CARE OF THE WOUNDED

Dominion, Volume 8, Issue 2525, 28 July 1915, Page 8

CARE OF THE WOUNDED

REASSURING NEWS

ABOUT HOSPITALS IN EGYPT

Some particulars of the treatment and care of the sick and wounded in Egypt are given in a letter from LieutenantColonol Esson, A.Q.M.C., New Zealand and Australian Dir'sions, which was read in the House of Representatives Yesterday by'the Minister of Defenco tho Hon. J. Allen.

Writing from the New Zealand Headquarters, Alexandria, on June 1.7, Colonel Esson informed the Minister of Defence that the following committees had bfen set up to superintend the expenditure of the £1.000 so thoughtfully; forwarded by the Government for the provision oi' comforts for the sick and wounded.in Egypt:— Cairo, Surgeon-General Ford (Director of Medical Services), Lieut.-Colonel Kail Careif (Commandant), Major Holmes (Senior New Zealand Medical Officer), Major Chapman (Officer Commanding Brigade Derails), ChaplainCaptain. Angus Macdonald and ChaplainCaptain Gavin. Alexandria: Lady Godley, Lieut.Colonel A. B. Charters (Officer-Com-manding New Zealand Base Depot), Captain 1) itzlierberfc (Officer Commanding Records), and Chaplain-Captain Greene.

The money is being expended-with the approval of the medical authorities m the purchase if razors and. shavingmaterial, note paper, tooth brushes, pocket handkerchiefs, tobacco and cigarettes, walking-sticks, fruity- and temperance drinks. These gifts . were distributed by tlie . chaplains who are members of the committees, and detailed for_ hospital work alone. They not only visit. tno_ numerous hospitals in and about Cairo and Alexandria, but go to such places as Suez, Ismailia, Damanhour, Tanta, and I'ort Said. ChaplainCaptain 'J'obin has been sent to Malta, to discharge similar functions, and it is understood that £450 is available for use there. He was directed to work with the Now Zealand officers and Red Cross people, who, states the letter, are reported to be doing splendid work. In addition, men have tlie privilege of purchasing approved articles, which are supplied by large firms, and tho weekly accounts debited against . the mens' pay. The 1 hospital' regulations prohibit the making of cash payments to men in hospital, ■ owing to tlie behaviour of some men who aro able to get about, and whose indiscretion retards their cure. The men in the hospitals were receiving every possible attention. The were spacious and comfortable, and the medical and nursing ' staffs very attentive., Tlie. treatment of : New Zealanders and the attention paid to them by the representatives of the force in Egypt was held up as an example to be copied by others. Colonel Esson added that a great deal'of voluntary aid was forthcoming, and that .the British Red Cross ' Society, with a membership of 500,/.was^giving voluntary aid in nursing and visiting: The New. Zealand weekly, newspapers were regularly distributed in the hospitals. Owing to the enormous influx of wounded, and transport. difficulties, and tlie distance between tho hospitals, >the medical returns were necessarily very much delayed, ond it was at first difficult to obtain information. This, . however, had been overcome by the erection of special machinery in Egypt, and information regarding men landed there was now being promptly cabled.