Radiology in a trench coat

In Flanders' Fields and on the French and German front lines an adolescent medical discipline, barely nineteen years old, reached full adulthood: radiology. This diagnostic specialty's unique significance was recognized by all other medical specialties from the first days of its existence. The circumstances of the war propelled radiology's development in ultra-fast forward. In addition to the diagnosis of fracture and disease, the localization of projectiles was its outstanding priority. Antibiotics were not yet in existence; thus the immediate removal of a foreign body was extremely critical since preventing infection was practically the sole guarantee for the healing, if not the survival of the wounded soldier. Amidst the desperation of a stalemate in the war the pioneer-radiologists labor like true heroes and fight their way to their patients' salvation, often at the peril of their own health. The contributions made by American, British, French, Belgian and German radiologists are extensively discussed and illustrated in a true historic perspective.