The Ocala evening star. [volume] (Ocala, Fla.) 1895-1943, 1919-02-04

How are the sick and wounded sol
diers, coming back to America In In
creasing but happily not very large
numbers, being cared for in that try
ing period between their arrival on
transports and their distribution
among our widely scattered recon-
struction hospitals? Is the govern
ment leaving anything to chance, omit
ting any service that might contribute
TO the patients comfort or recovery
There is a story In NE answer to
these questions. Ii ought to be sup
plemented and illustrated by scenes
described, so that he who reads could
visualize, but cannot be until the war
department gives consent. But even
as It stands it In a story reassuring
to home folk wondering If all the way
across the Atlantic and through the
home port and on trains bound inland
or TO the Pacific coast their boys are
getting the treatment they deserve
and Uncle Sam Is pledged TO give.
Sick 60 Come Home First.
A great majority Of the soldiers
sailing to war passed through the port
OF New York, and through this port,
whether well or disabled, viii great
majority return. The army port OF
embarkation is also the port Of
debarkatIon. Machinery built for swift
dispatch OF troops to Europe reverses
itself, as 1t were, and distributes
throughout America the soldiers whom
1t aforetime gathered up and propelled
across the ocean.
But before the companies and regi-
ments OF the well, the unhurt, are
started back from France all the
wounded or sick will have come ahead
OF them. That Is the war depart
ment's policy, to bring home the sick
and wounded first. They are coming
now and have been for some time, and
after the shortest possible sojourn In
debarkation hospitals are segregated
and passed along TO a reconstruction
hospital as close as possible to their
homes, there TO be discharged lie their
condition warrants Ii, or to be treated
for special disabilities, or to complete
the period OF conyalescence.
diers; to make smooth their hard
path; to be prepared for their coming;
TO make the distribution process swift,
sure and merciful; to see that every
thing Is provided for until the distant
destination is reached-that Is the CO.
operative Job of the medical depart
ment OF the port of debarkatiOn and
the American Red Cross. So this is
the story of how the job Is done. Off
cialIy IL is ''the plan OF handling the
sick returned from overseas service"
The New York port of embarkation
and debarkatiOn-really includes all
the coast from Baltimore to Canada,
but its work is directed from Hoboken.
The surgeon OF the port, who has
charge OF the reception and care of
invalided troops, is Col. James M. Ken
nedy, medical corps, u. S. A. He is
the sanitary adviser OF the command
ing general Of the port, William ".
JudsOn.
Every Facility for Medical Care.
The following facts were obtained
from Colonel Kennedy and are official !:
Sick and wounded soldiers are
brought from Europe on army trans
ports having every hospital facility.
Each transport has normally a good
sized hospital, which may be expanded
to accommodate any number of men.
Every patient has more than enough
room. One of the great liners con-
verified into troopship may have
carried 10000 men to France, but as
hospital ship 1t brings back only a
thousand or so. The medical attend
ance for the returning soldiers has
been uniformly satisfactory.
The transport arrives of quaran-
tine. 1t Is boarded there by two medi-
cal officers detailed for this purpose
by the port surgeon. They ascertain
the number and classes of the sick,
the pier and hour at which the ship
will dock. One of them stays aboard,
arranging for debarkation.
The other returns to the quarantine
station and telephones his information
TO the Office of the surgeon of the port
In Hoboken. The surgeon then sends
harbor boat with party of medical
officers and men to the designated
pier. He also notifies the Red Cross,
which turns up at the pier with all the
supplies, food and drink needed by the
soldiers about to land. and something
to spare for emergencies. If a soldier
has been sent over with nothing but
hospital clothes the Red Cross I'm
stantly provides him with a blanket
robe. linen, wool boots and crutches
if he needs them, from the boats
equipment.
Relatives Are Notified.
Debarkation continues without In
corruption until completed unless it
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 be sent
and their home address.
every courtesy" said Colonel Ken
pedy, as extended to parents and
3ther relatives. At the debarkation
hospital lield director of the Red