Book excerpt: The definitive treatment on the medical evacuation and management of injured patients in both peace- and wartime. Edited by eminent experts in the field, this text brings together medical specialists from all four branches of the armed services. It discusses the history of aeromedical evacuation, triage and staging of the injured patient, evacuation from site of injury to medical facility, air-frame capabilities, medical capabilities in-flight, response to in-flight emergencies, and mass emergency evacuation. Specific medical conditions are addressed in detail, including such general surgical casualties as abdominal wounds and soft tissue, vascular, maxillofacial, head and spinal cord injuries, ophthalmologic, orthopaedic, pediatric, obstetric-gynecologic casualties, burns, and more. Over 80 illustrations provide a review of transport equipment and both medical and surgical treatment. A must-have reference for all armed forced physicians and flight surgeons, for general and trauma surgeons, internists, intensive care specialists, orthopaedic surgeons, and public health service physicians.