DUKE UNIVERSITY LIBRARY DURHAM, N. C. Rec'd ^&o»-’.vL4 ,f & // s*/ l AH : i Uvl y 7 The ^5" O- ; ’ - p^. Prevention of Disease in the War More Power for the Medical Department of the Army ii p By LOUIS LIVINGSTON SEAMAN, M. D. Late Surgeon Major, U. S. Vol. Engineer! Trustee American Defense Society 104308 Published by AMERICAN DEFENSE SOCIETY, Inc. National Headquarter! 44 East 23rd Street, New York Our Slogan Serve at the Front or Serve at Home Our Platform Universal Service by Citizens — at the front, or at hoi Universal Military Training Adequate Military Forces, on Land, at Sea and in I Air An American Merchant Marine The Enforcement of the Monroe Doctrine Government Co-operation with Business The World Safe for Democracy Our Program Exposure of German Atrocities The Putting Down of Sedition in the United States The Suppression of German Inspired Peace Propagan Stopping of all Trade with the Enemy, directly through neutral channels The Enforcement of the Death Penalty in Ameri against spies and traitors The Defeat of Germany fhe Prevention of Disease MORE POWER FOR THE MEDICAL DEPARTMENT OF THE ARMY T HE Bill now pending before Congress for the reorganization of the Medical De- partment of the Army is of as grave importance as anj^ measure that has jeen presented since the American nation entered jthe present war, and its fate may determine :.he final issue of the war. When it is remem- oered that the Medical Department has to com- bat a foe, that in all the great wars of history, excepting the Russo-Japanese, has caused 80 't per cent, of the entire mortality — never less dian four times, and often twenty times as many as the artillery, infantry, shells and all other 1 methods of physical destruction combined, the responsibility and importance of the medical officer in war will be appreciated. The Department he represents has never had the necessary authority to enable it to re- duce this frightful eighty per cent mortality to a minimum, and to do so without in any way in- terfering with the strategy, or military opera- tions of the war. The Medical Department of our Army is founded on the traditions of the British Medical Department of 1776, when preventive medicine was an unknown science, and the duty of the ! medical officer was to cure disease, instead of preventing it — of locking the stable door after ] Hhe theft had been committed. Our medical officers have never had the neces- sary rank and authority to prevent the develop- ment of the epidemics and other diseases in our 'tArmy that have caused the frightful mortality incident to War. Witness the records of the Spanish-American War in Cuba and Porto Rico and in the Philippines, which practically typify the conditions that existed in the Boer War in ; South Africa, in our own Civil War of 61-64, in the Russo-Turkish War, and in the British campaign in the Crimea. The Porto-Rican Expedition in the opera bouffe performance known as the Spanish War may be taken as an example, for nowhere in history is there found a more illuminating in- stance, a graver lesson, or a more terrible warn- ing than is there portrayed. For our country, it is the “Mene, Mene, Tekel Upharsin,” — the handwriting on the wall, so easily decipherable that he who runs may read ; and yet, in the glory in the War 'H0,9 Z7 1 >-Z, of victory, and the enjoyment of prosperity, iti lesson has passed unheeded. The story of the Expedition is brief. Abou J 20,000 American troops landed in Porto Rico while the Spanish on the Island numbered abom 17,000. Several skirmishes occurred, in which according to the Surgeon General’s report three men were lost from the casualties of war The object of the war, the breaking of the chains of Spanish despotism and spoliation, which foi centuries had held a race in shameful moral serf- dom, was soon accomplished, and the war — from the strictly military standpoint, was over From our first arrival, the natives of the island welcomed our battalions with vivas of applause strewing our advancing march with flowers, and their masses were prepared to joyfully second our efforts for their complete emancipation. That is the beautiful story history presents. Lest we forget, as a Nation, and lie supine in the easy content of this picture, let me invite atten- tion for a moment to a further study of the re- port of the Surgeon General for that war. It states that, although only three men fell from the casualties of battle during that entire cam- paign in Porto Rico, 262, or nearly one hundred times as many, died from preventable causes. It fails, however, to state that the number of hospital admissions, nearly equaled the entire strength of the invading army, and that the camps of the army, from one end of the island to the other, were pestiferous hot-beds of dis- ease, before they had been occupied a month; so that, had the bugle sounded for action, only a small percentage of the units would have been in a condition to respond to the call. Nor was this state of affairs confined to Porto Rico. In the invading armies of the Philippines and Cuba the same conditions prevailed. The official figures as shown on the following table were furnished me by the Surgeon Gen- eral of the Army, on the 10th day of October, 1905, and cover the vital statistics of the United States Military Expeditions for the year 1898. Deaths Deaths from from Battle Casualties. Disease. In the Philippine Islands 17 203 In Porto Rico 3* 262 In Cuba 273 567 In the U. S. Home Camps, etc 2,649 Total deaths 293 3,681 Or about one from casualties to thirteen from disease. The report further shows that while the aver- age mean strength of the army enlisted for the ♦Two of these deaths resulted from a stroke of lightning in a thunder storm. it mish War was about 170,000, the total num- of admissions to the hospitals was on Sep- 011 iber 10, 1898, over 158,000, or 90 per cent. ico is in a war of less than three months dura- ou a, and in which more than three-fourths of ii soldiers never left the camps of their native d d. '3i The Japanese army for the same period had is >ut 4 per cent, hospital admissions, or one it)! snty-second times as many. 'The vast difference in favor of the Japanese >H ares illustrates the value of a medical and oi litary department properly equipped to en- « ce practical sanitation, dietary, and other pre- ■ itive measures. 11 The greatest tragedy of War lies not on the 11 ;tle field but in the failure of a government to itect its guardians from preventable diseases, ; reby immeasurably increasing the suffering 1 mortality incident to it. This can be largely svented by giving the medical officer authority enforce sanitation, and supervisory control ir the rations of the troops. Every death from preventable disease is an ult to the intelligence of the age. If it occurs the army, it becomes a governmental crime, om the beginning the State deprives the sol- :r of his liberty, prescribes his hours of rest, exercise, equipment, dress, diet, and the lo- ity in which he shall reside; and in the hour danger it expects him, if necessary, to lay wn his life in defence of its honor. It should, srefore, give him the best sanitation and the 1st medical supervision the science of the age a devise, be it American, Japanese or Pata- nian, — a fact of which Congress will do well 1 take cognizance at the earliest moment. For, fit as surely as the engineer who disregards the j;nals, or the train dispatcher who gives wrong iders, is legally responsible for the loss of man life in the wreck which follows, so Con- ess, or the medical system of our Army, is [sponsible for all soldiers’ lives that are need- gssly and criminally sacrificed, — not on the orious field of battle, but in diseased camps, )m preventable causes. Herbert Spencer, in his “Synthetic Philos- hy,” refers to “the ill treatment accorded the edical officers of the English Army as a late ‘rvival of the days of feudalism, and contempt Ir the purely scientific.” If wars are inevitable, and the slaughter of en must go on (and I believe wars are inevi- I ble, and that most of them are ultimately meficial), then let our men be killed legiti- ately on the field, fighting for the stake at sue, and not dropped by the wayside from ■eventable disease, as they did in the Spanish- American War — 1,300 for every 100 that died action. It is for the 1,300 brave fellows who needlessly sacrificed, never for the 100 who f gallantly fighting, that I offer my prayer. I believe that if our Medical Department the Spanish-American War had been systen tized, with sufficient numbers, with supervise control over the ration, and with power enforce sanitary and hygienic regulatioi the men of our army would have returned to thP homes at the close of the campaign, in bet physical condition than when they entered improved by their summer outing. An army might be suffering from diarrhea ( j slight intestinal catarrh, due to change of wat of ration, or climate (and I have seen 90 ]! cent, of an entire command in this condition i one time), compelled to live on a diet of pc and beans and fermented canned rubbish tl in six weeks prostrated 50 per cent, of its nu: ber with intestinal diseases, and sent three the sand to their everlasting homes, to say nothi of the enormous number invalided, and the sc enty-five thousand pension claims that follow as the result. Until the men were admitted hospital wards the medical officer had no s thority to even order a rice diet, which woi have prevented the men from becoming inv lided. This was one of the principal caus that brought our army of 170,000 men the Spanish War almost to its knees i three months, and sent the survivors hor in the shrunken and shriveled conditl which many of us still remember. In all the wars in which the United Stai have engaged, disease has been responsible 1 more than 70 per cent, of the mortality, me than half of which could have been easily pi vented, had the Medical Department be properly empowered to meet its obligatio; Preventable disease, more than wounc swells the pension list. Statistics of t Pension Office prove that if this unnecessa loss had been avoided, the saving in pensic alone, in every war in which America has pc ticipated, would have paid the cost of the suiting war in every twenty- five years. Asi ! from the sorrow of the homes made desola consider the economic value of the 70 per cei; of lives needlessly sacrificed, that might ha been saved as breadwinners in industrial pursui In an address delivered before the Intern tional Congress of Military Surgeons in 19( after my return from the Russo-Japanese Wc I said: “Perhaps the day is not distant when anoth summons will come to join the Army of the R public, when the first call may be, not as in ti ri ivil War for 75,000 men, nor as in the Spanish ) 7ar for 250,000, but when, more likely it will 2 for a round half million, to be followed pos- bly by another of equal number. And the i| aestion will be asked by the young patriot of lat day, not “who is the enemy to be met,” — 3, the American boy is not built that way, — at he will demand to know what measures ave been taken to insure him against the lent enemy that kills the eighty per cent, nd when he learns the same prehistoric regu- .tions as to sanitation and protection against lis foe are in force as existed in 1904, will he jispond to his country’s call? Yes, he will — ,>r that is the way the American boy is built, nd he will follow, as did his forebears, in their lotsteps; and he will fall by the wayside as lev did before. And history will record an- ther crime.” We see by the light of thousands of years, And the knowledge of millions of men, The lessons they learned through blood and in tears Are ours for the reading, and then ■iVe sneer at their errors and follies and dreams, Their frail idols of mind and of stone, And call ourselves wiser, forgetting it seems, That the future may laugh at our own.” Give the Medical Officer rank, and authority, l all matters apertaining to sanitation and pre- entable disease, and supervision over the ration, lr hen such authority will not interfere with the trategy of the officer of the line; and then, if pidemics or other preventable diseases occur, ave him court-martialed and cashiered from he Army, as though he were a traitor and a spy. Respectfully yours, Louis Livingston Seaman, Late Surgeon Major U. S. Vol. Engineers. 3 Spartanburg, S. C., March 28, 1918. | PATRIOTISM CALLS YOU. ‘ertificate of Membership and Society button will be mailed from Headquarters rmerican Defense Society Inc., 4th Avenue at 23d Street, N. Y.: Please enroll me as a member of the American Defense Society, enclose my check for $1.00 — Annual Membership. $5.00 — Sus- -tining Membership. $10.00 — Subscribing Membership. $25.00 ? -Contributing Membership. $100.00 — Life Membership. I rime I treat Address fity and State Date 191 . . Make checks payable to Robert Appleton, Treasurer American Defense Society, Inc National Headquarters Fourth Ave. and 23rd St., New Yori Honorary President HON. THEODORE ROOSEVELT. Ex-President of the United States Honorary Vice-Presidents HON. DAVID JAYNE HILL Ex-Ambassador to Get many HON. ROBERT BACON. Ex- Ambassador to France HON. PERRY BELMONT. Vice-President , NaCy League HON. CHARLES J. BONAPARTE Ex- Attorney General, U. S, JOHN GRIER HIBBEN, President, Princeton Unioersity HENRY B. JOY. Ex- President, Lincoln Highway Ass' CHARLES S. FAIRCHILD Executive Officers RICHARD M. HURD. Chairman , Board of Trustees ROBERT APPLETON, Treasurer HENRY C. QUINBY. Chairman, Executive Committee H. D. CRAIG, Secretary GEORGE GARNER. Director , Washington News Bureau CARPENTER AUDIT COMPANY Auditors Board of Trustees RICHARD M. HURD— Chairman President. Lawyers Mortgage Co. GEORGE B. AGNEW, ROBERT APPLETON. Publisher BARTLETT ARKELL, President. Beech Nut Packing Co. H. F. ATHERTON. Attorney JAMES M. BECK BERTRAM H. BORDEN. Merchant GEORGE F. BROWNELL. Vice-President. Erie R. R. GEORGE R. CARTER, Former Governor Hawaii SAMUEL HARDEN CHURCH CHARLES STEWART DAVISON LEE de FOREST. Inventor HENRY M. EARLE JAMES D. ELLSWORTH GEORGE ETHRIDGE BRADLEY A. FISKE. Rear-Admiral U. S. N., Retired WILLIAM H. GARDINER. Consulting Engineer WILLIAM GUGGENHEIM DE FOREST HICKS. Banker GEORGE A. HURD. President Mortgage Bond Co. EDWIN 0. HOLTER. Attorney WILLIAM T. HORNADAY, Director. N. Y. Zoological Park LUTHER B. LITTLE. Insurance LYLE E. MAHAN, Attorney HENRY E. MEEKER. Merchant CLEVELAND MOFFETT. Author STUART D. PRESTON. Attorney HENRY C. QUINBY. Attorney JOHN J. RIKER. Merchant CHARLES L. ROBINSON ROBERT C. SANDS LOUIS LIVINGSTON SEAMAN. Late Major, Medical Corps, U. S. V JOHN STONE STONE, Consulting Electrical Engineer JULIAN STREET. Author CLARENCE S. THOMPSON LESLIE J. TOMPKINS. JAMES N. WALLACE. President. Central Trust Co. THOMAS L. WATSON. Brig. -Gen. N. G.. Con.. Retired, EVERETT P. WHEELER Report of DR. LOUIS LIVINGSTON SEAMAN President of The British War Relief Association, Inc. of New York and member of the Advisory Board of The American Volunteer Motor Ambulance Corps, Inc. /£ // Tr/ 1 7 (Section Sanitaire Americaine No. 7) of France to the members of The British War Relief Association, Inc., on his return from his second visit to the War Zone October 23rd, 1916. To say that I am delighted to be with you again, would very inadequately express my thanks for such a welcome. But it is sincerely appreciated and I am more than happy to see the work of the Association being pushed so vigorously, for there never was a tiqie when it was so terribly needed as at the present moment. During the past two months, Mrs. Seaman and I have indeed had rather a lurid series of experiences — incidents that make one believe, that a crowded hour of glorious life, is worth an age with- out, an aim. Even our crossings could hardly be called monotonous. No sooner had we passed the Light Ship, than we encountered our Fleet practicing their summer maneuvers off Newport — and later three British Cruisers were seen patrolling the ocean highway. On approaching the French Coast two torpedo boats met us, and traw- lers, with minesweepers, convoyed us safely to the harbor at Bor- deaux. On our return voyage in a British steamer, “U-53,” which on the previous day had sunk three ships, was in our waters when a wireless message from a British Cruiser warned us that she lay directly in our path. Life belts were ordered, life boats lowered, the ship sealed, and we followed a zig zag course for many miles until we escaped the destroyer. Our passenger list was larger than any since the sinking of the Lusitania, and it was pitiable to see the terror among the old men and women in the steerage, although all showed good courage in facing what seemed to be an inevitable fate. The first real evidences of War seen in France were many hundreds of men with large letters printed on their backs, “P. G.” Prisonniers de Guerre. They were well fed, healthy looking Ger- mans who had been detailed by the French to a better employment than murdering women and children and spreading death and de- struction in the burning of cities. As we passed through the country , between Bordeaux and Paris, the absence of men was most noticeable. Women and little children were toiling in the fields, gathering the harvests, or plowing for the coming crops, while the men were doing their duty in the Army. In Paris we made the Hotel Edward VII. our headquarters and our first visit was made to the American Relief Clearing House which was formerly the home of Mr. Herrick, the American 104308 Ambassador. It is recognized by the French Government as an institution of great power and influence, and, after troops and munitions of war, its freight is given right of way on all railroads. It is superbly organized with Executive Officers who are in touch with the British as well as the French Hospitals, and who push its work with dispatch. It controls three enormous warehouses from which most of its goods are distributed to sections of the War Zone. Many thousand cases are sent to be distributed at the dis- cretion of its Officers. 5300 were received the week we were there. I regard this Institution as the one above all others that ac- complishes the most direct work of Relief in France. Mr. Beatty Chairman, and Mr. Barbour, its Secretary, are untiring in their zeal, and their work has won universal admiration. They give you, Ladies of the British War Relief Ass’n, great commendation for your generous contributions and especially for the well packed, uniformly sized cases we send. It was a rare pleasure to recognize these familiar boxes, many of which arrived while we were there, having come by the Lafayette on which we had crossed, thus proving the promptness with which shipments are dispatched and delivered. Every recognized American Relief Association has a Bastion or Warehouse, over seventy of which were given by the French Government. They are located on a part of the old Champs de Mars, near the Trocadero. Here, repacking, or redirecting of cases is done by ladies connected with the various Associations, after which they are forwarded to their destinations. The Surgical Dressings Committee desire to accomplish the federation of work under its direction, with headquarters in Paris. It is in close touch with and supplies the needs of many hospitals. We next visited the Hotel Astoria on the Champs Elysees the Paris headquarters of the British Red Cross, with Colonel Robin- son in command. Not many Officers or men are there at present, as the British wounded are sent to England with all possible cel- erity. It was here that the Japanese Red Cross had its Unit during the first year of the War, and left an enviable record. Doctor Rob- inson sends his warmest thanks to you all for your many contri- butions, especially to Mrs. Rice for the generous supply of anes- thetics recently received. The American Ambulance at Neuilly, where I saw our dress- ings in use, is continuing its magnificent work for humanity. As you probably know this institution was in process of erection at the outbreak of the War, and was designed for a public school to be known as the Lycee Pasteur, named for that great genius of France who discovered the microbic origin of disease, and whose name will go down to posterity as long as history lasts. One can easily imagine the delight with which that great savant, would have watched the reconstruction of the mutilated heroes, wounded while fighting for the honor and liberty of their beloved Country. Our American Surgeons there, are making a specialty in plastic operations, especially in restoring faces and jaws. One of the most serious cases was a British Officer whose face had been almost en- tirely blown away by a fragment of shrapnel, and which is being ; 2 gradually restored by grafting on new tissue. The courage with which such victims face not only death, but life, is one of the mar- vels of the age. The French Wounded Emergency Fund, with headquarters in London under the Patronage of H. E. The British Ambassador, is an Association deserving high commendation, and one with which we should come in closer touch. It is doing fine work in Brittany, and near the firing line in France. The American Fund for French Wounded, to which we have contributed, typifies the spirit of France as it exists today. It is located in the Building of the old Alcazar, formerly one of the gayest resorts of Paris where sounds of revelry were heard, not only by night, but in the wee hours of the morning. But what a transformation. Today its gilded halls are filled with surgical dressings and vast stores of hospital supplies gathered from all parts of our country, and being distributed for the restoration of the victims of this awful tragedy. In the temporary absence of Mrs. Lathrop, Miss Vail was performing her duties, and bade me thank you for our part in their work. They placed a military motor at my disposal in which we visited several hospitals in the environs. Among them Doctor Blake’s Institution at Ris Orangis where we saw many more familiar British War Relief Dressings and where he and Doctor Taylor are doing some of the best surgi- cal work of the War in the treatment of comminuted fractures with destruction of large areas of tissue by shrapnel shells. Another institution where special War Surgery is proving most successful is at the Hospital of St. Nicholas, where seventy- five patients suffering from appalling burns from explosive shells, clouds of flame and tar shells, were being treated with wonderful results. The method consists in thoroughly sterilizing the wound and then applying a spray of liquid wax and paraffin at a high temperature to the raw surfaces. The excruciating pain is relieved almost instantly, and new skin tissue rapidly forms over the entire wound, instead of leaving cicatricial tissue and the frightful scars, which formerly characterized such cases. Paraffin is difficult to obtain in France, and a special appeal is made for it. I know of few nobler purposes to which we could devote some of our offerings. Miss Winifred Holt at The Phare a beautiful old mansion be- longing to the Pope, had thirty-five soldiers who are totally blind. The home resembles a club where these unfortunates live and are being instructed, as in the Light House in New York, in weaving, typewriting, telephoning and other ways which will enable them to become self supporting. They were thankful for the Braille Records sent from The British War Relief. A little romance in the Insti- tute occurred while we were there, and resulted in the wedding of a French nurse with one of the blind soldiers she had found, not only blind, but insane from shock, and under her care, had re- covered his reason. The National work for the blind victims of the War is at Reuilly, where Government re-education is being carried out on an extensive scale. Hundreds of men are here taught the art of bas- ket making, finishing and assembling castings for motor cars, shoe 3 making, anatomy and message telegraphing and other occupations. The Institution was formerly a Monastery surrounded by beauti- ful gardens and parks. Many French ladies come here during recreation hours, acting as attendants as well as friends, and making it seem almost as a garden party to the passer-by, in con- trast to the terrible tragedy of which the men are the victims. There is no self pity there — and sounds of laughter are often heard. At the Grand Palais on the Champs Elysees.the vocational re- education of the mutilated is being conducted on a magnificent scale. Instead of the usual display of the works of the greatest masters of the world, — there are now seen thousands of the wrecks of humanity who have recovered from their wounds and are being taught useful trades. Peasants, incapacitated from rural pursuits by the loss of one or perhaps both legs are being taught shoe-mak- ing, tailoring, designing, or as barbers, soap-makers, and other trades. It is a veritable beehive of industry, where men are being renewed with hope, and made self-supporting, and self-respecting. Often you hear them making gruesome jokes on their own mis- fortunes, but always with the spirit of courage and good cheer. It is the spirit of France which cannot be crushed, but which, “Phoe- nix like, from its ashes will rise again to Jove.” In another section of this Grand Palais, formerly the home of the masterpieces of the greatest artists of the world, and treasures which rival those of the Louvre, and Vatican, may now be seen hundreds of the maimed, fresh from the Battlefields of Verdun and the North, — with their Red Cross attendants, who have dbne so much to palliate the sufferings and horrors of War. But in all this vast throng one rarely hears a moan or complaint. In contrast to these scenes and just across the way stands the Petit Palais where are found treasures brought from the ruins of France and Flanders, and tapestries picturing the wreck- age and desolation of battle scenes, centuries old, depicting the bravery of the men of France, who in ancient days fought for the same liberty, and same ideals, they are now giving their life blood so freely to protect. Le Secours de Guerre, in the old Seminary of Champs Sulpice, in Paris, to which we have also sent many contributions, was most interesting. Over 2,000 refugees, of more than 600 are children from the invaded districts, here find a happy home, where all are given work, and the children are trained in athletic exercises, as well as by books. The Institution was started by the Police and Tradesmen of the District, but has since been taken over by the Minister of War and the City of Paris. Here, came these poor refugees almost naked, and were fed and given lodgings and re- clothed. A department for refitting and mending of old clothes, and shops for repairing are in active operation. Other Institutions that are ministering to hundreds of the needy are those of Mrs. Wharton, Madame Pinto, Mrs. Mygatt, Mrs. Duryea and Madame d’Hemptinne, whilst Mrs. Robert W. Bliss, who organized the American Distributing Service, has her own motor trucks, whereby relief is given to many distressing cases, off the main travelled roads. The Rev. Dr. Watson of the American Church in Paris, is on 4 many of the Official Committees, representing French, Belgian, and British interests. His work cannot be too highly commended. I make another special appeal for him. Each month he supplies 1,000 pairs of socks to the Belgian Army, which is but a small item of his daily output, and our assistance is greatly needed. Mile. De Guilhou is doing excellent work for the impoverished ladies of France, and the splendid generosity of wealthy Americans in Paris is evidenced at the palatial homes of James S. Stillman, Mr. Hyde, and others who have turned their houses into temporary hospitals or convalescent homes for French Officers. It is acts of this nature, and the splendid work you and the women of America are doing that has endeared America to the hearts of the French Nation. France is now federating all Refugee Associations under the government supervision, especially where they relate to the care and education of the War Orphans upon which the Country de- pends largely for its future prosperity. The fate of these little ones in both France and Belgium is causing much solicitude; for both Countries sadly need them for the restoration of their lost popu- lations. Baron Vitea has established an Orphanage for 2,500 such children in the University of Faubourg. It is called the Univer- site-Populaire-du-Faubourg-Saint-Antoine, where a pledge is given that the little ones will never be abandoned to vice or misery. Mrs. Bliss, Madame Carton de Wiart and others, are doing the same noble work. For many years, Germany has practically monopolized the export trade in toys. One of the interesting institutions for the employment of convalescent soldiers is the making of toys to sup- ply this trade, and the result is proving most satisfactory. Presi- dent Poincaire, is its President, and it promises to become a national industry. One Sunday morning, we motored to Compiegne, some fifty miles from Paris through much of the Country fought over in the Seventy Days Battle of the Oise and the Marne, passing through the ruins of Senlis on the way route. It was here the Germans demonstrated their chivalry by burning the town and shooting the Maire and his Cabinet because a few defenders of the place were discovered in it, after they supposed it had been evacuated. They buried the Maire with his feet in the air. This great battle will pass in history as the pivotal one of the War, for it was here, and on the Oise and the Aisne, that the Germans were beaten back, back, from Meaux, — twelve miles from Paris, to the hills fifty miles be- yond, near Soissons, and Compiegne, where they are entrenched today. In a beautiful old Chateau transformed into an up-to-date ambuance by its presiding genius Doctor Alexis Carrel, we halted. And here is being done the most scientific and brilliant surgery of this war. The method by which this result is attained is by con- stant irrigation of the wound with a simple solution of chloride of lime, carbonate of soda and bicarb of soda, brought in contact with every part of the wound by little rubber tubes, which kill septic 5 germs, and by so doing, all pain is at once relieved. Soldiers with terrible wounds of extremities which in past wars would have been treated by prompt amputation, are now cured in three or four months and returned to their Colors. Compound comminuted fractures with frightful lacerations and loss of tissue, resulting from shrapnel and explosions, even when seriously infected and septic, are sterilized by this process and successfully treated as simple fractures. Never have I passed a more illuminating day than the one with this distinguished surgeon, as we moved from laboratory to ward and from patient to patient, listening to his words of wisdom and witnessing the wonderful results of his genius. I asked him, in what manner our Association could serve him. “Send me Rubber Gloves,” he said. “They are very difficult to obtain in France.” And it’s needless to say they have already started on their way. Our visit to Chateau d’Annel was most interesting. It is the beautiful home of Mrs. C. Mitchell Depew, the first residence con- verted into an Ambulance in this great war. As we entered the door, the booming of the enemies’ guns could be distinctly heard. It became an Ambulance on the 29th of August, 1914, and was ac- cepted by Lord Kitchener twelve hours later, when its first patients were admitted. On the 30th of August, the German advance made its evacuation necessary, but on the 17th of Sept, it was again opened under the auspices of the British Red Cross, in whose ser- vice I inspected it, on this very Anniversary, two years ago. It is directly behind the last line of defence, which is exactly where it was at that time. Two British Batteries are located near the Col Barton commanding. He and Major Holliday and Lieut. Atkins came to meet us and Dr. Partridge conducted us to the trenches, and wire entanglements which extend directly to the Front line of Defence, or Firing Line. Here heavy guns are mount- ed, and as at Rheims exchange of shells is frequent. On the evening of Sept. 12th, Mr. Harjes, Chairman of our American Motor Ambulance Corps, called for me and we left Paris by motor for Chalons Sur Marne. En route to Verdun we passed innumerable trains of lorries loaded with supplies of munitions for Verdun, and at eight, next morning, reached Marquenterre, one of the fortifications defending Verdun, where our Corps is stationed. Lieut. Richard Norton who has been decorated by the Republic with the Croix de Guerre gave us a warm welcome. The night had been comparatively quiet and only four wounded had been brought to the Emergency Hospital. But forty Germans had made their escape from their trenches and had surrendered to the French. They reported the recent mortality among their companions had been terribly severe. Realizing that to remain meant almost cer- tain death, they decided to surrender. While crossing “No Man’s Land,” thirty of them became frightened and refused to go further. But the other ten came to the Lines and were hospitably received. One of the prisoners told the story of his frightened companions and was permitted to return to them. On learning how their com- rades had been treated they determined to follow their example, and soon they too, were safely within the French Line. I conversed 6 with all of these men and, every one expressed delight on escaping from further military service during the War and complained of the cruelty of their officers. Such testimony is evidence of the loss of morale that is affecting the German Army, which is shown in many other ways. That of the French was never so fine as it is today. Verdun has cost the Huns over one half a million men, and a loss of prestige from which they will never recover. All the following night and the next, the continuous artillery fire resembled the distant roar of thunder. Occasionally there were more violent outbursts, but the roar was uninterrupted and we welcomed the morning. War as practiced today is entirely different from anything here- tofore known in history. There is none of the pageantry of battle, as pictured in the historic works of Meissonier and Detaille, or Verestchagen, with legions in brilliant uniforms marching toward each other with fixed bayonets or flashing sabres; while gaily plumed aides de camp on dashing steeds rush to and fro with or- ders, while generals sit on their mounts, issuing occasional com- mands, as the rattle of musketry and boom of artillery fills the air with their thunder — all that has passed — dead as the age of ro- mance. Never again will a great war take place in which the con- testants can even see each other. Never again will a great war occur on the surface of the earth or on the Sea. It will be fought largely under ground, in the air, or under water. Today, war is a game of hide and seek, where the fighting armies live under ground, in dugouts or trenches, while the hundreds of thousands of reserves are completely conceaeld in woods or hidden covers in the rear. The fighting fronts are the most advanced line of trenches, and “No Man’s Land” is between — a space possibly not more than 100 yards in width. The Artillery of the opposing forces hurl their shells of enormous calibre by thousands over the heads of their own armies, to the lines of the enemy far beyond, or to his trenches, in an effort to destroy him or drive him from his cover, thus giving the oppos- ing force an opportunity to advance and capture the trench. It is then when the terrible charges occur, when men are slaughtered by the hundred by rapid firing guns or bayonets, in hand to hand fighting. To show one’s self at other times is only to become an instant target for some vigilant sniper who quickly puts the ex- posed soldier hors de combat. Avions, who are the eyes of the Army, direct the fire of the Artillery by wireless messages sent from great heights. At other times the battle field often looks as lonely as a deserted grave-yard — where are seen only puffs of white smoke as it bursts from some exploding shell. The morning after our arrival, I was invited by the Command- ing Officer, Col De to visit the first line of trenches. It was raining in torrents and the Colonel insisted upon my wearing a long poncho, and a steel helmet and we started through the tor- tuous connecting trenches eight feet deep which wormed their weary way three long miles to the extreme front. Peering over the parapet through a trenchiscope, and through the net work of wire entanglements we could distinctly see the lines of the Boches less than 400 yards away, where they were keeping vigil. The artillery three miles in our rear were dropping occasional 75’s or 7 90’s, as near as the gunners could aim. At the same time the Ar- tillery of the Germans, quite as far behind their lines were return- ing the compliment, sometimes with interest. One of their shells burst within ten yards and everyone except the sentinel hustled into the dugout forty feet below. This was a dimly lighted exca- vation, cut in the hard chalky clay, where the men retire for safety, and where some of them sleep. It was comparatively dry, and com- fortable, and safe from heavy shell fire. Its low walls were deco- rated with pictures and newspaper prints and it could hold about thirty men. A communicating trench led to the rear, thus provid- ing an extra avenue of escape in case of attack. The trenches are always very crooked, to avoid the possibility of enfilading fire. Along their sides telephone and telegraph wires are fastened with frequent stations, where men can communicate with each other, or with the artillery in the rear. In the sides of the trenches little niches are cut forming steps in which the soldiers can sit if not on sentinel duty, and every 100 yards or so is a small dugout, ten or twelve feet deep, reached by steps where the wounded are brought, and given first aid. It is usually lighted by candles and used as a dressing station, where men can be made comparatively comfort- able on the rough beds provided. The first dressing is generally done by a stretcher bearer, who not infrequently paints the wounds with iodine, and applies a pad or bandage. (That’s where our oakum pads should come in.) He also gives a tablet or hypodermic of morphia if the patient is suffering severely, in which cases he paints a blue cross near the wound to indicate to the surgeon that this medicine has been administered. At night the wounded man is carried on a stretcher through the long tortuous connecting trench to the rear, often two miles distant, where an ambulance awaits him, and he is taken to the nearest field-hospital, where in the morning he receives further treatment, — that is, if he is not already dead. The headquarters of one of the sections of our American Motor Ambulance is near Marquenterre, where twelve motors are kept in constant readiness to answer emergency calls. Stationary Balloons for observation, looking like enormous Bo- logna sausages, are almost always in evidence near the field of action with which wireless communication is maintained and avions are frequently seen near the lines. On one occasion at a point near the German line it was my good fortune to see two avions, in action, and to hear the rattle of their rapid firing guns, but they disap- peared beyond the enemies’ lines. The swallow, a most graceful bird-like aeroplane invented by the French, is a marvel, that sur- passes the German Fokker in speed and lightness. It can attain a velocity of 120 miles an hour, and has already brought down many of the much vaunted Fokkers. We saw thirty of these in the Aero- drome at Bar le Due, near which place one of them had vanquished its German rival two days before. Often the avions attack the munition and supply trains on their way to the front and in the early days of the war they proved a serious menace. It was here the artists of France contributed their quota of protection. Along the most exposed places they built canvas covered sheds over the roadways and painted the outside in colors resembling the adjoin- ing fields, thus deceiving the avions who from a height failed to 8 distinguish the deception. To further carry out the disguise, some distance away, they laid canvas or white clay across the fields, in imitation of a road — and on the canvass painted scenes resembling passing troops or lorries and munition trains which the avions fre- quently mistook for the real thing and shelled — while the trans- ports went on safely under cover miles away. It was a clever de- vice and worked successfully. On the way to Rheims we passed many miles under such protection, or where the road was protected by artificial hedges of brush or evergreens. We have in all, 75 cars in our American Vol. Motor Ambulance at the various stations among which are two sent by this Associa- tion, both of which have done excellent service. One day, our men evacuated over 600 wounded. Eight of our chauffeurs have re- ceived the Croix de Guerre, and all have been “cited in orders” for their courageous performance of duty while under fire. Two have been wounded, one mortally, and two ambulances were splintered by shrapnel. The Corps has recently been reorganized under the chairmanship of Mr. IT. H. Harjes of Paris, and the American Red Cross, with Lieut. Norton as chief Officer in the Field, and has been made an integral part of the French Army, designated as “Corps Sanitaire No. 7.” We hope during the next year to double its working force. * * * The following Sunday was one long to be remembered. With Commandmant Etat-Major of the French Army, wearing his Croix de Guerre, we visited Rheims. The country through which we ran with our military car at high speed, was one of the most beautiful in lovely France. For miles we followed the valley of the Marne, on whose historic banks the greatest battle of the War, except Verdun, was fought and won, and thousands of little crosses still mark the resting places of many of the men who in their last fight turned the tide to victory, and drove the Hun back to his cover. On the way we saw the beautiful and historic Chateau of the Duke de Chandon, whose owner in 1870 purchased immunity for the people of Epernay and its vine clad hills, from Bismarck for 500,000 marks, when the German hordes were on their triumphant march to Paris. History repeats itself, but with variations. To- day the women are again toiling in the fields and vineyards while their men are winning victories that will maintain their liberty, — free from the vassalage of the hated Hun, and his hated Kultur. It was noon when we reached Rheims, whose deserted buildings and streets had been again torn by bombardment, only two hours before our arrival. The City resembles a City of the Dead. Blocks of houses had been completely wrecked by bursting shells, and tall grass was growing between the stones of the pave- ments, once crowded by a happy people. Many of the lone chim- neys like gaunt sentinels, mark the scene, while great yawning gashes in the walls of lonely buildings show the merciless punish- ment the enemy had inflicted. It was nearly noon when we reached the Cathedral, — that marvel of mediaeval architecture, whose mag- nificent proportions and beauty thrilled me almost as did my first sight of the Taj Mahal, although entirely different. It stands alone, deserted — except by the exquisite and untouched statue of of Jean d’Arc, that faces its portals, as though in mourning and 9 sorrow, for the sins its assassins had committed. Heaven grant that France may leave it as it stands, scarred by the pitiless shells of a pitiless foe, a perpetual monument to the most monstrous crime in history. Nothing could visualize more forcefully the hein- ous barbarities and inhumanity of the Huns, than this architectural pile in its silent dignity and beauty. The Sacristan had been notified of our coming, and awaited us in the Plaza. He unlocked the temporary door that had been erected to protect the ruins and admitted us to the interior. The floor near the Eastern entrance was piled high with stones, por- tions of the roof through which a large obus had fallen. At the time of the attack, many German wounded were being carefully treated on beds of straw by the priests and attendants of the Cathedral. It was this straw that caught fire when the obus ex- ploded and burned much of the interior wood work of one of the towers, destroying several beautiful pieces of statuary, and some of the pulpits, while the Priests carried the wounded to places of safety. 11,255 shells have fallen in the City, more than 150 of which, — the Sacristan informed us, — had struck the cathedral marring its marvelous statuary, spire, and gargoyles. The Cathedral has a double roof, the outer of which is practically crushed to pieces, — but only two shells penetrated its heavy interior roof. One of these tore an angry wound, and fell near the altar, spattering its splin- ters of steels through the woodwork, destroying many sacred pic- tures, but leaving the Crucifix, and its symbolism of the supreme Agony unharmed. It would seem to indicate that the brave heroes of this dreadful tragedy, are giving their lives in the same spirit that the Saviour gave his, as a sacrifice for humanity, — to escape the hell of German triumph and tyranny. It was gratifying to find the main structure, comparatively uninjured. Although its interior was badly wrecked, its beautiful windows were nearly all intact, except the Rose Window, much of which, with its glorious 12th Century glass, had been shattered. A few fragments were found among the debris and presented to us by the Sacristan as souvenirs of German barbarism. The Palace of the Archbishop which adjoined the Cathedral is a mass of indistinguishable wreckage. We passed through deserted streets piled with the debris of fallen buildings, over which vines are now climbing, with wild flowers among the ruins. Two miles away are the German entrenchments. Neither tramcars nor telephones nor gas, nor electricity remains in the city which is still under fire. The few remaining inhabitants sleep in cellars, or have their offices in the great champagne caves, where schools for the children are conducted. Curiously enough, the vintages of the past two years have been far above the average, and most of the liquid sunshine of the hills and valleys of that section of France, is now safely stored under ground, having been garnered and pressed by the old men and women and children living in these caves. The city is well stocked with provisions and fruits and vege- tables are abundant, with the prices lower than usual. On the following day in answer to a telegram received from Dr. De Page, I left for Belgium, passing through Etaples, Boulogne and Calais on the Way. Imagine my delight on reaching Calais 10 and meeting two of Dr. De Page’s Assistants, who had come from La Panne in the identical motor car that our generous friend Mrs. Stromberg had presented to him through our Association. It seemed like meeting an old friend. A run of forty miles through a part of France via Dunkirk, brought us to La Panne, the present home of the great Surgeon- General of the Belgian Army, where on the Digue de Mer, we re- newed the friendship made in the early days of the war. Nearly 5,000 patients are in the hospitals here, where the same surgical technique as used by Dr. Carrell is being effectively practiced. For two days I was the Doctor’s guest, and with him in the operating room; and while there was invited to a private audience with H. M. Queen Elizabeth, who bade me give you her most gracious thanks and greetings. She spoke in keenest praise of America’s generosity to her people, who, but for this wonderful assistance would have perished from the earth — and of the deep obligation of her suffering country to our land. She is a rare jewel without the setting, proving the royal character, without its pageantry; a fitting mate for the King who will pass into history as the greatest hero of this terrible war. She is living near the sea in a private villa near the hospitals which she visits almost daily in her work of devotion, and her whole soul is wrapped in the welfare of her suf- fering people and her desire to help them. The King was with his troops at the Front at the time of my visit, and during the day, three British Cruisers patrolling the sea, paid their compliments to the Germans by throwing occasional shells over our heads to the German trenches near Nieuport. On the sea shore, near the hospital, stands a rude little chapel recently erected. It is known as the Relic Church, and its pulpit, its font, and its altar, were rescued from the wreckage of Nieuport, and the ruined churches of Belgium. Many sacred pictures of rare beauty and age are here, and ancient Crucifixes, marred and scarred by the enemies shells. In strange contrast, in one corner was piled a heap of brown stone cannon balls, that had been un- earthed by the Soldiers while digging the trenches near Nieuport and which had been used in the Battle of the Dunes centuries be- fore. For more than a thousand years Belgium has been the cock- pit of Europe, but the spirit of its people is still unconquered. From La Panne we visited Havre, the present seat of the Bel- gian Government, where we met several of the Ministers of State and were told of the work already inaugurated for the restoration of the Belgian People and of the colonies of orphans, in various centers in France where they are being carefully educated. On a hill overlooking the City, Le Comte de Renesse Breidack has built an Institution that reflects the spirit of Belgium better than words can picture. There, the human wreckage of the Army, is being made over, into self-supporting, self-respecting wage earners in various trades, and where the atmosphere is one of self-content and happi- ness. Shops for various industries are filled with legless shoe- makers and tailors, and printers who are now earning a fair competence. Basket and barrel making, metal-lathe workers, cooks and bakers, and toy makers are here, and many peaceful arts are being taught to Artisans who are lame and blind, but ll whose indomitable wills are conquering their cruel fate. The spirit of the Count, who from wealth and power was driven to pov- erty, is bringing inspiration through his personality, to thousands of men — from the depths of despair to contentment and self sup- port. We dined with Madame Chas. Carton De Wiart, wife of the Belgian Minister of Justice, in an ancient castle in the environs of Havre. It was in strange contrast to the prison for criminals in Ber- lin, where she was incarcerated for three months, for distributing the pastoral letter of Cardinal Mercier. When asked by the Ger- man Tribunal whether she had distributed these letters, she an- swered, “Yes, and I am ready to pay the penalty.” After sentence had been passed, she was asked if she had anything to say. Her answer was, “You are illogical. You have condemned me for dis- tributing Cardinal Mercier’s letter, but you would not dare to im- prison him on account of the Catholics in Germany.” Our em- bassy and that of Spain intervened on her behalf, but when Mr. Gerard our Minister called to see her, the interview was allowed only in the presence of a German Officer. When asked regarding her food, she said “I had not known these dishes before, but I know them know.” The following day the German Officer visited her again and said “Madam, you will be allowed the privilege of pur- chasing your own food.” She answered, “For a privilege one must say thank you. I cannot say thank you to a German. You say I may pay for my food. That money would go to a German. I would rather starve than have my money go to a German.” She endured her imprisonment to the end, thus tipifying again the spirit of Belgium which neither shell, nor torture can conquer. Havre, Etaples, Calais and Boulogne are the great war bases of Great Britain in France. In or near them are now concen- trated camps with hundred of thousands of reserves, miles of ware- houses of army supplies, rations and munitions, artillery, and extras of almost every conceivable article used in war, hospitals of enormous proportions, kitchens, laundries, thousands of heavy motor lorries, stables for Cavalry, and thousands of mules and horses — docks and shipping facilities, everything in short requisite to equip and run one of the greatest armies the world had ever seen. Only one who has witnessed them, can begin to comprehend the gigantic energies concentrated here, the enormous tonnage re- ouisite for the maintenance of the army, and the system by which the transport is made to, and from the Front, with scarcely a fric- tion anywhere. The conviction is inevitable, that a country with such glorious traditions such inexhaustible resources, and such spirit as animates her and her Allies, must be invincible. Conquer she must, and conquer she will. France is cut off from England at intervals for several days at a time, owing to the presence of submarines and movements of the Navy, but our crossing from Havre, (which is made only in the night), required only four hours, although three more were necessary to reach Southampton through the fields of sunken mines. London gave us a warm reception, — almost equal to Antwerp, two years ago last August. We had scarcely retired in our hotel on Trafalgar Square, when a Zeppelin sailed over, and dropped a 12 series of incendiary and explosive bombs in Victoria Street, and beyond near Brixton, killing twelve persons, mostly elderly women and little children, and wounding many others. The old mother of a comedian and his little daughter were among those killed by the obus, the cap of which I have. When we arrived on the scene the neighbors were making a collection for the benefit of the suf- ferers, and in the name of the British War Relief Association I added five pounds to the sum and was presented with this sou- venir of German Kultur. The obus that fell on the house played grotesque havoc, blowing its roof to a house on the other side of the street and flinging floors and walls into a chaotic heap. An- other bomb fell in the middle of the car track a few squares beyond, directly in front of a public house, the keeper of which had his leg broken, the arm of a tobacconist was fractured and the contents of his little shop were blown into the street. Six people were killed, and many others, among whom were several children were seri- ously injured. Not a single person connected with the army was wounded, nor was damage done to any military establishment, and yet the Huns still call this War. To illustrate how undaunted the neighbors were — in a shop where the windows had been blown out, and the furniture ruined, a large sign appeared next day “Busi- ness as Usual” — and in a Bakery where only the stove remained, loaves were being sold as though nothing unusual had happened. On the following day we visited Maudsly Hospital and its cele- brated nerve specialist, Dr. Wells. In this Institution were many suffering from various forms of neuroses, brought on by shock in battle, some of them terrible to behold. Especially one poor fel- low who had long been a prisoner of war in Germany, and is now totally insane. Cases of paralysis causing frightful distortion, and muscular tremors, were all too numerous, others were deaf and dumb, while others had lost their memories. None of these patients had ever been wounded, and excellent results are being obtained in their treatment, through the prolonged use of hot baths, mas- sage and rest, Military hospitals have sprung up like mushrooms in a night, all over England, especially in London, where there are now no less than 18,629 of which are strictly under military supervision. On several occasions we were so fortunate as to be accompanied by the sister of our Vice-President, who acted as our guide, phil- osopher and friend, and who is conducting a beautiful work of her own among the children of England, and I ask that donations of clothing be sent her for distribution among the little ones. Commandant Mrs. Aubrey Richardson of Dollis Hill Hospital, formerly the house of The Marquis of Aberdeen, was absent when we were in London, and a report of her work will be made later. Many of London’s Hospitals are devoted to the treatment of special injuries, as for instance, fractures of the jaw which are treated mostly at Morvay, and also at Aldershot, which I visited with Sir Arbuthnot Lane, and saw surgical reconstruction work similar to that practiced in the American Ambulance in Paris. Conservative Surgery is the rule in all British Hospitals and am- putations are comparatively rare. 13 In answer to the 2,000th case sent by our Association, to Her Majesty, Queen Mary, Lady Lawson was commanded to express her thanks and appreciation to the British War Relief Association, and to state that Her Majesty will be glad to receive others on behalf of England’s wounded heroes. At the American Women’s War Relief, of which the Duchess of Marlborough is Chairman, the greatest appreciation was ex- pressed by Lady Lowther for our gifts. The work of their knitting factory and workroom for ladies suffering through the war, are among the successful ways of alleviating the suffering in England, but the American Women’s War Hospital at Paignton, South De- van, is the commanding work of this Association. King George V Hospital, with its 3,000 beds is the largest in London. It is near St. Thomas’ on the Thames, and is in close proximity to Waterloo Station, where the wounded arrive from France, so that transport to the wards is easy. Excellent surgical work is performed here by many of the leading surgeons in London. Many serious head and chest wounds are found in its wards, but over 1,000 patients attended a concert that was being given for their benefit by Lady Tree while we were present, and it was a pleasure to watch the patients relax from pain, in the enjoyment of the hour. In King’s College Hospital, next day we saw many of the mu- tilated victims of the Zeppelin Raid. Several had died during the previous night, and others seemed likely to follow. Major Brook, who was in command, was untiring in his courtesies, and showed many cases of rare interest. In Queen Mary’s Convalescent Auxiliary Hospital at Roehamp- ton, conducted in the private houses of Messrs. Pierpont Morgan and Kenneth Wilson, the work for vocational re-education of the mutilated, is being conducted on a large scale. Here, they are fitted with artificial limbs and taught various trades during their pro- longed convalescence, thus preparing them to make a new start in life. Of the 6,577 cases admitted, 3,565 have been provided with artificial limbs made in the factories, on the grounds. Over 800 patients are admitted monthly and the good work, largely done by Americans, still continues. Fitted with new limbs, many of the men run races, ride bicycles, play croquet and football, as a diver- sion for their tedious hours, while others practice the trades taught in this admirable home. A noticeable contrast may be found between the German Pris- oner in England, and the British Subjects from interned Camps in Germany who have been returned in exchange — the British, in many cases, present a piteous spectacle. It is heartrending to see how privation, and in some cases brutal treatment have told on their constitutions. In contrast with the British Prisoners in Ger- many, is that meted out to German Prisoners in England. The lat- ter. so long as they are suffering in hospital, receive the same care and attention as the British. The highest medical skill is at their command; and dietary is liberal and varied. Medical science in England knows nothing of political boundaries or ethnological dis- tinctions. When convalescent, the German Prisoners are allowed to play games and amuse themselves in their own way. The Tom- 14 my is convinced that the German never “played the game,” and never can, and he makes excuses for the Huns unsportsmanlike tendencies. “It is not the Blighter’s own fault,” he says, “He knows no better.” His psychology, in this respect, is extremely curious. He doesn’t hate the Hun so much. He despises him, and nothing on earth would induce him to associate with him. One of our last visits in London was made to St. Dunstan’s in Regent’s Park, immortalized by Thackeray in “Vanity Fair,” and now the property of Mr. Otto Kahn of this City, who has gen- erously handed it over free of charge, for the duration of the war, and 6 months afterwards, to the “Blinded Soldiers’ and Sailors’ Care Committee,” of which Sir Arthur Pearson is Chairman. Nev- er indeed, was there a happier idea, for Sir Arthur, himself, is blind and keenly alive to the needs of those who are under the same disadvantage. As he so admirably stated it, “They have to learn to be Blind,” and it is remarkable how quickly they do so under competent tuition, and how rapidly they take to indoor and outdoor sports and pastimes. The spacious grounds border on Regent’s Park Lake, thus affording excellent facility for rowing — an exercise at once delightful and beneficial to the blind, and one of the fine outdoor sports in which they can participate and feel, as Sir Arthur so aptly put it, “They are conducting other people, instead of being conducted by them.” Swimming, too, is very popular and much time is taken up with physical drill. In the garden and recreation grounds there are swings and see-saws and other appliances for getting exercise. Indoor they have dancing concerts and debating societies once a week, which are very popular with the men. Singing and instrumental music are taught, as well as typewriting in the Braille type, in which some of the pupils have attained a proficiency above the average of others who are not blind. Instruction is also given here in carpentry, mat and basket making, massage, telephone operating, poultry-farming and market gardening, in which capacities many of them may earn from one to two pounds a week, and which, in addition to their pension of 25 shillings, from the Government gives them a comfortable main- tenance. Most of the instructors are blind men, a circumstance that greatly encourages the learners to persevere. It was among these heroic victims of the war we passed a most interesting afternoon, and where I had the pleasure of handing a draft of one hundred pounds to Sir Arthur, as a gift from Miss Codman, through our Association. “This place,” said Sir Arthur, “Is the happiest House in London, probably in the whole world, and I’ll tell you why, — it’s so full of sympathy.” The Institution typifies the moral tone and spirit of England today. It is the spirit of hope, of life, of victory. It is the spirit of our ancestors of ’76 — the spirit of con- fidence, of success, of irresistible determination to rescue Freedom and Civilization from this terrible tragedy, the spirit of Lincoln at Gettysburg, when he prophesied for our Countrymen, “That Government of the people, by the people, and for the people, shall not perish from the earth.” 15 You may have observed from these remarks, that in this War I am no Neutral. The aim of the Allies, today, is to secure for themselves that new birth of Freedom pictured by Lincoln at Get- tysburg, and the attainment of that purpose affects our own Coun- try as deeply as it does the Allies. It is as much America’s fight as theirs, for the predatory aggression of the Hun will not cease at the 3-mile limit, and in our deplorable state of helplessness, a state that resembles that of China, we not only invite war but defeat and vassalage. I am a man of Peace, the Vice-President of The Peace and Arbitration League of America. As an officer or observer I have participated in eight wars, and heaven knows I want to see no more. But until the end of this piratical conflict, in which the ideals of lib- erty and freedom and honor, for which my ancestors fought and died, are the stakes, I am heart and soul with the Allies, and I con- gratulate you Ladies in your work for the same end. The tradi- tional friendship between France and America, begun by Lafayette and Washington, would have been only a memory had not Ameri- ca’s great War Relief Societies kept it alive; and it is to them and our Surgeons, our Hospitals and Nurses, our splendid Ambulance Corps and brave Avions and Foreign Legion that we owe the pres- ervation of that friendship, and the “entente cordiale’’ that exists between our Countries today. , K , I am more than proud to learn on my return from the War' Zone, of the splendid work of the British War Relief Association, and that there has been received in cash donations during 1916 more than double the amount received during 1915, and that the shipment of cases of hospital supplies has been more than four times greater than in 1915. I earnestly appeal to all the members and friends of the Asso- ciation, to continue the work of preparing hospital supplies with the utmost energy, as I can assure you of the enormous and grow- ing need of all kinds of surgical and relief supplies. 16 SOME OF THE Triumphs of Scientific Medicine in Peace and War in Foreign Lands, with Suggestions upon the Necessity of Important Changes in the Organ- ization of the Medical Department of the United States Army BY LOUIS L. SEAMAN, M. D., A. B., LL. B., F. R. G. S., Late Major-Surgeon, First Regt. U. S. Vol. Engrs. ; Ex-Chief of Staff, Charity, Maternity, Penitentiary, Epileptic, and Paralytic Hospitals, B. I.; Surgeon-General of the Spanish War Veterans; Consulting Physician to the New York Colored Orphan Asy- lum; Member of the Society of Medical Jurisprudence, the Pathological Society, the New York County Medical So- ciety, New York County Medical Association, New York State Medical Association, American Medical Association, American Public Health Association, Association of Military Surgeons, Life Member Red Cross Society of Japan, Delegate Interna- tional Medical Congress, London, 1881, Ber- lin, 1891, Moscow, 1897, Paris, 1900, Mad- rid, 1903, Lisbon, 1906; Fellow of the Academy of Medicine, etc., etc. READ BEFORE THE NEW YORK ACADEMY OF MEDICINE, 1908, Reprint from the New York Medical Journal February 22, J908 and Congressional Record February 29, 1908 A. R. ELLIOTT PUBLISHING COMPANY 1908 Some of the Triumphs of Scien- tific Medicine in Peace and War in Foreign Lands With Suggestions upon the Necessity of Important Changes in the Organization of the Medical Department of the United States Army BY LOUIS LIVINGSTON SEAMAN, A. B., M. D., LL. B., F. R. G. S., New York Late Major Surgeon United States Volunteer Engineers SYNOPSIS 1. The glory of scientific medicine is in the prevention rather than in the cure of disease. 2. The importance of the medical officer having absolute control in his own department, as illustrated in Brazil. 3. The value of medical control of sanitation in the Isthmian Zone. 4. Official recognition of foreign discoverers by their govern- ments. 5. Germany’s battle with- contagious and infectious diseases in Africa. 6. Native superstition in India prevents stamping out of bu- bonic plague. 7. Advances of scientific medicine in times of war; Japanese statistics prove that preventable diseases are preventable. 8. Equipment of Japanese soldiers fighting some of the greatest battles ot history. 9. The Spanish-American “Opera-Bouffe” campaign in Porto Rico and Cuba; with Statistics that prove the collapse of the Medi- cal Department was a governmental crime. 10. Neglect of public health a reflection on our civilization. it. Wanted: A National Board of Health, with a Secretary in the President’s Cabinet; and authority for the Medical Officer in matters of sanitation and hygiene. 12. The U. S. Public Health and Marine Hospital Service: Its importance and efficacy. 13. The U. S. Army Medical Department: Its faults, failures and frailties. 14. Surgeon-General should marshal the facts and figures before Congress urging the complete reorganization of his Department. 15. The value of the Medical Officer as a financial asset in War. 16. Bill for the Reorganization of the Medical Department, as proposed by the Author. //•> 1 Csl-i i vsJA © s-va_