The age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1897-1902, 1898-04-27
The Red Cross Society
:. And What It Is Doing

While the different states OF the union
will readily furnish its quota of men for
active service on the field during the pres
ent war between this country and Spain,
Miss Clara Barton, president of the Ameri-
can National Res Cross society is very ac-
tive in preparing the necessary nurses for
work among the sick and wounded soldiers.
Miss Barton has already a number of So
cieties of the Red Cross, waiting for GER
tain orders, and information from the gov
eminent before sailing for the various
points where nurses will be needed. Their
trunks are packed and they are only de-
layed in beginning their perilous, unselfsh
labors because of final commands from
Miss Barton, who is, in turn, waiting for
certain information from the authorities at
Washington. Very many enthusiastic, pa
triotic women carried away by the pre-
vailing excitement are offering their serv-
ices as nurses to the government, and in
several cities training classes for army
nurses are already in successful operation.
The following from a recent exchange
upon this timely subject will be of inter-
est just now:
The little Red Cross hospital In New
York is constantly besieged by applicants
for enlistment in the work of the Red
Cross society, and many are enlisted to
whom lectures on the duties of army nurs-
es are delivered daily No matter what
may be the outcome of the present issue
between the United States and Spain, the
Red Cross society will be prepared. The
lectures are for the benefit of the noviti-
ates who have had no regular training as
nurses. They consist of explanations of the
uses of emergency medicines and simple
restoratives, demonstrations of rudiment-
airy bandaging and binding and practical
nurse work All the wounds that are like
w IN Ha 700 t,od an 6o hot i'll
Illustrated and Instructions given as to the
course to pursue to prolong life and miti-
gate suffering until the surgeon arrives.
Few people really understand how diff
cult is the relief work of the Red Cross
Society when properly performed. Women,
anxious to do some good in this world adj
mire immensely the picturesque costume OF
the nurses and evolve the widest romances
while day-dreaming and absolute neutrality
can do. Humanity and absolute neutrality
is essential in army field nurse No
matter what relation wounded or SICK
soldier might bear to the country they
call home, he must be nursed as carefully
and tenderly as any other. There must be
an utter absence of prejudice and precon-
ceived opinion of the soldiers whom the
nurse may be required to attend. A true
sister to every human being, regardless OF
nationality, creed or sex, is positively re-
quired for a competent discharge of her
duties. nurse must have nerves of steel
ana the courage OF true SOlulef Inc
difference between civil and m litary service
of nurse is very distinct. On the bat
tlefield almost nothing to aSsuage pain is
at hand. All is confusion The shrieks
of the wounded are many, and mingled
with suppressed groans and piteous appeals
fer aid put to test the nerve and courage
as nothing else can To remain cool and
collected under these trying circumstances
is essential.
Systematic action is best. In that the
nurses and novitiates are being trained as
well as in the art of stopping hemor-
rhages by plugging and bandaging. After
every battle, men are under horses and
dismantled cannon. Others are lying face
downward on the ground. Soldiers, when
shot, usually fall forward and with the
face close to the ground, respiration is diff
ficult and there is danger of the men
smothering. The first work of nurse is
to step among the dead and wounded, pay
no heed to ghastliness of the former and
the piteous cries of the latter and turn
every face upward. Then attention to re-
lieving the wounded is given. The great
cry is for water, and this must be supplied
Hypodernic injections are to be given to
alleviate pain. Much suffering is from
distortion of mangled limbs. These must
be Strengthened out, until a more favorable
opportunity for other attention. For frac-
lures splints and bandages may be impro-
yised from a musket and handkerchief.
Sticks, stones and wisps of hay may some
times be all the material with which the
nurse is able to discharge the duties IN
cumbent upon her. The burdens OF war
are not borne entirely by the men. There
are women patriots greater in purpose and
humanitarianism than men.