02625cam a22003253u 4500 26884 UtSlPG 20260610133620.0 m cr n 260607r2008||||utu|||||o|||||||||||||| d 16020883 UtSlPG en iso639-1 D501 La Motte, Ellen N. (Ellen Newbold), 1873-1961 The Backwash of War : The Human Wreckage of the Battlefield as Witnessed by an American Hospital Nurse Salt Lake City, UT : Project Gutenberg, 2008 1 online resource : multiple file formats text txt rdacontent computer c rdamedia online resource cr rdacarrier Release date is 2008-10-12 Produced by Meredith Bach, René Anderson Benitz and the Online Distributed Proofreading Team at https://www.pgdp.net (This file was produced from images generously made available by The Internet Archive/American Libraries.) "The Backwash of War" by Ellen N. La Motte is a collection of poignant sketches and observations written in the early 20th century. The book gives a firsthand account of the grim realities faced by military hospital nurses during World War I, focusing on the human toll of warfare and the psychological struggles of those caught in its wake. Through the experiences of a hospital nurse in a field hospital behind the front lines in Belgium, the work explores themes of heroism, despair, and the often unnoticed suffering that accompanies battle. At the start of the book, La Motte introduces the bleak atmosphere of a military field hospital, outlining the monotony mixed with moments of chaos that characterize the life there. The opening sketch portrays the harrowing experience of a wounded soldier who attempted suicide after being captured as a deserter. The narrative delves into the complexities of military life, reflecting on the attitudes of both the medical staff and the soldiers as they confront the futility and madness of war. The nurse's reflections prompt deep questions about ideals, courage, and the definition of heroism amid the carnage, capturing the heart-wrenching reality of those left to manage the aftermath—the "backwash"—of warfare, where the true human cost is laid bare. (This is an automatically generated summary.) Original publication data not identified World War, 1914-1918 -- Hospitals, charities, etc. World War, 1914-1918 -- Personal narratives https://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/26884 67793 67793