Evening star., 1943-06-29
You're AI|ergic to Georgia, Reporter Is Told
And Learns of Excellent Care Given WAACS
Recruits Are Shifted
To New Assignments
If Health Is Menuced
Third OF a Series.)
BY MARION WADE DOYLE,
Star Staff Corresnondent

FORT OGLETHORPE, Ga, June
29.-"Go home" said the Army doc
tor, "Yu're allergic to Georgia"
I had read statements about the
American soldier and WAAC re-
ceiving the best medical care in
the world. 1t only took five days as
a WAAC in the barracks here to
prove it.
I woke up at reveille cannon my
fourth day with smarting eyes and
redeemed arms and shoulders.
Fall out" shouted the sergeant.
I felt worse as I lined up with the
other squads for announcement of
K. P. duty. When the sergeant had
dismissed us to make beds before
breakfast, I went up and saluted
1t. Genevieve Schanbacker.
"Ma'am, I have a rash," I an
nounced.
Report to dispensary at once"
she ordered. I trudged to the dis
pensary and gave my name and
barracks number to a secretary.
Several other WAACs were already
sitting in chairs along the wall.
Go in now" she said after
few minutes. The doctor looked at
my arm and froWned
Ever been in Georgia in the sum-
mer before?'
mo, sir"
Report to Corpl. Brady at the
allergy clinic, post hospital"
An ambulance drove me and two
other WAACs over to the main
hospital. There Corpl. Leah Brady,
with IL years experience as
medical assistant, stuck needles in
my arm. When it hurt I tried to
remember how much money the
Army was saving me by free allergy
tests.
Allergic to Georgia Dust.
"You show positive reaction to
ragweed, careless weed and Georgia
dust she said. Roll down your
sleeve and report back to the
doctor"
when are you going home"
asked the doctor.
Tomorrow, sir"
YOU can I go tOddV?
mo, sir" I said. Then pro-
duced word I hadn't used for davs,
why. sir?"
you ought to get out of here"
he said. The dust along the
Georgia roads and the weeds here
in the summer time are bad for
you. 1 can give you a lotion to stop
itching. But the best thing is to
get on the train"
What would you do if regular
WAAC got this. sir?'
"A few WAACS have gotten it. he
responded. we ship them some
where else"
Allergies Clinic Busy.
Attempts are first made to i'm
munize WAACS against their various
allergies, he explained. If the
patient still suffers, she is shifted
to another climate or work that does
not affect her health Sometimes
it's food that affects the WAACS.
One laboratory worker was allergic
to chromium on the lab table. An
other girl got rash from the leather
in her shoes. The allergy clinic has
been one of the busiest places in
the hospital
The chaplains office is busy too.
If I can help you he said in a
speech to the recruits on the open
ing day, come to my office If you
just want to talk to somebody, come
see me-"
Il guess I'll so see the chaplain" :"
I said to an auxiliary the next day.
Better call and make an ap-
pointment," she advised. She was
right. Waiting before me was a
married WAAC. in tears over her
husbands health. He had been in
the Army year when she joined
the WAACS. Now he was sick, had
been discharged and needed her.
What did you do for her, chap
plain?" asked when my turn came.
"Nothing,' he said. Two days
later I saw her leaving the post in
an Army truck. Il got furlough," :"
she said. I'm going home. They
just decided 1 could go home for
while. Isn't it wonderful?'
Sunday wanted to go to church
''Will you go with me?" I asked the
girl in the next bunk.
Eve all CO. she said. Come
ahead"
Protestant services are held at
9 and II a m. at the post; Catholic
mass at 10 am. Services are ar
ranged for Jewish girls in Chatta-
nooga, Tenn.
"A circle of patriotism surrounds
all our faiths" said the chaplain.
1T makes us all God-loving Amer
leans, tolerating and tolerated."