Trench Foot

What was trench foot?

Standing in cold, wet water led to a condition called trench foot, where the skin was soaked for such long periods of time that it began to rot. It was extremely painful and sometimes led to amputation of the foot.

How was trench foot prevented?

By 1915, the army understood that persistently cold, wet feet led to trench foot. Officials introduced several ways to try and prevent this.

• ❖ The feet were rubbed with whale oil to protect them.
• ❖ There were regular foot inspections by officers.
• ❖ Soldiers were instructed to change into clean, dry socks.