WOUNDED IN ENGLAND

Otago Daily Times, Issue 16543, 17 November 1915, Page 2

WOUNDED IN ENGLAND

MEN IN HOSPITALS. HOW THEY 'ARE TREATED. DUNEDIN MAN'S INQUIRIES. 'Fbom Oun Own Cobbkspondent.) AUCKLAND, November 16. Some interesting light is thrown upon the treatment wJiich. .the wounded New Zealandois are receiving in English hospitals by a report brougnt homo by Mr I. S. Do Beer, of Dunedin , , who arrived in Auckland by the Makura yesterday. •When Mr Dβ Beer was nearing the end of his English tour the idea occurred to him that it would be interesting to New Zealand residents to learn how their wounded relatives and friends were faring in,the military hospitals. The Hon. Thas. Mackenzie provided him with facilities, and ho visited nine institutions —the Mount Vernon Military Hospital (Hampstcad, N.W.), Fifth London General Hospital, Seventh London General Hospital (Denmark Hill), Second London General Hospital (Chelsea Weir), Red Cross Hospital (Balham), Third London General Hospital (Wandsworth Common), King George's Hospital (Stamford street), First London General Hospital (Cardiff). Mr Do Beer had conversations with more than 130 men, taking notes of their condition and of messages to relatives and friends, whioh ho will now proceed to distribute in New Zealand, NO SIGN OF CROWDING. "These nine hospitals," said Mr De Beer, " are. of course, only a few of those where New Zealanders aro cared for, but I feel certain that they are fairly representative of the whole of this enormous organisation. They are splendidly managed, and every patient receives the best possible care, attention, and kindness. I saw no sign of crowding , . All the hospitals are under military control, but military discipline is relaxed as much as possible. Tho men are allowed to smoke in tho wards, roam freely about the hospitals, and visit fellow patients. One sees card parties, yarning, and companionship on all sides. No end of beautiful fresh flowers and pot plants in every ward, and surroundings everywhere of the most cheerful description." As to the demeanour of the sufferers Mr De Beer has much to say about bright spirits and warm comradeship. " They aro full of pluck, wonderfully cheerful, and most kind and gentle to each other," ho says—" a veritable band of brothers. Often and often I saw one assisting another—a man minus an arm wheeling one minus a teg in a chair, another reading to an eyebandaged mate, another writing a letter, and so on. From the outset I decided not to talk with rneni about the war or about what they had gone through, and I think they appreciated this abstention. I always said: ' I want to find out all that your mother would want to know, and it was rarely that I failed to get into close touch with my man. I have messages for mothers, wives, and I was going to add sweethearts, but that would not be correct. It was more like this:. 'Oh, I say, if yo-i happen to meet my friend Miss —, you might say—.and here a message followed. Of course lam going to meet Miss , and will deliver the message, adding a little extra as to the fine friend she has. PRAISE FOR THE NURSES.

On tho subject of the muses in attendance upon the. boys, their skill, attention, and their brightness of manner, Mr Do Beer waxes enthusiastic. Naturally every patient considered his own prticular nurse the best in the hospital. To me they all seemed alike. They gave tihe impression of being heart and soul in their work. There are egg depots collecting produce all through Great Britain, and despatching it daily to tho hospitals. Everybody is at work for the wounded, from Queen Mary and Queen Alexandra down to the poorest and lowliest. EXCELLENCE .OF ORGANISATION.

" One man told me that once you get to the hospital lines you are- properly oared for and brought to a London hospital without a jolt. I was informed that men wounded in Flanders are in bed in London within 24 hours. Tho organisation id as nearly perfect as it can be, but the great thing is that all in it are putting fcheir hearts into their work. The only complaint I received from any of our men was: 'It is a pity they won't let us out on leave when we are convalescing. . They used to do so, tat the outsiders were too kind and injudicious. That system has been stopped, and now the plan followed is that of taking the men out driving in motors or carnages and giving them teaOne sees them everywhere in every conveyance, from the smartest ■ carriages and motors right down to the motorbus or taxi. T did not go to a eonvalcacont hospital or homo, but report has it that they are quite equal to the hospitals. Innumerable people have given up magnificent town and country houses for the wounded."

At all points Mr Dp Beer heard of the work of the New Zealand High Commissioner, and his wife 'and daughter. They arc very muoh to the fore, not in name, but in actual work. "Frequently," said the tourist, "a natient has said to me: "Oh I shall ho in no difficulty. I shall go to tho Hirrh Commissioner, and he's the right man."