GCSE History: Medicine in Britain, c1250-present, and The British sector of the Western Front, 1914-18: injuries, treatment and the trenches

Describe two features of __________

(4 marks)

- spend around 5 minutes on this question

- this question will be on something from the British sector of the Western Front part of the topic

Feature 1:

- initial point answering focus of the question

- historical detail or evidence to support this point

Feature 2:

- initial point answering focus of the question

- historical detail or evidence to support this point

How useful are sources A and B for an enquiry into _________ ?

(8 marks)

- spend around 12 minutes on this question

- this question will be on something from the British sector of the Western Front part of the topic

- write 2 paragraphs, one on each source

- Nature: What type of source is it?

- Origin: When was the source produced and who produced it

- Purpose: Why was the source produced?

Example paragraph structure:

- The source is useful because ___________

- use two quotations to support this and explain what the quotations from the source show and how this is useful for the enquiry

- describe how the source is useful in supporting your subject knowledge and use specific historical evidence

- suggest how the nature, origin and purpose of the source may make it useful for an enquiry into the question focus

- after this, suggest how the source may be limited in how useful it is for an enquiry into the exam question focus due to either its nature, origin, or purpose

How could you follow up source ___ to find out more about ___________?

(4 marks)

- spend around 5 minutes on this question

- this question will be on something from the British sector of the Western Front part of the topic

- Detail in source ____ that I would follow up : choose a quotation from text or detail from the photograph that focuses on the question

- Question I would ask : a question relevant to the question focus and the quotation you chose

- What type of source I could use : choose a source that is specific to the origin and date of the source

- How this might help answer my question : how will the source be useful in answering your question?

Explain one way in which ___________ was different/similar in the ________ centuries and __________ centuries

(4 marks)

- spend around 5 minutes on this question

- this question will be focused on something from the Medicine in Britain part of the topic

- state the key difference between the time periods on the question focus

- explain the question focus for the first time period using specific historical detail

- then describe how the question focus is similar different in the other time period and use specific historical detail to support this

Explain why ___________

(12 marks)

- spend around 20 minutes on this question

- this question will be focused on the Medicine in Britain part of the topic

- 3 PEEL paragraphs: Point, Evidence, Explain, Link

- and a conclusion: overall judgement explaining what the most significant factor was and why it was more significant than the other factors

- include specific historical detail throughout to support points

- ensure to link back to the question consistently throughout answer

How far do you agree?

(16 marks)

- spend around 25 minutes on this question

- this question will be focused on something from the Medicine in Britain part of the topic

- include a brief introduction that introduces your overall judgement you will explain in more detail in conclusion

- 3 PEEL (Point, Evidence, Explain, Link) paragraphs and a conclusion

- include a lot of detailed specific historical detail throughout answer

- agree with the statement in one paragraph, and disagree in the other paragraphs

- state an overall judgement linking back to the question in the conclusion, and state why it is the most significant factor/reason and why it is more significant than the others; could describe one factor as being the underlying factor in your conclusion so therefore most significant factor

Name some examples of national sources that could be used to find information on The British sector of the Western Front

- national army records

- national newspaper articles and reports

- government reports on the Western Front

- medical articles by medical professionals on the Western Front

Name some examples of local sources that could be used to find information on The British sector of the Western Front

- hospital records

- photographs

- personal accounts by soldiers and those who treated them

- local regiment statistics

Describe two features of the Western Front

(4 marks)

Feature 1:

There were various major battles on the Western Front between 1914-1918. Battles that took place on the Western Front include the Somme, Arras and Cambrai.

Feature 2:

In 1914, British troops were sent to northern France to stop the German advance through Belgium. The line of trenches the troops were stationed in became known as the Western Front.

Describe two features of the first battle of Ypres, 1914

(4 marks)

Feature 1:

In autumn 1914, the Germans launched an attack on the British positions east and north-east of Ypres. The British lost over 50,000 troops in the battle but held on to Ypres.

Feature 2:

The British Expeditionary Force moved to the town of Ypres in western Belgium in 1914. Their aim was to prevent the German advance towards the sea.

Describe two features of the Battle on Hill 60, 1915

(4 marks)

Feature 1:

The Germans had taken over a hill near Ypres. This was a significant strategic position for the Germans.

Feature 2:

The British managed to take the hill. They did this by tunnelling into the hill and exploding five mines from the tunnels.

Describe two features of the second battle of Ypres, 1915

(4 marks)

Feature 1:

The Germans made a slight advance towards Ypres in 1915. During the battle, the Germans became the first to use chlorine gas in warfare.

Feature 2:

The second battle of Ypres was fought as a sequence of battles over a month. The British lost around 59,000 men during the battle.

Describe two features of the third battle of Ypres, 1917

(4 marks)

Feature 1:

Terrible weather conditions were present during the third battle of Ypres. Many men died due to drowning in the mud.

Feature 2:

The third battle of Ypres had many casualties due to heavy rainfall. An estimated 245,000 men died.

Describe two features of the Battle of the Somme, 1916

(4 marks)

Feature 1:

The Battle of the Somme was notable for its high number of casualties. There were around 400,000 British casualties for example.

Feature 2:

The British troops used two new strategies during the Battle of the Somme - the creeping barrage and the first use of tanks in warfare. The use of tanks in the battle was unsuccessful due to many technical issues.

Describe two features of the Battle of Arras, 1917

(4 marks)

Feature 1:

24,000 British troops launched their attack on the Germans at the Battle of Arras using tunnels they had dug. The tunnels were dug near the German trenches in order to attack the Germans unexpectedly.

Feature 2:

British troops were able to break through the German line successfully at the Battle of Arras. They advanced 8 miles and drew German forces away from the French attack at the Aisne.

Describe two features of the Battle of Cambrai, 1917

(4 marks)

Feature 1:

The Battle of Cambrai involved the first large-scale use of tanks. 500 tanks were used in the battle.

Feature 2:

The use of tanks at Cambrai was more successful than at the Battle of the Somme. The tanks could move easily across barbed wire and fire their machine guns more effectively at the Battle of Cambrai

Describe two features of the trench system

(4 marks)

Feature 1:

The trench system consisted of front line trenches, support trenches and reserve trenches. They were linked together by communication trenches.

Feature 2:

The trench system on the Western Front was designed to make it difficult for enemy snipers and explosive shells to cause damage to the entire trench system. For example, trenches were built in a zig-zag pattern.

Describe two features of the construction of the trench system on the Western Front

(4 marks)

Feature 1:

The first trenches were built by troops quickly. They often built on existing ditches or banks to make this easier.

Feature 2:

The trench system on the Western Front was constantly being maintained by troops. They added drains and steps to the trenches for example.

Describe two features of the organisation of the trench system on the Western Front

(4 marks)

Feature 1:

The trench system had three rows of trenches - the front line trench, the support trench, and the reserve trench. They were linked together by communication trenches.

Feature 2:

The trench system was organised in a zig-zag pattern. This aimed to limit damage to the entire trench from shelling.

Describe two features of the front line trenches on the Western Front

(4 marks)

Feature 1:

The front line trenches had stacks of sandbags piled up in front of them. This reduced the number of fatalities from enemy snipers.

Feature 2:

The front line trenches were stationed close to No Man's Land. This meant they were the best location to launch attacks from.

Describe two features of the support trenches on the Western Front (4 marks)

Feature 1:

The support trench system was safer than the front line trench system. Enemy snipers would rarely target the support trenches.

Feature 2:

The support trenches were located around 80 m behind the front line trench. Troops could retreat to the support trenches if they came under attack at the front line trench.

Describe two features of the reserve trenches on the Western Front (4 marks)

Feature 1:

The reserve trenches were furthest from the front line trenches. For instance, the reserve trenches were around 100 m behind the support trenches.

Feature 2:

The reserve trench system could be useful if the front line was under threat. Reserve troops could be mobilised for a counter-attack if the front line trench was captured by the enemy.

Describe two features of the trenches that led to ill health for soldiers (4 marks)

Feature 1:

The trenches on the Western Front were often very crowded. This led to the transmission of diseases such as trench fever from lice.

Feature 2:

The trenches on the Western Front were often very muddy and waterlogged. This caused many soldiers to develop trench foot, which could lead to amputation being required due to gangrene.

Describe two features of the problems of terrain and transport in the trenches on the Western Front

(4 marks)

Feature 1:

Terrain and transport varied in different parts of the trench system on the Western Front. The front line trenches were often very difficult to get through as craters had been created from shelling.

Feature 2:

Terrain and transport in the trenches on the Western Front was dependent on weather conditions. It was difficult to get around the trenches when they were muddy and waterlogged due to rainfall.

Describe two features of the effects of poison gas on soldiers

(4 marks)

Feature 1:

Chlorine gas was used by the Germans at the second battle at Ypres. It was extremely deadly and blistered the skin, eyes and lungs of the British soldiers that were exposed to it

Feature 2:

A symptom of phosgene gas was that it suffocated soldiers. The poison gas did this by damaging the lungs.

Describe two features of the methods used to reduce the effects of gas attacks on soldiers

(4 marks)

Feature 1:

The effects of poison gas were injuring British troops significantly. Because of this, in July 1915, all British troops were issued with gas masks.

Feature 2:

Gas masks were effective in protecting soldiers from the effects of poison gas attacks. Before this, soldiers protected their faces using cotton pads soaked with urine.

Describe two features of head wounds to soldiers on the Western Front

(4 marks)

Feature 1:

Head injuries and wounds were very common on the Western Front. They were usually caused by shrapnel, and symptoms included concussion.

Feature 2:

The problem of head wounds was partly due to the soft caps worn by soldiers. By late 1915, all British troops' soft caps were replaced with Brodie helmets, in order to reduce the number of head wounds.

Describe two features of shell shock on soldiers on the Western Front

(4 marks)

Feature 1:

Symptoms of shell shock included tiredness, headaches and nightmares. These symptoms could lead to mental breakdowns

Feature 2:

Shell shock affected many soldiers on the Western Front. An estimated 80,000 British troops suffered from shell shock.

Describe two features of the methods used to treat shell shock

(4 marks)

Feature 1:

Some soldiers were treated for shell shock close to the Front. In some cases, men were sent back to hospitals in Britain to have treatment for the condition.

Feature 2:

The condition of shell shock was not well understood during WWI. Because of this, some soldiers on the Western Front were accused of cowardice and then shot or punished.

Describe two features of the symptoms of trench fever

(4 marks)

Feature 1:

Trench fever produced flu-like symptoms, headaches and aching muscles for the soldiers it affected. These symptoms could last for months and keep reoccurring.

Feature 2:

Trench fever was an illness which affected many soldiers on the Western Front. The symptoms of trench fever affected around half a million soldiers in total.

Describe two features of the methods used to reduce trench fever

(4 marks)

Feature 1:

Trench fever's reoccurring symptoms suggested the illness was being transmitted by something in the trenches. By 1918, lice were identified as the cause of trench fever.

Feature 2:

Delousing stations were set up to remove lice from troops. This reduced the number of cases of trench fever.

Describe two features of the symptoms of trench foot

(4 marks)

Feature 1:

Symptoms of trench foot included painful swelling of the feet. This was caused by the soldiers standing in cold mud and water for long lengths of time.

Feature 2:

Trench foot could develop into gangrene for soldiers on the Western Front. Gangrene is the decomposition of body tissue due to a loss of blood supply.

Describe two features of the methods used to reduce the risk of trench foot on the Western Front

(4 marks)

Feature 1:

Pumps were used to drain trenches. This reduced the risk of trench foot as there would be less cold mud and water for soldiers to be standing in.

Feature 2:

Whale oil was given to soldiers on the Western Front. They rubbed the whale oil into their feet in order to prevent trench foot.

Describe two features of the effects of bullets and shells on soldiers on the Western Front

(4 marks)

Feature 1:

Bullets from rifles and machine guns could easily kill soldiers on the Western Front. The bullets could do this by penetrating organs and fracturing bones.

Feature 2:

High-explosive shells were responsible for most deaths and injuries because of shrapnel. Shrapnel removed limbs and caused major internal injuries

Describe two features of the methods used to reduce the effects of bullets and shells on the Western Front

(4 marks)

Feature 1:

Bullets and shrapnel had to be removed from soldiers. X-rays were used for locating bullets and shrapnel, but they could be difficult to use.

Feature 2:

The problem of injuries from bullets was difficult to prevent effectively on the Western Front. Soldiers placed piles of sand bags at the front of the front line trench, making it more difficult for snipers to shoot them.

Describe two features of the symptoms of wound infection for soldiers on the Western Front

(4 marks)

Feature 1:

Soldiers' wounds could become infected when soil on the Western Front containing bacteria entered their wounds. Bacteria included tetanus and gangrene bacteria.

Feature 2:

Soldiers could experience symptoms as a result of their wounds becoming infected with tetanus. An example of this is cramping of the jaw.

Describe two features of the methods used to reduce the effects of wound infection for soldiers on the Western Front

(4 marks)

Feature 1:

Tetanus bacteria could cause severe symptoms once it had entered the wound of a soldier. From late 1914, tetanus injections were being given to soldiers to prevent tetanus.

Feature 2:

Gas gangrene bacteria in the soil could also enter the wounds of soldiers. There was no method of preventing gas gangrene infections at this point in time.

Describe two features of the work of stretcher bearers on the Western Front

(4 marks)

Feature 1:

Stretcher bearers often only recovered a limited number of wounded soldiers. This was mainly due to the fact that stretcher bearers were volunteers, so there was not a great deal of them on the Western Front compared to the number of wounded soldiers.

Feature 2:

Stretcher bearers' work often involved collecting wounded soldiers from the trenches. This was because enemy attacks usually targeted the frontline trenches.

Describe two features of the work of nursing units

(4 marks)

Feature 1:

The Royal Army Medical Core (RAMC) provided the majority of medical care. During WWI, some worked at the underground hospital at Arras, which had an operating theatre and 700 beds for wounded soldiers.

Feature 2:

The First Aid Nursing Yeomanry (FANY) were volunteer medical workers on the Western Front. The volunteers drove ambulances to bring the wounded to different stages of the chain of evacuation.

Describe two features of the First Aid Nursing Yeomanry (FANY)

(4 marks)

Feature 1:

FANY consisted of volunteer medical workers on the Western Front. The volunteers drove ambulances to bring the wounded to different stages of the chain of evacuation.

Feature 2:

FANY provided emergency aid to wounded soldiers from 1916. There were never more than 450 FANY's in France to provide medical care.

Describe two features of the Royal Army Medical Core (RAMC)

(4 marks)

Feature 1:

The RAMC provided the majority of medical care on the Western Front. However, volunteers from FANY were allowed later from 1916.

Feature 2:

Some medical workers for the RAMC worked at the underground hospital at Arras, 1917. They were able to use an operating theatre to treat wounded soldiers.

Describe two features of the underground hospital at Arras

(4 marks)

Feature 1:

The underground hospital was located very close to the front line in the tunnels underneath Arras. This meant that wounded soldiers could be quickly taken to the hospital for treatment.

Feature 2:

The hospital had 700 beds, an operating theatre and was supplied with running water and electricity. This meant it was well equipped to treat a large number of wounded soldiers.

Describe two features of the methods of transporting the wounded on the Western Front

(4 marks)

Feature 1:

Wounded men were often left injured in areas of difficult terrain. Because of this, stretcher-bearers and horse wagons were often used to collect wounded men from the battlefield on the Western Front.

Feature 2:

It had been planned for motor ambulances to be used to collect the wounded soldiers, but it was too expensive to do so. A public appeal in Britain raised money for 512 ambulances to be used to transport the wounded.

Describe two features of the evacuation route for injured soldiers

(4 marks)

Feature 1:

Casualty Clearing Stations were built 7-12 miles away from the front line. This meant the injured soldiers there had some safety from further attack.

Feature 2:

Base hospitals on the Western Front were located near the French and Belgian coast. This meant that wounded soldiers could be taken to hospitals in Britain efficiently where necessary.

Describe two features of Regimental Aid Posts

(4 marks)

Feature 1:

Regimental Aid Posts were close to the front line. Because of this, they were the first stage of the chain of evacuation on the Western Front.

Feature 2:

The Regimental Medical Officer was helped by stretcher-bearers in administering first aid. Wounded men with more serious injuries were sent onto the next stage of the chain of evacuation.

Describe two features of the Field Ambulance/dressing stations

(4 marks)

Feature 1:

The Field Ambulance was a mobile medical unit of the RAMC. Their role was to set up dressing stations staffed by medical officers and orderlies.

Feature 2:

Dressing stations looked after wounded men for around a week. They sent serious cases immediately to the Casualty Clearing Stations.

Describe two features of the Casualty Clearing Stations

(4 marks)

Feature 1:

Casualty Clearing Stations were built 7-12 miles from the front line. This meant that wounded soldiers had some safety against attack.

Feature 2:

Casualty Clearing Stations were staffed by doctors and nurses. They were responsible for prioritising and treating life-threatening injuries for men who had a chance of survival.

Describe two features of Base Hospitals

(4 marks)

Feature 1:

Base Hospitals on the Western Front were located near the French and Belgian coast. This meant that wounded soldiers could be taken to hospitals in Britain efficiently.

Feature 2:

Base Hospitals could look after a large number of patients. By 1918, Base Hospitals could take 2,500 patients and could use operating theatres and x-ray machines.

Describe two features of aseptic surgery

(4 marks)

Feature 1:

Aseptic conditions in surgery were well established by 1900 due to the work of Joseph Lister. Medical professionals were now aware that aseptic conditions reduced the risk of infection during surgery.

Feature 2:

In 1878, Robert Koch developed a steam steriliser for surgical instruments. This led to all surgical equipment being sterilised after 1887.

Describe two features of the development of blood transfusions up until the early 20th century

(4 marks)

Feature 1:

James Blundell performed the first blood transfusions between humans between 1818 and 1829. However, only half of the recipients survived as blood could not be stored properly without clotting before the blood transfusions took place.

Feature 2:

In 1901, Karl Landsteiner discovered three blood groups, and in 1902, his colleagues found a fourth group. This led to an increase in the success of blood transfusions as they realised they could only work between people of the same blood group.

Describe two features of the development of x-rays

(4 marks)

Feature 1:

In 1895, Wilhelm Roentgen experimented with photographic paper to create the first x-ray image. This led to the opening of radiology departments in hospitals the following year.

Feature 2:

There were various problems involved with x-rays in the early 20th century. For example, high doses of radiation were released and patients were burnt and lost hair.

Describe two features of the developments in the storage of blood

(4 marks)

Feature 1:

In 1915, Richard Lewisohn discovered adding sodium citrate stopped blood from clotting, so it could be stored. Richard Weil advanced this discovery by using refrigerators to store blood for even longer.

Feature 2:

In 1916, Francis Rous and James Turner added citrate glucose to blood and found it could be stored for an even longer length of time. This increased the use of the storage of blood for blood transfusions on the Western Front.

Describe two features of the blood bank at the Battle of Cambrai

(4 marks)

Feature 1:

Prior to the Battle of Cambrai in 1917, Oswald Hope Robertson stored 22 units of blood in the first 'blood depot'. This inspired the development of modern blood banks later in the 20th century.

Feature 2:

Robertson used the blood bank to treat Canadian soldiers suffering from shock at the Battle of Cambrai. It was effective and demonstrated the potential of the storage of blood.

Describe two features of the use of mobile x-ray units

(4 marks)

Feature 1:

Static x-ray machines were being used in base hospitals from 1914. They were essential in locating bullets and shrapnel before operating, and usually more effective than mobile x-ray units.

Feature 2:

Mobile x-ray units were used closer to the front and the use of mobile units on the Western Front increased throughout WWI. However, the images from mobile x-ray units were often not as clear as the images on static x-ray machines.

Describe two features of the development of blood transfusions on the Western Front (4 marks)

Feature 1:

The use and success of blood transfusions increased on the Western Front during WWI. This was mostly due to Lewisohn's discovery in 1915 that adding to sodium citrate to blood meant it could be stored without clotting.

Feature 2:

In 1916, Rous and Turner increased the development of blood transfusions further. They discovered adding citrate glucose allowed for blood to be stored for even longer.

Describe two features of the Thomas splint

(4 marks)

Feature 1:

The Thomas splint was widely used on the Western Front by December 1915. The splint kept the legs of wounded soldiers rigid to reduce blood loss and therefore death.

Feature 2:

The Thomas splint was very effective in reducing the death rate from broken limbs on the Western Front. It reduced the number of soldiers with broken legs dying from 80% to 20%.

Describe two features of the advances in surgery on the Western Front

(4 marks)

Feature 1:

The large number of brain injuries on the Western Front led to developments in brain surgery. These developments were led by Harvey Cushing, a neurosurgeon who developed the technique of using magnets to remove bullets from wounded soldiers.

Feature 2:

The large number of facial injuries on the Western Front led to developments in plastic surgery. These developments were led by Harold Gillies, who used skin grafts to provide facial reconstruction for wounded soldiers at the Queen's Hospital in Kent.

Describe two features of the new techniques in the treatment of wounds and infection on the Western Front

(4 marks)

Feature 1:

If methods such as wound excision failed in removing damaged and infected tissue from the wound, surgeons would be forced to amputate the limb of the patient. 240,000 soldiers had lost limbs due to amputation by 1918.

Feature 2:

The Carrel-Dakin method was found to be effective in treating infection by 1917. It involved sterilised salt solution being moved through the wound using tubes.