NURSE'S LETTER FROM FRANCE

Dominion, Volume 10, Issue 2903, 16 October 1916, Page 2

NURSE'S LETTER FROM FRANCE

The following interesting narrative of the work of a section of the hospital staff on the Franco-Britißh front who are engaged in carrying the wounded down tho canals in barges, is given by Nursing Sister Bees, formerly of Napier, in a letter to relatives in Wellington:— "It is just about 29 days since the big advance began, so during that time, at least by to-morrow night, we shall have carried exactly 300 patients in this one barge alone—all of-them serious cases, in faofc.we. get those that are not able to go in the trains.. We have them on from 24 to 36 hours, occasionally 48 hours, but as a rule only one night, for which sister and- I are are very thankful, as : we always have to share the night, sister staying on till 2 a.m., then I get up; generally we are.too busy to rest in the day.

"As soon as we get them comfortably to bed wo then proceed fo cut off their dirty khaki, and what with blood and mud you can imagine the state it is in, for they, poor things, are out on tho ground 12 to 40 hours before they are brought to the Ist field dressing station, so you can think, how exhausted they are. ■ The marvel to me is that they recover and live,' but they do in a most wondorful way,' even when they are mostffriehtfullv'wounded. As soon as we got their dirty clothes off we wash thorn and dross them and feed them, and then they sleep in a marvellous way, notwithstanding their terrible wounds. They loVe tho barge and it does thorn (tho trip down) the world of good. I only wish it was longer. Last time wo-brought down some Australian officers, and I am afraid this time many, many men, as they have had an awfully bad time taking a. village; but have donosnlondidly. So far there are no_New Zealand boys in this nart of the line, for which I am thankful. ■ ' i '

"I am writing this (3 a.m.) while looking after the men'. We loaded np at.3 p.m. yesterday. This is so far the least severe lot we have had since the first—actually no amputations, only 5 compound fractures of arms and legs, 4 abdominals and only 6 chest wounds, though many of the poor fellows are. wounded in 5 or 6 places. Still, they are not in the dangerous state 'the others were in. Tho last two_ trips before we had a death each time. We are drawn up beside a lock, and. as straight as tho crow flies wo aro about ten miles from the line and the guns are going all time, just one continuous thundering; noise the big guns make at a near distance. Wo are also near tho railway lino and the trains go night and day with troops or war material'. Close, besido us are barges with stores and things for the tranches, and roads Which aro worked by G-erjnan prisoners with French guards; in fact these days the whole of the river is most interesting. At one place we pass a large cavalry encampment, and if this happens .in. the morning all tho men aro grooming their horse's, which aro just dears, and so beautifully groomed." Exposed as they are to all kinds of rough weather, men in training camps suffer severely from windburn and sunburn. An officer jnow in camp narrates how, after numerous preparations had been tried, the men in his command got full relief and comfort from the use of "Sydnl.". He Had been given a sample to try himself, and had derived so muoh benefit from it that he recommended "Sydol" to others, with the above happy result. Therein lies further proof of the soothing, softening, healing value of this popular emollient. Price, 25., all chemists and storeß.—Advt. 'How to make a most delicious cup of , tea! You need freshly boiled water, a warm tea-pot, and a spoonful of tho Queen of Teas, Desert Gold. No other tea makes such a delioious and satisfying beverage. All stores'at Is. Bd., Is. 9d„ Is. 10d„ 25.-Advt.