Icd 10 A System Of Medical Classification Of Diseases

ICD-10 stands for International Classification of Diseases, Revision 10. ICD-10 is a revision of the ICD-9 system which physicians and other providers currently use to code all diagnoses, symptoms, and procedures recorded in hospitals and physician practices. There are two main types of ICD-10 coding books, the International Classification of Diseases, Revision 10, Clinical Modification (ICD-10-CM) and the International Classification of Diseases, Revision 10, Procedure Coding System (ICD-10-PCS). ICD-10-CM is a system used by physicians and healthcare professionals to code diagnoses and procedures that occur in American hospitals. ICD-10-PCS is a system of medical classification used for procedural coding. The implementation of†¦show more content†¦For example, with ICD-10 codes a physician can simply look up disease patterns that relate to the patient that he/she is currently seeing. If the patterns match up to a prior patient that has been diagnosed with all of the same problems as the new patient, then the physician will be able to make an educated decision to diagnose the new patient with the same diagnoses. This coding system will not only improve patient’s documentation and help with diagnosing other patients; it will improve the physician’s overall experience with his/her patients. Many practices have lost patients because of misdiagnoses or by giving a patient medicine for a disease that they do not have. These common mistakes are made by physicians and having a better analysis of disease patterns will help the physician narrow down the choices of diagnoses. (ICD-10 Benefits Beyond Coding) Additional benefits for patients from ICD-10 include better detection of fraud and abuse. There are many cases where an individual had used another individuals health insurance benefits for their own personal use. For example, there was a case from July 7, 2015 where a physician underreported his income and claimed millions in false and fictitious medical supply expenses. The physician was caught and sentenced 24 months in prison and was ordered to forfeit 17.6 million dollars. With the improved coding system it will be more

Legal, professional and ethical issues relating to patients Free Essays

string(125) " that ranks high at every level of care is the capacity for the patient to remain safe while receiving care \(Leape, 2005\)\." Abstract The role of professionalism, ethics and the law has a direct impact on the experience of a patient in the modern world. This essay examines several facets that impact the patient and play a factor in the level of care provided. The data provided illustrates the integrated nature of the three aspects as well as demonstrating the benefit of ethical action. We will write a custom essay sample on Legal, professional and ethical issues relating to patients or any similar topic only for you Order Now This essay will be of use to any researcher identifying patient rights. 1 Introduction The legal, professional and ethical issues surrounding patients have long been a matter of debate (Baylis, 2010). This essay assesses the state of expectations that surrounds each of these areas in an effort to identify specific elements that provide clarity. Beginning with a base background this evaluation will define each element in order to create a foundation for continued study. Next will be a critical appraisal of the ethical, legal and professional issues that have an impact on a patient seeking assistance. A combination of the elements of this essay will create the capacity to illustrate the strengths and detriments commonly associated with being a patient in the modern system. In the end, this essay examines past policy, modern practice and future potential in an effort to establish a better understanding of the professional, legal and ethical issues that influence and impact patients. 2 Patient Issues 2.1 Background The moment that a consensual relationship has been established between doctor and patient there are critical legal, ethical and professional duties that are required on the part of the professional and expected on the part of the patient (Purtilo, Haddad and Doherty, 2014). A working relationship is enacted when a patient knowingly seeks out a health provider in order to address issues, and is cemented when the provider accepts the patient. After this point the physician and patient role becomes increasingly complex as issues must be continually assessed (Baylis, 2010). The role of patient rights and a physician or administrator duties are subject to change depending on the culture, region or nation that the person resides in (Baylis, 2010). With a distinct view to societal influence the legal and cultural definition of rights and responsibilities will vary. Others contend that a patient’s rights should be universal regardless of the place of residence or status (Corey, Corey and Callahan, 2014). A standardization of policy would reduce many issues that often plaque both patients and management (Corey et al, 2014). A demonstration of the effort to amend the build progress rests in the Declaration of Helsinki that served to lay out a set of ethical guidelines that have come to be highly regarded as a form of basic infrastructure (Purtilo et al, 2014). In an effort to address many of the legal, professional and ethical issues that surround the care of patients nations such as the United States have enacted a patient’s bill of rights with the express purpose of protecting and clarifying the role and duties of the health care system (Purtilo et al , 2014). These protections and guarantees create a form of reassurance that many find necessary in order to depend on the modern medical system. Hafferty and Franks (1994) conversely argue that a standardization of legal and professional behaviours will limit the capacity of the staff to respond to the patient’s needs. This argument further illustrates with the increase attention to teaching and adherence to an ethical standard much ability to move forward and progress in the practical world is lost (Hafferty et al 1994). However, the increase in ethical teaching over the course of the past decade has illustrated a benefit to making ethically and morally based business patient decisions (Kraus, Stricker and Speyer, 2011). With sensitive issues commonly addressed in a as regards the patients, an understanding and compassionate assessment and care pattern enhances the entire experience. Common elements of a patient’s rights platform will include a right to make independent medical decisions fully informed by responsible authority (Kraus et al, 2011). A patient form consent is a highly sought after protection this area (Kraus et al, 2011). With a clear need to provide a balanced opportunity for treatment, yet allow the provider latitude to accomplish what is necessary there is a delicate adjustment that must be maintained. There is a clear and abiding need to include patient autonomy in any form of care (Kraus et al, 2011). Many in the health care industry have opposed a formalized standard for patient care as an unnecessary burden that would only increase the paperwork and fundamental cost (Stirrat, Johnston, Gillon and Boyd, 2009). In the industry itself, the providers often cite the element of private competition as adequate to continually spur on high standards of patient care. The opposite argument states that patient care has been seen to be lax in envir onments that do not have adequate oversight to ensure compliance (Ellershaw and Wilkinson, 2003). Occasionally a patient’s care has been diminished by the lax form of care instituted by the institution (Ellershaw et al, 2003). Others point to the continued high standards that are a model of the high end private market as an example of what a positive free market patient care policy should embody (Stirrat et al, 2009). However most utilize the deontological tool to assess and evaluate the benefits of any one care process (Stirrat et al, 2009). Much like the Morally, the ethical position of a professional caregiver dictates a well-rounded and considered implementation of care that provides a solution to the patient’s on-going issues (Nettina, 2013). The position of non-maleficence, or, ‘first do no harm’, illustrates the proper role of the provider (Nettina, 2013). Further, this form of care creates a perception of beneficence that provides much of the moral standing for care providers (Nettina, 2013). A legal obligation may prevent the caregiver from doing what may be an ethically right act (Ellershaw et al, 2003). This combination of considerations comprises the full range of professional liability that patients are linked to. 2.2 Ethical Issues An ethical issue that ranks high at every level of care is the capacity for the patient to remain safe while receiving care (Leape, 2005). You read "Legal, professional and ethical issues relating to patients" in category "Essay examples" There is an ethical necessity for the caregiver to do all that is necessary to prevent injury to their patients (Leape, 2005). This broad umbrella of safety expectations has led to an over expectation of comfort and quality of care, which in turn diminishes the perception of care (Hafferty et al, 1994). If in the process of ensuring patients safety something goes wrong, it becomes the ethical responsibility of care giver to identify new method to respond to similar cases (Leape, 2005). Others illustrate the high cost that can quickly be generated from investing resources haphazardly in an attempt to anticipate each and ethical issue (Ellershaw et al, 2003). All care providers have an ethical responsibility to take responsibility for mistakes made that impact their patients in any manner (Leape, 2005). The all too common effort to avoid or shift blame away, in order to preserve other clients must not be a consideration during the implementation of ethical patient’s considerations. The full scope of an issue may not be apparent immediately, dictating a delay in admitting fault (Stirrat et al, 2013). This argument is clearly illustrated in the complex issues surrounding ethical considerations in the field of mental health care for patients (Kraus et al, 2011). Ethically, mentally ill patients should be given the exact same rights and comforts that any other patient would receive (Kraus et al, 2011). Influences that include safety and behavior often have impact on the manner in which care is given (Stirrat et al, 2013). In some situations the question of care comes down to the decision of the provider and their unique approach to the illness. A common ethical dilemma that can lead to other professional and legal issues rests in the question of when to medicate and when to refrain from medication (Nettina, 2013). With a patient’s rights indicating that the best possible method be utilized, is this to be found in the reduction of pain or the allowance of pain in order to treat the larger issueThe ethical and moral questions must be continually addressed by both the patient and the provider in order to arrive at the best fundamental answer (Corey et al, 2014). The converse argument states that the professional knows best and should the person making the crucial decisions (Hafferty et al, 1994). 2.3 Legal Issues There are a wide range of legal issues that make providing care for a patient a complex experience (Nettina, 2013). A patient must consider each element of their care in order to ensure that the appropriate services have been rendered. Nettina (2013) identifies the primary sources of legal risk in the nurse’s profession as patient care, procedures performed and the associated quality of documentation. This implies that at any one point a mistake in care may be interpreted as a legal lapse making the provider liable (Nettina, 2013). In order to minimize the exposure to legal and financial process, instruments including risk management systems and the implementation of devices designed to anticipate and reduce the risk of injury for patients (Nettina, 2013). The converse position argue that the financial expense of keeping up with the latest developments in science has a direct adverse impact on the manner in which a small provider can find it difficult to sustain operations (Co rey, 2014). In many nations including the United States and the United Kingdom, the fact that it is illegal to discriminate against a patient based on gender, nationality, religion or any reason allows for every person to find adequate care (Richardson and Storr, 2010). Others advocate for the application of health care after an assessment of insurance and payment abilities (Ellerwshaw et al, 2010). Potentially, those lacking an adequate source of funding for health care have received only marginal consideration, which in turn can quickly become not only an ethical and professional detriment but a legal issue that can diminish overall operations (Richardson et al, 2010). Yet, the provider can cite the case as bringing beyond their capacity and turn a patient away, thereby citing a legal reason to turn away patients (White and O’sullivan, 2012). Once treatment has commenced it is legally required to obtain consent of the patient prior to the performance of any treatment that may substantially impact the patient (Bayliss, 2012). This legal right ensures that a patient is informed before possible life altering decisions are made. In some cases a layman patient will not adequately understand the full issue at hand, and therefore the professional associated with the concern should make the call (Kraus et al, 2013). This position of decision making capacity again touches on the elements that are directly related to the ethical and professional policies and positions of the institution that is providing the patient with care. Further, once care has begun, the patient is assured of continuity of care as well as confidentially (Bayliss, 2012). This legal underpinning ensures that an incapacitated patient will not have to make critical decisions immediately or during the procedure. A primary method of protection for patients and overall control for care providers rests in the legal institution of mal practice (Jonsen, Siegler and Winslade, 2006). Others argue that the institution of mal practice ties the hands of care providers by putting too many hurdles in way of effective care (Hafferty et al, 1994). Still others advocate for a mitigated form of malpractice that addresses the needs of the patient without threatening the entire structure of the provider’s livelihood (Corey et al, 2014). In cases that a providers services can be proven to be less than what was expected by the patient or the institution, there is the opportunity for financial redress. In order to mal practice to be claimed, there must be an existing patient and provider relationship acknowledged on all sides (Jonsen et al, 2006). A patient is legally entitled to a referral to a better provider if the first practitioner is unable to meet their needs (Bayliss, 2013). This area touches on the ethical responsibly of the provider to assist the patient in any reasonable manner (Corey, 2014). Others cite the potential for litigation if the referral goes wrong and there are problems for the patient (Hafferty et al, 1994). A continued source of worry for the medical profession is the looming threat of court action over a mistake or oversight on their part (Bayliss, 2013). 2.4 Professional Issues The entirety of the expected behaviour of any patient related institution is required to exhibit professional and exemplary behaviour (Corey et al, 2014). This expectation is tempered by region, financial issues and the available of competent staff (Urden, Lough, Stacy and Thelan, 2006). Many contend that care for the patient should come before financial or regulatory concerns (Bayliss, 2012). Regional and national political regulations play a large part in the establishment of professional standards as regards the treatment of patients in several areas around the world (Corey et al, 2014). A Professional perception is made up of the ethical and legal considerations that are relevant to the position, again providing a firm indication of the integrated nature of the legal, ethical and professional aspect of patient care (Bayliss, 2012). The professional will not neglect the rights of the patient in the pursuit of their goals (Corey et al, 2014). This facet reflects the need for the professional to terminate the relationship at the correct time, for the proper reason. In many cases, some professionals will make a billing cycle longer for the simple reason of increased revenue with little effort (Corey et al, 2014). Others describe this approach as overly cautious and cite the need to be certain of the outcome for the patient before any change of status should be implemented (Bayliss, 2012). This same sense of professionalism is extended to the form of treatment that a patient has the right to expect, with the best choice, not the latest trend being the choice (Stirrat et al, 2013). The patient must be given every component of information in order to provide an informed consent. Anything less than full transparency on the part of the provider is an ethical, legal and professional blunder (Corey et al, 2014). 3 Conclusion This essay examines the role of the legal, ethical and professional actions as regards the expectations of the patient. With the evidence presented in this review, there is argument for many issues that touch on all three aspects. Lacking a universal patient’s bill of rights, the issues experienced by patients seeking assistance can vary widely according to region and financial ability. The data presented in the this essay indicates that while the ideal system advocates for a fair and equal patient experience, it is often those that have the financial support that have the best care. The evidence presented here provided support for the contention that ethical decisions will benefit the professional and legal standing of the patient provider. By ensuring a high standard of care, the provider is doing everything possible ethically and morally to address the concern. This effort diminishes the potential legal ramifications that centre on the mal practice and court process. The areas of ethics, professionalism and legality correspond to create a complex environment for a patient to navigate. This makes it necessary to ensure a high standard of professionalism within the ranks of the patient provider network. There must be a balance as there cannot be an effort to placate the patient that becomes adverse to the overall treatment. Much like any other industry there is a balance that must be maintained in the relationship between provider and patient in order for the best results to be experienced. The modern world has provided patients with new and diverse opportunities for care in nearly every nation around the world. With the areas of professionalism, legality and ethics playing a building role in the way services are provided, there must be a continual and considered approach to each policy in order to ensure the rights of everypatient. In the end it will be the combination of all three aspects that create the opportunity for progress. References Baylis, F. 2010. Health care ethics in Canada. Australia: Thomson Nelson. Corey, G. 2014. Issues and ethics in the helping professions. [S.l.]: Cengage Learning. Edwards, S. J., Braunholtz, D. A., Lilford, R. J. and Stevens, A. J. 1999. Ethical issues in the design and conduct of cluster randomised controlled trials. BMJ: British Medical Journal, 318 (7195), p. 1407. Ellershaw, J. and Wilkinson, S. 2003. Care of the dying. Oxford: Oxford University Press. Frost, D. W., Cook, D. J., Heyl and Fowler, R. A. 2011. Patient and healthcare professional factors influencing end-of-life decision-making during critical illness: A systematic review*.Critical care medicine, 39 (5), pp. 1174–1189. Hafferty, F. W. and Franks, R. 1994. The hidden curriculum, ethics teaching, and the structure of medical education. Academic Medicine, 69 (11), pp. 861–71. Jonsen, A. R., Siegler, M. and Winslade, W. J. 2006. Clinical ethics. New York: McGraw Hill, Medical Pub. Division. Kraus, R., Stricker, G. and Speyer, C. 2011. Online counseling. Amsterdam: Elsevier/Academic Press. Nettina, S. M. 2013. Lippincott manual of nursing practice. Philadelphia: Wolters Kluwer Health/Lippincott Williams Wilkins. Purtilo, R. B., Haddad, A. M. and Doherty, R. F. 2014. Health professional and patient interaction. St. Louis, Mo.: Elsevier/Saunders. Richardson, A. and Storr, J. 2010. Patient safety: a literative review on the impact of nursing empowerment, leadership and collaboration. International nursing review, 57 (1), pp. 12–21. Solomon, M. Z., O’donnell, L., Jennings, B., Guilfoy, V., Wolf, S. M., Nolan, K., Jackson, R., Koch-Weser, D. and Donnelley, S. 1993. Decisions near the end of life: professional views on life-sustaining treatments. American Journal of Public Health, 83 (1), pp. 14–23. Stirrat, G., Johnston, C., Gillon, R. and Boyd, K. 2010. Medical ethics and law for doctors of tomorrow: the 1998 Consensus Statement updated. Journal of Medical Ethics, 36 (1), pp. 55–60. Str, Cipolle, R. J., Morley, P. C. and Frakes, M. J. 2004. The impact of pharmaceutical care practice on the practitioner and the patient in the ambulatory practice setting: twenty-five years of experience. Current pharmaceutical design, 10 (31), pp. 3987–4001. Urden, L. D., Lough, M. E., Stacy, K. M. and Thelan, L. A. 2006. Thelan’s critical care nursing. St. Louis: Mosby. White, K. M. and O’sullivan, A. 2012. The essential guide to nursing practice. Silver Spring, MD: American Nurses Association. How to cite Legal, professional and ethical issues relating to patients, Essay examples

Prison Essay Example For Students

Prison Essay The incarcerated life of a prisoner is usually a reoccurring cycle; commit a crime, go to prison, get released. Commit another crime, go to prison yet again, and get released once more. For many criminals, this is the cycle that will define who they are. Is it their fault? Not entirely. The prison system is set up exclusively as a form of punishment, which it should be for the most part, but lacks in guidance. However, a large number of criminals who get locked up spend their days reflecting on their past crimes and thinking about family who they had left behind. They often come to the conclusion that they must change their lives so they are no longer missing out on family members accomplishments, the growing up of their children, and on real life. Most individuals serving time in prison only know a life of crime. Crime is how they had previously survived in the real world and they do not possess skills to obtain a good job. Even if imprisoned individuals do have skills, a majority of employers shy away from hiring ex-prisoners due to the reputation that they have. What the prison system can do is provide workshops so prisoners can obtain certain skills or improve skills they already have in order to prove to potential employers that they have what it takes to hold down a job and to prove that they would be an asset to the establishment. Providing this benefit would help prisoners get on the right track and stay on it throughout their prison term and after getting released. It would also help prisoners stay out of the prison cycle which would free up space for other street criminals who could use the hard truth of what prison really is but could also use the guidance. An additional beneficial program that prison facilities could become involved in is training dogs for rehabilitation services. On the Animal Planets television show, Pit Bulls and Parolees, the woman who runs a Pit Bull rescue visits a prison that had implemented such a program. In interviews with the prisoners and the guards, one thing was clear; things were better with the dogs. The guards stated that there was less fighting in that specific section of the prison and the inmates were not so loud and obnoxious. The prisoners stated that living with the dogs had changed them. The dogs bonded with them without judgment and made them realize that they can turn their lives around and prove that they should not be judged by their past decisions. Wilbert Rideau states that most prisoners here are much older, having spent ?fteen, twenty, thirty, or more years behind bars, long past necessity. Rather than pay for new prisons, society would be well served by releasing some of its older prisoners who pose no threat and using the money to catch young street thugs. This is quite a good idea. I recently watched a television show on the Discovery channel about men who were sentenced to life in prison. In one specific prison, an entire section of the building had been made into a prison hospice center where elderly prisoners were taken to be cared for and made comfortable for when they were to pass away. These individuals obviously pose no threat to society and most likely would not have posed a threat for quite some time. It could have been beneficial to the prison system to have released these inmates and used those resources to imprison younger and more dangerous criminals. Prisoners should not receive special treatment, but they should be given the opportunity to better themselves. Imprisoned individuals should be given guidance and support to learn new things and realize that a life in prison is not a life to live. Although they have committed crimes, prisoners still need compassion and everyone deserves a second chance to prove themselves to society.

War Poetry Essay Example

War Poetry Paper Into the stuff of his thought and utterance, whether he be on active service or not, the poet-interpreter of war weaves these intentions, and cooperates with his fellows in building up a little higher and better, from time to time, that edifice of truth for whose completion can be spared no human experience, no human hope. George Herbert Clarke War is rife with suffering, forcing everyone involved to endure the most extreme of conditions. Armed conflict itself unavoidably places all those involved in mortal danger. Some find this to be a honourable test of courage, others as a waste of precious young lives. However, war has an effect on people outside of soldiers who fight. Numerous other, including relatives of soldiers who have fought, young and innocent children who are confused by the loud noises and the need for their precious father to go to arms and all those people whose houses have are destroyed or used as military fortifications. In some way, war has an effect on everyone. Naturally, war raises many questions, what is the purpose of war? Many have pondered why some of the most intelligent world leaders have had to retort to the most basic of reactions. In light of the recent events in America, the purpose of war is even more relevant. Is a knee-jerk reaction always the right and moral thing to do? Many would say no. If it were merely a question of good versus bad, right versus wrong, then war would serve a straightforward moral purpose. However, it is not usually a case of good versus bad, and in reality the cause of many conflicts in difficult to comprehend. Why do many use religion as their reason to go to arms, when the bases of most religions are forgiveness and peace? We will write a custom essay sample on War Poetry specifically for you for only $16.38 $13.9/page Order now We will write a custom essay sample on War Poetry specifically for you FOR ONLY $16.38 $13.9/page Hire Writer We will write a custom essay sample on War Poetry specifically for you FOR ONLY $16.38 $13.9/page Hire Writer Everyone understands the physical torment and horrors of war; many hope never to observe sights like that. However, something draws young men to fight. The media plays a great role in attracting young men to fight, many project war to be something to achieve glory in, and some however act as a deterrent to fight. It is the same with this collection of poetry. There are two clear sections: glory and honour or gruesome and horror. Some poems however, lie in between these two margins and others create new sectors of their own. It is important to discuss the contents of each poem so we can understand the poets own thoughts on war. The first poem to be discussed is To Lucasta, Going to the Wars by Richard Lovelace. It is important to understand the poets background to get a good reason why he had this particular view of war. Lovelaces father died at arms and Richard himself served with the French army during the English civil war. However, his Royalist sympathies lost him his fortune and he died in poverty. Many would think that this would cause him to have a bad view of war but obviously not. The poem is comparatively very simple to understand. The speaker loves the women he addresses, Lucasta. However, he also loves the honour that war brings. His lover is chaste and quiet, Of thy chaste breast and quiet mind he believes to be with her is to be in a nunnery. The speaker does not want Lucasta to believe that he is cruel in leaving her, tell me not, sweet, I am unkind, this opening line tells us of his impending announcement which must be something that she, as any common person would, disagrees with. He is deeply attracted to her, but he has a need for something rather more exciting. Indeed, he goes to war and arms. It is obvious that he is greatly competitive and wishes to confront not only the enemy in general but he wants to be the person to confront, The first foe in the field. The use of alliteration captures the urgency with which he feels. This first foe is described as his new mistress. She is described as being the new object of his devotion, which he chases, he is so eager to posses her obsesses him. It is obvious by this point that his new mistress is in fact honour. He believes in battle much more passionately than he believes in the gentleness of Lucasta. He embraces with a stronger faith the sword, horse and shield of war. It is almost as if he is making love to his mistress, quite different to the relationship he has had with his chaste lover. He is forced to explain his lack of fidelity. He believes that once he has achieved his honour he will become a better lover to Lucasta. His virility his whole sense of being as a man- will be improved. In summate he believes that he will be a better lover when he achieves honour: I could not live thee, dear, so much, Loved I not honour more. He may love honour more than Lucasta, but his prowess as a lover will increase in proportion to the amount of honour he wins. It is obvious that Lovelace believes that war is a good source of honour and this is what draws young men to arms. It is also clear to see that he believes war to be glorious and a route to honour, and in such this poem agrees with many others in the collection. The next poem to be discussed portrays war as being the complete opposite of honourable. The main point of After Blenheim is that war affects not just those who fight in them. Ordinary civilian also suffer. Southey uses certain words with an increasing irony throughout the poem. The poem revolves mainly around three voices, on old and the other two are very young. None of them really understands the great and famous. The poem starts in a rather tranquil manner. The imagery of an old man surrounded by his grandchildren, resting on a summers evening after his days work is done is a very peaceful thought. So far, the poet has introduced us to a peaceful poem and it is obvious that the mood is not going to change. The childrens innocent play is interrupted when Peterkin discovers an object which apparent to be a dead soldiers skull. Old Kaspar says he often discovers the skulls of men who fought at Blenheim: And often when I go to plough The ploughshare turns then out. For many thousand men, said he Were slain in that great victory. Naturally, the children ask what was the purpose of the fighting however Kaspar is unable to provide a valid answer. The little he does know is that the battle was between the British and the French. He also adds the important fact that many civilians suffered also: With fire and sword the country round Was wasted far and wide, And many a childing mother then, And newborn baby died Kaspar also mentions that his father lost his house and was forced to become a refugee. The destruction and slaughter were widespread and indiscriminate. Nursing mothers died with their young, innocent babies. Numerous dead corpses were left to rot on the battlefield. The most important part of the poem is how Southey uses the words great and famous to continuously change meaning. The words are used with increasing irony. Great means large so we assume that a great victory implies that it had remarkable importance and that it had considerable moral validity. Similar to this is the word famous which basically means know to many people, but again used in this context one must assume that it means admirable or well known for its positive contribution to civilisation. It is obvious that Southey has purposely stripped the words of their positive meanings, the words great and famous contradicting with the overwhelming impression of a battle which resulted in much unnecessary suffering, huge losses of human life, and wanton destruction of property. The poet introduces even more irony in the tenth stanza where he has little Willhelmine stating what the reader has been thinking for much of the poem: Why, twas a very wicked thing! The irony introduced by Southey here shows us that a little child can be very good in observing the truth of the matter; it is clear to little Willhelmine that this was not a great victory at all, however, wisdom of Kaspars old mind finds it impossible to summon such thought. It is made clear by the further irony used in the last paragraph what Southeys views on war are. He states ironically that the duke of Marlboroughs received great praise (amongst other large rewards) however, it is still unclear to Peterkin why so much carnage had to be caused, and surely there was a purpose to all this suffering. In the penultimate sentence Kaspar confirms everybodys thoughts and admits that he does not even know the purpose of the war, however he knows that it was a great victory. It is obvious by the language and irony used by Southey that After Blenheim strongly contrasts with those which link war with honour and glory. Therefore, in our groups in the collection this makes up the second major group, where war is thought of as a purposeless and evil thing; just a waste of young lives. The Charge of the Light Brigade vastly contradicts Southeys view of war however, it also agrees with it on some levels. On first reading the poem the reader instantly notices the rhythm, this helps us somewhat to imagine the pace and urgency of the riders. The French general Pierre Bosquet famously said of this event: Cest magnifique, mais ce nest pas la guerre. By this he meant it is magnificent, but it is not war. this sentiment is very much expressed by Tennyson. The main point of the poem is the celebration of the soldiers unquestioning obedience to orders, despite the fact that it was obvious to everyone involved that failure was inevitable. The command, Forward, the Light Brigade! is followed by the comment, Was there a man dismayed? the answer to this obviously being no. Tennyson goes on to add with some irony about the role of a soldier: Theirs not to make reply, Theirs not to reason why, Theirs but to do and die. Tennyson comments on how soldiers a merely pawns at the command of their generals whim. He also comments on the widespread knowledge that few of them would survive. The poem continues with the rhythms and images of the poem captured by the sound of the horses hooves thundering into the Valley of Death. The words that Tennyson uses for this line refer to the bible, Psalm 23 in particular. This is important as the religious link obviously refers to the great sacrifice made by Jesus. The next stanza is full of cinematic imagery: Cannon to right o them, Cannon to left of them, Cannon in front of them, Volleyed and thundered; We vividly see the men, the horses, the artillery, the smoke and the deaths of so many innocent men and horses. The shouting of orders in the first two stanzas increases the whole drama of the situation. The above quote gives us the impression of a caged animal, unable to escape. Repetition of certain words also plays a large part too, in particular the number 600, reminding us of just how many lives were out in jeopardy by the incompetence of those in command. The heroism of the men is highlighted once again: Stormed at with shot and shell, Boldly the rode and well, Despite the fact that they are being shot at, they continue to fight on. This sort of heroism contrast greatly with the foolery of the commanders. The poem highlights the incompetence of those in command, Some one had blundered; Tennyson emphasises the breath taking failure of judgement on part of the commanders by using a word of such strength. In line thirty-one, All the world wondered shows the shock of the nation on how not only such mistake may have been made but also the unconditional obedience of the men. Tennyson continues to highlight the fortitude that the Light Brigade fought with: Plunged in the battery-smoke Right through the line they broke; Cossack and Russian reeled from the sabre-stroke Even though the Light Brigade had inferior equipment and inferior number of troops the courage led them to break through the Russian line. In the fifth stanza Tennyson begins by repeating the well known phrase, however this time with Cannon behind them showing us that the Light Brigade are now fleeing the Valley, however Tennyson somehow manages to convey a sense of courage in this act. The last stanza shows that the glory achieved by the Light Brigade will never be forgotten, When can their glory fade? The last three lines really show Tennysons feelings, Honour the charge they made! Honour the Light Brigade, Noble six hundred! He commands us to remember and honour the courageous Light Brigade. The Charge of the Light Brigade really sits on the fence; it is most certainly a poem of glory and heroism however, it also asks important questions. It accepts the fact that not every soldier can be involved in the making of decisions and so unflinching obedience can be expected. However, they must atleast have confidence that those order are rational. There is no room for blunders. The valour with which the Light Brigade fought has led to nothing. Ode, Written in the Beginning of the Year 1746 is a rather abstract poem. The poem writes about dead soldiers, however there are no wounds. They physical realities of death in battle are disguised by abstractions. The euphemism of death in the first line describes it as sleep again a very vague and abstract sense of death. The word sleep also brings a sense of peace and one instantly assumes the person is now at peace. The corpses are transformed into the brave. The second line gives us the impression that all their country blessed them before they died. Personification plays a large role in this poem; Honour and Freedom are given capital letters and personified as a pilgrim and as a hermit respectively. Collins adds Spring and Fancy as people saying that she shall decorate a better mound of earth than has ever been trod upon. Fairies make an appearance too, ringing their funeral knell. This poem romanticises the view of the dead. The language is very frivolous and the thoughts pious and patriotic. This shows a very narrow-minded view of war and shows that the poet has very little idea of the physical realities of war, the horror, the pain and the suffering. This poem is very hymn like in its structure. The language is very varied and descriptive in an abstract manner, and warrants closer examination. The use of imagery is quite superb: There Honour comes, a pilgrim grey, To bless the turf that wraps their clay, The spring fingers the corpses, sprinkling them with dew. This idea clearly contrasts strongly with a darker view of corpses such as shown in The Hyaenas, discussed later. The next poem, On the Idle Hill, is my personal favourite poem out of the collection. The stark contrast Houseman creates between the calm, peaceful, tranquillity of sitting upon a hill in the country and the vision of soldiers marching off to war and inevitably some to death is very thought provoking. There are other strong contrasts too, the men are, Dear to friends and food for powder. The gunpowder is personified, its unquenchable appetite implied. The image of young, fit men is contrasted with graphic images of their corpses. The men have been violently treated and stripped of identity: Bleach the bones of comrades slain, Lovely lads and dead and rotten; None that go return again. These images are fixed in the speakers and the readers mind, and therefore there is an expectation that the speaker in the poem will resist becoming a solider himself at all costs. However, the final stanza shows a new skin becoming darker and more unexpected. The bugles, drums, and fifes seem to be calling to him. The last line is of the utmost importance: Woman bore me, I will rise. He is human, similar to Macduff in Shakespeares Macbeth he is born of a woman, so he will rise from his idle hill to join the files of scarlet. The speaker acknowledges the grim reality of war, but he is unable to resist its call. He fulfils his basic human instinct of fighting for the survival of his fellow man. There is no way to opt out. The idea of comradeship is very important in this poem. This poem talks about the irresistibility of war. The last poem to be discussed is possibly the most important to be discussed. The Hyaenas talks about how humans are worse than animals. The hyenas use the dead men only for meat, To take account of our dead. They are interested in the dear corpses of the soldiers only as food, How he died and why he died Troubles them not a whit. They pull them out of their shallow graves on the battlefield and eat them. This is horrible to imagine however, they are doing only what comes naturally to them, their basic instinct is to survive. Kipling continues on to state how hyenas are better than humans are once again: They are only resolute they shall eat, That they and their mates may thrive. Hyenas are soulless and, therefore, innocent of any malice. They are only scavengers: they did not kill the men in the first place. This surely makes them better than humans. In the first stanza the kites are described as baffled. It seams illogical that the humans should kill each other like this, and for what purpose. The hyenas are described as wise, since it is easier to dig up fresh meat that trying to kill prey for themselves. The reader gets the impression that the hyenas are much wiser than the foolish humans who have done such dreadful things to each other. They eat to survive, not in excess, and not out of gluttony. The dead soldiers a poor dead soldier of the king with pitiful face are past suffering now. They are not affected by the hyenas feeding. What the hyenas do is very private, But it is not discovered to living men. There are no human beings around to see. Only God sees this along with the soulless and therefore, innocent hyenas. The language used by Kipling is very thought provoking. In particular the final two lines. Through out the poem the poet has criticised mankind for the behaviour to each other. He says that the hyenas do not disrepect the dead mens name, this is upto the humans: Nor do they defile the dead mans name That is reserved for his kind. There is neither honour nor glory in this poem, merely pity, sadness and anger at the cruelty that mankind can be so shameless. The poets discussed are not merely individual poems they make up the collection of pre 1914 war poetry. There are many trends that can be seen in the collection, the simpleton might say that its a matter of glory and pointlessness. However, this is not the case. Yes there are poems which are like this but the majority are not clear cut. Some fit into the category of war being death and mutilation. Others fit into war being a route to glory and others being war brings dishonour to those who wage it. The irresistibly of war is also stated and the fact that war brings suffering non-combatants too. The majority of the collection fits into many of these categories and many more. I have discovered a variety of responses in this collections many of them are difficult to categorise. The poems that describe war as a waste of young lives and as a source of death and mutilation are: Drummer Hodge, Come up From the Fields Father, The Charge of the Light Brigade, The Drums and A Christmas Ghost story. However, other poems refer to war being a route to glory: To Lucasta, Going to Wars, The Charge of the Light Brigade and Ode, Written in the Beginning Of The Year 1746. Many people would say that war is necessary; one must fight for what they want; however, I disagree. I personally take Kiplings point of view on war, war is useless and all those who wage it are dishonourable. However, I also agree that soldiers are merely pawns doing a job. Surely, it is not their fault if their commanders choose to wage wars, there is not always a correct and responsible way to resolve problems and inevitably problems will occur. In summate it would be a different essay if I wished to talk about my own view point on war, however, it must be mentioned to show the impact of war. My own view point is that war is not necessary all the time, however, sometimes it is needed. Referring to the quote included at the beginning of my essay. Poets must write about war, all write from their own perspective, the poem would be negligible if it did not show the poets thoughts. However, if I had to write a poem on war it would not be about glory or honour, nor would it be about shame and death. My poem would be about truth and hope.