2023 Volume 43 Pages 727-737
Objective: The purpose of this study is to describe and analyze nursing care in the Great Kanto earthquake of 1923, focusing on health problems and nursing activities in the Tokyo city from the perspective of the disaster cycle.
Methods: Historical research design. Materials on health problems and nursing activities in the Tokyo city during the Great Kanto earthquake were analyzed based on the disaster cycle.
Result: Nurses evacuated disaster area while protecting the sick and those in need of assistance. External relief was also provided. In the early stages of acute treatment at the relief station, many patients were difficult to recover due to a lack of appropriate environment, supplies, and nursing care that they were so upset to leave the station. Temporary hospitals were slow to open to make up for lost medical facilities. Control of acute infectious diseases were generally successful, but challenges remained in caring for the chronically ill and disabled and in providing medical care for the poor.
Discussion: In some cases, even when treatment was available, recovery was not possible due to inadequate nursing care or the environment. It was suggested that the manpower, training, and organizations of nurses and cooperation with various organizations affected nursing care in this disaster.
