Lice Infestation in The Trenches
Lice infestation was a very common problem within the trenches of WW1 due to the soldiers' uniforms being constantly dirty and wet. Lice were also easily spread because the soldiers lived in close proximity to each other. The lice would get into their clothing which was the perfect breeding ground for lice causing widespread infestation. It was estimated that up to 97% of soldiers in the trenches were afflicted with lice. Lice were very difficult to eliminate and the soldiers would hang their uniforms over fires and try to pick out the lice by hand. The soldiers suffered greatly from the lice which resulted in severely itchy and raw skin conditions. Lice is also the main cause of Trench Fever which consisted of approximately five days of high fever, headache and muscle pain. Soldiers suffering from Trench Fever were not able to fight effectively, therefore this was a major concern.