title: Development of the laws of war as they pertain to medical units and their personnel.
abstract: International law provides certain protections for medical units and their personnel during times of war. This was not always the case, but protections were gradually added and finally codified in the Geneva Conventions. The development of these protections is traced from early recorded history to modern times, and the limitations and obligations placed on medical units and medical personnel by international law are examined.
authors.forename: L C
authors.initials: LC
authors.lastname: Vollmar
mesh_terms: D049670:History, 17th Century; D049671:History, 18th Century; D049672:History, 19th Century; D049673:History, 20th Century; D049690:History, Ancient; D006801:Humans; D007883:Legislation, Medical; D008887:Military Medicine / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence; D014857:Warfare