Newspapers / The Caduceus (Charlotte, N.C.) / July 6, 1918, edition 1 / Page 11
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THE CADUCEUS. 11 AN APPRECIATION ' (From an article by Major Harlow Brooks, M. R. C., and appearing in The Cure, the Camp Upton Base Hos pital paper.) To the civil physician accustomed throughout all his profesisonal life to the service of women nurses, usually, highly trained and well schooled, the question of the care of seriously sick patients with only men anjl thcfse us ually but poorly trained in the care of the sick, comes as something of a shock. There is no question whatever but that the civil physician, so depend ent has he become on the service of the efficient trained nurse, would at once say that the adequate care of .grave medical cases was nowadays practically impossible without the trained nurse. There is however a very definite dif ference of opinion when this question is propounded by military surgeons, . most of whom in my experience be lieve that the old “Hospital Corps- Man” has nearly alv/ays made good in the past and that in at least certain forms of cases, he is more efficient than the trained female nurse, partic ularly in field work. The military sur geon of the old days was, however, not so accustomed to the care of large numbers of seriously ill patients as his brother of civil practice and his opinion may therefore be somewhat biased by his lack of .actual experi ence. It would seem then that that wit ness best qualified to speak as an ex pert is a physician experienced in and who has in addition served lor a time in military life and hospitals. As such a person it is my pleasure to say a few words of much apprecia tion tor the “Corps Man.” For 25 yeai:_s I have been constantly in active hospi tal work, as interne, assistant, visiting an dconsulting physician in large gen eral hospitals in which the trained nurse has been a fixture and a neces sity. I grant no man a more keen ap preciation than nine of the female trained nurse, of her surprisingly high character, of her industry, devotedness. to duty and ideals and of her “gener- aFefficiency.” She has, however, no ex clusive and superlative claim on these virtues. During eighteen years of experience ns a regimental and Division Medical Officer, of the National Guard, I have seen the Corps man under guard under many very trying conditions, in fixed encampments, on the march, in active manoeuvers and in actual military con ditions in which co operation with reg ular troops or on strike duty closely simulated at least real war conditions of medical service. During ■ the first four months of my life at Camp Upton Base Hospital, a new and further ex perience with the enlisted man of the Medical Department as a ward work er has been afforded me. I have come to respect this man and his capabili ties more and more as I have served with him. As an “Angel of Mercy” he will not grace head lines or magazine covers but I have never known him to desert or neglect a comrade. What he lacks in training andi nthose graces of in- utition which typify most women, he compensates for in his ingenuity, his physical stamina and in his keen sense of duty. The Hospital Corps man as 1 have known his has been no real lady but he has shown himself to be a MAN, whenever a test of manhood has ap peared. In the very early days of our hospi tal here at Camp Upton, I have, not seldom known men to be kept on duty consecutively for 24 hours at a stretch and during the period to be obliged to take their food and such rest as was possible in their ward and while still on duty. I do not recall complaint from any of these men. They were “Play ing the game.” Many, emergencies have arisen in these wards, manned by the “Obsolete corps man,” suicides, murders, medical crises demanding promptness of action, judgment and stamina. The Corps man has not failed me yet. He has been not only willing to play at times, clerk, carpenter or plumber, but on due and lawful occa sions he has shown himself to be an fiicient thief. Upton biard has accum ulated, shelves over 24 inches in length have appeared in the ward or closet by miraculous intervention, electric lights have budded forth where the signal officers were hope lessly bound in red tape. Moses when he smote the rock brought forth water only, the humble corps man has “ob tained” digitals, alcohol, creolin com pound and yet other needful article.? accessible materials. The Ward, Man is not often beauti ful to look upon, his role is not painted as a heroic one, but he dares and dies whenever others do and his name is frequent on the list of medal of honor men. I know of no monuments to his memory but Reed I^azeer and Agra- monte knew that he would gladly risk not only his life but his happiness and health that science might advance and others live free from epidemic. He may not look real pretty on Red'Cross Post ers, but he is fine at bearing crosses. All honor to the Ward Man! He does his work and frequently holds his tongue under circumstances that loosen mine to a serious degree; he has stepped aside to be displaced by the trained nurse, but when we need him, when emergency arises and quick,, generous service and manly humanity are called, we know where to find him. SEVEN NEW COOKS ( The following privates and privates first class have been rated as cooks: Balowski, Leighton, Gannon, Western, Park, Appleton and Aginitti. All these men are connected with the pa tient’s mesa and have been working there for several months. CAMP THEATRE B. H. StcpIicnB* Amnsemcnt Enterprises Liberty Part Gamp No. 4. Gar W. H. GRACEY, Manager. The Home of Clean, Bright and Snappy MUSIC AG COMUDY VAUDUVIUUU AND MOVING PICTURES A new “GIRL SHOW” each week PROGRAM CHANGES SUNDAY, WEDNESDAY, FRIDAY Matinees SUNDAY, WEDNESDAY, SATURDAY, 3 p. m. TWO SHOWS NIGHTLY AT 6.45 AND 8.30. ULICNTV OF JCANS TO K lOCU YOU FOOD ' 1A\RK SHOOTING GALLERY B. H. Stephens’ Amusement Enterprises LIBERTY PARR, GAMP No. 4 CAR TRUE TO NATURE • .JUST UIKE OUT DOORS A DIG NOVEETY IMPROVE YOUU AIM! If you are “GOING OVER THE TOP’’ t?ke a Good Aim with you. This will HELP WIN THE WAR ! THE ONLY COMPLETE AND UP- * TO-DATE GALLERY AT CAMP
The Caduceus (Charlotte, N.C.)
Standardized title groups preceding, succeeding, and alternate titles together.
July 6, 1918, edition 1
11
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