The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1914-02-19
FIELD HOSPITAL
BEING ORGANIZED
Captain Giles B. Cook Explains
Objects of New Outfit to Pros
pcctivc Recruits.
PART OF STATE MILITIA
Virginia Will Give It's Troops
Latest Medical Equipment Is
sued by War Department

Steps toward tho organization of
field hospital in this city. an adj
junct to the Virginia militia. were
taken last night by Captain Giles ID.
Cook, Medical Corps, who has been as
signed to this duty by Adjutant-Gep
cral W. w. Sale. A meeting was held
! in the temporary armory OF the Rich
mond Grays Battalion. on Capitol
Street. and the aims and objects OF
a number OF mon. who are consider
ing enlisting for service in 1t.
a field hospital. as the name implies.
is for use in the field, and is a move
able unit housed wholly under canvas.
Two to four are attached to an army
division, or 10000 men. 1t Is not n
part, however, OF any organization, but
Is separate unit, subject only to the
| orders of the commanding general, or
chief sanitary officer Of the division or
brigade to which it is assigned
The property of each field hospital
consists or cots, bedding, mosquito
netting, towels and kitchen facilities
Tor los patients, and in addition II has
fully equipped operating room, lab
oratory, pharmacy. water alter and
acetylene gas plant All of these
stores can be conpactly packed In
eight army wagons, each drawn by
four mules.
Personnel and Duties.
The personnel consists Of five medi-
cal officers and from thirty-three to
nfty-scven enlisted men. OF the lat
ter there win be sergeants, frs, class,
| scrgeants. corporals and privates. The
duties of these enlisted men at their
home station VIII consist of weekly
| meetings on some determined night, at
which time instruction will be given in
| hrst aid to the injured, transportation
| or patients with and without litters,
and drilling as outlined for sanitary
troops. During the summer, services in
the field ut some designated manoeuvre
camp is required
In time of disaster the field hospital
could be ordered out for duty, or when
its services were needed by the United
states government IL could be called
upon The same as any other militia
command. The summer encampmenta
| iurnish pleasant outdoor vacation OF
ten days with pay,
Quarters were arranged for the field
hospital In the Richmond Grays' Arm
DRY at Seventh and Marshall Streets.
and they Will be occupied as soon as
the building is completed, which will
be in less than two weeks A fine
! gymnasium with baths will be at the
disposal OF the men, and their rooms
VIII be separate from those Of the other
commands housed in the huge struc-
ture.
| The same requirements for enlist
Inent as in any other branch of the
service are asked of recruits In the
madical corps. Only men between the
ages of eighteen and thirty-five can be
accepted. Those under twenty ono
years must have the consent Of father
| mother or guardian.
| captain Cook will be in command of
the field hospital. Upon its organiza-
ton, he viii be advanced TO the rank
of major. -Four other otficcrs-two
| captains and two first lieutenants-
viii be selected By him. Lieutenant
Colonel Junius f. Lynch, of Norfolk
surgeon general. Virginia Volunteers,
| is actively working in the interests
! of the hospital