GLIMPSE OF GERMAN WAR HOSPITALS

Dominion, Volume 8, Issue 2412, 18 March 1915, Page 5

GLIMPSE OF GERMAN WAR HOSPITALS

THE WOUNDED AND THEIR NURSES (Rec. March 17, 6.26 p.m.) London, March 16. A "Times" correspondent, who has returned from' Germany, says that despite her manifest preparation's for most contingencies, Germany was not prepared for such a vast number of wounded. Already there were seven hundred thousand under treatment. Every available public building, including the Royal villas, was being utilised. He visited the Royal residence, whero iron bedsteads were crowded against the great mirrors in tho ballroom, resplendent in gold mountings and Venetian chandeliers. Wolf hounds are extensively used in finding the wounded, who instinctively seek sheltcf from bears, and are frequently not noticed in their groy uniforms. Red Cross trains of fifty carriages, with sixteen beds in each, travel at a snail's pace. A doctor, discussing the psychology of tho sick-room, declared that the Iron Cross man never dies if he can pessibly help it. The liursesare pretty girls, in neat costumes, giving an air, of coquetry which is deemed to be helpful to the patients. The death-rates are less than two per centum, and sixty. per cent, of the early wounded have rejoined the ranks. Tho Russian, slim-nosed speedy bullet is considered to be tho .most humane, and 'gangrene after it is almost unknown._ Shrapnel causes the greatest lacertftions. Wounded prisoners are treated in dreary hospitals. They know they are not wanted, the cheerful atmosphere of the other hospitals heing painfully .wanting, and all have male'nurses. A patient feels the want of a. nurse's hand. When a prisoner dies he is buried with 'military honours, and upon his coffin is placed a ribbon, inscribed: "To a Brave Warrior," A wooden cross for identification, and a wreath is placed on tho grave, and a volley is fired — exactly the same cercinony as for the burial of Germans.