New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1898-09-01
THE WOUEN WHO NURSE THE SICK
DIR. ANITA y. MGEE. L. S. A. TELLS OF The
GOOD WORK BEING DONE AND OF
HER SEX'S PATRIOTISM.

DR. Anita Newcomb McCee acting assistant sur
geon L. s A. with the rank OF first lieutenant
for short time in the Army Building yes
terday afternoon after she had seen the compile
rent OF nurses engaged by her start on the Seneca
for Porto Rico. Or. MCGEE said that twenty-three
nurses had arrived the pier ready for the trip
Seven were too late They struggled into the
Army Building having come from Boston, WASH
ington and other cities expecting that the trans
port would not sail until evening. They VIII be
sent out on tho first available transport The seven
were disappointed lot Of women.
In speaking Of her work DR.. MCGEE told OF the
distinction among the nurses In the Governments
service. There about seven hundred nurses IN
the pay Of the Government who have been exam
ind by Or MCGEE and appointed her RECON-
mendation over forty-three hundred applicants
were examined. and an eligible list made up
from which 10 select nurses as needed. The Sur
geon-General. Or. McGec said. had become con-
WINGED of the value Of the work done by the
women nurses and ever since June had promptly
sent them when the medical officers in charge Of
the hospitals called for them, sometimes sending
more than were called for when he thought they
could re used. He was anxious Or. MCGEE said;
that every needed should ne supplied. and
had ordered her TO go 10 Montauk to look into the
need for more nurses.
The Government now has hundred nurses at
who as far as the doctor knows. simply walk into
work best they can. DR.; Niece VIII LOOK INTO
the qualifications of these volunteer nurses out mas
authority 10 dlSpeuS" WIN lneH S'lNlN'S' iut ,
serve without Day, anu many are at work In the
nearby hospitals DR.. MCGEE will examine their
quarters and report whether they are properly
housed or tented. the case may no. .
one Of the distinctions between the nurses In inc
Government service and tho volunteers is that the
service nurses graduates OF training schools
and come recommended having the physlca!
strength needed for Army service. while many o,
the volunteers are trained nurses who cannot bnd
themselves with tho indefinite time contract the
Government requires because Of the low salary ana
for other reasons but who for short time give
their services. DR. Mcgee spoke OF the PATRIOTISM
anlmating her sex. when asked how she could get
nurses for s30 month. and said that there had
been a rush - applicants.
you have no idea % the patriotism or the WON,
on Of this country" she said They leave 2"oh
positions to serve for 40 a month the same as the
men have done 20 serve In the ranks Tor SI3 Il
| month Miss Paterson. the head nurse ~ the
Senoy Hospital. Brooklyn who has reputation as
| nurse Of executive ability. got years lur,
lorgh thai she might 20 70 Santiago TO-DAY, ana
there are many others who have absolutely given
up good positions 10 work FOR the Government al
lower salaries"
! Miss Wheeler the daughter OF the General com,
/ harding al Camp Wkoff. tried 10 gain the oHlcla
| Endorsement ~ Or. McCeo but as she was not a
trained nurse she had 10 volunteer for service She
! is now a, Camp WkoN. Or. MCGEE has no ldea
Jus, how long she herself will remain at camp
IVikor but says she Will stay just as long as nec
ossarv 10 secure reliable information on the SUD-
,ect she goes 70 investigate. While IN camp she
will wear lleut"nants service coat with the shoul
| der sfraps OF her rank