A SORDID PICTURE.

Northern Advocate, 9 December 1916, Page 1

A SORDID PICTURE.

There was, of course, an official "explanation." There had been a little unavoidable disorganisation at first; but in the last few everything had been remedied, and so on. But reports continue to be received to the contrary effect. One such report was published by tin London "Post" a few days ago which is enough to make one's blood boil. In the hospital of which the report is written, the wounded soldier is received as a paying guest, iy 2 annas per day being deducted from his pay whilst in hospital. He is aiso made responsible for his hospital kit, arid if his blanket happens to be stolen while he is in the delirium induced by a neglected wound he has to pay for his carelessness. He is, moreover, told about it before he has recovered, so that he may not commit the same fault again. He is in an old barrack, dirty, ill-lighted, bug-infested. He lies upon an old sagging bed "where vermin is apt to lurk." There is no punkah, although thie room is over lOOdeg. in the daytime. The mosquito nets are so old and badly fitted that the mosquitoes have "free acces: to the patient." The water supply is "intermittent"; even the fever patients are unable at times to moisten their parched lips, and the ice supply is "insufficient." The milk is good : but the bread is "sour and greyish h colour," and "long before night" the daily supply, which lies all day beside the bed. is "quite spoiled by ants." When night comes, the bugt come out and work their will upon the soldier; they even creep under th< bandages. In this hospital there ar. two hot water bottles and three feeding cups. 'Fortunately, the operatiir theatre is well supplied; but the catsrut, with which the wounds are sewn, is so rotten that it "snaps repeated ly" during operations under the trial strain put on it by the surgeon. The men who are made to suffer thus have been through the tortures of hell in Mesopotamia. When they get to India they might reasonably anticipate some little care, some comfort and tenderness, but they are neglected; they arc tortured, and :nany are allowed to die for the want of the iy;o-t e'e.ment.iry comforts. The lady who supplied these deta : ls to the Calcutta correspondent of the "Post" has worked in this particular hospital, and W3 are assured that her statements concern things all within her own persona! knowledge: nothing is second-hand.