Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1917-05-08
Department of Military Relief
HOSPITAL UNITS
A r c 1877 April IL, 1917

1875. Functicns-Hospital Units are
Intended TO supplement and assist already
ests blished military hospitals CA naval
Hospital Unit consists of l director and Z
medical officers without nurses. orderlies
cr equipmenD. Sections or attachments
may also be assigned to duty on hospital
trains. hospital ships. or any other mill
tarv sanitary organizations that the ext
gencies of the service may require. 1t may
we'll be that Hospital Units will be used
20 perform hospital service in connection
with training. mobilization. and concen-
ration camps that may be formed as a
r"sut Of the declaration of war with
Germany. without doubt Hospital Unit
one OF the most important and useful
~ Red Cross organizations. It's forma-
ION Is authorized by the Regulations
Governing the Employment of the Ameri-
an Red Cross in Time of War approved
hy the War Department, December IS.
'I6 As a general rule the organization
n u hospital Unit is approved in connec
on with civil hospital which does not
ave a staff large enough to permit of the
organization OF Base Hospital.
infant, Chiefs of Service, Staff Sur
ICONS. STAFF Physicians, ! Head Nurse,
m Nurses. Z Clerks. who may be women.
nd such number of orderlies as may be
'ecessary. not 10 exceed 30 without spec
,s1 authorization. The position of Adju-
taut should not he filled without special
authorization in each case.
All ~ the officers of Hospital Units will
Reserve Corps of the Army, as indicated
in the following table:
status in Hospital Military rank and pay
per month
director. Major. s25ooo.
chef Of surgical service. Captain. 500 on.
chief Of medical seyvice. Captain. $4,000.
Tie next three seniors officers, Captains,
.g'o 40
o,her officers. First lieutenants, s1ss67.
Total
Maf0YS ......................' /
captains .+......-............... .
FIRST lieutenants ...............
Nurses receive 5000 per month if serv-
'rg M The United States, and $4,000 when
on foreign service.
The orderIes will be enlisted in the
Medical Department of the Army as
prN4tes or privates First Class and re-
'"i"o 81 ~ or $3.50 per month according
Zoo grade
NJ nurses must he enrolled Red Cross
nurses ANY orderlies that may be en-
rolled will he required to obligate tnem-
selves 70 serve the American Red cross
for a period OF two years, and In the
event of war during that time, that they
MI enlist in the medical service or the
Army or Navy. The officers and nurses
Ilydgs themselves to serve the Red cross
IN their unit for period of two years
with 'he understanding that in the event
~ The outbreak Of hostilities during their
term of enrolment they will perform ac-
I've service in the Medical department
of tho Army or Navy
1877 Organization-Whene II is
desired 20 form a Hospital Unit ie.lei
should be addressed to the Director Gen
cal uf Military Relief, requesting au-
thortN to do So and nominating pro,
spective Director If the Director General
desires To have such n unit iortneo ne
VIII grant the necessary autnorlty aIu
approve the appointment of the Direc.ol
who m turn should tentatively select inc
other officers and forward their names
'"r approval The name OF the cn,er
Nurse should he submitted TO the i'ireS.o,
~ the Bureau of Nursing service anu
when her appointment has been approVeu.
she should select the other nurses from
llrses already regularly enrolled IN .ne
Rod cross Nursing Service or WHO ~
eligible for aud will accept such appoint
neut Under the Director. the neau
nurse will he responsible for the nise'
rlln" and assignment to duty OF AZ nuis ;s
'n a Hospital Unit However. tnt e". Iii
lnr when called for active service VIII
b., subject to the orders of the Comfnana
"g officer of the military hospitai "
wh.ch the unit may be assigned Tor outy,,
1913. Uniforms-The officers VIII
vcar the uniforms prescribed for the
Medical officers Reserve Corps. -.
Army. and should equip themselves VIZ; ~,
Tho same as soon as comirhssIoneu al
her Corps. The subordina.e PEI mi.
viii wear the prescribed Red cross UNI
form which has been approved py .i,e
War department.. until enDsteo IN .r
Medical Department. when they VIII Va
Nle uniform issued tnelli ipi 'h
1879. Training-As the proiesslo
st:ff OF Hospital Units are dairy ensas s.;,,
IN the duties In civil life which thex WI, IL,
he called upon to perform in the mii.at y
sanitary services no special training !
required except the administration sIoup
200. Funds-Funds for the PURCHASE
~ the equipment should be raised oy
chapter when one exists In the iocanty
where IL is desired to form Hosp,ta'
Unit, otherwise by private subscr,p'io,, ~.
When available the money shouiu
forwarded 10 the Treasurer at Eatiomai
hearquarters stating specifically the pus
pos" for which il is intended A COUPE
tent person should be selected 10 ACT. Ss
purchasing agent. but If Base Hospitals
or other Red Cross organizations are ne
ing equipped I'm that locality the same IN
dividusl can very advantageously act rs
purchasing agent for all In case one his
has not been appointed previously. ms
name should he submitted to the Dlrec,or
General Of Military Relief for approval,
In making purchases this official snouIu
seek advice on technical matters from tne
Director OF the unit. or communicate with
National Headquarters.
The funds when received at Nations.
Headquarters will be transferred TO tn9
credit Of the purchasing agent ana ne