While out in the field military medics needed concise and to the point medical reference books. Step forward the Oxford War Primers and Military Medical Manuals series. These books were produced as an aid to all medical personnel who were working under the harshest condition during wartime.
The Oxford War Primers were printed during the First World War by Oxford University Press. They contained much-needed medical information for those in the field. They were small, easy to transport and hard wearing. Some of the topics covered by these practical books can be seen below
The Military Medical Manual were produced under the guardianship of Sir Alfred Keogh, Director-General of the Medical Services of the British Army. Keogh was born in Dublin on 3rd July 1857. He studied at Queen's College, Galway and Guy's Hospital London qualifying M.D., M.Ch., R.U.I from the Royal University of Ireland in 1878. Keogh joined the army as a surgeon in 1880 and quickly rose through the ranks. He was made Director-General in 1905 and he immediately began introducing improvements in the Army Medical Service.
Keogh was responsible for the medical organisation of the Territorial Force, involved with the setting up of a proper school of Army Hygiene, improvement of mutual relations between the Army Medical Services and the Medical Profession. He also oversaw the publishing of much needed updated versions of medical manuals for army medics.
The Military Medical Manuals were more comprehensive and detailed in their approach. They included volumes on contagious diseases such as 'Typhoid Fever & Paratyphoid Fever' and 'Abnormal Forms of Tetanus'. The area of sanitation was addressed with 'Field Sanitation' and 'Hygiene' volumes. The physical results of war were also covered with such manuals as 'Wounds of the Abdomen', 'Artificial Limbs' and 'Localisation & Extraction of Projectiles' available.
 |
| Image taken from the 'Artificial Limbs' Military Medical Manual |
 |
| Image taken from the 'Localisation & Extraction of Projectiles' Military Medical Manual |
Examples of wounds are included in the manuals such as these radiographs on the left. They are taken from the manual on 'Localisation & Extraction of Projectiles'. Fig. 1 shows the side view of a shadow of a whole bullet from a German rifle that has entered this soldiers head. Fig. 2 is a front view which shows
'the trace of a trephine hole caused by a first attempt at extraction. By making use of this opening the bullet was easily extracted by means of an electro-magnet'.
Sir Alfred Keogh was awarded numerous medals and honours throughout his career including the Queen's medal, the Companion of the Order of the Bath (mil), elected Grand Officer, Legion of Honour by the President of France and Grand Officer of Crown of Belgium in 1917. But above all of these accolades Keogh was highly respected by army, civilian medical staff through out the British Isles and Europe.
 |
| War Office Field Service Pocket Book |
There is no doubt that all of these manuals were used and greatly appreciated by medics (and their patients!) toiling relentlessly in the field hospitals of the First World War.
 |
| Image taken from the War Office Field Service Pocket Book |
- Researched and written by Meadhbh Murphy