Journal of Military and Veteran’s Health - JMVH

"Innovations from the Battlefield: Tourniquets" by Dominic Maher explores the historical evolution and modern resurgence of the tourniquet as a critical tool for survival. While these devices were often criticized as dangerous during the 19th and 20th centuries, data from recent Middle East conflicts proved they effectively stop catastrophic bleeding without causing widespread limb loss. The text highlights how military medical advancements and successful field applications led to a shift in institutional doctrine. This newfound evidence has directly influenced civilian emergency services, resulting in the widespread adoption of tourniquets by first responders and the general public. Ultimately, the source frames the tourniquet as a proven life-saving innovation that has transitioned from a controversial last resort to a standard of care.

You can read the original article here: https://jmvh.org/article/innovations-from-the-battlefield-tourniquets/

"Antimalarial Drug Supply Issues during the Second World War" by G. Dennis Shanks examines how antimalarial drug shortages severely compromised Allied military operations in the Southwest Pacific during World War II. The author explains that the Japanese seizure of cinchona plantations and European manufacturing hubs stripped the Allies of vital quinine and synthetic drug supplies, leading to massive non-combat casualties. Operations in regions like Papua New Guinea and the Philippines were stalled or lost until quinacrine production and strict medicinal discipline were established in 1943. By comparing these historical logistical failures to modern supply chain disruptions seen during the COVID-19 pandemic, the text warns of the ongoing strategic risks posed by infectious diseases. Ultimately, the source highlights that medical logistics and anti-infective medications remain critical, yet vulnerable, components of national defense and regional stability.

You can read the original article here: https://jmvh.org/article/antimalarial-drug-supply-issues-during-world-war-ii/

"Effects of deployment on mental health in modern military forces: A review of longitudinal studies" by Peter Nasveld examines prospective longitudinal studies to determine how military deployment influences the mental health of service members and veterans. The findings highlight that actual combat exposure, rather than the simple act of being deployed, is the primary driver for conditions like PTSD and depression. Research indicates that certain factors, such as prior trauma or low baseline functional health, significantly increase an individual’s vulnerability to psychiatric issues after battle. Furthermore, the data suggests that mental health needs often evolve over time, sometimes intensifying months after a soldier returns home. Ultimately, the authors emphasize the necessity of ongoing health surveillance and targeted screenings to support those most at risk.

You can read the original article here: https://jmvh.org/article/effects-of-deployment-on-mental-health-in-modern-military-forces-a-review-of-longitudinal-studies/

"Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder and Killing in Combat: A Review of Existing Literature" by Vicky Aldridge examines the complex psychological link between the act of killing in combat and the development of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). By analyzing various studies, the text reveals that service members who have taken a life generally report more severe trauma symptoms and higher levels of guilt or moral injury. Research indicates that the characteristics of the victim, such as being a civilian or a child, significantly intensify the emotional distress experienced by veterans. While most data suggests a strong correlation between combat killing and mental health struggles, some findings remain inconsistent due to gender differences and varying study methodologies. Ultimately, the source emphasizes that clinicians must address the specific act of killing during assessments to provide more effective, specialized support for the veteran population.

You can read the original article here: https://jmvh.org/article/post-traumatic-stress-disorder-and-killing-in-combat-a-review-of-existing-literature/

This historical overview chronicles the scientific breakthrough in identifying the pathogen and transmission method of the bubonic plague during the late 19th-century pandemic. While humanity previously attributed the disease to supernatural forces or toxic vapors, the emergence of germ theory allowed researchers like Alexandre Yersin to successfully isolate the bacterium now known as Yersinia pestis. The text highlights the critical contributions of Paul-Louis Simond, whose experiments proved that fleas acting as intermediaries between rats and humans were responsible for spreading the infection. It also frames these discoveries within a broader military and medical context, noting how figures like Louis Pasteur and Robert Koch revolutionized public health. Ultimately, the source details how rigorous observation and competitive research transformed a misunderstood scourge into a preventable and treatable condition.

You can read the original article here: https://jmvh.org/article/the-history-of-plague-pt-2-the-discoveries-of-the-plague-bacillus-and-its-vector/

"Agent Orange Reviewed: Potential Role in Peripheral Neuropathy and Neurodegeneration" by Suzanne de la Monte, published in the Journal of Military and Veterans’ Health (JMVH). This articles examines the long-term medical consequences of Agent Orange exposure among Vietnam War veterans, with a specific focus on neurological deterioration. The research highlights a significant connection between the toxic herbicide and the development of peripheral neuropathy, often appearing decades after initial contact. Additionally, the text suggests that these chemical exposures may increase the risk of central nervous system disorders, including Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s diseases. Beyond neurological issues, the author notes established links to malignancies, cardiovascular disease, and diabetes. By reviewing various studies on South Korean and American service members, the article emphasizes how the herbicide's components may damage myelin and cause oxidative stress. Ultimately, the source calls for further investigation into the mechanisms of toxicity as the veteran population continues to age. Tune in here: https://jmvh.podbean.com/e/e33-agent-orange-reviewed-potential-role-in-peripheral-neuropathy-and-neurodegeneration You can read the original article here: https://jmvh.org/article/agent-orange-reviewed-potential-role-in-peripheral-neuropathy-and-neurodegeneration/ #podcast #militarymedicine #AMMA #JMVH #veteranshealth #militaryhealth

"Effects of Penthrox® (methoxyflurane) as an analgesic on cardiovascular and respiratory functions in the pre-hospital setting" by H F Oxer, published in the Journal of Military and Veterans’ Health (JMVH). This research article investigates the safety and physiological effects of methoxyflurane, an inhaled analgesic commonly used by emergency medical services in Australia. By analyzing data from nearly 600 ambulance patients, the study specifically evaluates how the drug impacts blood pressure, pulse rate, and respiratory function. The findings indicate that while vital signs show a minor initial decline, these changes are consistent with relief from pain and stress rather than drug-induced toxicity. Ultimately, the source concludes that low-dose administration is highly stable and does not cause harmful cardiovascular or respiratory depression. These results suggest that long-standing precautionary warnings regarding its use in unstable patients may be unnecessary in a modern clinical context. Tune in here: You can read the original article here: https://jmvh.org/article/effects-of-penthrox-methoxyflurane-as-an-analgesic-on-cardiovascular-and-respiratory-functions-in-the-pre-hospital-setting/ #podcast #militarymedicine #AMMA #JMVH #veteranshealth #militaryhealth

"From Milites Medici to Army Medics – A two thousand year tradition of military medicine" by Robb Wesselingh, published in the Journal of Military and Veterans’ Health (JMVH). The article explores the historical development of military medicine, asserting that many significant medical advances originated during times of conflict, citing examples from the Napoleonic Wars and World War II. It then focuses heavily on the Roman Empire, specifically detailing how Emperor Augustus's military reforms established a professional medical corps (milites medici) and led to the creation of the first organized military hospitals, the valetudinaria. Furthermore, the source discusses how these military innovations, particularly regarding sanitation and public health principles, were subsequently adopted by the civilian population, demonstrating the lasting impact of military medical practice.

You can read the original article here: https://jmvh.org/article/692/

"The Australian Army’s Two ‘Traditional’ Diseases: Gonorrhea and Syphilis — A Military-Medical History During the Twentieth Century" by Ian Howie-Willis details the military-medical history of gonorrhea and syphilis within the Australian Army throughout the twentieth century. The author, Ian Howie-Willis, focuses on demonstrating the statistical scale of these sexually transmitted diseases (STDs)—or venereal diseases (VD)—during major overseas deployments, from the Boer War to the Vietnam War. It contrasts the difficult, prolonged treatments before the mid-1940s introduction of penicillin with the shorter hospital stays afterward, noting how the availability of a rapid cure increased soldier complacency and led to high infection rates in later conflicts like the Occupation of Japan and the Vietnam War. The article concludes that VD was a major, persistent problem for the Australian Army, resulting in an estimated over 125,000 cases treated across the century.

You can read the original article here: https://jmvh.org/article/the-australian-armys-two-traditional-diseases-gonorrhea-and-syphilis-a-military-medical-history-during-the-twentieth-century/

"Comparing PTSD Among Returning War Veterans," by Wayne Kinney focuses on the physical and psychological wounds sustained by military personnel in the Iraqi and Afghan Wars, particularly comparing their experiences and diagnoses, such as Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), with veterans from earlier conflicts like the Vietnam War and the Persian Gulf War. It highlights that advances in medicine and technology have resulted in a higher survival rate but also more numerous and complex injuries, including poly-trauma and traumatic brain injury (TBI). Furthermore, the text analyzes key demographic and clinical differences between veterans of these wars, noting variations in substance abuse rates, violent behavior, and the distinct challenges faced by female service members.

You can read the original article here: https://jmvh.org/article/comparing-ptsd-among-returning-war-veterans/