The original caption may contain language which is historic and which may no longer be considered appropriate. It has been retained in the record in the interest of historical accuracy.
The caption on the reverse of the photograph reads: “The modern treatment of burns. Picture shows the patient comfortably resting in the saline bath after the dressings have been removed. He is allowed to smoke (through a holder to keep the smoke away from his eyes) ; can read the paper ; and is given warm milk. The length of stay in the bath is from one hour upwards. On the left Sister is seen testing the salt content of the saline bath, while on the right an orderly watches the temperature control.”
The contemporary hospital building was completed in 1936 and, after becoming part of the Emergency Medical Service at the beginning of the Second World War, had space to build wooden army huts and three new wards. The wards accommodated women and children (either air raid causalities or transferred from London hospitals), dental and jaw injuries, and officers and the most severely burned and injured service personnel. In September 1939, Archibald McIndoe arrived at the Queen Victoria Hospital to run the new Centre for Plastic and Jaw Surgery, bringing with him key members of his operating theatre staff. McIndoe was the Consultant Plastic Surgeon to the RAF, and during his time at the Queen Victoria Hospital treated thousands of patients who had suffered burns. The medical techniques he used were pioneering, and went on to form the basis of burns treatment worldwide. In particular, McIndoe was involved in the development of the walking-stalk skin graft or waltzing tube pedicle. McIndoe also moved away from using tannic acid in the treatment of burns. This gel created a hard protective shell over a wound, but could lead to skin contraction when applied to eyelids and fingers, which hindered reconstructive surgery. Instead, McIndoe treated burn injuries by keeping the wounds open, washing wounds with saline, and regularly changing dressings. Baths were made of ebonite, a saline-proof material, were earthed and had electronic controls. The discovery that saline could be used to promote healing was, some say, a serendipitous discovery following observation of the healing rates of injured pilots who had landed in the sea. In addition to developing these treatments, McIndoe recognised the importance of social rehabilitation of patients: he encouraged convalescing service personnel to wear military uniforms, allowed drinking and smoking on wards, and formed a social group for patients called ‘The Guinea Pig Club’. In 1947 McIndoe received a knighthood. The Queen Victoria Hospital remains renowned in England for its expertise and treatment of burns. See also MED01/01/1332-1337 and MED01/01/1339-1344. High-resolution copies of this image are available for free for non-commercial use. Please Enquire to place an order.
This is part of the Series: MED01/01 Series of prints; within the Collection: MED01 Topical Press Agency Medical Collection
Source: Historic England Archive
Photographer: Topical Press Agency Limited
Photographer: Harrison, Norman Kingsley
Hospital, People At Work, Health And Welfare
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