1918 War Hospital in Iselin: A Medical Legacy

The War Hospital, Iselin, seen in this photograph, was established during World War I, a time when medical facilities faced unprecedented challenges due to the scale and destructiveness of the conflict from 1914 to 1918. Built to accommodate the overwhelming number of injured soldiers, this hospital is a representation of the urgent need for medical care during wartime. Captured in 1918 or 1919 by Bain News Service, this image illustrates both the architectural style of early 20th-century medical facilities and the adaptive measures taken to address the impact of the war on soldiers health.

During World War I, medical practices advanced rapidly in response to battlefield injuries. Hospitals like the one in Iselin were pivotal in offering treatment for a range of injuries, including those from new weaponry such as machine guns and chemical warfare. The building itself would have housed dedicated staff working under intense pressure, often faced with insufficient resources. This image not only reflects the physical structure of the hospital but also serves as a reminder of the significant medical evolution that occurred due to the experiences and challenges posed by the war.