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Biomedical subjects

R L Atenstaedt

Publications and source records attributed to R L Atenstaedt.

5 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2006

The medical response to trench nephritis in World War One.

Around the 90-year anniversary of the Battle of the Somme, it is important to remember the international effort that went into responding to the new diseases, which appeared during the First World War, such as trench nephritis. This condition arose among soldiers in spring 1915, characterized by breathlessness, swelling of the face or legs, headache, sore throat, and the presence of albumin and renal casts in urine. It was speedily investigated by the military-medical authorities. There was debate over whether it was new condition or streptococcal nephritis, and the experts agreed that it was a new condition. The major etiologies proposed were infection, exposure, and diet (including poisons). Research pointed to the origin of the disease as being infective rather than toxic, but no definite cause was discovered. A number of labels were given to the disease, including war nephritis. However, trench nephritis was the one used most widely. Trench nephritis was a serious problem for the Allies, leading to 35 000 casualties in the British and 2000 in the American forces. There were also hundreds of deaths. The condition was treated in line with pre-war regimens designed for acute nephritis. No significant preventative methods were implemented for trench nephritis, as there was no consensus regarding causation. The medical response to trench nephritis was largely ineffective, with medical commentators recognizing that there had been a lack of medical progress.

Europe↗
PubMed2006

The perils of public transport.

Section 33 of The Public Health (Control of Disease) Act 1984 makes it an offence for a person in England and Wales who is suffering from a notifiable disease, e.g. cholera, to use any bus, tram or train; or use a taxi without notifying the driver or owner of the vehicle, or their carer to allow them to do so. Section 34 of the same act prohibits the owner, driver or conductor of a bus, train or tram from carrying a person who he knows is suffering from one of these diseases However, a taxi can carry an affected person, provided this individual pays a sum in addition to the fare to cover the costs of disinfection. Assuming that the owner or driver did not know that a passenger was suffering from one of these diseases, he must inform the local authority, which is required to disinfect the taxi for free. A literature review using PubMed did not reveal any evidence that buses, trains, trams or taxis provide a significant vehicle for transmission of notifiable diseases. Is it therefore about time that a non-evidence-based and little-used law is removed from the British statute books?

Disease Notification↗
PubMed2006

The organisation of the RAMC during the Great War.

INTRODUCTION: At the 90 year anniversary of the Battle of the Somme, it is important to remember the members of the RAMC who served in the Great War, especially the more than one thousand Medical Officers who gave their lives. LEADERSHIP: The RAMC during the First World War was a Corps led by some able officers such as Sir Arthur Sloggett in France and Sir Alfred Keogh in London. Sir Douglas Haig was in overall command, his leadership style impacting on the RAMC. RECRUITMENT OF MOS: There were problems in filling the ranks of the Corps, both before the conflict, as well as well as during the War, and a significant number of civilian medical practitioners were recruited to the RAMC. Shortages were only really addressed when the Americans joined the conflict. TRAINING OF CIVILIAN MOS: The great need for MOs meant that there was little time for formal training of civilian MOs and many felt unsuited for war work. This was recognised by the authorities, who gradually set up centres of instruction. WORK OF RMOS: The workhorse of the organisation was the Regimental Medical Officer, who had an important role in disease prevention and the conservation of manpower, in a type of conflict (trench) that required a ready supply of personnel. Although an important role, some doctors found the job frustrating. CASUALTY EVACUATION: During the War, the RAMC managed to improvise an efficient system for handling casualties, the aim to give speedy treatment and to return the men to the front in the shortest possible time. CONCLUSIONS: The RAMC during the GreatWar was a highly structured and efficient organisation, geared towards maximising its available manpower, important in trench warfare.

History, 20th Century↗