WAR SERVICE IN FRANCE

Evening Star, Issue 16225, 21 September 1916, Page 1

WAR SERVICE IN FRANCE

A WELCOME HOME TO DR AND MPiS M. MACDONALD. A pleasant function was held in the Savoy Lounge last evening by the Trained Nurses’ Association in honor of Dr and Mrs Marshall Macdonald, who returned to Dunedin recently after having spent over 12 mouths in war service in French hospitals. There was a representative attendance of nurses and medical men, and several prominent citizens were also present. Nurse Thomson (president of the, association) received the guests. The lounge presented a charming appearance, effective use having been made of wattle and kowhai as decorative features.

Dr Fitcholt said that ho had been asked to extend a must cordial welcome to Dr Macdonald and Mrs Macdonald on their return from the seat of war. The closest relations had obtained between the doctor and the Nurses’ Association, he having been for many years their president. He had acted as their guide, philosopher, and friend, particularly as friend—(applause)—although, no 'doubt, they bad welcomed Ills guidance and respected his philosophy. He had oven paid them the compliment of choosing a, wire from among their number, (Applause.) The speaker had been asked to express the appreciation of the nurses of the enterprise and self-sacrifice of Dr and Mrs Macdonald in offering their services in time of need. The nurses were delighted to see the doctor and his wife back In Dunedin again. (Applause.) Dr Macdonald, in reply, said thov were very touched to receive such a warm welcome from the association. Anything he had done for it had been done giadlv. His relations with the association had always been most cordial, and the members and himself had worked very well together while be was president. Perhaps the first thing they would like to know about was what those at Home thought, of the nurses sent from New Zealand." Although he did not have the opportunity of working with them, he had heard oa all rides the highest praise of the work they had done iu Egypt and on the hosnital' ships where they were placed. ile' spoke to many wounded solaiers, and although patients were not ’perhaps the bert judges they spoke very highly indeed of the New Zealand, Australian, ami Canadian nurses. They said that thev were the best nurses that were engaged in the work there. From what lie had seen of the others, he though!, it was a. perfectly fair judgment of the nurses whom we had sent from New Zealand. 'When nurses were wanted from New Zealand they had responded in a most loval manner. In England be had visited,’amongst other places, Wallon-on-Thames Hospital, and found it a very excellent institution. Ihey began by running it on non-military lines, which was rather a pity, but it hod now been taken over by the* military. The work of the New Zealand War Contingent Association was admirable. They had buildings which could accommodate over 200 convalescent soldiers or soldiers un leave. Hie though! the iiroor-ialion were doing exceedingly well. There was very little chance of our wounded : hdi •, being overlooked. There was an excellent ai> rangement whereby New Zealanders visited New Zealand soldiers. Jogmburgh there was also an association winch was run by Now Zealand ladies. Ho thought they could look on the wi U beixm done by the nurses and all cenucetod with our wounded men with the greatest pleasure and satisfaction. Dr Macdonald proceeded to sneak interestingly of his experiences in France. The French Ir-spita-l nurse was not so well educated or so highly trained as the English nurse. The real nursing was done hv the shov, of Mercy, who gave' up their whole lives in looking after their mlients and inspiring them. He looked ‘back with the. very greatest of pleasure to the work the Sisters did. ihey had a ve-v high, sense l of duty. The voluniary workers were also doing extremely well. A large question would bo opened up by the fact that these women, who were receiving an excellent, training, might not be, disnosed to return to private life. A better‘class of probationer was being obtained now. The question, was one of the most important y.-hich would have to be faced. In New Zealand every effort should be made to keep up a high standard of probationersliip. Every endeavor should lip made to get, girls wlm had received a good education and were fitted for the duties limy luu! to perform. They should raise and never lower the standard of Dm nurses. The volunteer aid detachment— ladies who devoted a certain, part of the dpv to hospital work—were also rendering* valuable services in Franc?. Thev were exceedingly useful. As regard- the doctors, they had had a great "deal of interesting work. The new mechanic,d ;i.mlis>m-cs. etc., were most instructive. The 'French medical men were highly skilled and confident, and ho formed a, very high ,minion of 'their clinical skill especially. * Thev were working lia.nl, and would be for

some time yet. In concluding. Dr Macdonald thanked Dr Fitefieit for hi.s kindly remarks. The sneaker was ,:necr-i in the presidency •»> the anro.-iathw, by ]>.- Brown, who was « very warm Lici'd ~f the nurses, but he had, unfori imalciv. passed away. Dr Macdonald woof, on f i say that hc_ thought Ihe! flu; tim ■ h.u! come when the nurses should elect a dent from among their own number. They required assistance at first, but he though’;, they might now manage- >erv well wbb one of themselves as president*. He .T-iii, thanked them for their kindly ■welconm To Mrs Macdonald and himroii. " (Applause.) During the evening refreshments were handed round, and severe! ladies ,-.ontributod vocal and instrumental items.