Medication During World War II
Sulfanilamide
Gerhard Johannes Paul Domagk, with some help from other scientists, discovered Sulfanilamide in 1936. Sulfanilamide made a big contribution to treating World War II wounded soldiers and lowered the mortality rate tremendously. It was a medication to help with clotting of both major and minor wounds. It also prevented infection and was easy to carry. When soldiers had an injury they sprinkled sulfa powder over their wounds to prevent infection. Soldiers usually had a first aid pouch attached to their belts with sulfa powder and other medical supplies. If the soldiers' injuries were major, a Combat Medic would provide sulfa powder or sulfa tablets to the injured soldiers.
Gerhard Johannes Paul Domagk, with some help from other scientists, discovered Sulfanilamide in 1936. Sulfanilamide made a big contribution to treating World War II wounded soldiers and lowered the mortality rate tremendously. It was a medication to help with clotting of both major and minor wounds. It also prevented infection and was easy to carry. When soldiers had an injury they sprinkled sulfa powder over their wounds to prevent infection. Soldiers usually had a first aid pouch attached to their belts with sulfa powder and other medical supplies. If the soldiers' injuries were major, a Combat Medic would provide sulfa powder or sulfa tablets to the injured soldiers.
Penicillin
In 1928 Alexander Fleming was working in his lab when he saw a sample of bacteria, Staphylococcus, being contaminated by a mold, Penicillium fungi. Fleming noticed that all of the bacteria cells closest to the mold died. Fleming then created the drug Penicillin to kill off different bacterial infections. In 1939 Dr. Howard Florey and three other colleagues studied Penicillin and how it killed bacterial infections. When Penicillin was in high demand for treatment of the wounded allied soldiers in the war, Dr. Florey then created the Peoria Lab where scientists increased the rate at which Penicillin grows. In 1941, Andrew J. Moyer increased the production of Penicillin by 10 times. Because of this, Penicillin was available in much larger quantities to meet the demands of the war. Penicillin was called “The Wonder Drug" during World War II because of its ability to fight bacterial infection immediately. Soldiers and Combat Medics carried this drug in their first aid pouches for easy access.
In 1928 Alexander Fleming was working in his lab when he saw a sample of bacteria, Staphylococcus, being contaminated by a mold, Penicillium fungi. Fleming noticed that all of the bacteria cells closest to the mold died. Fleming then created the drug Penicillin to kill off different bacterial infections. In 1939 Dr. Howard Florey and three other colleagues studied Penicillin and how it killed bacterial infections. When Penicillin was in high demand for treatment of the wounded allied soldiers in the war, Dr. Florey then created the Peoria Lab where scientists increased the rate at which Penicillin grows. In 1941, Andrew J. Moyer increased the production of Penicillin by 10 times. Because of this, Penicillin was available in much larger quantities to meet the demands of the war. Penicillin was called “The Wonder Drug" during World War II because of its ability to fight bacterial infection immediately. Soldiers and Combat Medics carried this drug in their first aid pouches for easy access.
Morphine
Morphine, derived from the opium poppy plant, was used as a major pain killer during World War II. During the war, Morphine was given through a morphine syrette which resembled a mini tooth paste tube. The syrette had a needle attached to the end that would break a seal when administered. A Combat Medic could administer the Morphine to wounded soldiers on the battlefield. Because Morphine is so powerful and addictive, once the soldier received the Morphine, the Medic would pin the syrette to the soldier's clothing so that others treating him would know the dosage that had been administered. This prevented overdose. This battlefield use was a breakthrough in pain management.
Morphine, derived from the opium poppy plant, was used as a major pain killer during World War II. During the war, Morphine was given through a morphine syrette which resembled a mini tooth paste tube. The syrette had a needle attached to the end that would break a seal when administered. A Combat Medic could administer the Morphine to wounded soldiers on the battlefield. Because Morphine is so powerful and addictive, once the soldier received the Morphine, the Medic would pin the syrette to the soldier's clothing so that others treating him would know the dosage that had been administered. This prevented overdose. This battlefield use was a breakthrough in pain management.
Atabrine
Before World War II, Quinine was the
main drug used to treat Malaria. Quinine was produced in countries in the South
Pacific. During World War II, the supply of Quinine was cut off by the Japanese
military conquest. As a result, American soldiers experienced an epidemic of
malaria. A German researcher who was stationed in the Pacific island gave
American Troops a drug he discovered called Atabrine which worked just like
Quinine. Atabrine resembled a yellow sticky pill. It had a lot of side effects
like headaches, nausea, and vomiting, and some experienced temporary psychosis.
One of the things contributing to these side effects was that no one knew the
correct dosage. Because Atabrine was the only drug at the time to protect
American troops from Malaria but had such horrible
side effects, Medics had to stand over soldiers to make sure they ingested the
drug.
Before World War II, Quinine was the
main drug used to treat Malaria. Quinine was produced in countries in the South
Pacific. During World War II, the supply of Quinine was cut off by the Japanese
military conquest. As a result, American soldiers experienced an epidemic of
malaria. A German researcher who was stationed in the Pacific island gave
American Troops a drug he discovered called Atabrine which worked just like
Quinine. Atabrine resembled a yellow sticky pill. It had a lot of side effects
like headaches, nausea, and vomiting, and some experienced temporary psychosis.
One of the things contributing to these side effects was that no one knew the
correct dosage. Because Atabrine was the only drug at the time to protect
American troops from Malaria but had such horrible
side effects, Medics had to stand over soldiers to make sure they ingested the
drug.
For more information go to http://www.mtaofnj.org/content/WWII%20Combat%20Medic%20-%20Dave%20Steinert/wwii.htm