"MARKING OUT."

Taihape Daily Times, 15 October 1918, Page 7

"MARKING OUT."

FIT TO FIGHT ONCE MOEE. "Every man to Iris bedside," orders the white-capped Sister and the boys in blue take up their positions by the white-quilted beds. Each patient's medical chart is laid at the foot of his bed for reference, and everything is ready for inspection This is the day on which the E.A. M.C. colonel comes around the auxiliary hospitals—the "V.A.D's." as Tommy knows them. When his visit is first mentioned and all the patients are informed that they must not go out until the inspection is over speculation is rife as to who will bo '' marked out"—that is, discharged from hospital and sent on leave before rejoining for duty. "Well, I think you've 'swung' it long enough, Jock," says one boy to his next bed-mate. "It's time you | went home to the missus and kids." I Men who are almost all right again but who have had a happy time in hospital, are silent, thinking probably of what they will tell the colonel to induce him to extend their stay in the comfortable hospital. "I'm fed up with hospitals," asserts ' one unlucky lad whose wound obstinately refuses to heal. "I'll ask him to ■ mark mo out to-day"—a request he ' has no intention of making as he / knows that he is not yet fit for duty. A hum of voices announces the arrival of the colonel, hospital M. 0., matron, and sister in charge of the ward. I Private Brown, Bed No. 1, is the first for examination. "Shrapnel wound in the arm," states the M.O. "Quite healed now." "Has he had massage, and is his arm stiff in any way?" Private Brown, who has been stand- ' ing stiffly to attention, assures the f colonel that his arm is all right again, and ho is accordingly "marked out." Bed No. 2 is a case of trench fever. "How do you feel?" asks the colonel. "I still have pains in my legs, sir, and don't feel fit yet," replies Private Jones. Private Jones ' medical history, right from the beginning of his sickness to the present moment, nearly tabulated is handed by the matron to the colonel, who, after consultation with the hospital staff says: "I think I will give him another week or two"; and Private Jones returns smiling to his seat. The next to be examined is our friend with the obstinate wound. "Still dicharging" states the M. 0., and the colonel, satisfied by personal examination that. all is not well with the wound, gives instructions for the man's return tc military hospital for further treatment, which may include an operation. And so the inspection continues. An unusual stir in the hospital in the early morning, is accounted for by the "marked outs" collecting their khaki and kit bag (every soldier from overseas is issued with complete new outfit before his discharge from hospital, and handing in bed linen and "blues." Breakfast is hurried through farewells taken, and the happy, laughterloving boys—soldiers once more—are taken to the station en route,for home and "ten days of the best" before they report for duty and a graduated training to make them fit to fight I once more.—"B'undy," in the "Daily I Mail."