The Australian Army Medical Corps in Egypt Part 13

2. _Prophylaxis._--Officers were invited to discuss the question whether it would not be advisable to establish prophylactic depots in various parts of Cairo. Men to report immediately after exposing themselves to infection, and by cleanliness and the use of medicaments prevent infection. Circulars couched in plain and sensible language might be issued to the troops, conveying to them a knowledge of the risk they run, and the fact that if infected they will take back to Australia a disease which would reduce their value as citizens.

3. _General and Special Treatment._--Suggestions from officers present were invited.

4. _Convalescent Depots._--Was it right that the hospital should be crowded out with venereal cases, which demanded very much time and attention from the staffs? If the hospital was placed near the scene of military action the wounded might suffer from the amount of attention required for venereal cases. Most venereal cases required rest in the main, and this could be obtained in convalescent depots.

5. _The ultimate destination of the affected men._--Two courses are open: The men may be treated in Egypt, or sent back to Australia.

(_a_) If they are kept in Egypt and the Australian Expeditionary Force is moved to the front its medical services would be depleted, and medical men of great ability and experience would be left behind to take charge of venereal cases when their services were required at the front.

(_b_) If on the other hand the Australian and Imperial Government could utilise some s.h.i.+ps for the accommodation of these men, those who were cured could be sent to the front, and those who could not be cured could be sent back to Australia at once. But such s.h.i.+ps would require special staffing so that the existing units should not be depleted in order to provide staffs.

In the discussion which ensued it was represented that there was a difficulty in placing areas out of bounds, as the brothels would be moved to other areas. Prophylaxis was regarded as most important.

Isolation tents could be set apart in the regimental lines where men could be treated on return from leave. Cases of syphilis should be sent to Australia.

The reduction of pay is forbidden by King's Regulations, and although the Minister for Defence in the Commonwealth of Australia authorised such reduction, it is only for such period as the troops are in Egypt.

It was agreed that cases of syphilis should be returned to Australia, as there is no chance in Egypt of treating them efficiently, and even if such treatment were available the men would not be fit for duty for from four to six months.

It was pointed out that at least 100 men left Australia with the First Division suffering from venereal disease.

[Ill.u.s.tration: SOLDIERS' CLUB, ESBEKIEH, CAIRO.

_To face page 133_]]

The chief difficulty seemed to be what venereal cases would ultimately be of service to a fighting line, and to properly arrange for them during convalescence; in other words, when and how men considered unfit for further service should be returned to Australia. Officers were asked to recollect that the future of these soldiers was to be considered and the part they would play in civil life. In the American Navy unbounded sh.o.r.e leave had been given, and had some effect in checking the disease.

In the British Navy it was an offence not to report "exposure."

The Soldiers' Clubs are fully described in the chapter on the Red Cross.

They were rendered possible by an alliance between the Y.M.C.A. and the Australian Branch British Red Cross. To the Y.M.C.A., who managed them, the best thanks of Australia should be given, for Australians will never fully know what they owe to Mr. Jessop and his a.s.sistants.

Unfortunately, the Australian Branch British Red Cross subsequently decided that help should be given _only_ to sick and wounded. Although convalescents frequent these clubs, the view was taken--we think wrongly--that Red Cross funds could not be used for their support. We feel sure that when Australians fully understand the matter the decision will be reversed.

CHAPTER IX

THE RED CROSS WORK: ITS VALUE AND LIMITATIONS--ORIGIN IN AUSTRALIA--REPORT OF EXECUTIVE OFFICER IN EGYPT--RED CROSS POLICY--DEFECTS OF CIVIL AND THE ADVANTAGES OF MILITARY ADMINISTRATION--WHAT WAS ACTUALLY DONE IN EGYPT.

CHAPTER IX

The British Red Cross Society, Australian Branch, was founded by Her Excellency Lady Helen Munro Ferguson, wife of the Governor-General of Australia, on the outbreak of war. On previous occasions unsuccessful attempts had been made to found an Australian Red Cross Society. On this occasion the movement was most successful, although many people then (like some people now) were quite unable to understand the distinction between the Red Cross movement and military administration.

The Red Cross Society in Australia undertook the collection of funds for immediate transmission to the British Red Cross Society for prompt use in the field. Branches were formed in each State and committees were formed by the wives of the various governors. Thus a rough-and-ready arrangement was made prior to the adoption of a const.i.tution. It was considered far more important to do the work than to waste time holding meetings and devising a const.i.tution. Those who could not afford to give money were invited to make clothing or to contribute articles of various kinds. Specifications of the clothing requisite were given, and patterns furnished so that it might be readily made on approved design. It is not too much to say that the majority of the inhabitants of the Continent were soon engaged in some way or other in helping the Red Cross movement. The ball-rooms of the respective Government Houses were used as depots. The depot at Federal Government House, Melbourne, was an excellent model. People were invited to send their donations irrespective of their number or their kind. These were received and receipted, and were then sorted into bundles of similar articles by lady volunteers. They were then placed in cases by volunteer packers, mostly experienced men from various warehouses, and were finally dispatched to Europe as opportunity offered.

The arrangement of these details fell largely on the Council and Secretary of the Branch (one of us, J. W. B.) in Australia acting under the direction of the President, Her Excellency Lady Helen Munro Ferguson. Very great difficulty was experienced in finding s.p.a.ce in merchant s.h.i.+ps for the conveyance of the goods. s.p.a.ce was found on the transports, but there was not the same security for delivery. In addition the hospitals of the transports were provided with such equipment as the officers commanding desired.

When, however, the Lines of Communication Units were ordered to Egypt, another problem arose, and the Australian Red Cross Society decided to properly equip these units both with money and goods. For this purpose 10,000 was set aside and forwarded to London. It was handed to the British Red Cross Society and kept available for the officers commanding the five hospitals, the requisite sum of money to be allotted to them by Surgeon-General Williams, C.B., the Director of Medical Services in Australia, who had proceeded to Europe. At the time it was supposed that these five hospitals were proceeding to France. In addition large quant.i.ties of goods were available at the British Red Cross Society in London, and large quant.i.ties of goods were given to the several hospitals for dispatch with their equipment. When, however, the hospitals were sent to Egypt a new situation arose. There were many other medical units in Egypt besides the hospitals. There were the Field Ambulances and the Regimental Medical Officers, and Surgeon-General Williams regarded them as equally worthy of a.s.sistance. On his arrival in Egypt at first, in December, and subsequently in the middle of February, the scope of the British Red Cross, Australian Branch, in relation to Australian troops had extended far beyond the original intention. The action taken is described in the following report sent to the President and members of the Council, British Red Cross Society, Australian Branch, on my resignation (Lieut.-Col. Barrett) from that body on September 9, 1915. I did not at any time receive any instructions from Australia, and acted in the manner which seemed best after consultation with local authorities.

REPORT ON THE WORK OF THE AUSTRALIAN BRANCH BRITISH RED CROSS IN EGYPT, FROM MARCH TO SEPTEMBER 3, 1915

_By_ JAMES W. BARRETT, _Lieut.-Colonel, Lately Executive Officer, Australian Branch British Red Cross Society_

REPORT PRESENTED TO THE PRESIDENT AND MEMBERS OF THE COUNCIL OF THE AUSTRALIAN BRANCH BRITISH RED CROSS SOCIETY

The First Australian General Hospital arrived in Egypt in January 1915.

I was a.s.sociated with it as Registrar and Oculist and had nothing to do with the Red Cross movement beyond a.s.suming responsibility for any Red Cross goods which belonged to the Hospital.

When leaving Melbourne Colonel Ramsay Smith was informed that there would be room for 100 tons of Red Cross goods in the _Kyarra_. When, however, the _Kyarra_ reached Melbourne her holds were full and no Red Cross goods were taken on board. There were consequently not any Red Cross goods available at No. 1 Australian General Hospital for some considerable time after arrival in Egypt.

Surgeon-General Williams, C.B., arrived in Egypt in the middle of February, and at once proceeded to organise the Red Cross movement. He had been entrusted with 10,000 which was to be expended by the officers commanding medical units according to the plan set out later. He at once took action, and money was distributed to a number of hospitals and medical units. This distribution was of the utmost service.

[Ill.u.s.tration: HELIOPOLIS PALACE HOTEL.

_To face page 141_]]

When Red Cross goods began to arrive in Egypt he sought a suitable store. Finding nothing in Cairo at a reasonable price, he established a store in the bas.e.m.e.nt of the Heliopolis Palace Hotel, No. 1 Australian General Hospital, for which, of course, no rental was charged. The store was placed under the immediate charge of the Orderly Medical Officer, Captain Max Yuille, and under my general direction. The distribution of money and collection of goods from s.h.i.+ps was effected by General Williams through his own office in Cairo.

General Williams left for London on duty on April 25, leaving me in charge of the Red Cross work, and leaving his Warrant Officer, Mr.

Drummond, in his office to continue the collection of goods and the clerical work.

Soon after he had left, the crisis of May and June took place. Wounded and sick were poured into Cairo on a scale probably never known or equalled before. There have been occasions on which a much larger number of men have been wounded, but probably never any occasion in history in which so many wounded men have been handled in so limited a s.p.a.ce.

Fortunately preparation had been made by the D.M.S. Egypt, Surgeon-General Ford, D.S.O., and the D.M.S. A.I.F., Surgeon-General Williams, C.B., who instructed the O.C. First Australian General Hospital, Colonel Ramsay Smith, and myself as registrar to take over extra buildings and provide equipment. It was this action which prevented a disaster, and whilst not strictly a Red Cross matter was greatly aided by Red Cross equipment.

During this crisis I was instructed by the D.M.S. Egypt, Surgeon-General Ford, and the O.C. Australian Intermediate Base, Colonel Sellheim, to visit various hospitals in Egypt--both in Alexandria and the provinces--to interview the Australian wounded and supply all reasonable comforts. In accordance with this order, money and goods, either or both, were sent to various hospitals as set out in the various tables.

It so happened that the British Red Cross Society possessed neither money nor goods at the inception of the crisis, and the authorities were profoundly grateful for the help which the Australian Branch afforded.

The British Red Cross, Egyptian Branch, at a later stage received large supplies of money and goods which were freely distributed. The fact that goods could be obtained from the British Red Cross Society, Australian Branch, soon became known, and many requisitions were received. The list of goods available was widely circulated and in no instance was the requisition of any Officer Commanding not complied with. It was always completed to the extent of our resources. Periodical reports of the work done were prepared and forwarded to the President of the Australian Branch British Red Cross Society, Melbourne.

Whilst the work was at its height a message from Australia reached His Excellency Sir Henry MacMahon, in consequence of which two Committees were formed on June 3, 1915--a General Egyptian Committee and an Executive Committee.

The members were:

{ President, His Excellency Sir Henry MacMahon.

General { Lord Edward Cecil.

Committee { Sir Alexander Baird.

{ Sir Courtauld Thomson.

{ Sir John Rogers.

Executive { Dr. Ruffer.

Committee { Surgeon-General Williams.

{ Lieut.-Colonel Barrett.

Sir Courtauld Thomson is the Commissioner in the Mediterranean for the British Red Cross Society, and Sir John Rogers and Dr. Ruffer Deputy Commissioners in Egypt.