Of Battle and Disease: The East African Campaign of 1914-18
Abstract
It is generally accepted that extended military operations before the 20th century often saw more troops lost to disease than to hostile action. Yet disease has received comparatively meager attention down through history as a significant element of consideration in operational planning. Armies kept little in the way of medical records before the 19th century. Then, in the latter half of that century, military medicine made great advances, accurate medical records first appeared, and medical problems received some attention in general military studies. This developing interest flourished briefly, before further medical advances, including the advent of "wonder drugs," again reduced any general interest in the effects of disease on operations. Military medicine became the domain of specialists expected to sweep away the medical implications of decisions military planners had already made.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Jan 01, 1982
- Accession Number
- ADA517066
Entities
People
- John S. Brown
Organizations
- United States Army War College