New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1919-02-23
and skilful hands could do to tighten
the agony.
Women Surgeons IItiIized


Women Surgeons Utilized
"Following this drive" Mrs. Brown
continued, "the chateau was changed
from an evacuation to a base hospital
and increased to 1000 beds. Our wom-
en- surgeons, who had been assigned
to the operating staff of several famous
French surgeons, found their work in
creasing in Importance.
This first work in detail gives a
clear and accurate idea of what the
American women in our units did
They made it point wherever they
we're assigned-and to this l attribute
all our successful work in close CO.
operation with the French. We asked
their advice and took it. When we
were under their orders we followed in
structions. We tried to do things, not
the way we thought they ought to be
done, but the way the French wanted
US to do them. In all our year of work
we had the greatest courtesy and the
warmest rotations with the French of
ficials and with the French people.
Hospital Built by Women
"Our second unit was sent to the
Department of Landes in the south of
France to establish hospital for
refugees. When the unit went there
the middle of April a site for the pro-
posed hospital had to be found, build
racks were built by the French gov
eminent, the equipment was furnished
by the Red Cross, the planning, direct
ing, purchasing and installing were
done by our women. The hospital
was opened about July I.
"The hospital stands in a clearing
in pine forest, nearly fifty buildings.
With the exception of the actual con-
struction of the frame work of the
barracks, the entire plant has been
constructed by women; running water
and sinks in the wards, electric light
ing installed, stoves placed in every
room, closets, shelves, bookcases en-
tirely constructed and installed by
women. When l left France it was
the intention of the War Department.
to use the hospital for i'll or tubercu-
lous soldiers.
I'm the early summer the greatest hos
pital need in France was for the care of
men who had been gassed. The request
for a Gas Hospital came to us from
the Service de Sante in June l sailed
at once for America and we began our
organization of a new unit. The six
women doctors came over the first
of September.
Aided in Rehabilitation
"After the armistce was signed we
turned our enegies to assisting in the
devastated villages to which the
former inhabitants were beginning to
return in great numbers many of
them i'll and most of them needing
medical care Of some sort or another.
We have opened dispensaries and
clinics. In Lorraine alone We have
spent $4,000 in the last six months;
but the good it has done has been i'm
measurable
owe are also doing considerable
work in the destroyed villages east of
SCISSORS. In order not to pauperize
the people by indiscriminate giving,
we have certain supplies in various viii
lagos in the hands of some prominent
woman. These she sells at very low
way we have just received 1000 francs
Mayors wife in Ace, and at her reque It
have reinvested it in kitchen utensils
to be sold in this same way We have
had a donation of 5000 francs from
Nine. PriouX, who owns a chateau at
Courcelles, one Of our villages, and the
French nurse on our unit, Mile. Pres
'solr. has received q contribution of
% 200 francs to establish a military
station in one of the villages Since
my departure Mrs. Stevenson has OBJ
tanned a railroad car from the authori
ties, and we are distributing beds and
mattresses
I'VE shall keep on with our work
Just so long as we are needed. The
French are begging us to remain, and
we are glad to do all we cam