World War II
Much like World War I, World War II was a time when huge advancements were made in medicine. Many of these advances were a direct response to new weaponry that had been developed between 1939 and 1945. In fact, a great deal of research had been done on one of these new weapons- chemical warfare. While drugs were found to help cope with a gas attack, most success came in the development of gas masks. While the physical appearance of a gas mask changed little during the war, according to source 10, there were significant developments in the carbon used to absorb poison gases found in the face piece of the mask. A new material, known as whetlerite, was developed and proved to be highly effective in tests against most known poison gases. In addition, a gas mask was created specifically for those with head wounds. It was impossible for those in the hospital recovering from head wounds to wear a gas mask in addition to the numerous bandages, so a head-wound gas mask was developed for them (10).
Below are pictures of a gas masks used during the war.
Below are pictures of a gas masks used during the war.
World War II also saw advances in new drugs. Although Penicillin was not invented during the war, it was first mass produced during the war, making it available to millions of people. It was most commonly used to treat diseases such as gonorrhea and syphilis, which had been the downfall of armies for ages. While penicillin itself is still used today, it was also the precursor to antibiotics that are used today to keep simple infections from developing into life-threatening illnesses. Although blood transfusions had already been used in World War I, doctors were able to perfect the science of them during World War II, as they were with aviation medicine, which allowed soldiers to fly safely at high altitudes for long periods. As with past wars, and wars to come, all of the medical advances in World War II went on to benefit society after the war had ended.
"If any good can be said to come of war, then the Second War War must go on record as assisting and accelerating one of the greatest blessings that the 20th Century has conferred on Man - the huge advances in medical knowledge and surgical techniques. War, by producing so many and such appalling casualties, and by creating such widespread conditions in which disease can flourish, confronted the medical profession with an enormous challenge - and the doctors of the world rose to the challenge of the last war magnificently."
-Brian J Ford, biologist. |