. Of .the great life-saving agents employed in the treatment of casualties, one is blood transfusion. Since the British Army’s blood transfusion service first came into operation, in May, 1940, it has made great strides, and 500,000 civilians in Britain have been contributing their blood. Since 1943 25,000 pints of processed blood have been turned out every month for invasion use. One of the most invaluable contributions made by R.A.M.C. doctors was the discovery of a method of giving blood transfusions while transporting a patient from the front to a medical unit. This has eliminated dangerous shock through delay. The second life-saver is penicillin. It was particularly apposite that on the first day on which the wounded started ,to arrive back from France knighthoods were announced for the British scientists who discovered the drug. The third life-saver is nursing. It is a fact that wounded men respond to treatment quicker when cared for by women. Britain’s women, who have shouldered. greater responsibilities in the war than the women of any other belligerent, are already nursing in the front lines. Army nurses are in hospital ships standing-by off the beaches. The moment landing-grounds large enough to accommodate transport planes are ready,' W.A.A.F. nursing orderlies, running the same risks as airborne troops, will supply the added care which may mean the difference between life and death. This medical care, perfected'by British military doctors, has had great results. The Middle East battle casualties from April, 1942, to March, 1943, showed an overall mortality rate of only 2.1 per cent., compared with 10.5 per cent, in the last war.