War and health - Harry Lee

With the progressive reduction in the size of the British armed forces, the number of doctors with direct experience of treating veterans has declined. And yet the range and number of deployments that soldiers, sailors and airmen are called upon to perform have increased as the UK has taken on a global policing role. This book is designed to provide doctors who treat service personnel and veterans with a succinct and clear picture of the medical and psychological issues that they will encounter in connection with the Persian Gulf War of 1991. With contributions from acknowledged experts, it addresses medical, psychiatric, historical and anthropological issues surrounding claims for so–called ‘Gulf War syndrome’. This contentious label has been the subject of much debate and a high–profile inquiry chaired by Lord Lloyd and supported by the British Legion. With the wealth of media speculation and emotive appeals on the behalf of veterans, it has been difficult to gain a balanced and objective view of the nature of Gulf–related illness. Indeed, considerable sums have been expended by both the US and UK governments on research and, while this has addressed important questions, the findings are not always easily interpreted by even the informed reader. In this book, the vast wealth of scientific research conducted into Gulf–related illness is summarised and distilled into readable sections for non–specialists. It will be of interest to practising physicians, GPs and psychiatrists both in the military and the NHS. While the emphasis is on the UK, the book will also be useful for healthcare professionals in any country whose military personnel are engaged in the Gulf.