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Modern Army Surgery

Modern Army Surgery image
Parent Issue
Day
13
Month
January
Year
1899
Copyright
Public Domain
OCR Text

MODERN ARMY SURGERY.

For Good Reasons the Work of the Surgeon Begins When Wounded Reach Hospital.

"There seems to be a misapprehension on the part of a good many persons as to the modern medical service of the army," said an army surgeon who had been detailed for the Porto Rico campaign. "There is no sort of doubt that there is a general misunderstanding of what is required of a surgeon in time of battle. Many complaints have been made of lack of prompt surgical attention to the wounded at Santiago and an absence of system. It is asserted that there were not enough, if any, litter bearers, except the Red Cross volunteers, and few, if any, ambulances; that the wounded had to make their way unaided to the rear or else be carried by able-bodied comrades who were needed in the ranks. There may be truth in these charges, but if there is the blame should not be laid on the medical authorities in Washington. Nothing could be better than the system devised by them, and if there was failure at Santiago the surgical staff there must be held to account. For the division hospital 3 per cent. of the enlisted force is detailed. The able-bodied men thus taken from the ranks are subjected to severe discipline, are thoroughly drilled and have absolute and entire charge of the wounded from the moment they fall until they pass into the hands of the surgeons in the hospital. These men are provided with stretchers and are expected to keep close on the heels of the advancing line to pick up the wounded.

"The complaint that there was no surgical attention on the field is based on a misunderstanding. For good reasons the work of the surgeon does not begin until the wounded are brought to the hospital. This hospital must be outside the range of bullets and shells and far enough in the rear to be secure against demolition or injury in a momentary retreat."