Charles Savona-Ventura

Medical Perspectives of Battle Conflicts in Malta Charles Savona-Ventura

Medical services have been associated with the military since the days of Ancient Greece. This relationship was essential not only in ensuring the front-line treatment of injuries sustained by soldiers but also to treat the diseases that accompany the disruption in the social circumstances brought on by warfare. The expectation of a military conflict requires the commanders in the field to draw up a military operation plan. This war plan varied according to the defined objectives, often being differently viewed by the combatants on either side of the conflict. There was in addition the aspect of using biological agents as weapons of warfare. There are numerous records of the use of biological weapons in antiquity. It is therefore not surprising that medical personnel played a very important role in battle plans and were generally highly regarded by the commanders and troops these medics serviced.