First Aid Drawings
a Belgian Artist on the Front Lines
Two covers. Left : a 1905 manual / Right : a 1926 manual
The following links lead to a collection of illustrations taken from different Belgian military first-aid manuals, one from 1905, one from 1926 and another comprising a collection of war-time drawings by artist Joe English (1882 - 1918). Today Belgian artist Joe English is mainly remembered for having conceived the design and inscription of the standard AVV-VVK war-gravestone used for Flemish soldiers killed during the Great War. However during the war, he drew many fine detailed illustrations regarding first-aid in the field. These were printed in numerous military manuals and pamphlets during the war for distribution among front-line soldiers and were reprinted in numerous post-war medical books, manuals and volumes as well.
When compared to the series of drawings from the 1905 manual, it is readily apparent that his work was modern, detailed, up-to-date and obviously of more help to wounded soldiers. The older drawings, while fine artistic little masterpieces in themselves, seem more concerned with depicting jaunty unconcerned soldiers sporting a colorful variety of military uniforms.
Of course, we must bear in mind that it is always easy to provoke a smug knowing smile of superiority when depicting the state of (scientific) knowledge some 80 years in the past. During the Great War, vast advances were made in the medical sciences by highly dedicated and educated physicians and surgeons. This (small and unrepresentative) collection of illustrations is merely intended as a representation of applied illustrative art, rather than as a reflection of actual knowledge or medical practice.
Joe English (left) in a shelter
To Illustrations
'Brancardier Militaire Belge 1905'
'Joe English Drawings 1914-18'
'Post War Manual'