Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1902-10-10

WIN 1uAtuS Iuc 1dIaQC.
There are twenty-one ambuIances con-
| nected with the service in the White Lot.
and during the time the parade was pass
ing down the avenue they were all needed
in the work. At that time only three of
| them We're kept the hospital the
others being stationed about the city on the
line of march. with attending outriders.
By this distribution the most prompt aid
was rendered the veterans who were over
come with fatigue. During the passing of
the parade 125 patients were taken to the
hospital. During the entire day and night
of Wednesday there were taken to the hos
pital about IT'S persons who We're over
come. OF that number about thirty were
women.
Upon the arrival Of an ambulance at the
hospital four assistants are in waiting.
Two stretchers are by their side in the
first tent to which the injured are borne.
and as soon as the vehicle is backed up to
the sidewalk they are ready to remove the
patients. II they are to be carried to the
tent There they are examined by the sur
geons. A third Of those who are carried in
the ambuiances are received and do not
need extended treatment. OF the 125 taken
to the hospital during the parade only
Seventy-five We're actually admitted to the
hospital proper for further treatment OF
the entire number that have been cared for
not one died. In one case, a veteran, who
was far along in years, was thought to be
dying while the parade was in progress
His condition at the hospital was so critical
that extreme measures We're taken. For
half an hour artificial respiration was re-
sorted to, and for a time it was not known
whether the man was dead or alive. But he
was revived, and is now regarded as out of
danger There is doubt that he owes
his life to the prompt and efficient assist
ance he received.
Every Facility Provided.
The hospital is provided with everything
that the ingenuity of the army has devised
for field treatment. There is an operating
tent, with facilities for antiseptic treat
ment. All the water used is first filtered
in order to remove impurities and 1t is then
boiled. This Is not only the water used in
the operating room. but it is used for
drinking purposes. All the tents are foored
ara board walks are provided to connect
all parts OF the grounds. Light is provided
by generator for acetyline gas and Is
conveyed to the different tents by rubber
tubes
Special provision is made for the treat
ment of women. corps Of women nurses
look after them. The nurses In the mems
wards are all men. who are In the regular
service of the army The tents, cots and
everything can be folded up as rapidly as
are the belongings of a circus and made
ready for convenient transportation. Each
tent for the patients contains five cots and
they can be placed within a wooden pack
ing case of small dimensions.
During each evening while the fireworks
are DelnS exnlDlteC on the White Lot three
ambulances are kept in waiting there In
case of accident.
The service of caring for the injured has
also been extended so that any veteran can
call in any physician at his home or board
ing place and have treatment. The pre-
scrfptions in such cases sent to the
nearest drug stores. All this service is
made free of charge to the veteran, the at
tendant expense being borne by the COM
mittee in charge of the work.
For the good work that has been done by
the hospital there has been only praise by
every one who has observed it, 1t has
been model service in every respect. That
it has relieved suffering to an enormous
extent there can be no doubt. Many of the
injuries that have been treated by the hos
pital, while slight in themselves and yield
ing to treatm INT readily, are of such a ma
ture that neglect might result in serious
consequences.
The City Hospitals.
While the special hospital has been and
is now doing this work, all of the regular
hospitals of the city have been extending
such aid TO injured as has been their GUS
tom. The Emergency Hospital has been
kept busy, but the demand for assistance
has been so great that there is no doubt
that all ordinary facilities would have been
inadequate without the special facilities
that have been provided. The best of feel
ing has been maintained among the various
institutions for caring for the sick. 1t has
been common sight to see the Emergency
Hospital ambulances at the Grand Army
Hospital when their own facilities for TAX
ing care of the injured have been taxed to
their limit.
The record of work that has been done is
not yet made up, but when 1t has been
completed the full benefit that the special
hospital has been will be fully demon
strated.