New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1919-02-01
Slayers and Heaters
The Work of the Physician in
the Great War

THE DOCTOR IN WAR By Woods Hutchinson
Miiiiln Company.
THE DOCTORS PART By James II. Church
Illustrated l2mo. pp. 2si. u. Appleton s: CO.
BEHIND TIRE WHEEL OF A WAR AMBULANCE
ny Robert Whitney Imbrie illustrated. l2mo PIP
xii 2AS. Rotert VI. Mcbride < Co
AMERICAN RED CROSS TENT BOOKS Illus
rated 20 Three volumes. limo, pp. 1874 2os- S34
r. b!aklstons Sons 4 Co.
This war has been unprecedented in
magnitude, and also conspicuously in
the extent and marvellous ingenuity of
the employment of the resources of
science for the destruction OF human
life. Never before were the triumphs
Of civilization so turned to its own
destruction. 1t may be less noticed but
1t is no less true that the WET has
also seen unprecedented triumphs of
the life-saving and healing art Never
before were there such triumphs Of sur
gerry, OF medicine, of nursing, of sani-
tatlon. so while we have many books
telling US of the exploits of submarines
and aeroplanes and tanks and gas and
shells. and what not other lethal
forces, let US welcome those which tell
us Of the work of the physician, the
surgeon, the sanitarian, the Red Cross
nurse.
The unsurpassed authority Of DR.
Woods Hutchinson stamps his volume
with high Importance, comparable with
Its literary charm. Much of it is as
delightful reading as any romance,
while all of it is as instructive as a
textbook. We have read no more
dramatic and impressive accounts Of
the destructive processes of war, and
certainly no others so inspiring of the
marvellous achievements of the medi-
cal department of the army. Nor must
we neglect to comment with earnest
gratitude upon the fine spirit of prac-
teal common sense which permeates
the whole. This is especially noticeable
in the chapter dealing with the
plaques of armies"-to wit, drunken
ness and lechery:
Even more dcplorablc is the other
traditional assumption that it is not
only natural but necessary for young
men to SOW their wild oats, to go
through a period of experience and
adventure in the knowledge Of coed
and evil. This vicious de-
fusion did not originate with the
young, nor is it generally believed
BY them until it has been dinned
into their ears by the wisdom of
ANtlI ClN6TS. w nGIoNeT Its
origin, it has been responsible for
probably as many wrecks and misfor-
tunes and shame as all the hot
blooded and uncomfortable impulses
Of youth put together. 1t is precisely
OF piece with that other abominable
social tradition that boy cannot
count himself a man until he has
learned to drink and has been at
least once or twice under the in
tlucnce of liquor. The quicker both
of them can be thrown into the limbo
of exploded supcrstitions the better,
and there is where the army has
flung them.
Colonel (and Dr.) Church's excel
lent volume is partly descriptive of
the sanitary service. the hospitals and
the work of the medical corps. and
partly a narrative of the authors ac-
tual experience at the front in that
service. While marked with profes-
sional accuracy, his writing is popular
and even entertaining in style. and
gives a vivid impression at once of
the horrors of war and Of the marvel
lous skill and success of those who
follow the slayors on an errand Of
healing. Much well deserved attention
IS given to the work of the Rcd Cross
which will be grateful reading to the
mllllons OF American su0norters OF
that noble organization. The volume
amply merits the commendatory fore
word which General Gorgas has writ
ten for it.
Mr.. lmbrie writes an absorbinrly in
teresting and Instructive narrative Of
personal experience with the arnbu.
lance corps at the Aisnc and the Somme
and ut Verdun and also in the Ba kaNs
ell the way from Salonica to Monastir
The Rcd Cross textbooks COMPRISE
general manual on first aid by Clio.
mel Charles Lynch; women's edition
Of the same. and . manual OF home
hvciene and caro of the Sic'- b. Jare
A. ne'aro ard Ammo Hervev Strong. al
explicit. authoritative and of great
practical valne in both war and peace