WWI, Amputees, Casualties of War

At Walter Reed Hospital, a soldier who is missing a foot lights a cigarette for another soldier who is missing both arms. Before WWI the hospital's capacity was 80 patient beds. But during the war it grew to 2, 500 in a matter of months. When a soldier was hit by a bullet (soft lead ball) it flattened, causing terrible injuries, shattering bone, and tearing off large chunks of flesh. There were no antibiotics, no way to fight infection except removing a limb before gangrene set in. In traumatic amputations, the limb was simply cut across and the bone trimmed. There was no sanitation and the doctors reused tools without even washing them

Restrictions Only for Ireland and United Kingdom

Amputate Amputated Amputation Amputee Casualties Casualty Disability Disabled Dogface Doughboy Expeditionary Handicap Handicapped

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