Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1911-07-21
!([VILWVAR
FlfTY YEARS AGO TO-DAY
May 20. Reinforcement Was Begun to Organize Hosp-
tails for the War-Miss Dorohea Dix Takes Up Her Great
Work for the Sodiers-Begnnngs Of the Sanitary Com
mission

The last train that was permitted to
leave the city bore her TO Washington
and the next day she wrote to friend
that had reported herself and some
nurses for free service at the war de-
partment and to the surgeon general. Il
think my duty" she said, lies near mil
itary hospitals for the present"
Her services were gladly accepted by
the secretary of war, and on the 23d he
announced that in her work of organizing
military hospitals, caring for the sick
etc, she was fully authorized to receive
and dispurse special supplies sent by In
dividuals and to draw from the army
stores.
Then on May 20, so years ago today, an
nouncement was made that sin reference
to the national reputation Of Miss Dix $
connection with the objects of philan-
thropy and usefulness she is authorized
to exercise general supervision of the as
signment Of nurses to the hospital occu.
pied by the troops in Washington"
ONE NURSES EXPERIENCE
How great was the need of some eff
ficient supervision was shown by the ex,
periences of some of the nurses who
reached washington soon after Miss Dix.
In temporary hospitals, in old build
ings, they strove against dirt, improper
II was discouraging work.
SANITARY COMMISSION SOUGHT.
To remedy such conditions, and to
prevent their recurrence, was the pur
pose of the many different associations
which so years ago today were being
founded and we're getting to work
throughout the north.
On May 16, the first day on which
direct communication had existed be-
tween Washington and the north since
April 10, there had arrived at the CAPT
tai a delegation of four men-Rev. DR..
Henry w. Bellows, a prominent clergy :
man, and three physicians-represent-
ing the three most important relief as
sociations of New York, who had come
to see what could be done to collate the
patriotic efforts of Individuals and as
sociations in the north in behalf of the
army with the work of the government
itself.
Would not" they asked. "a great
economy to time, money and effort be
secured by fixing and regulating the re-
lations of the Volunteers associations
to the war department and especially to
the medical bureau?" H
With this aim they first visited, Gem
eral Scott, whom they sought to con
vince of the Importance of a thorough
inspection of the new army in order to
remove from ii those who because of
youth or disability were unfit to stand
the strain of active campaigning and
would surely go to swell the sick list
To DR.. r. c. Wood. the acting surgeon
general, they argued the. necessity of
preventive measures, camp sanitation,
proper cooking. clothing and shelter for
the men, protection against disease.
After inspection and prevention came
relief, and here they wished to see ade-
quate provision made for military hos.
pitals nurses, hospital supplies and
sick-bed delicacies, ambulances and field
service.
To attain their aims they sought for
the creation of a semiofflcials commits
sion OF physicians. philanthropists, seni.
tary experts and military officers. who
should investigate, recommend and Ill,
rect the popular benevolence so as best
to bring about the comfort, security
and health of the army
In the efforts of these four men lay
the germs of the United States sanitary
commission.
Copyright, 1911, by Associated Literary
Press.l