The broad ax., 1898-08-06

been as busy as every other branch OF
the army and navy in preparing for &C
tual hostilities. At present the work
Is we'll in hand. In addition to the reg
ular force Of army surgeons a large
number Of volunteer enlistments have
been placed on file, enough in all prob
ability to meet every requirement.
In laying its plans for field work the
surgical department has some entirely
new problems to face with practically
no experience to guide II. Since the
most recent war Of any extent between
two civilized nations there have been
two revolutions which will have
marked effect on field surgery. One OF
these has taken place in the science OF
surgery itself. by the introduction and
general application Of antiseptic prin-
ciples. The other has been in the
character Of the weapons employed in
warfare. The small steel projectile used
IN modern army rifles inflicts different
sort Of wound from the old-style bull
let.
In the United States army the hospi-
tai corps is divided into two detach-
ments, one for service in the field hos
pitfalls, the other to man the ambulances
and filters for the removal Of the
wounded from the field. The plan Of a
field hospital. as outlined by Lieutenant
Colonel Forwood, deputy surgeon gen.
eral, provides for four lines, separated
by the character OF the battlefield. The
first line Of hospital service is coinci-
dent with the line Of battle, and in
cludes the regimental surgeons. order
lies, and company bearers. On the sec
ond line are located the first dressing
stations, at the nearest point beyond
the range of the enemy's fire. Here
ambulance surgeons attend to the
wounds, and ambulances and litter
bearers Of the hospital corps convey the
wounded to the third line. This Is
called the ambulance station. Recep-
ton, operating and dressing tents are
erected, where the wounded can be at
tended until they can be removed to
the division hospital at the base Of sup
plies.
At the first dressing stations, where
the wounded receive their first atten-
ton, aside from such hasty bandaging
as the regimental surgeon may be able
to provide, there is a completely equip
ped field hospital in miniature. In the
United States army the main medical
stores are carried in army wagons, but,
as these cannot keep up with the line
Of battle, II is proposed that pack mules
be employed to carry supplies to these
dressing stations. A medical case or
pannier, SO built as to 1T the back of a |
mule, contains all the materials requir- |
ed, a variety of antiseptics. medicines
for the relief Of pain, bandages, splints, |
plasters, and operating instruments A |
cook accompanies each Of these divi- |
sions, carrying case Of portable cook |
ing utensils. AS soon as the detach-
ment reaches its station, tents are put |
up, the medical cases are opened, and |
their contents placed in readiness for |
use; an operating table Is improvised |
by placing two folding panniers to-
gether, so that they will AFFORD a place |
on which to lay the wounded while the |
surgeon is working over them, while |
the cook sets up his tent and makes
ready to prepare light nourishment.
The dressing places are intended to
be only temporary stopping places for
the wounded. AS soon as their imme-