Volume 217 Issue 2, 25 July 2014
FIRST WORLD WAR SERIES: WW1 KIT BAG WITH TOOTHBRUSH
The cover images in volume 217 of the Journal have been commissioned to commemorate the centenary of the start of the Great War. Dentistry and oral surgery came to the fore in World War I and significant advances in dental treatment and oral surgery were made in order to cope with horrendous facial injuries and the sheer volume of troops.
The cover of this particular issue depicts a WW1 kit bag featuring a toothbrush. In this period, British troops were issued with a toothbrush as part of their kit. These were made from bone and had horse or pigs hair bristles. The kitbag or holdall generally contained: a button brass (to keep metal polish from staining the uniform), a razor, a toothbrush, a shaving brush, spare leather boot laces, a knife and fork and spoon. A tin of solid dentifrice (or tooth powder) is also displayed on the left in this cover image. Dentifrice was not standard issue in WW1 and would have been an optional luxury item for the troops.
Illustration by Philip Bannister
Web: philip-bannister.co.uk
Email: philip@philip-bannister.co.uk
Agent: illustrationweb.com
Editorial
-
Advertisement
