PONT DE KOUBBEH HOSPITAL

Southland Times, Issue 17660, 18 February 1916, Page 2

PONT DE KOUBBEH HOSPITAL

A GREAT INSTITUTION. RECREATION FOR CONVALESCENTS. LETTER FROM DR HOGG. Writing to Col. J. E. Watson, Invercargill, Captain R. H. Hogg. N.Z.M.C., formerly of Invercargill, now on active service, gives some interesting particulars of the Pont de Koubbeh Hospital, the name of which is familiar to all from the frequency of its appearance in the Hospital and Progress reports. It is the principal Hospital for New Zealand soldiers, is staffed by New Zealand medical men and nurses (the latter with Matron Nurse. recently awarded the Royal Red Cross, at their bead) and is where many of Now Zealand’s soldier lads get their first touch of home. Dr Hogg writes:— New Zealand General Hospital, Pont dc Koubbeh, Cairo, Nov. 27, 1915. I thought perhaps a few lines as to how I am fixed here, and about how our little part of the great hospital system here is dealing with our own boys, would interest you. I was sent down here from Alexandria, where I reported on landing, and I am now one of the staff of the above hospital. We have Lieut.colonel Parkes (an old friend of mine) as 0.C., and Dr Barnett, of Dunedin, as one of the majors, the other being Dr McGuire, Superintendent of the Auckland Hospital, together with nine other M.O.’s. We have accommodation here for between 700 and 800 men, with capacity of almost unlimited expansion, by means of tents, if we are pushed. This Hospital is one belonging to the Egyptian Army taken over, and 1 should think its original capacity would not be more than 300 or 400, but by utilising every available corner, the verandahs and balconies, and by means of tentwards and tents for the staff (I am in a tent myself) tlie accommodation lias been doubled.

This hospital was, of course, the original No. 3 .Stationary Hospital, and it is now the main hospital in Egypt for New Zealanders. The sick and wounded from Gallipoli arrive at Alexandria and are sent on here if possible (13 V-. hours train journey). There is, of course, a certain proportion of the worst cases which do not reach us. Wien landing in Alexandria cases are sorted out by the R.A.M.C., and many of the worst get distributed through the hospitals there. Colonel Parkes has a great idea of keeping our own boys together as much as possible, and to prevent the leakage in Alexandria, is trying hard, and 1 think with sucess, in getting an auxiliary hospital to this one established in Alexandria. By this means all bad cases could be dealt with there and forwarded on here as soon as possible, and thus prevent our boys drifting off among the "Tommy” Hospitals. It will bo a great scheme if it comes off, for I am thoroughly convinced that our own boys do much better among their own people. They don’t fit in either with the Australians or the British Tommy, and the touch of home in our own hospital here, with New Zealand nurses, doctors, and orderlies and last, and not least, the New Zealand flag flying over the roof, goes a long way to give a poor chap who is down and out the filip which starts him on the road to recovery. 1 had an instance of how the boys appreciate a purely New Zealand institution lately. I admitted late one night eight or nine men sent from Alexandria, who belonged to No. 1 Stationary Hospi-, tal, and had been saved from.the torpedoed Marquette. After they had been fixed up and got to bed. I went along later to see how they had got settled, I found them in their beds with as many nurses and orderlies as could find any excuse to get round their way about them. They were tucking in to hot coffee and bread and butter, and on my asking, “Well, boys, are you all comfortable?” one of them replied: "Bather, sir, thus is like a little bit of home.” This is, I hope and I believe, the feeling most of our lads have who come in here. Talking of the New Zealand flag. This flag was presented by the Auckland ladies', and the occasion of its unfurling was made the excuse for a little ceremony which you will probably see reported in your papers and which served to emphasise that this was a New Zealand Hospital for-New Zealanders, and that New, Zealand, as it . has too long been considered here, was not just an appanage of Australia. A convalescent home, generously provided for by the people of Wairarapa and Wanganui, was opened at Heliopolis, a mile from here, last week. They started at once with all their beds full, about 35. The place is beautifully fitted up with a splendid staff under Matron Early, and should make a fine place for convalescents. The only drawback to It is that it is not going to be large enough, and if it is to bo really useful the bed accommodation must be at least trebled immediately. This convalescent home is under the same management as our Hospital, with one of our own medical officers in charge —an immense advantage. Our convalscents, I notice here, suffer when they are fit to get up and about, very much from ennui. You see they have practically no visitors, they can’t get outside the gates, and they are allowed no pay while in hospital. They are very much in want of games and amusements. and many of the cases take a long time to convalesce, especially those who have been long in Gallipoli, and I am sure their convalescences is retarded by* want of something to occupy them. This is not a climate for outdoor games, and few of the convalescents are fit for them, and they get tired of quoits, cards, draughts, etc. 1 feel strongly that one of‘the best forms of amusement, if we could only obtain it, would be a few billiard tables (the Australian hospitals have them). You know bow men can generally find amusement at billiards, and those who don’t play find interest in watching. We require two at least here, ami one at the convalescent home, and there seems to be no fund here (and I have spoken to several), out of which we could provide them. If the Southland Patriotic Committee or some private individuals felt disposed to provide the funds for say three tables, and the money necessary to run up temporary structures to house them, I feel convinced it would he a splendid idea, and be a Godsend to the men. I would bo more than obliged if you could see your way to move in tins matter, and I am absolutely certain it would be money well spent if it were done promptly. 1 could go on by the hour about tilings here, but unfortunately time does not permit. lam fit and well myself, lam glad to say. I have never been better, and am very happy in my surroundings and my work.

[We understand that on Colonel Watson’s representations the matter of providing billiard tables as suggested by Captain Hogg will be considered at the Wellington Patriotic Conference, and that failing a decision there steps will he taken by the Southland and Otago committees to carry out the scheme.— Ed. S. T.].