The Wrangell sentinel., 1917-08-23

American lied Cross When war first broke out in Europe and farsighted men and women saw that this country might ultimately become involved the directors of the Red Cross began to pro pare on . large scale for such m emer- gency. Up and down the land went organizers urging public spirited citi. zens in cities all over the country to establish units and raise funds for hos pital equipment As this meant In each instance the missing of from S25.. OOO to S30.00o for something whose use 1 fulncSs was in the minds of the gen. eral public very problematical. the task was no light one.
 But the workers persisted. AS re- suit when this country declared war the Red Cross was prepared and has already organized fortyfour base hos pital units-thirty-nin for the army and i've for the navy. which wia be ready to be turned over to the govern. ment with their equipment as fast as they are asked for. Already seven of these have been sent abroad for the use of the allies, and the balance are ready to go at days notice.
 The base hospital is housed iu sub. stantial, permanent structure anywhere from twenty-five to 0 hundred miles away from the firing line. The wound ed are taken from the trenches by stretcher bearers and carried to the dressing stations immediately back of the line. Here they receive emergency dressing and attention and are then carried back to the field hospitals in ambulances. From the field hospitals, os soon as possible, they are carried by ambulance and hospital train back to the base hospitals. where they are sur rounded by the best hospital equipment known to modern medical md surgical science Portable hospital buildings have been devised. so constructed that they can be easily packed and shipped and set up quickly.
 The great size of base hospital can be appreciated when 1t is stated that the regulation buildings, in ns compact a form as can be arranged, cover an area 1000 feet long and 5Oo feet wide,
 
 alone when stored occupies 10000 cu- bic feet. The cost of nobili:ing a unit with Its equipment at Philadel- phia recently. aside from transporta- ton, was over 5000. One base hos pital will care for 2O.0O0 men.
 The portable kitchen. which feeds 75O persons three times a day. is a new type especially designed for the Red Cross. The portable x ray outfit Is even fitted with a generator to pro- vide its own current. as there Is never any certainty as to whether direct or alternating current or any adequate current at all will be found already supplied at the point of destination. Then there Is the laundry equipment. complete even to a drying room; fumi- gating. stcriliZing and incineratine plants. a completely equipped operat- ing room. laboratory. etc. There is the eight ton refrigeratiHG truck. which Is . complete unit In itself. not only pro- ducing two tons of ice day. but run uing a battery of cooling plants Con- nected with each base hospital are three nmbulunces and two ton truck for carrying supplies
 The base hospitals are under the d. rection of the department of the mill tary relief of the Red Cross until mus tered into service. when they become part of the army organization. Form ing another very important branch Of this department are the ambulance companies Each company consists of ninety -one men. including five medical officers.
 StIll another branch of the depart ment of military relief Is made up of the hospital units. Each unit is com posed of twelve doctors, usually spe- ciallsts. who may be shifted from point to point wherever the need is grea test.
 Aside from this active service in the field, the department maintains bu- reau for providing the soldiers with the comforts Of life not regularly d part of the governments military sup plies. such as extra medical supplies. literature. tobacco md other comforts.
 Another important unit Is the sani- tary traininc detachment for the me thodical teaching Of first aid. Groups of men are trained for service with the army. resembling tue voluntary aid de- tachmcnts organized with such success in England.
 In short. by its activities in caring for the well being of the soldiers the Red Cross probably doubles the ef. a..Sonox of rho 6,-i,fin. fnrcoS