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Medic!!!

• Message 1.Β 

  Posted by Backtothedarkplace (U2955180) on Monday, 9th August 2010

  Ok, Your a Roman Soldier. Your in a battle. You get wounded during said battle. Was there a system of medics, first aid that operated during the battles to allow men to get their wounds dressed?
  
  What happened during a campaign if you were to badly hurt to soldier on. Were the wounded left to fend for themselves? Were they sent back under guard? Were they left with a samll guard in one of the marching camps?

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• Message 2

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  Posted by somewhatsilly (U14315357) on Monday, 9th August 2010

  I'm no expert but I do remember hearing, I think in a programme about the Dacian campaign, that Roman battlefield medicine was not surpassed until World War 1 and was efficient and relatively effective with specialised medical units.

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  Posted by islanddawn (U7379884) on Monday, 9th August 2010

  Hi bttdp,
  
  The Roman Army definitely had a medical service, they were quite wise enough to realise that an effective fighting force depends on the health of it's individual soldiers.
  
  They understood the necessity of cleaning and dressing wounds as quickly as possible so there were field medics who provided emergency battlefield treatment. A surgeon's tool kit consisted of, forceps, scalpels, catheters and arrow extractors. Wounds were cleaned with acid vinegar or medical wine and pain relief in the form of opium or scopolamine was given to surgical patients in hospitals.
  
  The doctors were extremely skilled and knowledgeable and I have read that even cataract surgery was possible.
  
  There is an informative summary here
  
  
  

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  Posted by Backtothedarkplace (U2955180) on Tuesday, 10th August 2010

  Hi ID
  
  Thanks for that.
  
  I'd seen the bit about the surgery. What I was wondering about was the bit between getting wounded and being treated and arriving at hospital?
  
  Everything I'vre been able to see doesnt give a clear explanation, well, one that I can understand anyway. Do you know if theres anthing on line about it?

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• Message 5

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  Posted by Anglo-Norman (U1965016) on Tuesday, 10th August 2010

  Tue, 10 Aug 2010 19:12 GMT, in reply to backtothedarkplace (dan)Free Sean! in message 4
  
  Bttdp, the Roman Army employed battlefield medics known as Capsarii. A Capsarius was expected to provide first aid to a wounded soldier to stabilise him before he could be transferred to a military hospital (permanent or temporary) or presumably could deal with something on the spot which wouldn't require the services of a surgeon or physician. The name came from the capsus, the semicircular box in which they carried their medical kit.

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• Message 6

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  Posted by islanddawn (U7379884) on Wednesday, 11th August 2010

  Hi bttdp,
  
  I've had a search and cannot find anything on the on transference of patients from the battlefield to hospital. Not that I'm any where near an expert, but I do gather that not much information has survived on the army medical system.
  
  Supposition, is that the Romans were nothing if not organised, efficient and practical. If there was a structured hierachy of medics within the army, bandagers and assistants trained to assist medics, a purchasing system for medicines and supplies, hospitals and clinics available to soldiers, and if wounded soldiers were given immediate battlefield first aide then surely there would have been an organised team of wagons with drivers ready to transfer the wounded to the nearest hospital or treatment centre?
  
  
  
  

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