The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1904-11-30


Miss Genevieve Russell, now spend
ing few weeks with relatives in st.
Paul, has just returned from Japan,
where she spent six months in the Jap
anese war hospitals at Hiroshima. Miss
Russell was the first foreign nurse to
twice to Manchuria to aid in bringing
back the wounded from before Port
Arthur. Her experience in Japan she
counts among the most wonderful in
a life full of interest, and she is filled
with admiration for and confidence in
the Japanese 81.
AS one of the fully tried and eminent
ly skillful and wellequipped nurses of
the Spanish American War Nurses as
ISOLATION, Miss Russell was invited by
DR.. Anita MCGEE Newcomb to Join the
party of nurses whose services were
proffered to Japan at the outbreak of
the present war. The offer was made
for a period Of six months and at the
returned home. Several would have
been glad. to- stay in Japan, but they
were not needed and as the purpose Of
their going had been accomplished, all
returned.
It was supposed when the offer to
send experienced nurSes was made that
the actual labor Of foreign nurses would
be needed, as it was the general belief
that Japan had not sufficient body of
hospitals. This impression was errone-
Gus and in accepting the offer of the
detachment Of American nurses the
Japanese government did it simply to
show it's gratitude for the kindly offices
of a friendly nation and as affording
an inspiration and object lesson to
their nurses.
Sent to Hiroshima.
eve are rather afraid when we get
to Toxic and a round of entertainments
began for us that we were to encounter
the same experience as the. war CORES
pondents and would not be alloWed, to
Russell, in relating her experiences.
But our fears were unfounded, and
after three weeks of fetes and hobnob-
bling with nobility, and other great peo-
pie, we were sent to the great hospital
headquarters at Hiroshima. This is the
military base Of the empire, and here
the permanent army hospital has been
expanded by the erection of seven large
pavilions.
"T The hospital arrangements are the
most thoroly up:to-date I, have ever
seen. The operating room is splendid
ly arranged and equipped, and l. never
saw one run more smoothly. The jap
anese system Of caring for the wounded
is complete, and it works well. No
unless necessary to save a life. AS the
wounds are dressed and d. bandaged by
the nurses and doctors according to
their instructions for first aid to the in
jured. This is done so we'll that the
wounds can be allowed to go without
furth her attention for a week or more in
Y0oOSt n a to
are sent by hospital ships, to Hiroshima.
The journey from Dalna to Hiroshima
occupies about four days. By this. plan
nearly all work except emergency cases
and light cases is taken care Of in
Japan, instead Of at the front.
Volunteers Tend .Convalescents.
Gas soon as they can be discharged
from the Hiroshima hospital, the men
are scattered to the various army posts
in Japan, where they are cared for by
the, local organizations Of the Ladies
Volunteer Nursing. association, The
clude the women Of all classes Of society
who are eager to render patriotic serv-
ice by doing all they can at home. They
are given instruction in simpler forms
Of nursing. g In order to do away with
all caste feeling, this association has
adopted uniform that shows no dis
t1nct1On OF rank or family. 1t IS In
European style as is that of the Red
Cross nurses. .>.....-..
/ cat Hiroshima one of the services
rendered by the volunteer nurses was let.
ter writing. When a wounded man ar
rived his family was at once Informed
and letters were written regularly re
,, porting his condition. The association
also busies itself with providing for the
families of soldiers. No soldier neeC
have any concern about his family, as
all are carefully provided for by the
government or other recognized public
agencies. Not only this, but the sol
diers are regarded by all the people will
real affection as the guardians and de
| Tenders of their country, and those who
stay at home, and they are everywhere
made to feel this
Miss Russell leaves in a few weeks
for Panama where she is under ap
pointment in the great government hos
pital being put in readiness for USE
when work begins on the canal. Hel
service in tropical climates has been al
most continuous since the outbreak Of
the Spanish war. She was trained il
Asbury hospital. and is much interested
in the new hospital.