Treatment and rehabilitation in the early 20th century: A French underground hospital at Verdun

This theme reveals different cultures’ approaches to managing health and recovery in the time of the First World War.

Watch our Visitor Experience Assistant Rachel talk about this painting showing a battlefield-hospital scene from our collections. This object helps us explore the idea of shell shock.

Use the information and activity sheets to explore the object’s history and health links more deeply. Both sheets are differentiated to three levels of ability for Year 9 History students.

Verdun Painting Information Sheet

Verdun Painting Activity Sheet

More from Themed thinking

Treatment and rehabilitation in the early 20th century: Kareau figure

Exploring the history and health links of a Kareau figure from the Nicobar Islands.

Health and belief in the early 20th century: Good-luck charms

Exploring good-luck charms that soldiers took to the battlefields with them.

Health and belief in the early 20th century: Evil-eye amulet necklace

Exploring the protective qualities of a necklace amulet and how it can link to good health.

Treatment and rehabilitation in the early 20th century: Prosthetic limb

Exploring the history and health links of a prosthetic arm made for an injured soldier.

Health and belief in the early 20th century: Fakir’s sandals

Explore the history and health links of a pair of wooden spiked sandals from our collections. The sandals originated in India and were worn to demonstrate religious devotion.