The Wars Terms

A condition in which excess spinal fluid builds up in a person's brain cavities, creating internal pressure and potentially causing headaches, cognition problems, physical impairments, and other severe health issues. Robert Ross’s older sister… read analysis of Hydrocephalus

A toxic gas used as a chemical warfare agent in World War I. It caused severe chemical burns and painful blisters on the skin and inside the lungs, as well as eye damage. In the… read analysis of Mustard gas

The coalition of countries who fought in opposition to the Central Powers (Germany, Austria-Hungary, and Turkey) in World War I. The Allied Powers included Canada, Britain, and France, among many other nations. read analysis of The Allied Powers

A style of combat in which troops are stationed in trenches dug into the ground as a means of protection from gunfire and artillery. Trench warfare in World War I was grueling and traumatic for… read analysis of Trench warfare

Shelters dug into the sides of trenches in World War I to protect soldiers from shellfire. Dugouts often contained simple furniture such as tables and bunkbeds where men could eat and rest. read analysis of Dugout

A military term used to describe unoccupied land that has been devastated by battle or poses uncertain threats. There were various reasons why an area might be deemed “No Man’s Land” during World War I—it… read analysis of No Man’s Land

Homes and other private buildings that were converted into auxiliary hospitals for soldiers in World War I, due to the military's underestimation of the war's casualties. At these makeshift hospitals, soldiers would either heal from… read analysis of Convalescence hospital

A term first coined during World War I that referred to the slew of painful mental symptoms that many soldiers grappled with. Common symptoms include intrusive flashbacks, dissociation, and nightmares. It can also lead to… read analysis of Shell shock