Living Conditions
The living conditions in the trenches were very unpleasant. The soldiers were not only put through so much devastation but also having to deal with the loss of their fellow mates, starvation, sudden attacks, diseases and agony.
Weather Conditions: Often it rained and due to many of the bombardments, the land was totally destroyed which made the trenches very wet and muddy, the perfect time for Trench Foot to occur. The rain also created a damp environment which in many cases, caused injuries to become infectious because there wasn't a dry environment to heal in. Winters were very harsh and caused many soldiers to die from frostbite and lack of warmth. Summers were also very cruel because many soldiers became dehydrated. Diseases/Illnesses/Medical Attention: Many of the soldiers were surrounded by dead bodies, blood and were with many soldiers in a compressed area making them prone to diseases and infections. Some of them include: lice, body lice, Trench Foot, trench fever, Spanish flu, burns and blindness from mustard gas and shell shock. Gas: Poisonous gas was used a a weapon in the war. Some of the gases were only intended to make the eyes and nose watery, however some of them were very dangerous. The doctors and nurses were not used to the gas attacks and had no idea how to treat even the simplest of symptoms. Bathing and washing would have solved the problem, but it was not possible in the trenches. Trench Foot: Trench foot was a severe condition many soldiers had. It was caused by standing in water and mud for a long time and losing blood circulation. In some cases, soldier's socks started to grow on their feet, but in sever cases soldier's had to have their legs and feet amputated. Trench Fever: Trench fever was a horrible disease caused by body lice. It was easily passed down from soldier to solider, which caused high fever, headaches, aching muscles and sores on the skin. For many soldiers this illness struck for more than once. It was very painful and took about 12 weeks to get better. Shell Shock: Shell Shock was another illness many soldiers had but it was a mental illness rather a physical illness. The constant noise of explosives guns, and shrapnel shells made many soldiers uncomfortable and scared. Most of the time the new recruits suffered from this illness. Often the soldiers that suffered from shell shock would moan and stopped following the commands given to them. Life was very hard and the doctors called them weak because no one understood this illness. Hygiene: The soldiers were covered in filth and mud from head to toe because there wasn't enough water to wash. They reeked with stale perspiration and and the sour smell of their wet uniforms. The soldiers would be swarmed by rats which would eat the dead bodies and at times would go into the mouths of soldiers when they were sleeping. Food: To attract more men to enlist in the army, government often exaggerated the food , however in reality the food in the trenches was very scarce and monotonous and barely adequate. A fixed amount of rations was given to everyone on a daily basis. The rations for a British soldier included:
Overall, the life in the trenches was unbearable and like hell on Earth! |
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