Which common war medication significantly influenced medical practices during WW2?

Penicillin significantly influenced medical practices during World War II due to its breakthrough in treating bacterial infections. Discovered by Alexander Fleming in 1928, its widespread use was developed during the war. Before penicillin, infections from wounds sustained in battle were often fatal, leading to high mortality rates among soldiers. The introduction of penicillin allowed for effective treatment of these infections and drastically reduced the number of deaths and amputations related to infected wounds. Its ability to treat bacterial infections was largely responsible for improving survival rates during the conflict, changing the approach to medical treatment in military and civilian settings alike.

Other medications, while important, did not revolutionize medical practices to the same extent during this period. Aspirin, although widely used for pain relief and fever reduction, did not have the same impact on treating infections. Codeine and morphine were significant for pain management but did not address the underlying problems associated with infectious diseases. Thus, penicillin stands out as the medication that transformed medical care during the war, shaping future practices and paving the way for modern antibiotics.