The Madison daily leader. [volume] (Madison, S.D.) 1890-current, 1919-01-02

Debarkation continues without in
terruption until completed unless 1t
extends into the night. The patients
are transferred without delay to the
designated debarkation hospital, the
Red Cross attendants remaining on
the pier or transport and dispensing
refreshments as required. In the hos
pital the sick or wounded men are
classified rapidly, as to the nature OF
their disabilities. the reconstruction
hospital To which they are to b sent
and their h.me address.
Every courtesy" said Colonel Ken
nedy, "is extended to parents and
other relatives. At the debarkation
hospital lield director of the Red
Cross gets the name and address of
the patient and his nearest relative.
He then writes letter to the relative,
notifying him of the arrival and con-
1ition of the patient and whether or
not it is advisable for the relative to
rome.
"Unless the case is a very serious
one the letter also says that the
patient will soon be transferred to
hospital In the interior, of which ac-
ion later notice will be given. No pa
tents are discharged from the debar-
xation hospitals. They are sent to the
hospital nearest their homes that is
equipped for the treatment of their
particular trouble.
"As soon as the classification is COM
)leted at the debarkation hospital
epOrt of the numbers in each class
md the reconstruction hospitals to
which transfer is recommended is
wired to Washington. Authority be-
Ing received, transportation is ar
ranged for.
Red Cross Furnishes Food.
"The Red Cross canteen service fur
nishes food and drink during the
transfer from hospital to train and
until the train leaves. So far as prac-
ticable the patients are carried from
the port to the distant hospital on
especially fitted hospital trains which
have hospital beds, mess kitchen, an
operating car, offices and other con-
veniences. If the number of men Is
too great for a hospital train standard
Pullmans or Pullman sleepers are
used.
"When the patients are transported
on these cars" said Colonel Kennedy,
feeding them becomes a more COM
plex problem than on hospital trains.
To meet this problem special organi-
zation Of medical personnel is in op-
GRAFTON whose training is directed spe-
cifcally along those lines.
'No patients are allowed to travel
without proper medical attendance
and none who are unable to stand the
travel.
Arrangement Is made with the Red
Cross canteen service for assistance
all along the route. Two days before
the movement is begun full informa-
ton Is given to the canteen head
quarters of the Red Cross In New
York. It sends notice to its canteen
stations, SO each knows just when the
train is due, the number of patients,
the number Of ambulant and litter
cases and Of those unable to leave the
car.
'In this manner complete co-opera-
ton is provided between the medical
and the Red Cross services from the
time the patients leave the hospital at
the port until they are transferred to
the designated reconstruction hospital.
To guard against unexpected delays
from accidents or other causes each
medical officer in charge of the train
detachment is required to have food
for at least one meal for all his pa
tients held on the train In reserve"