The Columbus courier. [volume] (Columbus, Luna County, N.M.) 1911-1920, 1918-06-28

within these fresh walls ant have looked through
these long rows OF windows.
There are - beds to a ward. ranged opposite
10 ench other. Beside each bed Is a little Table
on which there are usually disposed entertaining
magazines md books, u vase OF flowers. perhaps
or some fruit.
In one Of the wards a 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 dnno-
dis In n vase on the table. A they sat and
rocked. peacefully talking ns II all time were be
fore them. they presented a picture Of extreme
comfort.
these boys are rather petted. aren't theyf' I
suggested to the oficer OF the day. There's moth
Ing too good for them"
"oh, no. they're not petted at ALL" said the ON
ceD Of the day firmly. But Il II true that there's
nothing too good for them"
Al one end OF each ward building there Ia a
sun parlor and at the other end there ARE the
bathrooms. the ward masters room and the
kitchen and the serving room. The food n brought
from n general kitchen and kept hot on steam
tables In the ward kitchen, which Ia also used for
making the special dishes which are prepared for
men who are on Individual diets.
We found two members OF the kitchen police
force examining n large bread pudding which one
Of the nurses had just coneoctc fJr some Of the
men In her ward.
The members OF the kitchen police. who were
convnlescents aud well enough 10 help out with
the work, said that although they had never
meant TO take up dish washing and food serving
as a career they didn't mind H. In fact. they
found the work quite pleasant.
"And we're here 10 do whatever Is needed"
said one Of these khaki-clad youths. That's
what the army means"
The other youth said that he Ind only one re-
greet In the matter.
As he looked very noble when he said this, I
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 or whatever II
was. But instead OF this he added that the only
trouble was he was too well 10 get any OF the
bread pudding.
There were many heumatis cases 10 the
wnrde. Most Of these young men win soon get
wen and be NJ for return TO duty. The camp con
dltionB OF this very bad winter are responsible for
their contracting the disease in most cases.
The hospital has two operating rooms, both ex-
cellently arranged, and the larger 30 well lighted
from the top as well M the sides that surgeons re-
gard Il as unexcelled In this particular by any
operating room In New York.
Conyalescent patients as well as the soldiers
who have been assigned TO the work OF the hos.
pltal take their meals In the meas hall. aud the
call TO mess made II quite evident that a large
proportion Of the patients OF this hospital win
soon be returned 10 active duty as well as even
a soldier need be. Capt. james W.. Decker. mess
ofhcer, and sergt. Lem Cain. menu maker. have
achieved wonderful results In setting snyory
dishes before the patients without exceeding the
90 cents a day allowed by the government for the
purchase Of food for ench man.
Physicians from civil life. as well as those who
have been In the service for many years, copsti.
tute the stan OF the hospital. Many OF them are
noted surgeons or medical practitioners who have
given up large practices 10 take up the army
work. Every nan on the stan has a speciality. 40
that while he regularly performs routine ward
duties he can be called upon to treat any patient
requiring his specialized skin.
All this enormous hospital even TO the laundry
which turns out 1900 pieces Of laundry a week
Is managed entirely by the army. Il 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 10 around
In any OF the departments Is the laundry seam.
stress.