The early treatment of war wounds / by Colonel H.M.W. Gray.

  • Gray, H. M. W. (Henry McIlree Williamson), Sir, 1870-1938.
Date:
1919
Catalogue details

Licence: In copyright

Credit: The early treatment of war wounds / by Colonel H.M.W. Gray. Source: Wellcome Collection.

    30/328 page 10
    especially during transport, for no evident reason. It seems that their power of endurance suddenly breaks down. Such men are often of a highly strung nature, excitable and talkative while being dressed. They do not usually complain of pain, and there may be no haemorrhage or other shock-producing facter present. It may be that a sufficient injection of sedative will prevent the onset of such shock. General Treatment The Condition of Wounded Men. — As already stated, the great majority of the severely wounded give evidence of the existence of some degree of shock or collapse, and attention to their general con¬ dition is as important as attention to their wounds. Shock is generally due to the combined action of several causes, amongst which the most common are : (1) haemorrhage, (2) exposure to cold, wet, hunger, and fatigue, (3) pain and anxiety, (4) the presence of multiple injuries, (5) the injury of some important organ, as in lesions of the trunk and head. Next to the actual injury, the journey from the trenches to the casualty clearing station is the most potent factor in producing shock, and every effort must be made to render this journey as easy as possible for the wounded man. This can only be done by attention to innumerable details, which, considered separately, may seem insignificant, but taken collectively may make the difference between life and death to the patient. Viewed in this light, no attention that con¬ tributes to the wounded man’s comfort during his journey is so trifling as not to merit care and con-
    digitised image 1
    digitised image 2
    digitised image 3