MSMR
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Biography Historical Article
Historical snapshot: Dr. Mary E. Walker, Civil War surgeon, Medal of Honor recipient.
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Traumatic amputations of limbs profoundly alter the lives of affected service members. Service members are at risk for traumatic amputations of limbs during combat deployments as well as from other hazards such as motor vehicle accidents. From 2000 to 2011, there were 6,144 incident cases of traumatic amputations among 5,694 service members. ⋯ Male, junior enlisted members of the Army and Marine Corps in combat-specific military occupations have been most affected by major amputations. Nearly two-thirds of major amputations occurred during a deployment or were deployment-related. Recent increases in numbers of major amputations generally reflect the extent and intensity of ground combat operations in Iraq and Afghanistan.
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From July 2010 through June 2011, the number of U. S. service members treated for cold injuries (n=557) was similar to recent prior years. ⋯ Cold injury rates were generally highest among service members who were less than 20 years old and of black, non-Hispanic race/ethnicity. Service members who train in wet and freezing conditions -- and their supervisors at all levels -- should know the signs of cold injury, ensure adequate hydration, and avoid tobacco, caffeine, and vasoconstrictive medications.