Medical Evacuation and Sanitary Anti-Epidemic Measures During the First World War

Introduction. The study of the issues of medical evacuation and sanitary anti-epidemic measures during the First World War is justified by the insufficiency of their disclosure in historiography and the lack of comprehensive works on the subject. The aim of the study is to reveal the features of the development of medicine in the belligerent countries during the First World War under conditions of lack of resources for organizing medical care and taking sanitary and anti-epidemic measures in the war.Materials and Methods. In the course of the study, the authors used the problem-chronological method, analysis and systematization of the data obtained. The research materials were articles in peer-reviewed scientific journals, monographic literature, as well as materials published on the Internet.Results. The authors considered the issues related to the evacuation of the wounded from the front to the rear during the war using the example of the Russian Empire and its allies. The pre-war preparatory measures, problems related to the transportation of the wounded to the rear were studied, and the main sanitary and epidemic measures in Russia were indicated. The main factors contributing to the transformation of medical evacuation and sanitary anti-epidemic measures during the war years were revealed.Discussion and Conclusion. The importance of a phased evacuation system and sanitary and anti-epidemic measures in large-scale conflicts is emphasized. These principles are relevant for modern military doctors. The results of the research can be useful in teaching specialized training courses on the history of Russia in the early XXth century or on the history of the First World War.