The guest speaker for our programme on March 22nd was Scott Woodland of the Scarborough Historical Society. Scott introduced his program this way. “The First World War witnessed unprecedented casualties which often overloaded the army’s medical system. However, while there were many aspects of medical care that seem only marginally better than those available during the Napoleonic Wars or the Victorian era, incredible gains were made in the care of soldiers and the treatment of wounds. As technological advances developed new ways of inflicting injuries on combatants, the doctors and scientists responded with ever improving medical procedures that helped to save lives. The presentation looks at the role medical officers had in keeping soldiers healthy and fit as well as what happened when a soldier became a casualty by tracking his progress through the army’s medical system from when he was hit, to evacuation from the battlefield and treatment in hospital.”
Nothing prepared Canadian troops for the conditions confronting them while in the trenches. They did offer a refuge from machine guns and artillery. However, the trenches were little more than mud ditches crawling with disease, rats, lice, poor sanitation, and often the bodies of fallen comrades. The persistent cold and dampness from prolonged periods standing in water-logged troughs gave way to trench foot, which risked leading to gangrene and amputation.
The troops were issued with improved gas masks and the brodie helmet was introduced that helped against artillery shells.
Front line medical officers treated many casualties but, often overwhelmed by sheer numbers, they quickly transported many of the wounded to field ambulances, located as close as safety allowed to the front lines. The ambulances took the wounded to dressing stations and those with mild cases were given treatment and rest. When fit, the men were returned to duty. Ambulances also took the severely wounded to casualty clearing stations. Surgery could be performed at any of the medical units, depending on the patient’s need for immediate or deferred care. Following an initial recovery from surgery, patients could proceed to stationary and general hospitals in France and England for long-term care. By 1918, the Canadian Army Medical Corps operated 16 general hospitals, ten stationary hospitals, and four casualty clearing stations. There was a 94% survival rate if a soldier got to a doctor.
The Scarborough Historical Society hosts programmes on the 4th Tuesday of each month from January to April and from September to November. All programmes begin at 7:30 p.m. at the Bendale Public Library and are free and open to the public.
Trench-bound Canadian soldiers
Canadians bringing wounded comrades to the Field Dressing Station, Vimy Ridge, April 1917
