Medical kits made their way onto the battlefield during the First World War. Hypodermic needles such as those shown are thin, hollow and beveled tubes attached to a syringe and used to inject medicine or extract fluids from the body.
History: In the Second World War, these needles were used to administer morphine, penicillin (anti-biotic), and other medicines to injured and ill soldiers. Each kit included morphine syrettes that allowed the wounded to self-administer narcotics before medics could arrive on the scene.
The first line of medical defence from 1914 – 18 was the field dressing every soldier (Canadian and British) carried with them. The pre-packed, sterile dressings helped to limit blood loss and protect the wound from further infection.
Medical Kit: The first medical kit started with the railroad. Many attribute the invention of first aid kits to Robert Wood Johnson, the founder of Johnson & Johnson. On a train trip, Johnson struck up a conversation with the chief surgeon of the Denver and Rio Grande Railway. The surgeon described the frequent injuries on the railroad in remote locations far from medical help. In 1888, Johnson & Johnson developed the first commercial medical kit.
Example of Hypodermic needles Example of a field dressing bandage.