What Was Hygiene Like In The Trenches During WWI?

The video explores the harsh hygiene conditions in WWI trenches, highlighting the lack of sanitation, water purification challenges, personal hygiene issues, and the spread of diseases. Soldiers faced difficulties with latrines, contaminated water, lice infestations, and poor oral health. Food was often inedible, and rodent infestations were rampant. Efforts to control sanitation and disease were limited, contributing to widespread illness and the Spanish flu pandemic.

What was one of the main reasons soldiers in World War I trenches struggled with hygiene?

• Absence of plumbing and hot water

• Lack of access to soap

• Limited time for personal care

• Shortage of clean clothes

How did soldiers attempt to purify water in the trenches?

• By filtering through sand

• By using acid sodium sulfate tablets

• By adding sugar

• By using boiling equipment

What was a common method used by soldiers to deal with lice infestations?

• Applying herbal oils

• Washing with hot water

• Burning lice with candles

• Using insect repellent

Why were shaving kits introduced to soldiers during World War I?

• To improve morale

• To maintain a clean appearance

• To prevent lice infestations

• To ensure gas masks fit properly

What was a typical food ration for British soldiers in the trenches?

• Pasta and tomato sauce

• Rice and beans

• Canned corned beef and hardtack biscuits

• Fresh vegetables and fruits

How did the transportation of food to the trenches affect its quality?

• It arrived fresh and hot

• It was well-preserved

• It was often overcooked

• It became cold and stale

What was one of the main reasons for the presence of large rats in the trenches?

• Frequent rain

• Warm climate

• Lack of predators

• Abundance of food scraps

What disease was commonly spread by lice in the trenches?

• Yellow fever

• Malaria

• Cholera

• Trench fever

What was a significant consequence of poor sanitation in the trenches?

• Better living conditions

• Spread of communicable diseases

• Increased morale

• Improved health

What epidemic is believed to have been exacerbated by the conditions in World War I trenches?

• The Ebola outbreak

• The Zika virus epidemic

• The Great Influenza epidemic of 1918

• The Black Death