Abstract
Immediately after the establishment of the independent Czechoslovak state, a number of urgent tasks arose for military health care. The return of soldiers from World War I battlefields and the reparation of the wounded and sick had to be medically ensured.
Of particular importance was the fight against infectious diseases. The shortage of medicines was a major problem as the main military pharmacy warehouse remained in Vienna.
This just illustrates the problems caused by the break-up of Austria-Hungary. Early assistance in delivering medical supplies was provided by the Italian and French military missions and the American Red Cross.
At the same time it was necessary to provide medical services to the military units protecting the integrity of the new Czechoslovak states territory. In particular, the war against Hungary in the spring of 1919 forced many improvisations.
An important role in the care of the wounded and their removal from the battlefield was accomplished by military hospital trains. Only during the September of 1919, demobilization could take place and a new organization of the army and its health services entered into force.