SICK AND WOUNDED IN MIDDLE EAST

Dominion, Volume 35, Issue 280, 25 August 1942, Page 3

SICK AND WOUNDED IN MIDDLE EAST

Very Best Of Treatment

Dominion Special Service. NAPIER, August 24

A linn assurance that sick and wounded soldiers in the Middle East fighting zone were receiving the very best treatment and attention, was given in an interview today by Dr. A. C. B. Biggs. Napier, who recently returned from the Middle East, where he was attached to the First New Zealand General Hospital with the rank of major. The First New Zealand General Hospital where Dr. Biggs has been working for the past 12 months, is a main base hospital for the 2nd N.Z.E.F. The hospital itself comprises a fairly large hotel taken over by the authorities for the purpose, with additional accommodation in the form of large hospital tents capable of holding several hundred patients'. Giving an outline of the facilities of the hospital. Dr. Biggs said it was well equipped in all branches, instancing the X-ray plant, which he said was one of the latest types. Recently there- had been installed a special plant designed solely for the treatment of bad eases of burns.

Dr. Bi””s said all types of cases were treated at the hospital. As there were several camps within reasonable distauee, British Army and R.A.F., as well as 2nd N.Z.E.F., there was a constant flow of sick being admitted for treatment, apart altogether from battle casualties. Doctors, sisters and staff were all doing line work. The staff included several specialists in order that special cases could obtain expert treatment. They were all kept: busy, often under trying conditions, particularly when convoys of wounded were brought from the bat liefield.

There was a large outpatients’ department. said the doctor, which included an eye department, ear. nose and throat department. and orthopaedic clinic, as well as general medical, surgical, dental, and massage departments. A complete laboratory. well staffed, assisted in the investigation of all cases admitted.