The Australian Army Medical Corps in Egypt. Deane Percival Edgar

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СКАЧАТЬ stage, and removal to one of the convalescent hospitals when he reached the convalescent stage. From these hospitals he was discharged to duty.

      Now, Helouan is twenty miles from Cairo, and can be reached by railway or motor ambulance; and the railway station in Cairo for Helouan is eight miles from Heliopolis. As the patients were moved from Heliopolis to Helouan in scores or even hundreds at a time, some idea of the tax imposed on the motor ambulance corps can be imagined. During the crisis of May, June, and July, a visitor could witness an eternal procession of trains discharging wounded at Heliopolis, of trains discharging wounded at Cairo for other hospitals, of sick being moved to and from the different hospitals in Cairo, and convalescents from the various hospitals being sent to the Cairo station for Alexandria or to the Bab el Louk station for Helouan. Without an adequate supply of motor ambulances such an organisation would have been impossible.

      It should be understood that the convalescent hospitals were available not only to all Australian sick and wounded from any hospital, but also to British or New Zealand sick and wounded. The adjustment of accounts between the separate Governments was a matter of discussion, and it was finally agreed that in the case of hospitals no charges should be made by reason of the section of the force to which the sick or wounded man belonged. It was desirable as far as practicable to send the Australians to Australian hospitals, but if the treatment of the sick and wounded necessitated it, no hard-and-fast distinction was to be observed. In the case, however, of convalescent hospitals, in which the matter could be dealt with in a more leisurely way, the respective Governments were charged the cost of maintenance of soldiers belonging to them.

Army Medical Administration

      When the Kyarra arrived in Egypt the military medical arrangements in that country were on a very small scale, and under the administration of the D.M.S. they rapidly enlarged. But the unexpected rush on April 29 found the British Medical Force to a considerable extent, and justly, dependent on the Australian Force for hospitals, medical officers, nurses, transport, specialists, and Red Cross stores. As there is really only one service and one object in view, it is quite unnecessary to emphasise the satisfaction felt by Australians in being of substantial service at a critical time. Since then the development of the medical services has steadily proceeded, and the anxiety of May, June, and July is never likely to be experienced again.

Discipline

      A word must be said on the subject of discipline and its influence on Australians. The bravery and resourcefulness of Australians in the field are sufficiently attested by those competent to judge. Of their splendid behaviour when desperately injured we have had ample evidence, which we furnish with proper respect to brave men.

      The convalescent Australian presents another problem, as also does the soldier waiting at the base. The lines in Dr. Watts's hymn come to mind. In these circumstances his very fine qualities cause him to give trouble. His ingenuity in breaking bounds is worthy of a better cause.

      For example, there were complaints from the military police that sick men were roaming about Cairo at night. The roll was called at No. 1 General Hospital several times, and no one was absent. Not quite satisfied, we called the roll in the Ophthalmic Ward one evening at 8 p.m. Only one man was absent. Still suspicious, we called it again at 8.40 p.m. the same evening, and twenty-one men had gone. Some had rolled up coats or blankets and so placed them that it seemed that the men were still in bed. Subsequently uniforms that should have been in the pack store were discovered under their mattresses.

      These and similar difficulties were aggravated by the fact that even a moderate disciplinarian did not always receive the support of the nurses or even the medical officers.

      To illustrate: An endeavour was made to limit smoking in the wards to reasonable hours, as it has become an unfortunate tradition that a sick soldier may smoke cigarettes all day long, when in bed, without injury.

      One of us (J. W. B.) entered a small ward which was filled with smoke, and was just in time to see a sick man practically blowing smoke into a nurse's face; needless to say the cigarette vanished with astonishing rapidity. Looking through the murky atmosphere, I asked the nurse whether she had seen any one smoking, to which she unblushingly replied, "No, sir."

      If nurses and a section of officers throw their weight against enforcement of discipline, because they don't think it necessary or right, the difficulties become considerable.

      Again, the sentries were often in collusion with the men. Two instances suffice: A soldier got out of the hospital through a hole in the fence. On returning he determined to test the sentry with an eye to future escapades. Walking up to the gate, he said, "I want to visit a friend." "Have you got a pass?" said the sentry. "No," replied the sick man. A discussion followed, and finally the sentry said, "Go in and out by the hole in the fence; it will save me a lot of trouble."

      Yet another amusing incident. Sitting on the great Piazza at Heliopolis were a number of men convalescent from serious illness, pneumonia and the like.

      A short distance away on the outside of the iron railing fence, the Arabs were conducting illicit and prohibited trade with the men inside, and a sentry appointed to prevent it was walking up and down studying astronomy.

      The Commanding Officer witnessed the occurrence, visited the happy scene, interrogated the sentry, and asked him what his duties were. The sentry answered, "To walk up and down here with me gun to prevent them prisoners" (the unfortunate convalescents) "coming down them steps, and to prevent them niggers jumping the fence!"

      The hardest part of military work is waiting. The soldier who has the magnificent fundamental qualities of the Australian, and who can wait and obey, would be the greatest soldier on earth. We are hopeful that the experience gained will render the Australian the claimant for this coveted position. All thoughtful Australian officers we know tell the same story: "Give us discipline, and again and again discipline."

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