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Introduction

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Working in a world of hurt
This chapter is in the book Working in a world of hurt

Abstract

In the history of war, and especially in discussions of the psychological trauma that can result from constant exposure to war induced injury and death, the experience of medical personnel is strikingly absent. Historically, the focus on combatant trauma has obscured the trauma of those who care for the injured and dying. The introduction examines the historiography of trauma and resilience, of wartime medical care, and theories of life-writing in order to contextualise the chapters which follow. An analysis of memoirs by medical personnel from the Second Anglo Boer War (1899-1902) is also included here.

Abstract

In the history of war, and especially in discussions of the psychological trauma that can result from constant exposure to war induced injury and death, the experience of medical personnel is strikingly absent. Historically, the focus on combatant trauma has obscured the trauma of those who care for the injured and dying. The introduction examines the historiography of trauma and resilience, of wartime medical care, and theories of life-writing in order to contextualise the chapters which follow. An analysis of memoirs by medical personnel from the Second Anglo Boer War (1899-1902) is also included here.

Chapters in this book

  1. Front matter i
  2. Contents v
  3. List of figures vi
  4. Acknowledgements vii
  5. List of abbreviations ix
  6. Introduction 1
  7. 1 ‘These frightful sights would work havoc with one’s brain’ 31
  8. 2 ‘Over there’ 55
  9. 3 ‘You damn well just got on with your job’ 79
  10. 4 ‘It was a tough life and I did all I could to lighten the men’s burden’ 116
  11. 5 Claiming trauma 147
  12. 6 Crying silently 178
  13. 7 Fatal injury 210
  14. Conclusion 241
  15. Bibliography 250
  16. Index 262
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https://doi.org/10.7765/9781784992415.00006

Chapters in this book

  1. Front matter i
  2. Contents v
  3. List of figures vi
  4. Acknowledgements vii
  5. List of abbreviations ix
  6. Introduction 1
  7. 1 ‘These frightful sights would work havoc with one’s brain’ 31
  8. 2 ‘Over there’ 55
  9. 3 ‘You damn well just got on with your job’ 79
  10. 4 ‘It was a tough life and I did all I could to lighten the men’s burden’ 116
  11. 5 Claiming trauma 147
  12. 6 Crying silently 178
  13. 7 Fatal injury 210
  14. Conclusion 241
  15. Bibliography 250
  16. Index 262
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