FLORENCE NIGHTINGALE – THE MONUMENT OF HUMANITY IN THE CRIMEAN WAR 1853.-1856.

Abstract

Background: Ms. Florence Nightingale (F.N.) has been recognized as the founder of modern nursing. She had a prominent role in organizing the medical service for the British army in the Crimean War. Aim: The goal of the research was to determine the role and contribution of F.N. to the medical service during the Crimean War, her original organizing arrangements, and novel treatment modalities in the setting of a mass casualty situation. The impact of her war experience on her psychological condition has been assessed. Methodology: The research was done through a review of the historical documents, considering the work and the role of F.N. in the British Army medical service during the Crimean War. Result: The passionate work of F.N. in the field hospital earned her the nickname Angel of Crimea. She introduced novel methods of nursing and sanitation that reduced the mortality rate in the British Army by 70%. However, after the war, on her return home to England, she showed mood changes consistent with what is nowadays known as posttraumatic stress disorder. Conclusion: Engagement in the medical service during the war carries the inevitable risk of the development of posttraumatic stress disorder. This should be considered a real and obvious threat for medical personnel involved with the treatment of the injured during the war, i.e., the mass casualty situation. The contribution of F.N. to the organization and efficacy of the military medical service of the British Army has been discussed.