Catoctin clarion. [volume] (Mechanicstown, Md.) 1871-1940, 1920-07-29
THJRMON NC 20

ployed. Artificial pneumOthOraX (that
is, cutting into the pleural cavity so
that air can enter and exert pressure
on the lung) is only resorted to In
cases of severe, continued hem.
Orrhage
The bed linen is changed daily to
prevent reinfectiOn; the sputum cups
are changed twice daily, and everyone
must have lights out by 10 p. m.
The X-ray diagnostic laboratory is
one of the best In the country. Maj.
John McRae, who has a fine reputa-
ton in this field, is radiologist. Each
patient is photographed upon .admis-
sion and again every month or two, to
note improvement or retrOgression.
There is also an excellent chemical
laboratory.
Four dental surgeons are CONSTANT!
busy seeing to 1t that the teeth of the
patients are kept In good condition.
The hospital buildings and ground.
are kept spotlessly clean, and the evi
dences of perfect sanitation are oh
servable everywhere.
Colonel Lyster had the officers
ward turned over to the very sick en-
listed men, all bed patients. There
were about seventy of these. Such pa
tents are provided with everything
the market affords. and they can or
der anything they wish. There are
two dietitians constantly in attend
ance to provide food for them. There
are also four ward surgeons to attend
to them: in fact, nothing is overlooked
that could add to their comfort.
In the officers infirmary ward about
thirty officers who are gravely Ill are
quartered, most of whom are bed cases.
Contrary to what one would naturally
expect, these men, seriously III, joke
with each other all day long.
A most remarkable fact is the spirit
of cheerfulness that pervades the hos
ptal. especially in the wards men,
toned.
How officers Pass the Time.
Some of these officers are incased In
plaster casts on account of spinal trou-
HE. All are engaged in something to
help pass the time they make baskets,
knit scarves paint pictures, carve
wood or make dolls.
The cheerfulness Of one officer,
man of Irish birth, was noticeable. He
was near death for many months. hut
he never gave up hope. although he
would become deliriOus every night.
Finally, he took turn for the better.
and now he Is up and out of bed and
has gained in weight from % pounds
to 121 pounds. He is so overioyed at
coming back" that he keeps the whole
ward in an uproar OF mirth by his,wit-
ty snIlieS. Many others have regained
their health or are on the road to II.
Another factor that has much to do
with keeping up the spirits and high
morale of the patients Is the genuine
interest in them manifested by the
nurses. They never grumbIe, are al
ways at the call of the patients and
always appear to be happy The spirit
Of good cheer manifested by Miss
Sheehan, the chief nurse, seems to he
contagious and to have imbued itself
into those who work under her Miss
being able to get work done cheerfully
In the largest base center at Vichy,
France
Again. many pleasant ways Of keep
ing occupied are provided by the gov
eminent. About one hundred recon
struction aids help the soldiers in all
kinds of instruction, such as basket
n,-t, Inn fx-nn rnf nj
ing, chemistry, etc.
The Red Cross has large building
where moving pictures are given daily,
and where a social meeting place Is
provided for those on the road to re-
cOvery.
The hostess house. run by the gov
eminent, provides rooms at nominal
cost for the women relatives of the
patients, and furthermore is active in
social way.
Then the residents of Ashevilie have
been enthusiastically hospitable, con-
stantly entertaining the patients who
are able to be about and carrying can
dy and all sorts of good things to the
hospital every day.
oucn Is Tie vi tllt Ut Stil-
eral hospital 10.
Now that the war risk insurance
bureau and the public health service
are gradually taking over the patients
needing further treatment, ample pro-
vision Is made for their care. Those
requiring such treatment will receive
$50 month instead of $50.
Some hardship Is caused In the case
of reserve or temporary officers requir-
ing further treatment. They are
Obliged to submit to a curtailment in
pay, while the regular army officer is
either kept on In the hospital or re-
tired on three-Quarters pay.
The enlisted man, however, Is great
ly benefited by the provisions of the
war risk bureau. Those totally and
permanently disabled receive $157.50 a
month.
AS an instance of the real results
obtained at Oteen 1t may be said that
5000 soldiers have been admitted to
the hospital. All of these did not have
tuberculosis and a few were trans
ferred to other hospitals. Yet during
the year and ten months of Its useful
ness more than 5000 cases of tubercu-
losis have been treated and nearlyl2,-
900 have been returned to gainful &C.
equations. In about LOCO cases the