[The contribution of the medical service to victory in World War II]

The article analyses the work of the Soviet medicine in the years of the Great Patriotic war, and the contribution made by the Army and Navy Medical Service for the Victory. From the whole number of 14.5 million wounded more than 10.5 million were returned to their ranks, as for sick servicemen, more than 6.5 million from the whole number of 7.5 million were returned to their duties. Lethal cases among wounded were 5.3%, and among sick--3.7%. For example, the reduction of lethal cases per 0.1% signified to save life for 4-5 thousand wounded and sick. By the end of the war the lethality in penetrating cranium injuries has lowered 45.8%, in penetrating chest injuries with open pneumothorax--10%, without open pneumothorax--57%, in thoracoabdominal injuries--30%. Medical service had achieved a considerable reduction of invalidity among servicemen. In 1943 27 evacuation hospitals were transformed in recovery surgery hospitals, as for patients of these hospitals, 8% of them were returned to their ranks in the active army, 36% were able to work accordingly to their professions, 19% have recovered wording capacity after receiving a new profession. The system of recovery treatment made it possible to return to labour hundred thousands of wounded and sick. Antiepidemic system of medical service had assured a reliable and opportune prevention of epidemic outbreaks of infections and parasitic diseases, interdicting its spreading from the front line to the rear, and from the rear areas to the active army. Many medical workers have perished providing health care to the wounded and sick soldiers. More than 5 thousand physicians, over 9 thousand low-grade medical workers, and 48 thousand aidmen and stretcher men were killed or lost in action. More than 125 medical workers were wounded.