New Zealand Nurses in Egypt

Manawatu Times, Volume 65, Issue 133, 6 June 1940, Page 5

New Zealand Nurses in Egypt

The sisters of the New Zealand Army 4 "sing Service who went overseas with the First Echelon of the Expeditionary Force have now settled down to life in Egypt. They have been absorbed into the British General hospital in Egypt, and at first found the new technique and administration rather strange, says the New Zealand Nursing Journal. However, the nurses realised that it was a splendid opportunity to learn a new routine, which will be so helpful later, and many are having invaluable experience.

Many of the nurses were a little homesick at first, but the smiles arc now much more genuino and cheery. Indeed, the hospitality extended to the New Zealand sisters lias been an inspriation to them. On arrival they were met by the principal matron of the Mediterranean Services and the matron and sisters of the hospital. It was winter time there, and though the day had been equatorially hot, the evening was cool and a bright* fire cheered the travellers when they went to tea in the mess.

The quarters are very good. Some of the sisters are in tents; they are very comfortable, with every convenience, close to the mess, and not more than two to a tent. They are called with an early cup of tea, their bedrooms are cleaned for them and their hotwater bottles are filled at night—all unexpected luxuries on active service.

The hot climate tires the nurses easily and they have found that adequate rest is a real essential. The ward floors are concrete, the hours fairly long on alternate days, and there is a long distance between wards and mess. Oil duty, however, they can entertain in the mess and are using the privilege. The English sisters have been very kind to the New Zealand nurses and guide them on shopping expeditions. They have joined the Women's Club in Cairo, where they may rest and have refreshment when in town.

The Egyptian winter climate the nurses have found similar to New Zealand, with its chilly nights and mornings and changeable temperatures, and the winds are at times reminiscent of Wellington southerlies! The daytime heat encourages flowers and there are fragrant blooms of sweet peas, roses, violets, stocks and carnations about. These are fairly cheap, but the price of food and material is very high. Eggs are 3 4 piastres, that is, nearly fourpence each, and they are the size of a small pullet’s egg. Butter, meat and milk are also expensive.