Exhibition. The Second Battlefield: Nurses in the First World War
National World War I Museum, Kansas City, MO
November 3-March 6, Research Level Gallery
A University of Kansas Spencer Museum of Art collection will be on exhibit at the National World War I Museum, November 3, 2015 – March 6, 2016. The exhibit focuses on the crucial role of nursing in the first world war. Emergency medical practices evolved enormously during the war years (1914-1918) and thousands more medical workers were involved than in previous wars. New and innovative practices included blood transfusions, the use of antiseptics, local anesthetics, and painkillers. Throughout the War, membership in the American Red Cross grew from 17,000 to more than 20 million and 20,000 registered nurses were recruited for military service. In the United Kingdom, 38,000 members of the Voluntary Aid Detachment served in hospitals or worked as ambulance drivers and cooks.