The Michigan chronicle. [volume] (Detroit, Mich.) 1936-current, 1942-11-28

rOh ~ AOIlOOA, ATlI.-
The greatest collection of
top flight Negro medical skill
in the world is to be found in
Station Hospital No, 1 at this,
the worlds largest Negro army
command situated in a valley
around which huge mountains stand
like sentinels on constant guard.
Scattered over 20 acres, or three
city blocks are 50 one-story frame
buildings which go to make up the
hospital. From a panoramic view
It resembles federal housing pro-
ject except that all the buildings
are connected by several miles OF
enclosed orridors which cross and
criss-cross to utterly confuse q
stranger.
We are still at a loss 10 explain
how the lore than 500 persons
comprising the hospitals staff find
their way about without getting
lost. Every lime we launched upon
an unescorted mission within the
hospital we found ourself hopelessly
lost and forc-l to inquire OF each
oasser-by. how to reach our destina-
ton. ==-----,--=-i';=--.== -s=s',-=-=--.-=---
The hospital. though no better
nor no worse in its physical appoint.
ments than Other newly constructed
station hospitals, is possibly the
best equipped and stated institu.
ton Of its ..ind under Negro control
in this country
Like Small Community
A station hospital like the one
here is a part of the permanen,
equipment Of the post. and though
the troops = serves come and &C
and even its own staff has no guar.
sntee Of permanency. the hospital
remains. So while there is no known
immediate prospect fo- 1t, 1t is quite
possible that any or all of the
blue ribbon staff here might be
moved 70 other locations on short
notice.
II is possible for one to be born
live to a ripe old age and die in
the hospital without once ever set.
ting foot outside. All the features
Of a small community are to be
found in the hospital with heavy
emphasis on edical services.
1t has its own power plant, stores
barber shop. pos office, living
quarters. morgue. chapel. recrea.
iional fac1lities. including a Red
Cross theatre. police. and fire pro.
lection II has even a newspaper
The Mourning Post" and a school
court and Jail Services OF the hos
nital are omen to enlisted men for
whom more than GOO beds are pro-
vided and officers, their wives
families and civilian employees NJ
the post for whom 200 beds are
set aside.
Best Doctors
Not only ere facilities provided
for the best approved diagnosis and
treatment Of every type OF ailment.
but services are administered by
what is perha-s the best STAFF Of
any station HOSPITAL in the country
some Of the men ranking with the
best to be foun6 IL their sphere
OF professional operation.
Separate Iildings are devoted
exclusively to surgery. x-ray. eye
ear, nose and throat, pharmacy and
laboratory. eenito urinary clinics.
dental clinics, and physio-therapy
There is the usual out-patient de-
partment anG % wards for bed
patients. sun porches and. scattered
throughout. comfy little hooks where
eonvalescents can sit and read
write or play table games. Even
detention ward Is provided Jus,
In case there happens to be a psy.
ehiatric case.
The medical staff is supplemented
by a corps of rs army nurses and
detachment nj over 400 enlisted
men. many OF whom are under
training for highly technical Jobs