Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1877-11-03
EstISSjau Horrors.

Az Austrian surgeon just arrived
from Bulgaria gives terrible report OF
the neglect ard inhumauity practlced
by Russian officials on their own sol
diers; and in particular OF the horrible
treatment of the wounded, even o! their
own army. He SAYS the treatment Of
the wounded is the most damuable out
race on humanity | have ever read or
heard of, or conceived &c be possible.
1t is a sin which cries aloud TO God for
His vengeance, and to man for the
strongest possible prouonucement Of bis
loathing ADD adherence. After the
men are removed from the battle field
they are taken to field hospital, where
they are allowed to lie, just as they fell,
in their uniforms, stiff and stained with
blood, walIowiny in their own eXcre-
ments. Nobody attends 10 then, brings
them food or water, or does the least
thing for them. They groan their
wretchel lives ont in agony OF body and
desnoir of soul. Whatever
assistance pro6tred was uniformly re-
fused on the plea that none bat gradn-
ate OF a Russian surgical college could
be allowed to touch Russian wounded.
Over Gfty hours certainly elapsed be-
tween the time at which these poor
wretcheS received their wounds to that
ii which they had any treatment what
ever. Nv. blood curdles in my veins
when | think upon the su1erings they
must undergo during those two days
aud two nights OF physical pain, prlva-
ton, iolliug and exposure. Utterly IL
eycus BE is the barbarious roughuess
Of the Russian army surgeons, especial
lv, 10 caS.S where the utmost gentle
ness is needed as psychological means
OF soothing and encouragement to the
patient. | have repeatedly been a
distressed and Indignant witness OF
brutaliiies aud even sheer crueltIes
pracrced by the medical officers towards
wounded soldiers, such as | could not
hlyc conceived it possible that any civil
lied human being would have been
guilty OF. For instance, | was present
at an operation performed on neieIow
whose wound was not only dangerous
but OF peculiarly agonizlng character
lie was lying on his filthy litter. The
necessary operation might have been
perfectly well performed upon him
whilst in a recumbent position. 1t was
horrible torture to him to move, but the
surgeon, Insisted upon his getting up
and seating himself upon stooi, which
he did with the greatest difficulty. The
surgeon who was just about to begin
bis work when he caught sight OF the
soldiers long boots, which had not
been removed since he was taken OF the
field. lie broke out into torrent OF
abose calling the man an "accursed
hog" and asked him show he dare 10
present himself for operation with his
filthy boots ou." The poor fellow
stammered that nobody had taken them
Oft for him, and that he was not strong
enough to pull them of himself. Il
will teach you, you pig. TO keep your
boots on in the hospital! shouted the
surgeon, and kicked the unfortunate
creature three or four times furiously
on the legs.
Just before another operation, bound
to be attended with hideous pain 10 the
patient, | asked the surgeon in charge
why he did not administer chlorolorm
or ether to alleviate the suferings of
the soldier, at least during the operation.
He replied scornfully: "Do you think
have time to waste upon giving
anastbetics? He must make the best
of it," The treatment of the Russian
wounded from the time of their removal
from the field upon which they have
fallen TO that OF their delivery at Gorny
studeu, Rodeuieza,etc., is disgrace to