Miracle Of Healing In New Guinea Jungles

Northern Advocate, 10 April 1943, Page 4

Miracle Of Healing In New Guinea Jungles

(Special) SYDNEY. This Day. "Probably never in the whole history of war have medical men worked under such conditions. Seldom has it been demonstrated so forcibly that sheer skill and improvisation, rather than elaborate equipment, are the main factors in saving lives.” This comment is made by the “Sydney Morning Herald” New Guinea war correspondent, discussing the splendid record of Allied army medical services in New Guinea campaigns. Throughout: the fighting, surgeons in* forward areas have worked in canvas

“theatres” on floors inches deep in mud and with incessant rain dripping through leaking tents. Lighting has been from Jeep headlamps around which myriads of insects have flown. Nc Lives Lost

Eut, despite primitive conditions, it is claimed that no cases were lost which would have survived in the aseptic atmosphere of the most modern hospital. With only native bearers to transport wounded men it was found necessary to establish field hospitals right behind the shifting battle line. Native grass huts, which served as hospitals, were cool in the daytime but at night usually became infested with rats. In the high country, nights are bitterly cold. With the heat of day followed by cold nights and with their clothing always wet and usually unwashed. many soldiers had to be treated for skin complaints. In the heavy fighting around Buna, surgeons did their work at field dressing stations within sound of actual battle. At one such small station 338 wounded men were operated on—every case serious and urgent:. Long Hours, Great Difficulties Medical personnel were divided into day and night shifts, but usually the pressure of work was such that shifts overlapped heavily. Many of the staff suffered from malaria.

Perhaps the worst night recorded at this station was on January 21 when 10 inches cf rain fell, and 30 battle casualties were admitted after dark. During the storm a large surgical tent containing 20 seriously wounded men collaosed into mud that was inches deep. Within two hours the tent had been re-erected and the wounded made comfortable with dry bedding and clothing. By morning, despite the storm and additional interruption of two aitraids, all 30 battle casualties had been operated on. Blood transfusions were given at such stations to patients too weak for injection of blood serum. Doners were likely Jo be suffering from malaria but. as this disease takes 10 days to develop and patients would certainly have died without transfusions. the risk of infection had to be accepted. The percentage of men who died from wounds was extraordinarily low.

While much of the medical equipment was cf th<- “makeshift” variety, supplies of essential stores were always adequate. No difficulties were permitted to interfere with the passage of these supplies. Medical men who today are analysing the lessons learned in campaigns, declare that regular supply of stores was vital to the success attained.