SICK PARADES

Dominion, Volume 9, Issue 2687, 5 February 1916, Page 6

SICK PARADES

SOLDIERS IN HOSPITAL

THE SICK-HUT ROUTINE

• "Yes, it's hard luck, and they are quite right in putting me out, hut I never thought my wrist would go crook like this." The speaker was a young ex-soldier, clad in uniform, which had 110 brass titles or initials 011 shoulders or capfront. He had been discharged from Trentham as medically unlit, owing to rheumatism having developed in his right wrist. "It was the musketry that found it out. Chaps don't know how hard tho rifle work is," the young man continued. "Yes, I hurt that wrist bush-falling about two years ago. Perhaps that's the cause of the rheumatism. Anyhow I had to go before tho Medical Board, and they passed mo out. I think I'll try again, though, in about six months' time." ■ The medical side of camp life is one that the soldier in training is occasionally in touch with, and even when he does not realise the fact, it is constantly in touch with him. Fitness is tho watchword of the soldier, and physical fitness is the most important kind. Without it, proficiency, intelligence', and willingness are merely commendable conditions. The soldier has to bo as hard as nails; if he is not, he is 110 good to the Army. Sick Parades.

When a soldier is sick, or requires medical attention of any kind, he rejwrts to his platoon sergeant at the first physical parade. The sergeant tells the orderly corpora], who calls for the sick mail, either at 8 aim. or 4 p.m., and he is marched with others to the sick hut. Each man is given a slip of paper, 011 which the corporal has written the soldier's name, whether he is married or single, and tho nature of his indisposition. The corporal also makes out a list in triplicate of his men reporting sick. Those with colds, influenza, and other troubles connected with high temperatures have their temperatures taken by orderlies ill one portion of the sick but before going to the doctor. When the corporal takes his men in, 110 hands tlie doctor the triplicate lists, and the doctor calls each mail's name, ticking him off as he is disposed of. TJie temperatures that have been taken are written by the orderlies oil slips of paper, and each" man gives his slip to tho doctor, who marks it and returns it to him. Those who are not- ill enough to go into hospital have the letters M.D., L.D.M., or E.D. written 011 their slips of paper, and the corporal takes them back to their hutments. These initials mean, respectively, medicine and duty, fight duties and medicine, and exempt from duty. Any dressings are done by orderlies in an adjoining hutment. The orderly corporal keeps one list of his sick, the doctor keeps one, and the third goes to Headquarters. From it is comriiled the, daily bulletins of patients in hospital. Colng into Hospital.

. Men who go into hospital have the word "hospital" marked against tlieir names on the sheets. Each one is sent back to his hut to got his toilet requisites, and on his return is marched into hospital, where the .sergeant in charge takes the names and -particulars of tlio new patients. Troiii this information, telegrams arc written out and sent to the next-of-kin. . A telegram is always sent, so'that next-of-kin need never be alarmed at the intimation that their soldier is in hospital. Most likely bis complaint is nnlv a sliulit ono. An then -draws from the medical stores all clothing and bedding required bv the patients. These include pillow-slips, shirts, socks, p.vinmas, and blanket dressing-gown. TCverv man is then bathed and put to bed, his uniform being taken by tlio orderly-sergeant and store?! aw.iv. Then the nurses take the 6ick men in hand, and the men in the camns .ire always loud in their nr-iise .of the nurses. Temperatures which had soared up above ]00 degrees come down rapidly under treatment in the quiet, airv wards and the complete rest plays its important part in restoring the soldier to fi'll health. Vorv few vien are in hospital more than a few days. Coming Out. While convalescent, tlio patients are allowed to sun themselves on the hospital verandahs and er.jov the pleasure of seeing other men working and drilling. Allien qu'to strong once more, the hosnital orderlies bring tlio soldier his uniform, for which he gives a receipt. After he has resumed it, he takes to tlio stores «11 liis liospitnl garments, plato, knife, and fork. Then he goes to the sick hut to.be examined by the doctor, and an Army Medical Corps man asks him if he lias any complaints. Most likely the doctor orders him to tell his corporal•.tlint he is to havo n couple of days' light duties, during which he reports at sick parades. Thereafter he drops back into the routine of soldiering, unless his detention in hospital was flue to anvtliing-requiring dressing or other attention after leaving. when lie attends twice daily at the sick pn.r--ades, which are lield ,at -8 a.m. surl 4 r>'.ni. Men who have been marked E.D.. M.D., or L.D.M., must also report, at those hours. If tlio trouble is of a kind which may necessitate the so'd'er heinc discharged. li» is examined bv the Camp Medical Board, and it is on the decision, of this hoard that ho either stays or goes out. _ Some men have complained that, while still fit,, tliev lia.ve been sent out. But none lias complained that heintr unfit ho was allowed to remain, and everv man ill camp knows that, the searching military training infallibly finds out any weakness.