Responding to a medical crisis: Lessons from the Halifax disaster 100 years ago

Authors

  • Emily E. Zona, BS Candidate
  • Alina J. Morris, MLIS
  • Susan M. Briggs, MD, MPH
  • Mark A. Rockoff, MD

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.5055/ajdm.2018.0287

Keywords:

Halifax, explosion, Boston

Abstract

One hundred years ago, a massive explosion occurred in the harbor of Halifax, Nova Scotia, destroying the city and killing more than 2,000 and injuring more than 9,000. It was the worst manmade explosion the world had ever seen, not exceeded until the atomic bomb blast over Hiroshima in 1945. An urgent appeal for assistance came from the survivors, and many volunteers responded. This report describes the prompt and remarkable medical relief effort of the citizens of Massachusetts to help their Canadian neighbors.

Author Biographies

Emily E. Zona, BS Candidate

BS Candidate at Boston College, Research Intern, Department of Anesthesiology, Critical Care and Pain Medicine, Boston Children’s Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts

Alina J. Morris, MLIS

Archivist, Archives Program, Boston Children’s Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts

Susan M. Briggs, MD, MPH

Associate Professor, Department of Surgery, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts; Affiliate Faculty and Director, International Trauma and Disaster Institute, Department of Surgery, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts

Mark A. Rockoff, MD

Associate Anesthesiologist-in-Chief, Department of Anesthesiology, Critical Care and Pain Medicine, Boston Children’s Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts; Professor of Anaesthesia, Department of Anaesthesia, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts

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Published

01/01/2018

How to Cite

Zona, BS Candidate, E. E., A. J. Morris, MLIS, S. M. Briggs, MD, MPH, and M. A. Rockoff, MD. “Responding to a Medical Crisis: Lessons from the Halifax Disaster 100 Years ago”. American Journal of Disaster Medicine, vol. 13, no. 1, Jan. 2018, pp. 45-56, doi:10.5055/ajdm.2018.0287.

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