The History of the American Expedition Fighting the Bolsheviki Part 35

DINNER Roast veal and gravy Mashed potatoes Sage dressing Stewed tomatoes Apple pie Mixed pickles Bread and b.u.t.ter Coffee

SUPPER Roast beef Potato salad Lemon cake Bread and jam Cocoa

APRIL 21--MONDAY

BREAKFAST Oatmeal and milk Fried bacon Wheatcakes and syrup Bread and jam Coffee

DINNER Steaks Creamed potatoes Cabbage, fried Bread and b.u.t.ter Peach pudding Coffee

SUPPER Beef stew Fried cakes Bread and b.u.t.ter Tea

APRIL 22--TUESDAY

BREAKFAST Oatmeal and milk Fried bacon Bread and jam Coffee

DINNER Roast mutton Baked potatoes Mashed turnips Bread and b.u.t.ter Chocolate pudding Coffee

SUPPER Hamburger steak Boiled potatoes Stewed dates Bread and b.u.t.ter Coffee

APRIL 23--WEDNESDAY

BREAKFAST Oatmeal and milk Fried bacon Bread and jam Coffee

DINNER Roast beef Mashed potatoes Creamed peas Bread and b.u.t.ter Bread pudding Coffee

SUPPER Mutton chops Boiled potatoes Bread and b.u.t.ter Chocolate cake Coffee

APRIL 24--THURSDAY

BREAKFAST Oatmeal and milk Fried bacon Bread and jam Coffee

DINNER Roast beef Escalloped potatoes Baked turnips Bread and b.u.t.ter Rice pudding Coffee

SUPPER Mutton stew Rolls and jam Tea

APRIL 25--FRIDAY

BREAKFAST Oatmeal and milk Fried bacon Wheatcakes and syrup Bread and jam Coffee

DINNER Steaks Boiled potatoes Creamed onions Bread and b.u.t.ter Fruit pudding, cherry Coffee

SUPPER Hamburger steak Boiled potatoes Stewed apricots Bread and b.u.t.ter Coffee

APRIL 26--SAt.u.r.dAY

BREAKFAST Rice and milk Fried bacon Bread and b.u.t.ter Coffee

DINNER Roast beef Creamed potatoes Baked beans Bread and b.u.t.ter Chocolate pudding Coffee

SUPPER Vegetable stew Stewed prunes Bread and b.u.t.ter Tea

To the doughboy, who that week in April was eating his bully and hardtack in the forest at Kurgomin or Khalmogora or Bolsheozerki or Chekuevo or Verst 448, this menu seems like a fairy tale, but he knows that the boys who had fought on the line and fallen before Bolo fire or fallen ill with the hards.h.i.+p strain, were ent.i.tled to every dainty and luxury that was afforded by the dobra convalescent hospital.

From October 1st, 1918, to June 12th, 1919, this American Convalescent Hospital served eleven hundred and eighty out of the fifty-five hundred Americans of the expeditionary force. From Captain Greenleaf's official report the following facts of interest are presented.

Of infectious and epidemic diseases there were two hundred and forty-six cases of which four were mumps, one hundred and sixty-seven were influenza and the remainder complications which resulted from influenza.

The pneumonia cases developed early. One man reported from guard duty, developed a rapidly involving pneumonia which soon became general and culminated in death within twenty-four hours. The best results followed the use of Dovers powder and quinine,--alternation two and one-half grains of Dovers with five grains of quinine every two hours, five to ten grains of Dovers being given at bedtime. Expectorants were given as required. Very little stimulation was necessary. Many of these cases, after the acute symptoms subsided, showed a persistent tachycardia which continued for some days and in a few cases (seven) became chronic. In these cases medication proved of little benefit, rest and a proper diet being the most efficacious treatment. Patients convalescing from pneumonia were evacuated to England or given Base Duty.

Of tuberculosis there were only thirteen cases which were as far as possible isolated. Of venereal cases there were only one hundred and seventy-four. They had received treatment in British 53rd Stationary Hospital, and came to the American Convalescent hospital simply for re-equipment. Nearly all were immediately discharged to duty.

Of nervous diseases there were nineteen cases, all of which were neuritis except two cases of paralysis. Of mental diseases and defects there were only fourteen. This is a remarkable showing when we consider the strain of the strange, long, dark winter campaign, and of these fourteen cases six were mental deficiency that were not detected by the experts at time of enlistment and induction, three were hysteria, two neurasthenia, and three psychasthenia. Here let us add that there was only one case of suicide and one case of attempted suicide.

There were eighteen eye cases and nineteen ear cases, three nose, and eighteen of the throat. Of the circulatory system the total was sixty-eight of which twenty-two were heart trouble and thirty-one hemorrhoids brought on by exposure.

There were eighty respiratory cases, ninety-three digestive cases, of which sixteen were appendicitis and thirty-two were hernia. Of genito-urinary, which were non-venereal, there were twenty cases. Of skin diseases there were thirty-nine. Scabies was the only skin lesion which has been common among the troops. Warm baths and sulphur ointment were used with excellent results.

From exposure there were one hundred and one cases of bones and locomotion. Trench feet were bad to treat. From external causes there were two hundred and fifty-five cases. Of these two were burns, two dislocation, twenty-six severe frost bite cases, two exhaustion from exposure, twenty-three fractures and sprains, and two hundred wound cases. Many severely wounded were sent to Hospital s.h.i.+p "Kalyon," and many were evacuated to Base Section Three in England and only the convalescent wounded, of course, came to the dobra convalescent hospital.

The following is Capt. Greenleaf's summary:

Patients 1180 Hospital days, actual 17048 Hospital days, per patient 14.45 Hospital days, awaiting evacuation 11196 Hospital days, per patient 9.49 Hospital days, special duty 7273 Hospital days, per patient 6.16 Hospital days, total 35517 Hospital days, per patient 30.10

NOTE--This table is made out in this manner for several reasons. In the first place evacuation lists were submitted to the Chief Surgeon each Friday, containing a list of those patients who were unfit for further front line duty in Russia. Lack of transportation and the long delays in completing the evacuations should not be charged to actual hospital days. Again it was necessary, under the conditions and owing to the fact that the hospital was dependent upon patients for its existence, that men be selected who were competent to have charge of certain work. A most efficient mess sergeant and competent cooks were selected. The men to have charge of the heating system and boilers were chosen. Good interpreters were held. And many cases in which a competent man entered as a patient, who was skillful in certain work, that man was held indefinitely, for the good of the service and the hospital. In this summary these cases have been listed as hospital days, special duty.

DISPOSITION OF PATIENTS IN AMERICAN CONVALESCENT HOSPITAL

EVACUATED TO ENGLAND October 27, 1918 46 December 6, 1918 56 December 27, 1918 10 January 24, 1919 7 February 24, 1919 15 June 1, 1919 183 ---- Total 317

DISCHARGED TO AMERICAN RED CROSS HOSPITAL For surgical attention 24 For medical attention 18

DISCHARGED TO BRITISH HOSPITALS For special treatment 13

DISCHARGED TO DUTY 808

The medical care of our comrades was as well-looked after as possibly could be in North Russia. All patients were examined, when they entered the hospital and cla.s.sified. They were marked,--no duty, light duty inside, light duty outside, light duty sitting, or light duty not involving the use of right (or left) arm. A record, showing their organization, company, rank, duty, diagnosis, date of admission, source of admission, room and bed, was made. Their business in private life was considered and they were a.s.signed to work compatible with their training. Any medication they might need was prescribed. Owing to lack of bottles patients reported for medicine four times daily and a record was thus kept of dosage. Patients were examined weekly and re-cla.s.sified. Sick call was held, daily, at 8:30 a. m., at which time patients requiring special attention, reported and also, surgical dressings were applied.

The last patient was discharged to duty June 12th, 1919. We know that the one thousand one hundred and eighty men who pa.s.sed through that hospital join the writers in saying that, considering conditions, the convalescent hospital was a wonder.

x.x.xVI

AMERICAN RED CROSS IN NORTH RUSSIA