Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1904-10-25
THE NAVY OF JAPAN
ITS MEDICAL SERVICE IS IN FINE
WORKING CONDITION.
Special Course for Surgeons and Nurses
instruction in the "Charite"-
Vessels for Sick and Wounded.
From the London Globe.

From the London Globe.
AS is the case in other departments of
public activity, the medical service of the
Japanese navy is in excellent working con-
dition. On the outbreak of war Japan
owned two hospital ships, and two others
were added at once, so that there is now
one hospital ship available for each of the
naval stations; these four vessels are the
Hakuimaru, kosaimaru, Lachyomaru and
Kobemaru. and all of them saw service in
the war with China in 1915. According to
a correspondent of the Herold of ST. Peters
burg, there Is in Tokyo a naval medical
academy for training and completing the
training of surgeons and nurses. During
1908 there were enrolled in this academy
fourteen candidates to undergo complete
course of instruction, and nine staff sur
geons for postgraduate courses Those
young surgeons who wish to enter the mill
tary service and who have passed only the
public examination without attaining the
degree OF physician must attend the course
in the Naval Medical Academy for one full
year before they can be admitted to active
service in the navy. The instruction in the
academy consists of pathology, hygiene,
military medicine, field surgery and the
transport of the wounded. Clinical instruc-
ton is given in the Charlie, which will be
referred to later. The academy possesses a
special library of manuals and journals in
japanese, English, French and German a
Roentgen-ray room, a collection of surgical
instruments projecties and portions of pro-
Jectiles, with departments under surgeons
major. The pathological department re-
celVeS cOrpses from the Charlie, and it con-
tains a good collection of pathologico-ana-
tonical specimens. The chemical depart
ment is used also as an experimental sta
ton for food. and 1t trains specialists in
that important branch The bacteriolog1-
cal department is especially good; it is fit
ted out excellently, and Is provided with
ample room for students
Clinical instruction.
The Charlie. or hospital, supplies clinical
instruction, and also trains nurses 1t is
under the protection of the Empress of
Japan, who visits 1t frequently. and it con-
sists of several buildings WHICH are in gar
dens and which are mostly connected by
means of covered ways; it possesses every
equipment known to modern surgical sci
ence, with separate rooms for those sick
people who desire them, and large wards
holding thirty beds. The male department
Is on the ground floor. and the females are
on the upper story. Infectious cases are
dealt with In a special ward, and eighty
five nurses are employed in the Charlie
The Hakuimaru and the Kosaimaru were
built by the Japanese Red Cross specially
for service as hospital ships in time of
placed at the disposal of the Nippon Yusen
kaisha Company, and they were used as
passenger vessels between Yokohama and
Shanghai. When the war came they were
adapted again to their proper use. They
are single screw steamers, built in England,
and of about $500 tons capacity. They are
painted white, with broad red band and
red cross on their tunnels. Besides a
steam pinnace they carry several large
rowing boats.
These ships have many erections on their
upper decks, main decks and between decks.
Fore and aft on the upper decks is steam
crane for taking In CT disembarking wound
ed men through the spacious hatchway
openings. while fore and aft, at the height
of the main deck, wide doorway is cut
In the side of the vessel so that wounded
men can be embarked direct from the boats.
On the upper deck are the captains quar-
ters the smoking room and ladies' saloons,
all of which can be used by day by such in
yalids as can leave their beds. The prone
made deck is broad and comfortable. On the
upper deck are also a room for receiving
the wounded. some quarters for the officers,
and, in two contiguous rooms, a large box
shaped steam disinfecting apparatus with a
separate entrance. Forward on the main
deck is the laundry, driven by electricity.
Behind the laundry are two wide and airy
rooms containing iron bedsteads in two