Jump to content
Free downloads from TNA ×
The Great War (1914-1918) Forum

Remembered Today:

Infective endocartitis


Bob Foster

Recommended Posts

I am researching a soldier who was with the Coldstream Guards on August 21st 1918. They were involved in an attack and there was also gas there. Is infective endocartitis a result of a bullet or shell wound or of gas ? Or neither of these ?

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Bob

Endocarditis-inflammation of the membrane lining the heart,blood born infection from another source,so could have been the result of bullet/shrapnel wound but could quite easily have been due to an infected tooth which is a common cause of endocarditis.

Regards Doug

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • 1 year later...

Hello

which Coldstreamer are you researching ? might be able to help you out

Ian

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I am researching a soldier who was with the Coldstream Guards on August 21st 1918. They were involved in an attack and there was also gas there. Is infective endocartitis a result of a bullet or shell wound or of gas ?  Or neither of these ?

Although a traumatic etiology (e.g. bullet or shell fragment) is possible, as noted by Doug, I would guess it is EXTREMELY unlikely. This (endocarditis) is normally, in peacetime as well as in wartime, an infectious disease, either from a bacteria or from a virus. There are other causes, but especially since they called it "infective endocarditis", I would go along with this as the best bet for a cause. I can't think of any way that you would get this as a result of gas exposure. In today's military, this would almost invariably be classed as a Disease, Non-Battle Injury (DNBI). Doc2

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I can't think of any way that you would get this as a result of gas exposure.  (DNBI).   Doc2

Wouldn`t gas exposure make one susceptible to secondary bacterial or viral infection? :( Phil B (non-medic!)

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Infective Endocarditis is caused by a blood borne infection as Doug says.

People particularly susceptible are those with a heart defect e.g hole in the heart or have damage to the heart caused by rheumatic fever.

It is normally a bacterial infection and a common route is through the mouth so if the soldier had bleeding gums or had a dental abcess bacteria from his mouth could have entered his blood stream. The bacteria then settle on the heart and if there is a scar like defect they are less likely to be destroyed by the body's defence system so multiply and cause inflammation around the heart

Jane

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Wouldn`t gas exposure make one susceptible to secondary bacterial or viral infection?  :(  Phil B (non-medic!)

Phil, I guess that theoretically that could be identified as a possible cause (reduced resistence to infection following damage to the alveolar lining, or possibly the damage to the lining giving a better route of access to an infective agent), but I have no references which really address an increase in pulmonary infections following gas exposure. From a practical standpoint, I suspect there is no way you could ever prove such a connection at this late date. As others have said, dental abcesses are a much more likely possibility than being directly related to gas exposure. Doc2

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Create an account or sign in to comment

You need to be a member in order to leave a comment

Create an account

Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!

Register a new account

Sign in

Already have an account? Sign in here.

Sign In Now
×
×
  • Create New...