The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1898-07-18
THE WOUNDED AT KEY WEST.
Good Hospital Service and Men Re-
covering Rapidly.
Letter in New York Post.

At the hospitals there seems nothing TO
criticise and everything TO commend. among
the patients are many whose WOUNDS are
trifling, though of a nature Whlcn UNITS
them for service in the field. There are
some with ugly flesh wounds, some with
bullet-shattered bones. There are no ampu-
tation cases in this detachment, and there
are none whose removal would involve risks
of serious consequences. Such will probably
come by some of the vessels expected later.
The cases now here are those or less Sc
rious character and all are doing well. The
wounds of some have healed so rapidly that
there is talk of sending the men back al
mos Immediately The wounds of men
whose blood is clear, and who are In sound
physical condition, heal rapidly under the
appliances and treatment of modern surg
cry
The principal hospital building was
convent until a few weeks ago, when 1t
was offered by the nuns for its present pur-
pose. for which 1t is admirably aaapted. IL
consists of a central rotunda with flank
ing wings, giving large and airy rooms in
which the cots are placed. 1t is surrounded
by spacious grounds with ample shade. Ad-
ditional buildings have been erected upon
the grounds for the extension of the capac-
ity An unused tobacco factory and school
house. both of them few blocks from the
convent hospital also being utilized for
hospital purposes. The tobacco factory may
not sound very attractive, but ] found 1t
quite a pleasant room when | visited 1t this
morning. The room was clean and airy,
and each iron cot with its white sheets was
surmounted by white canopy suspended
from the ceiling for protection against nies
and mosquitoes. The place was far from UNI
inviting, If one does not object to the smell
of iodoform. There remains behind these the
United States Marine Hospital, to which
none has, as yet, been assigned, though
orders have been issued for the reception
of q portion of those who are to arrive at
an early day by the Cherokee and another
vessel, which is to follow. There is also a
hospital structure a couple of miles beyond
the city, Immediately upon the eastern
shore of the island which can be utilized
If necessary. 1T will probably be required.
as some eight hundred patients are ordered
to this point. One of the physicians in
charge of the department here assures me
that the medical staff is amply able to care
for even such a number.
AS Sancho Panza blessed the man who in
vented sleep. so might one also pronounce
a benedction upon the head Of him who in
vented that immensely comfortable sleeping
garment the pajama. They now form an
almost indispensable adjunct to all hospital
service. The visitor to a hospital cannot
fail of being impressed by the contrast in
the comfortable appearance of pajama-clad
men with those wearing the heavy flannel
shirt and the uniform of the field. learn
that the National Relief Association has
arranged to supply the jellies and delicacies
which are always so desirable and so ac-
ceptable, and IL is to be hoped that the peo-
pie of the city will attend to the supply
of reading matter.