Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1917-11-15
A COMFORTABLE" WAR.
Caring for the Wounded n Science in
Itself.

There was wealth of good counsel
given at the afternoon session in the
roof garden of the Hotel Vermont. The
first speaker introduced by Colonel
Pratt was Major Archibald. who spoke
from the standpoint of the Canadian
medical service. and its relation to the
work of the Red Cross He said that
the Red Cross Is the handmaiden of the
army medical service. 1t supplies COM
fort to the soldiers who are wounded
and many times to those who are not
wounded. also. furnishing extras which
the army does not supply. although the
army Ats out its men complete so far
as necessities are concerned.
Major Archibald said that. although
this Is the most terrible war of his
tory. because such deadly inventions
are being utilized to make men suffer.
yet 1t Is also the most comfortable"
war from another point Of view, be-
cause science has reached such a point
in caring for the men that those who
are wounded are made more comfort
able than could have been possible a
few years ago. Caring for the wound
ed has become a science in itself, and
there has been less loss Of life among
those already wounded on this &C.
count.
The speaker described briefly the
course which wounded man would
probably take from the time he was
wounded in the trenches until he ar
rived in London, or some other large
center. Upon being wounded. the SOL
dier would be given first aid by his
comrades OF the stretcher bearers. then
taken back through the communica-
ton trenches to a medical officers dug
out a few hundred feet behind the first
line. There he would be given fur
Their treatment in the line of first aid
and sent on back to an advanced field
dressing station. where he would re-
ceive his first real medical attendance.
Such stations are located about a
mile back of the fighting front, and are
within the firing range.
From this dressing station. after hav-
ing had his wound properly cared for
he Is transferred by horse ambulance
few miles further back. where auto
mobile ambulances are waiting to take
him to a casualty clearing STATION. Here
he gets the FIRST real taste Of hospital
comfort in stationary beds. and where
doctors and nurses are all the time
present to attend to his needs. In
these hospital the first operations are
performed, where 1t is found necessary
From 22O to 500 men can be accom-.
modated in these clearing stations.
Yet the very name clearing station
suggests the idea that the men do moi
remain there for any length of time
AS fast as they are able to be moved
with comfort. they are sent on, in or
der to prepare for others to follow
From that point they travel much NOR,
comfortably. however. as the ambulanc,
trains which take them to base hos
pitfalls are the very finest of their kline
which can be imagined. They are
sort of improved form of sleeping car
with everything made as co.nfortabl,
as possible for the men.
1t Is usually about co or 70 mile
from the clearing stations to the bas,
hospitals. The trains pick up wounded
soldiers all along the route At tn,
general hospitals. the wounded men ge
the best OF service. including soft bed
with fine linen, trained nurses and ex
per. medical attendance. maximum
Of about 1000 men can be accommo
dated in one of these base hospitals
The wounded man stays there for
few days days, possibly a week, the
is removed to England for recovery.
; Major Archibald explained that tn
work of the Red Cross was at first oni
in the base hospitals, but it mas KEEP
MOVING Up toWdTu tHe front llEe trenches
until 1t is now working in the YER
. trenches themselves. sending In little com
forts to the men as the opportunity 1
given. The speaker also explained tn
mission of the Red Cross field ambulanc
among the men. He told of how mucl
the many comforts which they receiv
are appreciated by the soldiers who
even though not wounded, lead a lie
: which Is anything but comfortable.
? Major Archibald told how the men wor
J four days In the mud and water of tn
trenches on the first line, sleeping yer
little, and then. when entirely tired out
/ they are sent back to what Is known a
> the "rest camp" for four days. Eve
= there they are under fire. however, an
| they hRva to do night duty during tn
: greater part OF their rest" period. The
back they go into the trenches for ar
. other four DAYS Of the same kind OF wea,
, Ing and disheartenlng struggle. At tn
end OF these u days. they are Above
I to 60 few miles back OF the line Il
! eight days of real rest before repeatin
3 this terrible strain again.
The major said tina. we cannot yet rea
I lie In this country the terrible suffel
Al inS which tina man ara Hoins throux