Wounds and Injuries

Hippocrates, often hailed as the father of modern medicine, focused much of his writing on surgical techniques and wound care. Galen’s work on the circulatory system and human anatomy ruled well into the Renaissance. As human knowledge advanced, so, too, did combat techniques and weaponry. With every major American war, the medical community gained valuable information on wound care and combat surgery. Since 1991, nontraditional weapons from nonstate actors have significantly changed the medical outcomes for soldiers because of the amount of damage they are capable of doing. However, as urban warfare continues with ever-evolving weaponry, the medical community is continuously researching new, more effective treatment protocols.