Forty-Eight — A History of U. S. Army Base Hospital No. 48

Clisson

While orders were confidently expected directing the departure of Base Hospitals No. 35 and No. 48 during all of early February, they were not actually received until February 11th. Bright and early on a rainy morning known as the 14th of February, the two base hospitals just mentioned boarded a special train drawn up in the main street of the Hospital Center. This departure was watched with mingled emotions by Base Hospitals No. 14 and No. 68, for these four units had labored together in Mars for many months and until the arrival of this departing train all were on the same status. Upon starting for Base Section 1, our strength consisted of 21 officers, 179 enlisted men and twelve nurses. At the Mars station, Colonel Skinner boarded the train with orders for Lieut. Col. Dearborn to proceed to Bordeaux, but there were more assignments and inroads into our roster to come. To mention a few of these, it is only necessary to note that Major Grant, two nurses and five of the enlisted men were left sick at Mars, while immediately prior to the date of departure Captain Strahl, Lieutenants Broderick, Arnold, Bretzfelder, Zacks, Barnard, Chase and Wilson received special assignments which prevented their leaving with their own organization.

The trip to our destination on the Coast was enjoyable. By hook or by crook the enlisted personnel had procured stoves for their cars and in every way made themselves at home even to the extent of burning holes through the floors of "Hommes-36-40." In the main it was a happy lot that arrived at Bourges at 10:30 A.M., February 14th, where we remained until the following morning, thence by special train to Nantes, arriving at midnight. On February 16th, at 5 A. M., we changed cars and finally arrived at Clisson at 7 A. M., except Captain Miller who went on to La Boule with our nurses. Clisson which was doomed to bear with "48's" personnel until early April was attractively situated on bills overlooking a stream that relatively roared. However the houses, the remnants of the medieval chateau and the ancient cloisters were far more interesting than the natural scenery. The officers were billetted in the town and in the villages of Cugand and Getigne, near by. During this stay discipline was strict because it was impressed upon all concerned that our departure for home depended upon the care with which our equipment and manners were attended to. It was necessary to have frequent inspections with many drills and hikes. It cannot be said that the excursions into the country were a nuisance because all enjoyed what seemed a close proximity to home. It was at Clisson that "48's" famous basketball team beat all comers in the five games played there and the one contested in Nantes. Our court was the open end of the market place and it was here that Morrow, Defibaugh, Willis, Barren, Wilcox, Wood, McBride and Campbell strove successfully to uphold our athletic reputation. It should be added that this same combination played its last game at Camp Upton just before the Unit's discharge and won from the infantry regiment stationed permanently at that camp.

U. S. Army, Base Hospital 45. — Autun - Caserne du 29ème d'Infanterie - Ancien Séminaire. — Hôpital des Troupes Américaines.

A few officers received promotions during the waiting period in Clisson. On February 24th Grosvenor became a Captain, on March 3rd Saul received the same rank, on March 6th Reynolds received his Majority and on March 22nd those who were left at Clisson heard that Stevenson had likewise been made a Major. Again it seemed to be necessary to detach our officers and perhaps it was just as well, because while the enlisted men were very busy minding their own affairs and upholding the hospital's reputation for discipline, the officers were worn out seeking recreation that did not exist and inaugurating messes such as the renowned "Outcasts Club" at Cugand. For the greater part of this period, Lieut. Col. Honan was Chief Surgeon of the Clisson area and Lieut. Tyler acted as Detachment Commander of the Unit. On March 21st orders were received detaching the following officers to Brest to take the first available transportation to the United States:

Commissioned Personnel, Base Hospital No. 48, Mars Hospital Center. January 1919.

Reynolds, Clark, Davies, Grosvenor, Johns, Leighton, Randall, Saul, Simpson, Alderson, DeTuncq, Hynard and Robertson. Needless to say they gladly started on the 23rd and proceeded by the usual indirect route to Brest. Our former C. O., Lieut. Col. Herbert, was stationed here and many acquaintanceships of past days were renewed. Our two dental officers, Leighton and Hynard, won early honors and sailed for home on March 28th. The other casuals finally got away by April 6th.

Homeward Bound — Panoramic View of the Reception Area — Camp Upton - Long Island - New York

Shortly after April 1st, the usual deep-seated rumors were afloat that Base Hospital No. 48 was finally to return to the United States. Inasmuch as the countryside was studded with the headquarters of all sorts of units, especially medical detachments and inasmuch as all of these had enjoyed numerous and well authenticated alarms, no one believed that they were really to leave until they were actually on their way to St. Nazaire. Eventually, from this port on April 13th, 1919, the great majority of our enlisted personnel with Lieut. Col. Honan and Captain Hetrick boarded the S. S. "Freedom." This craft, of small tonnage and venerable age, could hardly be regarded as a private yacht. The food was poor, the accommodations worse and of service, there was none. Nevertheless, the tedious days spent on her were joyous ones for with the exception of one man, Private "Messkit" Neustein left at St. Nazaire because he had lost his dog-tag, all of our enlisted personnel in training at Clisson were on board and homeward bound. Arriving in New York, April 28th, the Statue of Liberty was duly saluted and the boat remained tied up at a pier in Brooklyn all day waiting patiently for a ferry boat to take the Unit to Long Island City and Camp Upton. It was necessary for the Unit to endure eight days of Camp Upton until they were finally mustered out May 7th, 1919. Practically all enjoyed a forty-eight hour leave during this interval.

A Typical "Company Street" — Camp Upton - Long Island - New York

The roster of "48" from first to last presents the names of 50 commissioned officers, 238 enlisted men, 100 nurses and 6 nonenlisted personnel, being a total of 394. The total number of days of service was 438, divided into 133 days of home service and 305 days of foreign service. Our record of actual hospital work as performed at Mars has already been referred to. It covered a period of 171 days. To this must be added three months of actual hospital work performed at Ft. McHenry. Thus was the service of Base Hospital No. 48 officially ended. A sense of having performed their duty to the best of their ability must ever remain the fondest recollection of all branches of our personnel.

A Typical Squad Room — Camp Upton - Long Island - New York

What those in authority may have thought of Base Hospital No. 48 is well demonstrated by quoting from a letter written by Lieut. Col. Honan on January 9, 1920, as follows: "Before our arrival in the United States, we found that the Surgeon General and the representative of the American Red Cross in Washington had written letters to the Commissioner of Charities of New York City, expressing in terms of highest praise their appreciation, in the name of the Government of the United States, for the memorable success made by Base Hospital No. 48 in France. In a personal interview with the Surgeon General, the Commanding Officer, as representing the Government of the United States was instructed to express his thanks and appreciation to the individual members of the organization for the efficient and successful performance of their duties in the great World War. He further very feelingly gave instructions that, as far as possible, the same measure of thankfulness and appreciation should be expressed to those good friends of the organization whose tireless work and liberal contributions enabled it to go properly equipped to successfully carry out the mission for which it was organized."

Presentation of Distinguished Service Cross to Corp. Gary Roberts, 167th Infantry — by Lieut. Col. Dearborn on October 23, 1918.

As there was no one as well qualified as the Commanding Officer of the Mars Hospital Center to testify to the work of Base Hospital No. 48, we are happy to add in closing the letter which Colonel Skinner wrote to our Medical Board.

HEADQUARTERS HOSPITAL CENTER A.P.O. 780

February 7, 1919. Medical Board, Metropolitan Hospital, Dept. Public Charities, City of New York. Gentlemen

It gives me great pleasure to report on the splendid work done here at Mars Hospital Center by Base Hospital No. 48, organized from the Metropolitan Hospital of New York, Lieut. Col. Frederick M. Dearborn being the Chairman of your Committee, Lieut. Col. William F. Honan the Director of the Unit, and under the command of Lieut. Col. William D. Herbert, U.S. Army.

Non-Commissioned Personnel, Base Hospital No. 48, Mars Hospital Center. January 1919.

Base Hospital No. 48 reported at Mars Hospital Center on July 25th, 1918, and, with Base Hospital No. 68, cared for the first train of patients which arrived here on August 2nd. From that time on until sometime after the armistice was signed, this hospital has been constantly busy, having handled a large number of cases and always with great professional credit. The work at times has been exceedingly hard for the professional personnel as many of the doctors were called to the front, leaving us very short-handed at the rear. Colonel Honan's work in the Surgical Department has been especially noticeable. In spite of being so short-handed, the work of all the specialties has been carried on in a very satisfactory manner. The senior dentist, Captain Carlton B. Leighton, was appointed Dental Consultant for the Center, and has done work of very high order. Lieut. Col. Dearborn was detached the second day after arriving here to help establish the Convalescent Camp and other work at Mesves Hospital Center. He was returned from there and put in command of our Convalescent Camp, which is the biggest single organization in the Center. Colonel Dearborn's splendid military training admirably fitted him for this position, which has been a difficult one, and has been most successfully carried to a conclusion, as the Camp was finally closed on January 31st, 1919. During this time Colonel Dearborn also acted as Dermatological Consultant for the Center and did a large amount of excellent work.

I have only praise and commendation for the splendid, unselfish work of every member of this organization, officers, nurses and enlisted men. The character of the enlisted men was especially high and the discipline of the command has been most satisfactory. It was a great help to me as Commanding Officer of the Center to be able to call on Base Hospital No. 48 for so many men, and I availed myself freely of their ability.

Congratulating you upon furnishing the army with so splendid a unit, I am,

Very sincerely, (Signed) GEORGE A. SKINNER, Colonel M. C., Commanding Center.

The recipient of the Cross Reviewing the Provisional Regiment of Infantry Stationed at the Convalescent Camp, Mars Hospital Center.

Mars Hospital Center 1918 — Base Hospital No. 48, Mars Hospital Center, August 1918

Here we found a veritable city in the making, many wooden buildings completed or in some stage of construction, with much confusion and mud. This aggregation of American hospitals, which was built with the idea of accommodating forty thousand patients, had at this time a population consisting of one base hospital which had not yet functioned and a host of Chinos, French, Spanish and colored labor battalions with a few American engineers as bosses. The location of this wonderful American city was exceptionally good, with fair water supply and satisfactory drainage. A further division of the officer personnel was now necessary because of orders received upon the arrival of the Unit at Mars. After the four officers before mentioned had left on a truck with their baggage for Mesves, Lieut. Col. Honan received orders to send five operating surgeons and five assistants to Chaumont, hence it was that Captains Reynolds, White, Simpson, Lieutenants Vander Bogart and Richman with Lieutenants Arnold, Robertson, Alderson, De Tuncq and Woodmansee as Assistants, left about 11 P. M. on the same day for front line service. If it is taken into consideration that five officers were at Roanne, four at Mesves and ten on their way to the Front, it may be understood that the medical and surgical capacity of the base hospital was seriously interfered with, not to mention the necessity of entirely reorganizing the services. Lieut. Col. Honan at this time commanded the Unit with Major Grant as Chief of the Surgical Service,-Captain Randall, Chief of the Medical Service, Captain Hetrick, Adjutant, Captain Leighton, Mess Officer, Captain Davies, Detachment Commander and Lieut. Strahl, Quartermaster.

Mars Hospital Center, Sept. 8th, 1918

Before proceeding to an account of the real work of Base Hospital No. 48 it may be mentioned that of the ten operating surgeons and assistants sent to the Front on July 25th, only two were destined to return to our Unit during the period of its activity. Fortunately, Captains Reynolds and White returned on August 13th. None of the others returned until after the Armistice was signed and in one instance, that of Lieut. Vander Bogart, not at all. He eventually returned to the United States as a casual officer. Lieutenants Richman and Vander Bogart were gassed in action and the latter received the Croix de Guerre.

A few cases were admitted to the hospital during the last three days of July but the first patient treated for battle injury was Private Glenn E. Blackledge, 166th Infantry, who was burned with mustard gas on July 30th at Chateau Thierry. On this date, August 2nd, the first hospital train arrived at 8:30 A. M. directly from the Front and contained mostly litter cases. They had come from dressing stations to Evacuation Hospital No. 7 and thence by one of our American trains directly to "48." Although Base Hospital No. 68 had arrived in Mars the day before the advent of our Unit, they did not possess an operating room, so naturally "48" received a large proportion of the serious cases. Although handicapped by the absence of no less than nineteen of our officers and a number of the enlisted personnel and lacking nurses, the professional work was ably performed. This month of August was indeed a busy one with 1154 admissions, nearly all of whom were actual war casualties and many in a very serious condition. The days on which the greatest number were admitted were August 2nd with 464 admissions, August 9th with 183 and August 14th with 235.

On August 19th, Lieut. Col. Herbert, Captain Calvert, Lieut. Tyler and nine enlisted men reported from Roanne. Next day the long expected nurses, a hundred in number with six female civilian employees, arrived and were gladly welcomed. Changes in personnel were still in order, for on the 25th Lieut. Col. Dearborn, Captain Clark and Lieutenants Grosvenor and Hynard who had been on detached duty at the Mesves Hospital Center returned. They had performed many interesting and varied duties at this Center which was to become in a hospitalization sense the only rival in France of the Mars Hospital Center. Besides commanding the first provisional hospital and taking care of a large number of battle casualties, they had performed all the professional services necessary to the successful organization of the Convalescent Camp at Mesves-Bulcy. As if it were not intended that the Unit should be kept together very long, twenty of our nurses left for detached duty on this identical date, being sent to the Mesves Hospital Center.

Apart from the very busy professional work entailed upon the Unit at this time, numerous other activities incident to our American city were inaugurated. A Medical Society composed of the medical officers of the Center was formed and regular programs presented. Thus eminent specialists on temporary visits to our camp were heard and professional topics discussed. The very successful Masonic Society of the Center, which eventually had two hundred and forty-nine active members, now became a reality and about twenty-five of our officers and enlisted men participated in the meetings which continued throughout the life of the Camp except when interrupted by the influenza epidemic.

Headquarters Base Hospital No. 48, Mars Hospital Center

On August 25th the first number of "The Martian" appeared in mimeograph in one page form with subject matter by Private Ruhfel and cartoon by Private Ablitzer. In this connection it may be stated that Lieut. Col. Dearborn interviewed Colonel Skinner, Commanding Officer of the Center, on the subject of a Center newspaper on August 26th and a meeting of representatives of all the organizations then in the Center was called for August 29th. It was decided to continue the name "The Martian" and to have the sheet printed as soon as finances would permit. From these simple beginnings the paper developed into a six and eight page weekly which never failed to appear on time and which had a paid circulation of five thousand copies. Many halftones were produced in the later issues, giving a very complete pictorial history of the Camp. All the various units were fully written up. While it was impossible to divulge much real information until after the Armistice, nevertheless, full accounts of all social, professional and athletic activities were covered by men whose life work had been in the newspaper line. It was remarkable how many of the staff had enjoyed experience as publishers, reporters or printers. Private McKendree O'Brien of Base Hospital No. 48 supervised the printing from the beginning. Privates Ablitzer and Ruhfel were considered so necessary to the paper's welfare that they were transferred to Headquarters and relieved of all hospital work. Apart from Colonel Skinner's firm advocacy of this project, Base Hospital No. 48 was the main influence behind the venture and at a critical time in the course of its finances, subscribed very generously to continue the sheet even after the Unit had left for home. For nine months everyone looked forward to the Sunday morning appearance of "The Martian." On April 27th, 1919, the last number, No. 36, appeared and it could be truly said that it had been a great factor in the therapy of the camp. At the height of its career there were representatives on its staff, in addition to the Editorial and Managerial Departments, from Headquarters, Convalescent Camp, Quartermaster Detachment, Base Hospitals No. 14, No. 35, No. 48, No. 62, No. 68, No. 107, No. 110, No.123, No.131 and Evacuation Hospitals No. 30 and No. 37. This enumeration will serve to illustrate the number of units present and functioning at the Mars Hospital Center in January and February, 1919.

Field Hospital - U. S. Army

After the return of seven officers in late August, it was necessary to again reorganize the services with Lieut. Col. Honan as Chief of the Surgical Section and Lieut. Col. Dearborn as Chief of the Medical Section. While there was some illness among the nurses and enlisted personnel towards the end of August, nothing serious developed. The officers of Base Hospital No. 35, who had been on duty through "48's" rush period, were all relieved during the early part of September and returned to their own unit. At least twenty of our enlisted men were detached for various duties about the hospital center, some to help out the ever increasing and poorly manned Motor Transport Service, some to make a success of "The Martian," some to do technical work at the Center Laboratory and others to Headquarters so that they might serve with the Mars Center orchestra which became duly famous in our section of France. It may be noted that none of these men returned to Base Hospital No. 48 until it was ready to leave the Center in February, 1919. Another chance was given to our Unit to see active service, so on September 1st, Major Grant, Captain Clark, Lieut. Chase, two nurses and two enlisted men, left for temporary duty at the Front and did not return until December 6th. This detail was afterwards divided into two operating teams presided over by Major Grant and Captain Clark respectively and as such enjoyed a most interesting and active service. It is naturally impossible to enumerate the experiences in detail of our detached officers and men. Could they be summarized in the aggregate they would greatly increase the total share of "48's" participation in the active period of the war.

Flag Raising at Topside, Mars Hospital Center Headquarters

During October we were still very busy, no less than 1744 patients being admitted to what was now a fairly complete and well run institution. To the normal ward capacity of a thousand beds was added the usual tent annexes. Our wards were arranged along two streets, a term employed for lack of a better, with the nurses' quarters at the head of one street and the officers' mess and quarters at the head of the other. Facing east and at the front of our section, the headquarters building looked upon the main macadam road of the Center. Of course we had mud and plenty of it. After a short while, however, and especially upon the advent of electric lights on August 30th, no one seemed to mind the mud which was synonymous with France in the minds of most American soldiers. During October and the first half of November our hospital hummed with activity and as might be said of the preceding two months there were few empty beds although cases were rapidly evacuated from the wards to the tents and then to service, the Convalescent Camp or homeward as soon as possible.

On the 1st of October, Lieut. Col. Dearborn was transferred to the Convalescent Camp as Commanding Officer thereof, Captain Olcott was transferred to the Center Laboratory and Chaplain Mastaglio reported for permanent duty. On October 3rd, Lieut. Frohlich, our new Quartermaster, and five enlisted men-all that remained of No. 48 in Roanne-finally reported. The last of our equipment which started to arrive on the wonderful little French baggage cars on September 2nd was received in toto and in good condition by the end of October. It was during this month that "48" inaugurated the first theatrical production in the Center. With the help of a few outsiders, a good minstrel show was produced which was afterwards repeated in various parts of the community. This was but the first of many and more elaborate productions. Colonel Skinner, the C. O. of the Center, a good musician himself, was a thorough believer in the psychological value of entertainment and no pains were spared to make the Topside Theatre a profitable venture. Our hospital contributed very largely to the musical and theatrical success of the Center and no one who was in the A. E. F. after the Armistice will deny the therapeutic importance of these endeavors.

It was during the prevalence of influenza that "48" suffered her casualties all from the same dread disease, pneumonia. Private Edward Gurry died October 20th and nurses Margaret Worth, Elizabeth Weiman and Anna Breen passed away on October 23rd, November 6th and November 17th, respectively. All of these valuable members of the Unit had performed splendid and earnest work and their loss, together with one other casualty which we were to suffer later, demonstrates beyond question that it is not necessary to do battle service in order to offer the supreme sacrifice. During the last half of October Sergeants Taylor, Herrick and McLean and Privates Regin, Schuman, Perry and Whitehead were detached to take examinations for commissions. These well deserved promotions were held up because of the Armistice.

Armistice Day, November 11th, was quietly celebrated in our Hospital Center except for an evening visit from the Convalescent Camp Regiment and Band which duly serenaded all the units in the Center. A few officers and men, however, managed to get away with or without permission and enjoyed the hilarity of the neighboring villages and in a few instances, Nevers and Moulins. A description of this Day, or rather night, as it appeared in "The Martian" of November 17th is so realistic and true of the sentiments expressed everywhere and the actions indulged in that we quote it as follows: "THE DAY. Will you ever forget it,-you who were fortunate enough to be in Nevers the night of the Eleventh? Were you one of those who, locked arm in arm with a happy Frenchman, paraded the Rue de Commerce, shouting 'Vive La France !', finally pushing into a little cale crowded to the doors with soldiers and civilians pleading with tears in their eyes for a little attention from 'Garcon'? What a night ! Any man with a bugle, drum, flag, tin pan or large rosette in his buttonhole, immediately became leader of a parade organized on the spot. At the arch the crowd was thickest. You either bought a tricolor from a chic little mademoiselle or you didn't-but in either case you received a cheery 'merci, M'sieu.' When the cart containing the smiling German prisoners made its appearance, driven by a little poilu bubbling over with mirth and vin rouge, were you one of those who jumped on and stuck a little American flag in their caps? Did you stand on the street corner with three other companions, singing the 'Marseillaise' in quartette style, making an awful mess of it, but getting enthusiastic support from the audience? Were you invited to cafe en famille with the man who sells hot chestnuts in front of the news stand, with whom you have a speaking acquaintance? But wait ! Perhaps you were grabbed by a cognac'd Frenchman and in spite of your struggles, given a resounding smack on both cheeks while the crowd roared with laughter? It happened to us and we're not ashamed in the leastonly a little sore. This bird had a weeks growth on his face. And then the windup-reminding the driver of an ambulance bound for where you should be after Taps, that at some time or other you had helped him roll his pack and that this was the time to show his appreciation ! Picking out a nice comfortable seat on the tail lamp you immediately fell asleep, waking only after you'd reached Topside, which is about a half mile from your own barracks. Were you there? We were, and Boy, we wouldn't have missed it for the world !"

Mars Hospital Center 1919 — Convoy of Patients from Base Hospital No. 48, Homeward Bound

It is convenient to group the period November 11th to January 15th, 1919, as one entity because it represents an easy epoch in the work of Base Hospital No. 48 as compared with the previous four months. While there was enough to keep everyone busy and to provide the Evacuation Officer with fit material for combat work or departure for home, it was nevertheless a time when everyone felt that recreation was needed. It is to the credit of all the commanding officers of the Center that they appreciated the real value of entertainment. However, many of the units did not properly institute concerted athletic activity. Had it not been for the splendid football teams developed by the Convalescent Camp and Base Hospital No. 48, there would have been little real interest in this very American game. Our Hospital team played the Convalescent Camp team before crowds of nurses, officers and men varying in number from 3,000 to 6,000 on November 10th, 17th and 28th, winning one game and losing two. Judging from the other teams seen in action on Skinner Field at the Convalescent Camp, it is admitted that Base Hospital No. 48 had the second best football team in the Center and probably could have developed the best had the men been allowed more time for practice and had more competent coaches been available.

Litter Cases about to be placed on Hospital Train

Socially, November, December and January were very interesting months for the officers, nurses and enlisted men. On December 13th the "Red Lamp" by "the Players of 48" was given in the Red Cross hut of Base Hospital No. 35. The parts in this fine performance were acceptably filled by Misses Chalmers, Bulger and Goold, and Captain Miller and Lieutenants Broderick and Frohlich. There were special celebrations on Armistice Day, Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve, Christmas, with a proper climax New Years Eve, because then it was that the personnel were first informed that a telegram had been received at Headquarters announcing the early departure of the Hospital for the United States. Regular seven day leaves were started for the enlisted men on December 5th and thereafter for many weeks officers, nurses and men enjoyed a real treat in Southern France. A few wandered into other regions and many interesting tales could be told of trips enjoyed without funds or passes. It is surprising the amount of free travel that an energetic Yankee could enjoy in France after the Armistice. It is hardly too much to say that there was not a section of France that did not receive a visit from some of our sightseeing doughboys, whether these sections were in official leave areas or Dot. Only those officers who sat on Court Martials can appreciate the real romance of such a buccaneer trip.

U.S. Hospital Train in Main Street, Mars Hospital Center

Naturally the mutual relations that existed between our Hospital and. other units in the Center were fostered not only by athletic competition but also by little courtesies extended especially by officers and nurses of the various units, one to the other. Our relations with the Convalescent Camp were particularly close because the Commanding Officer Lieut. Col. Dearborn, the Adjutant Lieut. Clark, the Police Officer Lieut. Fletcher, as well as Sergeant Ruhfel and Corporal Christie were all attached to this Camp and had graduated, so to speak, from Base Hospital No. 48. A dinner was given by the officers of Convalescent Camp on October 31st to the officers of Base Hospital No. 48 and ten attended. They stood retreat with the Commanding Officer and reviewed the troops at evening parade. After dinner there was an informal talk on the medical aspect of evacuations. On January 5th, 1919, the officers, nurses and enlisted men of "48" were invited to a moving picture show held in the Red Cross hut of the Convalescent Camp. During this function, an official Convalescent Camp order was read expressing the appreciation of the entire personnel for the services rendered by Base Hospital No. 48. This little performance was followed by refreshments and a long tramp home in the mud. It was on this same day that the six months overseas chevron was awarded to the officers and men who had come over with the original Unit.

South Street, Base Hospital No. 48, Mars Hospital Center

It is impossible within the scope of this history to do more than comment upon our wonderful American City at Mars. For practical purposes, the Center began with the arrival of the first patients on August 2nd, 1918. The engineers had been busy with construction since the preceding February but it was not until the Commanding Officer, Colonel George A. Skinner, assumed his duties in the early part of June that matters started to shape up. Base Hospitals No. 68 and No. 48 arrived on July 24th and 25th, respectively, and thereafter units reported to the camp until February, 1919, when the number commenced to decrease rapidly. The flag at Headquarters was taken down on May 14th, 1919, thus officially closing the Camp. At this time Base Hospitals No. 107, No. 110 and No. 123 were still located at Mars but expecting to go within a few days. By the first of June all American interests in Mars had ceased with the exception of the Medical Supply Depot, a few Motor Transport Corps men and the Quartermaster Department. The Engineers, who had had so much to do with the successful building operations and their consequent upkeep, left on May 20th.

North Street, Base Hospital No. 48, Mars Hospital Center

Designed for a hospital population of 40,000 and a Convalescent Camp of 5,000, the Mars Hospital Center was more than half completed when hostilities ceased. A total of 37,774 patients had been cared for. Of these 438 lay buried in our own cemetery. This death rate of less than one and one-sixth per cent is a striking testimony to the splendid and general efficiency of the units represented. Base Hospital No. 68 alone treated 7,427 patients with Base Hospital No. 48 fourth in the aggregate of patients. However, it is well to remember that our own Unit had the great majority of the more serious and urgent casualties to deal with. Of the gross number of patients mentioned above over 13,000 received additional treatment and conditioning in the Convalescent Camp. The maximum population of this miniature city reached 22,000. This was at a time when the various ramifications of medical work were at their height and all Center activities such as the Symphony Orchestra, the Topside Theater, The Martian, the Masonic Society, the Medical Society and the vaudeville companies were in full swing. The coordination of all these efforts to interest the sick and wounded and to maintain the proper esprit de corps after the Armistice can be traced not only to the Commanding Officer of the Center but to the great majority of his subordinates who all worked for a common end. It was this spirit of coordination that made the Center a successful venture from the start.

Convalescent Camp vs. Base Hospital No. 48 on Skinner Field

Now in the piping times of peace one is apt to forget that at the beginning of the War the entire Medical Department of the United States Army numbered 8,634. This personnel reached a war maximum of 354,796, almost three times the strength of the entire army a few years before the War. The medical officers increased in number from 833 to 30,591, the Dental Corps from 86 to 4,620, the Veterinary Corps from 62 to 2,002, the Sanitary Corps from 0 to 2,919, the Army Nurse Corps from 403 to 21,480, the enlisted personnel from 6,619 to 281,341 and civilian employees from 450 to 10,695. If the proposition of taking care of an army of nearly two million men in France was a great one it was no less heavy in the United States. However, as we are principally interested in the A. E. F. activities in this summary, it may be said that a total of 300,000 hospital beds, including emergency beds and those in Convalescent Camps, were contemplated for the A. E. F. At the time of the Armistice, a little less than 195,000 of these beds were occupied. There were thus provided in the A. E. F., hospital facilities for fifteen out of every hundred men. The base hospital centers at Mars and Mesves, each with 4,000 bed Convalescent Camps, were typical of the large scale upon which hospital accommodations were provided. The hospital city at Mars with 700 buildings covering a ground space of thirty-three acres and including the usual road, water, sewerage and lighting facilities of a municipality was a first class example and the most successful of these splendid efforts.

Football Team of Base Hospital No. 48

The last rites in connection with our active service at the Mars Hospital Center were now to take place. Captain Miller, on January 9th, went to Chaumont for the records necessary to our welfare before we could leave. On January 10th, Evacuation Hospital No. 37 with twenty-one officers and two hundred and twenty-two enlisted men, came in at 2 P. M. On January 12th the hospital property was turned over to Evacuation Hospital No. 37 and the next day all the remaining patients were transferred to this outfit. On January 15, 1919, we officially ceased to exist as per the following telegram dated Tours, January 13th, 1919: "Confirming telephone conversation, Base Hospitals No. 48, No. 14 and No. 35 will cease to function as hospitals on January 15th and will close their records as of that date. (Signed) McCaw." After Base Hospital No. 48 had ceased to function actively and until February 14th when we left for the seacoast, half hearted efforts were made by those in charge to keep the personnel in fit condition by drills and hikes.

Harold A. Riggs — Died Feb. 11, 1919

Numerous farewell parties, dinners and dances were given by officers, nurses and men, the most notable of these being a dinner given by the officers of Base Hospital No. 48 at the Hotel de Paris, Moulins, January 17th to their Commanding Officer, Lieut. Col. Herbert. Colonel Skinner, his Chief of Staff and his Adjutant graced this occasion and all of our officers barring three were present. Shortly afterwards our C. O. left for Brest and was succeeded by Lieut. Col. Honan as Commanding Officer. A number of other officers and men were away on detached duty and our nurses were gradually dispersed as will be recorded later. Volunteers were asked for to do Red Cross work in Germany. In the end, five of our men were taken for this purpose. A most unhappy loss at this time occurred in the death of Private Harold Riggs on February 11th. He was a patient in Base Hospital No. 104 and during his attack of pneumonia was most faithfully taken care of by night and day shifts of Base Hospital No. 48 nurses. This was our fifth and last loss. Peculiarly sad in that our active service was over and the Unit would soon be on its way home.

No mention of the activities of Base Hospital No. 48 would be complete without reference to the entertainment fund of the enlisted men which was judiciously and well spent and contributed largely to their comfort and happiness. Inasmuch as our Unit was not fortunate enough to have a Red Cross Hut of its own, our members were allowed to use the one located in Base Hospital No. 35 which they did to a limited extent. Some months after "48" was in full operation a recreation tent was erected for the use of our enlisted personnel, but when a real show was staged the receiving ward was taken over for this event. Shortly after our arrival in Mars a barber shop was opened which functioned successfully during our entire stay at Mars. At a period somewhat later a tailor shop was inaugurated. Both of these efforts were patronized by patients as well as the Unit's personnel. It was necessary because of our peculiar location to run a Canteen, so on October 29th such a convenience was opened by Sergeant Evans and Private Cantor. On January 10th, 1919, the Canteen was closed and turned over to Evacuation Hospital No. 37 after the accounts had been audited by Captain White. The turnover equalled 118,393.85 francs, demonstrating that we had quite a little business affair in the midst of our section of Mars city.

Fort McHenry — The Original Non-Commissioned Officers of Base Hospital No. 48. Ft. McHenry, — Md., May 1918. Left to Right - Sergts. McBride, Riedel, McLean, — Philipp, Diefenbach, Clarke, Lowery, A. Boles and Robt. Johnson.

Late in February, 1918, Lieut. Thomas F. Davies was ordered to mobilize the enlisted personnel of Base Hospital No. 48 in New York City. Assembling at the National Service Club, opposite the Pennsylvania Station on the morning of March 6th, a hundred and forty-six ununiformed recruits were ready to enter the service of the Government. They left about 1 P. M. and reached U. S. General Hospital No. 2, Ft. McHenry, Md., the same evening. The few men who had not been able to go down with this detachment joined within a few days, thus disposing of the original complement. The misapprehension that we in New York labored under relative to the necessity of a quick response to the orders directing Lieut. Davies to take the detachment to Ft. McHenry, was unfounded. Later it was learned that the men might have been partially equipped and uniformed before leaving New York if the proper interpretation of the order had been possible. Neither the Unit nor its officers had yet acquired that happy frame of mind that reads all orders between the lines and then proceeds to obey them. From a military view point, it was a sorry looking aggregation that left the Pennsylvania Station, with every variety of baggage that it was possible for men to carry, but they all had health and spirits. No mean essentials for the work to come.

Operating room, U.S.A. General Hospital No. 2, Fort McHenry, Md.

From March 6th to June 20th, 1918, was a period of instruction and experience as far as the men of "48" were concerned. A minimum amount of military drill and a maximum of discipline together with all the ramifications of hospital work might be said to comprise the curriculum of this period. Major W. D. Herbert of the Regular Army Medical Corps took command of the Unit on April 2nd and from that time until the date of departure from Ft. McHenry nine other officers joined the Unit. It is also essential to state that the personnel was increased to two hundred enlisted men, hence other applicants were examined in New York and Utica and forwarded, to Ft. McHenry. A few were transferred to us from other organizations in the Medical Department and in turn a number of our enlisted men and officers were ordered away from "48" to other services or institutions. At this time the first promotions to the ranks of corporal and sergeant were made and a number of the officers received an advance in rank. All that pertained to military, professional and athletic activities at General Hospital No. 2 were fully participated in by Base Hospital No. 48. The "Trouble Buster," a weekly newspaper at Ft. McHenry was entirely the product of our Unit and it was a sure forecast that they would do something in this line when they reached France. The machinists, carpenters, barbers, tailors, cooks, chauffeurs, orderlies, technicians and various clerical staffs all had a chance to demonstrate their natural ability and lack of training in things military. There was, however, a great advantage accruing to our Unit from their stay in Ft. McHenry, in that from the very start they had a permanent home for three and a half months in a working military hospital with opportunities for actual service. Naturally it was of reciprocal advantage to General Hospital No. 2 because if they needed any special work to be done, a man or men from "48" was ready to do the job. The weather for the most part was splendid and the men were comfortably lodged in barracks, while the few officers of the Unit present during this period lived in wooden cottages.

Fort McHenry, Baltimore, MD - Entrance.

Lieut. Col. Purnell commanded at Ft. McHenry and the Unit has reason to be grateful to him for his very appropriate notion of discipline and his willingness to help in all details. It was during this time that Bowle, John Broderick, Edwin Clarke, James Honan, Silvernail and Weinstein received commissions in other branches of the service. Two of these fortunate ones, Lieutenants Broderick and Honan, became Mess Officer and Registrar of "48," respectively. An elaborate field meet as well as other farewell ceremonies were participated in prior to the departure of the Unit from Ft. McHenry. While the usual rumors were current long before the Unit finally got away, as a whole we were not subject to the same hectic times that many similar organizations enjoyed in other camps. Because of certain defects in our equipment at Ft. McHenry, it was necessary for the Commanding Officer and the Director to make frequent trips to Washington and New York. In this way it was possible for Majors Herbert and Honan to frequently meet officers of the Unit who were stationed elsewhere and to keep in touch with the work that was being carried on by our friends in New York City and by the Base Hospital Committee.

View showing old guns, Star Fort and Red Cross House — U.S.A. General Hospital No. 2, Fort McHenry, Md.

Our Nurses — Chief Nurse Helene D. Bengston

Before the arrival of our own nurses, Base Hospital No. 48 was so overcrowded with seriously sick soldiers that not only were extra officers detailed to help us out but small detachments of nurses from Base Hospital No. 44 at Mesves and later from Base Hospital No.14 in Mars were temporarily attached to our Unit for service. If Miss Bengston and the nurse personnel of "48" were glad finally to find us at Mars, it is positive that the sentiments of "48" were reciprocal. Our nurses were certainly needed if ever the necessary adjunct of real nursing was essential. It is well to introduce this resume of the activities of our nurse corps by referring to the fact that regardless of from what institution they graduated, fully ninety percent had worked in civil life for officers of our Unit, hence were well versed in the technique of these officers and splendidly equipped to cooperate. In February, 1918, when the Surgeon General sent out his call for nurses to do duty in cantonments or camp hospitals in the United States, the nurses attached to "48" responded eagerly. Before June 1st, every nurse of our Unit was assigned to duty at Camp Lee, Walter Reed General Hospital, Camp Wadsworth, the Army Hospital at Ellis Island, Camp Upton, Camp Devens, Camp Meade, General Hospital No. 9, Lakewood, N. J., General Hospital No. 1, Williamsbridge, N. Y., General Hospital No. 2, Ft. McHenry, Md., Camp Dix and the General Hospital at Ft. Sam Houston, Tex.

Base Hospital Camp Lee 1916

Thus widely scattered they were, nevertheless, very happy to receive orders on July 15th to mobilize in New York City preparatory to going overseas. Arriving in New York between July 15th and 21st, the next two weeks were busily spent with daily drills, singing exercises, fittings for uniforms, being photographed and finger-printed, not to mention such details as insuring their lives, allotting their incomes and making their last will and testament. While many opportunities were offered for social activities, there was no time in which to avail themselves with the exception of a reception held at the home of Mr. and Mrs. Henry Nixon to meet the Surgeon General of the Army, William C. Gorgas. A last and fitting ceremony to their stay in New York City was the flag dedication at St. Paul's Chapel on Monday evening, August 5th, 1918. Just before this event the photograph that accompanies this article was taken.

The Unit left New York City on the S. S. "Olympic," then known as U. S. Transport No. 527, on August 8th, 1918. They were sadly in need of rest and fortunately the trip was quiet and uneventful. Such duties as were incidental to mobilization combined with the intense heat in New York City had made rest and relaxation a necessary item if the nurses were to undertake any strenuous work. The steamer docked at Southampton on August 16th and no one was allowed to leave the ship until the next day, when the nurses crossed the Channel in two small hospital boats, the "St. David" and the "St. Patrick," which reached La Havre on August 18th. On the following day, divided into two groups, each accompanied by an interpreter, the hundred nurses and six civilians left for Paris. Their arrival in this city was characteristic of the War inasmuch as everywhere there was darkness and an air raid had just taken place.

After a brief night's rest at the Hotel Regina, the Red Cross ambulances called as early as 6 A.M. to take the Unit to the train that would bear them to Mars. Evidently the getting away from Paris was rather sketchy inasmuch as Miss Entriken and Miss Pifer had slept so well and found the Parisian bed so comfortable that they just made the train. The second group, in charge of Miss Mackay, were even more unfortunate inasmuch as four nurses, the Misses Breen, LaGassick, Johnson and Tessiatore, disliking the Government travel rations, went on a tour of Paris and entirely missed the proper train. Whether this was planned or not we leave to the imagination of our interested readers. There seemed to be some doubt in the minds of the nurses as to the whereabouts of Base Hospital No. 48, inasmuch as it had been learned in New York that the entire personnel were ideally located at Roanne. However, no doubt existed when at sunset, August 20th, 1918, the nurses arrived at Mars-sur-Allier and actually found friends.

Nurse's Home. Metropolitan Hospital, New York City. — Agnes L. Ward — Superintendent of Nurses — Metropolitan Hospital

The following day real work started and during the first four months there was so much to do and so little time in which to do it that no one had an opportunity to distinguish between the agreeable and the disagreeable. Our nurses did their plain duty and without complaint and for the most part enjoyed good health, although it was during this period that the three nurses died of pneumonia, as previously referred to. It must be said that for those interested in professional service, it was a pleasure to give their best in nursing to the continual stream of wounded soldiers that poured into Base Hospital No. 48 during August, September, October and November. The bravery of these men and their gratitude for the smallest service was the best recompense that any nurse could receive. Our personnel were indeed fortunate in that they were able for the most part to remain intact in our own hospital, working under the proper supervision. With the exception of two nurses who were detached with Major Grant's operating team and a couple of others who had special assignments, our entire nurse corps were with us during the strenuous part of the War.

The work referred to above went on steadily until the Armistice was signed and then there was more opportunity for social gatherings and all enjoyed the simple affairs that were arranged for their amusement. Naturally the first real party was given by the officers of the Unit and has always been referred to as a "getting together" party. A recreation hall, the furnishings of which were supplied by the Red Cross and from the fund of "48," enabled the nurses to have many happy times especially on the holidays. About the same time that the enlisted men started on their leave, many of the nurses likewise went to Nice and Southern France and all returned with glowing accounts of the wonderful country and pleasant experiences.

New Year's Eve was especially welcome because a telegram was received at Headquarters stating that the Unit would be relieved from duty in a few days. This was construed to mean that all would return to the United States, but like many other details in the Army this was a false notion because shortly after the first of the year the nurses in small and large groups received orders to depart for various and sundry duties. The first detachment of eight were ordered to return to the United States on January 5th. On January 12th a group of three left for Germany and on the next day six more for Treves. On January 18th, twenty nurses were detached to Dijon and twenty more to Langres, for duty in base hospitals in these localities. On January 20th, seven of the remaining nurses were detailed to Evacuation Hospital No. 49 at Menton. The rest continued on duty with Evacuation Hospital No. 37 which had taken over "48's" property until February 2nd when they were relieved from duty, awaiting further orders. On February 12th, the remaining nurses received orders to proceed to La Boule to return to the United States.

Nurse Corps, Base Hospital No. 48

After the departure of our Chief Nurse, Miss Bengston, Miss Harriet A. Langwig acted as Chief Nurse until she too left with the detachment sent to Dijon. Then Miss Jane K. Spore became Acting Chief Nurse of the twenty-two on duty with Evacuation Hospital No. 37. It is well to mention in accounting for the nurse personnel of No. 48 that no less than eight had been returned to the United States in October and November of 1918 because of ill health. Our civilian personnel was likewise broken up inasmuch as Miss Rowell had returned to the United States on January 8th, the Misses Goold and Wade were ordered to Center Headquarters at Savenay on January 20th and Miss Bulger had been attached to our own Hospital Center Headquarters. This left the Misses Brown and Dougherty to return home with the balance of our nurses. To avoid confusion, no mention has been made here of the temporary duty performed by small groups of our nurses at Mesves, Bar-sur-Aub, Praughoy and Base Hospital No. 68 in our own Center. The Misses LeGassick and Donnelly were on detached duty during the entire active period of our hospital work while the Misses Himmelberger and Hartzell were the fortunate ones who went away on August 31st with Major Grant's operating team and did not return until December 5th, after the War was over.

The Tower — Mars Hospital Center

In closing this brief account of the activities of our nurse corps we are happy to relate that eventually all of the personnel returned to the United States mostly in splendid physical condition and have since scattered to the four winds. A few are doing Government work or are in institutional service. Eighteen have married and left active nursing, while the rest may be found in their various home towns employed as before the War taking care of private patients. Needless to say the care used in the selection of our nursing group was demonstrated by their efficiency, loyalty and desire to help in all particulars and no Unit was ever more fortunate in her nurse corps.

Organization — Lieutenant Colonel William F. Honan — Director, Base Hospital, No. 48

At the annual meeting of the American Institute of Homeopathy held in Rochester in June, 1917, enthusiasm for war service was very great. The announcement that the Massachusetts Homeopathic Hospital had been granted a base hospital by the American Red Cross was received with satisfaction. After a general discussion a motion was offered and unanimously carried that the President appoint a committee of three to offer to the Federal Government the services of three base hospitals, to be raised in New York, Philadelphia and Chicago. Doctors Sawyer and Dearborn of this Committee met with numerous officials in Washington on July 9th and held conferences at later dates in Philadelphia, New York and Chicago. In this connection it is interesting to note the splendid gathering of representative homeopaths called to Washington on July 27th, 1917, at the request of the Chairman of the General Medical Board, Council of National Defense. The Metropolitan Hospital and its unit were represented at this meeting by Doctors Honan, Dearborn, Grant, Rankin, Coleman and Johns.

A special meeting of the Medical Board of the Metropolitan Hospital was called on July 13th at the office of the President, Doctor Rankin, where the formal offer of a base hospital to be raised by the Metropolitan, as well as the written permission of the Commissioner of Public Charities enabling the hospital to tender its services, was forwarded to Colonel J. R. Kean, Red Cross Headquarters, Washington, D. C. This was promptly acknowledged and the Medical Board appointed a base hospital committee, consisting of Doctors Dearborn (Chairman), Benson, Carleton, Coleman, Honan, Howard, McDuffie, Root and Swift, with full power to select the director and principal officers. Ten days later Doctor W. F. Honan, one of the senior surgeons of the Metropolitan Hospital, was elected Director of the unit with Doctors A. R. Grant and F. M. Dearborn as chiefs of the Surgical and Medical sections thereof. While this action was immediately announced to the Director of Military Relief, American Red Cross, Washington, it was only after numerous delays and frequent trips to Washington on the part of Doctor Honan that he finally received his appointment as Director on September 11th, 1917. The formation of the base hospital was authorized on the same date.

Walter H. Conley, M.D. — Superintendent — Metropolitan Hospital

The Metropolitan Hospital, having enjoyed a continuous life of forty-two years as a municipal institution and being the largest general hospital in the United States with a maximum capacity of twenty-two hundred beds, naturally had a large attending and interne staff as well as an alumni association composed of nearly four hundred ex-internes. On July 13th a questionnaire was sent out to all these men asking for volunteers to man the war hospital. Altho a great many of the younger men were already in the service, more than a hundred applicants for the various positions responded to the appeal. From this number the official complement of thirty medical and surgical men were selected. Every effort was made to secure an evenly balanced staff, representing all the necessary specialties. At least two-thirds of those chosen were above thirty-five years of age inasmuch as the requirements for a base hospital personnel call for experience in many and varied lines. No less than seven had received previous military training.

A further and pressing work for the Base Hospital Committee was the vital question of raising funds. At the time the original offer was made to the Government, about $33,000 was pledged but it was essential to have at least $110,000. Thus in August, 1917, an active campaign was instituted. Contributions were received from over three hundred individuals, all thru homeopathic physicians of New York City and vicinity and upper New York State. It was thru the patients and friends of Doctors Honan, Benson, Dearborn and Grant that most of the funds were obtained. A large sum was spent by the various Red Cross Chapters and auxiliaries working for our Unit. However, no estimate can be made of the innumerable hours of service given by women connected with these organizations. With the concurrence of the New York County Red Cross Chapter, a prominent New York lawyer, Mr. George E. Hite, Jr., was appointed Treasurer. It is interesting to note that all this money was raised and administered without the slightest tax on the principal thereof, inasmuch as all the necessary expenditure was generously paid by those engaged in the work. While it is impossible to go into the exact details of the contributions, it is not amiss to mention that the Red Cross Chapters of Rutherford, N. J., and Grafton, Mass., as well as the following auxiliaries of the New York County Red Cross Chapter, No. 29 of the Rutgers Presbyterian Church, No. 215 of the Broadway Presbyterian Church, No. 73 of the Collegiate Reformed Churches of New York City and later our own Base Hospital branch (located in the Hotel Chatham), all worked together to make the necessary surgical dressings and hospital linen and to purchase the sheets, operating room linen, mess linen and the numerous garments needed for a unit. Early in October, Mrs. Agnes McMurrich of the Rutgers Auxiliary was appointed Receiver of Supplies and acted most efficiently in this capacity.

All the equipment was made in October, November and December, packed for shipment and stored in the Manhattan Storage Warehouse Company in New York City, without expense to the Unit. Numerous other gifts of knitted woolen garments were made by groups of women in New York, Stamford, Conn., and Grafton, Mass., a beautiful set of flags was presented by a loyal friend, enough money was subscribed to purchase a professional library for the Unit which was augmented by gifts from various physicians, and Boericke and Tafel generously outfitted the Unit with homeopathic drugs. The New York County Red Cross Chapter, thru its base hospital division assisted in the organization of our Unit notably by referring many applicants for examination in the enlisted personnel and procuring three ambulances of the standard G. M. C. model for our use. It may be stated here that the other gasoline equipment was likewise promised but along with the extra ambulances we were unable to take them to France. Once upon the scene of operations, such equipment as we needed was supposed to be supplied by local authorities in the A. E. F. Naturally, much of the equipment had to be procured from the army supply depots in New York City by specific and direct orders of the War Department.

Agnes L. Ward — Superintendent of Nurses — Metropolitan Hospital

In late November, 1917, Major W. T. Helmuth was detailed by the War Department to examine and recruit the necessary men for our enlisted personnel. He was ably assisted in this labor by the staffs of the Metropolitan and Flower Hospitals. Thru the courtesy of Doctor Copeland and the authorities of the Flower Hospital, these examinations were held during December in that institution except where it was necessary to go to Utica to examine a large number of local recruits in that city. About three hundred applicants were examined, of whom a hundred and fifty-three passed, were duly enlisted and sworn into the service as members of the Enlisted Men's Reserve, U. S. Army. It is interesting to note that of those accepted, fifty-three came from New York City, sixty-six from other parts of New York State especially in and around Utica, fourteen from New Jersey, ten from Pennsylvania, five from Connecticut, three from Illinois and one each from Ohio and Kentucky. While a majority were in the so-called draft age, quite an appreciable minority were under twenty-one or over thirty-one. The various trades and occupations essential to the successful working of a base hospital were represented in this group. All of the original fifty base hospitals raised by the Red Cross were manned by personnels of superior intelligence. So it was with our Unit. Nearly all were volunteers and as such might be expected to have a large influence upon the future work and success of the Unit.

Another endeavor of the Base Hospital Committee at this time was to select a chief nurse for the Unit and the necessary sixty-five nurses for a base hospital, as then organized. In the course of a few weeks, this number was raised to a hundred. Thru the interest of Miss Agnes Ward, Superintendent of Nurses, Metropolitan Hospital, Miss Helene D. Bengston, a graduate of the Metropolitan and at this time Superintendent of the Coney Island Hospital, Department of Public Charities, was selected for the position of Chief Nurse and her appointment approved by the Red Cross authorities. Inasmuch as over forty graduates of the Metropolitan had already gone into army service, it was necessary for those engaged in the work of selecting nurses to go outside of our hospital and even outside of New York State so that they might acquire the regulation number of graduates from homeopathic institutions. A careful examination of our nurses roster will reveal that many training schools furnished their quota to make up the required hundred. In all that pertained to the welfare of our Unit, Doctor Walter Conley, Superintendent of the Metropolitan Hospital, was vitally interested. In recognition of his help to the Federal Government during the war, Doctor Conley was commissioned Lieut. Col., M. R. C. in 1922.

Chief Nurse Helene D. Bengston — Base Hospital, No. 48

Naturally the commissioned personnel as originally selected underwent many changes during the winter of 1917-18. No less than eight men who were tentatively chosen had to withdraw because of illness or the press of business affairs, or because the Government needed them in some other capacity. The ranks held by many of the original appointees were notoriously below what was allowed for a base hospital, but in time promotions remedied this defect. As originally planned, the full complement consisted of twenty-two physicians and two dentists. These figures do not include the Commanding Officer, Adjutant, Quartermaster, Mess Officer, Registrar and Chaplain. None of these, with the exception of the last named, were we expected to select. A statistical summary of the physicians enumerated shows that they graduated from the following institutions: New York Homeopathic Medical College, nine; Hahnemann of Philadelphia, seven; Hahnemann of Chicago, two and one each from the Boston University, University of Michigan, New York University and Ohio State University. Thirteen of the number resided in New York State, five in Pennsylvania, two in Illinois, one in Massachusetts and one in Ohio. Twenty of them were members of the American Institute of Homeopathy and only four were in the draft age, all the others being over thirty-one.

It was necessary during this winter of organization to establish among the officers a community of purpose and to outline certain procedures which would result in the development of a working unit, hence it was that a conference was called for January 19th and 20th, 1918. A formal dinner was given by Majors Honan and Dearborn at the Union League Club, New York City, on the evening of the first day of the conference and was attended by nineteen of the officers, the others being unable to get away from their duties. The guests included the members of the Metropolitan Base Hospital Committee, Dean Copeland, the Hon. Bird S. Coler, Commissioner of Public Charities, Major J. B. Griffin, Ass't Division Surgeon at Camp Upton, Major Helmuth, Doctor Conley, Major Alexis Carrel and Captain Dehelley of the French Army (both of whom were then stationed at the Rockefeller Institute). Commissioner Coler presided and proposed the usual toasts, after which Major Honan called upon various speakers who outlined their share in the establishment of the Unit and their interest in the success of the same. It is no exaggeration to say that Major Carrel's remarks about war conditions in France and Captain Dehelley's vivid recital of his own experiences with the French Medical Commission in Roumania will never be forgotten by those fortunate enough to hear them. The following morning the officers of the Unit met in conference at the New York Athletic Club to discuss ways and means essential to the success of the organization. During this session, Major Griffin, who had come especially from Camp Upton to enlighten the officers as to their duties and equipment, spoke for nearly three hours concerning these matters.

During this formative period the number of medical officers was increased to twenty-eight plus two dental officers and six others in the administrative group. A few of the officers were already in active service but the majority did not enter upon real duties until March and April, 1918. They were then ordered to take special courses to fit them for their particular specialties or were directed to proceed to various camps in eastern United States. The balance were ordered to the Port of Embarkation, Hoboken, N. J. After the enlisted personnel had been selected, a few were chosen to serve in civilian hospitals in New York City, mostly in the Hahnemann and Metropolitan Hospitals, in order that their knowledge of medical and surgical technique might have a real foundation.

Traveling Overseas

It cannot be said that anyone was unhappy to leave Ft. McHenry because it meant that the departure for overseas was imminent. At 10 A. M., June 20th, eleven officers and two hundred and four enlisted men of Base Hospital No. 48 left Baltimore via the Pennsylvania Railroad and arrived at Camp Mills, Long Island, N. Y., at 8 P. M. the same day. This proceeding was per special order No. 209, Headquarters, Eastern Department, dated June 9th, 1918. The trip up from Baltimore was pleasant because of the anticipations and hopes enjoyed by all. In common with the lot of traveling troops in our country there was much spasmodic feeding at every stop. Let it here be said that this temptation to indigestion was overdone in this country and underdone abroad. During the last ten days of June the remainder of the officer personnel reported for active duty, Lieut. Woodmansee being the last to materialize. One of our complement, Lieut. Dessloch, never reported because he had in the meantime been attached elsewhere.

Hiking Party, Officers of Base Hospital No. 48, Roanne, July 1918

Our Chaplain, Father Walter O'Brien, was unable to sail due to a mix-up in orders and Lieut. Broderick developed pneumonia and was transferred to the base hospital at Camp Mills on July 2nd. To enumerate the other temporary casualties it is only necessary to state that Privates Carretto and Granger were also transferred to the hospital. Private Brady went A. W. O. L. and Sergt. Freedman was transferred to Newport News. Lieut. Broderick and Privates Granger and Brady eventually rejoined our hospital in France. To offset these losses, Sergeant Rosse was transferred to our Unit from the Medical Research Laboratory at Mineola, N. Y. Thus, of the original complement of thirty-nine officers and two hundred and four enlisted men, the actual number sailing became thirty-six officers and two hundred and one enlisted men. No less than eight of the officers had received their promotion to the next higher grade before leaving Ft. McHenry, and Lieut. Miller received his Captaincy while in Camp Mills. Originally the Unit was housed in tents off the main avenue of the camp but after the first week we moved to Section 3, nearer the entrance and just back of camp headquarters. The food supply was excellent and the preparation by our own cooks even better. Every day fresh excitement was caused by the departure of various units for overseas, including Base Hospitals No. 15, No. 25 and No. 42.

Rumors from sources unmentionable had it that we were to go everywhere from Italy to the North Pole. Many of the officers and men received visitors and members of their families and not a few gifts such as supplies of cigarettes and cigars were left as the result of these excursions. A gift of a hundred and forty-four specially manufactured hypodermic sets were received for officers and nurses and duly packed. It is pathetic to relate that many of the gifts, such as the comforts enjoyed by Major Grant in his tent, had to be left behind and were donated to the permanent camp. Numerous examinations were held to determine the physical fitness of the outfit and on Wednesday, July 3rd, they were finally passed as perfect. The discipline of the entire personnel at this time was exceptional but nevertheless, three cases of "cooties" were found July 1st and energetically exterminated. A detail of interest relates to the very special charge of Corporal Clifford, our bunny Rhinelander and his preservation for a sad fate overseas. This animal was our real mascot and much esteemed. It may be noted that extra and useful equipment, such as officers' revolvers were procured and the necessary initialing of all baggage was duly attended to in these last few days. Everyone who presumed that he had the slightest excuse, attempted to get some leave.

Bunny "Rhinelander"

On the morning of July 4th the headquarters' and officers' heavy baggage was collected by a Quartermaster truck and taken to the Clinton Avenue station to be guarded by Lieut. Chase and a detail of eight men. After a delay of some hours they loaded the duffle and sped on their way to the boat. It is recorded that there were eighty-four pieces of officers' hand baggage packed at the last moment in an itinerant Ford which had been hired by some thoughtful officer. Included in this lot were thirty-six of those elaborate bathing suits which were supposed to keep one alive even after the occupant had been in the ocean many hours. At 10 A. M. on our Country's natal day, Base Hospital No. 48, minus the detail referred to, left for the station in columns of fours. A Sanitary Train and Trench Motor Battery were also along. Leaving the Clinton Avenue station at 11 A. M. we arrived at Long Island City where a ferry boat traveled down the East River around the Battery and up the Hudson to Pier 54. This trip of forty minutes was enlivened by the noteworthy and elevating singing of the enlisted men. Eventually the S.S. "Aquitania," a Cunard liner of huge size and recent vintage, was boarded at 3:30 P. M. Lunch had been eaten all the way from Camp Mills to the boat but on the dock the women of the Canteen Service of the Red Cross served additional "feeds" and handed out post cards announcing our safe arrival, a somewhat premature precaution it seemed to all. Both officers and men boarded from the second floor and soon had made themselves completely at home. This beautiful day was marred only by the physical effort necessary to carry individual baggage. It is anticipated that anyone reading this will know that every officer who had a huge bag has regretted it to this day. Only those who enjoyed mental responsibilities had details to carry some of their kit. Fortunately the spiral stairs of the dock were not used and the lift was a welcome succor.

S.S. Aquitania - Cunard Liner

Our first official meal at 6:30 P.M. on the ship augured good food, not wastefully distributed but of fair variety. The enlisted men had the first class salon because it was more roomy, while the officers dined in the second class in two messes. The rooms, many with private baths, were splendid and it can be said that every officer was more than pleased with his home for the sea trip. The "Aquitania," the largest commercial liner in service, was built in 1914 with tonnage of 45,600, length 901 ft. and breadth 97 ft. She carried a crew of eight hundred and about sixty-two hundred troops. Major General Hodges of the 76th Division was in command with the 151st Brigade Headquarters; 302nd Infantry, two batteries of the 111th Field Artillery, 104th Sanitary Train, 104th Trench Motor Battery, No. 1 Mobile Operating Unit, a special laboratory detachment, the nurses of Base Hospital No. 46 plus fifty others for the mobile group, some casual officers and men as well as ourselves. There were probably three hundred officers aboard of whom nearly half were medical. Colonel Moncreif was the senior medical officer while our C. O., Lieut. Col. Herbert, was appointed Sanitary Inspector of troops. Lieutenants DeTuncq and Robertson were detailed to help look after the Field Artillery. The ship's hospital contained forty-five beds as well as a contagious ward of fifteen beds and was placed under the care of Base Hospital No. 48. Regular details of our enlisted men and the nurses of Base Hospital No. 46 officiated all through the trip. Five each of our medical and surgical officers, one dentist, Captain Leighton, and the Registrar, Lieut. Honan, comprised the officer personnel for this hospital service which was light, varying from four to twenty-six patients daily. The first operation was aspiration of the knee joint, performed by Captains Reynolds and White on July 5th. An acute appendix was operated by Major Grant on July 9th without interrupting the course of the vessel. Just before the end of the trip a few cases of measles developed and it was necessary to quarantine these as well as some contacts. Inasmuch as the entire trip was pleasant with only slight showers to mar the weather, sea sickness was practically absent. In a vessel of this size the zigzag course pursued, inasmuch as we were not in convoy nor protected by any war vessels, was no hindrance to the comfort of any aboard.

"Martian" Board

While it might be interesting to dwell in detail upon the occurrences of this most satisfactory cruise, it will suffice to say that most of the passengers were quite oblivious of danger and enjoyed themselves as much as their official duties would permit. Naturally no lights were allowed after sundown, in fact no one was even permitted to smoke on deck. It was noticeable, however, that the ship's officers did not take this precaution probably because they felt that the ends of their cigarettes and cigars were not visible to the undersea Germans. Setting-up exercises were regularly held for officers and men and boat drills were frequent. Lectures on the proper interpretation of the Manual of the Army Medical Corps were indulged in to the joy of everyone. It was not intended that time should be wasted and about the only leisure that anyone had was when wrapped in the arms of Morpheus. As many of Base Hospital No. 48 had had a strenuous time prior to their sailing, the trip across was indeed a rest. The usual concert and entertainment was held Tuesday evening with a collection for the worthy objects usually exploited on shipboard. The enlisted men had movies and boxing matches in which Base Hospital No. 48 was ably represented by Sergeant Hallam as a fighter.

Our departure from the United States and approach to England were noteworthy because of the ample protection afforded in each event. We left the dock New York City, exactly at 3:21 P. M. July 5th and Ambrose Light was passed at 5:26 P. M. While there was a good deal of whistle blowing and waving of hands as the boat went down the river, everyone was ordered to quarters before reaching the Battery and only allowed out again after reaching the Narrows. Forward where four six inch guns were, a gun pointer of the British Navy was stationed, assisted by a detail of American artillerymen. There were also four similar guns at the stern. On the way out we passed a sausage balloon and submarine chasers. A dirigible hovered over us at the harbor entrance as well as two hydroplanes which accompanied our course for at least ten miles off shore. At the Ambrose Lightship, six destroyers attached themselves to us and these beautiful camouflaged creations of cubist design stayed with us until midnight. Nearing the end of our journey, Thursday, July 11th, at 10 A. M., four United States destroyers were picked up off starboard and within an hour were arranged two on each side of us. Everyone was glad to see this evidence of Uncle Sam's Navy because of the comfy feeling engendered. About 5 P. M. a fifth destroyer came up off the southwest corner of Ireland which was now distinctly visible. The mental atmosphere of the few that were depressed was now much improved and some gaiety was visible even among the enlisted men far down below. At 8 A. M., Friday, July 12th, Wales was plainly discernible to the right and a dirigible, No. 51, joined to accompany us up the Irish Sea, which was as smooth as a mill pond. Steamers, trawlers and sailing ships were much in evidence. The destroyers were still with us and likewise a mine sweeper ahead. The Bar Light was reached at 11:45 A. M. and a pilot came on board at noon going up the Mersey to Liverpool on our final lap. At the Light the destroyers and No. 51 left our ship while dirigibles No. 34 and No. 35 kept tabs on us effectually and came very near overhead while we maneuvered for the dock. The 302nd Infantry was landed shortly after 2 P. M. and thereafter the troops went ashore at regular intervals but Base Hospital No. 48 did not leave her satisfactory quarters until after supper and then departed by the London and Northwest Railroad at 1.0:30 P. M. for our two hundred mile trip to the South of England.

Despite the fact that it was now night, very few slept but managed to catch glimpses of ghostly scenery as shown by various manufacturing plants at work with double shifts, day and night. What sleeping was enjoyed on this trip was in the sitting posture but it was a splendid introduction to what was to come. In the early morning the beautiful countryside of South England was much appreciated by everyone and the names of the towns were so familiar that many thought they were back in our own New England. The remains of our twenty-four hours rations issued on ship were eaten at the usual odd intervals indulged in by troops in transit, with the result that only those cautious ones known to all outfits had anything left when we reached Southampton. About 8 A. M., July 13th, the march was taken up to the rest camp, three miles north of Southampton. This was a rapid performance without a halt, demonstrating the lack of military knowledge enjoyed by the officers in charge. More than one individual dropped out because of heat or mental prostration, it being difficult to diagnose the exact cause. After the usual poor breakfast served in these camps, sleep was suggested on mattresses for a few hours. The camp was prettily located with splendid trees about and supplied with Y. M. C. A. and Red Cross tents. However, these were principally famous because of their lack of tobacco and sweets. A few of the officers and men were able to go to town and make such purchases as a civilian larder afforded. It was necessary to get a special permit from the town commandant to procure two large war cakes for Major Dearborn's birthday. Lieut. Col. Honan, Major Grant and Captain Reynolds managed to get a game of golf, which was the first of many attempts that these ardent enthusiasts made during their service abroad. After a travel ration of two sandwiches of jam and war bread had been issued, the outfit marched four miles back through town saying good-bye to the various children who seemed the only ones interested. Plenty of able bodied men were indulging in sports on the play ground in the center of the town as we passed at 3:30 P. M., but inasmuch as all parts of England were filled with convalescent and wounded soldiers it is possible that these games were a therapeutic attempt.

Shortly after 7 P. M., July 13th, the S.S. "Caesarea," a small Channel steamer, was boarded and we sailed for Havre with another troop ship. It was still daylight at 9:15 P. M. as we passed the Isle of Wight on the right. Plenty of shipping lay outside of the net line guarded by destroyers, two of which left their anchorage to convoy us. Seaplanes were abundant in all directions. We anchored at the head of Spithead for a few minutes and then proceeded on our way for a relatively smooth passage. This was the only thing that prevented much seasickness inasmuch as the boat was jammed as tight as may be imagined. While the officers had staterooms or bunks, most of the men found it convenient to wedge themselves in after the manner of sardines. On France's birthday, July 14th, at 3:30 A. M. we docked at Havre. It was raining and chilly and the much advertised birthday cakes of the previous day were consumed for breakfast along with something called coffee. At 7:30 we disembarked and started on a four mile hike to the American Rest Camp of Sanvic, outside of the city and beautifully situated on a promontory jutting into the sea. It rained off and on all through this day but it cannot be said that our happiness at being in France was dampened thereby. The march to and from the camp was accompanied by singing and whistling and at one point an American band played us on just about at the psychological moment when everyone was well worn out. A few fortunate ones had the opportunity to see well-built Havre and to enjoy the celebrations staged on this day. Inasmuch as our enlisted force had their entire equipment with them, they were able to find comparative comfort in the rest camp but the officers, who had nothing, spent an unhappy night on wooden floors. This was made all the more attractive by a certain Captain's loud and continuous snoring.

It would seem that July 15th was mainly devoted on the part of everyone to getting a good meal. In the main these efforts succeeded and before we departed at 11:45 that evening for our destination at Roanne, nearly everything in sight was purchased so that it may be said that the two days emergency ration just issued was augmented to such a degree that the trip was hardly a starvation jaunt. Of the journey that started late July 15th and ended at Roanne at 11:30 A. M., July 18th, this much can be said it was a distinct novelty to a great majority of Base Hospital No. 48. The pleasant French countryside, the old towns, the many troop trains of soldiers going to the Front, convoys of wounded, sick and ticket of leave men returning, not to mention the frantic efforts on the part of everyone to stretch their legs on the least excuse, all contributed to keep one interested. We were far better accommodated than were many of the Combat Troops inasmuch as six officers were allotted to a compartment and eight men to a box of like dimensions. The famous cars labeled "Hommes-36-40. Chevaux-8." were in evidence everywhere and we were to become well acquainted with these before our tour in France ended. After following the Seine to Poissy we started an encircling movement about Paris, passing St. Cyr and Versailles to Juvisy. At the last mentioned place we were held up for various reasons for hours. Being only six miles from the center of Paris we were able to see the Eiffel Tower and other familiar objects. An air raid over the city was heralded by the sirens which blew for twenty minutes and later "all clear" was sounded. Some isolated cannon shots heard during this time were our first introduction to real war. Our second concrete evidence of the same was numerous German prisoners, husky looking chaps, working in the railroad yards and apparently enjoying their lot.

Our train had been shifted and reshifted until at last Base Hospital No. 48 occupied all the remaining coaches, two being for the officers, six for the men and two for baggage. Nevers, which we were to know well later on, was passed during the night and at 6 A. M. Thursday we all awoke at Moulins. Here were many evidences of the air raids but much new building, with factories and camps all about. Following the Allier River after leaving Nevers we crossed a beautiful hilly plateau by La Pallice to Roanne, after three nights and two and a half days travel. We were informed sometime afterward that it had been the intention of the Mayor and authorities of this thriving manufacturing town of fifty-five thousand people to give us a formal reception, but our arrival was so much delayed that the plans were called off. The entire command marched out to the northern confines of Roanne to temporary French Military Hospital No. 84 for lunch and then to a modern one story hospital just beyond the new barracks where the 1919 class of French recruits were being trained. These quarters of ours were known as No. 96, were well built with good water supply, toilets, laboratories and kitchens but no operating room facilities. It could accommodate about four hundred patients, hence our C. O. had it in mind to put in the necessary wooden huts to increase the capacity. Our weeks stay in this bustling town was a happy one except for the many flies. It was almost necessary to fight with a hornet for anything sweet that you anticipated eating. Regular courses of lectures for officers and men were instituted, hikes taken and all reasonable attempts made to acquire the proper equipment with which to start operations. Inasmuch as a Ford ambulance was the only vehicle in evidence, Private Sacco was sent to Rochefort for a Packard truck. About this time we made the acquaintance of Lieut. Clark, S. C. of Colonel Ruffner's staff in Nevers. He met us officially and condoned our lot.

Mars Hospital Center, March 14th, 1918

Our first mail was received on July 23rd but a few fortunate ones were the only individuals interested. There were many delightful walks about Roanne and these, together with the attractive inns, were early explored by officers and men. An excursion to Perreux was much enjoyed because of the elevated location of the town and its evident ancient origin. On one of the official hikes a good photograph of the officers was taken by an itinerant photographer and the same will be found reproduced in the text. Our advent in this neighborhood was a distinct novelty to the inhabitants inasmuch as the only Americans seen hereabouts had been a small detail of engineers. It seemed to many that it was unwise to unpack to any extent because it was doubtful if our stay in this locality was to be long. The institution which we occupied was not large enough for a base hospital's work but rather suited for a camp hospital, which it afterwards became. Hence no one was surprised when on July 23rd orders were received directing the bulk of the outfit to entrain for the Mars Hospital Centre, about a hundred miles north of our present situation. Lieut. Col. Herbert, Captains Calvert and Miller, Lieutenants Tyler and Bickford and seventeen men were left at Roanne to take charge of the property with the understanding that they would undoubtedly join us later. Major Dearborn, Captain Clark, Lieutenants Hynard and Grosvenor were ordered to the Mesves Hospital Center but traveled with the Unit as far as Mars. Our train as it left Roanne at 11:40 P. M., July 24th, consisted of nine cars and progressed very slowly, arriving at Mars-sur-Allier at 4 P. M. the next day. It was then switched on the U. S. Government tracks to the hospital center about two miles beyond.

Professional Activities

The Registrar of Base Hospital No. 48 reported that the total admissions to that Unit from July 29th, 1918, to January 15th, 1919, were 4822, of which 2960 were surgical and 1862 medical cases. The deaths numbered 85, being a trifle under two percent of the total admissions. The admissions by months were as follows:

July 1918: 9 August: 1828 September: 332 October: 1744 November: 601 December: 280 January 1919: 28 TOTAL: 4822

From the Operating Room report we gather the following interesting information. The number of operations performed was 332 by twenty-three different officers. Of this total number, Major Reynolds performed 84 operations; Lieut. Col. Honan, 71; Captain White, 42 and Major Grant 23 with the others scattering. When you consider the enormous number of operations performed by our men on detached service, it may be appreciated why our contribution to the cause was far greater than anything shown in this report. The first operation was performed on August 5th, 1918, being an enucleation of the eye by Captain Hetrick. The greatest number of operations performed in one day was 17 on August 26th, 1918. Six German prisoners were operated on and one or two French civilians. Miss Mackay was the nurse in charge of the operating room with Miss Chalmers as assistant, while Sergeant Herrick with Heyward, Phillipo, Armstrong and Yule, all rated as surgical assistants, comprised the operating force from the enlisted personnel. Most of the anesthetics were administered by Lieutenants Tyler and Hynard.

The report of the X-Ray Department is especially interesting because the only rotary converter in the Hospital Center for transforming direct current into suitable current for X-Ray work, was in the laboratory of Base Hospital No. 48 up to October 19th, 1918. Hence it was that the personnel of this department, consisting of Captain Johns and his assistants, Sergeant Upham and Privates Amendola and Bamman, not only cared for the work of our hospital unit but did all the X-Ray work referred from the other units in the Center. The first case was X-Rayed on August 15th, 1918, and the work continued uninterruptedly until 660 individual cases had been radiographed with a total of 1148 exposures. The busiest day was on Wednesday, September 18th, when power was available only from 2 P.M. to 4:30 P.M., during which period seventeen cases were radiographed. In addition to the regular work of the X-Ray Department, the Signal Corps work of the entire Center was undertaken by this department and included the taking of 338 officers' identification photos and no less than 181 miscellaneous photographs in and about the Hospital Center. The importance of this last mentioned activity can hardly be overestimated and reflects great personal credit upon Captain Johns who, upon his own initiative, brought over the necessary cameras which were not a part of the official equipment. This is another illustration of the usefulness of our Unit, the best equipped in Mars.

The Eye, Ear, Nose and Throat Department, under the charge of Captain Hetrick, treated 574 individual cases. The first patient was received August 2nd, 1918, and the daily attendance of both old and new cases averaged 40 during the period of our activities. The largest number of treatments on any one day was 104 on October 20th, 1918.

The Dental Department of Base Hospital No. 48 averaged 1500 dental operations per month, including 36 fractured jaws for which various plates were made, and functioned actively from the arrival of the Unit in Mars until January 11th, 1919, when the work was taken over by Evacuation Hospital No. 37. It was not until September 28th that the Dental Department was fully equipped and then it was necessary for it to do work for patients from all over the Hospital Center in as much as there was a shortage of dentists and dental equipment. In fact, our Department was the only dental organization fully equipped during the entire period of activities. Captain Leighton and Lieut. Hynard, assisted by Privates Kronmiller, Shapiro and Morris, constituted this able division.

The Unit Laboratory was considerably smaller than first contemplated because many of the pathological activities were centralized in the Central Laboratory to which our own Captain Olcott was assigned. Lieut. Zacks, assisted by technicians, presided over this department and a large mass of work was accomplished, of which it is impossible to give the exact figures.

The Dispensary Building, in which the Eye, Ear, Nose and Throat Department, the Dental Department and Laboratory were situated also contained a large room which was set apart for the treatment of out-patients. In this same building, a Surgical Dressing Station was established in August by Lieut. Chase, assisted by Private Brooks. Because of the congested condition of our regular wards, this station was provided in order that ambulant cases quartered in the tenu might have their wounds dressed and at the same time receive medical attention. The Hospital was so taxed with work during August and September that it was necessary to transfer all walking cases to tents in order to accommodate the more serious surgical cases in the permanent wards. When Lieut. Chase departed on September 1st for service at the Front, Captain Malony (assigned to "48" from Headquarters) assumed charge of the Dressing Station and of the tent patients. Our twelve tents at this time accommodated over five hundred patients so it was necessary to increase the staff of the Surgical Dressing Station, hence it was that Private Perry was assigned here as clerk to handle the paper work involved in reports, clinical records and field medical records. A little later Private Pariser was detailed to assist in surgical dressings. During the active months, the Dressing Station averaged 100 patients a day. What with new admissions, the discharge of men to duty, evacuations to the Convalescent Camp and to other hospitals, the Dressing Station was one of the busiest spots in the institution during the trying days of August, September, October and early November.

Our Pharmacy was a great credit in all respects not only because it was managed by real pharmacists who took pride in their work, but because eventually it became the best equipped and largest in the Center. The early facilities were very poor and the equipment limited. However, within ten days after the inception of the dispensary on August 4th, a full line of medicines issued by the Army was in stock and later our own admirable supply came in direct from the United States. It may be mentioned here that we were the only Unit in the Center possessing a complete line of homeopathic remedies. At first this department was lodged in a small room adjoining the operating room but later was moved to the building next door and there had an opportunity to present a real drug store with shelves, tables, desks and other familiar adjuncts. The prescription business was large, averaging about 75 daily until a total of 5608 new prescriptions had been filled when the department was given up on January 19th, 1919. No account is here made of renewals because no record was kept of the same. Dakin's Solution was made fresh each day, averaging about 15 gallons daily, with Brown's Mixture and Epsom Salts Solution running a close second and third. Our Pharmacy made its own distilled water and was able to turn out many prescriptions not called for in the Medical Department of the Army purely through the cleverness of those in charge. It was an admitted fact everywhere in the Center that if a prescription needed careful handling and individual attention it should be taken to "48's" Pharmacy. This department was so satisfactory to all concerned that it was with great regret that the personnel who manned it, had to eventually turn it over to Evacuation Hospital No. 37. The Department was opened by Sergeant Fletcher who was assisted by Privates Conrad, Granger, Ledger and Hoffman. After Sergeant Fletcher was commissioned, Private Conrad was given charge on December 1st. The two officers directly concerned with the management of the dispensary were Captain Randall and Lieut. Grosvenor.

At no time during the active history of the Unit did the Medical Service control and occupy more than six of the permanent wards. One of these was largely given over to chronic cases, another to the more acute ailments like pneumonia, a third was devoted entirely to skin diseases including mustard gas burns whose treatment was not surgical and another cared for erysipelas. Apart from the month during which Lieut. Col. Dearborn was in charge of this service, Captain Randall was Chief of the Medical Service and his untiring efforts, assisted by Captains Davies, Grosvenor, Miller and Stevenson, are responsible for the successful showing made by this section of the Unit. It may here be mentioned that most of Captain Stevenson's cases, neurological and mental in character, were housed in the tenu because they did not call for the careful nursing necessary to other cases and in many instances were soon transferred to less active units in readiness for removal to the United States.

The professional capabilities of a unit in the Army are often weighed by the influence that its various specialists exert in a consulting capacity. Early in the history of our activities, Captain Hetrick served as Consulting Eye Specialist for about a month. Captain Olcott was detached to the Center Laboratory in October serving as second and first assistant during the active period of operations and later became Chief of the Laboratory after the departure of the Unit from Mars. He deservedly received his Majority for this service. Captain Leighton was Dental Supervisor of the entire Center; Captain Stevenson, Consulting Psychiatrist and Lieut. Col. Dearborn, Consulting Dermatologist for the entire period of the War. After the departure of the Unit from Mars Stevenson was commissioned a Major and served as Consulting Psychiatrist to the Fifth Division, while Lieut. Col. Dearborn served as Consulting Dermatologist to the Debarkation Camp in Bordeaux and Lieut. Col. Honan became Chief Surgeon of the Clisson Area.