.•»/&£*:-; r .. .1. .'v.i ■ ....... ^ RHIO?"' • £■•'* &) ''-fat1-- '■''<' '•'!*'**'■''* = ?* ? 1 x arV .**■•• . -. • I'M * * ■> •,»>j;».» ,- • W * *'' «^-* ..•n-^ \; m 3: UH 470 A2B 9 1920 14230580R NLM DSlDDSbl M NATIONAL LIBRARY OF MEDICINE NLM051005614 3NOI03W jo Aavaan ivnouvn 3Nioia3w jo Aavaan ivnoiivn snoiosw jo Aavaan ivn > Aavaan ivnoiivn 3NOia3w jo Aavaa -o S < /\^f z \^^< -s /S^ | >* 3 BASE HOSPITAL No. 9 A. E. F. A History of the Work of the New York Hospital Unit During Two Years oj Active Service WRITTEN BY THE PADRE UH 4-TO / 2 3 1120 ■F*f a'i'i X. '■fo'-- :3 3F* « • It" ft ffi ii^---:-'i.^:, ■ TO THE OFFICERS, NURSES, AND ENLISTED MEN OF THE UNIT WHO DESERVE HIGHEST PRAISE FOR THE WORK DONE, THE SPIRIT SHOWN IN DOING IT, AND THE RESULTS ACHIEVED, THIS BOOK IS DEDICATED CONTENTS PAGE Hospital Personnel........ g Historical Diary...... ^ Chapter I. Genesis........ 2- II. Exodus....... ,0 III. What Happened on the "Finland" ... 34 IV. Savenay........ ,c V. The Formative Days.......cc VI. "When a Train Came In" ...... 63 VII. Base Hospital No. 9 Becomes the Orthopedic Center of France........73 VIII. The Reconstruction Activities.....75 IX. Our Post Engineers........89 X. The American Soldier.......93 XL Other Happenings........gc XII. The Red Cross.........105 XIII. The Surgical Dressing Work Room . . . 114 XIV. Revelations..........no XV. The Enlargement of the Hospital . . . . 137 XVI. The Last Days.........140 An Appendix 1. Number of Admissions and Dismissals . . 149 2. The Curve of Patients in the Hospital . . . 150 3. The Number of Operations......150 4. List of Cases Treated at the Hospital . . . 150 5. Summary of Post Farm Products . . . . 186 6. Hospital Fund Statement......189 7. A Few Hospital Orders.......191 8. The Laboratory Report.......211 iii FOREWORD. To write a complete history of the Unit which went out from the New York Hospital to serve in the Great War would require superhuman genius. An all-seeing eye, an all-hearing ear, an ever-flowing pen and a sleep- less body would be only a partial equipment for the task. From the day that the organization mobilized until the time when it heard the joyful words, "Well done thou good and faithful servant, enter thou into the joys of civilian life" things were happening both day and night. Many of these things have never been recorded. Many were known only to a few, many are known only as rumors and many are family secrets and never should be told. However, some things should be known and these things the historian will record as facts in this book. The material has been gathered from personal observation and a "war regulation diary," from reports supplied by the heads of the different departments, from the file in the hospital office and from various memoranda that chanced into the writer's hand. To Dr. G. W. Zulauf, who assisted in the collecting of the material, and to Dr. Ralph Stillman, who read and offered valuable criticism and suggestions, I am deeply grateful. Raymond Shiland Brown. LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS ry, ^ PAGE The Officers......... „ Some of the Nurses......... 24 A Group of Nurses.......... 2, Some of our Nurses....... 2g The "Finland"........ -., Aboard the Transport.......... 35 The Montana......... -.g Some of the Officers (After School on the "Finland") . 38 Our Convoy........ oQ Landing at St. Nazaire............4I Our Buildings at Savenay...........44 Parade Grounds at Savenay..........46 The Court at Savena............49 A Bird's-Eye View of Chatealroux........53 Plans of the Hospital............54 The Men at Inspection............57 Entrance to Base Hospital No. 9........58 A View of the Hospital from the Gate.......60 The Arrival of a French Train.........64 The Registrar's Office............67 The X-Ray Room..............69 The Operating Room............72 The Reconstruction Aides...........76 Reconstruction Work in the Wards........77 In an Orthopedic Ward............79 Reconstruction Work............81 In the Orthopedic Workshop..........82 One of the Wards at Christmas.........85 Scene at One of the Wards in 1918........86 Robin and His 'Imps'............90 vii viii LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS PAGE A View from the Entrance after the Bar acks had been Built................92 A Ward at Dinner.............99 A Funeral Parade.............101 The American Cemetery at Chateauroux......102 Memorial Day Service, May, 1918........103 A Group at the Red Cross Hut.........106 The Pool Room A. R. C. Hut..........107 An Out-door Scene.............108 The Officer's Club.............111 The Nurse's Hut..............112 A Ward at Christmas............115 The Adjutant's Office............118 The Farm................121 The Farm................122 The Laundry...............127 The Kitchen...............129 The Hospital from an Aeroplane........135 The Laboratory..............136 A Class in the Working Room..........139 A Soldier Receiving the D. S. C..........143 The Chapel Altar.............147 The Curve of Patients in the Hospital.......150 HOSPITAL PERSONNEL. THE ORIGINAL UNIT. (OFFICERS) Capt. Arthur N. Tasker (Lt. Col.) M.C. U.S.A. Major Charles L. Gibson . M.C. U.S.A. Major Eugene H. Pool (Lt. Col.) M.C. U.S.A. Capt. George W. Hawley (Lt. Col.) M.C U.S.A. Capt. James P. Erskine (Major) . M.C. U.S.A. Capt. G. W. Zulauf..... M.C. U.S.A. Capt. Francis W. Shine (Major) . M.C. U.S.A. Capt. William J. Elser (Lt. Col.) . M.C. U.S.A. Capt. Archibald H. Busby (Major) M.C. U.S.A. Capt. John D. Gould (Major) . Q.M.C. U.S.A. Capt. Burton J. Lee (Lt. Col.) M.C. U.S.A. ist Lieut. James M. Kent (Major) M.C. U.S.A. ist Lieut. P. A. Dineen . . . M.C. U.S.A. ist Lieut. Robert D. Schrock (Major) M.C. U.S.A. ist Lieut. Edward Cussler (Major) M.C. U.S.A. ist Lieut. Ralph G. Stillman (Major) M.C. U.S.A. ist Lieut. Richmond Stephens (Capt.) M.C. U.S.A. ist Lieut. Frank E. Adair (Capt.). M.C. U.S.A. ist Lieut. Louis B. Chapman (Major) M.C. U.S.A. ist Lieut. F. J. Echeverria (Capt.) M.C. U.S.A. ist Lieut. Richard W. Bolling (Major) M.C. U.S.A. ist Lieut. Allison H. Dugdale . M.C. U.S.A. ist Lieut. Alexander Williamson M.C. U.S.A. ist Lieut. Thomas K. Davis (Capt.) M.C. U.S.A. ist Lieut. John B. Watson . . M.C. U.S.A. ist Lieut. Harry Bull .... M.C. U.S.A. Chaplain Raymond S. Brown . . C.C. U.S.A. 9 10 THE NEW YORK HOSPITAL IN FRANCE OFFICERS ADDED TO THE UNIT. ist Lieut. Charles L. Rudasill Capt. H. V. Weihrauch (Major) ist Lieut. M. H. Todd (Capt.) ist Lieut. Cecil E. Johnson (Capt ist Lieut. A. M. MacDonald . Capt. William M. Harrison ist Lieut. Thomas B. Rafferty ist Lieut. D. E. McKenna M.C. U.S.A. M.C. U.S.A. M.C. U.S.A. ) M.C. U.S.A. M.C. U.S.A. M.C. U.S.A. M.C. U.S.A. M.C. U.S.A. 2nd Lieut. Roy R. Hall (ist Lieut.) Q.M.C. U.S.A. OFFICERS COMMISSIONED FROM ENLISTED PERSONNEL. ist Lieut. Gustav Hahn . . S.C. U.S.A. ist Lieut. Robert T. Brogelman, Adjutant........ S.C U.S.A. ist Lieut. John Lane, Registrar . S.C. U.S.A. 2nd Lieut. W. G. Sharwell, Medical Supply Officer...... S.C. U.S.A. Master Hospital, Sgt. Edwin F. Fettinger Liaison Officer, Capt. A. Fondrevay Q.M.C. F.A. NURSES. Mary Vroom, Miss (Chief Nurse) Ada Pencheon, Miss (Chief Nurse—November i, 1918- March 1, 1919). Anstead, Ida J., Miss Anderberg, Ada M., Miss Adams, Gladys A., Miss Arnold, Hope, Miss Adams, Lutie M., Miss Bell, Frances, Miss BASE HOSPITAL NO. 9, A. E. F. 11 Bronson, Helen A., Miss Butler, Frances L., Miss Campbell, Florence, Miss Cox, Lois A., Miss Cameron, Mary M., Miss Cromwell, Robt. L., Miss Coddington, CaroIine,Miss Curley, Irene M., Miss Cooke, Genevieve, Miss Evans, Marie L., Miss Falconer, Marie K., Miss Frasius, Ruth, Miss Frasius, Marie, Miss Fennemore, Ethel, Miss Ferguson, Maud, Miss Green, Clara, Miss Gibson, Mildred, Miss Hay, Elizabeth G., Miss Hay, Catherine B., Miss Hubbard, Lena M., Miss Hair, Ella R., Mrs. Hafer, Jane, Miss Hamilton, Mary S., Miss Keator, Ann S., Miss Knudson, Mabel, Mrs. Kennedy, Kathleen, Miss Krans, Ella M., Miss Kribs, Viola, Miss Freeman, Louise, Miss Prey, Nona D., Miss Boyce, Mary, Miss Skillen, Jane, Miss ss Knight, Hortense, Miss iss Landon, Florence, Miss liss MacKay, Jean H., Miss Mackay, Margaret, Miss liss Morton, Gladys, Miss liss McNamara, Eleanor, Miss liss McBeth, Lillian, Miss s McDougall, Olive, Miss ss Malmgren, Ella S., Miss Nicholson, Gladys, Miss iss Olmstead, Sarah C, Miss Peck, Anna V., Miss Peterson, Grace, Miss s Reinhardt, Edith, Mrs. Ryan, Lulu B., Miss Robinson, Ethel E., Miss Smith, L. Blanche, Miss iss Smith, Delphene E., Miss ss Smith, Verna Cecil, Miss ss Shaneman, Annie, Miss Tropp, Edna, Miss Towle, Maud A., Miss liss Thompson, Ethel R., Miss Tom, Mabel E., Miss VoIImer, Margaret E., Miss iss Woodward, Sarai, Miss Wilson, Nellie Gray, Miss Wilson, Lillian, Miss Yorke, Diana, Miss MacPhadyen, Margaret Mrs. (Dietitian) Sistrunk, Mary, Miss SECRETARIES. 12 THE NEW YORK HOSPITAL IN FRANCE RED CROSS UNIT. Capt. Douglas Laird Capt. C. A. Arnett Arnett, C. A., Mrs. Hall, Helen, Miss (In charge Jan. i, 1919 to June, 1919) Gibbs, Mabel, Miss Metcalf, Edith, Miss Wheeler, Anna, Miss Sloane, Berkeley, Miss Ramsey, Harvey C, Mrs. Tarpley, Roberta D., Miss McAllister, Ruby, Miss Joy, Helen, Miss, Y. W.C.A. ENLISTED MEN. Hahn, Gustav, M.H.S. Alexander, Alfred Allen, Norman Altfelix, John Atkinson, William H. Azzi, Marius A. Baker, Harold A. Barbieri, Bernard Beck, Albert Beck, Emil Bedijian, Edward G. Benjamin, Everett P. Benson, Carl T. Bimilere, Robert J. Blumenthal, George N. Brady, Edward A. Brainerd, George W. Braumiller, Chas. Brogelman, Robert Brophy, Francis X. Brown, Rodney A. Burley, Chester Campeau, Joseph J. Capen, Arthur N. B. Carlstrom, Victor Cheney, Edwin A. Chiljian, Henry B. Clark, Harold Clark, Herbert CoIIver, Julius P. Connelly, Joseph A. Corlett, Charles Cruikshank, Edwin A. Cuthbert, George K. Daggett, Floyd Dascal, Stephen Decker, Casper Dennis, Benjamin Dennis, Charles Downer, Ernest P. Duelly, Franklin A. Duncan, Vernon L. BASE HOSPITAL NO. 9, A. E. F. 13 Eliesku, Stephen Elkoff, Benjamin B. Enea, Charles Enowitz, Lewis L. Everett, Allen Fallon, John Fehling, Charles A. Feigenbutz, Herman Fettinger, Edwin S. Fredericks, Henry W. Freeman, W. R. Galligan, Chas. A. Geisman, Leon Gelhaus, Joseph Glenn, Thomas H. Goldstein, E. Gorden, George B. Gore, Samuel Graeser, Charles P. Greene, Arthur L. Griffin, Osmer Grossman, Henry Hall, Harold Hanly, Wm. L. Hansen, W. H. Harrigan, James D. Harris, Stanley E. Harrison, James R. Hart, Horace D. Hayhow, Edgar G. Hoey, Fred L. Hoffman, Elmer J. Holmnberg, John Hoist, William L. Howard, Frank Hull, Robert B. Jelley, Samuel Keeney, George N. Kelly, Gouveneur Kip, Sheppard J. Lamont, Wilbur J. Lane, John Lane, Robert D. Lane, Roger Law, William F. Lewis, Earle H. Lindsay, Maurice H. Livingston, John J. Lowry, Rudd Ludlow, Ralph A. Malone, William J. Mann, Harold E. Margules, Joseph J. Martin, Arthur Matthaei, Hans McHale, William P. Miller, John Morr, William E. Munk, Edward Newman, Sydney O'Donnell, Edward Oestreicher, Carl M. Oesterberry, Fred G. Otzen, Owen Paddock, Arthur K. Patrey, Harry Patterson, Fred A. Peniston, Denman 14 THE NEW YORK HOSPITAL IN FRANCE Penn, Clarence I. Pierce, Albert F. Plummer, Seney Powers, William J. Ramsdell, Edward Raynaud, Gabriel E. Rhoades, Herbert L. Rolston, Howard W. Rose, Charles Russo, Frank Samson, Edwin H. Schauf, Willis A. Schiller, Oscar L. Scholes, Walter Schultz, Walter A. Sharwell, William G. Shellhase, George Shiffert, John Sinuk, Aaron Sivewright, John M. Smith, Albert Smith, William Sortino, Gabriel Spitzer, Harry Statler, David C. Stobie, David M. Sullivan, George T. Sundberg, Ake R. O. Tamke, Fred W. Taylor, Elliott Thompson, Tracy E. Thorburn, Grant Tint, Allen B. Tomlinson, Harold W. Udell, Merton Vesey, Thomas Viola, Mariano Walker, Warren H. Weeks, William C. Wright, Ehrick Wunschell, Louis Wagner, Paul H. ENLISTED MEN ADDED TO THE UNIT. Baker, James Carney, John Cremmin, John F. Dohen, William H. Ellis, Frank Engle, Lawrence W. Faulkner, Landon R. Ferris, Robert W. Gregg, Robert W. Hohnberg, John E. Yanaway, Kren, George J. Larson, Ernest W. Lemke, Francis A. Morach, Albert Moore, David M. McCann, Michael J. McBride, Edward Nichols, Francis A. Schwartz, Abraham Willock, Charles A. Jacob F. 15 HISTORICAL DIARY. BASE HOSPITAL NO. 9 A. E. F. July 21, 1917. The organization was mobilized pursuant to Par. 1, S. O. 13, H. E. D., July 16, 1917; the officers and enlisted men on Governor's Island and the Nurses and Civilian Employees on Ellis Island. The personnel assembled was as follows: 1 Officer M.C, U.S.A. 24 Officers M.R.C, U.S.A. 64 Nurses A.N.C, U.S.A. 1 Officer Q.M.R.C U.S.A. 1 N.C.O., U.S.A. 150 Enlisted men, E.R.C, U.S.A. August 7, 1917. The organization boarded the U. S. C T. Finland in accordance with telegraphic instructions (Gvt No. 367), A. G., July 13, 1917, and sailed for France. August 20, 1917. Arrived at St. Nazaire, France. August 21, 1917. Proceeded to Savenay, the en- listed men with three officers on foot, the nurses and the remainder of the officers by train. At Savenay, quarters were furnished with Base Hospital No. 8, which was stationed there. 16 BASE HOSPITAL NO. 9, A. E. F. 17 September 2, 1917. Ten officers and 75 men left for Chateauroux where they began the work of pre- paring the hospital buildings for occupation. September 7, 1917. The nurses and the remainder of the officers and men proceeded to Chateauroux by train in accordance with telephonic instructions, Hdq., Base Section No. 1, A. E. F., Sept. 5, 1917. September 14, 1917. The first group of officers left for temporary duty with the B. E. F. During the following three or four months, similar groups of two officers each, followed each other at intervals of about two weeks, each group starting out at about the time that its predecessor was returning. During this period also several officers were absent at different times on detached duty with the French army. September 15, 1917. The first patient was ad- mitted to the hospital. October i, 1917. During the month of September, tentative plans for the enlargement and alteration of the hospital plant were completed and at the end of this month a detachment of about forty engineers arrived to begin the work. This detachment was later augmented by a small detachment of infantry which was ordered away before the completion of the work. The work continued as steadily as the arrival of ma- terials would permit for a period of about six months. It involved the making of innumerable repairs, a thorough overhauling of the heating system, marked enlargement of the water supply and sewage disposal plants, the erection of some fourteen isolated barracks 18 THE NEW YORK HOSPITAL IN FRANCE and eleven others which were combined to form the admission building, the installation of the X-ray plant and the enlargement of the electrical system. November 14, 1917. The force of enlisted men was increased by 25. January i, 1918. Census of patients, 226. January 14, 1918. The first hospital train arrived at this hospital, bringing 94 patients from St. Nazaire. The train itself was a French one. This raised the census of patients to 413. February i, 1918. The cases in the hospital have been chiefly medical diseases, especially the contagious diseases—mumps, measles, German measles, scarlet fever and diphtheria. All have been of the ordinary type except the measles, which has shown a marked tendency to be complicated with or followed by broncho- pneumonia of an especially virulent variety. During the month of January alone there were thirteen deaths from this cause. Clinically these cases were marked by great dyspnea and cyanosis and severe toxemia. At autopsy the areas of consolidation were very small and numerous and in practically every case there was suppurative inflammation of one or more of the acces- sory sinuses of the skull. Major Elser was unable to complete his bacteriologic investigation of this disease on account of his detachment from this organization, but was able to isolate a streptococcus, a member of the influenza group and a member of the group of gram-negative cocci, which occurred, one or more in each case. It was not possible to devise any effective therapeutic measures. BASE HOSPITAL NO. 9, A. E. F. 19 February 3, 1918. Major Charles L. Gibson, the Director of the Unit, sailed from France, having been ordered back to the United States because of the need for his services at the Cornell Medical School in the Department of Surgery. February 14, 1918. Major William J. Elser was detached from this organization to become an assist- ant to the Director of the Division of Laboratories (Col. Siler). February 15, 1918. First issue of Nine Times. Favorably received by New York Press. March 31, 1918. Arrival of hospital train bring- ing first group of wounded, from Montdidier section. April 30, 1918. During this month, the detach- ment of engineers, which had been working at this post for the past six months or so, completed their work and departed. May 31, 1918. A device for automatically chlori- nating the water supplied to this post with liquid chlorine was installed and put into operation. This was done in spite of the fact that the sand filter beds were furnishing a water of fairly good quality, as chlori- nation would furnish an added safeguard and assure safety from any water borne infection. June 19, 1918. Lt. Col. Arthur N. Tasker was relieved of his position as Commanding Officer and left to take up his duties in the office of the Chief Surgeon, Intermediate Section, S. O. S., as Sanitary Inspector. Major George Hawley became Commanding Officer. 20 THE NEW YORK HOSPITAL IN FRANCE June 24, 1918. The personnel of the organization was enlarged by the arrival of 55 enlisted men. July i, 1918. Census of patients 1050. July 10, 1918. During the past few days there has reached this post the first cases of the epidemic of so- called "Spanish Influenza" or "three day fever" which has been so widespread. The following note was made by Major Edward Cussler: "Cases of epidemic fever, average duration three to four days, chief symptoms general pains and aching in the back, loss of appetite, headache, with catarrhal symptoms. The course of the disease is mild. No fatalities have occurred. The cases have been isolated. Similar cases have come from the various organizations in the immediate vicin- ity." About 60% of the organization were attacked by the disease. August 2, 1918. There arrived at this hospital an American hospital train which brought 424 patients and raised the census of patients to 2106. In order to aid in the provision of space for these patients a detach- ment of engineers was hurriedly sent from Montier- chaume and erected four new barracks. August 15, 1918. The insufficiency of the sewage disposal plant had been obvious for some time. The trouble had been increased by the condition of the con- tact beds which had become clogged and ihad suffered breaches in their walls. A detachment from an En- gineers Service Battalion was sent down from Montier- chaume to clean out these contact beds and make such alteration as might bring about an increase in their efficiency. A laundry was built by the Quarter- master corps in the building near the filter bed, in the BASE HOSPITAL NO. 9, A. E. F. 21 hope that it would be running in about two or three weeks. This would relieve the contact bed of handling all the effluent from the small laundry which was situ- ated on the post and which drained into one of the septic tanks. The septic tanks were insufficient to take care of the sewage from the post, but it was possible to have them cleaned rather often and their contents taken over by the French contractor and spread upon plowed ground. September 5, 1918. Sharp, severe hail and wind storm blew down the roof of the gallery in front of Ward 11, and filled several of the barracks with water, notably those in which the enlisted men slept. October 10, 1918. First consignment of 73 pa- tients were sent down to the Ecole Normale which had been fitted up as an annex to the hospital. The purpose was to use this annex for patients who needed comparatively little medical care, expecting to increase the total hospital capacity by about 200 beds. October 15, 1918. Major Archibald H. Busby left the post having been ordered back to the United States on duty. He had been acting as Assistant to the Commanding Officer and as Mess Officer in addi- tion to being in charge of the X-ray Department. November i, 1918. During the month of October there were admitted to the hospital a large number of cases of broncho-pneumonia occurring chiefly as a complication of a prevalent epidemic of influenza. It was a very severe infection and twenty-eight autop- sies were done on cases that had died from this disease. The principal bacteriologic finding was the pneumococ- 00 THE NEW YORK HOSPITAL IN FRANCE cus in the lung, although some of the cases seemed to be due to the hemolytic streptococcus. The patho- logic lesions were those of the ordinary lobular pneu- monia though the extent of the consolidation was often unusually large. By the end of the month the ad- missions for influenza and for broncho-pneumonia were decreasing and it seemed as though the epidemic might be passing off. The majority of the cases came from the various organizations stationed at Montier- chaume. An observation of Capt. Cussler's should be noted. "Very few cases have occurred in our own command. Since this is very different from the experi- ence of other organizations in this vicinity it seems possible that the epidemic of influenza, which at- tacked so many members of this command about three or four months ago (see note of July 10, 1918) was due to the same organism as the present epidemic, and that it left behind it sufficient immunity to protect against infection at this time. The pneumococcus and the streptococcus are apparently secondary infections." December 27, 1918. Major Edward Cussler, who had been in charge of the Medical Department of the Hospital, and Major Ralph Stillman, Chief of the Laboratory, ordered back to the United States for duty. January i, 1919. Lt. Col. George W. Hawley ordered to the United States for duty at the Polyclinic Hospital. Major James P. Erskine became Command- ing Officer. January 4, 1919. Base Hospital 63 arrived under the command of Col. Charles Wilcox. BASE HOSPITAL NO. 9, A. E. F. 23 January 14, 1919. The Hospital was officially turned over to Base Hospital No. 63. There were 559 patients under our care at that time. January 25, 1919. Went on Priority sailing list in the Chief Surgeon's Office. February 10, 1919. Dismissed from duty in the A. E. F. March 5, 1919. Left Chateauroux for Nantes as per S. O. 55 Par. 5 Hdqrs. S. O. S. March 16, 1919. Nurses sailed from Brest on the Leviathan. April 5, 1919. All but five officers detached and sent to Brest. They sailed on the George Washington April 8, 1919. April ii, 1919. Organization left Vallet for St. Nazaire. April 14, 1919. Organization went aboard the Princess Mitoika as per S. O. 103, Par. 22 Hq. Emb. Camp. April 16, 1919. Sailed from France. April 27, 1919. Landed at Newport News, Va., and proceeded to Camp Hill. May 3, 1919. Went aboard the steamer Jamestown to sail for New York. May 4, 1919. Landed in New York. May 5, 1919. Moved to Camp Upton, where the organization was discharged from the service. 24 a group of nurses some of our nurses CHAPTER 1. Genesis. The Unit had its birth in those days when the coun- try had not yet heard the call of war. There was much talk of preparedness but little was being done to give one the feeling of national security should we be drawn into the European conflict. The American Red Cross had offered (International Red Cross Convention, 1906, Article 10) to render aid to the land and naval forces in any time of emergency. On April 24th, 1912, by an act of Congress, the necessary authority was granted. Definite steps were then taken, and the Department of Military Relief was created (December 8th, 1915). This included the Bureau of Medical Service, the Bureau of Nursing Service and the Bureau of Supplies. Col. Jefferson R. Kean, M.C. U.S.A. was the Director General. Col. Kean began to organize Base Hospital Units, believing they would be urgently needed should war be declared. His plan was to go to the civil hospitals of large size and activity and organize from their staffs of physicians and nurses, units in which the individuals knew each other and were accustomed to work together and could thus be expected to do team work from the beginning. Such hospitals would have five hundred beds and a personnel of about two hundred. About $35,000 would be necessary for medical equipment. The Board of Governors of the New York Hospital were invited to form such an organization from its 27 28 THE NEW YORK HOSPITAL IN FRANCE professional and administrative staff. The invitation was met with an enthusiastic and prompt response; and plans were soon made to enlist the medical per- sonnel and to provide a full equipment of hospital and medical supplies which would be packed and stored so as to be available for shipment the instant that the hospital should be ordered into service. The following donors and donations helped to make the equipment complete: George F. Baker................... $25,000.00 Cornelius N. Bliss Memorial Fund.. . . 10,000.00 Mr. and Mrs. Henry W. Scoville..... 1,000.00 E. C. Converse..................... 2,500.00 Thomas F. Ryan................... 500.00 George C. Clark.................... 100.00 F. Augustus Schermerhorn........... 500.00 Mrs. Patrick A. Valentine........... 1,000.00 William Bruce Brown............... 500.00 Thomas F. Clark................... 250.00 Dr. Charles L. Gibson............... 50.00 Dr. William L. Culbert.............. 26.25 Mrs. Chas. E. Farr................. 2.50 Miss Elizabeth Whitman............ 500.00 Dr. Allen M. Thomas............... 15.00 Miss Diana Yorke.................. 100.00 Mrs. Allen M. Thomas.............. 50.00 A. Wright Post..................... 210.00 Ambulance—Colonial Dames of America Ambulance—N. Y. Produce Exchange Ambulance—American Red Cross Motor Cycle—Mrs. E. H. Harris Motor Cycle—Miss Clarkson Motor Truck—Mr. Dillon Motor Truck—Fox Hills Golf Club Disinfecting Outfit—American Red Cross Kitchen Outfit—American Red Cross Dressings and supplies—Women's War Auxiliary of New York Hospital BASE HOSPITAL NO. 9, A. E. F. 29 Four Flags—Mrs. Richard Trimble Comfort bags for officers—Mrs. H. C. Coe Knitting machine and 500 mosquito bars—Miss Helen Frick 35 sweaters—-Navy League Comforts Committee 2 sweaters—Miss Katherine L. Heard Fund of $2,000 for nurses from Women's Auxiliary of Social Service, New York Hospital. The Chaplain's Equipment—Calvary Episcopal Church An Altar Outfit—Mr. and Mrs. George Zabriskie When the subject was placed before the staff they were all eager to enroll. However, only a limited number was required for the Unit, so a selection had to be made. The Governors decided it wisest "to choose the members from the oldest and the youngest members, leaving the intermediate members, such as the associate surgeons and physicians, to conduct the Hospital service." By June 15th, 1916, the organiza- tion was effected and became subject to call by the War Department. CHAPTER II. Exodus. The call did not come for a year. The Unit did not take a more definite form until after the United States entered the war in April, 1917. Then other steps were taken to perfect the organization. The personnel was assembled and the providing of the equipment com- pleted. Everyone was ready to move on a short notice and the supplies could be taken aboard ship within a few hours. On July 2ist, 1917, the organization, which was called U. S. A. Base Hospital Number 9, was mobilized pursuant to Par. 1 S. O. No. 13 H. E. D. July 16th, 1917. The officers and enlisted men went to Governor's Island while the nurses and civilian employees spent their days on Ellis Island. Captain Arthur N. Tasker, M.C. U.S.A., was the Commanding Officer and Major Charles L. Gibson, M.C. U.S.R., through whose efforts the Unit was made possible, was the Director. The personnel at that time consisted of 27 officers, 1 non- commissioned officer, 64 nurses, 5 civilian secretaries, and 150 enlisted men. These were now to be initiated into the mystic rites which belong only to service life. They were to unlearn many lessons taught them in democratic civilian life, and were to devote themselves to discipline and duty. But above all, they were to lose themselves in a great cause and find themselves serving their God, their country and humanity through their organization. 30 BASE HOSPITAL NO. 9, A. E. F. 31 But those days on the Islands will never be forgotten. In one respect the nurses were the more fortunate, for none of their number had ever been to Fort Benjamin Harrison—yet in later days they were given the privilege of sharing in the knowledge which certain members of the staff assimilated there. It was here that the men were provided with their uniforms. Brooks Brothers latest were discarded and the nearest fitting model of khaki put on. Silk shirts became wool- en and patent leather shoes became hob-nails. Life took on a new aspect. Artistic souls could be seen policing the barracks, clerks were washing mess kits, salesmen became stevedores and the professional men were doing K. P. And they all did it as if they were winning the war. Here they learned that reveille meant to get up and answer roll call and that taps meant that they must be in bed. This was difficult for some who had been accustomed to go to bed nearer reveille time. But as far as the officers ever heard the men never confused the calls after the first few days!! Those were hot days. Never before nor since has the sun sent down such volumes of heat in one place. One wouldn't have minded it so much if "the powers that were" had been contented to allow one to become familiar with the uniform. But, no, one was in the army, and one must know it. Therefore there was school, there were drills, there were assemblies, and there were inspections. But the drills! The eternal question was: "Why should doctors drill?" This was never really answered until one day, months later, a certain prominent surgeon—in fact the one who taught them on the Island—brought a patient into the operat- ing room on a litter and had the orderlies there make the transfer to the table in due and true military fashion. 32 THE NEW YORK HOSPITAL IN FRANCE Anyway squads east and right oblique were done every morning until Coke Williamson looked like a West Point graduate. Those were the days of good-byes and best wishes. Every night the thought would be "this is the last night home" and the best use was always made of it. Then in the morning came the heart-aches and the partings. The next evening the hero would return home and go through the same emotional process. One morning the Unit nearly sailed and the relatives were told about it that night. However, orders finally came and very early on the morning of August 7th, 1917, the officers and men left Governor's Island on a barge. The nurses went aboard at Ellis Island; the entire Unit went to Pier 11, North River, where the U. S. C T. Finland was ready to sail for France. 33 CHAPTER III. What Happened on the "Finland." It was a strange looking crowd that went aboard the Finland that day. The men were weighted down under their equipment and blanket rolls, and fairly staggered up the gang-plank. Soon all the troops and the baggage were aboard and at one o'clock the ship left the pier. We soon found that a regiment of the ist Engineers under the command of Col. Mason Patrick and U. S. A. Base Hospital No. 8 under the command of Major Siler, were to be our traveling com- panions. All were ordered below decks so that spying enemy eyes would think that this steamer was going to Europe empty. As most of the crowd had break- fasted—better termed "messed"—at 3.30 a.m. they were ready for dinner. This came within the course of the next few hours. At 2.30, the ship passed Quarantine and soon dropped anchor. Then Dame Rumor had it that we should lie there for at least three days and possibly longer, but as the sun faded from the horizon, then went the rumor to rest for the ship began to move. Her nose was pointed toward the sea, and at 10.15 she dropped the pilot and we were on our way to France. Life on a transport is neither comfortable nor pleasurable. The men are packed down into the bowels of the liner. They sleep in bunks three tiers high and keep all their belongings with them. All goes 34 ABOARD THE TRANSPORT (between drills) 36 BASE HOSPITAL NO. 9, A. E. F. 37 well as long as all keep well. Fortunately the ocean was like an inland lake when we crossed. Baths were taken every morning on the well deck. A sailor would play his hose on a hundred or more slippery wriggling men. It was not half bad. Deck chairs were left behind because those in charge of the transport knew that they would never be used. From reveille until taps one was kept on the move. There was school and boat drill, calisthenics and boat drill, French lessons and boat drill, inspection and boat drill. Then there would be boat drill during the relaxing period and sometimes between courses at dinner. The medical officers felt that now that Governor's Island was left behind, they would have time to think of war surgery and just how calmly and cleverly they would remove foreign bodies under shell fire. But not so. They were summoned to the upper deck every morning after breakfast. Here litter drill held the attention. Once or twice it was found that the instruction book was wrong so our Major invented a better way of doing it! Then they were thrilled by the reading of the Articles of War! Next day they built an operating room and equipped it. There had been several abdominal pains among the men before this was completed, but it was a sure cure of all ills. Major Gibson held a French class which gave all not only a speaking acquaintance with the language, but also a knowledge of what to do on a visit to Paris! Every evening there was some kind of entertain- ment—a boxing match, a vaudeville show or a minstrel show. The nurses of Base Hospital No. 9 burlesqued the life on the Finland which caused so much merri- ment and applause that the Captain of the ship had to call from the bridge "less noise." After the entertain- SOME OF THE OFFICERS (Al ILK SCHOOL ON THE "FINLAND") 39 40 THE NEW YORK HOSPITAL IN FRANCE ment hour, life took on a dull aspect. There was no smoking; the nurses went to bed at 8.30, and there were no lights on the ship. Everybody went to bed in the dark, and many mornings toward the end of the trip, got up in the same inky blackness. Will we ever forget those terrible nights with four in a state room and no port hole open? But it was a happy voyage and everyone laughed at the hardships and discomforts. Even the chaplains overcame the lack of space for services by standing on the poop-deck and conducting the worship through a megaphone so that all the decks could take part. There was a feeling of security because of the other ships in the convoy—the Henderson, the San Jacinto, the Antilles, with the cruiser Montana, and two destroyers. However we learned that in case of attack we were not as safe as we thought. And that brings me to the submarine battle. This attack has been the cause of endless debate. All who were on the ship that day believed and knew that there were submarines trying to sink us. Erskine and others saw them. Then suddenly the analytic Elser began to ask questions, and the number of eye witnesses to the periscope began to dwindle. After many evenings of discussion and debate (many of which took place in the dormitory where some wanted to sleep) it was decided that the United States was not prepared for war. But this is what happened before the debate took place. It was a beautiful day. Belle He en Mer had just been sighted and everyone gave a sigh of relief after the days of anxiety. The life preserver, which had been our constant companion for days and nights, would soon be discarded. Some even decided that this was the time to go down and bathe and be ready LANDING AT ST. NAZAIRE 42 THE NEW YORK HOSPITAL IN FRANCE to go ashore. The enchanted land lay before us and troubles behind us. Just as we were peacefully con- tented the "abandon ship" whistle began to blow and our port gun began to boom. The ships cut circles and scattered like a flock of frightened sheep. Every- one on board took his position near his life boat. The guns of the other ships commenced firing. Our ship would turn so sharply that we would feel her keel over. As one who watched the Finland wrote.* "But what impressed us most—we almost laughed to see her— was the lubber of the fleet. She was twice the tonnage of most of us, and early in the run across, she had brought anguish to our souls by the way she lagged. She had not enough men in her steam department to keep her engines warm, so she reported. j But now she had steam enough. She was wide and high, a huge bulk of a ship, and here she was now charging at the place where a U-boat had just submerged." In the midst of it all, there was a terrific b-o-o-m, and the old ship shuddered and shook. The one thought in every mind was that we had been hit by a torpedo. But some had seen a column of solid white water shoot straight up beside the destroyer, and they knew it was the impact from a depth bomb. The fight lasted forty minutes. Every ship had something to say with its guns and kept up an incessant maneuver- ing at close quarters. But there was no disorder. All were calm and quiet and manifested the greatest interest in the struggle that was being staged. It was their first experience under fire and was to be the last for a great many of them. As the firing ceased, the French airplanes came out bringing a welcome and the * Collier's Weekly, October 20th, 1917. f We had stopped in mid-ocean to take on extra help from the Montana. BASE HOSPITAL NO. 9, A. E. F. 43 assurance of safety. We were told that our ship was credited with one submarine and the destroyer that dropped the depth bomb got the other. How many there were off Belle He that morning nobody knows. A writer in the Nine Times says "the air was full of them." We landed that afternoon (August 20th, 1917) at St. Nazaire, France, and the next day proceeded to Savenay, where we were quartered with Base Hospital No. 8, better known as the Post Graduate Unit. OUR BUILDINGS AT SAVENAY (XIIL NLJKSl S AT PLAY) CHAPTER IV. Savenay. Savenay was a quiet Brittany town when the two New York City Units, Base Hospitals No. 8 and No. 9 arrived there on that August day. One year later, it was to be the biggest medical center in France. Other hospital units were to be located there and a large number of sick and wounded men were to pass that way on their journey to America. The three stone buildings which had been a normal school were simply to be the beginning of the work, which in a few months would be surrounded by a city of modern barracks,—a city which would have all the modern conveniences and appliances. But Base Hospital No. 9 was not to be located there. Major Gibson said good-bye to us on the Finland and started for Paris to see the Chief Surgeon. In a few days he sent back word that we were to move on and that Base Hospital No. 8 was to start the work at Savenay. We were delighted because we thought we would be nearer the front, and anyway we wanted to move. The men started the days at Savenay by hiking from the ship to the post. It was about fourteen miles, but as they had never done any hiking or long marching, many of them were forced to remain quiet for several days after. Then began police duty, and guard duty, and regular army life and discipline. The officers here learned to be Officer of the Day. 45 PARADE GROUNDS AT SAVENAY (this soon bkcame a barrack city) BASE HOSPITAL NO. 9, A. E. F. 47 Many would be interested to see some of these medical men going about their duty in a military manner, carrying guns and looking quite warlike. Each used his individual salute and thought well of it. Whether he faced the music or the flag at retreat depended on the individual temperament. Major Cussler did it both ways. Whether the men should stand at salute in ranks, or simply stand at attention depended on the visiting General—or the result of the debate in Elser's room the previous evening. Busby would teach them one thing one day, the next day he would alter it; and then the C. O. would decide that it should be done another way. Yet it was a subject of debate for weeks and almost any time one could hear issuing from the officers' quarters: "Now, Archie, don't you remember at Fort Benjamin Harrison when I stood in the parade as the Colonel passed"----"Yes, Gene, but you did it this way"—ad inf. Although we were waiting for orders to move, no member of the Unit was idle. This was the schedule as worked out by our superiors: Schedule for Officers. 7.00 Breakfast 8.00-8.50 Instruction—Army Regulations—Lt. Boiling _ . ^ /Major Pool 9.00-9.30 Setting up Exercises j Capt Rusby 10.00-10.50 Instruction—Capt. Busby 11.00-11.45 Drill—Capt. Kent 12.00 Lunch 1.30-2.30 Drill—Lt. Boiling 2.30-5.00 French (usually assimilated) 5.00 Supper 48 THE NEW YORK HOSPITAL IN FRANCE Schedule for Nurses. 6.45 Breakfast 8.30- - 9.20 Instruction 9-30- 10.00 Setting up Exercises [ Capt. Hawley Instruction < Capt. Stillman 10.30- 11.20 I Capt. Cussler 12.00 Lunch ♦1.30- 2.00 Drill—Capt. Busby 2.30- 5.00 French 5.00 Supper Schedule for Enlisted Men. 5.45 First Call 6.00 Reveille 6.15 Assembly 6.30- 6.45 Setting up Exercises 6.45 Breakfast 8.30-9.20 T . J Capt. Erskine Instruction i T . 0 T , I Lieut. Schrock 9.30-10.20 ~ .„ J Lieut. Dugdale Drill ] T . t-x • {Lieut. Davis 10.30-11.30 Instruction—Capt. Lee 12.00 Lunch 1.30 Sick Call 2.00- 4.00 Drill—Major Pool 4.30 First Call 4.40 Assembly 445 Retreat 5.00 Supper * One should see this to appreciate it fully. Yet we mustn't blame Archie even though he gave some strange commands. THE COURT AT SAVENAY 50 THE NEW YORK HOSPITAL IN FRANCE In the evening long walks were taken through the country, or some entertainment took place at the post. Those were the days when an officer if he wanted to go out with one nurse had to ask two—one to talk to, and the other to chaperon him. Yet much progress was made "engineerically speaking." But the chief trial and tribulation of all and I say all advisedly was the censorship of the mail. The Chaplain was made Censor, and the Commanding Officer provided him with scissors, indelible ink, and a brush, and the necessary authority to read and strike out any information that was interesting. He spent hours those first days reading and cutting, and by night he dreamed of information that had slipped his notice. Many letters were badly mutilated for which he sincerely apologizes now, but then he believed that all army orders were to be interpreted literally. Cen- sorship became less irksome for all in later days. But one must ask the nurses just how it was done. Perhaps their feeling during the Savenay days is expressed in their song entitled "Somewhere in France" sung to the tune of Tipperary. SOMEWHERE IN FRANCE. The good ship Finland brought us over Cross the deep blue sea. We ploughed right through the submarines, They jumped around like fleas. But when we got to St. Nazaire We all sent forth a yell Because we came to Savenay To wait here for a spell. BASE HOSPITAL NO. 9, A. E. F. 51 Chorus. It's no effort to write a letter, For there's nothing to say. We're not coming nor are we going, We just drill or hike all day. Potatoes, rice and onions Then on gateaux take a chance, So to celebrate we have this Field Day, We're "Somewhere in France." Each morn we get up early In response to bugle sound. We eat, make beds and shine the ward, Then forth to school we bound. We learn about the wriggley bugs That chase disease away, And try to look intelligent At bone anatome. Chorus. There is a "Vroomer" now about We're soon to go away. It may be Chateauroux we hear, And start most any day. We're sad to leave this happy home, Our thanks we hereby give To P. G. Unit No. 8, They're great, long may they live. Chorus. The Unit will always have pleasant memories of the hospitality which Col. Siler and the members of 52 THE NEW YORK HOSPITAL IN FRANCE Base Hospital No. 8 extended. Everything was done for our comfort and every possible courtesy was shown. We owe them a debt of gratitude. Our orders finally came to go to Chateauroux, in the Department of Indre. On September 2d, 1917, the first American troops ever to be in that department arrived—the advance guard of our hospital consisting of 10 officers and 75 men. On September 7th, the rest of the officers with the nurses and men reached there. Then began the real life of Base Hospital No. 9 in France. X p o PS <: u H «•< DC U o 53 PLAN OF HOSPITAL WHEN WE ARRIVED THE HOSPITAL WHEN IT WAS COMPLETED 54 CHAPTER V. The Formative Days. The hospital was located in a place known as Bitray, about one mile and half from Chateauroux. Chateau- roux was the capital of the department, in pre-war days a manufacturing city of about 23,000 inhabitants. The buildings which were designated for our use had been originally built for an insane asylum and were known as "Maison de Sante." Before their comple- tion, the war came and the entire plant was used as a Base Hospital, and called by the French "Hopital Complementaire 25." There were thirty-four buildings constructed of brick and stucco, with a capacity of five hundred beds. They were all adapted to hospital purposes, and very few changes had to be made. Be- side the buildings there were twenty acres of land which were turned over for our use. Our problem was to use the space to the best ad- vantage. As it was to be a war hospital, the surgeons naturally chose the majority of the buildings. The medical men contended that disease was as deadly a foe to an army as the enemy bullet. The "orthopods" argued that at least they must have a place for those men who through hiking had contracted a morbid condition of the foot in which the arch is destroyed. All were agreed on the place for the laboratory, the operating rooms and the chapel. But after several officers' meetings, space was allotted to all—the medical men getting most of it the first winter. 55 56 THE NEW YORK HOSPITAL IN FRANCE The buildings had to be cleaned, so the nurses and men cleaned them. Then beds had to be put in. Here let me quote the Nine Times. "And we learned the Boiling method of bed carrying, i.e. the frame in the right hand, the spring in the left and the mattress held between the teeth. Then to our horror we were told that we must unlearn the Boiling system of bed carrying and acquire the Cromwell Chapman method, in which the mattress is held under the left arm and it is the spring which is carried between the teeth. At last there came a day when there was one bed which could not be placed in eight different wards, for we had caught a patient and it was occupied." The reason for the constant moving of beds was due to the keen desire of certain individuals to know the exact floor and air space of the buildings, with each calculation a bed was moved and another put in its place. While all this was going on the men were doing guard duty and learning the intricacies of litter drill. (This drill when it was perfected was used once—not on patients—when an inspecting officer asked for it. Kent will never forget that day.) The nurses between bed makings, drilled under the direction of Major Pool and Lieut. Davis. (This class came to an end when Pool went to the British front.) The officers spent the day in discussing plans and the evening in solving such problems as "Who has control of the air?" or "What nation leads the world in everything?" (This was usually a monologue—in military parlance, "a gas attack.") Nothing tangible ever came from the night sessions; but from the day meetings, plans were made for additional barracks, an admission ward, and a system for admitting patients. ^%^t THE MEN AT INSPECTION ENTRANCE TO BASE HOSPITAL Q BASE HOSPITAL NO. 9, A. E. F. 59 On September 15th, the first patient was admitted. A telegram came in the morning that one of the men of the ist Engineers had fallen and fractured his femur and would arrive at Chateauroux about eleven o'clock that night. Everybody worked all day getting ready for him. The C. O. designated nurses and orderlies for the ward, an extra guard to go with the ambulance to the station, Stephens, Schrock and Adair to be there to work on him, and a full registrar's staff to work that night. Moreover, he would be there himself. Thus was the patient received. During this period the C. O. found it necessary to go to Paris. This made our Director, Major Gibson, the Commanding Officer of the Post. To show how happy we all were to have him in command, a dance and reception was given in his honor. As the Major had not yet established himself in his quarters at the hospital, it was planned that a committee should welcome him that evening as he entered the gates. Major Elser was asked to make the speech of welcome. About 8.30, Major Gibson drew up in a sea-going hack. As he stepped out Elser began—"Major Gib- son, it gives me great pleasure"—Major Gibson walks away and wrangles with the cocher over the fare. This settled, Elser begins again, "Major Gibson, it gives me great pleasure to"—Major Gibson thinks of something else to tell the cocher and he begins a torrent of French. As it was apparently settled now, Elser begins once more "Major Gibson, it gives me great pleasure"—Major Gibson realizes that some- thing is happening and that Elser is talking, so he takes him by the hand and says, "That's all right, old man, that's all right." That well prepared speech of affec- tion has never been delivered. A VIEW OF HOSPITAL FROM THE GATE BEFORE THE BARUACKS WERE CONSTRUCTED BASE HOSPITAL NO. 9, A. E. F. 61 During these days much time was devoted to the learning of the French language. The Dezert sisters were constantly in company with the members of the Unit. When the lessons were over the result was practiced on the people in the town. One of the surgeons who was always happy and had the faculty of spreading that warmth of contentment to those whom he met, tried to tell one of the shop girls in the Grand Magasin (Wanamaker's) how happy he was to be in France. He began "je suis tres joli" and stopped. The shop girl smiled and said, "Oui, mon- sieur." Thinking that she did not fully understand he separated his remark emphasizing "joli." Again po- litely she said "Oui, monsieur." The next day when he took his lesson he found that "joli" did not mean happy. Americans in France did strange things to the language yet the response was always polite. Perhaps they laughed when they were alone. During the month of September, tentative plans for the enlargement and alteration of the hospital plant were completed, and at the end of the month a detachment of forty engineers, under the command of Lieut. Edward Duff, E.C. U.S.A., arrived to begin the work. The detachment was later augmented by a small detachment of infantry, which was ordered away before the completion of the work. The construction continued as steadily as the arrival of materials would permit. It involved the making of innumerable repairs, a thorough overhauling of the heating system, marked enlargement of the water supply and sewage disposal plants, the erection of some fourteen barracks to be used as wards and eleven others which were combined to form the admission building, the installation of the X-ray plant, and the enlargement of the electrical system. 62 THE NEW YORK HOSPITAL IN FRANCE During this time patients were being admitted, mostly medical, a large number contagious, and a few civil surgical cases. The officers were being sent to the British front in teams to observe their hospitiliza- tion. Some of the nurses and orderlies were working in French hospitals along the lines. By the early part of 1918 the capacity of the hospital was increased to 2250 beds. In the days to come all of these beds were to be occupied. CHAPTER VI. " When a Train Came In. " On January 14th, 1918, the first hospital train arrived, bringing 94 patients from St. Nazaire. These were mostly medical cases that would be ready for service at the front within a few weeks. It gave us a total of 413 patients at that time. It was about this time that the Unit suffered the loss of Major Gibson. He was ordered to the States to take up his work at the New York Hospital and at the Cornell Medical School where he became head of the Department of Surgery. His going was keenly felt by all. Others of our number within a few weeks were sent to other posts. Major Pool went to Evacua- tion Hospital No. 1, Captain Lee went to assist Col. Finney and to direct the organization of transfusion for the A. E. F., and Major Elser went to the Central Laboratories at Dijon. Others of our number were away for weeks at a time. Captain Erskine, Lieuten- ants Adair and Dineen were at Ris Orangis; Lieutenants Boiling, Stephens, and Schrock were at Noyon, and Dugdale and Echeverria were at Soissons. On March 31st, 1918, the first group of wounded patients came in on a train from the Montdidier sec- tion. From this time on until the signing of the armistice, wounded came in at frequent intervals. The number became larger and larger until the first part of August, when it became obvious that more provision 63 •is* - V^-.-*<^' *.".%->*" /<..*.->'*-'*-^'«!'- '-**- ^7* ' &' ■* *<#-/*«>* r-*-vf> ROBIN AND HIS IMPS BASE HOSPITAL NO. 9, A. E. F. 91 were put in the laundry, and one boiler was placed in the kitchen. The buildings were all equipped with modern plumbing, and at the same time the interior of a great many of the wards was painted. The portable ice-plant, which the Unit brought over with them, was mounted and rebuilt. This meant much to the hospital during the summer months. It furnished not only all the ice that was used in the care and feeding of patients, but by being connected with a room off of the kitchen, it also gave a cold storage place for meats and vegetables. A temperature of io° F. above zero was maintained throughout the summer in this room. The machine shop also did all the repair work on the boilers, motors and automobiles, and the many gasolene engines about the post. As the French often had difficulty in getting coal to supply the electric system for the town, and as it was absolutely necessary for us to have the power at all times (to run the X-ray machines and to care for the operating room)—an electric generator operated by a powerful gasolene engine was put in, thereby making the hospital in- dependent of the local electric company. The men in charge of the work were, Sgt. Johnson —General Repairs; Sgt. Law responsible for sewage disposal and the water supply, Corporal Grossman, directing all mechanical installation, and Corporal Livingston in charge of all electric appliances. 92 CHAPTER X. The American Soldier. Much has been written about the American soldier during the Great War. Volumes are still to be written. Yet the one outstanding fact that will run through them all is that the American soldier was the real man in the war. He it was who suffered the real hardships of the ocean voyage; he it was who hiked and drilled and worked in the training camp; he it was who stood in sticky mud being drenched with rain waiting for the zero hour; he it was who when that hour arrived crept under the barrage and met the enemy face to face; he it was who faced the machine gun and heard the shower of shrapnel and high explosives; he it was who proved himself a man. Yet heroism was not finished at the battle line. The days in the hospital were the ones that really proved the stuff of which men are made. Here they would lie day after day. Dreadful gashes had been torn in their bodies, bones had been broken and bruised, arms and legs had been taken from them, yet there was little complaining over their lot. A peaceful spirit seemed to dwell within them—the consciousness of having acquitted themselves like men. Those who suffered most complained the least. The happiest ward and the ward where there was always some frolic and revelry was where the amputation cases were being 93 94 THE NEW YORK HOSPITAL IN FRANCE cared for. They always saw something in the future for themselves. One man who had lost his leg made a new one for himself at the orthopedic work shop and went to duty with the quartermaster corps at St. Nazaire. He could have been sent home but he wanted to stay until the war was over. Most of the men when they came to the hospital were anxious to get back on the line with their outfits. Their first question would always be: "When do you think I will be able to get back?" It was this spirit which conquered and won. The American soldier was cheerful in training camp, patient under hardships, calm, courageous and active in battle, enduring and long suffering in the hospital, and heroic when face to face with death. He fought a good fight. He kept his country's faith and honor. All glory to him! CHAPTER XI. Other Happenings. In a brief survey such as this it is impossible to go into details in describing the workings of the depart- ments. Books could be written on the laboratory, which was under the direction of Major Ralph Still- man and Capt. H. V. Weihrauch. The X-ray depart- ment under Major Archibald Busby and Lt. Charles L. Rudasill had one of the most complete equipments in the A. E. F. The Registrar's Office which worked day and night would furnish a volume of interesting reading. The Quartermaster Corps with Lt. Roy L. Hall in charge did a large amount of very important work. Beside rationing and clothing and paying the troops, it also ran a post commissary which was well stored with material, and operated a steam laundry working one hundred people, which did all the washing for the hospital. The quartermaster also had charge of the garage. Then there was the Post Office where sixteen men were constantly employed under the direct care of Sgt. Edwin A. Cruickshank. The work of the adjutant's office was most important and excel- lently done. Every department did its work well and the hospital really functioned as a Unit. The following letters have been received since the Unit returned to the States: 95 96 THE NEW YORK HOSPITAL IN FRANCE THE AMERICAN RED CROSS. NATIONAL HEADQUARTERS, WASHINGTON, D. C. March 28th, 1919. Dr. C. L. Gibson, Director Red Cross Base Hospital No. 9 72 East 54th Street, New York, N. Y. My Dear Doctor: It is hoped that you have thought out a plan to keep Base Hospital No. 9 together, so that it will continue in existence. No doubt, everyone who has had active service with the hospital will desire to continue to be identified with it, in so far as circumstances will permit. To accomplish this, a social organization should be set up, to which can belong not only every one who has ever been a member of your Unit, but anyone who may be added to it in the future. From this organization, the Base Hospital personnel can be selected for enrollment in accordance with the regulations which the American Red Cross will issue as soon as they are definitely formulated by the Medical Department of the Army. The important thing to be done, at once, is to keep the personnel connected with your hospital, to interest them in its future and by setting up this sort of a social organization, you can arrange to have reunions, which will give pleasure to all concerned and keep your organization intact. When, for various reasons, members find that they are forced to discontinue active work in the Base Hospital they can still remain members of the organization and attend such social functions and reunions as may be held from time to time. Red Cross base hospitals will be organized as 1000 bed hospitals and the government will store a unit of equipment for each hospital in a government storehouse as near as possible to the city in which this hospital is located. Detailed instructions and muster rolls for your personnel will be issued in the near future. Please write me of any BASE HOSPITAL NO. 9, A. E. F. 97 plans you may have in mind which will help to keep the Red Cross Base Hospital prepared to meet any future emergency in the same magnificent way they did the one just passing into history. The local Red Cross Chapter will be glad to render any cooperative assistance you may require to bring about the successful reorganization of your Base Hospital on a peace basis. Very truly yours, C. H. Conner, Colonel, M.C. U.S.A. Asst. Dir. Gen. Military Relief. WAR DEPARTMENT. OFFICE OF THE SURGEON GENERAL. WASHINGTON, D. C. April 26th, 1919. Board of Trustees New York Hospital, New York City. (Through the American Red Cross National Headquarters.) Gentlemen: Red Cross Base Hospital No. 9 accredited to New York Hospital, having been returned to this country for demobiliza- tion, I take this opportunity'to express my appreciation of the invaluable services rendered the nation by this splendid organization. It will always be remembered that the first organizations of the American Army to be sent overseas were Six Red Cross Base Hospitals and at the time of the great Allied offensive, beginning July 18th, 1918, thirty-nine of the forty- five base hospitals on duty in France and England were Red Cross hospitals. Their readiness for service and the patriotic devotion to duty as well as the professional excellence of the personnel of these organizations have made them the chief reliance of the Medical Service of the forces in France while those on duty with the British have rendered equally valuable and appreciated aid to the British army. 98 THE NEW YORK HOSPITAL IN FRANCE It is earnestly recommended that effective measures be taken by you to keep the organization of your Unit intact, and that every effort be made to imbue its future personnel with the fine esprit to be expected in the possessors of the glorious heritage of splendid achievement handed down from The Great War by the original personnel of Base Hospital No. 9. In this connection I desire to invite your attention to the excellent work done by Major C. L. Gibson, M.C, as Director of Base Hospital No. 9 and to ask that you convey to him my sincere appreciation of the value of the service he gave to our country in its time of need. Sincerely, M. S. Ireland, Surgeon General, U. S. Army. The French people in the town showed the hospital every possible courtesy. The military and the civil authorities showed their friendly interest on every occasion. At the Memorial Day exercises held in the American cemetery, the Prefect, the Mayor, the French General, the Monsignor of the Cathedral and the French Protestant minister all took part. On the American holidays the French always helped with the celebrations and the hospital returned the courtesy on French national days. Captain A. Fondrevay, the < liaison officer at the hospital was of great assistance to us and his kindly spirit made him beloved by all. The days in France, although many of them were hard, are still filled with happy memories. We shall never forget the Christmas eves with their carol-singing through the wards nor the Christmas days on which we were made cheerful by giving others happiness. The delightful companionship, the visits to people in Chateauroux, the leaves to the Riviera, Dinard, Aix Ie | Bains (called by the men aches and pains) Pau, and Eaux Bonnes (Pas Bonne). All of the unpleasant * A WARD AT DINNER 100 THE NEW YORK HOSPITAL IN FRANCE things, the petty trials and difficulties are now fading from the memory, and in their place stand out the big things that really counted and made our adventure in France worth while. Yet we shall always remember the members of the organization, who while there, were asked to make the supreme sacrifice. Private Robert D. Lane, after a hard fight for life was taken from us on July 19th, 1918. He was buried in the beautiful American plot in the cemetery at Chateauroux. Every officer, nurse and enlisted man who was not on duty attended the service. He was loved by all. The other member of our Unit was Florence W. Campbell, A.N.C. She was on a leave at Nice when she contracted influenza and died. Her body rests in the French Cemetery situated on a hill overlooking the blue Mediterranean. Her going was a distinct loss to the Unit. "May the souls of the faithful rest in peace. Eternal rest and peace grant unto them, O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon them." The American Cemetery in Chateauroux, which was cared for by the hospital under the direction of the Chaplain, was a very beautiful plot. It was located in the Cimitiere St. Denis which was between Bitray and Chateauroux. Every grave,—and we left 153 men sleeping there,—was marked with a white wooden cross on which was placed the name, rank, organi- zation, date of death and grave number of the man. Each grave was raised and sodded and during the summer months flowers were growing on the top. Men under Sgt. Udell were constantly working over the plot until it was very beautiful with its gravel walks, its well kept graves and many colored flowers. An inspector from the Graves Registration Service A FUNERAL PARADE 102 mj •n&^f^M ^ MEMORIAL DAY SERVICE, MAY, I918 104 THE NEW YORK HOSPITAL IN FRANCE said that it was one of the best kept cemeteries in the A. E. F. The spirit of the men was splendid. They had many discouragements and difficulties, yet through them all they did fine work. After we were in France six months they got together and edited a Unit paper called The Nine Times. This was the first one published in the A. E. F. and received very favorable notices from the newspapers and periodicals in the United States. The men were forced to publish it irregularly because they were all working on hospital details which kept them more than busy. Then, there were difficulties in the printing of the paper at the French shop. However, the staff deserves the highest praise for what they did accomplish. When the campaign was started to secure a fund for the support of the French War Orphans, the men again made a ready and generous response. They gave 2000 francs ($400) which was sufficient to care for four children for one year. Many of the things which they did for patients in the hospital will never be known. They were a splendid crowd of men. The hospital has, as a permanent record, not only the many pictures which were taken by the Unit photog- rapher, Pvt. Henry B. Chiljian, but also a complete set of moving picture films of all the activities of the place . Lt. Col. Hawley took a personal interest in this work and saw that a complete record was made. These films he offered to the New York Hospital, where they are to be kept permanently. It is an interesting and valuable possession. CHAPTER XII. The Red Cross. One of the best friends of the hospital was the American Red Cross. From the day that the Unit landed in France until it was demobilized, the Red Cross was always willing to help and to give for the welfare of the men. No task was too large and no want too small, but that it was immediately cared for by this organization. To show some of the things accomplished let me quote The Nine Times (March 30th, 1918): "We are all accustomed to join in praise of the Red Cross for the important and noble work that is done here in France in succoring war refugees; in reconstructing sections of the country devastated by invasion; and in furnishing the means of providing members of the American Expeditionary Force with comforts and recreational opportunities; but few of us stop to consider the many benefits Base Hospital No. 9 has received, and is now receiving from this organiza- tion. In the first place the Unit owes its very existence to the Red Cross, for under its auspices the former was originally organized and was not taken over by the Government until later on. Consequently, not a small share of the original equipment came from this source, as those who rustled Red Cross beds, boxes and barrels all night at the Bush Terminal Docks, while preparing for departure, have reason to remember. Then as soon 105 I. ? ■!■■■ t» »■■»-. - 10(i THE POOL ROOM, A. R. C. HUT 108 BASE HOSPITAL NO. 9, A. E. F. 109 as we arrived and were just getting settled, more Red Cross supplies, astonishing in variety and amount, started pouring in on us and have done so ever since— ward fittings of all sorts, clothing and tobacco for the patients, surgical supplies and dressings—until Sgt. Sharwell wished that the Q. M. storehouse was pos- sessed of more elastic qualities. "Subsequently, there followed large quantities of books and magazines, not to mention games, some of which, like chess and jig-saw puzzles, are intended for those who have patience and others for those who are patients. We have received almost enough baseball equipment to start a World Series while even in two such diverse things as quoits and bicycles, we have not been neglected. Red Cross comfort kits made our Christmas more enjoyable just as Red Cross seeds, now sprouting, are making our farm more productive. " But as much as all these favors have been enjoyed, perhaps the most appreciated contribution made by the Red Cross to the Unit was the installation of the movies—a whole ward full of chairs, the service of an operator to run the machine and enough films for three shows a week. In fact, everything was furnished for us but the audience, and we had no trouble in supplying that." Until the Red Cross was able to get its building— and they had no end of difficulty with the French labor that could be secured—the recreational activities were held in one of our hospital pavilions. Just about the time that this space was needed for patients the build- ing was completed and their work began in a definite way. Until this time the work had been carried on by the Chaplain along with his other duties. Capt. Douglas Laird, A.R.C., was then sent by the Paris 110 THE NEW YORK HOSPITAL IN FRANCE Office to take care of this work. A staff of workers was sent to help him. The Red Cross Hut as soon as it was completed was a scene of activity every hour of the day and part of the night. The main body of the building was a play- ground by day and a theatre by night. A stage at one end made it possible for a great many entertainments and A. E. F. shows to be given. At the other end was a canteen service—at which everything was given to the patients and the men. Every afternoon some- thing was served—cocoa, apples, cakes, etc., and things were taken to the men who were not able to leave their beds. At this end of the hut there were sleeping quarters for the staff-workers. At the other end and behind the stage there was a large writing room which was supplied with paper, pen and ink; a large reading room and library; a supply room, and the administra- tive office. Capt. Laird was succeeded by Capt. C. A. Arnett who came at a time when the hospital was overcrowded with patients, and the need for the ministrations of the Red Cross was most urgent. He and Mrs. Arnett gave themselves untiringly and everything that could be done was done. The work in the wards was empha- sized and workers were there continually distributing supplies, giving magazines, writing paper and exchang- ing books. They also brought a great many enter- tainments to the wards. At the same time the work went on in the hut in a most wonderful way. It was with a feeling of regret that we all received the news that Capt. Arnett would have to return to the States and take up his work at the University of Mon- tana. Miss Helen Hall, who had been on the staff, took up the duties and handled them in a most capable THE OFFICERS' CLUB THE NURSES' HUT BASE HOSPITAL NO. 9, A. E. F. 113 way. The Red Cross workers and their work "get a high mark." There was another thing that the Red Cross did which meant much to the patients and the people at home. That was the work of Miss Edith Metcalf and Miss Anna Wheeler of the Home Communication Service. They spent their entire day in the wards writing letters for the men who could not write and in doing other works of mercy. They brought much comfort and cheer in everything they did. In the early days of our stay in France, the officers clubbed together and erected a building as a rest and meeting place. After it had been in use for some time the Red Cross bought the building, added some extra comforts and gave it back to the officers for their use. They also erected a building for the nurses and fur- nished it. Miss Helen Joy, a Y. W. C. A. worker, became the hostess. She soon earned for herself a distinct place in the life of the Unit and the Nurses' Hut became the place for all "off duty." Tea was served every afternoon and occasional dances were given here. These three places of recreation furnished by the Red Cross meant everything to the life of the Unit. CHAPTER XIII. The Surgical Dressing Workroom. This work, which was under the direction of Miss Maud Ferguson, was of prime importance to the hospital. It not only gave a great many patients— both bed and walking patients—something to do to fill the long hours, but it also provided most of the surgical dressings used in the work. Every day from 800 to 1,200 yards of gauze was cut. This was sent to patients in the wards who folded it into compresses. All the newspapers around the hospital were sent to the workroom where they formed the basis for Carrel dressing and mattress pads. Here were also made all the straps and slings necessary for the splints. All the plaster bandages were made and all the Carrel tubing was pinched and tied in this room. The dressings used in the operating room and the wards were requisitioned and distributed from here. During the time the hospital was in operation only fifty cases of dressings were secured from the Red Cross. As we had the gauze and the men were anxious to do something, it was greatly to our advan- tage and to the advantage of the Red Cross to have them made here. The following tables from Miss Ferguson's report will give one an idea of the amount of work done and the amount of material used by the hospital during a given period. 114 Cn A WARD AT CHRISTMAS 116 THE NEW YORK HOSPITAL IN FRANCE 1918. MONTH KINDS OF BANDAGES NUMBER MADE May 4x8 Compresses 27,8lO 4x4 26,000 2X2 38,000 Large Carrel Pads 1,380 Small Carrel Pads 572 Mattress Pads 588 Gauze—3 yard roll 210 June 4x8 Compresses 21,400 4x4 22,600 2x2 26,700 Large Carrel Pads 708 Small Carrel Pads 304 Mattress Pads 3J4 Gauze—3 yard roll 461 July 4x8 Compresses 31,000 4x4 35,000 2x2 30,000 Large Carrel Pads 997 Small Carrel Pads 494 Mattress Pads 502 Gauze—3 yard roll 225 August 4x8 Compresses 38,800 4x4 31,000 2x2 71,000 Large Carrel Pads 2,100 Small Carrel Pads 819 Mattress Pads 1,030 Gauze—3 yard roll 570 BASE HOSPITAL NO. 9, A. E. F. 117 MONTH KINDS OF BANDAGES NUMBER MADE September 4x8 Compresses 30,000 << 4x4 27,000 2x2 46,500 Large Carrel Pads 1,646 Small Carrel Pads 920 Mattress Pads 9l8 Gauze—3 yard roll 154 October 4x8 Compresses 38,300 << 4x4 22,000 2x2 59,000 Large Carrel Pads 1,766 Small Carrel Pads 1,127 Mattress Pads 1,230 Gauze—3 yard roll 92 November 4x8 Compresses 52,000 << 4x4 l6,900 2x2 6,300 Large Carrel Pads 2,l6o Small Carrel Pads 1,500 Mattress Pads i>3!5 Gauze—3 yard roll 112 All of this work was done by patients and at no time was there a Unit man assigned to this work-room. THE ADJUTANT S OFFICE CHAPTER XIV. Revelations. From the day that Major Pool taught us to say "Sir, the Major's horse is waiting" until the time when the A. P. O. marked against the name of Base Hospital No. 9—"abandoned" (which Chief Weihrauch said was the truth) there were little intimate things happen- ing which the members of the Unit will truly appreciate. Living the community life which we did, everything was known to everybody (?). The men lived in bar- racks where all things were shared in common; the nurses learned the gossip of the day at bed-check; while the officers gathered at the Zuby Cafe—(not found in Chateauroux) and talked over the current events. For a time Williamson's camouflage held the atten- tion of the entire Unit. He gave as his reason for having it, not that he wanted to impress Tom Davis with his ability in treating malingerers but that it was a great help in psycho-analysis. Then he would refer to Freeman with a proud and that-settles-it gesture. Then came a day when the nurses wanted to give a tea to the enlisted men. In the army, the nurses only said good morning or good evening to the enlisted men. This was simply for the sake of disci- pline—either the discipline of the nurses or the dis- cipline of the men—nobody knows which. Anyway, the nurses who had always obeyed every order, as 119 120 THE NEW YORK HOSPITAL IN FRANCE they saw fit, asked special permission of the Command- ing Officer to allow them to show at least their in- terest in the men. After much heart searching he gave his consent but added, "only the old and homely nurses may receive at the tea"—and so the tea was held and the following nurses served.----------------- But that really isn't necessary to the story. One night while the Unit was still at Savenay and the officers were living in a dormitory, this interesting thing happened. There were numerous snorers of all grades and shades sleeping in that room. Shine, who had been on some military duty in the village, came in late. He went to bed but couldn't sleep with such an artillery barrage sounding in his ears. Suddenly he remembered seeing a room with a bed in it in one of the other buildings. So wrapping his bed clothes around him, he crept softly through the corridor, climbed the steps, opened the door and entered the room, closing the door behind him. Suddenly a shriek shook the air and a female voice shouted, "A man! a man is in my room!" Shine got away before the guard came to rescue the lady. General Pershing visited the hospital one morning. He came in a most informal way and at a most awk- ward time for an inspection. Other inspecting officers usually wrote a letter or sent a telegram saying that they were coming, but General Pershing just walked or rather drove right in. And it was Monday, too, a day on which nobody expects callers. The guard recog- nized him, forgot to salute and blurted out, "Wait a minute. I'll get the Commanding Officer." Strains of music were heard coming from the administration building so the C. O. was easily located. Then the fun began. Word was sent around to have the guard 122 BASE HOSPITAL NO. 9, A. E. F. 123 mounted so at least the General could be given a military good-bye. Soon the kitchen building wa reached. Sgt. Udell was in charge at that time. Some- body called out "Attention." The cooks all "came to," but seeing these officers going around decided they could go on with their work. Just at this time the General came to the Sergeant and asked him a technical question about rations. The sergeant, remembering "the big book," wriggled out of attention, picked up a broom, leaned against it and began, "You see----." But that is as far as he got. The General lined the kitchen force up and gave them a lecture on military etiquette. And the dinner burned. By the time "Himself" got to the gate, the guard was there. And what a looking guard it was! Some had on boots, some leather puttees, some woolen leg- gins, some overcoats, some blouses, some shirts without a tie, some hats, and some without hats. As the General passed, someone shouted "Eyes right" and every man stood with "mouth open." They too were given a short lecture which gave Bugler Daggett and several others an opportunity to get a picture of the Big Chief. Yet we really were a very military outfit. Busby went to a card party in the Nurses' Quarters and had a terrible time with his wrapped Ieggin. Schrock too had a party and wore his new overseas cap. He was proud of it and kept putting it on and saying, "See my new cap. See my bare knees!" Chap- man and Hawley had a party at the Hotel de France. Some soldiers became unruly and disorderly. As these officers had left their Articles of War at the hospital they were at a loss as to how to act. Chappie suggested that they go home and get the book. They walked two miles to the Post and "the book" could not be 124 THE NEW YORK HOSPITAL IN FRANCE found, so they asked the C. O. the method of procedure. They learned, and so did all the other officers. Erskine was adjutant for a time and one of his duties was the disciplining of the nurses. It happened that the nurses had bicycles and found that the uniform hat was a great hindrance when riding. The result was that headgear of various styles and shades of color were being worn. Orders were that nurses must be in uniform when they left the Post. A meeting was held and the nurses' objection seemed reasonable to the adjutant. But what was he to do? He knew that he couldn't design a hat and he also knew the general order on uniforms. This happy idea came to him, "I'll appoint a committee of the whole and they will design a model which will be submitted to me, and this model must be worn by all who leave the Post." Now can you imagine one-hundred-and-fifty women planning a hat that would please everybody? Hence- forth, Erskine was known as the Millinery Adjutant. This same Adjutant was hurriedly called to the office of the Chief Nurse one afternoon and the follow- ing conversation took place. C. N. Major, I was at the officers' ward and what do you suppose I saw?" Adj. I don't know. C. N. Well, one of the nurses who is not on duty there was in one of the rooms where there are sick officers and she was sitting on one of the beds. Adj. Haven't we chairs in the officers' ward? C. N. But that is not the serious part. As I looked in, I saw his arm around her waist. Adj. Are you sure? C. N. Yes, I am. Now what do you think I had better tell her? BASE HOSPITAL NO. 9, A. E. F. 125 Adj. Tell her to be more careful next time. And I would suggest to her that she see that the door is closed—hereafter. The men of the Unit were all anxious to get in the line. They had joined the hospital corps because it was going to France early in the game and they be- lieved that when they were over there a transfer could easily be effected. But the powers ruled otherwise and it was almost impossible to transfer. Some ser- geants asked to be reduced to the ranks, thinking in that way they could more easily get to the infantry. Ninety-five out of every hundred men asked for a transfer to other branches of the service. When all hope was shattered, two of the men decided that they would go A. W. O. L. and make for the line. They made the fatal mistake of going by way of Paris where they were captured by the M. P. After spending a week there under the direction of the police, they were glad to return to the Post. However, these men—as were many others—were sincere in their desire to get into combat service. It was too bad that some ar- rangement could not have been made to give them an opportunity for the service which they desired. One day one of the nurses saw two children playing in back of the nurses' quarters. They were very dirty and their clothing was soiled and worn. Near them was a man digging a ditch. The nurse's heart went out to the children. She had some things in her trunk brought over for French children and this was her first opportunity of placing them where they were needed. So she got the children, took them to her room, gave them a bath and put on them the new clothes. Then she took them out to the man who was digging. As her control of French was limited she thought that 126 THE NEW YORK HOSPITAL IN FRANCE perhaps he would understand her English if she made enough signs. So she began: "I gave the children a bath—un bain—les enfants." Looking up, he simply nodded and smiled. Then pointing to the clothes she said, "I gave—for them—you keep." The man looked puzzled and distressed so she thought that he was insulted. "Pardon," said she, "I hope your wife won't mind." The man, realizing the situation, began to laugh and breaking all military rules replied, "No, she won't mind. She is in America. I am a member of the Unit." The nurse fled. One night Boiling was Officer of the Day. Sinuk, the tailor, was walking the post in the rear of the hospi- tal. Just to be sure that Sinuk was not counting the money that he took in during the day at his shop, he rambled down that way. This is what took place. Sinuk. Halt, who goes there. Bolling. Officer of the Day. Sinuk. Advance and be recognized. (Bolling ad- vances.) As he draws near Sinuk remarks—I wasn't afraid. I knew who you was all the time. I'll have your suit ready to-morrow morning. One day Kent, who was then Detachment Com- mander, held a meeting of the men to get their point of view and to have them state their grievances. When he had finished his talk and explanation of affairs, he asked if there were any questions they wanted to ask. Here are a few of them: Walker. Will the rations vary at all? Tiny. Capt. Kent, which would you prefer for breakfast, beans or hash? Viola. I ask free shaves. Fiegenbutz. The cake is bad. Wagner. We should have free tobacco. I.'7 128 THE NEW YORK HOSPITAL IN FRANCE Braumiller. K. P. is a rotten job. » Greene. Why can't the engineers work in the kitchen? Weinzimmer. Is this an organization of the Boy Scouts? One day Dineen thought that he could ride a motor cycle. Corporal Gelhaus had taught him how to start the machine and as Dinny in days past had ridden a bicycle he naturally inferred that all would go well. Well it did go well. The farther it went, the better it got, until it far exceeded the French speed limit. Di- rectly in the path of the glorious rider was a curve. All eyes were turned on Dinny and they were many. To show his calmness and his excellent technique, he threw off the gas and put on the brake and went flying into the Registrars' office. Zulauf and his force were there to receive him—for it had been told around the Post that the adjutant would be a likely patient. How- ever, there were no bones broken but Eliesku had to wash a khaki suit and a motor cycle was sent to salvage. The following conversation was heard in the corridor one day: "I understand that Hoist was admitted to Erskine's ward this morning." " Yes, so I understand. It is too much of 'Hoist, take a memorandum' (Hoist was secretary for the C. O.) I don't know but I hear this,—his ear is discharging faster than Kent is dis- charging patients in Ward X." After Col. Tasker was relieved of the command, Cussler likened the C. O.'s office to a pawn-broker's sign. Whenever one went to the office there were three heads together, solving and unsolving the affairs of state. Hawley, Busby and Zulauf ran the show and ran it well. It was during this regime that the motto 129 130 THE NEW YORK HOSPITAL IN FRANCE of the Unit became "Play the big game." Hawley is the only C. O. on record who missed three Generals in one day. One day one of the officers was walking down the corridor and an enlisted man came along, looked him squarely in the eye and passed on. This officer thought to himself that discipline was getting very lax when this thing would happen. So he called the man back and asked him if he knew who he was. The man said, "Yes, an officer." "Why don't you salute an officer then when you recognize him?" asked the officer. The man said, "Because I am above you and you should bow the knee to me." This was too much for the officer who called the guard and had the man put in the guard-house. A few minutes later, Williamson went to his ward and found one of his patients who believed himself to be the Holy Ghost missing. He soon learned that Major B. had put the Holy Ghost in the guard-house. This officer never asked another man why he didn't salute. Sometimes the officers would give dances that were termed "functions." On the day of these functions, at officers' call the following talk would be given: "I hope that the officers will remember to-night that they are to be hosts and must act accordingly. I notice that at most of our dances, officers dance with the same nurse time and time again. This should not be and I hope that to-night you will dance one dance with each nurse and no more. Moreover, I want every officer to dance with----." Then evening would come. The orchestra would be playing and everybody would be having a good time. The speaker would enter dressed in spurs. A pink sweater would attract his attention and he would see no one else in the room BASE HOSPITAL NO. 9, A. E. F. 131 all evening. Which only goes to prove that it is easy to give orders. Boiling said that we surely had the social evil in the hospital. He named them, and all agreed that the amount of their conversation was truly a social evil. One night the nurses were invited to a dance at Issoudun—the large American aviation centre in France. The nurses went to no end of trouble to get ready and to be ready when the time came to go. There were three bus loads and one was in charge of Stillman. His was the last car to start and it went in the general direction of Issoudun. But it never arrived. Just where they were, nobody knows, but they came back at four o'clock in the morning covered with dirt and dust. Stillman was not popular with several members of the nursing staff for days. This same officer dis- tinguished himself at a banquet by a most scientific and illuminating speech on the subject of leucocytes. One day between Christmas and New Year's (1918) a notice was posted on the bulletin board that all men must be in their barracks at 9.15 that evening. No reason was given, but the rumor was started that some kind friend of the New York Hospital had sent every man of the Unit, #60 as a Christmas gift. One man was so sure of this that he bet his next pay day allowance. Needless to say every man was in quarters ready to cheer when the announcement would be made. Imagine the surprise and the unanimous groan when the officers appeared and announced, "Get undressed. We will have a medical inspection." Before closing the chapter I would like to record some of the sentimental doings of the Unit. In this respect history is still being written. Yet much love 132 THE NEW YORK HOSPITAL IN FRANCE and romance of the days in France will never be wntte n by me. However the following were married. Capt. William Kellogg .... M.C. U.S.A. Miss Kathleen Kennedy . . A.N.C. U.S.A. Lt. Clay Ray Murray .... M.C. U.S.A. Miss Mary Savage Hamilton . A.N.C. U.S.A. Major James P. Erskine .... M.C. U.S.A. Miss Mary Evans.....A.N.C. U.S.A. Capt. Addison Bissell.....M.C. U.S.A. Miss Genevieve Cook . . . A.N.C. U.S.A. Corporal Charles Corlett . . . M.C. U.S.A. Miss Cecile Dubucnoy .... Pvt. Henry B. Chiljian .... M.C. U.S.A. Mlle. Victorine Alexandrine Agorges Cpl. Harold B. Hall . Mlle. Marguerite Fadeau M.C. U.S.A. Since our return to the States, Captain Richard Ste- phens, M.C. U.S.A., and Miss Ella Mary Krans, A.N.C, were married in the Cathedral of St. John the Divine. Lt. John Bertram Watson and Miss Laura Arnold were married in Calvary Church by the Chaplain. Lt. Col. Burton J. Lee and Miss Louise Freeman were married in the Cathedral of St. John the Divine by Bishop Burch. The engagement of Lt. Edward Duff, E.C. U.S.A., to Miss Maude A. Towle, A.N.C, has been announced. Other engagements will soon be made known which only goes to prove that all is fair in war and----. BASE HOSPITAL NO. 9, A. E. F. 133 The following figures, which speak for themselves, will be a revelation to many members of the Unit. For instance: We used the following amount of food in one day. 900 pounds of meat 100 dozen of eggs 1500 pounds of potatoes 1500 pounds of bread 350 liters of fresh milk 100 pounds of coffee 450 pounds of sugar There were 15 cooks, 90 enlisted men and 25 French women working in the kitchen. The chief cook was a graduate of Columbia University and practised archi- tecture before joining the army. The chief of light diets was a fashion designer in civil life. Another cook was a dancer seen on the Broadway stage just a few weeks before the Unit sailed. Another was a travelling salesman for a tobacco house, while another ran an elevator in the Metropolitan building. With the dish-washer purchased by the New York Hospital enough dishes could be washed for 800 people every 30 minutes. The ice-machine produced 2000 pounds of ice every 24 hours. The bakery could turn out enough cake, pies and cookies in sufficient quantity to feed 2000 people every day. A day's work would be 2500 doughnuts, 100 cakes and 450 pies. 134 THE NEW YORK HOSPITAL IN FRANCE The Christmas Dinner (1918) consisted of the following: 165 turkeys—weight 2200 pounds 1500 pounds of potatoes 600 pounds of carrots 144 cans of peas 354 mince pies 25 pounds of nuts 120 cans of cheese 100 pounds of coffee Added to this was bread, and the bread used in making the dressing. 1800 ton miles was the amount of trucking in a month necessary to feed the hospital. A marine boiler was installed to run the kitchen. The steam was transmitted to the coffee urn to boil the coffee. It ran the dish-washing machine and heated the water for the sinks. The C O. ran the mess for a time. While watching the potatoes boil he would dictate a memorandum to his stenographer for Lt. Dugdale concerning the proper temperature of the water in which sheets were washed. This same C O. after being in the kitchen for three days gave the mess sergeant a vacation for two weeks. Yes, the job was a hard one. THE HOSPITAL FROM AN AEROPLANE THE LABORATORY CHAPTER XV. The Enlargement of the Hospital. When the Americans became active on the line and a large number of wounded were pouring into all the hospitals, word came that our plant would have to be enlarged. At that time we had 34 buildings of brick and stucco and 34 barracks of service de sante and adrian type. These were filled to overcrowding with patients. Immediately, authority was granted to requisition buildings in the town, and the Engineering Corps ordered to construct a convalescent camp of 1000 bed capacity. This was completed shortly after the sign- ing of the Armistice but was never used. The Ecole Normale, which we called Annex No. 1, was equipped and 200 patients sent there. Also the Barracks St. Christophe (Annex No. 2) holding 400 patients was taken over. Other buildings were requisitioned but the signing of the Armistice made it unnecessary for us to use them. We had an agreement with the French Govern- ment, that should they need hospital space we would take care of 200 wounded. During the summer of 1918 hospital space was needed and we took their full quota, most of the cases being seriously wounded. Because of the excellent way in which the patients were treated, Major Richard Boiling, ist Lieut. Paul A. Dineen, Miss Mary Krans, Miss Lulu Ryan and 137 13S THE NEW YORK HOSPITAL IN FRANCE Sgt. Allen B. Tint were decorated with the "Medaille des Epidemies." Another member of the original Unit, Lt. Col. B. J. Lee, who became Consulting Sur- geon of the 2nd Division, was decorated with the Dis- tinguished Service Medal and the Croix de Guerre for efficient administrative work during the Chateau- Thierry drive. Sgt. William Atkinson was decorated by the French Government for the excellent work done on the hospital farm. On December 31st, 1918, word was received that our organization was to be replaced and that we were to go home. This proved to be true in a measure, for on January 4th, 1919, Base Hospital 63 under the command of Col. Charles Wilcox came to take over the work. On January 14th, the patients numbering 559, the property of the hospital, and the funds were turned over to their care. At that time our personnel was listed at 46 officers, 86 nurses, 3 American civilians, 17 reconstruction aides, 268 enlisted men and 40 French civilians. With- in a few days, word was received from the Chief Surgeon to transfer all who had not been in France one year to Base Hospital 63. This cut our roll to 21 officers, 43 nurses and 130 enlisted men. Lt. Col. Hawley was ordered back to the States for duty and the Command came to Major James P. Erskine who brought the Unit home. A CLASS IN THE WORKROOM CHAPTER XVI. The Last Days. These last days were the hardest days in France. We had finished our work, others had taken our places, we were wearing three service stripes, and we wanted to go home. Day by day we watched the mails for orders but they didn't come. We visited Paris, the line, and the Pyrenees. Our men went back to guard duty (after a few months in France only six men had been on guard, but the C O. of Base Hospital 63 felt that he needed at least 50) and did other duties around the Post. The nurses went back to the wards and the officers did all kinds of "military tictacs." On January 25th we went on the priority sailing list in the Chief Surgeon's office at Tours and on February 10th we were dismissed from duty in the A. E. F. And still we waited and with Chief Weirauch said, "Je suis tres fache." But on March 4th our orders came and this is how they read: Base Hospital No. 9—American E. F. France. March 4th, 1919. SPECIAL ORDERS NO. ^^ EXTRACT. Par. 5. In compliance with telegraphic instruc- tions from Troop Movement Bureau, Hdqrs. SOS 140 BASE HOSPITAL NO. 9, A. E. F. 141 Dated March 3d, 1919, the following named officers and 130 enlisted men will proceed from this station to Nantes, France, for return to the United States: Major James P. Erskine M.C. U.S.A Major Francis W. Shine M.C. U.S.A Major Louis B. Chapman M.C U.S.A Capt. G. Walter Zulauf M.C. U.S.A Capt. H. V. Weihrauch . M.C. U.S.A Capt. F. S. Echeverria M.C. U.S.A Capt. R. Stephens M.C. U.S.A Capt. R. C Blood M.C. U.S.A Capt. F. E. Adair M.C. U.S.A ist Lt. P. A. Dineen . M.C. U.S.A ist Lt. A. H. Dugdale M.C U.S.A ist Lt. G. L. Rudasill M.C. U.S.A ist Lt. M. H. Todd . M.C. U.S.A ist Lt. J. B. Watson . D.C U.S.A ist Lt. R. S. Brown . Chaplain ist Lt. John Lane San. Cps. ist Lt. R. T. Brogelmann San. Cps. ist Lt. R. G. Carothers M.C. U.S.A 2nd Lt. R. R. Hall . Q.M.C. U.S.A 2nd Lt. W. G. Sharwell San. Cps. U.S.A The travel directed is necessary in the military service. By order of Major Erskine. R. T. Brogelmann, 1 st Lt. San. Cps. U. S. A. Adjutant. The nurses went at the same time, but their order read to La Boule. Now we thought that we were 142 THE NEW YORK HOSPITAL IN FRANCE going home,—but not so. That evening the tram arrived at Nantes where our Billeting Officer, Capt. Johnson, told us that the nurses would go on to La Boule and that the officers and enlisted men would go out into the country to a place called Vallet where perhaps they would remain six weeks. Our hearts sank. But orders were orders. The nurses went on under the care of Major Boiling and on the following Satur- day, March 8th, they went to Brest and sailed for home on March 16th aboard the Leviathan. Their trip home was a pleasant one. Two of the nurses lost their suit cases by having them too near the railroad track and one of the number (Miss Jean McKay) had several ribs broken while boarding the train at Quimper. The men went on to Vallet and the officers followed. Vallet is a picturesque town surrounded by wonderful rolling hills and grape vineyards. There is a public square (which is really the town) on one corner of which was a cathedral-like church, with a clock that struck every fifteen minutes of the day and night. We were billeted around the place and for the greater part of our stay had as our companions Base Hospital 19 (The Rochester Hospital Unit). This made twice as many Americans as French in the place. We were told that before we could leave there, we would have to prove that we were good children and at the same time pass an inspection on infantry drill and equipment. We had been provided with equip- ment at Chateauroux so that part was easy, but there had been no drill formations since the days at Govern- or's Island. We had been a war and not a peace- time organization. But the men drilled in the morn- ing, they drilled in the afternoon, they drilled rainy days and they drilled sunny days. They worked hard, > ps u o w X 3 o z H en W u w PS Pi w 5 o 143 144 THE NEW YORK HOSPITAL IN FRANCE showed a fine spirit and were rewarded with a high mark by the inspecting officer. And then we waited to go home. Other organizations with less service went through Nantes and aboard ship. And still we waited. And still it rained. And we were a happy bunch! Then on the fifth of April all the officers but six were detached and sent to Brest and went home the following week on the George Washington. Those of us who were left settled back for another month at Vallet, but on Wednesday evening, April 9th, a Medical Officer came out from Nantes and gave us our exami- nation. Our orders came a few hours later and on Friday, April nth, we went to St. Nazaire. The work of those in charge of the Camp at St. Nazaire should be told. The work was done under a well regulated system, orders were carried out promptly, and everything moved like clock work. The comfort of all who should pass through there seemed to be of the first importance. That evening we went to Camp II where the next morning we had our medical examination, our passenger list checked and our orders made out. On Sunday, April 13th, we marched to Camp I, where the men's clothing was put through the sterilizer and some new equipment furnished. The men were paid here. That afternoon General Pershing inspected the Unit in com- pany with others who were to go aboard ship. The next day we went aboard ship under the following order: BASE HOSPITAL NO. 9, A. E. F. 145 SERVICES OF SUPPLY HEADQUARTERS EMBARKATION CAMP BASE SECTION NO. i. ST. NAZAIRE, FRANCE. 13 April, 1919. SPECIAL ORDERS. NO. IO3. EXTRACT. Par. 22. The following named Hospital Units with strength in officers and enlisted men approximately as indicated, having reported to these Headquarters for return to the United States in compliance with Para- graph 6, Special orders No. 100, Headquarters United States Troops, Nantes, dated April 7, 1919, will proceed at once on board the U. S. S. Princess Matoika, to the United States, reporting on arrival at the Port of Debarkation to the Commanding General thereof for instructions: OFFICERS MEN Base Hospital No. 1 Base Hospital No. 9 Base Hospital No. 52 Base Hospital No. 58 Base Hospital No. 67 Base Hospital No. 68 Evacuation Hospital No Evacuation Hospital No Evacuation Hospital No Compliance with this order, after arrival in the United States, is subject to such delays as may be imposed by the authorities at the Port of Debarkation 7 156 6 130 4 156 4 150 5 191 4 195 4 195 4 159 2 148 146 THE NEW YORK HOSPITAL IN FRANCE in accordance with orders from the War Department relative to debarkation, quarantine and demobilization. The Quartermaster Corps will furnish the necessary transportation and subsistence enroute. The journey is necessary for the public service. By order of Colonel Parsons: C T. Stahle, Major, C.A.C. Administrative Adjutant. We remained in Port two days because of a storm that was raging in the Bay of Biscay, but on Wednes- day, April 16th at 3.10 a.m. we left the pier and were homeward bound. The voyage was a pleasant one. All of the troops wanted to land in New York, but the Captain received orders to proceed to Newport News, Va. We landed there on Sunday morning, April 27th and went at once to Camp Hill. Here the men were given another medical exami- nation and their clothing was again sterilized. We stayed here until Saturday night when we were put aboard the Steamer Jamestown and sailed for New York. We were all glad of the opportunity of at least coming into New York Harbor. The next morning we went to Long Island City and then by train to Camp Upton. Here the organization waited until the 77th Division had been demobilized and on May 15th, 1919, every man was given an honorable discharge. Since our return to the States an organization of the American Legion known as the New York Hospital Post has been formed. In this way, the fellowship and comradeship which meant so much to all during the days in France will be preserved. 147 AN APPENDIX. This part of the book will show: Number of Admissions and Dismissals The Curve of Patients in the Hospital The Number of Operations List of Cases Treated at the Hospital Summary of Post Farm Products The Hospital Fund Statement A Few Hospital Orders The Laboratory Report 148 SOME INTERESTING STATISTICS. 1. Admissions and Dismissals. BASE HOSPITAL NO. 9--ADMISSIONS AND DISMISSALS HOSPITAL 1917 ADMISSIONS DISMISSALS AVERAGE DAYS. AugUSt 2 2 September 13 4 3 I04 October 42 16 16 498 November 189 66 92 2,763 December 280 211 178 5,534 1918 January 585 392 383 11.875 February 306 370 400 11,207 March 751 359 363 11.247 April 1,205 1,045 689 20,669 May 610 780 824 25,543 June 1,251 928 1,008 30,226 July i,974 L332 1,212 37,603 August 1,254 1,782 i,595 49,459 September 1,640 1,376 1,336 40,096 October 2,618 2,132 1,950 60,450 November 1,584 2,098 1,813 54,384 December 791 904 1,386 42,978 1919 January 1-13 124 863 678 8,817 15,219 14,660 To B. H. No. 63 559 15,219 Total deaths.................... *54 Dead on admission............... 21 Death rate................ 133 0.87% 149 THE CURVE OF PATIENTS IN THE HOSPITAL (see opposite page) BASE HOSPITAL NO. 9, A. [E. F. 151 2. The Curve of Patients in the Hospital. This is of unusual interest as it indicates rather clearly the prominent engagements in which the Ameri- cans took part. One can see that the curve rises shortly after the beginning of the Allied Offensive (July 14th, 1918) also after the St. Mihiel and Argonne drives. It falls very rapidly after the signing of the armistice. (See chart on opposite page.) 3. The Number of Operations. EYE, EAR, 1917 TOTAL GEN. SURG. ORTH. NOSE & THROAT September 3 3 0 0 October 5 4 I 0 November 31 29 0 2 December 51 38 3 10 January 71 52 5 14 February 76 65 7 4 March 69 37 8 24 April 137 80 48 9 May 157 93 60 4 June 177 104 65 8 July 211 126 78 7 August 277 187 84 6 September 190 105 73 12 October 278 191 67 20 November 275 172 81 22 December IO5 65 37 3 January 1-7 l6 10 6 623 0 2,129 1,361 U5 4. List of Cases Treated at the Hospital. Completed cases—Base Hospital No. 9, September, 1917, January, 1919. 152 THE NEW YORK HOSPITAL IN FRANCE Section I. INFECTIOUS AND EPIDEMIC DISEASES (TUBERCULOSIS AND VENEREAL DISEASES EXCEPTED). Chicken Pox Diphtheria German measles Influenza convalescent from Jaundice, acute infectious Malaria Measles Meningitis, meningococcus Meningitis carrier Mumps Purulent infection and septicemia Erysipelas Septicemia Rheumatic fever, acute articular rheumatism muscular rheumatism Scarlet fever convalescent from Tetanus Trachoma Trench fever Typhoid fever convalescent from Section II. TUBERCULOSIS. Bones and joints, tuberculosis of (including Pott's Disease) Larynx, tuberculosis of 1,041 60 U3 105 53 53 6 1 28 58 1,101 2 7 58 21 I 332 I 4 5 271 59 5 5 4 BASE HOSPITAL NO. 9, A. E. F. Pulmonary, acute, miliary tuberculosis chronic, incipient moderately advanced far advanced under observation Other organs, tuberculosis of Lymphadenitis, tuberculous Peritoneum Testicle Tongue Section III. VENEREAL DISEASES. Gonococcus infection gonorrheal arthritis gonorrheal diseases of the eye gonorrheal epididymitis gonorrheal lymphadenitis gonorrheal stricture gonorrheal urethritis other effects of gonorrheal infection bubo i rheumatism 2 phimosis 2 perineal abscess I prostatitis 10 seminal vesiculitis 2 ureteral stricture I orchitis 7 papilloma I paraphimosis I 154 THE NEW YORK HOSPITAL IN FRANCE Chancroid chancroids multiple 40 chancroidal lymphadenitis 7 chancroidal paraphimosis 2 chancroidal phimosis 3 52 Syphilis hereditary 2 primary 47 secondary 5i tertiary 84 stage undetermined 2 under observation 5 other effects of syphilis laryngitis i lues i neurosyphilis ] syphilophobia iritis ] scotoma [ 6 197 Section IV. GENERAL DISEASES ■ Addison's Disease 2 Alcoholism, acute 6 chronic 2 8 Anemia, primary, pernicious 1 secondary 1 2 Diabetes mellitus 3 Goiter, exophthalmic 17 Gout 2 Leukemia, myelocytic 1 Obesity 1 Purpura hemorrhagica 1 BASE HOSPITAL, NO. 9, A. E. F. Toxic results of preventive therapy paratyphoid vaccine i arsenic i Tumors hp 2 stomach 2 esophagus 1 brain 2 tongue 1 leg 2 rib 1 location not given 6 Section V. NERVOUS DISEASES. Abscess of the brain 1 Chorea 3 Epilepsy (under observation) 36 Hemorrhage of the brain (non-traumatic) 2 Meningitis (other than tuberculous and meningococcus) 7 Migraine 3 Neuralgia 5 Neuritis, simple ^6 multiple 3 eg Paralysis nerves brachial plexus 1 facial nerve 6 sciatic 2 ulnar 14 musculospiral 10 median 10 156 THE NEW YORK HOSPITAL IN FRANCE Paralysis (continued) nerves (continued) thoracic I popliteal-external 5 musculo-cutaneous 2 crural 1 52 muscles agitans atypical 1 pharyngeal muscles 2 anterior tibial muscles 1 muscles of leg 5 muscles of arm 1 muscles of abdominal wall 2 muscles of shoulders 2 pectoralis major 1 15 paraplegia — 1 68 Tabes dorsalis 1 Other diseases of the nervous system syncope 1 hiccough 1 angioneurosis 1 lesion of the spinal cord 2 injury to nerves—result of GSW ulnar 50 median 48 popliteal 14 radial 11 brachial plexus 5 saphenous 2 anterior tibial 3 crural 2 cranial 1 perineal 6 sciatic BASE HOSPITAL NO. 9, A. E. F. 157 Other diseases of the nervous system (continued) injury to nerves—result of GSW (continued) thoracic I hypoglossal I glossopharyngeal I musculo-spiral 35 189 194 Section VI. MENTAL DISEASES AND EFFECTS. Constitutional psychopathic state 4 Dementia prsecox 4 General paralysis of the insane 2 Melancholia, involutional 3 Mental deficiency 36 Paranoia, and paranoiac conditions 1 Psychoneuroses hysteria 28 neurasthenia 453 psychasthenia 4 other forms 3 488 Psychosis epileptic 5 manic depressive 5 traumatic 1 11 Other mental diseases and defects under observation. 56 56 158 THE NEW YORK HOSPITAL IN FRANCE Section VII. DISEASES OF THEEYE. Amblyopia 5 Astigmatism 65 Blepharitis 13 Cataract 6 Chalazion 8 Choroiditis, suppurative 1 Conjunctivitis (except trachoma) 154 Dacryocystitis 6 Glaucoma 2 Hordeolum (Stye) 1 Hypermetropia 32 Iritis 16 Keratitis 13 Myopia 11 Optic atrophy 5 Presbyopia 1 Pterygium 11 Retinitis 8 Rupture choroid 3 conjunctiva i iris i 5 Other diseases of the eye ulcer of cornea 6 strabismus 9 corneal opacity i detachment of retina i papillitis i enucleation of eyeball 2 foreign body in the eye 4 subconjunctival hemorrhage 5 miscellaneous diseases 17 46 BASE HOSPITAL NO. 9, A. E. F Section VIII. DISEASES OF THE EAR. Mastoiditis Otitis externa Otitis media Other diseases of the ear paracentesis rupture of membrana tympani impacted cerumen miscellaneous Section IX. DISEASES OF THE NOSE. Adenoids Deviation of nasal septum Polypus, nasal Rhinitis acute atrophic hypertrophic Sinus, empyema Sinusitis Other diseases of the nasal fossae epistaxis abscess of nasal septum miscellaneous 160 THE NEW YORK HOSPITAL IN FRANCE Section X. DISEASES OF THE THROAT. Abscess peritonsillar retropharyngeal Hypertrophied tonsils Laryngitis (except tuberculous and syphilitic) Pharyngitis Tonsillitis 23 1 24 47 137 75 231 Section XI. CIRCULATORY SYSTEM. Diseases of the heart Angina pectoris cardiac hypertrophy 1 5 disordered heart action tachycardia bradycardia 14 1 15 effort syndrome endocarditis, acute myocarditis, acute chronic 15 3 5 286 15 8 pericarditis valvular heart disease 4 88 other diseases of the heart aortic insufficiency rupture of heart miscellaneous 2 1 2 5 427 BASE HOSPITAL NO. 9, A. E. 161 Diseases of the blood vessels aneurysm anteriosclerosis hemorrhoids phlebitis thrombosis varicose ulcer 2 2 152 16 1 2 varicose veins varicocele other diseases of the blood vessels 4i 75 1 292 Diseases of the lymphatic system lymphadenitis 25 lymphangitis 2 27 Miscellaneous diseases of the circulatory system hemorrhage 4 surgical shock 0 4 Section XII. RESPIRATORY SYSTEM. Asthma 37 Bronchitis 587 Bronchiectasis 1 Broncho-pneumonia 135 convalescent from 31 166 Emphysema 11 Hay Fever 1 Hemoptysis 2 Lobar pneumonia 141 convalescent from 34 175 162 THE NEW YORK HOSPITAL IN FRANCE Pleurisy empyema empyema, convalescent from 34 12 empyema, thoracic hemothorax pleurisy, sero-fibrinous fibrinous 131 47 1 2 178 pleuritic adhesions pneumothorax 9 3 239 seases of the respiratory system 7 Section XIII. DIGESTIVE SYSTEM. Diseases of the mouth abscess, alveolar 15 gingivitis glossitis stomatitis pyorrhea alveolaris other diseases of the mouth dental treatment 1 2 1 25 176 220 Diseases of the esophagus Diseases of the stomach (cancer excepted) gastritis hyperchlorhydria other diseases of the stomach abscess of the stomach 1 2 48 11 gastroptosis gastro-enteroptosis gastric indigestion miscellaneous 2 1 4 9 17 76 BASE HOSPITAL NO. 9, A. E. F. Diseases of the intestines abscess, retrocecal appendicitis, catarrhal suppurative convalescent-appendec- tomy 141 11 49 ulcer of duodenum or jejunum 33 gastro-duodenitis 1 other diseases of the intestines intestinal indigestion intestinal fermentation intestinal poisoning erythema, toxic-intestinal intestinal adhesions intestinal colic miscellaneous Diseases of the anus abscess, periproctitic fissure of the anus fistula in ano 201 colitis 12 coloptosis 1 constipation 23 diarrhea 41 enteritis 80 entero-colitis in gastro-enteritis 94 hernia 285 conval.—herniotomy 62 347 intestinal obstruction 4 intestinal parasites ankylostoma 1 trichinella spiralis 1 other intestinal parasites 1 3 34 21 1 2 13 164 THE NEW YORK! HOSPITAL IN FRANCE Diseases of the anus (continued) other diseases of the anus fecal abscess 2 ischio-rectal abscess 10 peri-rectal abscess 2 rectal abscess 2 prolapse of rectum 1 pruritus ani 2 Diseases of the liver and gall bladder cholelithiasis 2 cholecystitis 5 cirrhosis of the liver 2 jaundice, acute catarrhal 16 other disease of the liver and gall bladder 7 Diseases of the spleen Peritonitis 2 adhesions of the peritoneum 14 35 32 1 16 Section XIV. GENITO-URINARY (NON-VENEREAL). Diseases of the Kidneys and Annexa hematuria nephritis, albuminuria 1 acute 14 interstitial, chronic 5 parenchymatous, chronic 16 pyelitis pyelonephritis pyonephritis 36 3 2 1 BASE HOSPITAL NO. 9, A. E. F. 165 Diseases of the Kidneys and Annexa (continued) other diseases of the kidneys polycystic kidneys i renal calculi 2 nephrolithiasis 3 glycosuria 3 polyuria i calculi of the urinary passages nephrolithiasis ureteral calculus 2 I 10 diseases of the bladder cystitis fistula T other diseases of the bladder 18 26 diseases of the urethra, urinary abscess, etc. stricture 9 urethritis 5 other diseases of the urethra 2 16 diseases of the prostate hypertrophied prostate prostatitis 9 non-venereal diseases of the geni- tal organs epididymitis 8 hydrocele 23 orchitis 88 phimosis 4° other non-venereal diseases of the genital organs 15 l%° Total cases genito-urinary, non-venereal 288 166 THE NEW YORK HOSPITAL IN FRANCE Section XV. Acne Chilblain Dermatitis SKIN. internal cause external cause, gas self-inflicted others 0 0 5 3 5 3 2 8 Eczema Gangrene, venous obstruction Raynaud's disease 3 2 14 5 Herpes Herpes zoster Pediculosis capitis 3 2 2 corporis 10 13 Pityriasis Psoriasis Pyodermia , abscess carbuncle furunculosis impetigo paronychia ulcer (other than tuberculous or syphilitic) general 84 6 33 7 2 14 36 2 16 miscellaneous dermoid cyst lipoma sebaceous cyst pilonidal cyst i i i 2 5 187 BASE HOSPITAL NO. 9, A. E. F. 167 Ringworm c Scabies 101 Seborrhea I Trichophytosis I Urticaria 8 Other diseases of the skin 133 cellulitis IOO callosities 18 infected blisters 10 miscellaneous 5 Section XVI. BONES AND ORGANS OF LOCOMOTION. Diseases of the bone exostosis 21 osteomyelitis 144 osteitis deformans 2 periostitis 25 other diseases of the bones spondylitis 6 Perthes' disease I miscellaneous 2 9 201 Diseases of the joints ankylosis, bony, of joint 39 ankylosis, fibrous, of joint 50 arthritis 266 osteo-arthritis 33 coxa-vara 1 loose body in joint 4 synovitis 116 other diseases of the joints 2 511 168 THE NEW YORK HOSPITAL IN FRANCE Miscellaneous diseases of the organs of locomotion bursitis 26 flat foot 1,246 hallux valgus 78 hallux rigidus 4 hammer toe 47 hernia of muscle 5 lumbago 10 metatarsalgia 31 myositis 20 tenosynovitis 17 trench foot 17 other diseases of the organs of locomotion injuries to tendons 13 equino varus 1 talipes varus 5 pes cavus 23 ingrowing toe nail 14 hypertrophied toe nail 1 miscellaneous 3 60 1,561 Section XVII. MALFORMATIONS AND ILL-DEFINED DISEASES. Acquired malformations atrophy muscular 5 of bone of foot 1 6 contracture of muscle, fascia, tendon, etc. 3^ other deformities 22 63 BASE HOSPITAL NO. 9, A. E. F. Congenital malformations penis i inferior maxilla i feet 6 testicles 3 spine and back 4 scoliosis 12 Diseases not specified or ill-defined defective physical development 17 sacro-iliac relaxation 1 fever of unknown origin 13 cicatrix 5 36 No disease, feigned disease No case 46 malingering 1 Section XVIII. EXTERNAL CAUSES. Burns, other than by gas Concussion unknown (cerebral) Dislocations clavicle 1 elbow 5 femur 4 hip 5 knee 5° convalescent, arthrotomy of knee 30 80 scaphoid 2 shoulder T4 toe 3 vertebra 2 wrist 2 170 THE NEW YORK HOSPITAL IN FRANCE Effect of heat and cold heat exhaustion 2 frostbite 26 28 Exhaustion from overexertion 38 from exposure 3 other causes 2 43 Fractures fractures simple acetabulum 2 acromion process 2 astragalus !3 clavicle CoIIes' coracoid cuboid cuneiform femur fibula glenoid cavity humerus ilium malar malleolus maxilla 38 34 1 3 4 45 136 1 58 3 4 40 23 metacarpals 37 metatarsals nasal bones 52 olecranon g os calcis j j os magnum , patella 2g pelvis . 10 18 phalanges, fingers phalanges, toes BASE HOSPITAL NO. 9, A. E. F. Fractures (continued) fractures simple (continued) Pott's 22 pubic bone 2 radius 63 ramus 2 ribs 24 scaphoid 20 scapula 13 skull 22 sternum 3 tibia 129 trapezoid 1 ulna 43 vertebra 7 fractures compound acromion process I astragalus 4 clavicle i cuboid i cuneiform 2 femur 8 fibula 24 humerus 21 ilium I malleolus 3 maxilla, inf. and sup. 8 metacarpal 27 metatarsal 14 nasal I olecranon 2 os calcis 5 patella 7 phalanx, fingers 19 phalanx, toes 7 radius 15 171 934 172 THE NEW YORK HOSPITAL IN FRANCE Fractures (continued) fractures compound (continued) epiphyseal of radius 2 ribs 4 scaphoid 5 scapula 3 skull 15 tibia 30 ulna 17 247 fractures, compound, comminuted acromion process 6 astragalus 16 clavicle 22 cuboid 9 cuneiform 15 femur 50 fibula 52 frontal bone 1 ilium 4 ischium 2 humerus 107 malar 1 malleoli 9 mastoid 1 maxillae 23 metacarpals 125 metatarsals 73 multiple 1 nasal 2 olecranon 2 os calcis 15 os magnum 5 patella 13 phalanges, fingers 118 phalanges, toes 37 radius 102 BASE HOSPITAL NO. 9, A. E. F. 173 Fractures (continued) fractures, compound, comminuted (continued) ribs 7 scaphoid 17 scapula 26 skull 20 tibia 81 trochanter 1 ulna 68 vertebra 5 trapezium 2 trapezoid 2 1,040 2,221 Gas, absorption of deleterious mustard gas, contact 272 mustard gas, inhalation 285 gas inhalation, other than mustard 896 1,453 Sprains----Strains ankle 69 back 2 cervical region 1 elbow 3 knee 27 shoulder 3 wrist 1 o back 6 foot 42 leg and thigh 1 sacro-iliac 153 spine 2 Iumbo-sacral 69 388 Wounds— gun shot abdomen 28 ankle 65 arm 424 174 THE NEW YORK HOSPITAL IN FRANCE Wounds (continued) gun shot (continued) axilla T5 back 99 buttock 107 chest 120 face 120 " ears 11 " eyes 10 " nose 7 " mouth 3 foot 348 forearm 297 elbow 60 gluteal region 2 hand 574 " fingers 12 head 139 hip and pelvis 18 iliac region 1 inguinal region 1 knee 142 leg 492 lumbar region 8 multiple 195 neck and throat 77 perineum 1 scalp 12 shoulder 238 side 12 thigh 530 thorax 2 wrist 70 4,240 lacerated abdomen 5 ankle 1 BASE HOSPITAL NO. 9, A. E. F. Wounds (continued) lacerated (continued) arm i back i brain substance i buttocks 3 chest i cranio-cerebral 2 elbow I eye I eyelid I face 12 finger 9 forearm 5 foot 15 gluteal region i genitals i hand 27 head 10 internal semi-lunar cartil- age hip knee leg multiple scalp scrotum shoulder thigh thorax toe wrist incised arm buttock cheek 2 I 9 8 9 17 i i 14 6 i 3 176 THE NEW YORK HOSPITAL IN FRANCE Wounds (continued) incised (continued) foot 4 hand 2 wrist 2 contused abdomen 16 ankles 15 arm 3 back 36 buttock 1 chest 7 elbow 7 eye 4 fingers 4 foot 40 hand 5 head 7 hips 10 knee 44 leg 10 multiple 17 muscle 1 shoulder 16 side 3 thigh 5 wrist 1 abrasions buttock 1 cheek 3 elbow 1 eye 1 foot 6 hand 2 leg 5 12 252 BASE HOSPITAL NO. 9, A. E. F. 177 Wounds (continued) abrasions (continued) multiple 4 neck i penis i thigh 2 27 Total number of wounds—all classes . . . 4,701 other injuries amputations arm 33 finger 157 foot 13 forearm 29 hand 1 leg 46 thigh 45 toe 52 376 INCOMPLETED CASES OR CASES TRANSFERRED TO OTHER HOSPITALS. Base Hospital No. 9—A.E.F. September 1917—January 1919. Section I. INFECTIOUS AND EPIDEMIC DISEASES (TUBERCULOSIS AND VENEREAL DISEASES EXCEPTED). Influenza 22 Influenza, convalescent 29 51 Meningitis, meningococcus 4 Mumps I0 Erysipelas x Septicemia 1 Rheumatic fever, acute 1 Articular rheumatism 6 Muscular rheumatism 3 Scarlet fever I Vincent's angina 2 Section II. TUBERCULOSIS, PULMONARY. Pulmonary, acute, miliary 1 Pulmonary, chronic, mod. advanced 1 Pulmonary, tuberculosis, under observation 2 Section III. VENEREAL DISEASES. Gonorrheal arthritis 1 Gonorrheal disease of the eye 1 Gonorrheal epididymitis 1 Gonorrheal urethritis 8 Chancroids, multiple 6 Syphilis, primary 4 Syphilis, secondary 3 1S1 182 THE NEW YORK HOSPITAL IN FRANCE Section IV. GENERAL DISEASES. Goiter, exophthalmic Neuritis Neurasthenia Section V. NERVOUS DISEASES. Section VI. MENTAL DISEASES. Blepharitis Conjunctivitis Hypermetropia Myopia Optic atrophy Retinitis Mastoiditis Otitis media Section VII. DISEASES OF THE EYE. Section VIII. DISEASES OF THE EAR. Section IX. DISEASES OF THE NOSE. Deviation of the nasal septum Rhinitis, atrophic Rhinitis, hypertrophic Sinusitis BASE HOSPITAL NO. 9, A. E. F. 183 Section X. DISEASES OF THE THROAT. Hypertrophied tonsils 3 Laryngitis 5 Pharyngitis 5 Tonsillitis 5 Other diseases of the larynx and pharynx i Section XI. CIRCULATORY SYSTEM. Effort syndrome 12 Myocarditis, chronic 1 Pericarditis 1 Valvular heart disease 1 Aneurysm 1 Hemorrhoids 9 Phlebitis 1 Varicose veins 1 Varicocele 2 Other diseases of blood vessels 1 Lymphadenitis 2 Section XII. RESPIRATORY SYSTEM. Asthma J Bronchitis 31 Broncho-pneumonia 4 Lobar pneumonia 9 Pleurisy, empyema, thoracic 3 Pleurisy, sero-fibrinous 5 184 THE NEW YORK HOSPITAL IN FRANCE SKIN. Pediculosis corporis Section XIII. DIGESTIVE SYSTEM. Dental treatment 9 Gastritis 3 Hyperchlorhydria I Gastroptosis i Appendicitis T i Constipation 2 Enteritis 3 Gastroenteritis i Entero-colitis 3 Hernia 2 Intestinal obstruction i Ulcer of duodenum 2 Fistula in ano 2 Section XIV. GENITO-URINARY (NON-VENEREAL). Nephritis acute 3 Nephritis, parenchymatous, chronic 3 Ureteral calculus i Fistula i Enuresis i Prostatitis i Orchitis 3 Phimosis I Section XV. i Psoriasis / 2 Carbuncle i Furunculosis 2 Scabies 2 Cellulitis i Infected blisters 4 BASE HOSPITAL NO. 9, A. E. F. is.5 Section XVI. BONES AND ORGANS OF LOCOMOTION. Exostosis 2 Osteomyelitis 9 Periostitis i Arthritis 8 Osteo-arthritis i Synovitis 2 Flat foot 9 Lumbago 2 Myositis 2 Ingrowing toe nail 1 Section XVII. MALFORMATION, ILL-DEFINED DISEASES. Section XVIII. EXTERNAL CAUSES. Dislocations Fractures, simple 46 compound compound, comminuted 10 46 102 Gas, mustard contact mustard inhalation other than mustard inhalation 4 2 7 13 Sprain and strain Wounds, gun shot lacerated 133 6 5 contusions 8 147 Amputations 4 186 THE NEW YORK HOSPITAL IN FRANCE RECAPITULATION. Complete Incomplete Total INFECTIOUS AND EPIDEMIC DISEASES TUBERCULOSIS VENEREAL DISEASES GENERAL DISEASES (OTHER) NERVOUS DISEASES MENTAL DISEASES AND EF- FECTS DISEASES OF THE EYE DISEASES OF THE EAR DISEASES OF THE NOSE DISEASES OF THE THROAT CIRCULATORY SYSTEM RESPIRATORY SYSTEM DIGESTIVE SYSTEM GENITO-URINARY (NON- VENEREAL) DISEASES OF THE SKIN BONES AND ORGANS OF LOCO- MOTION MALFORMATIONS AND ILL- DEFINED DISEASES EXTERNAL CAUSES GRAND TOTAL i,973 80 2,053 241 4 245 559 24 583 57 1 58 379 3 382 605 5 610 409 9 418 418 8 426 135 10 145 514 19 533 750 32 782 1,226 53 1,279 i,355 41 i,396 288 14 302 473 13 486 2,240 173 9,379 21,174 37 0 273 2,277 173 9,652 626 21,800 TOTAL NUMBER OF PATIENTS TREATED TOTAL NUMBER OF DISEASES TREATED 15,219 21,800 V. Summary of Post Farm Products. This farm of 27 acres was worked under the direc- tion of Sgt. William Atkinson and Private George Keeny. The statement which follows does not give all the facts, but it is a conservative and minimum estimate of the value of the farm products. BASE HOSPITAL NO. 9, A. E. F. 187 Base Ho spital No. 9, A. E. F., France. SUMMARY OF POST FARM PRODUCTS TO JANUARY 1ST, 1919. Radishes . 138 Bunches . Frcs. 27.60 Spinach 245V2 Kilos . . . 245.50 Lettuce 904 Heads . 90.40 Peas .... i,4282/n Kilos . . 1,811.75 Onions 44Ol0/n Kilos . . 291.00 Onions, small. 1,040 Bunches . 104.00 Carrots 15 Kilos . . 16.75 String Beans . 494u,/ii Kilos . . 989•75 Potatos 7,73i9/n Kilos . . 4,638.20 Parsnips . 96V11 Kilos 62.95 Pumpkins 65 294.50 Tomatoes . 1,025 Kilos . . 1,088.85 Cabbage . 280 Kilos . 196.00 Cabbage . • 5,765 Heads . 3,39050 Cauliflower . 850 Heads . 850.00 Carrots 825 Bunches . 206.25 Grain Total value to Mess Frcs. 14,304.00 1,387 Kilos ... 762.85 Total garden value . Frcs. 15,066.85 hogs purchased. St. Gaultier . 10 @ Ardentes 12 @ St. Gaultier . 16 @ Chateauroux 15 @ Ardentes 13 <§'■ Ardentes 27 (Q Ardentes 21 @ Chateauroux 30 @ St. Gaultier . 24 ® Fes. 220.00 Frcs. 2,200.00 125.00 1,500.00 159375 • 2,550.00 130.00 1,950.00 180.00 2,340.00 210.00 5,670.00 200.00 4,200.00 185.OO 5,550.00 110.00 2,640.00 Frcs. 28,600.00 188 THE NEW YORK HOSPITAL IN FRANCE HOGS SUPPLIED TO MESS DEPARTMENT. MONTH NO. COST PRICE SELLING PRICE PROFIT CASH (based on market) May I . . . 220.00 527.80 Frcs. 307.80 June 2 440.00 1,208.90 768.90 July I 220.00 500.00 280.00 I I25.OO 200.00 75-00 Aug. 6 4 1,320.00 520.00 2,500.00 660.00 Sept. 5 3 796.875] 54O.OO 1 3,240.00 1,903.125 Oct. 10 3 1,800.00 \ 390.00 4,050.00 1860.00 15 3,150.00 4,950.00 1,800.00 Nov. 3 5 630.00 1,050.00 825.00 195.00 5 5 1,000.00 925.00 - 4,650.00 1,675.00 Dec. 2 420.00 2 2 370•00 400.00 1,620.00 430.00 8 1,600.00 2,110.00 510.00 83 15,916.875 26,381.70 10,464.825 HOGS SOLD FOR CASH ON MARKET. COST SELLING PLACE NO. PRICE PRICE PROFIT Chateauroux 6 750.00 1,900.00 . Frcs. 1,150.00 Chateauroux 5 625.00 1,325.00 700.00 Dupeux . 2 260.00 400.00 140.00 A. Not . . 10 i,593-75 2,500.00 906.25 Chateauroux . 6 780.00 1,500.00 720.00 Dupeux . Dupeux . 4 11 800.00 2,035.00 3,600.00 765.00 Montierchaume 3 555.00 600.00 45.00 47 7,398.75 11,825.00 4,426.25 BASE HOSPITAL NO. 9, A. E. F. LOST THROUGH DEATH 1 @ 159 375 Frcs. 159.375 2 @ 200 00 400.00 2 @ 210 00 420.00 Total Loss 5 Frcs. 979.375 Frcs. Cost Hogs Purchased 168 28,600.00 ... Market Sales 47 ... 11,825.00 Value to Hosp. Mess . 83 ... . 26,381.70 Loss Through Death . 5 . . . 979-375 On Hand, Jan. ist, 1919 33 • • • • 2,346.25 Profit...... . 12,932.325 168 168 41,532.325 41,532.325 Above profit was figured on the basis of the mess department being a cash buyer. VI. The Hospital Fund Statement for One Month. OCTOBER, I918. This statement is given to show the cost and the amount of food which was required to care for the hospital. RECEIPTS. Balance on Hand 31,418.34 Cash Received For Enlisted Men Sick in Hospital 183,546.00 frcs. " American Civilian 3171.90 " Enlisted Men, U. S. Navy 32.70 " A. N. C. on duty in Hospital 7,599.48 " Men U. S. Marine in Hospital 4,954.05 " French Soldiers Sick I47-J5 190 THE NEW YORK HOSPITAL IN FRANCE Cash Received For Italian Soldiers Sick " British " General Prisoners Cash Received From Officers Sick in Hospital Sale of Pigs Sale of Stores Sale of Paper Fat i,739 64 fjrcs 215 82 1,124 88 7,082 90 1,500 .00 1,058.85 118 OO 214 OO 188 OO 1,194 85 245,306.56 EXPENDITURES. 0 Quartermaster Chateauroux 139,597-32 frcs << << 6,610.20 (< << 3,529.42 " " 1,100.00 EC << 2,512.10 [( <( 2,484.60 [< (( 2,291.20 [( (< 4,087.60 < << << 554.40 0 M. Barchetto (Eggs) 1,440.00 < <« << 1,687.50 ' Ecole Normale 558.00 ' A. Roblin (Meat) 2,247.40 * A. Ledoux (Milk) 6,160.80 * E. Eabouin (Milk) 717.41 ' Ardelet et Boursier (Eggs and Chicken) 3,911.00 ' P. Granger (Milk) 650.00 ' A. Laverque (Meat) 3,443 07 ' E. M. Vallet (Groceries) 327-05 ' L. Che vreau (Groceries) 16,233.20 BASE HOSPITAL NO. 9, A. E. F. 191 To Duran (Groceries) 28.20 frcs. " Salnon (Milk) 128.10 " J. AIner (Groceries) 2,185.55 " Open Market Purchases 4,161.45 " H. Dupont 750.00 " A. Not 595.00 " Labbe Freres 161.00 208,151 .57 Total Unpaid Bills 17,721.00 225,8-2.57 Cash Received 245,306.56 Expenditures 225,8-2. 5- Balance 19,433-99 frcs. VII. A Few Hospital Orders. There was a time in the life of the Unit when floods of memoranda went out from a certain office to all parts of the hospital. These writings covered everything under the sun, and showed great care in preparation, a wide knowledge of hospitalization, and a keen sense of humor. They are interesting and should be at least on record in a history of the Unit. I have preserved some: MEMORANDUM FOR THE CHIEF NURSE. Many of the nurses are in the habit of referring to patients sick in the hospital as "boys." The com- manding officer is of the opinion that a little reflection will convince anyone that the work which has been laid out for the American soldier to do in France is that of men and not of boys. It is, of course, true that many of these soldiers are in point of age not more than boys; nevertheless, the fact that they have already accom- 192 THE NEW YORK HOSPITAL IN FRANCE plished many duties of such severity as would tax the capacity of the average man, makes them, it seems, worthy of being dignified by the title of "Man." The commanding officer desires that all officers, nurses, secretaries and soldiers pertaining to this command refrain from referring to any soldier of the American Army as "Boy." He should be spoken of as "non- commissioned officer, soldier, patient" or finally in a general way as "man." MEMORANDUM FOR DETACHMENT COMMANDER. i. Upon the recommendation of the Chief of the Medical Division, it is directed that you cause all en- listed members of this command to be weighed twice a month at the time of the bi-monthly physical inspec- tions. This weighing should be done in person by a responsible non-commissioned officer and he should keep a book in which the weights of all enlisted mem- bers of the personnel of this command will be entered upon each occasion, so that the weights of all men may be open to inspection by proper officers at any time. Any member of this command who is found to be progressively losing weight or who is shown to have lost a considerable amount of weight in any one week will be referred directly to the Chief of the Medical Division for examination. (Note.) The men were able to keep up their weight by a combination of Alexander's Rag Time Mess and the Buvette across the street. HOSPITAL ORDER. NO. 53 1. The following regulations governing the ad- ministrative conduct of the wards of this hospital are BASE HOSPITAL NO. 9, A. E. F. 193 published for the information and guidance of all concerned: A--WARD SURGEON. The ward surgeon is charged with the entire re- sponsibility for the administration and discipline of the ward to which he is assigned. He will see that proper and formal requisitions are made for supplies of all kinds which are needed for use in the ward. He will satisfy himself that the amounts for which he makes requisition are not excessive and he will be responsible for the proper and economic use of all supplies issued to him. He will give memorandum receipts to the Quartermaster covering all non-expendable property in his ward. This should include both property fur- nished by the United States Government, by the Red Cross, or received from the French Service de Sante. The ward surgeon will have all such non-expendable property checked once a month by his wardmaster. The ward surgeon will see that all poison and habit- forming drugs, when necessarily present in his ward, are kept in a secure place and he will be responsible for the adoption of all necessary measures to prevent any improper use of the same. Upon the death of a patient, the ward surgeon will immediately cause the Registrar to be notified of the same and the Registrar in turn will transfer the in- formation to the Quartermaster, the Pathologist and the Chaplain. The ward surgeon will see that the duties assigned in accordance with the terms of these regulations to his assistants, to the nurse in charge, the assistant nurses, the wardmaster, and the orderlies, are properly per- formed, and he will coordinate all the activities of the 194 THE NEW YORK HOSPITAL IN FRANCE nursing and enlisted personnel. He will exact of all patients a strict compliance with the requirements both of general military discipline and of all orders and regulations promulgated from Post Headquarters or by himself. He will see to the proper policing of all parts of the ward and he will require of patients neat- ness and orderliness at all times. He will hold himself responsible for the proper professional care and treat- ment of all patients in his ward. All orders concerning such treatment which are given by the Chiefs of Sec- tions will in every instance, except those of pressing emergency, be given either verbally or in writing to the ward surgeon, or one of his assistants, and by him transmitted to the nurse in charge. The ward surgeon, or one assistant in each ward, will routinely be present in his ward when dinner and supper are served to patients, provided he is on the Post and is not engaged in professional or official duties which take him elsewhere. He will also visit his ward at least once between the hour when lights are ex- tinguished (hereinafter specified) and 4.00 A.M. This for the purpose of seeing that regulations regarding lights are enforced and that all patients are in bed. He will be held responsible for the proper keeping of all records pertaining to patients in his ward, the proper completion of the same when the case is closed and their prompt transmission to the office of the Registrar. In this connection, all ward surgeons and assistants must familiarize themselves with those parts of the Manual of the Medical Department which relate to the administration conduct of wards and also to the records of cases which are required in accordance with the provisions of said manual. BASE HOSPITAL NO. 9, A. E. F. 195 B--NURSE IN CHARGE. The duties of the nurse in charge are confined to the carrying out of orders of the ward surgeon, so far as they relate to the professional care and treatment of patients. For the proper performance of this function, she will assign, under the direction of the ward surgeon, the assistant nurses under her to the performance of the necessary duties. She will inform the chief wardmaster, or the ward- master, immediately of any infractions of military discipline on the part of patients which come under her notice. She will indicate to the wardmaster the neces- sity for such professional treatment as is ordinarily accorded male patients in civil hospitals by orderlies, and the receipt by the wardmaster of such information from the nurse in charge relative to any patients, shall be held at all times to constitute an order from the ward surgeon in person to proceed with the treatment indicated. Such treatment includes the administration of enemas, catheterization, taking of rectal tempera- tures, etc., etc. Temperatures by mouth will in all instances be taken by nurses and not by enlisted men. In connection with this relationship between the pro- fessional duties of the nurse in charge and those of the wardmaster, it is to be understood by all concerned that no military authority over enlisted men vests in reserve nurses of the Army Nurse Corps. The nurse in charge of each ward will prepare and transmit to the dietitian, not later than 4.00 P.M. daily, a list of the special and liquid diets ordered by the ward surgeon for patients in her ward for all meals of the following day. The nurse in charge of each ward will be designated 196 THE NEW YORK HOSPITAL IN FRANCE from time to time by the commanding officer on recom- mendation of the chief nurse. C--CHIEF WARDMASTER. The chief wardmaster is charged with the general supervision of the activities of all wardmasters and orderlies. He is an assistant to all ward surgeons and will be used by them to supervise the police and disci- pline of their wards and to give instruction, under their direction, to wardmasters and orderlies in the proper performance of administrative and professional duties which pertain to the latter. He will not, in his capacity of chief wardmaster, be held to be possessed of any authority which in the slightest degree transcends that of the ward surgeons, nor will he give to wardmasters or orderlies upon his own initiative, any orders which are not in complete accord with the wishes of the ward surgeon, except as hereinafter specified. When, however, a written mem- orandum of instructions is sent by the commanding officer or adjutant directly to the chief wardmaster, the possession by him of such memorandum will be held to constitute an order from the commanding officer to ward surgeons and all other persons con- cerned, and its provisions will, therefore, be obeyed accordingly. The chief wardmaster will report in person to ward surgeons all violations of military discipline or of police regulations of which he shall have become cognizant in relation to their wards. He will make in person to the commanding officer or to the adjutant such reports and recommendations as shall have to do with the general policy of discipline and police in all the wards. BASE HOSPITAL NO. 9, A. E. F. 197 He will collect from each patient, when so desired by that patient one letter on Monday and one letter on Thursday of each week, and will transmit the same to the postmaster to be properly censored and mailed. He will also similarly collect five post cards per week from each patient. [This order was soon changed.] He is charged with the duty of seeing that the authorized lights in and in front of each ward, as herein- after specified, are lighted and extinguished at the designated hours. He will accompany the commanding officer or the inspecting officer each morning at the daily inspection of the wards and the admission building. D--WARDMASTER. The wardmaster, under the direction of the ward surgeon, is immediately responsible for the discipline and police of the ward of which he is in charge. He will obey all instructions given him by the chief ward- master, which are not at variance with orders given him by the ward surgeon. He will require of all patients in his ward a strict compliance with the dictates of military discipline, and he will take in emergencies all necessary measures to enforce such discipline, reporting his action as soon as possible to the ward surgeon or to the chief ward master. Cases of violation of military discipline, re- ported to him by the nurse in charge or an assistant nurse, will be dealt with by him at once if in the nature of an emergency, or will be reported by him to the ward surgeon or chief wardmaster, and should such violation of discipline have to do with the nurse herself, the wardmaster will take immediate and summary action 198 THE NEW YORK HOSPITAL IN FRANCE in the case, using all means at his command, and will make a complete report of the matter to the ward surgeon or chief wardmaster at the earliest opportunity. He will also be responsible, under the supervision of the ward surgeon, for procuring from the kitchen and serving all full diets. He will also be responsible for seeing that all patients are made acquainted with such portions of these regula- tions as apply to them as soon after their admission to the ward as shall be compatible with their physical condition. Under the direction of the ward surgeon, he will assign the ward orderlies to the performance of the various duties. The wardmaster will be designated by the ward surgeon from among the enlisted men assigned to duty in his ward and in making this selection, the ward surgeon will invariably designate as wardmaster the enlisted man who shall be of the highest grade,—for example, no private shall be assigned to duty as ward- master when privates first-class are on duty in the ward, nor will a private first-class who has held that grade for a shorter time be designated as wardmaster of his ward when there is on duty in that ward a private first-class who has held the rank for a longer period. E--PATIENTS. All patients admitted to wards will, without excep- tion, be given liquid diet until such time as full, light, or special diet is ordered for them by the ward surgeon. Patients will at all times be required by the ward surgeon to comport themselves in such manner as shall accord with the dictates of military discipline. BASE HOSPITAL NO. 9, A. E. F. 199 Ward surgeons are charged with the duty of seeing that all patients perform as much light duty as it is consistent with the most rapid possible recovery of their health. All convalescent patients who are al- lowed to be out of bed will, upon rising in the morning, be required to make up their beds according to pre- scribed methods. They will likewise be required to keep clean and to arrange neatly all their personal effects as prescribed by the ward surgeon, this particu- larly in preparation for the daily inspection. Such patients as are physically qualified will be assigned in such numbers as may be necessary by the ward surgeon to police duty in his ward. All other patients who are physically qualified for duty in the kitchen or for light duty out of doors, under the direc- tion of the police sergeant or other non-commissioned officer, will be sent each morning at Fatigue Call (7.50 A.M.) by the ward surgeon and under charge of the wardmaster or a ward orderly, to the office of the adjutant, by whom they will be assigned to specific du,ty for that day. In this connection, it is to be understood that the demands of the mess have first claim on the services of patients, except that patients from the venereal and tuberculosis wards will not be assigned to duty in the kitchen. All patients who are able to be out of bed will be habitually clothed in the ward suits furnished by the Red Cross, and ward surgeons are charged with the responsibility of seeing that so far as the supply of these suits is adequate every convalescent patient in his ward is equipped with one of the same. These suits, as well as all other hospital clothing worn or used by each patient, will be either laundered or disinfected before being used by any other patient. At no time 200 THE NEW YORK HOSPITAL IN FRANCE and under no circumstances will any patient be allowed to have any portion of his military uniform so long as he shall remain in this hospital until it is time for him to clothe himself preparatory to his discharge from the hospital, except by special authority from the com- manding officer. Gambling and the introduction of beverages con- taining alcohol into the hospital buildings or grounds, on the part of patients, are strictly forbidden. No patient will be permitted to leave his ward after supper at night except for the purpose of attending cinematographic representations or other forms of entertainment, and in such cases all patients from each ward shall go to such entertainment in charge of one of the orderlies on duty in that ward (to be designated by the wardmaster or the chief wardmaster) who will be responsible for seeing that such patients return to the ward immediately upon the close of the entertain- ment. All patients will be in bed at the hour when lights in the wards are extinguished as hereinafter specified. f—VISITORS. At no time and under no circumstances will visitors who are not physicians or surgeons be allowed in the wards, except by express authority of the commanding officer in writing. G--LIGHTS. One light will burn in the gallery in front of each ward in which there are actually patients present from dark until 9.15 P.M. daily, except on such evenings as cinematographic representations or other forms of entertainment are being held which do not close until BASE HOSPITAL NO. 9, A. E. F. 201 after 9.00 P.M. in which case the aforementioned lights shall be extinguished at fifteen minutes after the close of such cinematographic representation or other enter- tainment. One light in the office of the nurse in charge will be kept burning all night. All other lights in the wards shall be extinguished at 9.15 P.M. daily except on evenings when cinemato- graphic representations or other forms of entertain- ment are being held, in which case such lights in each ward shall be extinguished fifteen minutes after the close of said entertainment. Nothing in this para- graph shall be interpreted as forbidding the use of any light in toilets, halls, or rooms in any ward at such time during the night as the use of such light shall be deemed necessary by the ward surgeon, or by the nurse in charge, or by the wardmaster. The chief wardmaster is charged with the duty of carrying out all the provi- sions of this paragraph and when he is absent from the post on authorized pass or for any other proper reason, he shall designate the wardmaster on duty in any one of the wards who is of the highest grade to perform these duties in his stead. h—SMOKING. Under no circumstances will patients who are able to be out of bed be allowed to smoke in bed. Ward surgeons may, in their discretion, however, designate a certain place (preferably the hallway, which in all wards separates the two ends of the building) where convalescent patients may smoke and will see that the necessary receptacles for cigarette ends, matches, etc., are provided. Patients confined to their beds may be granted permission by the ward surgeon to smoke in 202 THE NEW YORK HOSPITAL IN FRANCE bed in his discretion, but such permission must be always with the proviso that ashes, cigarette ends, matches, etc., are to be carefully deposited in con- tainers placed on the bedside table for that purpose. Patients who abuse this privilege with reference to the use of tobacco, will have the privilege denied them by the ward surgeon. No smoking on the part of any patients will be permitted under any circumstances after the hour when lights are extinguished at night, or before reveille in the morning. i—officers' ward. A strict adherence to the terms of these regulations in the cases of officers sick in hospital is not required. Ward surgeons are authorized to give to officers such additional privileges as they may deem compatible with their rapid recovery. ****** These regulations will be supplemented by addi- tional memoranda issued from time to time as occasion may arise. All hospital orders, memoranda, or other rules and regulations heretofore issued, which are found to be in conflict with the provisions of this order, are hereby revoked. MEMORANDUM FOR DETACHMENT COMMANDER. i. In view of the fact that recent changes in the Infantry Drill Regulations require that all enlisted men in ranks, armed with the rifle, come to the " Present Arms" during the national anthem or when "To the Color" is sounded, I am inclined to think that under BASE HOSPITAL NO. 9, A. E. F. 203 the same circumstances the hand salute should be required of all enlisted men in rank not under arms. 2. I shall endeavor to obtain an official opinion on this matter but until such opinion is obtained, I desire that all enlisted men of this command render the indi- cated salute, whether they be in ranks or standing individually, when at retreat the musician of the guard blows "To the Color." MEMORANDUM FOR NURSES. Nurses who danced with enlisted men at the St. Patrick's Day dance on the evening of March i8th will sign below. (Note.) Eleven signed. MEMORANDUM. i. Hereafter no enlisted patients in this hospital will be allowed to leave that portion of the hospital grounds which is comprised within the inner enclosure, except by special written authority from the command- ing officer or adjutant. 2. Patients who are allowed by their ward sur- geons to be out of doors will not leave the immediate vicinity of their wards, except to go to cinematographic representations, etc., to the post exchange, and to places such as the kitchen, bureau of surgical dressings, etc., where they have been assigned to duty. In all instances patients who have left their wards for any of the foregoing purposes will return to their wards imme- diately upon the completion of the entertainment, upon completion of the purchases which they are authorized to make in the post exchange, or upon completion of 204 THE NEW YORK HOSPITAL IN FRANCE the duty to which they may have been assigned in various parts of the hospital. 3. Patients will not be allowed to congregate or stand in or under the gallery. The spaces on the sides of the wards are the spaces which are to be used for out-of-door recreation by patients. 4. Ward surgeons are charged with seeing that their nurses in charge, wardmasters, and patients are made familiar with the provisions of this memorandum, and that a strict compliance with the terms thereof is required of all concerned. (Note.) This order was soon changed and patients were allowed the freedom of the hospital grounds and frequent passes to Chateauroux. MEMORANDUM. 1. Effective Tuesday, October 23rd, 1917, all Nurses will report daily at 10.30 A.M. (except Sunday) to the Director of Instruction for setting-up exercises for a period of thirty (30) minutes. MEMORANDUM. 1. Information has been received to the effect that the supplies of paper will probably not be sufficient to meet all the demands. In view of this, hereafter all memoranda of an informal character, which pass be- tween individuals of this post will, so far as possible, be sent upon paper which would otherwise be destroyed as waste paper. For example, official letters, which are no longer required for file, will be put aside and the reverse surfaces of the paper upon which such letters are written will be used for the memoranda, the subject BASE HOSPITAL NO. 9, A. E. F. 205 matter of the letter itself being crossed out with a stroke of the pen. Unused typewriter paper will not be used under any circumstances for these informal memoranda nor will it be used for requisitions. Requisitions may be submitted on pieces of paper cut from the ordinary scratch pad of size about 4"x8^", if no waste paper as previously described is available. MEMORANDUM FOR CHIEF NURSE. I. The routine administration of the detachment of reserve nurses, Army Nurse Corps, on duty at this hospital, is hereby and until further orders placed in the hands of the adjutant. The monthly assignment of nurses to duty will be made by him, daily and emergency changes in assignment of nurses to duty will likewise be made by him. Requests for late permission submitted by individual nurses will be submitted to the adjutant through the chief nurse, and will be accom- panied by her recommendation. Such permission will not, unless under exceptional circumstances, extend to a later hour than u.oo P.M. The "Monthly Efficiency Report" of nurses will here- after be submitted by the adjutant to the commanding officer. Requests for leave of absence on the part of nurses will be submitted through the chief nurse to the adjutant, but no such leave will be granted until the application therefor has been approved by the com- manding officer. MEMO FOR CHAPLAIN BROWN. Chaplain Raymond S. Brown will assume charge of the laundry. 206 THE NEW YORK HOSPITAL IN FRANCE MEMO FOR LIEUT. DUGDALE. Police all outside Police all toilets except nurses' Police bathrooms, both buildings Fatigue suits to be supplied as soon as obtained. Toilet paper to be obtained from quartermaster. No newspaper to be used in toilets or carried into them. MEMORANDUM. I. Lt. Edward Cussler is hereby detailed to see that all personal baggage of Base Hospital No. 9 is properly marked for identification and put ashore at port of debarkation. MEMORANDUM. 1. The commanding officer learns, with no incon- siderable astonishment, that the practice obtains on the part of the chief wardmaster of going to the quarters of all ward surgeons early in the morning and waking them up in many instances to sign requisitions for their wards. Just how a ward surgeon can be sure that the articles for which he asks on these requisitions are actually needed in his ward, and how he can be sure that the supply which he has previously had was properly expended and not wasted, in his own quarters when he has presumably not visited his ward for several hours before, is not easily understood. Hereafter no ward surgeon will sign any requisition for supplies for his ward, except in the ward itself, and after a personal investigation as to the amount of supplies which are being daily consumed and as to the necessity for the BASE HOSPITAL NO. 9, A. E. F. 207 additional supplies for which he asks. In no other way can the principle of economy in expenditure of medical and surgical supplies, which has been so often and so forcibly urged upon all officers of this command as one of the prime military necessities if ultimate victory is to be assured, be carried out to complete realization. 2. Hereafter all requisitions for supplies for wards will be in the office of the chief wardmaster not later than 4.00 P.M. daily. 3. The chief wardmaster is charged with the duty of examining all such requisitions, and of returning those which have not been properly signed by the ward surgeon to the ward from which they have come. He is likewise charged with the duty of seeing that all requisitions which have been properly signed are in the office of the commanding officer not later than 4.30 P.M. daily. Such requisitions will then be examined and passed upon by the adjutant in the evening, and will be secured by one of the non-commissioned officers charged with the duty of the replenishment of ward supplies at 7.30 A.M. the following morning and distri- buted to the proper departments. MEMORANDUM. 1. Beginning Tuesday, October 23rd, 1917, a daily inspection of this Hospital will be made by the com- manding officer. This inspection will begin at or about 9.00 A.M. and will probably on the average consume approximately an hour. 2. The police officer and the first sergeant of the detachment will report to the commanding officer daily at 8.50, prepared to take part in this inspection. 20S THE NEW YORK HOSPITAL IN FRANCE 3. For this inspection the officer of the day will be present at the guardhouse, the post exchange officer will be present at the post exchange, the detachment commander, or one of his assistants, in the barracks occupied by enlisted men; the chief nurse in the nurses' dormitories; the mess officer, or assistant mess officer, and the mess sergeant, in the mess building; each ward surgeon, or one of his commissioned assistants, in the ward to whose supervision he is assigned (unless the absence of such officer is interfered with by his pro- fessional duties): Sergeant Barbieri in the pharmacy, Sergeant Hart in the linen rooms and storerooms; Sergeant Sharwell in the quartermaster storehouse and Corporal Gelhaus at the garage. The chief orderly will be present at the inspection of all wards. MEMORANDUM. 1. Effective January ist, 1918, and until further orders, no assignments to duty and no changes in assignments to duty of officers, nurses, or secretaries, will be made except by the commanding officer, upon recommendation of the chiefs of section, the chief nurse, or the chief secretary, except in cases of urgent emergency, when the chief of a section or the senior one of his assistants then on the post may assign other officers of the same section to emergency duty, or may call upon the chief nurse for the immediate assignment of a nurse to such special emergency duty. Such action will be taken, however, only when it is impossible, to locate the commanding officer within a short period of time, and in all such cases such action will be re- ported to the commanding officer by the Chief of Sec- BASE HOSPITAL, NO. 9, A. E. F. 209 tion concerned, or the Chief Nurse, for approval within twenty-four hours. 2. All assignments to duty and changes in assign- ments to duty of enlisted men will be made by the de- tachment commander, so far as the internal administra- tion of the detachment itself is concerned, and by the detachment commander under instructions from the commanding officer or the adjutant for duties which do not constitute a part of the internal administration of the detachment. The detachment commander will not, however, in making assignments to duties which pertain to the internal administration of his detach- ment, relieve enlisted men from assignments to details not concerned with the internal administration of the detachment without authority from the commanding officer. None of the provisions of this paragraph shall be interpreted as applying to the enlisted personnel of the detachment of engineers now on duty at this post. 3. Hereafter and until further orders, the period of night duty for nurses and for enlisted men on duty in the wards will be one month. The chief nurse will submit to the commanding officer on the 25th of each month the names of the nurses whom she recommends for assignment to night duty for the ensuing month and the particular duty for which she recommends each nurse. Such recommendation will include the name of one nurse to act as night supervisor and such night supervisor shall superintend the routine activities of all nurses then on night duty. Similar details of enlisted men for night duty in the wards will be made on the 25th of each month by the detachment commander, under supervision of the commanding officer or the adjutant. Such details to become effective on the first day of the ensuing month. 210 THE NEW YORK HOSPITAL IN FRANCE MEMORANDUM FOR ADJUTANT. I am going to have put on my door in the afternoons a big sign to the effect that I am busy. I have recently put up a sign to the effect that my office hours are in the kitchen building from 9.30 to 12.30. This means that in general I would like to have the officers see me at the kitchen between those hours on matters of official business and that I would like to be left free as much as possible in the afternoons until this accumu- lated mass of paper work is off my hands. This sign of "Busy" does not apply in any sense to you. MEMORANDUM FOR DETACHMENT COMMANDER. Instruct all your enlisted men that whenever they see Chinese patients running around the Hospital they are to nab them and take them back to their wards. MEMORANDUM FOR CHIEF OF MEDICAL SECTION. The commanding officer directs that hereafter whiskey be no longer used as a flavoring agent solely in egg-nogs. MEMORANDUM FOR CHAPLAIN. I would suggest that the cinematographic repre- sentations be held solely for the members of the Unit at seven-thirty each evening. These are only a few but they are sufficient to remind the members of the Unit of the days of the "Memo." VIII. A SKETCH OF THE LABORATORY. Prepared by Major Ralph G. Stillman. The personnel of the laboratory as originally de- signed was planned to include two medical officers and a technician and two or three enlisted men. The chief of the laboratory was pathologist and bacteri- ologist while his assistant was a clinical pathologist. The technician was a stenographer who had had experi- ence in the laboratory of the New York Hospital in histological technic. It was found that this staff was ample to carry on the ordinary work that was to be expected in the laboratory. There should have been included at least one statistical clerk, for there has proved to be so many demands upon the laboratory for reports and compilations that to fulfil them would have seriously crippled the work of the staff. It was impossible to obtain such clerks after the organization reached France. Special workers for special situa- tions, e. g. wound bacteriologists for service in times of stress would probably better be not attached to individual organizations but sent wherever their services are needed most. In addition to the equipment obtained by purchase and to a certain amount which it was possible to obtain from the Laboratory of the New York Hospital, there were fitted out three boxes of emergency equipment 211 212 THE NEW YORK HOSPITAL IN FRANCE whose contents were so selected that with these three boxes at hand it would have been possible to have set up a laboratory in any location and to have carried on the simpler and more urgent examinations of clinical pathology and bacteriology. These boxes were 9^2" x 14^" x 31" external measurement and two of them were fitted with compartments to contain 8 oz "sterili- zer bottles." The bottles contained sterile agar, broth and ascitic fluid, chemical reagents and solutions of dyes. Arrangements were made to have these boxes accompany the personnel of the unit should there arise the necessity to ship the general equipment separately. In respect to equipment it is suggested that it would be far preferable in any future similar condition to have standard laboratory equipment cases devised for labora- tories of different types and to have these far more extensive than anything existent in the Army prior to 1917. From the large amount of material which is now on hand it should be relatively easy to have a fairly large number of such outfits collected. Standard lists could be readily compiled from those already in use in the American E. F. and from the lists of apparatus which were submitted to the Director of Laboratories by the Base Hospital laboratories which came to France supplied with their own outfits. Regarding one item, that is microscopes, it would have greatly relieved the situation as it existed in France had the Govern- ment requisitioned the large numbers which are in the possession of the various medical schools in the United States. These could have been taken over as loans and returned at the expiration of the emergency. As it was, microscopes could not be purchased in the market and for a long time many of the laboratories were crippled by their lack in this respect. BASE HOSPITAL NO. 9, A. E F. 213 On arrival at what proved to be the permanent station of the organization, a large light room was chosen for the location of the laboratory. This was not fitted up with laboratory furniture for some months and until it was ready the laboratory work was done in a similar room in the same building but without gas, water or drainage. The room selected was in the building in which the operating room and the X-ray and Dental departments were situated. The plan pro- vided two rooms, a large one for the general laboratory work and a small one in which the officer in charge had his office and in which a certain amount of the work was to be done. Furniture, gas and water, electricity and drainage were installed by the detachment of engineers who were making the needed alterations on the place. Deficiencies in furnishings installed were due largely to difficulties in obtaining suitable material. For most purposes it was possible to devise more or less satisfactory substitutes. Tables and desks were made of green undressed lumber and covered with heavy linoleum which had been taken from the floors of the operating room. Sheet metal was unobtainable so that the autopsy table was covered with a layer of pitch and the table for the sterilizers covered with a layer of bricks. In both instances the substitute was satisfactory though certainly not ideal. A small cement-finished room behind one of the wards was selected for the autopsy room and fitted with water and light. It was rather awkward of access but offered advantages because of its seclusion. The general plan of the hospital and the geographical rela- tions of the laboratory and autopsy room can be seen in the plan in this book. The distance from the laboratory to the autopsy room in a straight line is 214 THE NEW YORK HOSPITAL IN FRANCE about 125 yards. A small enclosed yard adjacent to one of the wards was utilized as an animal yard and an old chicken-house was fitted with small cages for rabbits and guinea pigs and placed in it. Nearly all specimens were sent to the laboratory by an orderly or convalescent patient. Soon after patients began to be received, a form was posted in each ward and these regulations were pretty generally adhered to. Naturally as the hospital became busier and the medical officers became accustomed to the situation, the regulation as to the entry of orders for specimens in the Ward Order Book was not enforced. Slips were sent to the Laboratory for Wassermann re- actions, blood counts and blood cultures and these specimens were collected by members of the laboratory staff. Cultures from the naso-pharynx for exami- nation for the meningococcus were also taken usually by one of the laboratory staff but lumbar punctures, wound cultures and all such similar specimens were obtained either by the ward surgeon or the nurse. It was realized that there are many advantages in having such specimens obtained by the laboratory officer, especially wound and throat cultures, but such a procedure would have seriously reduced that officer's working time and under the circumstances it was felt that more could be accomplished by having specimens sent from the wards when possible. Routine reports were distributed to the wards towards the close of the day's work. Where the need was urgent, that fact was indicated on the report blank and the report sent either by special messenger or by telephone as soon as the examination was completed. The hospital was furnished with a fairly complete telephone system, a very important BASE HOSPITAL NO. 9, A. E. F. 215 essential, especially where the plant is spread over so much ground. The laboratory records were kept on duplicate report blanks in the usual way. The reports for the current month were filed alphabetically as they accumu- lated. At the end of the month they were divided into sections for the compilation of the monthly "Nu- merical Summary of Work Done" and then were filed alphabetically under the headings of each section. The cooperation of the attending staff was not a problem at this hospital. This was probably due to the fact that the officer personnel as originally con- stituted was made up almost wholly of men connected with the same institution and well acquainted with each other in civil life. The addition of new officers to the staff was made so gradually that the tradition was hardly affected. The result was that occasional conversations secured full cooperation of any or all of the clinicians within such limits as the situation would permit at any given time. SERVICE RENDERED BY THE LABORATORY. (i) The examinations in clinical pathology have formed numerically the largest bulk of the work. The laboratory was able to respond to all of the demands made upon it in this department, largely because, it is believed, the clinicians did not ask for examinations unnecessarily. Dark field examinations for the tre- ponema pallida were not begun until November, 1918, as it was not until then that the apparatus was received. (2) Anatomic pathology formed a relatively small portion of the work. Operative specimens were few in this service and for a large portion of the time the 216 THE NEW YORK HOSPITAL IN FRANCE department was without the services of an experienced histological pathologist. Sections were made from all of the autopsies and examined as the opportunity offered. It was possible to perform complete autopsies on the bodies of all patients dying in the hospital and in addition the laboratory was called upon to autopsy the bodies of those dying in accidents near the hospital and those dying in some of the Camp Hospitals and Camp Infirmaries situated near here. But few museum specimens were prepared because this hospital received very few patients that had been wounded recently. (3) In bacteriology, the work was fairly heavy. Wound cultures played an important part during the past few months. There was no very great demand for throat and naso-pharyngeal cultures since no epidemic occurred in this vicinity. Cultures were made at autopsy with fair regularity. The typing of pneumococci obtained from the sputum was hindered by the difficulty in obtaining diagnostic serum in sufficient amounts. In the early part of the stay here a fairly large number of specimens of water were ex- amined bacteriologically for organizations stationed in the Department of the Indre. Later it became clear that all of the natural water supplies were quite heavily contaminated and required treatment so that the requests for this work became less numerous. Supplies for making culture media were either brought to France by the organization or were obtained at the local slaughter house with little difficulty. (4) Agglutination tests and blood grouping were infrequent examinations. There were very few cases of typhoid fever in this hospital, but the agglutination test would probably have been used more extensively had it been possible to obtain standardized emulsions for BASE HOSPITAL, NO. 9, A. E. F. 217 the performance of comparative tests. The perform- ance of the Wassermann reaction was not begun until March, 1918, but from that time on the laboratory served a fairly large territory. The number of tests done varied from 30 to 120 per week. Standardized antigen and amboceptor were furnished by the Central Medical Department Laboratory and sheep's cells obtained from the local slaughter house. The technic was a standard one adopted by the Central Laboratory. It is believed that this standardization is a highly desirable procedure. (5) Practically no chemistry was called for. There have been two cases of diabetes in the hospital for which some little work was done but that is about all. (6) The absence of epidemics in this locality aside from the two epidemics of influenza, made the amount of epidemiology practically nothing. (7) Sanitary surveys were made of the hospital itself and the officer in charge of the laboratory acted as Sanitary Officer of the Post. On two occasions also the officer in charge of the laboratory assisted in sanitary surveys of neighboring camps. (8) A small amount of material, chiefly reagents and therapeutic sera, was furnished to Camp Hospitals and Infirmaries in the vicinity. It was also possible to supply the Central Medical Department Laboratory with a small amount of the sugars. (9) Few operative procedures were carried out by the laboratory staff. Salvarsan and therapeutic sera were administered by the ward surgeons though the latter were stocked by the laboratory. There was practically no call for animal inoculations except such as were necessary in the typing of pneumococci by the mouse method. 21S THE NEW YORK HOSPITAL IN FRANCE One of the chief difficulties in the general run of laboratory work was the irregular supply of fuel. The gas supply at this place was off daily from 12.30 to 5.30 P.M. and again at 10.00 P.M. Alcohol could often be obtained with difficulty and there were weeks when there was none at all to be had. Kerosene was usually to be had in such quantities as were necessary. The electric current was supplied continuously, but there were frequent threats that it might have to be shut off because of the shortage of coal. It should be noted that the alternating current in France is of 50 cycles instead of the 60 cycle current furnished in the United States. It should be noted also that the lamp socket used in France is a spring with a bayonet lock instead of a screw connection as used in the United States. Electrical apparatus therefore often had to be changed to meet the changed conditions. So far as could be learned, electrical current was available every- where so that it would probably be more satisfactory to have heating appliances such as incubators and hot air sterilizers run by electricity instead of by gas or kerosene. Gasolene bunsen burners perhaps would be more universally applicable than those using either alcohol or kerosene. Section Two. (a) STATISTICAL DATA. It is difficult to give accurate statistical data for the whole work of the Laboratory according to the headings on the Numerical Summary of the Laboratory Work Done since these forms were not issued until November, 1918, and prior to this time the record was kept according to a different classification which yields BASE HOSPITAL NO. 9, A. E. F. 219 very different numerical summaries, e. g., urinalysis was formerly classed as one examination while the present blank allows two, one for the chemical and one for the microscopic. The following figures are there- fore approximate but are believed to be reasonably accurate: Urinalyses 6,980 Blood clinical pathology 1,725 Total clinical pathology 11,000 Autopsies 140 Total anatomic pathology 185 Wound cultures 1,400 Total bacteriology 3,200 Wassermanns 1,875 Total serology x,95° Total chemistry Jo Operative procedures 125 Approximate grand total of all laboratory procedures September ist, 1917, to December 31st, 1918 16,470 During January and February, 1918, Major Elser carried on a bacteriological study of the cases dying with bronchopneumonia, especially those complicating measles. He was detached from this organization before he was able to finish the work and his results are not available here. The only other special investigation undertaken was an attempt made to find out how many of the command were carriers of the hemolytic streptococcus in their throats. It was found that of 153 examined about one-third carried this organism. 220 THE NEW YORK HOSPITAL IN FRANCE (b) PERSONAL DATA. At the outset the officer staff consisted of Capt., later Major William J. Elser and ist Lt., later Capt. Ralph G. Stillman, both of the Medical Corps. On February 14th, 1918, Major Elser was detached and ordered to the Central Medical Department Laboratory for duty. Capt., later Major Stillman became head of the laboratory and ist Lt. R. H. Boots was sent here for duty. About April ist Lt. Boots was detached and about April 20th Capt. Hubert V. Weihrauch of the Medical Corps was attached to the laboratory. This staff then remained unchanged until the first of December when ist Lt. G. C. Kindler of the Medical Corps was sent here for duty when it was apparent that Major Stillman would soon be detached. One woman, Miss N. D. Prey, remained attached to the laboratory throughout the entire period as a civilian employee. She served as technician and ste- nographer and when able also gave her time to the compilation of statistics that were required. One enlisted man, a sergeant was attached to the laboratory from the outset. In December, 1917, a second sergeant was attached and these two with the occasional assistance from convalescent patients were able to handle the work until about in August, 1918, when, chiefly because of the increase in wound bacteri- ology, it became necessary to add two other enlisted men to the staff. It was found comparatively easy to train intelligent enlisted men to perform most of the routine procedures of clinical pathology and it was the expressed opinion of several of the clinicians that blood counts were done more accurately here than they were usually done BASE HOSPITAL NO. 9, A. E. F. 221 in civil hospitals when carried out by junior internes. With time they were also trained to do a great deal of the bacteriology and the Wassermann reactions. The work asked for was thus carried out. If it had been possible to enlarge the staff more work could have been done, but it is our opinion that no essential procedure and few of those desirable were omitted. 3432 iNoiaaw jo Aavaan ivnoiivn 3NOIQ3W jo Aavaan ivnoiivn 3NIDIQ3W jo Aavaan tvnoii t> >■ > >- " U S. Department of °j Heolth. Education. *> and Welfore, Public °Z Heolth Service < < < 0 Vi //\. •? /V /*/ 0 > and Welfare, Public » Health S 0 j||qnj 'ajoi|a/w puo ■uonojnpj UH 470 A2B 9 1920 14230580R NLM DSlDDSbl M NATIONAL LIBRARY OF MEDICINE NLM051005614