Environment adds to challenges facing Desert Shield physicians

Article Abstract:

The troops in the Middle East face many threats other than war, including the environment and the tough play the soldiers engage in to work off other frustrations. Among the natural threats, temperature is the most obvious, with daytime temperatures as high as 122 degrees F. in summer, which can easily cause heat stroke, dehydration, sunburn, and blistering from touching metal objects. Sand reflects the sun, and can cause ''snow blindness,'' and blowing sand can cause eye infections or abrasions. Local produce, often from fields fertilized by human and animal feces, in those unused to it, can cause a variety of intestinal upsets, including infections by Escherichia coli and Salmonella. Diarrhea is also attributable to stress, salt in drinking water, and to the flies that inhabit unsanitary areas. Poisonous snakes, including the Persian horned viper, cobra, and true adder, usually avoid humans, but can become more aggressive when they find that their territory has been invaded. If stepped on or otherwise molested, they will attack. Spiders may be poisonous, and scorpions, their cousins, have a very painful sting. Malaria, meningococcal meningitis, type A hepatitis, and other diseases are potential problems. For the most part, they can be avoided by prudent measures, such as avoiding local produce, practicing good hygiene, and looking for spiders and scorpions in one's clothing and blankets. The military has provided complete vaccination protection, special sunglasses, sunscreen, reminders to soldiers to drink water (as many as six gallons per day may have to be drunk in hard working conditions), and has stocked antivenins. Playing hard may also cause sports-related injuries, especially in a country where there are few other outlets for frustration. On the positive side, there are no alcohol-related problems because Saudi Arabia is strictly ''dry,'' and almost no illegal drugs. The only sexually transmitted diseases will likely have been contracted before arrival in the Gulf. (Consumer Summary produced by Reliance Medical Information, Inc.)

Environmental aspects, Wars, War

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State of ''Desert Shield'' military medicine at deadline time in the Middle East crisis

Article Abstract:

As a part of the Desert Shield operation, more than 80 US service people have been killed in accidents, and many more have been evacuated to the hospital because of illness or injuries. Eleven military hospitals are maintained in the western part of Germany to receive such patients. More than 15,000 medical people are believed to be assigned to the troops in the Middle East, of whom 10 percent are physicians. The military perceive that medical care begins with preventive techniques that the individual exercises himself. This includes assuming responsibility for immunizations. 'Buddy care' refers to the provision of first aid to other personnel; involvement of enlisted corpsmen is included in this category. Aid stations, designed for emergency care, are to be located near the front lines. From this point, the wounded would be transported to a hospital or one of two US Navy hospital ships positioned nearby. A diagram of such a ship is presented. Patients would then be transported to European medical facilities and, eventually, facilities in the US. Because of the possibility that Iraq will use chemical weapons, special decontamination facilities have been constructed. Modern diagnostic and treatment equipment has been put into place. One of the military surgeons general has stated that adequate equipment and medical staff are on hand in the area. (Consumer Summary produced by Reliance Medical Information, Inc.)

Middle East, Casualties

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Two years after Iraqi invasion, US military medicine studies Desert Shield/Storm while looking ahead

Article Abstract:

US military medical planners are preparing for future military operations. At a recent conference on military medicine, military medical planners evaluated different suggestions for improving military medical care. They have concluded that more cooperation and communication is needed among different branches of the military and among military health care professionals. The Army, Navy and Air Force all have new surgeon generals since the Persian Gulf War and the Marine Corps has a new chief medical officer. These changes are expected to facilitate communication and innovation. The military needs to improve its medical facilities and equipment. It needs to improve the delivery of medical supplies and equipment to troops in the field. Better peacetime training needs to be given to both regular and reserve military health care workers. More attention needs to be given to the care of women in the military. For example, two women taken prisoner by Iraq during Desert Storm were sexually assaulted; no men were.

Planning, Persian Gulf War, 1991

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