The Washington times., 1904-02-28
DR.. Anitd NGWCOmD MCGEE Describes
Intentions and Accomplishments
OF The American Corps
Held Of The Spanish War Association
Goes Into Detail OS TO tidrdShiDS
The pOrtY Must Endure.

IAN army nurse said DR.. Anita
Newcomb MCGEE. president OF the So
cietv or Spanish-American War Nurses
and herself probably the best known
army nurse in the United States.
should be possessed Of nerves of steel.
She should have n constitution that Is
proof against exposure to weather or
ia the strain Of long hours of work, for
she is subjected 70 both. and yet. with
II all. she must be patient and kind,
with a touch as gentle as that OF a
ministering angel. The nurses whom I
take with me 70 Japan are all what are
known among us as vets, for they
have served through several campaigns,
and even the hardest soldier is not more
prepared to play his part in war than
are they. My nurses would know just
how TO 20 into camp. TO forage for food,
70 cook their own meals to help the doc
tors pick up the wounded. lay out the
Geld hospital and then stand by TO
soothe and care for the sick for eighteen
hours at a time If necessary.
Prepared to March.
''Of course. we don't expect to have
oil that to do as a regular thing in
Japan, but we have done il. and In this
case. In the event of an emergency call
on the field the nurses will be prepared
10 march at once. / have seen some OF
the nurses trudging along the road
carrying almost as heavy a burden as
the soldiers There were times when
there was no one else to carry their
blankets and pOnchos. and with il. OF
course. they took the nurses indis-
pensable equipment, the "hypo" syringe
thermometer. and surgical case, and
&Sometimes a small alcohol lamp
This experience in Japan, think,
viii be very much like that which the
nurses had in Cuba
There is every possibility that they
viii be sent on the field. and our camp
ing experience will stand us in good
stead Summer is now approaching.
and the heat in. the hospitals and out
in the glaring fields will undoubtedly
be one OF the discomforts we have to
hight against. Our hours of duty I'm
mat event will probably he the same as
In Cuba. when the day shift began at
noon and ended at midnight in order TO
give the nurses who take that watch
the advantages Of several hours of
darkness in which to sleep.
out in the binding glare Of those
open fields with a white tent above vol
IL was almost impossible 10 sleep after
the sun rose. and all sorts of expedients
we're resorted 10 to rest and keep cool
during the heat OF the day.
Used Palm Leaves.
II have seen many tents. for example
where the nurses have fairly covered
ne Interior with big green spreading
palm leaves which they pinned to the
walls. In Cuba. and presume IT will
be the same way I'm Japan. the dews
we're so heavy that nurse wouldn't
dare 20 hang up her clothes at nigIrt in
the interior Of the tent for fear ,bev
would be a limp soaking mass in the
morning Not only for protection OF her
clothes. but TO make her couch moro
comfortable, n nurse would always roll
up her dress and put It under her head
In that way you see we wouldn't be
bit worried by the japanese custom
Of sleeping on wooden pillows. for we
could substitute the other. These things
or which I am now speaking are. of