Imperial Valley press., 1918-05-10
'ARMY SURGEON s
must KNOW WAR
'CA NE INTIMATELY
Camp Lewis Correspondent of the
Associated Press Tells How the
Doctors are Immediately Put
Through Their PAGES as Soon as
They Arrive in Camp.

Washington, May 10.-Persons ac-
cuSomed to think of the medical de
partment of the United States army
as a non-combatant unit will be as
/ tonished by suggestions prepared for
I the conduct of military surgeons
newly arrived in the war zone. A
/ bulletin from the office Of the sur
geon general sums up the technical
] military knowledge which an army
surgeon must have to do his duty
competently. and incidentally shows
! the exposure to which he is subject.
! Gas soon as the battalion or regi-
mental surgeon arrives in new Sec
tor and has supervised the installa-
ton of his MATERIAL the bulletin
says, "he should rapidly gain an in
innate knowledge of the first line
! trenches, dugouts, listening posts.
evacuation trenches, and means of
of transportation to the rear. This
/ knowledge should be gained the day
of arrival. if possible, because enc
my surprise attacks are frequently
coincident with the arrival of troops
in new sector. 1t should be ac-
ouired through day and night inspec-
tions in order that he may be able to
describe the topography of the ter
rain to his personnel. The latter also
should be given an early opportunity
of familarizing themselves with the
system oftrenches and evacuation
routes. so that when called upon to
Pick up wounded. at least one man of
each squad is familiar with the gen
eral contour and direction of the
trenches.
THE surgeon should also acquaint
himself, through his commanding Of
ficer. with the location of the enemy
trenches, batteries, trench mortars,
and mitrailleuse redoubts, together
with the habits of the enemy in that
particular sector. BY habits is meant
the routine firing of the day or night
during periods of normal activity.
Certain open spaces, cross roads, gull
leys, cts, are regularly under fire at
certain hours of the day or night and
The sanitary personnel must learn to
avoid these exposed places during
these periods.
an the preparation of an attack.
the battalion and regimental sur
geons are invariably apprised of the
probable objectives to be attained.
They must study the general topo-
grapy of the country to be travers
, ed, its enemy trenches. dugouts and
aid stations, in order to be able to
utilize them during the engagement.
"The battalion surgeon must often
erhaps usually eXtemporize the first
cid station within enemy lines. As
soon as he has done this, he must in
dicate TO his personnel the proper
evacuation routes forthe wounded.
! When an advance is contemplated or
severe attack is being repulscd and
! reserve stretcher bearers are being
sent TO the aid stations, the surgeon
should Immediately inspect the new
personnel, and especially see to it
that the men understand the use of
gas masks, portable oxygen tanks,
. etc.
J "At no time must the surgeon lose
sight of the fact that he must fry to
keep his personnel intact. In trench
warfare, especially, there are innu-
merable opportunities for useless
wastage of personnel. Lack of ia
miliarity with the terrain, an un-
guarded raising of the head, etc, will
often suffice to reduce the personnel
Of the medical corps