THE SICK AND WOUNDED.

Gisborne Times, Volume XLV, Issue 3994, 29 July 1915, Page 6

THE SICK AND WOUNDED.

TitEATM EXtTn 7 EGYPT. SPECIAL COMFORT FUND;\I FTi 10D OF Ai)MINI STRATION. By Telegraph—Special Correspondent. WELLINGTON, July 2S. Some particulars of the treatment and care of the sick and wounded in Egypt are given in a letter from Lieut.-Colonel Essen, A.Q.M.G., New Zealand and Australian Division, which was read in the House yesterday !>v the Minister for Defence. Hon. J. * Alien. Writing from the N-Z. Headquarters, Alexandria, on June 17, Colonel Essen informed the Minister that the following committees had been set up to superintend the expenditu: e of the £' 1000 forwarded by the Government for tho provision of comforts for the sick and wounded in Egypt: Cairo—Surgeon-General Ford, Director of Medical Services; Lieut.-Colonel Hall, Camp Commandant; Major Holmes, senior N.Z. medical officer; Major Chapman, officer commanding Brigade details; Chaplain Captain Angus MacDonald and Chaplain Captain Gavin. Alexandria.—Lady God ley, Lieut.Colonel A. B. Charters, officer commanding New Zealand Base Depot; Captain Fitzherbert, officer commanding records; and Chaplain Captain Greene.

'lln> money is being expend'd with th* approval of the medical authorities in the' purchase of razors and shaving material, note paper, tooth brushes, pocket handkerchiefs, tobacco and cigarettes, walking sticks, fruit, and. temperance drinks. These gifts were distributed by the chaplains, who are members ef the committees, and detailed for hospital work alone. They not only visit the numerous hospitals in and about Cairo and Alexandria, but go to such places as Suez, IVmailia, Dananliour, and Port Said. Chaplain Captain Tobin has been sent to Malta to discharge similar functions and it is understood that £450 is available for use there. He was directed to work with the New Zealand officers arid lied Cross people who, states the letter, are reported to be doing splendid work. [n addition, the men Imve the privilege of purchasing approved articles, which are supplied by hirgei firms and the weekly accounts are debited •against the men’s pay. The hospital regulations prohibit the making of cash payments to men in hospitals owing to the behaviour of some men who are able to get about and whose indiscretion retards their cure. Whenever Iris other duties permitted, be visited the men in the hospitals, wlio, lie says, are receiving every possible attention. The hospitals are stated to bo spacious and comfortable and 1 the medical and nursing staffs very attentive. The treatment of New Zealanders and the attention paid to them by the representatives of the force in Egypt is held up as an example to be copied by others. Colonel Ksson. added that a great deal of voluntary aid was forthcoming and that thro British Bed Cross Society with a membership of 500 was giving voluntary aid in nursing and! visiting weekly. Newspapers were regularly distributed in the hospitals. Owing to the enormous influx of wounded, and transport, difficulties and the distance between the hospitals, the medical returns were necessarily very much delayed and it was at first difficult to obtain information. This, however, bad been overcome by the creation of special machinery in Egypt and information regarding the men. landed there was now being promptly cabled.