Tensas gazette. [volume] (St. Joseph, La.) 1886-current, 1918-06-28
LINZ 0ENcTZO4S MI2hS 4OrS Fy2E
\ NOI E04GOZZZW

within these fresh walls and have looked through
these long rows of windows.
There are "a beds to a ward, ranged opposite
to each other. Beside each bed is a little table
on which there usually disposed entertaining
magazines and books, vase of flowers, perhaps,
some fruit.
In one of the wards group of patients wrapped
in their dressing gowns had gathered around a
low table at one end of the room. They sat In
the very comfortable rocking chairs which are
provided. There was q large bouquet of da1O-
dis in the table. AS they sat and
rocked. peacefully talking If all time were be-
fore them, they presented a picture Of extreme
comfort.
.'These boys are rather petted, aren't theyT /
suggested to the officer of the day. There's moth
ing too good for them"
"Oh. no. they're not petted at ALL" said the Off
of the day firmly But 1t is true that there's
nothing too good for them"
At end of each ward building there is a
parlOr and at the other end there the
bathrooms, the ward masters room and the
kitchen and the serving roonf The food Is brought
from a general kitchen and kept hot on steam
tables in the ward kitchen, which is also used for
making the special dishes which are prepared for
who are on individual. diets.
We found two members of the kitchen police
force examining large bread pudding which one
of the nurses had just cOncOcted for some Of the
men in her ward.
The members of the kitchen police, who were
convalescents and well enough to help out with
the work. said that although they had never
meant to take up dish washing and food serving
career they didn't mind it. In fact, they
found the work quite pleasant.
"And we're here to do whatever is needed -
said of these khaki-clad youths. That's
what the army means"
The other youth said that he had only one re-
greet in the matter.
AS he looked very noble when he said this,
thought he was about to add that his only regret
was that he had but one life to give for his coun-
try dish washing, kitchen detail whatever it
was. But instead of this he added that the only
trouble he too well to get any of the
bread pudding.
There were many rheumatism cases in the
wards. Most of these young men will soon get
well and he fit for return to duty. The camp con-
ditOns of this very bad winter are responsible for
their contracting the disease in most cases.
The hospital has two operating rooms, both ex-
ceently arranged. and the larger well lighted
from the top well the sides that surgeons re-
gard it unexceled in this particular by any
operating room in New York.
COnvalescent patients well the soldiers
who have been assigned to the work Of the hos
pital take their meals i'm the mess hall, and the
call to mess made it quite evident that a large
proportion Of the patients Of this hospital will
soon be returned to active duty well as even
a soldier need be- Capt. James w. Decker mess
officer and Sergt. Lem Cain, menu maker, have
achieved wonderful results in setting savOry
dishes before the patients without exceeding the
GO cents q day allowed by the government for the
purchase of food for each man.
Physicians from civil life, well as those who
have been in the service for many years, cOnsti.
tute the staff of the hospital Many of them are
noted surgeons medical practitioners who have
given up large practices to take up the army
work. Every man the staff has speciality. so
that while he regularly performs routine ward
duties he can be called upon to treat any patient
requiring his specialized SKILL
All this enormous hospital, even to the laundry
which turns out 1900 pieces of laundry a week
is managed entirely by the army. 1t is a matter
of pride with some of the hospital enthusiasts
that the only person not in khaki or in war nurse
uniform who helps to make the wheels 60 around
in any of the departments Is the laundry seam
stress.