Alissa Overton

4th Hour

World War I Deaths

In the early 1900s, medicines and treatment for illnesses were not advanced. Although weapons

killed soldiers, illnesses, diseases, and gases did as well. The number of military and civilian casualties

was about 41 million.

The main disease that spread during WWI was influenza. Although it was treatable, there was a

lack of medical attention. More people died from influenza in a one year time period than a four year time

period during the Black Plague. Just from influenza alone, 20 - 40 million people died between 1918 and

1919.

Many diseases came from the soldiers living area. Trench foot came from constant immersion

into cold water without drying off. If the injury was not treated, it became a secondary infection which

was very common. The American Army recorded 1,800 cases, with only 5 deaths. Some rat-borne

diseases, such as typhus, also came from living in trenches.

Poison gas became a weapon in 1915 during WWI. Three substances were the cause of most of

the chemical-weapons injuries and deaths. Chlorine gas produces a greenish-yellow cloud that smells of

bleach. It immediately irritates the eyes, nose, lungs, and throat. When in high enough doses, it kills by

asphyxiation.

Phosgene smells of moldy hay and is also an irritant. However, it is six times more deadly than

chlorine gas. It fills the victim’s lungs with fluid over a day or two ending in an agonizing death. It is

colorless and soldiers had not known they received a fatal dose, making it a stealthy weapon. It was

responsible for 85% of chemical-weapons deaths.

Mustard gas was considered the “King of Battle Gases”. It has a potent smell, like rubber,

gasoline, or dead animals. The victim’s eyes become bloodshot, start to water, and are in immense pain.

Some even suffer from temporary blindness. Their skin begins to blister, and when they pop, they can

become infected. However, the gas caused few direct deaths because of the open-air camps.
 Unfortunately, World War I had gruesome and brutal casualties. With no advanced medicines,

soldiers and civilians suffered through the pain of illnesses, diseases, wounds from weapons, and gases.

Millions of people died and experienced such hardship during a short period of time.

Works Cited

“Diseases in World War I.” 4 Technologies Invented in World War 1 That We Still Use Today - World War

I Centennial, www.worldwar1centennial.org/index.php/diseases-in-world-war-i.html.

Finn, Teresa. “WW1 Death, Diseases, and Casualties.” Prezi.com, 16 Nov. 2010,

prezi.com/tjgo2mhzxr4o/ww1-death-diseases-and-casualties/.

“World War I Casualties.” Wikipedia, Wikimedia Foundation, 22 Jan. 2019,

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/World_War_I_casualties.