Die veldhospitale van die Republikeinse magte tydens die Anglo-Boereoorlog, 1899-1902

Abstract

The field hospitals of the Republican forces during the South African War, 1899-1902

During the South African War (1899-1902) the Republican military forces were based on traditional commando systems. These forces were unfamiliar with large-scale war and ignorant about military medical services. Poor organisation led to the establishment of fie ld hospitals which differed in size and efficiency. Many local and foreign doctors offered their services privately or to Red Cross societies. The field hospitals were initially run on a permanent basis but declined drastically during the war of movement. A fter September 1900 the organised medical service collapsed and only a few doctors could persevere with the commandos up to the end. The Anglo-Boer War marked a turning point in the history of military medical organisation and paradoxically pro v id ed an opportunity fo r progress in medical knowledge. The process of treating wounds was revised, the necessity of antisepsis was emphasised. X-rays were used fo r diagnosis and the need for trained military nurses came to the fore during this historical period.