TRENTHAM ENQUIRY.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume XXXV, Issue 8202, 27 July 1915, Page 4

TRENTHAM ENQUIRY.

YESTERDAY'S PROCEEDINGS.

(Per Press Association).

WELLINGTON, July 2G. The Trentham Camp Commission continued taking evidence this morning.

Magnus Badger, sergeant in tho Field Ambulance, stated that when he was sent on duty at the racecourse kiosk hospital on June 28, the" hospital was then very congested. Men wore lying on the floor, but nest day a number of. stretchers: and beds was brought in. It was impossible to keep the place clean, as convalescents were going in and out with muddy boots. The beds had no sheets. Ho had objected to the system whereby patients were compelled to walk from the lines to the hospital. In one case, a man with a. temperature of 103 walked up; the case was reported, and instructions were then given that patients with high temperatures had to be conveyed on stretchers. Some of these men had to leave their beds, as it was impossible to deal with them otherwise. Everything possible was dono to keep the place clean, and any complaints to Colonels. Valintine or Morice wero irii-i mediately investigated. "He expressed the opinion that when the epidemic' was at its height, camp concerts should have been discontinued. Of the simple cold and influenza cases, about 85, per cent, were placed in the •' kiosk, where the measles cases were also.

Dr. De Latour, in giving evidence, said, he wished to remark upon the clean state of the camp, which reflected great credit on. the Commandant.

.In reply to Mr Gray,; witness said that he resigned from the Military Medical Service in 1911, partly because he was superseded by Colonel . Purely, ■who was 21 years his. junior. ,It could be called a. grievance if counsel liked. He never complained to the Camp Commandant. ■ .

Mr Justice Ho.sk ing 'commenting on the extension of hutments to accomniodate 50 men, said the Board appeared to have acted on the ground of economy,' and put two hutments into one. It seemed to him that the people- responsible were called on to justify the extension.

Mr Gray: They had improved the ventilation. Mr Justice Hosking: Well, the question is -whether ' they increased the draught or the ventilation.

Witness said that the vitality of tho men was reduced when they went into hutments.

The Judge remarked that a great increase of sickness coincided with the arrival of new men, and the removal into hutments.

Henry L. Steele, Captain N.Z.M.C.,' examined by Dr. Martin, stated that on June 80 he received instructions from-Major .Elliott: to go to Berhamporo to see. two bad cases': He saw' the nurse in charge and- was shown the cases. . He was. told, that: Captain Harrison was looking after them, and that Major Elliott had also seen them. He examined the charts and then saw the patients. Both were very bad. One was".dying, and one had very severe bronchial pneumonia. He Rave -instrnet'ons as. to treatment .for the night" and then-left/ He.asked, the nurse if Hhoy were going to be taken to the Wellington Hospital. He asked why they were there.

Mr Justice Hosking: You thought they ought not to have been thoro ?

Witness: Decidedly

Mr Justice Hosking: We havo a return that they died at the Wellington Hospital.

Witness: They should not havo moved any man in that condition to the Wellington Hospital.

What were the surroundings ?—I would not call the place a hospital ; s it was a sort of whare, a "shack."

Mr Ferguson: Where were these men ?

Witness: In a building. It was at night time. How many beds were in that building ?—Eight.

Dr. Martin : It was fit for any sick men to be. in ?

Witness: No; you had to get over gullies aud. ravines to enter the place.

Mr Ferguson: It was quito unfit outside ?- Witness: Yes.

•Mr Justice Hosking: Do "you mean that this building put. tip as a fever hospital was a, "shack" ?

Witness :'. I did not know, it was a hospital. ■•■■. Edward Yeates, Surgeon-Captain, was the next "witness,- and was examined by Mr Skerrett. He said ho had had a large amount of experience in South Africa, and was also at Samoa. He reported himself at Trentham Camp on December 1.9, and remained on the strength until February. 26. His nominal position wits 0210 of tho medical officers. He was Under Major Holmes, A.M.0., Captain I'VU'e, and Captain McKerrow.

Mr Skerrett: Did you form any opinion as to the character of the camp ? .

"Witness:...lt .struck mo a-s being improperly laid out. The tents were too mud) crowded together, and the genoral system was-, absolutely undisciplined. I am spanking'about •tho medical staff. Tho.ro. was no system 1 attached to it, and no regular Vay of carryjng on the work, particularly in regard to the sick parados.

How long was Major Holmee in camp as A 31.0. before you reported ? —One day 1 think. ' •

How long have Captain Fyffo and MeKorrow been there ?—Since 'December 14 I think.

Did I understand you to say that there was no system of performing tbo medical work attached to the camp ? — If theiv with I never found it out.

Did you ' ob&erve anything with regard to ilie NVisLeiu of issuing drugri arid dressing I'—Tho drills were kept in the wuno marquee as where the sick parade was conducted. Tho orderlies were not, sis v whole, trained, though some of them were very good men. Tho, result, was that there was .great., confusion in tho issuing of drags, arid shortly afterwards another marquee was constructed for- drugs and dressings, and for lopking after the men generally wlio were passed out"from the sick parade. Tho method of swabbing out the throats was very bad. There was an insufficient number of brushes and the .same brush was used over and over again without, properly sterilising it.

Dr. Martin: Hoav were- they cleansed ?

Witness;* Dipped in'boiling water. And the same brush used again P— Yes. There was also a great shortage of thermometers. Before I left there were six inedienl officers in one marquee. I have semi n man go in and bo ordered a dose of calomel. Not

knowing wli.it he was to do, he has walked on and been collared by another medical man and ordered a black draught. Ho would then go to another and be ordered a doso of salts.

Mr Skerrott: He took them all? ■Witness: No; I stopped him in his career. I was watching him. Mr Justice Hosking: The more doctors^tlie more nostrums•? Witness: The more doctors the more confusion.

Mr Skerrett:. Was tho number of men reporting on sick'parades increasing or diminishing ?

Witness: Increasing. There wero always too many.

Did you personally take any steps in the matter?—!, made a suggestion to Major Holmes and Captain Fyffo that there would bo an outbreak in the camp if something wero not done to isolate tit? oases of measles bettor, and prevent them mixing with the other men, and gone-rally to improve the system of teaching orderlies-so as to give thorn a knowledge of their •.•responsibilities: ■• .

_Were any lectures or instructions Riven to the- ambulance orderlies? — That I cannot say. I never heard. Mr Justice llosking: Were your suggestions put in writing, or.verbal? Witness: At first I wrote something. but it was suggested that I should not do so. Afterwards I spoke on several occasions. • . . '

Have, you 'copies:of what, you wrote ? —I wrote on camp paper..'* To whom did you. address your communications?—'!^ the A.M.O.

Did thoy. T'oach any higher authority?—l could not say; I have not had any acknowledgment.

Tli9 examination of this witness was not concluded when tho Commission adjourned till tomorrow.