The herald. [volume] (New Orleans, La.) 1905-1953, 1917-10-25
DOCTORS EAGER TO
LEARN FROM ALLY
American Surgeon Calls Tale OF
Serious Differences a Ger.
man Canard.
UTMOST CORDIAuTY EXISTS
Excellent Work Being Done by Ameri-
can Units Has Been Subject Of
Complimentary Remarks by
British Surgeons.


British Headquarters in France and
belglum. - German agents recently
nave been spreading broadcast on the
continent the report that serious diff
lercnceS have arisen between the
BRUSH army medical service and the
American surgeons and physicians who
nave been working with the British
forces in France. Special publicity
mas been given the story by It's spon-
SOrS in Belgium and France. The cor
respondent Of the Associated Press &C
credited to British general headquar-
'ers mas made careful investigation
OF the facts. visiting not only base
hospitals which have been taken over
ny American medical units, but cas-
uaity clearing stations in which Ameri-
can surgical teams are working.
The utmost cOrdiality has and does
exist between the British medical serv-
Ice and the Americans who are work
ing with them. The assertion that
there has been any quarrel between
the bodies is without foundation. AS
one eminent American has put IT:
The story is gross canard. The
reasons for circulating II are obvious.
The Germans are trying TO create
among Belgian and French civilians q
contempt for America and Great Brit
aln and consequently hostility
toward these two nations"
Americans Are Part Of Machine.
The six medical units which were
sent over from the United States to
take charge of six British base hospi-
tails have become part of the smooth
ly running organization that the Brit
ish have developed. The Americans
feel that they are fortunate In their
position. They realiZe that they have
much to learn about war hospitals ana
they are having the opportunity of
learning rapidly from men who have
had more than three years experience.
The British, on the other hand, recog-
nize fully the sacrifices that have
been made by the Americans, many
Of them eminent surgeons with big
practices at home. to come to France
to do their bit In caring for the wound
ed
The excellent work being done by
the American units has frequently
been the subject Of the most compli
remarks by all ranks Of the
medical organization. The serv-
Ice which the workers from the United
States have performed is viewed as
one Of the bright spots in a war which
is causing so much misery.
When the Germans began their ruth
less sinking Of hospital ships and 1t be-
came apparent that 1t would be unsafe
to try TO transport wounded British
soldiers and German prisoners to Eng
land, there was q hurry-up call for
the establishment of more base hospi-
tails in France. America was asked
for assistance and the six units were
rushed across to Europe, without stop
ping to bring their full equipment.
They Immediately took over large base
hospitals, and although they were han
licapped for time because of lack
IF supplies, their institutions soon
ranked among the best, for while She
units were inexperienced in war work,
hey were highly trained in hospital
service.
Hospitals Care for Germans.
Roughly speaking, the six base hos
Ditals conducted by the Americans
cave beds for about 1900 patients
each. and there are many times when
hey are filled TO overlooking. for base
hospitals must care not only for their
,wn wounded but for Germans as well.
The six base hospitals have, In addi-
ion to their other work, furnished
lbOut ten surgical teams for service
n casualty clearing stations near the
iring line. These teams usually con-
list Of q surgeon, an assistant. a nurse
md an orderly. American surgeons
whose names are famous information
lily are laboring beside youthful medi-
al officers who have sat under them In
he classroom at home. Doctor Grille
# Cleveland, Doctor Gushing Of Har-
ard, Doctor Brewer Of New York.
Doctor Harte Of Philadelphia. Doctor
durphy Of st. Louis and Doctor Fred
rick Besley Of Chicago-they call
hem majors over here-all have been
II are at present working night and
lay In casualty clearing stations
which have been caring for the wound
d from the last great offensive.
These surgical teams have had one
experience. Their work
s hampered and their lives are endan-
cred by German airmen, who persist
n hurting high explosives down among
hem. In one Of the latest raids the
German aviatorS killed or rewounded |
many Of their own men who were pris- |
ners being cared for in one Of these
ospitals.