EGYPTIAN HOSPITALS.

Press, Volume LII, Issue 15512, 12 February 1916, Page 5

EGYPTIAN HOSPITALS.

LETTER FROM CHRISTCHURCH { NURSE. TRIBUTE TO RED CROSS. A New Zealand nurse—a young lady who was trained in the Christchurch Hospital—writing to a friend from Alexandria under date of December 10th. says: — I am in the sick sisters' quarters with typhoid. Three New Zealand nurses were admitted the same day. all from different hospitals. We aIT looked at the stare as though we were going to he bad eases, but our temperatures soon subsided, and wo aro getting on famously. 1 hear wo are to be invalided Home about the 27th. All typhoids are to England, Australia, or New Zealand, which ever place they happen to belong. They tell us here that typhoid docs not do well in Egypt. Same of the English I sisters try so hard to remain, but even if they have friends to go to they are not allowed to stay. The nanigs of those to be invalided home, so far as I. know, are:—Sister Sinclair, of New Plymouth, who was for a time on the dangerously ill list.; Miss Cameron, of Christchurch. St. Helens Maternity Hospital; Miss Campbell, of Karitane, Duuedin; -.Sister Hooker, of Napier, and Sister Nicol, of Christchurch. There are others, but- T do not know their names. Misses Cameron, Hooker, and Nicol were in the Marquette, and have been in hospital ever since, with lung trouble, and other complications. 1 hear New Zealand people think the Marquette was a hospital shin. She was not. The Germans think now that troops aro carried <m hospital ships. Hence the complications that arise through thinking. I hoar a great many of the soldiers' Christmas hoses have already arrived, somewhere about ISOOO. but most of tho Christmas goods are arriving in the boats which we expect to return by. so I don't exncct we shall get ours much before next Christmas. Captain Green, who i.s the New Zealandors' friend here —both sisters and eoluim; —came to see u- yestcri day, anil he was telling us he was going to Anzac to-day with the Soldiers' Christmas goods, and hoped to be back before we left, lie was toiling us how they do all the loading with black labour with one of cur beys to superintend. But while they were loading the boat from a lighter he discovered the blacks had small boats tied to the lighter, and were throwing the cases in when no one was looking, so they had to put two more men on to watch operations. It will give you some idea how hard it is to deliver everybody's parcels sale and sound when they have to contend with that sort of thing, and I expect it is only . one of many instances. Colonel Rhodes called here to see us some days ago. also Captain Burridge, of Invereargill. .So we are not forgotten by •our own countrymen. The Red Cross has started a Red Cross kitchen in connexion with Genera], and 1 expect with moat military hospitals. J b is really one of the best things we have had. Wo send our order down for whatever we want in the way of Benger's food, jelly, rice, sago, and many other delicacies too numerous to mention. They are .served up in little dishes large enough for and beautifully cooked. If anyone has anything to give away they cannot do better than give it to the Red Cross; th'ey do so much for everybody without asking where they come Irom or what nationality they belong to. No. 19 (The Deaconess's) was once a German hospital, and when we came here to A lexandria "myas mil by German nurses. I don't know whether they left or were asked to leave, but I remember seeing in tho "'Egyptian Mail" where they were thanked for their services, which is slightly differout treatment to what was mntcd out to tho British nurses. However, "'nuff' said. No. 1!) is really a beautiful hospital, has a lift and manyother conveniences which other military hospitals here in Egypt have not got. I must say typhfiid is no nicer in this country thai:, it is in New Zealand. .Having tried it in both. I can speak from experience. "With wo three New Zealanders it has run a sharper and quicker course, probably due to inoculation, although they said our inoculation was too mild. There are hundreds of Sisters in Egypt- The tea .rooms in C'herrif Pasha street are always full of khaki and uniforms. The Sisters have been coming out so fast and furious that rea.ly tnere is not-hirg for many of tiiom to do. Iho hosnitals have vei v tew wounded, mostly medical and frost bite. It. is very cejd in Salon ica and . oibia, cold at night and bright and warm in the daytime. AVe have also I had two days' heavy rain, tho first I we have had since arrival in Egvut. 1 strfii tod this letter another New Zealander has been admitted. Sister I Cook, of. Auckland. She has been in I' ranee, and- came here with a number i or the Sisters, and has ou!v been ! in Egypt about a month. " i