IN THE FIRING LINE

Dominion, Volume 10, Issue 2990, 30 January 1917, Page 6

IN THE FIRING LINE

NEWS OF THE SOLDIERS TREATMENT OF NEW ZEALAND WOUNDED Some interesting remarks regarding the New Zealand Forces at the front are made in a letter from Colonel W. H. Parkes, Deputy Director of Medical Servioes, to the Minister of Defence (Hon. J. Allen). Writing from London early in December, Colonel Parkes said: "My last visit to France was very interesting. I spent some time with the medical units and paid particular attention to the arrangements to provide hot baths for the whole division, the washing, sterilising, and distribution of clean underclothing, and tho provision of ovens for the drying of boots. The men return from the trenches to a rest-house in their gumboots, which they wash and hand over to be dried, receiving a clean pair of seeks and their dried boots in exchange. . . . The dry canteens are well conducted. The men can purchase almost anything at a trifle over cost. Tho estaminets, where so many of the men spend their evenings, are not satisfactory, and I am pleased to know that a New Zealand Social Club is to bo established in the division, where the men can enjoy theroselvesVamid more wholesome surroundings. . "It is gratifying to note that Reinforcements are now arriving with a clean bill of health as regards cerebrospinal meningitis. . . . Massage is a form of treatment that becomes more and more necessary, and it is a special feature of the electro-massage department of the Convalescent Hospital, Hornchurch, where twelve masseuses are constantly employed. They are chiefly from the Almerie Paget Corps, an institute which supplies the military hospitals and convalescent homes with masseuses who are well trained in up-to-date methods. . . . To meet demands, which are steadily increasing, wo have recently taken over, through tho War Office, as an auxiliary of No. 2 New Zealand General Hospital, tho Oatlonds Park Hotel. It stands in a park of about fifty acres within a mile of Walton Hospital, and will accommodate over 500 patients of the lighter types, tho severe cases, especially surgical, remaining at the main hospital. Tho policy of aggregating our patients as much as possible in New Zealand hospitals is proving (rnite sound, and amply justifies the amount of accommodation provided. There is no doubt that the average stay is shorter than in British hospitals, both as regards officers and men. For sentimental reasons, New Zealanders are particularly welcome in British hospitals, and sisters liavo adknitted to me that they always like to retain a few New Zealand soldiers. Tliis is, of course, very complimentary,' but with a relatively small force at our disposal it is of the utmost importance to return every officer and man to duty in the shortest possible time.

"Mr. C. A. Knight, who not only generously placed his beautiful house at Brighton at the disposal of the New Zealand convalescent officers in Jnne of last year, But lias also discharged the whole cost of staff and maintenance, has now given further proof of his interest in New Zealand by offering a house to accommodate thirty officers! It is situated in the same terraco in quite the most beautiful part of Brighton. We . are undertaking the cost of renovatiou, furnishing,- amj maintenance. The additional house will prove a great boon, and in the more congenial climate our officers will make the host -possible progress towards recovery."