On the 30 July 1918, the RMO of 57th Battalion AIF, Captain Gordon Robertson, wrote to the CO of 57th Battalion re “Health of Men”. In his report, he states:
“Since the last report on the health of the men we have been in reserve in the FRANVILLIERS line where the men were not under fire, nor were they required to do front line fatigue or drill.
This rest has been of great benefit to the men and their physical condition is greatly improved. Among the weaker men in the battalion the long continue strain of line work has weakened the resistance to a minimum, such, that I consider they should be kept in the front line for short intervals only in order that they can get enough time for relaxation from strain to keep them fit to do their turn in the line. The influenza epidemic has ceased and the majority of those who suffered from it have recovered during the time the Battalion was resting in the Reserve line.
We have been singularly free of Dysentery and have not been notified of any case being definitely diagnosed Dysentery up to the present”
This is an interesting report, because Captain Robertson is highlighting the psychological strain on the Battalion soldiers, at a time when some of the other stressors, such as combat injuries, influenza and dysentery, had lessened for this particular group. Unfortunately, influenza would return with a vengeance in the autumn of 1918.
In this issue, we have a focus on mental health issues, particularly as they effect deployments, and the potential long-term psychological consequences of exposure to trauma. There has been tremendous progress since 1918, particularly in getting a broader understanding of the issues by the non-medical Commanders, but we still have some way to go, particularly in understanding and developing psychological resilience.
In this issue, we also look at cold weather injury in soldiers, the discovery of the plague bacillus and continue our historical review of the Army Malaria Institute. All the articles are intended to challenge, educate and broaden the operational and strategic viewpoint of our members. We would particularly welcome continuing discussion on the issues of current military operations, current military and veterans health issues, military health history and military-civil interactions.
As we head towards 2013, we will have further themed issues and ask prospective authors to consider whether they may have suitable articles for those themed issues. Other military and veterans’ health articles are always very welcome and we would encourage all our readers to consider writing on their areas of military or veterans’ health interest
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