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Government action and war, 1905 to 20
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In the early 1900s the government began to take responsibility for people's health. The First World War pushed medicine forward.
The Liberal reforms, 1906 to 11
Free school meals (1906) and school medical inspections (1907) helped children.
Old age pensions (1908) helped the elderly.
The National Insurance Act (1911) gave some workers sick pay and free treatment from a doctor.
Old age pensions (1908) helped the elderly.
The National Insurance Act (1911) gave some workers sick pay and free treatment from a doctor.
War and medicine
X-rays were used to find bullets and shrapnel; mobile X-ray units went near the front.
Blood transfusion: new ways to store blood (adding sodium citrate to stop clotting) meant blood could be kept until needed.
Surgeons improved treatment of wounds and fractures, and plastic surgery for facial injuries developed.
Blood transfusion: new ways to store blood (adding sodium citrate to stop clotting) meant blood could be kept until needed.
Surgeons improved treatment of wounds and fractures, and plastic surgery for facial injuries developed.
Women in medicine
Thousands of women served as nurses and volunteers close to the fighting.
Some women doctors ran hospitals, showing their skills.
This helped increase opportunities for women in medicine after the war.
Some women doctors ran hospitals, showing their skills.
This helped increase opportunities for women in medicine after the war.
Explain how the First World War improved blood transfusion.
- Many soldiers died from blood loss.
- Scientists found ways to stop blood clotting and store it.
- This meant blood could be stored in advance and given when needed.
Answer: It led to methods of storing blood so it was ready when soldiers needed it.
Liberal reforms: free school meals (1906), school medical inspections (1907), pensions (1908), National Insurance (1911). War brought mobile X-rays, stored blood, better wound surgery and plastic surgery. Women's roles as nurses and doctors expanded.
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