Mexico weekly ledger., 1918-10-10
MISS ADDIE CUNNINGHAM
TELLS OF HOSPITAL
TRAINING AT DODGE

Miss Addie Cunningham, daughter
Of Mr.. and Mrs. S. P. Cunningham, of
this city, writes the following. inter
esting letter home explaining her
training to become a Red Cross nurse.
She is at present stationed in the
Base Hospital, Camp Dodge, Ia. Elk
tracts from her letter follows:
CAMP DODGE. Ia,
like the work very, very much,
and think it is a chance in a life
time for a young woman, who wants
TO really be Of service TO her country
and to better herself physically and
Intellectually at the same time.
shall try to tell you something Of
the routine in our days work, and also
give a brief description Of our sur
roundings.
We live in the large implanted bar
racks, just as the soldiers. only We
have small rooms. The room is about
loxlO feet, floor bare, walls natural
tint" In a room We have two beds.
two trunks small enough 10 90 under
the bed, n chair, one closet and =
real dresser with a mirror and four
drawers.
We have quite a bit Of fun about
moving the chair and dresser into the
corridor when we make our beds: but
were IN the Army, and it's lust
right.
Our laundry is done for US. free of
charge and we also have a wash
room and electric iron for laundering
collars or dainty waists (which we've
Already forgotten how TO wear.D
We have no heat in our quarters
yet, but are living in trust.
We have hot and cold baths. atso
a shower.
We have u meals in a large din
ing room, well cooked and well-serv-
ed-we have real taJleclotbs and
napkins. OF course. we don't tell
everyone they're donated, and arc
signify worn-we're too proud 10
have them. Our food is wholesome
and with sufficient variety. We have
brick ice cream twice a week. and
you may guess we keep tab" on
Just when it's due. They serve fruits
raw and cooked-millions Of potatoes
with the jackets on, and war bread
conserving, you see-but good
enough for anyone. We also practice
the law Of the clean plate-it's one
OF our strictest rules.
The chief nurse is wonderful,
great, lovable motherly sort Of ps,-
son-who takes special interest in
each one of her children. We assem-
Die at the piano each morning for a
II minutes song and Bible reading: II
is her W idea to start US of right
Tor the day;~but it's a good one any,
way We r not overworked-and
we are not given hard, undesirable
tasks Just because we're beginners:
IN fact, we are shielded even more
ina the graduate nurse-untiI we
just how to keep up with the
work and keep fit" We have or.
derlies who do all sweeping. dust
mopping, carrying trays, etc.
We are not eve put into contag-
lous wards until we're taught lust
now to protect ourselves. We are
paid SIS per month during the proba-
tion but we must furnish clothing
and uniform. We are given text
A nurse is not allowed to talk with
or go out with a private. She is
ranked with officers and must con-
duct herself in accordance. We are
allowed the same Y. NJ. c. A. priyj-
eges, also railroad rates as the sol
Tier. Some Of our best musicians
lecturers come to camp and we
great chances for improving
time. We are given a free French
by a y. NJ. c. A. man, a for
ner W a His wife is a real
'arisian. and often helps him drill
Is on accent.
The army is filled with opportun-
ties for those who will take them.