Journal of Military and Veteran’s Health - JMVH

"A History of Australian Navy Health Officer Uniforms and Ranks (Part Two)" by Neil Westphalen provides a comprehensive history of Australian Navy health officer uniforms and ranks, building upon previous articles that covered sailor uniforms. It meticulously details the evolution of attire and rank insignia for Royal Navy (RN) and Royal Australian Navy (RAN) medical, dental, medical administratio...

"A History of Australian Navy Health Sailor Uniforms and Ranks (Part 3)" details the historical evolution of uniforms, ranks, and rate badges within the Royal Australian Navy (RAN), drawing parallels and distinctions with the British Royal Navy (RN). It focuses specifically on the insignia worn by sailors, tracing their origins from the early 19th century to more contemporary designs. The text hig...

"Warfare, Ships and Medicine in Ancient Egypt and Greece" by Dr Neil Westphalen.  This academic article from the Journal of Military and Veteran’s Health explores the interconnected advancements in warfare, ships, and medicine in ancient Egypt and Greece, spanning from approximately 4000 to 30 BCE. The author, Neil Westphalen, examines how the development of new weapons and fighting tactics, such...

"Viking Warfare, Ships and Medicine" by Dr Neil Westphalen.  This scholarly article from the Journal of Military and Veteran’s Health by Dr. Neil Westphalen provides a comprehensive overview of Viking warfare, shipbuilding, and medical practices during the period of 500 to 1200 CE. It explores the motivations behind Viking expansion, including political vacuums and resource scarcity, leading to a...

"English Medieval Ships, Warfare and Medicine" by Neil Westphalen.  This academic article explores the evolution of English medieval maritime capabilities, focusing on advancements in ship design, naval warfare, and medical practices between 1200 and 1500. It traces the development of ships from smaller knorrs to larger, more complex cogs and carracks, detailing innovations like rudders and integr...

"DDT and Silent Spring: Fifty years after" by Cristobal S. Berry-Caban provides an in-depth review of DDT's historical impact, focusing on its development, widespread use, and subsequent controversy. It outlines Paul Hermann Müller's discovery of DDT's insecticidal properties and its crucial role in controlling diseases like typhus and malaria during World War II and beyond, leading to significant...

"Arsenic – the “Poison of Kings” and the “Saviour of Syphilis”" by John Frith.  This article explores the multifaceted history of arsenic, highlighting its dual nature as both a potent poison and a significant medicinal agent. It details arsenic's use throughout history for nefarious purposes, such as murdering royalty and as a component in chemical warfare agents like Lewisite and Adamsite. Conve...

"The Psychological Adjustment Experience of Reintegration Following Discharge from Military Service: A Systematic Review" by M Romaniuk & C Kidd explores the psychological adjustment challenges veterans face when transitioning from military to civilian life following discharge. The research synthesizes findings from 18 qualitative and mixed-methods studies, revealing that veterans commonly exp...

"Florence Nightingale" article by Dr. Keith Horsley commemorates the centenary of Florence Nightingale's death in 2010, highlighting her multifaceted impact beyond the common "Lady with the Lamp" image. It explores her pivotal role in modern nursing reform, noting the profession's disreputable state before her influence. The text further details her significant contributions to military medicine,...

"The Menstrual Cycle and Vision: The Eye is a Gender Specific and Hormonally Sensitive Target Organ," both co-authored by John C. Newlands and Paul R. Bates. The JMVH article examines the relationship between the menstrual cycle, fluctuating hormone levels, and various aspects of female visual function. It discusses historical research, changes in visual acuity, detection, discrimination, and the...

"History of Tuberculosis. Part 1 – Phthisis, consumption and the White Plague" by John Frith provides an extensive historical overview of tuberculosis, tracing its presence from ancient times to the 19th century. It details the evolution of terminology for the disease, from ancient Greek "phthisis" and "consumption" to its recognition as "the white plague" and eventually "tuberculosis." The text h...

"MUNITIONS - Thermobaric Munitions and their Medical Effects!" by David Andrew, provides an in-depth analysis of thermobaric munitions. It begins by defining these weapons as designed to produce enhanced heat and overpressure compared to conventional explosives. The article traces their historical development from World War II to modern usage by various nations. Furthermore, it details the design...

"Stalingrad: The Hinge of History—How Hitler’s hubris led to the defeat of the Sixth Army - JMVH" by Robert M Kaplan, offers a detailed analysis of the Battle of Stalingrad during World War II. It explores the strategic decisions and fatal errors, particularly Hitler's overconfidence and refusal to retreat, that led to the German Sixth Army's catastrophic defeat. The article contrasts Hitler's hub...

This article, "Experiences of a Prisoner of War: World War 2 in Germany," chronicles the personal account of Eric Stephenson, a navigator in a Lancaster bomber shot down over Berlin in December 1943. It details his capture, initial interrogation, and transfer to Dulag Luft, a holding camp. Stephenson then describes his time at Stalag Luft 3, specifically the Belaria compound, which housed Allied f...

This article, "Syphilis – Its early history and Treatment until Penicillin - JMVH", provides a comprehensive overview of the history of syphilis, including its origins, spread, symptoms, and various treatments throughout different periods. It discusses the debate surrounding whether syphilis originated in the Old World or was brought from the New World by Christopher Columbus, presenting arguments...

The article discusses the controversial practice of Live Tissue Trauma Training (LTTT), which involves using animals, primarily pigs and goats, to train military medical personnel in treating severe combat injuries. It highlights the necessity of LTTT for providing realistic experience, especially given the prevalence of massive hemorrhage in modern warfare. The text presents arguments for continu...

This article explores the interconnected development of warfare, ships, and medicine in ancient Rome from its foundation to its decline in Western Europe. It details the evolution of Roman military organisation, weaponry, and tactics, highlighting their disciplined approach and logistical prowess. The text also examines the progression of Roman naval power, from early triremes to the larger quinqu...

This case study explores the application of Tension/Trauma Releasing Exercises (TRE) as a self-care intervention for a former Australian soldier experiencing Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) following a brain injury. The report details the soldier's experience and measured improvements in perceived stress and comfort levels after learning and consistently practicing TRE. It highlights TRE's p...

This text presents an overview of the history of plague, focusing on three major global pandemics. It describes Yersinia pestis as the causative bacterium, transmitted primarily by fleas from rats, and explains its various forms, including bubonic, septicaemic, and pneumonic plague. The document outlines the Justinian Plague (6th century), the Black Death (14th century), and the Third Pandemic (19...

This review article examines the difficulties in achieving a universal definition of terrorism due to the varying agendas and perspectives of numerous stakeholders, including governments, academic researchers, legal and law enforcement entities, medical professionals, the media, and terrorist groups themselves. It highlights how these differing definitions are often tailored to suit specific polit...

This text examines Saint Longinus, the Roman centurion at the Crucifixion, as a potential case study for Spiritual Wounds and Injuries (SW&I) in modern veterans. It explores Longinus's possible interactions with Christ, his role in the Crucifixion including the spear thrust, and the impact of these events on his spiritual journey. The article analyzes how Longinus's reported subsequent struggl...

This study examines trends in cardiovascular disease (CVD) diagnoses and associated risk factors among active duty U.S. service members from 2016 to 2021. Utilizing data from the Defense Medical Epidemiology Database (DMED), the research identified that while most CVD diagnoses decreased during this period, cases of angina and inappropriate diet increased. The authors also found significant demogr...

This article discusses the Kokoda Campaign's medical efforts, focusing on Captain Alan Watson and the 2/4th Field Ambulance. It highlights the challenges of providing medical care in a difficult environment, detailing how the field ambulance operated similarly to a modern deployable hospital. The piece emphasizes Captain Watson's diverse contributions, from dental care to administering anesthesia...

This article by Dr Andrew Robertson, titled "The medical effects of non-lethal weapons. A review," explores the physiological and psychological impacts of various non-lethal weapon systems increasingly used by police and military forces worldwide. It examines effects including blunt trauma, eye damage, auditory effects, electrophysiological disruption, and toxicological/pharmaceutical responses ca...

This is a podcast adaptation of the original article by authors A J Mahoney, M Reade, I Young, B Butson, A Storey, and K Bender. Providing high-quality medical care to deployed Australian Defence Force personnel is critical, and this capability relies significantly on specialist clinicians. Historically, the ADF depended largely on Reserve specialists, but recognised limitations in guaranteeing im...