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CASUALTY EVACUATION IN THE RHODESIAN TERRORIST WAR

NCJ Number
63629
Journal
SOUTH AFRICAN MEDICAL JOURNAL Volume: 52 Issue: 21 Dated: (NOVEMBER 12, 1977) Pages: 856-860
Author(s)
J A GORDON
Date Published
1977
Length
5 pages
Annotation
EXPERIENCES IN THE HANDLING AND EVACUATION OF CASUALTIES, KINDS OF INJURIES, AND IMMEDIATE EMERGENCY MEASURES USED IN THE RHODESIAN TERRORIST WAR ARE REPORTED.
Abstract
THE INVOLVEMENT OF THE RHODESIAN MEDICAL ASSOCIATION IN PROVIDING MEDICAL SERVICES BOTH TO THE TROOPS AND THE AFRICAN CLINICS BECAUSE OF THE TERRORIST WAR IS DESCRIBED TO A MEDICAL AUDIENCE. THE TOUR OF DUTY FOR OFFICERS, THEIR IMPORTANCE TO TROOP MORALE, THE LIABILITY OF WOUNDED TROOPS IN THE FIELD ARE DESCRIBED. THE KINDS OF INJURIES, METHODS OF EVACUATION, LIMITATIONS OF SURGERY IN THE FIELD, AND ASSESSMENT OF INJURY AND TREATMENT IN THE FIELD ARE DESCRIBED. IN RHODESIA, SERIOUS INJURY IS USUALLY DUE TO HIGH-VELOCITY BULLETS, ROCKETS AND MORTARS, LANDMINES, BURNS FROM GRENADES, AND OTHER INDIRECTLY WAR-RELATED INJURIES DUE TO TERRAIN. THE LATTER INCLUDE FALLS FROM TREES, AND ENCOUNTERS WITH ANIMALS SUCH AS ELEPHANTS, LIONS, SNAKES AND CROCODILES. ACUTE ILLNESSES LIKELY TO BE ENCOUNTERED ARE DESCRIBED WITH THE NOTE THAT A TERRORIST WAR USES MIDDLE-AGED RATHER THAN YOUNG MEN, AND THAT THERE ARE DIFFERENCES IN SOME ACUTE ILLNESSES BETWEEN BLACKS AND WHITES. TROPICAL DISEASES ALCOHOL INTOXICATION, DRUG USE, AND VENEREAL DISEASE ARE ALSO COMMON. EVACUATION MAY BE DIFFICULT IN EMERGING COUNTRIES BECAUSE OF LACK OF AIR SUPPORT. SPECIFIC DETAILS OF HOW TO TRANSPORT THE INJURED, INVOLVING AS FEW STRETCHER CHANGERS AS POSSIBLE, ARE GIVEN. THE LIMITATIONS OF FIELD SURGERY ARE NOTED. THE KINDS OF INJURIES MOST COMMONLY ENCOUNTERED, SUCH AS THOSE FROM LANDMINES, CHEST INJURIES FROM HIGH-VELOCITY BULLETS, AND FACIAL AND EYE INJURIES, AND DESCRIPTIONS OF TREATMENT ARE GIVEN WITH ADVICE GIVEN ON COMMON COMPLICATIONS. THE SHORTAGE OF DOCTORS, AND THE REQUEST FOR VOLUNTEERS TO NATIONAL SERVICE CONCLUDE THE ARTICLE. PHOTOGRAPHS ARE INCLUDED. (RFC)

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