The review. [volume] (High Point, N.C.) 1908-19??, 1920-07-29


tients 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 inf1rmary ward ..bout
thirty officers who are gravely Ill are
quartered, most of whom are bed cases.
Contrary to what one would naturally
expect, these men, seriously i'll, joke
with each other all day long.
A most remarkable fact is the spirit
of cheerfulness that pervades the hos
pital, 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-
bic. 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, a
man of Irish birth, was noticeable. He
was near death for many months, but
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 90 pounds
to 121 pounds. He is so overjoyed at
"coming back that he keeps the whole
ward in an uproar of mirth by his wit
ty sa1lies. Many others have regained
their health or are on the road tc It.
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 grumble, 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 be
contagious and to have imbued itself
into those who work under her. MISC
Sheehan had the same reputation Of
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
weaving, language, typesetting, print
ing, chemistry, etc.
The Red Cross has a large building
where moving pictures are given Gaily,
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
a social way.
Then the residents Of Asheville 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. ).
Such is the manner of life at gen
era1 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 a 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 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 |
~ benefited by the provisions Of the
war risk bureau. Those totally and |
disabled receive $157.5O
month.
AS an instance Of the real results |
obtained at Oteen 1t may be said that |
5 900 soldiers have been admitted to |
the hospital. All Of these did not have |
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-
osis have been treated and nearly g.
300 have been returned to gainful oc- |
cupations. In about 1000 cases the !
disease has been arrested; in 1000 1t
IS quiescent; about 300 have died and
800 are still undergoing treatment