The Brookings register. [volume] (Brookings, Brookings County, S.D.) 1903-1971, 1919-03-27
OF MERCY"


frame buildings set on posts and
few feet above the white shifting SANE
Of Georgia. Such is the Base Ho:
pital at Camp Hancock, built TO az
commodate fifteen hundred, but hay
ing at one time over six thousand pa
tients and at present three thousand
Each building about 1875 feet long ant
2S feet wide, made Of pine boards, ha.
in the front entrance way four O
five small rooms. On one side Is o.
derly room, next a small record anC
reception office. on the opposite side
We first come to a nurses and medica
room, aid next to that a large lava
tory. For the stranger to enter this
hospital ward there must FIRST be Sc
cured a pass from the head OF the hos
tain visiting hours. Equipped, you are
met by orderly or a nurse who robes
you in a large gown while a 'hu'
mask is securely adjusted.
As you enter the main room you
find fanked on either side a row Of
cots each bearing a patient whose
general condition is readily seen as
one moves slowly by them. All ma
tionalities, various ages and different
types of manhood are encountered.
Here is one-who has just been
brought in and is wandering in his
mind. His eye catches the bright red
of the cross that is on the nurses cap.
Take ii away " he cries. Il don't
want to see that" he exclaims, as he
pushes back the one who keeps talking
quietly to him as she forces him 10
AXE medicine, then prepares him for
the inspection of the doctor who is
busy with others. Next you stop to
look at the boy who has a good fight
ing chance vet" He coughs that hard
rackiHg signal of tired lungs and ex-
hausted body. which is followed by
the sound of loosening phlegm, and
as he breaths hard the nurse hoyers
near, wipes his lips, smooths his blan.
kets and quietly gives the medicine
and notes his temperature. Then she
passes " Ahc neat Pdtlcul "HO -
watching her and says. Yes, | guess
| am doing well enough" in reply
to her question, Now, boy. you are
feeling better. aren't YOU" But quick.
snaps out, Here, Sir, lie down there;
mind me. quick. don't you get up!"'
Then she says, Orderly, Here. quick,
help me TO hold him down-he's wild"
and quickly the patient who is crazy
with the fear that he is TO die, is held
by force until he can be Quieted and
made easier In mind If possible. For
many there are who become nearly
parzlyZed With fear that they can't re-
cover and as q rule such a patient is
hard TO save. Many a poor fellow who
is near deaths door, by sheer will
power ant mors courage comes
through the grim fight. when loss of
his nerve would have been fatal. And
10 such q patient the dear nurse is
Il source Of strength. She fights with
and for him. She cheers him py words
OF comfort and encouragement.
Next we eone 10 the iron spring cot
near which a parent sits talking TO
the boy who a only lie there and
listen-too weak TO talk but getting
comfort because some one is telling
OF home" The nurse says, You are
doing well now" But when she is
some distance away. the parent fol-
lows up to say. Now nurse. tell me
exactly how that boy is doing-is he
really out OF danger, how soon will he
be up" And that dear nurse has a
cheerful smile as she looks the mighty
sensible comforting soul she Is as she
tells you much you are anxious 10
know and you know the odctor can't
tell SO well for he doesn't know that
boy half as well as nurse does. Doc
tor IN 20 many times a day-and
on rush days not ear that often-but
nurse. she is there on the job. steady
as a clock. Ward No. / with its TWEEN
~ odd occupied cots. four nurses on
each eight hour shift respond to the
daily call OF their service. They are
saving lives, for no matter hcw en-
Gent the medical staff it is the nurse
that counts for S much in the pre-
vailing features Of pneumonia. How
carefully they sponge the patient who
aas lain SO long that his flesh is sore!
And with what solicitude does she
the light headed soldier to take
his medicine that can't well be forced
down him. All the day and most of
the night hours are broken with the
moaning, crazy-headed talk or the
barking cough of those who cannot
lie still and rest. The outdoor air
by day and night sweeps through the
for there are two we'll known
basic remedies prescribed, EPSON
salts and plenty of fresh air. For the
FUN length of each ward hospital and
each side thereof runs a screened
porch filled with cots. Here it is that !
each patient graduates by being hard
sned or when on the road to recov- :
arg pnf0rp he Is able Ia St IN he