Iron County register. [volume] (Ironton, Iron County, Mo.) 1867-1965, 1918-06-06

within these fresh walls and have looked through
these long rows Of windows.
There are "a beds to Il ward, ranged opposite
to each other. Beside each bed is Il little table
on which there are usually disposed entertaining
magazines and books, tt vase of flowers, perhaps,
or some fruit.
In one of the wards n group of patients wrapped
In their dressing gowns had gathered around a.
low table mt one end Of the room. They sat in
the very comfortable rocking chairs which are
provided. There was a large bouquet of daro-
dis in II vase on the table. AS they sat and
rocked. peacefully talking as II all time were be-
fore them, they presented Il picture Of extreme
comfort.
these boys are rather petted. aren't theyT I
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
Ger Of the day firmly. but 1t is true that there's.
nothing too good for them"
AT one end OF each ward building there Is a
sun parlor and at the other end there nre the
bathrooms, the ward masters room and the
kitchen and the serving room. 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
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 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
as d career they didn't mind 1t. In fact. they
found the work quite pleasant.
"And we're here to do whatever Is needed"
said one Of these khaki-clad youths. That's
what the army means"
The other youth said that he had only one re-
gret 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 It
was. But instead of this he added that the only
trouble was he was 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 be At for return to duty. The camp con.
dltions 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 SO well lighted
from the top as well as the sides that surgeons re-
gard 1t as unexcelled in this particular by any
operating room In New York.
Conyalesccnt patients us well as the soldiers
who have been assigned to the work Of the hos.
pital take their meals In the mess hnll, and the
call to mess made 1t quite evident that n large
proportion Of the patients Of this hospital will
soon be returned to active duty as well as even
II 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
90 cents a day allowed by the government for the
purchase Of food for each man.
Physicians from civil life, as 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 or medical practitioners who have
given up lnrgc practices to take up the army
work. Every man on the staff has a specially, DO
that while he regularly performs routine ward
duties he cnn be called upon to treat any patient
requiring his specialized skill.
All this enormous hospital. even to the laundry
which turns out $4,000 pieces Of laundry u week.
IN managed entirely by the army II 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 scam
stress. aa5l6 ,fe,s ev4 Nj a .}SNpa