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¡SALUD!
British Volunteers in the Republican Medical Service during the Spanish Civil War, 1936–1939

Linda Palfreeman
Linda Palfreeman is Lecturer in Journalism at the University of Cardenal Herrera, Elche, Spain. She has spent some years researching local aspects of the Spanish Civil War and of the International Brigades’ Medical Service. ¡Salud! is a response to the lack of accessible literature on what was surely one of the most important aspects of the conflict – health care and medical assistance during wartime.

¡Salud! reviews the enormously valuable contribution of the volunteers who left Britain to serve with the Republican Medical Services during the Spanish Civil War. Acknowledgement is also given to the immense effort and self-sacrifice made by men and women from all walks of life who, working ceaselessly at home, made it possible for the medical teams to function in Spain. In Britain, in spite of the government’s official policy of non-intervention, there was a campaign of fervent support for the legitimate Republican government.. Such was the case in Britain where, in spite of the government’s official policy of non-intervention, there was a campaign of fervent support for the legitimate Republican government.
… The first British Medical Unit in Spain had immense political significance for the Spanish Republic. Barely a month into the start of the civil war and this small group was the first visible sign of international support. It would later become part of the Republican Medical Service and, within that, of the Medical Service of the International Brigades.
… Not only did volunteers help to create and to maintain an emergency medical service, some of the individuals involved were also responsible for important developments that were of relevance to later military-medical practice and also to the history of medicine in general.
… Medical personnel generally worked in dreadful conditions, for hours and even days without rest, and with a lack of equipment and provisions of all kinds. They were mostly young and inexperienced men and women who suddenly found themselves thrown together in desperate circumstances, with the task of salvaging something of life amidst the inhumanity and mayhem. That they rose to the challenge is, in itself, worthy of tribute.

Chronology Political parties active in Barcelona in 1936. Abbreviations used in references Preface 1 Medicine and the Spanish Civil War 2 British Response to the Uprising in Spain 3 The Call for International Medical Assistance 4 Grañen, the First British Hospital 5 To Albacete and the International Brigade 6 The Creation and Development of the International Brigades’ Medical Service 7 The Integration of the British Unit into the International Brigades’ Medical Service 8 The Organization of Republican Medical Assistance 9 Medical Provision for the Battle of Jarama 10 Medical Provision for the Battle of Guadalajara 11 Restructuring of the International Brigades’ Medical Service 12 Medical Provision for the Battle of Brunete 13 Medical Provision for the Aragon Offensive: the Battles of Belchite, Quinto and Teruel 14 Further Hospitals Established by British Personnel 15 Medical Provision for the Battle of the Ebro 16 Withdrawal of the International Brigades and the British Medical Personnel 17 Select Biographies 18 The Spanish Civil War: Repercussions for World War II Medical Care Appendices: • Medical Officers on the General Staff of the International Brigades Front Line Medical Service (25 June 1937) • The National Joint Committee for Spanish Relief • Spanish Medical Aid Committee • The first British SMAC Unit sent to Spain in August 1936 • The Scottish Ambulance Unit • British medical personnel who died in Spain • Volunteers who left Britain or Ireland to work as part of the Republican Medical Service in Spain Bibliography Index
“Dr Palfreeman provides a fascinating vision of the circumstances surrounding the creation and development of the Republican Medical Service itself. In doing so, she sheds light on the contribution made by the medical personnel of other nationalities, including the Spanish, alongside whom the British volunteers lived and worked.” Paul Preston, Series Editor, London School of Economics

 

Publication Details

	Hardback ISBN:		978-1-84519-501-4
	Paperback ISBN:		978-1-84519-519-9
	Page Extent / Format:		384 pp. / 229 x 152 mm
	Release Date:		February 2012
	Illustrated:		Yes
	Hardback Price:		£65.00 / $79.95
	Paperbac Price:		£24.95 / $34.95