Tensas gazette. [volume] (St. Joseph, La.) 1886-current, 1917-10-19
DOCTORS EAGER TO
LEARN FROM ALLY
American Surgeon Calls Tale Of
Serious Differences a Ger
man Canard.
UTMOST C0RDIALITY EXISTS
Excellent Work Being Done by Ameri.
can Units Has Been Subject of
Complimentary Remarks by
British Surgeons.

Belgium. - German agents recently
have been spreading broadcast on the
continent the report that serious diff
ferences have arisen between the
British army medical service and the
American surgeons and physicians who
have been working with the British
forces in France. Special publicity
has been given the story by its spon-
sorS in Belgium and France. The cor
respondent of the Associated Press ac-
credited TO British general headquar-
ters has made a careful investigation
or the facts. visiting not only base
hospitals which have been taken over
by American medical units. but cas-
ualty clearing stations in which Ameri
can surgical teams .dre working.
The utmost cordiality has and does
exist between the british medical serv-
ice and the Ameri ,ans who are work
ing with them. aJhe assertion that
there has been any quarrel between
the bodies is without foundation. AS
one eminent American has put it:
THE story is Il gross canard. The
reasons for circulating it are obvious.
The Germans are trying to create
among Belgian and French civilians Il
contempt for America and Great Brit
ain 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 Il 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 and
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
Of them eminent surgeons with big
practices mt 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'
mentary remarks by all ranks OF the
British medical organization. The serv'
ice which the workers from the United
States have performed is viewed as
one of the bright spots In war which
Is causing so much misery.
When the Germans began their ruth
less sinking of hospital ships md 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 fol
the establishment Of more base hospi
falls 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 bas'
hospitals, and although they were han
dicapped for q time because of lacl
of supplies, their institutions sooI
ranked among the best, for while TIT
units were inexperienced in war work
they were highly trained In hospita
service.
Hospitals Care for Germans.
Roughly speaking, the six base hos
pitals conducted by the American
have beds for about 1,500 patient
each. and there are many times whcl
they are filed to overlooking, for has
hospitals must care not only for thei
own wounded but for Germans as vel
The six base hospitals have, in add
ton to their other work, furnishe
about ten surgical teams for servic
in casualty clearing stations near tn
firing line. These teams usually cor
sist Of surgeon. an assistant. nurs
and an orderly. American surgeon
whose names are famous Information
ally are laboring beside youthful med
cal officers who have sat under them |
the classroom at home. Doctor Grill
of Cleveland, Doctor Gushing of Hal
ward. Doctor Brewer Of New lOrl
Doctor Harte of Philadelphia. DOcto
Murphy of st. Louis and Doctor Ere,
erick Besley Of Chicago-they ca
them majors over here-all have bee
or are at present working night an
day in casualty clearing station
which have been caring for the woun'
ed from the last great offensive.
These surgical teams have had on
characteristic experience. Their wor
Is hampered and their lives are endal
gered by German airmen. who persi'
, in hurting high explosives down anon
, them. In one of the latest raids III
, German aviators killed or rewOunde
many of their own men who were pri
oners being cared for In one OF thes
hospitals.
To Teach Jiu Jitsu.
1 -