The St John Ambulance Gazette (1938 - 1939)

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THE JOURNAL OF THE VENERABLE ORDER OF THE

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ANEW service is offered to " Gazette" readers which will be of great help in their family lives and will be of value to all parents . It is the introduction of a special Child Psychology Section in NEW HEALTH

(Consulting Editor, Sir W. Arbuthnot Lane, Bt , C.B.)

T his Section is under the direction of a European psychiat ris t of repute and gives detailed guidance on the many problems of psychology with which all parents are fac ed T his feature was introduced in the January, 1937 issue, and has proved an outstanding success. Advice is being sought by readers all over the country.

" G azette" readers who are regular readers of NEW H EALTH are invited to send their problems to this bur eau for free guidance

NEW H EA LTH is t he most popular or thodox heal th journ al in th e cou nt ry and has asso ciated with it many distinguis hed medical and scientific aut horities . It is on sale at b ooks talls an d newsagents on the 1st of each month, price 6d. I n cas e of d ifficulty, sen d 8d for each issue po st free, to :

(S.J.) NEW HEALTH, 39, Bedford Square, London, W.C.l

T HE ST JOHN AMBULA 'CE GAZETTE is pllblished on the 1 5t h of earh month. The annllal subscription is F. 6d. , post f r ee; single copies 3d B r igade Repo r ts and Pholograph.r should be addressed 10 the Edito r at 32., Shoe Lane, E.C.4· Reports and pho t ographs should reach him as early fJJ the month as possible.

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CONTENT S Editorial \\ eck- Lnd Conference He;d4uarrers ceded.. New \mhubnce Dedicated ;It Bun gH\' St. ,\lar\,lchone Branch Hospit;llkrs' Cluh Rockburst!

Bri.gade e\\ s Air Raid Pn:cauti"ns (l3ril!.llk Ordl'r) Interesting Ca c Repons Questions and \ns\\'ers Priory for \\ales \ir Raid Precautions Railway ('\\is.. Grand Priory \ppoinlrllcnrs Cadet C\\'s

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Interesting Case Reports

O ne of the m os t popular features of THE T. J OH A \!BULANCE G AZETTE is the interesting Case R eport

and ies accompanying comment by the urgeon-inChief in his" unofficiaL" capacity as " N.C.F." Intere ting case report are interesting because they proyide a spotlight on the actiyities of the j \ sociation and Brigade in all parts of the Empire. ome of them haye dealt with first-aid work carried out under the most difficult circumstances; others pro\'ide excellent examples of impro \'isl tions under unique conditions.

During the coming year "\\'e wish to prim as many reports as is possible. From time to time, in course of conyersation, \ve hear of many strange first-aid incidents which are more than \\'orthy of publication under the" Intere 'ti ng Case ReporL " heading, bur of \\-hich \\-e recei\'e no actual report.

\\ 'e are specially anxious to recei\'e as many as po sible from O\Te r ea units who e local condition , and geography, in addition to first-aid treatment' specially required in their particular area-such a the attempted. uicide case which are not uncommon among some .L \ frican tribes of \\"hich we heard from O\"ersea Brigade Officer during the Coronation Celebration. -as well a the interesting report. we recei\Te from Home "Cnit

In the hope that correspondents from all pans of the world where TIlE T. GAZETTE is read will more than fill our Interesting Case Reports basket during 1938 we .hall forward a cheque for half a guinea to th corre pondent forwarding each R eport published in the current year, or, if specified, to any named D ivisional or Unit Fund.

1*

Surgeons!> Week-End

Address on "Instruction from a Layman's Point of riew," by Dish'lct Office,' E. T. lUILBURN, Secretary to Surgeon-in-Chief.

SUlldcry, October 1], 1937·

When I was instructed by the Surgeon-in-Chief to prepare this talk, I thought that it would be easy; but on consideration I realised that there were some grounds for diffidence, first, because of the publicity my talk would get from the fact that surgeons were to attend from all parts of England, Wales and Ireland, and, secondly, because of the possibility of being regarded as one who was trying to teach the teachers.

The latter is not intended; and all that is hoped is to give voice to some impressions gained during many years of contact with men and women in Divisions who have told me some of their difficulties. It is, perhaps, likely that a clearer understanding of their difficulties has been made possible by my experience in teaching other subjects at colleges and polytechnics where I have realised the difficulties of the students and myself. This has enabled me to see both sides of the picture. In teaching, have had that dreadful experience of seeing some unrest creeping through a class, a tendency for .one student to whisper to another, for someone to watch a fly on the ceiling, or for someone to look out of the window; and I knew that, temporarily, I had lost my grip on them. I realised that the students had something to selltheir attention-and that they were willing to sell this to the highest bidder. Consequently, if the fly on the ceiling got their attention, then it had beaten me in the bidding !

Another difficulty I found was in getting down to the level of my students. It is so easy to assume that certain elementary facts are well known just because they are so familiar to the teacher. Therein lies a grave fault, for if the elementary things are not known and understood it is impossible to teach something higher. To attempt this is similar to trying to raise a superstructure on a foundation which is not there! I had to find out what my students knew, and then to make a start from that point; and where there was a varying degree of knowledge, I had to decide between the claims of those with no knowledge and those with some ideas of the subject. I suppose that you, ladies and gentlemen, must have felt the same thing, though probably with greater intensity, for you are in the paradoxical position of havin g to teach what you would do if you were not there. Some surgeons fail to realise that they are teaching these men and women what to do pending the arrival of the doctor; and that they do not figure in the case

once the doctor gets there, except as a helper if so required.

In the course of the year there are 5z weeks in which a Practice night might be held; and from the returns I see that many of you are in the habit of attending on 30 or more occasions per annum. Perhaps six or se'Ven evenings are given to a new course of first aid instruction because of some new members, or else a more intensified set of lectures to those who have already obtained their certificates. Another seven may be given to some auxiliary subject such as home nursing, camping, sanitation, and I would like to say that it is not out of place to give home nursing to men or camping to women. They do not mind if it is put over in the right way. These two might account for 14 out of my figure of 30; and the question arises what is to happen to the other 16. I exclude drill because, apart from the 30 evenings, there are 22 which can be made available for this work. I am all out for seeing . those 16 allocated to definite medical teaching on a subject fixed beforehand as a programme of work. Only by this method is it possible to get continuity in the teaching, and each evening's work can be made complete in itself and yet a part of a whole. If nothing is fixed in advance, you will find at times that on your way to the Division you are wondering what subject to take. This results in the teaching being scrappy and difficult for the student to follow.

Your members may be divided into two groups. First, there are those who attend merely to get their mark on the register and to qualify for their efficiency; and, secondly, there are those who come to learn. The first group will be rather inclined to sleepiness; they will be difficult to rouse, but with care they can be roused and caused to take an interest. The second group will be critical, and some of their criticisms will seem unfair. I would, however, ask you to be lenient with them. They are sacrificing a great deal to make the attendances; and they expect much. They regard your selection and appointment to the Division as an honour conferred on you by them: and if you do not rise to the high level which they have set, they are rather inclined to find fault. Their criticisms can be divided into two group's, the things that are liked and the things that are disliked, and in touching on these, should I appear to overstep the mark, I know that you will forgive me.

The things disliked are not many, but they are important. First, there is the prosy reading of a lecture

such as that already referred to by the Surgeon-inChief. I have been to a class where the lecture has been read almost word for word from the Textbook. These are something like the Sunday morning" masterpieces " to which you have had to listen, and which have bored you stiff. The student will suggest that he can do the reading from the book, but he wants the teaching. We know that they do not always read their books; but that does not alter the fact that they say they can and that they do not wish to hear it read to them. It is always possible to have the book open in front of you and then, after a glance at the heading, to talk about it in your own way. If you should be a little off the mark, it will cause a challenge and you will then have the satisfaction of seeing them read the book in order to ascertain if you are right.

Next there IS the questioning method, something on the lines adopted in elementary schools. Both in Divisions and in our great A.R.P. courses I have seen instances of a lecturer giving a fe\-v facts and then dropping on someone and asking a plain revision question. If that student is fairly well educated he \vi11 resent your metbod, and if not so well up in knowledge he will be annoyed through being made to look silly in front of others. A faulty answer sometimes rruses a laugh; but the doctor gets no credit, as the whole class is \-\ ondering who will the next one to be made look simple. Please do not forget that you are dealing \\'ith a type of Intelligence which is far different from yours. Their brains will not act so quickly; and as in many cases they have dropped studies since leaving school their powers of concentration have atrophied •-\dded to that is the possibility that they are yery tired after ten, twelve, or even more hours' work, and find listening difficult, and thinking worse.

Another dislike is associated with the absence of the Surgeon when he is expected. I know your difficulty, and how fully occupied is your time. I realise also that at times your telephone bell will prevent your doing something which you had every intention of carrying out. Will you try to think of this? The members have gathered somewhere, and as that is doctor's night the Officer-in-Charge has prepared nothing. He is only too pleased to leave it to the doctor to carryon. The result is that very often nothing is done, and the members while away the evening. They become disgruntled in their mental attitude, and think that they have been cheated out of something which is theirs. I know that this is not really true; but we have to recognise their attitude, and to appreciate their reasoning. The difficulty could be met by a telephone message explaining the circumstances; or, better still, with the car at hand, why not drop in for a few minutes, instruct the officer " 'ha t to do, and intimate that when you come agai n you will ascertain how they got on. The Superintendent likes to do something, and if he kno\\'s what to do he will loyally carry out your request. That is where you can be so helpful.

Then the use of djfficult \\'o rds is disliked; and I

am very sympathetic with the: girl who said that t?e main artery of the body was the" Atora " The ladles will know what that is; but for the information of the gentlemen, I would explain that Atora is a proprietary brand of suet. Notice that it the sa me letters but in a slightly different order. Thls name was prominent in her mind because of the frequent advertisements on hoardings and because it is something with which she was quite familiar in domestic life. The hoardings had had a more definite effect thar: the doctor's teaching. Again, if you have a candidate who says he would "squeeze the pipe where the blood gushes out," I wonder if this is so very much worse than saying "I would apply digital on the pressure point of the artery on the heart s.lde of the wound." I hope that you can see my pOlnt. The last dislike I will mention is that of examination uf a certain type. I am sure that what I am going to say does not apply to you who are attending this \\7eek-End Conference. If vou were bad doctors and bad examiners, you would' not be here to-day. On one occasion I saw some Ambulance Sisters, \\-ho had come a long way to take part in a competition, sobbing as if their hearts would break because of the treatment which they had received. The judges were ha\-ing a good time, and seemed thoroughly to enjoy making the girls look foolish in from of a large body of spectators. In quite small things you can make the candidates very unhappy in their examinations by \vords and actions which, I think, are not deliberate, but rather thoughtless. After all, you are only trying to find out whether or no candidates are to be trusted on the streets when something might happen. If they know how to treat h::emorrhage and poisoning, does it really matter very much if they do not remember what to do for a snake bite out in India? ow for some of the things \\ hich we do like, and as we are nearly due for discussion I cannot spend much time on this part. Although it may seem strange after so many years of study, I still like to hear on our Textbook. Something new can be read into it every day. You have immense resources outside of the ordinary series of lectures. The fir t chapter is frequently passed over altogether, or else mentioned lightly, and yet there is sc?pe a number of eyenings. In the qualihcatl0ns ot a hrst aider we read of « resourcefulness," C( obsen'ation," "explicitness," and so on. Try taking just one of these and see whether or no you can make an hour's talk from it ; and you will be surprised by the interest shown by your member. Illustrate through the eye where practicable; and as an illustration p.hce a patient on the fioor and ask to " rale the foot." It is qui te pos ible that the 1 g will be raised to a rio-ht ano-Ie with the bod\'. Ob\-iousl), the b binstruction was not clear; and this driye' home a point far better than allY amount of ordinary

Then add to thi some reference to real cases, or taIling actual knowledo-e of such cases draw on "our imaginations if "O U Immediat 1) } ou start by saying " I will tell you of something that happened "

YOU will notice a more li,-ely attention. Your members think that they are going to h.ear a private news about somebody; but they wIll certa111ly appreciate that you are speaking from life and getting down to realities.

I will pass over Chapter 2, which deals "vith bandages, and come to Chapters ), 4 and 5-Bones. you often start by saying that it is a dry and If you that they will accept it, and you WIll find 111 rousing interest. If, however, you start promise of a really interesting hour, part of whlCh \'\'111 be used in handling bones and trying to fit them to(Tether, there will be keen anticipation. One of my best times in early days was in trying to fit the humerus with the ulna, and finding that there was a right wrong way. Then I tried to fit humerus and radius, and found out why this could not be done. I learned far more about articulation at joints by that means than I should ever have done from the" Black Book," because I could pictu re the actual position of those bones in my patients when dealing with accidents. Have you ever seen a bone from an animal which had been fractured and then become united in an incorrect position? Your local. butcher you to get one; and the inspectIon of thts with your subsequent talk will be very acceptable. Y C?U can get across some revision work in your talk WIthout the students being really aware of what you are doing. Actual X-ray photographs can be used; and I am pleased to note that in the revised Textbook many of these have been reproduced, showing dislocations and fractures, and these are far better than the present illustrations.

Next come the chapters on circulation and rhage. Often the start of this talk is spoiled by the use of words which are misunderstood. You start by saying: " I am going to talk on Circulation goes on in vessels." In this statement are three difficult words. "Circulation" sounds ltke the reports on the number of copies sold, and there are all kinds of vessels. To many of your members, the absorption of knowledge is difficult because already have such definite association of words with things, and to get a new idea is not simple. There is the further fact that you might go on with your teaching and not realise that they have an understanding. I low frequently is the exact mearung of the word" pulse" known. A discussion soon brings ?ut some very peculiar notions. A practical demonstratlOn can be worked with an ordinary bicycle inner tube, which swells up at one part when air is pumped in. This swelling can usually be made to pass along the tube, but in any case it does show the simile of the extra quantity of fluid in an artery already full, instead of empty, as so many think. In one class a lady during practice time asked me if I would expla111 how the blood got across from left foot to right foC?t when returning up the right side of the body. The d1agrams supplied are helpful, but they must be enlarged upon. I must leave the Textbook as my time has almost G

(Tone but before closintT I wou ld like to refer to fou r o , b more points. First, the blackboard is always li ked an.cI your drawino-s may not be artistic, but from thel r b yery simplicity they will teach. If the class laughs so much the better, because you will know that are watching. Next, some talks on visits are worth while. Will you. try to tell your members something of what you' aw at St John's Gate yesterday, and also something of the wonderful history of The Order?

Try to make them as proud of their early confreres as we are' and make them feel that we have an honoured traditi;n to uphold. Thirdly, see that the Superintendant of the Division takes his annual re-examination like the rest of the members. He will set them a good example. Lastly, try the method of what 1 call " negative diagnosis" in your teaching. To understand this look at our Suro-eon-in-Chief and tell me what you b can see that helps you in diagnosis without touching and without speaking to him. otice that he is allyl', that he is breathing. ote the rate of breathing. notice the movement as they occur in limbs, praying the absence of fixity or loss of power. I tried this one night when my Divisional Surgeon could not coml, and it proved such a success that on severa] subsequent occasions I was asked for repetitions.

Time is up and I have no time for morc, but If 1 can e\Ter be of any help to you, please write to me.

Swindon

"\t a Smoking Concert held at the County Ground Hotel, on December 23, a presentation of awards to the Swindon Brigade and -1.1fsing Divisivn took place.

, County Commissioner A. R To\,\'erzey took the chair. He expressed his satisfaction at the number of awards he had to present and the progress the Brigade had made in the County during the year . lhey now had a County President and a new Division had been formed at CaIne. Four members of the Swindon Division had gained their 15 years' medals, and the Superintendent (Mr. 1.. G. Bretsch) had been admitted as Serving Brother to the Order

An enjoyable evening was spent by all present.

Headquart ers N ceded FISH MEReI!\ TS' PRIZb CO\IPETITIOr-.

The need for a headqLlarters of their own for the members of the St. John Ambulance Brigade at Fleetwood was stressed by Assistant Commissioner \YJ. H. GastalJ recently at an Ambulance Cadet Competition for the Fleetwood Fish :Merchants' Association shield and medals in the Marine Hall.

Open to teams in NO.4 Lancashire Division, the shield was won b) Liverpool Exchange.

Liverpool North were second, Ardwick (Manchester) third, rIeetwood fourth, Great Harwood hfth, and Thornton sixth.

Mr. Gastall said he knew of no town on this coast that had made more changes tl"an Fleetwood In the last few} ears.

" One thing "ve are short of here is a home of our own," he said" fleetwood Division have worked for a long time in temporary headquarters."

New Ambulance Dedica ted at Bungay

Recently, at Bungay, the St. .T ohn 1\mb1.1lance Brigade was de<;cribed as a memher of the greatest Trinity of public work.

\ delightful ,-vinter afternoon fa,-oured the ceremony of Jedication of the car of the Bungay Di,-ision of the t. John l \mbulancc Brigade at the I Ioneypot \[eadow, Bungay.

\ parade formed up in the tIarket Place and marched to the I lone} pot 11eadow for the service.

Official bodies taking pa"'t were the men and cadets of the Bungay of t. John ,Ambulance Btlgacle, the IIarleston men's detachment of the British Red Cross oci c t}, 13ungay Fire Brigade, 1st Bungay and 1st I: arsham Boy couts, and 1St Bungay Guides. of the Rungay and Beccles Bands of the alvation L\rmy played in the procession and for the on the meado"Y, which \-vas also attended by the Buoga} ahation .1 \I"m)' Corps. The Rev. A. E. Gledhill, Rector of Holy Trinity, was unable to attend o\\'if1g to a chill.

The car was presented to ir Thomas Cook, M.P., Norfolk Commissioner of the t. John Ambulance Brigade, by Mr. G. Guy 'peake, Town Reeve of Bungay. I Ie looked forward, he said, to the great service which the Division would be able now to render to the people of Bungay and district.

St. Maryl ebone Branch

Courses of Lectures and Practical Instruction on Pirst Aid to the Injured for Men and \Vomen began at the New Baths, ermour} lall, eymour Place, W.I (Shouldham Street entrance), on \Vednesday, 7

January 12, I93H, and will be held on each subsequent Wednesday for six weeks at 8 p.m. Lecturer: R. CoveSmith, 1LA., M.B., B.C.II., M.R.C.P., D.P.H.

Fee, to include lectures, manual, examination and certificate, 5s. Application for the above should be made to the local Hon. Secretary, Divisional Superintendent W. V. M. Allen, 58-5 (W.D.O.) Division, St. John Ambulance Brigade, Western District Post Office, London, W. I.

58- 5, Western District Office Division

1\ course of six Weekly Lectures at the; New Baths, Seymour Place, St. larylebone, W. (Shouldham Street entrance), began on \Vednesday, January 12, 1938, at 6.30 p.m. Each lecture will be of one hour's duration, and will include practical use of gas mask and making a room gas proof.

Fee for the course 5s., which includes handbooks and notebook, etc. At the end of the course an examination (optional) will be held; fee including certificate IS. 6d.

1\pplication for above courses should be made to \"{ V. 11. Allen, Divisional Superintendent, 58-5, \'\'.D.O. Division, S.].A.B., \Vestern District Po<;t Office, London, W. I.

Hospitallers' Oub

Captain ,\. C. White-Knox, 1f.C., LB., Ch.B. (Assistant Commissioner, No. District), was the speaker at the monthly meeting of Club, held on Frida\- December 10, at the Bonrungton Hotel, London, The lecture took the form of a mmt interestino- and instructive explanation of the revision in the S.]' .1\.A. First id text-book. Afterwards Captain \'\ hite-Knox invited questions, of ,vhich there were a number, each ans\vered by the lecturer explicitly.

Club members are .requested to return application forms for tickets for the Dinner, on February [9, as quickly as possible, in order that the necessary arranO'ements may be made.

The \nnual General :\[eeting will be beld on Friday, January 21.

First-Aid Oasses

Classes for 1fen and \Vomen will be held at the Goodall Road chool, Ley ton, E.IO, on \"{Tednesdays, beginning February 9, at 8 p.m.

Lecturer: Dr. D. Todd \'7hite. Particulars from Amb. Officer P. G. Jeffries, 71, Selby Road, Leytons tone, E. I I.

By NORAH HILL, A.R.R.C.,

ROCKBURST!

We were just s1ttmg down to breakfast when it happened-a loud explosion which rocked the bungalow, followed by protracted rumblings, very similar to a severe earthquake shock. Startled, I looked -across at the Government Inspector of tEnes, sitting opposite me.

" A rockburst," he said, "and a pretty bad one too. We get them fairly often, but not always so evere."

" Where is it? "

" Oh, that we can't tell for some time. It takes a little while to locate it and to find out the exact damage, but we shall hear later."

His calm and detachment surprised me, but I found out afterwards that it arose not from indifference, but from a complete confidence in the mine ambulance -and rescue organisation, which is alv:ays prepared to deal with any emergency.

I was paying an official visit to the Kolar Gold Field Centre of the St. John Ambulance Association, in the State of }'Iysore, but this unexpected salute on my arrival was, needless to say, not included in the programme! As we passed the first mine shaft, men and women who had heard the explosion were already gathering in anxious knots, wondering whether their folk were safe, and there was a stir of apprehension everywhere We reached the mine I was to -visit, and were courteously greeted by the Superintendent. Our plans proceeded according to programme, but I could not fail to note anxious questioning among the officials and a good deal of telephoning. We went to the main shaft, and I was shown the first-aid <:upboards and portable first-aid kits, and the special type of board stretcher to which fracture cases can be strapped in order to.be passed up or down at an acute angle. We went into the" Safety First" room, and on the blackboard was written a detailed account of the last fatal accident in the mines, its cause, and how it might have been prevented. Every danger is guarded against, and it is only the human element which sometimes fails-" To err is human." Actually, the casualties in the mines are astonishingly fewI think three per 1,000 workers per annum was the figure mentioned-and it is probably more dangerous to be a pedestrian on the Great North Road than a Tamil miner on the Kolar Gold field, where over 30,000 workers are employed.

As we came out of the "Safety First" room a message was whispered to the Superintendent, across whose face an expression of relief passed:

"Excuse me," he said, "I'll just speak to those people," and he walked across to the anxious group of women at the gates, and briefly told them in their own language that the rockburst was not in this mine, but in a neighbouring one, and that they need feel no fear for their menfolk. The crowd cheerfully melted away, and we proceeded on our way underground.

During the next hour or so I saw every process in gold mining, from the extraction of the rock from the reef 4,000 ft. below the surface to the final crushing to fine powder, washing, chemical treatment, and consolidation into nuggests to be forwarded to the mint. As one fingered the small but heavy bars, worth £8,000 each, one visualised the human effort at every stage, and realised the immense organisation required to regulate a mine and to protect its workers. Actually the Kolar mines go to about 8,000 ft., being among the deepest in the \vorld, but to work at that depth requires some acclimatisation. Even at 3,700 ft. my ears buzzed and my voice sounded far away, and on rising to the surface I was advised to put on a warm coat in order not to suffer from the variation in temperature, although the Indian sun was shining brightly.

Our next visit was to the Rescue Station, where the " Proto" system of oxygen apparatus is used. On our way we passed the main shaft of the mine where the rockburst had occurred. The an.....uous crowd was still waiting, and a few injured miners had been brought up, and were immediatel y taken to the company's hospital by motor ambulance. There was no confusion, but an orderly carrying out by trained men of a task for which they had been thoroughly prepared. The actual first-aid work all takes place underground, and every part of the mine has its trained ambulance workers ready to deal with emergency cases. Fortunately, considering the severity of the explosion, the casualties had been light, although the material damage was great, and would mean the abandonment of part of the workings in that particular area. The checking system enables casualties to be discovered immediately, and tbere is no possibility of any injured man being left undiscovered. As each man goes underground, with his basketwork protection helmet on, and his miner's lamp in his hand, his number is recorded in a book, and on re-emerging each man is checked off so that absences can be quickly detected.

At the Rescue Station, which is central for all the mines, I met the medical staff, and was given a complete demonstration of the "Proto" oxygen appara-

tus, used for protection against gases, and speciaUy in cases of fire. There is a corrs of 150 men c:.trefully trained in the use of this apparatus, and t bey gave a demonstration in the underground tunnel used for traIning purposes. The tunnel is 111lcd with smoke, and the men, dressed in their cc Proto" outfits, which are heavy, and eyes protected bv goggles, enter through a narrow passage, creep o\er fallen masonry, and wriggle through narrow openings by special methods, in order not to damage the protective

of about 200 beds, a modern and up-to-date institution which has even introduced electric hot-plates into It· kitchen, an almost unknown luxurv in India. In spite of their preoccupations with new'admissions from the rockburst, the medical officer spent some time explaining the system of St. John Ambulance instruction to me, and discussing their particular The work here is of a very specialised character and requires special text-books and apparatLls, such as are already in usc in the South African mines, l'vIany of

apparatus. Incidentally, 1 might mention that each man's outfit costs in the neighbourhood of £40' After this demonstration was o\-er we inspected the cc rescue" motor, which is always kept loaded with outfits ready to be 'A'hiskcd off at a telephone call to any part of the mines, where trained workers will always be on hand. This reminds me of an ino-enious b way they have adopted of spreading an alarm to every nook and cranny of the mines. \'(1hen dano-er has arisen and it is necessary to call the men into the ventilating system is impregnated lIghtly with eucalyptus. As the ventilators 0-0 alonokin b b every wor g, the men immediately" smell" danger, tools and rush off to their particular cage which WIll take them to the surface.

Our last visit was to the company's main hospital

the miners are illiterate, while others are instructed in the Tamil language. The system includes reexaminations and awards for efficiency and I should say that the of efficiency among themine employees IS very high. Little is known of the work outside the mines, but ambulance workers in India are proud of the Kolar mines organisation. For me it was a very special pleasure to see it all, and to meet '\\'ho have unostentatiously been carrying out the1r skilled humanitarian work under the St. John banner for many years past.

The St. John Ambulance Brigade News

No. I (PRINCE OF WALES'S) DISTRICT.

The Officers' Annual Dinner of No . I (Prince of Wales's) District was held at the Hotel Great Central on Saturday, December 4, last.

Under the presidency of the Conunissioner (Capt. W. Goodley, M.e., K.St.].), a of four hundred, which included ASSIstant CommISsioners Captain White Knox, Captain H. A. FentoD, Captain Bendix, Dr. Rees and S: ]. \V'arren, Lady District Superintendent Miss the District Headquarters staff and Corps and DlvlslOnal Officers, sat down to dinner.

Amongst the distinguished guests were :Colonel]. T. W. Perowne, V.D., T.D., Hospitaller of the Order of St. John.

Colonel J. L. Sleeman, e.B., e.M.G., e.B.E., M.V.O., Chief Commissioner, S.].A.B. Overseas.

Captain J. A. Davison, M.e., Assistant Commissioner, City Police.

Brigadier J. e.11.G., D:S.O., Assistant COmtnlSSlOner, MetropolItan Police.

Major e. H. B. De Chair, O.B.E., M.e., Chief Constable, Metropolitan Police.

N. Corbet Fletcher, Esq., M.B., B.Ch., Surgeonin-Chief, S.J.A.B.

Lady Perrott, R.R.e., Lady Supenntendent-mChief, S.J.A.B.

Mrs. Lancelot Dent, A.R.R.e., Lady Superintendent-in-Chief, S.J.A.B. Overseas.

Captain A. N. Cahusac, 11. c., Chief

S.J.A.A. ., .

H. J. Wrigglesworth, Esq., ASSistant ComrrusslOner, Assistant Brigade Secretary.

G. T. Foxon, Esq., Commandant-in-ChieL City Special Constabulary.

Sir Walter Allen, K.B.E., Commandant-in-Chief, 11:etropolitan Special Constabulary.

e. J. Ritchie, Esq., Commandantin-Chief, Metropolitan SpeClal Constabulary. Councillor R. Stiles Allen, J.p., and Mrs. R. Stiles Allen, Mayor and Mayoress of St. Marylebone.

H. W. Fincham, Esq., F.S.A., ASSIstant Librarian, Order of St. John.

Captain W. J. H. Pontin, M.B.E., Stores Manager, S.J.A.A.

T. O. Mein, Esq.

It was announced that apologies for inability to attend had been received from Sir Kingsley Wood (the Minister of Health), the Earl of Scarborough (Sub-Prior of the Order), the of. the Earl of Onslow, Sir PerCIval WIlkinson, Aylmer Hunter W:-eston.' .Sir John Duncan. Chief Commissioner), SIr Philip Game (COtnmlSSlOner of 10

the Metropolitan Police) and ir Hugh !urnbull (Commissioner of the City of London Pollee).

After the loyal toasts had been honoured, the toast of " Our Guests" was proposed by Assistant Commissioner Captain Fenton, who extended to all t?e o-uests a most hearty welcome. He recalled, he saId, hearing the late Sir Austin Chamberlain, in proposing a similar toast, say that that there were two ways of doing so: first to mention each guest in order of merit, and the other, to refer only to those who were to reply. He would adopt the metho.d. Lady Perrott had always shown great lnterest In No: District and had been the inspiration of all the Nursmg Divisions. They felt a deep debt of gratitude for all she had done. Brigadier \Xlhitehead had had a ditin o-uished career in the Indian Army and in the War. Their relations with the 11:etropolitan Police were most cordial. They had always given the Brigade every assistance in public duties, and the Brigade had endeavoured to giv:e every help with the ambulance training of the police.

Lady Perrott, responding first for the guests, thanked Captain Fenton for the \varm welcome he had extended. She felt proud to be invited there, and felt sure her fellow-guests felt great admiration for the work which No. 1 Di trict were doing. " I will tell you the truth," said Lady _" I know no other Commissioner in the Bngade tor \J"hom I have greater, or even as great, an admiration as for Captain Goodley."

Brigadier Whitehead, responding t? the toast of "The Guests," said It had been h1s pleasure throughout the year to work in the closest. touch with their Commissioner, and he had seldom, If ever, been able to work with an easier officer. .l\..nd as to the work which Captain Goodley had put in, he did not know how he had been able to manage it. For the Police, it had probably been the most strenuous year within memory, and on every occasion he had hesitated to make plans knowing CaptaIn Goodley and his excellent officers and members would help at every turn-which they did.

Referring to the Coronation duty, with 7,000 members present who dealt with 10,000 casualties, Brigadier Whitehead said that what would have happened to the public and the Police without the Brigade, he could not thInk. At the Coronation the Police had started a new plan of corridors through which memb::rs of the who were taken ill could be conveyed to the Bngade. Previously they had to force the casualties through the crowds. The Police had stopped that, and in future would do the same. The benefit was enormous.

He wished to thank the District for the help they were giving to the Metropolitan Police, and he wished the Brigade every success in the future.

The toast of « The Prince of Wales's District and the President" was proposed by Colonel Sleeman, who said, as Chief Commissioner for Overseas, there was no toast he could be called upon to make which could give him greater pleasure. They of the Overseas realised how much they owed to TO. District and its gallant Commissioner. Wherever he had gone on his recent tour of the British Commonwealth of Nations, he had met members of the: Brigade who had attributed to TO. 1 District most of the teaching they had ()btained, while the great majority of their best ambulance and Nursinf-" Divisions had based their efficiency upon TO. I District. Captain Goodley, said Colonel Sleeman,

He wanted at the outset to refer to some intercstmg figures. During the first ten months of 1937 the District had covered 141,492 periods of duty, and the cases treated during those periods numbered 3 1 ,02I. Since January 1 they had had 1,750 enrolments-l,035 men, 408 sisters and 307 cadets. for the usual wastage, members now totalled just over 9,000. It was, added the Commissioner, rather a large family to look after. In regard to J\.R.P., they had in No. 1 District 400 Instructors, and certificates to Brigade members had been issued to the total of 3,3 52 and to the public 2,018. Captain Goodley said he was keen on .J\.R.P. work, and he wanted everyone in the District to train for it. He hoped, however, that A.R.P. would not supplant theh ambulance and nursing work. They should remember that they exjsted for the

had followed a splendid Commissioner-Colonel Brooks. It was always a most difficult task to follo\\' a popular man. Yel Captain Goodley had performed his tas k so well; had endeared himself to all b,' his magnificent spirit of seryice; had shown such an amazing flair for dealing with the mightiest ambulance problems of Peace which had fallen to their lot, the Jubilee and the Coronation, that he had justly earned the admiration and esteem of every memher of the Order, the Association and the Brigade.

First-aid and ambulance work had never before been so much in the forefront as it was to-day, and never more required. They at least could claim that-come what might-their members had done their bit to carry out the age-old traditions of the Order and to save life and les en pain and suffering.

The Commissioner, in responding to the roast, said he did not think that anyone could stand in the position he did that night \X'ithout feeling very proud.

Isen' ice of others, and that ambulance '"vork rheir prime object.

He was yery plea ed and proud of the happy feeling which existed bet\"een the Metropolitan and City Police Forces and the Brigade. Through \,,"ork the," were coming more and more in contact with the '1Iunicipal bodies, and the friendly feeling was eyidenced that evening by the presence of the :AIayor and Mayoress of t. 1Iarylebone.

There \yere many people not yet fully conversam \\'ith the object of the Brigade, but it was obyious to him that the public were gradually becoming more alive to their value and more appreciative of the \\"ork. Their Flag Day in 1937 had reali ed 0\'er £..:,.,000 a compared with £2,000 in 1935.

The Commissioner said he was pleased to be able to refer to the pirit of comradesbip existing not onl} between officers and Headquarters but among officer. of divisions and the ran k and file. It was ur tl)

them as officers not only to lead their people and struct them in hr. t aid and drill but also to let them that they had their members' interests at heart.

During the Coronation duty the Brigade had a erreat deal of help from business people 1n the For this they "\vere most Captain Reed, of. the Arr:-bulance ServIce, was exceedingly kmd on tlut occaSlOn. They had a erood friend in Captain Reed.

b He could not thank everyone individually. First of all, however, he !11USt. thank; on behalf of the District and himselt, BrIgade Headquarters, and Cartain Cahusac and the Staff, also officials of the Order who .were always ready to help and give their advice. His thanks were due to the District Treasurer, who had been able turn 1937 into 1938 with a balance in hand. Goodley said he also wanted to thank hIS ASSIstant Commissioners, the District Surgeon, the Area Staffs, and his own Headquarters Staff. Last, but not least, wanted the Divisional Officers to convey .to theu embers his thanks for the work they continued to ;ut in and their to . ..

After dinner danCing contmued till rrudni ? ht.

The for the function were. ac'mirably carried through by District Officer Captam Franks.

On the occasion of the Annual Dinner of .the East London Division, eighty members and f!lends. of No. 30 (East London) Ambulance, No . 76 NursI?g, No. C23 Ambulance Cadet, and No. CN22 Nur.sI?g Cadet Divisions, and the Brmsh Legion Section, sat down to dinner at Stern Aldgate, on Saturday, November 27, chalr bemg occupied by Mr. J. Spanjer, H(:>n. of No. 3° Division, who, with Mrs. Spanler, the On behalf of the Division a of a beautIful basket of flowers, trimmed WIth the colours of the St. John Ambulance Brigade, was made Spanjer by one of the Nursing Cadets. The .DIVJSIOn was fortunate in being honoured by such notable people as the following list of toasts and guests present shows :-

" The St. John Ambulance Brigade," proposed by Dr. J. M Rafalowsky, Hon. Lecturer.to No. 30, and responded to by District Officer Captam L. L. Franks " Our Guests," proposed by Ambulance Officer A E. Shinegold, was acknowledged by the Surge<?n-I.nChi f Dr. N. Corbet Fletcher, and Lady Dlsttlct Sup:;intendent A. M . Walker. ." The No. 30. East London Division" was subrrutted by ASSistant Commissioner Captain H A. and Super. t dent D Stitcher on resurrung his seat after the in en ., 'th "H reply, was accorded musical honours :VI e s a J 11 Good Fellow." Sergeant B. StItcher a oy B"hL' S h t sp eech on behalf of the ntis eglOn ectlOn. s or . . OeL T "The Chairman," proposed D ISttlct mCer McBride, received much enthUSIasm, renewed. on Mr. Spanjer rising to acknowledge , after which the 12

assembly once again broke into" He's a Jolly G ood Fellow." After dinner there was dancmg and a musical interlude-not forgetting the Grand March, which was" Dismissed" by Corporal S. S. Cohen. Altoerether a most enjoyable evening, which concluded with the singing of " Auld Lang Syne" and the National Anthem.

In addition to those mentioned, amongst those present were :Mesdames .McBride, Stitcher, Shinegold, Lady DIStrIct '£\l1ss M. Masson, Dr. N. Pines, Lady DlvlslOnal Supenntendent Miss F. 1\. :Minot, :Mr. J. .L\' Robinson, Captain and :Mrs B. Lovell, Cadet Superintendent A. Goldstein, Cadet Officer WI. Goldberg, 1_ady Cadet Officer 111ss 1. Claridge, Sergeant and Irs. S. Hart, Mr. S. Honig, Corporal and 11rs H. Lush, Corporal and :Mrs. S. S. Cohen, Corporal J. \Videberg

The No. 33 Bermondsey, Walworth' and. Peckham Division held a very successful Annual DInner and Dance on Saturda):, November 27· members and friends attended, the guests Including Captain A C. White Knox, 11.C. .(Assistant Con: missioner), Mrs. White Knox, Supenntendent (No 106 Division), and 1fr. and :r-.frs. \X7m. Fmn.

The toasts honoured were: "H.1f. The I<.ing," proposed by the Chairman, Superintende-?t A. J. Birks; "The Brigade," proposed by SuperIntendent H. Francis, responded by Ambulance Officer S. Payne; "Our Guests," proposed by Officer H. E Chaplin, responded by Captam A c.. White Knox; "Social Committee," }?roposed by Sergeant A. Studd, responded by PrIvate A. E. Upton.

A special vote of thanks to V. H. Chaplin for her splen.did efforts Ir: ralsmg funds for the Division. Dunng the evening Mrs. White Knox presented the" Baron De Forest Cup" to the Bermondsey Section winners, Privates W. E. Parker, Hughes and White. M.C.s for dancmg were Messrs. F. Johnson and A. Warren.

On Wednesday, December 1, Lady Miss M. A. Vicary paid her farewell VIS!t to the Finchley and Southgate Nursing .following her recent transfer to Headquarters Air Rald Precautions Staff. For the past eight weeks, Miss Vicary has been giving a revisionary course of l.ectures oJ'l

A R.P. to the Division. At the concluslOn of 0-e last lecture, Lady Ambulance Officer Dantel thanked Miss Vicary for the work she dId for the Division whilst she was its Superintendent and wished her every happiness in her new posltlon. She then presented to Vicar'f green leather fitted travelling case beanng her mJuals, from the officers and members of the Division. Miss Vi cary suitably responded, and said she always t r easure the gift and have happy memones of h er days with No 74N D ivision

Before a large gathering of officers of the District, members and friends, the Stoke Newington Division staged an excellent entertainment and first-aid demonstration on November 30. There followed a reading of the history of the Division, with particular reference to the w0rk of the late Superintendent, :;\fr. 1.. Herbert, who recent retired.

Afterwards, the :Mayor of Stoke Kewin g ton (Councillor J. Nev. man Butler) made the followin g presentations to 1\.1r. Herb ert: -

(1) On behalf of member s of the Division, pa st and present, as a mark of their re g ard and esteem, a set of woods and case; (2. ) on behalf of the Stoke Nursing D.ivision, a chromium-plated standard ash tray; (3) baugv of Hon. Divisional President. The Mayor also presented to Mrs. Herbert, on behalf of members of No. 80 Division, a grandmother clock as a mark of their appreciation of her past kindnesses and efforts on behalf of the Di\Tision.

The :Mayor and Deputy fayor (Councillor A. E. Robertson) and Dr. G. W. Kendall spoke of the good work done by j\fr. IIerbert during his 22t years' service and congratulated him on producing a very efficient Di 'dsion. 1fr. and Mrs. Herbert suitably responded.

Unfortunately, Assistant Commissioner Captain H. A. Fenton was pre, ented from being present. In addition to the Mayor and 11ayoress and Deputy \fayor and .i\Iayoress and Councillors, those present tnc1uded Lady District Superintendent fiss J.\. M. Walker, District Officers N. Burton, T . .i\IcBride, WI. Roust, Ladv District Officer :Miss Masson and Divisional Dr. A. Cheyne.

* * Divisional Superintendent N. J. Ware, who was recently appointed to the King's Cross G.N.R. (13 ) Division in succession to 1ft. J. G. Palmer, takes command of one of the largest Divisions in the Brigade, the membership being 120. Superintendent Ware joined as a private in I923 and was promoted A...mbulance Officer in Oct0her, 1930. For some years he has directed public appeals and has been instrumental in raising more than £800 for the purchase of medical stores and equipment. He has also acted as secretary and instructor to many first-aid classes, through which successfully passed rallwaymen, fetropolitan Police and men eneraered in the gas industry. During the \X7ar, he in the Royal Navy on H M.S. Queen Elizabeth, the Flagship of the Grand Fleet. 1fr. Ware holds the L. & N.E. Railway Gold 11edal for 15 years' efficient service in ambulance work.

No. 4 (LANCASHIRE) DISTRICT.

The Trimble Nursing Competition was held at the <)t. Barnabas Parochial Hall, Highet Openshaw, Manchester, Saturday, December 4, and six teams competed for the trophy.

The winners were 1St Levenshulme Nursiner b I)

Div isio11, with a total of 241 p oi nt s ; 2nd, l \.rdwick Nursing, with a total of 210 p o in ts Thc.:re was a tie for third place between T\;orth .Manch ester Nursing and 1 orth- We st ursin(T \-vith a t o tal of b 203 p OInt s.

The jud ges w ere: - Di\ isiu na l , ur geo n E. Sma ll ey, 1f.B., Ch.B., of Bur y "\ursing D i;is io n, T ea ms T est; Sistr::r ?vI. 1Iac key, S.R. l. of the Mancheste r Ro yal Infirmar y, Team s Hom e N ursing Te st ; Div isio nal Surge on Dr. i\. E . .i\larson , M.B., Ch .B., Brad fo rd Ambulance Di v isi o n, T eams I nd i\ idua l T es t. 11rs Pm e r, wife o f th e n ew D insi o n al Su r geo n of th e Hulme Amb u lan ce D iyis io n and an old St. John Ambulanc e Si ster befo re her m arriage , kindly presented the pri zes t o the \vinning teams. the C:o m petiti o n, th e Op e nshaw Nursing DrnslOn pW\T]ded all ass embled with tea, under the able management of Lady Superintendent 11iss C. :r-.1. ?wann. The ren:ainder of the evening was spent m a plea sant SOCIal and dance, thus brin g ing to a close a very happy day.

Corps Superintendent \V. E. 1 aylor, actiner as Chairman in the unavoidable of the Surgeon,. Captain Ra\vlings, who was busy at the hospItal, thanked the gathering for their attendance and coming from so far on such a cold day as it was. \Ve had a terri ble snowstorm dur in er the afternoon, but it did not dete r the a tt endance. b r-.;ro. 7 DISTRICT. SHROP HIRE A:-JD HEREFORD.

We report with much reg ret the death of Dr. R. L. E. Do,vner, 1LD., which took place on November 28 after a long illness borne w i th much fortitude.

Dr. Downer was educated at H ierh era te School b b an? at .Sr. Bartholomew's H os pital In 1907, taking his In 1912. He was a?p ointed to Chester Royal Infirmary as House Phys ici an and Home Surgeon, and later practised at until the outbreak of He served throughout the Great War as Captain, R.A. I.C, first on the Western Front and then in a hospital ship.

.Dr: Downer was appointed Commissioner of TO. 7 Dlstnct of the St.J.A.B., comprisiner the counties of Salop and Hereford, in 1930, and b held this office until 1936.

He was an Officer of the Order, and held the Long-service Medal of the Brio-ade and the Jubilee :Medal of I'-in g George V. b

Dr. Downer took a g reat interest in the comr:etition wo!k of the Brigade and was responsible tor some ot the Team Tests at Brig ade Finals.

His \\ idow, 11rs. R. L. E. Downer, \\Tas until recently Lady Di\Tisional Superintendent of No. 2. Shrewsbury Nursing Diyision, and Commandant, V l \.D., Salop 58.

Dr. Downer is survi,"ed by her, one son, and three daughtels, and his father, 1fr. ]. Downer, CB., C.M.G., I.S.O., J P.

At the funeral, which took place at Shrewsbury Cemetery on December 2, a large number of all ranks of the Brigade lined the entrance to the chapel and the route to the grave.

The contino-ent, which represented all the Divisions of the Included Lieut.-Col. C. W. Eames, D.S.O., S.B.S;.]., T.D., M.D. (Commissioner for Shropshire), County Surgeon Dr. F. H. Edwards, F.R.C.S., and County Officers 1frs. Andrews, and Mr. T. F. Forrester Addie, and many DIv1siOnai and Officers.

/\. large number of Salopian men, :Masons, and representatives of the vanous aSSOCiatiOns with which Dr. Downer was connected attended the funeral service.

Among the many beautiful flowers was a St John Cross of white flowers on a dark background sent by " All ranks of the Brigade in Shropshire," and one from the Oswestry Divisions of the St. J .A.B.

The Shropshire and Mid-Wales branch of the B. :M.A., the Head Postmaster and Staff, the Board of the Royal Salop Infirmary, Salopian o. 262., the Matron and Staff of the" Limes" N ursmg Home, and the Engineers' Staff of the Post Office also sent wreaths.

An afternoon party was recently at the. quarters of the 1St Shrewsbury DIVISiOn.

The occasion was the presentatiOn, by Lady Corbet of Service Medal to Ambulance Sister 1iss and of Bars to Lady Divisional Superintendent Miss Helen Corser, J.P. (2nd), Lady Ambulance Officer Jvfjss Downes, and Ambulance Sisters Miss R. J. Franklin and Miss A. M. Purslow (retired). .'

Miss Corser In welcomIng Lady Corbet, sain how glad she and her members were to their former Superintendent and Commandant WIth them once more. All the members receiving awards that afternoon had worked with and under Lady Corbet during the War, and afterwards from 192.0 to 19 26 , and they were all devoted to Lady had always been a friend to the DlVIsiOn, and .her Interest in their work and welfare had never faIled. They wished to thank her for her presence with them that afternoon.

Miss Corser went on to say that the Division wa s the senior in the District, having been formed in 18 95, and had been d.ctive for forty-one years. She was very glad to see Miss Hughes, A.R.R.C., present, who had raised the Division, and been Commandant of the Auxiliary Military Hospital, staffed by the members, 1914 to 19 19.

Ladv Corbet was then presented with a bouquet of red carnations and, after thank ing the members, she gave the awards for long service.

In the course of her remarks, Lady Corbet said how pleased she was to be with her old friends once She congratulated the recipients of awards, whIch she knew were well deserved, as it meant they had worked well and faithfully for a number of years.

She hoped that youno-er members of the Division would serve as well anbd as long as their seniors had, to do credit to the Brigade.

Lady Corbet congratulated fiss Corser on having been one of the three St. John Commandants to take duty in Westminster Abbey at tbe Coronation of the King and Queen tbat year. She that it was a great honour not only for the DIVISiOn but for the whole county.

Lady Corbet concluded by ,:vishing the Division every success in the future, whiCh he hoped would be a very happy one for them.

No. 9 DISTRICT.

REDRUTH DIVISION.

Over 5° members of the Redruth l\mbulance Division spent an enjoyable evening at the Ambulance Headquarters on 2.0-, on occasion of a Members ReuniOn and SOCIal, was organised as a "wind-up" of a very year. C. C. Pellowe. preSided, and musical and other Hems were contnbuted by the Carn Brea Concert Party (the majority of whom members of the Redruth Division) under thelf leader, Private R. Moyle: Mr. H. Thomas (tenor), Private H. Moyle (tenor), Mr. <:. H. (entertainer), Private R. Moyle (mUSical saw), Pnvate H. Smith (piano-accordion), Corporal J. Davey and Private R. Craze (entertainers), and Pnvate F. worthy (violin). Community singing of favountt songs and old Cornish car<?ls was led the Carn Brea Accordion Band. Pnvate H. SmIth was tht accompanist throughout. Fi.lms, including one taken at the members' Annual OutIng, were shown by A. Truscott. Hot pasties, refreshments and truit were served by the Officers and N.C.O.s. Divisiona l Surgeon A. A. 11acdonald and Police In spector Hosking were present and were afforded a welcome by the members. The and all those who had assisted to make the evening such a success were thanked by· Superintendent Pellowe. On behalf of the Division, Ambulance Officer Seymour expressed and thanks to the Superintendent for the e:rent. happy and enjoyable everung closed wIth the smgwg of " Auld Lang Syne." .. _.

At the recent first-aid eXamInatlOn the tolloWIng thirteen candidates were successful and have been enrolled as members of the Redruth Division:Messrs. H. E. Grigg, C. Bartle, G. Carab, A. J. Hodge, J. Kenned y, R. Boyce, F. Goldsworthy,. R. Beard, A. Tippett, K. Old, F. Cbapman and M. As a result of their enrolment the strength ot the Division at the end of December, 1937, was 52. officers and men, as compared with 41 on January I, an increase of during the year.

No. 10 DISTRICT.

SAFFRON WALDEN.

The Saffron Walden Division of the St. John Ambulance Brigade held a Social Evening at the

Parish Hall, Saffron Walden, recently, at which a large number of members and their friends were present.

During the evening the presentation of a President's badge was made by the Mayor of Saffron Walden (Alderman Ellis Rooke) to Mrs. Custerson, on behalf of Alderman Custerson, who was unable to be present owing to illness. The Mayor was supported on the platform by Dr. ]. J I. Bartlett (Divisional Surgeon), Superintendent H. W. Perry, Ambulance Offiver Tofts, and the Divisional Secretary (E. C. Wells).

The Mayor, in making the presentation, referred to the keen interest taken by Alderman Custerson in the Ambulance Brigade, and said that no other person was morc worthy of the President's Badge. frs. Custerson was then presented with the badge , and said how sorry she was her husband was unable to be present that evening, and wished the Brigade every success.

The 11ayor presented the certificates to the members who passed their re-examination and to the recruits who passed their first-aid examination. Refreshments were served during the evening by the members, and a \Vhi st Drive was held, together '\"ith dancing.

Northern Ireland District

By kind permission of the officers of the R O"al \ntrim Artillery, the Belfast Tursing Diyision s' of the t. John Ambulance Brigade held their Annual Inspection in the Drill Room of the Territorial Headquarters , Great Victoria Street, Belfast, on December 30, 1937.

O,er one hundred members from \X'est ortb, outh and Central Divi sions were present.

11iss R. indair (Lady District uperintendent) the I,nspectin g Officer, and she expres ed satistactIOn WIth the smart appearance and efficiency of the Divisions parading.

"fajor I r. Randall made an appeaJ for all members of the Brigade to join the 1Iobile and Immobile Voluntary Aid Detachments as 2,000 V.A.D.s v;ere recluired for Northern Ireland.

11r. Ian Frazer, F.R.C. . (Commissioner of t. John Ambulance Bri gade, Northern Ireland), seconded this appeal, and hoped that members of the t. John l\mbulance Brigade ,,;ould respond.

Miss inclair also presented over 30 A.R.P. Certificates won by members of the Divisi ons at a recent examination, and a very handsome clock ,vas presented to Mr. H. L. Ioo re (Divisional upcrIntendent, Fort,villiam St. John Ambulance Brigade) from members of the West Belfast ursino-- Diyi ion b to 'l.'ho m he had given instruction on Air Raids Precautions.

Tea was served to all present, amono--st whom were Miss B. Whitaker (Lady District bOfficer), Irs. M. B." (Divisional Surgeon, Central ursing DIVISIOn), Mr. A. W. Mann (Assistant Commi sioner), and Dr. R. W. M. Strain (District Surgeon).

The Grand Priory in British 1( Realrrl of the Venerable Order of the Hospital of St. John of Jerusalem (Ambulance Department) THE ST. JOHN AMBULANCE BRIGADE

AIR RAID PRECAUTIONS

.:\ 11 previous Brigade Orders on this subject are hereby cancelled (Continued from fast month) _

7· TRAINING OF BRIGADE PER SOKJ. EL FOR THE A.R.P. CER TIFICATE.

(a) A course of instruction shall consist of eight lectures based on A.R.P. Handbooks Nos. I, 2, and specified sec tions of o. 4 (see para. 9), each lecture of not less than one hour duration given by a Grade J or 2 instructor. On completion of the course an oral examination for the A.R.P. Certificate \.vill be held. There shall be an interval of not less than seven days between the last lecture and the examination.

(b) l\n examiner shall be appointed by the Commissioner from his list of Grade I instructors. Examination papers will be supplied by the Chief Commissioner. The Commissioner will keep a register of those to \,,-hom are issued (A R.P./F 2).

(c-) A CertJficate WIll be Issued to each successful candidate by the Commissioner.

(d) The Commissioner will fonvard one copy of A.R.P·/f 2 to the Chief Commissioner.

(e) An ad,-anced cnurse for those in possession of the A.R.P. Certificate, comprising the lectures in Para. 6, will qualifY' for examination for an Instructor's Certi.ficate provided the Commissioner approves of candidate's entry for such examination (see para. I). 8. OF GENERAL PUBLIC.

(a) The expression cc General Public» must be taken to indicate am one who is not a memher of the St. John ..{\.mbulance. Brigade, o.r who is not in posseSSlOn of a recogrused first aId certificate or professional knowledge in Jieu of the latter.

(b) The Brigade has agreed to respond, so far a is within its po,ver, to reasonable request from local authorities for assistance in the organisation of air raid precautions senTice to deal with ciyil casualties and for the pro,-ision of lectures and in truction in air raid to per ons outside its own membership, pro"Ided that the Brigade shall not be called uron to incur expense in the latter connection.

In Anti-Gas Training leaflet issued by the .A.R.P. Department, Home Office, dated J ul)' -ro, 19) -, the following is stated: "Local authorities are reminded tbat if (as the. ecretary of State hopes ,,·ill be the case) the co-operatiOn of the, t. Tohn \mbula nce Brio--ade or B.R.C. is sought in p. royidino- these b those should not be expected to proyide or bear any co t for this purpo,e, and are entitled to charge a fee for the lecturer. It is suggested that one guinea per lecture (of about one hour) should be ma.ximum fee for a lecturer (the fee for an examIner, \vhere required, should be

governed by the rules of the conducting the examina.tion) except in districts \\here any charge to the public would be onerous, the Secretar) of State sees no objection to a sn1<111 fee being for attendance at these lectures or courses. It will be understood that no training fcc should be charged to persons who have volunteered tbeir sen"ices for any special air raid precautions duty."

(c) If asked by local organisations to arrange courses of instruction, these reque ts must be submitted to and appro\Ted by Commissioners at their discretion. Such courses will be carried out by authorised Grade instructors of the Brigade.

(d) The course shall consist of eight lectures based o n A.R.P. Handbooks Kos I and 2 and specified sections of NO 4 (see para. 9), each lecture of not less than one hour duration. On completion of the course an oral examination for a special certificate, known as General Public A.R.P. Certificate may be held · but there shall be an interval of not less than se,'en days between last lecture and the examination.

(e) Certificate will be issued to successful candidates by the Commissioner who will keep a nominal roll of those to whom certificates are issued (A R P.jF 2).

(f) The Commissioner will forward one copy of A.R.P.jF 2 to the Chief Commissioner.

(g) An advanced course for those in possession of the General Public Certilicate comprising the lectures in Para. 6 ,,,·ill qualify for examination for an Instructor Certificate provided that the Commissioner approves of candidate's entry for such examination.

(h) The Certificate referred to in (c) qua1ifies the holder for admission to the C( Air Raid Precautions Auxiliary Reserve" of the St. John Ambulance Brigade.

9. SYLLABuS FOR AIR RAIDS PRECAuTIONS (A,\TIGAS) COURSE TO BRIGADE PERS01'-'1'.""EL GENER.-I.L PUBLIC FOR A.R P. CERTIFICATE. (See B.O. 68 5.)

(g) Porms to be used by Brigade Cnits and Commissioners are detailed in Appendix 1.

(h) Blank certificates and forms will be issued to Commissioners on demand to the Brigade Secretary, Brigade Headquarters.

13. AIR RAID PRECAUTIOKS AUXILIARY RESERYE. D efinition.

(a) The A.R.P. Auxiliary Reserve shall be a body of individuals, men or women, drawn from the general public, not being already members of the St. John Ambulance Brigade, but who shall have attended a course of A.R.P . lectures and have passed the same examination as that applicable to the rank and file of the Brigade. They need not be in possession of a first aid certificate nor need they have any previous knowledge of first aid Instruction

(b) The course of instruction and examination shall be on the same lines as for the (Rank and File) of the Brigade, but the scope of subsequent instruction and examination shall be especially designed to meet the requiren;ents of the work the individuals will be J6

called upon to elrry out, which naturally differs somewhat from that of Brigade members .

EllrollJleJll dlUl ['''derlakiJl r!,.

(c) Indi\ iduals who are in possession of an A.R.P. Certificate of the Brigade or British Red Cross Society ma'r enrol in the .J \.R.P. \uxiliary Reserve of the St. Ambulance Brigade and \.viiI be attached to the nearest unit to where the,· reside.

Enrolment shall an undertaking to sen e in connection with A R.P. duties with either (I) the. local Unit of the Brigade or (2) any other St. John ,Ambulance Brigade Unit if preferred by the pro:;pective member; and to maintain their knowledge of A.R.P. work ominal rolls shall be kept by the Commissioner and the enit on form B.F Ia at top of which must be clearly "\vritten " '\.R.P Aux Reserve." Discipline. '

(d) engaged on actual A.R.P. duties With the St. John Ambulance Brigade, the members of the A R.P. Auxiliary Reserve will be under the orders of the officers of the t. John Ambulance Brigade and subject to the same discipline as if they were members of the Brigade.

14. S.-PROCED1'RE \"ND FOR?rc;ro Ill. L'ED.

Application for Examinatioll.

Form A.R.P.j1 (Revised) \.\'ill be sent to the Commissioner or other Officer detailed by the Commissioner to arrange examinations.

The top portion will be completed by the officer or member applying for the examination to be held. The lower portion will be completed by the Commissioner and both portions passed to the Chief Commissioner.

The Chief Commissioner will send test papers (to Examiner) and fonvard forms A.R.P.jF 2 to Officer making application for the examination.

J\Tominal Roll of Examinees.

..<\.R P.jF 2' will be completed in triplIcate and handed to the examiner on arrival. Separate forms to be used for those entering examination as Grade I Instructors, Brigade personnel. Instructions at the head of A.R.P .jF 2 to be carefully noted. The Commissioner will forward one copy to the Chief Commissioner, one copy to the unit) and retain one copy for record purposes.

Disposal of Ex(/minatiol1 Pa.J.tJers qy Examiners.

All examination papers and Forms A.R P jF 2 will be sent to the Commissioner within seven days of the date on which the examination was held.

It is hoped that eventually all Instructors (C.A G.S. and Grade I) will be supplied with personal equipment, and that a Commissioner will have sufficient equipment in his area to mect requirements for classes In the meantime all applications for loan of respirators and protective clothing will be supplied by Brigade Headquarters and all demands will be met up to the limited available supplies. (To be continued )

fl Interesting Case Reports II

CASE REPORT No. 13 5.-The Officer-in-Charge of the Glencoe Railway Ambulance Division,Cape Town, South Africa, reports the efficient performance of first-aid by members of h1s unit in the following circumstances:

On October 27, at the Glencoe Railway Institute, Bioscope Hall, a fire broke out in the operator's box, following the showing of the cc News Gazette," shortly after 8 p.m.

Thcre was a large crowd present, including several members of the Division, to see the picture, The White Angel. When flames were seen spurting from the openings of the box) 1fr. Fred Nash, joint proprietor, dashed to his father's assistance (his father being the operator), and to cope with the fire. He was closely followed by Ser£;eant E. J. Tewton and Corporal C. M. Newton, both or' whom concentrated on giving the injured man immediate treatment, while Corporal Newton greatly assisted in keeping the crowd in control to preyent panic, in which he and other members of the Division were successful.

1fr. Fred Nash, the son, received a number of burns. Sergeant J. C. Gill and Corporal Newton therefore renclered first aid, left him in charge of another qualified man (W'. S\van) and summoned the Divisional Surgeon (Dr. \Veir) and the St. Tohn motor ambulance.

,Meanwhile Sergeant 1 ewton and Corporal Kewton) assisted by WI. Atkins, obtained a big coat from :l railway guard, and improvising a stretcher lowered the patient from the box, which is high up in the ceiling, to the floor in safety. The patient was hurried by ambulance to the Dundee Hospital (,\-hich is 7t miles away), where he unfortunately succumbed to his injuries after admission. His son) howeyer, is making satisfactory progress.

COMMENT.-Notbing is more cOl1dllciz'e 10 panic Ihan tbe olltbreak of fire in a crou'r/ed hall; and lJotbiJl/!, i.r more prodflclit1e of accidents than paJ1ic. In these circ/tJlJJ"tal1ces 1l'e tet/der cordial congratlliations to the ///elJ/bers of the Glencoe Railway Ambulance DilJisioll, Brigade Ovenea.r, 110/ only 011 rendering etJicieflt first aid to tbeir two IIIJ/or/tmate patients) but aho J10 pre1!e1ltil1g fllrther accidents the d1le and proper exercise of tbdr first-aid qllalificatiollJ'. -

N. e. F.

TREA DfENT BY GIRL C.-I..DET.

e. M . (Herne Bay).-You mar be interested to know that one of our Girl Cadets Muriel Iddinden (age 13 years), diagnosed and treated a simple fracture

of forearm. After treatment for shock, the patient was taken to a doctor, who was very pleased with the way in which the patient had been handled.

Thollgh Brigade Regulations do not favour actioll b) Cadets except in aft emergency) it ij' always pLeasing to receive reports as in this instame. To Cadet Muriel Iddendm, therefore, we offer cordial congratulations on l.ood n/ork, well done. C. F.

IN fIRST AID.

e. 11. (Herne Bay).-Lecturing on Stings of Instcts the other day to a mi"lCed class at a school, I asked the girls : "How do you get your clothes white? Of course I expected them to answer, "By using the blue bag." I was, therefore, amused when one of the boys blurted out, " With Persil " ! EvidentlY the bOJ' was more observant than the girl r in the class; and for this reason he shollld make a <ood .first aider.-J:\. e. F.

11EDDLEsmrE

FIRST AID.

E. B. (Peterboro').-Herewith a cutting from a local newspaper with instructions which) if adopted by a candidate for a St. John Certificate, would be likely to result in failure on the grounds that he (or she) was practising) what you caU) :Meddlesome First Aid ; " One of the most useful signs to tell whether an injured leg is broken or not is to test it for what is known as crepitus. Get a bone from the butcher and it in half, hold one half in each band, and gently rub the broken ends together; the feeling of grating, \1.'hen once felt, is never forgotten. If the bone is injured seriously) you will not feel this grating there is a fracture. In the case of the leg, for instance, put one hand abo\Te the point of injury) and the other below, take a firm grip) and gently but deliberately move the hands in opposite directions. The moment you feel the grating, stop-there is no need to keep on doing it.

"Haying determined that the bone is broken, remember that your first care i to prevent the fracture becoming compound. By this I mean that the skin must be kept unbroken. The ends of the broken bone are as sharp as a piece of glas ) and, if the leg is allowed to hang do\.\'n, the end of the bone will come through the skin like a sharp knife. The moment the skin is broken, the air finds admission) and, \.vith the air) all the poisonolls germs that float in the air. A fracture with the skin broken is about twenty times as dangerous as a fracture \vith the skin intact."

You speak tmtb.-l C. F.

Priory for Wales

Headquarters_: Priory House, 4 Cathedral Rd. , Cardiff

GENERAL INTEREST.

BRIGADE HE.'\DQUARTER STAFF ApPOIl\'Tr-IENTS.

The appointment of the Countess of Plymouth as Lady Superintendent for Wales has been received with enthusiasm by Ojucers and all ranks of the Brigade in Wales. As wife of the Sub-Prior, Lady Plymouth, a Commander (Sister) of the Order, has been closely associated with the work of the Priorv; and as she is Lady President of the Glamorgan Branch, British Red Cross Society, this fuller identification will be helpful in co-ordinating the activities of both Ambulance Organisations.

The Headquarter Staff of the Brigade in Wales has been completed by the promotion of the Hon. Mrs. J. H. Bruce as Lady Staff Officer for Wales from the rank of Lady County Superintendent, having passed through the various ranks, from that of Ambulance Sister upwards, in the Aberdare Centre.

WELSH RAILWAY AMBULANCE CmIPETITION.

Three teams of men employed by the Great Western Railway Company met three teams of London, Midland and Scottish Railway employees at the City Hall, Cardiff, on Thursday, December 2, to decide the championship Railway team in Wales. The scene represented in the Assembly Rooms was a level crossing with the miniature gates smashed by a car crashing through in a dense fog. Among the tangled debris lay the two occupants of the car, both unconscious-one bleeding freely from a cut on the head and two wrists, and the other having a bruise on the head and other injuries. Such was the team test set by Dr. J. P. J. Jenkins, Assistant County Surgeon, Monmouthshire Centre, while Corps Surgeon Dr. G. S. Phillips, Gwaun-cae-Gurwen, and CorpsSurgeon Dr. H. B. Pierce conducted the individual tests.

The marks obtained placed the six entrants in the following order; and while the" Harry Webb" Cup is held for the twelfth time by a G. W.R. team, one of the L.M. & S. Railway came second: Order of Merit.

2 3 4 5 6 Name of Team.

Newport High Street, G.W.R. Llandudno Junction, L.M. & S.R.

Barrv Loco. Factory, G.W.R. Junction, L.M. & S.R Y stalyfera, L.M. & S.R. Aberdare High Level, G.W.R. Total Marks. 325 IS

The announcement of the results, following tea, was made in the presence of a large gathering by the Principal Secretary and Commissioner for Wales (the Hon. John H. Bruce, J.P., D.L.), who introduced Sir Robert Webber, a Commander of the Order and Member of Chapter of the Priory, to whom ambulance workers had good cause to be grateful for the continued support given b) him to the movement through the medium of the IF7 estem Alai!, of which he is managing director.

In presenting the trophy to the Captain and cake baskets to the members of the ewport High Street G.W.R. Team, Sir Robert said he was genuinely proud of his connection with the Order of t. John and particularly pleased to have been invited to take part in the function, having started his business career in a railway office; and he was glad to be able to present the cup given by his friend, ir Harry \X'ebb, who was prevented by ill-health from actively participating. He congratulated all the teams present, as they had all shown merit in eliminating contests, and assured them that their skill and sacrifice of leisure was capable, and no doubt had been the means, of saving life and limb.

The judges gave some helpful criticism of the work carried out. Summarised briefly, Dr. Jenkins' remarks indicated that he was satisfied that the real first-aid work was done very well; Dr. Phillips said the teams h';ld lost marks through omissions rather than commissions; and Dr. Pierce said the general standard was on a very high level.

In proposing thanks to the judges, Professor George Knox said it had always been a source of wonder to him how doctors gave so much of their time to ambulance work, for which they deserved the heartfelt thanks of the whole community. The vote was seconded by Captain S. T. Beard, O.D.E.

Mr. e. H. Tait, Manager, District Goods and Passenger, L.M. & S.R., Swansea, expressed appr("ciation of Sir Robert presence, and tbanked him for his services. He expressed gratitude to the Priory for the encouragement afforded by the competition to railway ambulance workers.

Miss e. A. Ault, G.W.R. Ambulance Centre Secretary, Paddington, who presented a chromium clock to each member of the Llandudno Junction, L.M.S. Railway team, seconded the thanks to Sir Robert Webber.

CENTRE REPORTS. BRECKNOCKSIIIRE CENTRE. Police Ejjirienry in A1llbulance Work. Breconshire Police held their annual inter-divisional first-aid competition, for the Chief Constable's Cup, at St. Michael's Hall, Brecon, on December 8, when teams competed from Brecon, Brynmawr and Y stradgynlais.

Dr. A. M. Robertson (Treharris) judged, and the winners proved to be the Brynmawr team. Dr. Robertson congratulated the teams on the efficiency of their treatment of the case, and gave some useful criticism and advice.

The Mayor of Brecon (Councillor A. Jolly) presented the cup to the Brynmawr team, and said that the spectators had witnessed a most interesting competition. ] Ie thought the work the police were doing in this direction was very helpful to the community; and he hoped they would continue with the good work.

Colonel J. Lloyd, M.e., Dinas, Brecon, said that a Vice-Chairman of the Breconshlre Standing Joint Committee, he would like to congratulate Colonel Cole-Ilamilton and the members of the Police Force for the plendid work they had done in the ambulance cOl1?petitions for so many years; and particularly for theIr success on t\,·o occasions in the TO. 8 District Police Competition.

The Chief Cons table, Lieu t. -Colonel C. G. ColeHamilton, D 0., \vho is also Commi ,ioner for the County, expressed thanks to the fayor, Colonel Lloyd, Dr. Robertson, and all who had attended the competition.

Cadets Entertained.

On December 7, Mrs. Norman Tavlor President of the Cadet Division, kindly the cadets to tca and afteHl!ards game, at Ffynonau. ./l.ssisting her were Mr Paskin, Lady County and Miss Betenson. Lady uperintendent of the Brecon Division, and a yery happy time was spent. MISS Jones, Lady Cadet llpe'rintendent, proposed a hearty vote of thanks to Mrs. Tador for her kindness to, and interest in, the Cadets

CAERNARVO SHIRE CE TRE.

The Caernarvon Division registered as recently as June of last year is to be congratulated on the fe,Dowing expression of thanks received by the Chief Constable for Caernarvonshire, [r. Edward Williams in his capacity as Assistant Commissioner, from 'the Secretary of the Holyhead Football Club:

"DE;\R SIR,- We, the Committee of the abo\'e Club, desire to thank your men for the considerate and kindly attention given to our goalkeeper, J. Burnall, who was hurt during the o-ame at Caernarvon b on September 2. 5. We are also o-rateful to the member of the Brigad.e who kindly the hospital on Saturday everung and Sunday morning. The conduct of YOLl! men at this incident throws great credit upon

the Brigade, and we greatly appreciate the attention our player received when in their hands. For the Holyhead Town F.e. Committee, R. Secretary. "

GLAMORGA:\" Cou:\"TY. So"ial Gathering at Pontlotryn.

There was a record attendance at the 20th annual and of awards of the Pontlottyn DIVISIOn, at which the Reverend W. Brazell presided on December 4. The Hon. John H. Bruce (Principal Secretary and Commissioner for Wales), who was accompanied by 11rs. Bruce, referred to the many which had marked 1937 as a memorable year In Ambulance \Vork, and pointe'd out that such national performances of first-aid service were made possible only because there were Divisions like that at Pontlottyn maintaining efficiency and rendering local duties continuously.

<:.=ertificates were presented by the DlvlslOnal PreSIdent, fr. Daniel \Villiams, who referred to the splendid opportunity afforded by the Cadet.1fo\'ement to good citizenship to boys and guls. A presentatIOn of an oak chiming clock was made by Corps Inspector of Stores L. J. \'rood on behalf of the Pontlottyn Division to Superintendent James to mark his appointment as a Serving Brother ot the Order. In responding, Superintendent Ings said that he greatly valued the spirit which actuated the gift.

Councillor D. \"\illiams presented Certificates to adult members; and in distributing medallions and labels, Dr. S. B. Turner, Assistant Commissioner for the Caerphilly County Area and Priory HeadquartersC?fficer took advantage of the opporturuty ot pOlntlng out the necessity for all Ambulance men to qualify in A.R.P. work.

DistribJllion of Awards at Dllfji]'fJ Rhondda. 'early one hundred guests attended the Annual upper and Social EYening, at \\Thich :0,1r. \\'7. Thomas, 11.E:, Agent of the Powell Duffryn Rhondda Colliery, preSIded, supported by ASfistant Commissioner, 1fr. Lemuel Jones, J.P., Dr. J. M. Taylor,1ir. \V. Bassett, M.E., Mr. Eddie Hopkin, J.P., 1fr. T. John, J.P., and others.

The asked the assembly to stand as a gesture ot to the late Pre ident, Captain V. P. Leyson, after whIch the Assistant Commissioner presented the new President ·with his W'arrant and .i\fr Thomas as Honorary President of the Nursino- Division \\'ith her \-X;'arrant. Dr. J. :0,1. Taylor hi warrant as Divisional urgeon, and Cadet Officer e. parks a Divisional Treasurer. .-\ very happy evemng was spent b-.:,' :0,[embers and theIr friends. '

THE REVISED (39th) EDITION OF

"First Aid to the Injlzred"

I

As THE GAZETTE goes to press this month, the Association has published the eagerly-awaited 39th edition of First Aid to the It!Jllred, exactly lI:M.tyears after its predecessor. Consequently, as I am not a member of the Revision Committee, the Editor has sent me an advance copy, and asked me to set out my general impressions and to posptone to a later issue a detailed review of the many changes which have been effected in the Textbook.

A revised Textbook means work for lecturers as well as for students. It may, therefore, assist if at the outset I state that the outstanding features of the new edition (apart from an improved type) are (I) the introduction of actual photographs (these being interesting because we can recognise the faces of the several members of the Association staff who have volunteered as models), and (2) the collection of the questions (which previously figured at the end of each chapter) into a separate section or chapter.

The chapters of the Textbook have been increased from 16 to 18 by the allotment of separate chapters to " The Principles of First Aid " and to " Shock" ; and further the all too-frequent and parrot-like answer in examinations-" Treat Shock"- (which was favoured by previous editions) will now disappear, at the end of the chapter of " The Principles of First Aid» there is now a general warning that " provision of medical aid and treatment of shock are essential parts of First Aid and consequently it will not be necessary to refer to them again except to emphasize their urgency.» .

Outwardly, the Textbook, though thicker, is of the same size and exhibits on its front cover the plain badge of the Association in place of that with ambulance scroll, while a dainty St. John cross adorns its back, occupying the space where the honoured name of Cantlie figured for so many years. Alas! his name now disappears entirely from the Textbook. Inwardly we find that, with the Appendices, its pages have increased from 250 to 294 and that the instruction 20

in accordance with the Syllabus of I!).struction fill 243 pages instead of the previous 213. Further, the illustrations number 104, an increase of 14 on those which appeared in the last edition.

The Committee has wisely retained (and brought up-to-date) the Introduction with which it prefaced the 38th edition. Consequently lecturers and students commence their studies with some understanding of the relationships of the Order, the Association and the Brigade, an advantage denied those of us who started the good work before 19 28

Silvester's Method of Artificial Respiration is restored to the body of the Textbook; and the St. John Prone Pressure Method (against which some of us always protested) gives way to the original Schafer Method as the result of discussions with the Royal Life Saving Society. Alterations have been made in "Stretcher Exercises," these being now "based mainly on R.A.M.C. Training Manual of 1935."

While I personally do not approve some of the changes, I failed, in my first rapid reading, to detect any howlers, the nearest approach to which is Figure 66. This shows the model (whose axillary artery is supposed to be controlled by pad and bandage) dressed in a polo-neck sweater, in contradiction to Rule 3, on p. 108, which requires the removal of such clothing as is necessary in the treatment of bleeding and in spite of the need for the pad to be passed deeply into the hollow of the armpit.

In conclusion, I am of the opinion that the 39th Edition maintains the pre-eminence which our Textbook has always and justly enjoyed among manuals of First Aid ; and once again I venture to congratulate the members of the Revision Committee (and their models) on the results of their endeavours, which provide positive proofs of long, arduous and conscientious labour and which merit the grateful thanks of us all, whether lecturers or students of First Aid. Prosit opus!

N. C. F.

A ir Raid Precautions

Surgeons

TJIE OF EXM,lI\TIO}"-,.

ThlS article is a fuller explanation of B.O. 685 in relation to exarmnations ooly, and should clarity procedure for busy Doctors

All applications for the coneiuct of examinations must be made in the first place to the County or District Commissioner, \\'ho is supplied with a stock of the necessary forms for application to Headquarters for examination papers, etc. The Commissioner will also have been notified previously of all classes being formed, and therefore he is awaiting the applIcation for an examination at the termination of the class. When this applica tion is made to the Comrmssioner, the series of printed forms ARP IF I, -\RP/F 2, ARP F 3, et.req. (B.O. 685, Appendix I), are automatically set in action right up to the final notification of results.

There are four examinations in relation to A.R.P. :

( I) Grade I, Instructor ' examination.

(2) Grade 2, Instructors' examination.

(,) Bngade 11embership exarmoation for ordinary certificate.

(4) General Public examination for ordinary certificate.

1. Grade ltutrtlClors' E:>.:allJ;nalioll. Ths is for tile certificate as prescribed by the Home Office for granting to officially recognised instructors for lecturing to the Brigade and to the general public. The syllabus for the lectures and the method of examination is co-ordinated with that of the British Red Cross Society, so that the Grade I Instructors' Certificates are interchangeable for the two voluntary organisations (S.].A.B. and B.R.C.S.). This certificate is officially recognised for "instruction" in all the .R.P. first-aid work, and only differs from the C.A.G.S. (Civilian Anti-Gas School) inasmuch as it . does not qualify for instruction in subjects outside first-aid work, e.g., road decontamination and repair, demolition of buildings, fire brigade special duties, wardens' official training, or any of the essential services referring to water, light or food supplies.

The examination consists of three parts: (a) \n oral, which is conducted locally; (b) the deli, ery of a lecture-the marking being chieBy for notes made, style of delivery, power to impart knowledge and Interest the audience, etc.-till' is also conducted locally; (c) a written examination, the ans"wcrs to which arc forwarded to Headquarters for examination by a spq:ial panel of Doctors to maintain a level standard for passes. In all three examinations 75 per

By W. C. BENTALL, O.B.E., F.R.C.S.,

the Chief Commissioner 21

cent. of marks is the rmnimum for a pass. \11 guidance for examiner .and examinee is clearly set out on the pri n ted papers which follow the primary application form, ARP / F I (B.O. 685, Appendix I).

At the request of the Home Office "\ve may also grant these offiCIal certificates to people outside the Bri gade (see B.O. 685, para. 2) who have taken a full Instructors' Course, the word C( External" being added to the certificate which is issued from Headquarters after the examination has been passed. Such Grade (External) certificate holders may then give lectures, and business organisations use many such instructors for teaching their staffs. Banks, factories, stores, etc., in London and other cities have sent many to our week-end courses for this purpO'>e, and, in fact, at the December course more than half of the 250 who attended were not Brigade members, and quite a number of A.R.P. Council Officers attended and several B.R.C.S. Officers, and business organisatiom. We have also held week-end intensive courses in other towns for Chambers of Commerce and similar organisations to obtain such instructors recognised by the Home Office with our Grade (External) Instructors.

2. Grade 2 Instrllctors' Examination. This certificate does not qualify for instruction, but for assistance to Grade I Instructors, or the conduct of tutOrials, practical \vork, etc., provided always that a Grade Lecturer is responsible for the class. This group constitutes an essential link in the chain, and I haye found that in all well-organised city courses run under the organisation of specially appointed A.R.P. Officers they find the need of training this group of helpers. Also from them subsequently some may proceed to the Grade I examination, for which they only need to take the lecture and the ,,,ritten examinations.

3. Brigadf Alembership Examination for the Ordinal) A.R.P. Certificate. This follo\vs after the A.R.P. course (see B.O. 685, para. 9), and it should be taken for granted that all our Brigade members \"i11 take this course, sit for the examination and obtain their certificate, just as they have done for first-aid. \Vhen our Briga de members holD these certificates they are recognised by the Home Office, and under the Home Office b" all local authorities to undertake ,,'ork in first-aid posts or casualty clearing parties. The Home Office have issued a memorandum recognising two groups of helpers: (i) Trained; and (ii) .J. trained. The trained hold two certificates, a first-aid one and an A.R.P. one, the auxiliary trained hold only one or other. All our members should hold both, and so automatically be in group (i) as ' Trained."

\11 Commissioners should seek to get all their members trained as quickly as possible.

4· General Public Examinatio1l for OrdinalJI Certificate. A very important part of the Government scheme is the education of the general public in A.R.P., jirstlJ', because such education, when thoroughly done in a course of eight lectures, is the greatest prevention of public panic. Ignorance produces panic, knowledge prevents it. Secondly, because a large number of helpers are needed to staff first-aid posts and to form casualty dearing parties. Many of our Brigade would of course in a national crisis be called to the Colours, and many of the public also-therefore we must have a large auxiliary reserve to meet tills need of all ages and physical grades. And to all who may join up A.R.P. training is most essential also. And, thirdlY, because a nation well educated in A.R.P. is less likely to be attacked by gas, as panic or permanent injury is not likely to result if known preventive measures are properly understood and practised, and therefore an enemy would not risk men and machines in a futile gas attack. The course and examination is conducted exactly as for Brigade members, though in this case Grade I instructors may be paid a fee to cover all expenses up to one guinea, and examiners £1 IS. for first twenty, and a shilling each candidate after twenty.

Results of Examinations. See" Notification of Results," B.O. 685, para. 14. Commissioners will notify results both to failed and passed candidates without reference to Headquarters for all except the Gn;1de instructors' results, which will be notified by the Chief Commissioner to the Commissioner for notification in their areas. Complaints of delay in receiving results are unfortunately rather common, and often lead to disappointment and annoyance, and although unavoidable in the early days of this new work, should no longer occur.

AIR-RAID PRECAUTIONS.

QUESTIO 's AND ANSWERS.

1. Q. Should earth for sealing be dry or moist?

A. Dry or slightly moist. Two shovelfuls of earth to one of bleach powder is the best.

2. Q. Can air-conditioning plant be used in buildings while air or gas raids are in progress?

A. Yes.

3· Q. Does the foam type of fire extinguisher serve to seal off liquid gas for any useful length of time?

A. No, not for any useful length of time.

4· Q. A large proportion of tiled fireplaces have no jambs, but a flat surface, kindly suggest best method of fixing three-ply, etc., to same.

A. The three-ply can be cut just to overlap the aperture all round the fireplace, and a broad strip of gummed paper will fasten it to the surround.

Can any petroleum jelly be used in bleach for the ointment, or must white vaseline be used?

\Vhite vaseline must be used.

In many towns there are trees, how will you treat mustard spray on trees?

If a heavy contamination is indicated the firemen on duty must spray them as they spray the roads or walls of buildings. Would chloride be eventually destroyed by being used?

Yes.

8.

A.

What about contan-,jnat.ion of dressings, rna terials, etc., carried b:' first-aid personnel, e f!.., pouch equipment?

Apart from injuries immediately dangerous to life, e.g., excessive hremorrhage, no first-aid materials should be used by casualty clearing parties. Of prime importance is speedy remo\"al to first-aid posts, where necessar} dressings will be used.

9· Q. How is a 50 per cent. solution of caustic soda made up?

A. The quest.ion empha ises the danger of teaching any such solutions or mixtures, and all such preparations will be given out to those who are to use them by the authorities In charge of the first-aid post.

A 50 per cent. solution means an equal quantity of a material in question with an equal quantity of \-vater by weight.

10. Q. \Xlhat is high-grade steel; how does it differ, say, from the steel of a galvanised roof?

\. r\ galvanised roof is not steel, but galvanised iron or tin. High-grade steel is a Bessemci preparation. Once again the question shows how careful the lecturer should be to avoid such technical phrases as high-grade steel, the answer leads you into the chemistry of stell manufacture, which is beyond the average understanding of a class.

I!. Q. It is said that thick rubber must be used as a protection against mustard gas. Is not the civilian gas mask made of thin rubber?

1\. Thick and thin are merely relative terms, thL thicker the rubber the greater the number of hours it gives protection, the thinner the rubber the less time it gives protection. The rubber of the civilian respirator is sufficiently thick to give several hours of protection.

12. Q. Do steel helmets form part of protecti\ e clothing?

A. When the first-aider is working inside a hrstaid post it is not necessary, but when out of doors in areas exposed to shelling ()tfalling buildings the steel helmet is . Officers in charge will give definite orders f(w members on duty.

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RAILWAY NEWS

Southern Railway

CONTRIBUTED BY E. A. RICK-\.RDS. PRESENT_-\TIOKS. LAUNCESTON.

While speaking in appreciatiye terms of the high standard of efficiency attained by the members of Launceston Ambulance Class, at the presentation of awards at Launceston recently, :Mr. c. F. de Pury (Divisional Superintendent) and Mr. F. (District Secretary) appealed to them not to remalll content with their present position, but to carryon until they were 100 per cent. efficient.

Mr. de Pury, who presided, was supported by the Mayor of Launceston (Ur. S. J. Fitze), :Mr. Hancock (District Secretary), Ur. A. Kelland (Stationmaster), Mr. C. Sowden (Class Secretary), and the late Stationmaster, Mr. J. H. Lashbrook.

The Chairman said he wished to emphasise the fact that the Ambulance 1fovement in the Launceston district was in a very healthy condition. For that standard a great deal of the credit was due to Mr. Sowden, their Secretary, and the Doctor for his lectures. He was convinced, he said, that there was enough enthusiasm in the Launceston district for them to send up a team not only to compete but to win the Southern Railway Challenge Shield.

Before presenting the awards, the 11ayor paid tribute to the efficiency with which they carried out their duties and of the- pride they took in their work. As 1'vfayor, he could assure them of the appreciation; and as a local tradesman, he deslred to thank them for their courtesy and helpfulness at all times.

In asking the Mayor to present Mr. ]. H. Lashbrook with an electric standard lamp on behalf of the staff, Mr. C. Sowden said they were glad to know that he would reside in Launceston. When 1fr. Lashbrook came to Launceston about five years ago, he soon won the respect and loyalty of all members of the staff.

Replying, Mr. Lashbrook expressed his gratitude and said he hoped the same loyalty and respect he had experienced would be extended to Mr. Kelland, the new Stationmaster.

FIRST-AID COMPETITION, RAMSGATE.

Judges had a thankless task at the Centenary Hall, Ramsgate, recently, when were · called to decide the respective ments of the teams taking part in the annual competition for the Ramsgate Borough Ambulance Cup.

Dr. C. P. Boulden (Deal) admitted to a large audience that he and his colleague, Dr. C. S. Wlse (Sandwich) had been set a difficult problem in deciding upon the winners.

The cup was won by the outhern Railway No, team, who, out of a possicle 420 marks, scored 376. The Southern Railway No.2 team came second with 330 marks.

The ambulance men certainly gave the onlooke rS their money's \\Torth and proved that they are capablc of dealing with a tragic situation, and one of the medical men expressed the opinion that the general standard better than that shown in the competitlOn the previous year.

11r: G. R. Ward (Competition Secretary) took the chair at the presentation of the cup, replicas, and prizes, and was supported by Alderman Mrs. F. L. Dunn, who made the presentations, Corps Super intendent G. Harman, and Corps Officer W, J l. Sinden.

RAMSGATE.

The presentation of ambulance awards was held at Ramsgate recently, when the etc., gained were given to the successful members by the Mayor of Ramsgate (Alderman WT T. Smith).

A large company was present at the hall and thoroughly enjoyed a concert by De Loco Troupe.

After the distribution of a'wards by the during the interval, the :i\Iayor expressed thanks on behalf of himself and the Ma voress for the invitation which had been extended to them to be present. Hefelt that those persons who had galned the awan.J.. must have worked very hard for many years for them.

In conclusion, the Mayor expressed thanks to the entertainers for the very fine concert they had provided that evening.

The feature of the distribution of awards was the presentation to Mr. G. Scott of the Southern Railway Centre's second-class certificate in recognition of his services in rendering first-aid to a lady who was knocked down by a car and very seriously injured near the station earlier in the year.

SOUTHERN AMBULANCE MEN HONOURED.

The Chapter of the Order of St. John of Jerusalem in England have, with the sanction of the Sovereign Head and Patron of the Order, in recognition of their untiring services in the cause of First-Aid to the Injured, covering a period of many years, elected

the undcrmentioned as Serving Brothers of the Order :-

F. J. Hancock, Trains Inspector, Exeter. C. Howard, Guard, Havant.

DIVISIONAL COMPETITIONS.

are. rern0ded that the closing date for entry In connectlOn With the above is February 25, 193 8.

PASSING OF THREE WELL-KNOWN FIRST-AIDERS.

MR. S. T. 1fADGE.

One of the best-known ambulance workers in the West of England has been removed by the death of :.\fr. S. T. Madge, of Yeovil, at the age of 62 years. Mr. Madge was keenly interested in ambulance work all his life. In 1934, he was made a Serving B.rother of the Order of John of Jerusalem, a highly valued distinction. Few men in the West of England had a record in this branch of service more notable than Mr. Madge. His fir5t association with :lmbulance work was at Exeter in 1900, when he joined the Southern Railway class. Each year whilst at Exeter, and later at Y ('ovil, he sat for and passed an examination in First-Aid. He was the holder of the bronze, silver, and gold medals of the S.R. Centre, and for 12 years he was the Class Secretan of the Yeovil ambulance class. He had also been -a leader M member of many teams successful in comp etition work. 1fr. Iadge also held the 11erito riou LongSenTicc Certificate of the Centre.

F. E. \l' E R. it is with great regret that I have to record the decease of 11r. F. E. Drinkwater, late Inspector, London Bridge.

Mr. Drinkwater obtained his first certificate on the Chatham & Doyer Railway in 18 95. SInce he has taken the greatest possible interest n the ambulance movement, and up to the time of his death was a valued member of the Centre Committee.

In recognition of his services, 1fr. Drinkwater was appointed a Serving Brother of the Order of St. John in 1914 He was never happier than when taking part in competition work, and it is interesting to record that on a number of occasions he captained the team representing the London, Chatham & Dover Railway in the inter-railway competition. In recent years, Mr. Drinkwater \Vas a familiar figure at Southern House, Cannon Street, where he often acted as Timekeeper at the Southern Raihvav Final Ambulance Competition.

FREDK. H. L. EUDEN.

Yet another" Old Stager" in the ambulance world has passed away. I refer to 11r. Euden late Signalman, Worplesdon.

Me. Euden gained his firs t certificate in 1901 and held the 14-year medal of the Centre. He acted as Class Secretary to the Guildford ambulance classs for many years, and will be sadly missed by all his colleagues in the ambulance work.

'

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London & North EasternRail wa y

REPORT OF SPECIAL A'fBULANCE Co\D.fITTEE FOR THE YE :\R E'DED SEPTE\IBER 30, 1937.

The Annual Report of the Special Ambulance Committee on the ambulance activities on the London and North-Eastern R ailway during the year ended September 30 1937, reveals many interesting details .

The total staff emp loyed by the company in 1937 was 175,849 compared with 171,798 in 1936. The number of ambulance awards gained reached a total of 6,599, against 6,392 last year, \yhilst the railway ambulance classes numbered 358, an increase of 25 on the previous year. The number of ladies' classes increased by five to 15 during the year.

Gold medals and bars were awarded to 127 and 106 ambulance enthusiasts respectively, making a total since the inception of these awards of 1,259 gold medals and 99 s gold bars.

The number of teams taking part jn competjtions held under the company's auspices showed a reduction of 18. This unusual feature is explained by the existence of an influenza epidemic early this year, when most of the competitions were in progress.

The Special Ambulance Committee express grateful thanks to the Ambulance Secretaries, Class and other officials for their excellent work in the Ambulance Movement.

London Midland & Scottish Railway

CONTRIBUTED BY GILBERT S. HILL. LONDON.

The London District Ambulance Competition, held recently, introduced an element of gas warfare for the teams had to deal with their patient whilst, wearing gas masks.

The stretcher case provided a keen fight, St. Pancras gaining 5 marks more than the Euston Clerical" B " team. A high average of marks in the individual tests, however, left the Euston team winners of the Competition. In the Individual Contest, three entrants tied with 100 per cent. marks and a retrial resulted in a win for a member of the Euston team.

This is the second year in succession that the team and individual trophies in this competition have been won by the Euston team.

CARDIFF.

"Your skill and your sacrifice of leisure hours have undoubtedly saved many thousands of lives."

Sir Robert Webber, J.P., D.L., told Welsh railwaymen when he presented the prizes at the inter-railway competitions organised by the Prior of Wales of the Order of St. John. The" Harry Webb" Cup was won b y the Newport (High Street) team and prizes were also presented to the Llandudno Juncti on and 26

B arry Locofactory teams, who were second afLd third in the competitions.

BROAD STREET.

A large number gathered together recently when the presentation of the 193 7 awards was made by [r. A. L. Castleman. The 5° awards included three certificates, six vouchers, three medallions and 35 labels, covering from five to 36 years' membership. Three silver medals given for attendance to the most number of cases throughout 1936 wcrc won by ir. Yeo\,vell (I 57), 1fr. Coombs (15 1) and ]\Ir Keetch (13 I).

A special presentation was made to fro D. R. Alderson (now retiring) as a special tribute from Broad Street, for services rendered to the \mbulance rovement for over 35 years.

CHE TER.

The Permanent Way Section are making great strides this season in preparation for the annual Chester tation Competition. Progress is being m ::: de under the guidance of " Veterans" W. Cliffe and A. E. Letman, and they are being ably assisted by other members of the department. Interest in the movement is being stimulated by fortnightly competitions for which tests are prepared by one of the members. Prizes are kioclI) gi\ en by 1fr. R. r. Phillips.

The annual presentation of awards \l;as held recently. .Mr. W. E. \'V'inter acted as Chairman and was accompanied by Messrs. C. H. Tait, H. Owen, and others.

Awards were presented to fourteen members uf the Railway Class and to ten members of the local Brigade. Included in the awards were two 15 years' gold medals, the recipients being lessrs. T. Phillips and J. Lewis. An Air Raids PrecautJons certificate was also presented to the Chairman.

The presentations were made by Major A. \,\'. Anderson, LB., Ch.B. SWANSEA.

The annual presentation of awards was held on December 10. Mr. C. H. Tait, who was in the chajr, made an appeal to those not at present members to join the movement and referred to the importance of the Air Raids Precautions scheme.

Mr. J. Story presented the following awards to the Class :-Three certificates, three vouchers, 20 labels, and St. Thomas' Long-service Medal (I 5 years) to ]. T. Brazier, and Mr. F. G. Mobbs handed three certificates and 30 labels to members of the Victoria Class.

PERTH.

The session has now been brought to a successful close. Dr. John O. Moffat has again acted as lecturer, and with class and senior pupils a regular attendance of about 70 has been recorded. The Perth Company numbers about 90.

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The Grand Priory in the British Realm of the Venerable Order of the Hospital of St. John of Jerusalem

His Majest)' The King bas been graciously pleased to sanction the following promotions in and appointments to the Venerable Order of the Hospital of St. john of jerusalem:-

FOR ADMISSION IN THE GRADE OF KNIGHT.

Admiral Sir Edward Ratcliffe Garth Russell E\'al1s, KC.B., D.S.O.

FOR AD;\IlSSION IN THE GRADE OF DAME.

The Lady Brabourne. C. 1.,

FOR PROMOTION TO THE GRADE OF COMMANDER (BROTHER).

Captain Lancelot Edgar Connop Mervyn Perowoe, R.E. (from Officer).

The Hon. john Rosebery Monson (from Officer).

Sir Richard Sennett (from Officer).

FOR ADMISSION IN THE GRADE OF COMMANDER (BROTHER).

Sir Charles Albert Batho, Bt.

FOR PROMOTION TO THE GRillE OF (SISTER).

Ursula Mary Ethel, The Hon. Mrs. Copland-Griffiths (from Officer).

Miss Letitia Lily Anne Lethem Overend (from OffiCer).

FOR PROMOTION TO THE OF OFFICER (BROTHER).

Captain Edgar Fawley ;\Wlington (from Sening Brother)

Thomas Samuel Appleton (from Serving Brother).

james Andrew Lendrum (from Serving Brother).

Samuel Bunting (from Serving Brother).

Ernest Emanuel Dufty, L.II1.S.A. (from Serving Brother).

FOR ADMISSION IN THE GRADE OF OFFICER (BROTHER

Colonel Frederick john Salmon, C.M.G., M.C.

Albert john Kingsley-Heath.

Colonel Walter Churchill Hale, O.B.E M.C., T.D.

Brigadier james Whitehead, C.!If.G., C.B.E., D.S.O.

George Edward Shelley.

William Guy Nott-Bower, C.B.E.

Colonel Philip Carlebach, C.M.G.

Herbert john Paterson, C.B.E., M.C., M.D .• F.R.C.S.

The Rev. Maurice Child (Sub-Chaplain).

Colonel james Nockells Horlick, O.B.E

Montague john Rendall, C.M.G.

Edward Malachi Dyer, O.B.E.

George Clark.

FOR PROMOTION TO THE GRillE OF OFFICER (SISTER).

Miss Lilian Edith Mawby, M.B.E. (from Serving Sister).

Mrs. Sybil Constance Porter (from Serving Sister).

FOR ADMISSION IN THE GRADE OF OFFICER (SISTER).

Mrs. Isabel Viinifred Laming.

Jane Pickard.

Sudbury. Miss

Elizabeth Se"ton, M.B. !l1rs. Lucy Edith hirkpatrick. IN SOUTH AFRICA. FOR ADllnSSIO:-.1 IN THE GRADE OF CHAPLAIN

The Rev. Andrew Murray McGregor. FOR TO THE GRA-DE OF (BROTflER). Colonel john Sidney MorriS, C B.E. (from Officer).

FOR AmnSSIO'" THE GRADE OF SER\'IN(, BROTHER. Laurence Marten Barry. Herbert Best Collins.

FOR I'" THE GRADE OF SERVINr, SISTER.

;\1rs. Constance I GetthtIe.

CO:lI;\lANDERY IX NEW ZEALAXD.

FOR AD:I!ISSIO'" IX THE GRADE OF CHAPUJ:-.1 AND APPOINTl\lliNT AS SUB-PRELATI::..

The Rt. Rev. Campb 11 West West-\\·atson. B1Shop of Christchurch.

FOR AD:lUSSJON IN THh GRADE OF OFFICER (BROTHER ). Herbert Harrv Ster"n!:'. David Ferguson \lackay

FOR AD:lUSSIO:-.1 IN THE GRADE OF SERVING BROTHER

The Venerable john Delacourt Russell. Archdeacon of N. Otago (A"",'tdJJtChaplain).

The Rev. Robert George Coats (Assistant-Chaplain).

The Rev. john Dickie (Assistant-Chaplain).

INDIA. FOR AD:lIISSION IN THE GRADE OF ASSOCIATE ({NIGH r.

His Highness Maharaja Ji\'ajirao Sabeb Scindia of Gwalior.

FOR PR0:I[OTIO'" TO THE GRADE OF CmnIANOER (BROTHERI john Cuthbert de Fontenne Sleeman (from Officer).

Major-General Sir Frank Powell Connor. D.S.O., K H.S., I. I.S. (from Officer/.

FOR PR0:llOTIO'" TO THE GRADE OF ASSOCIATE COl\lMA.'lDER (BROTHER).

Lieut.-Colonel haruna Kumar Chatterji, F.R.C.S.I. (from AssocJate Officer).

FOR ADMISSION IN THE GRADE OF ASSOCIATE COMMANDER (BROTHER).

Major-General Raja Ganpatrao Raghunath Rajwade, C.B.E. -

FOR AD:lnSSIO:'-I IN THE GRADE OF COMlIIANDER (SISTERl Edna, Lady Gowan.

FOR AD:lf!SSIO:-\ I:-\ THE GRADE OF OFFlCER (BROTHER)

Lionel Hewitt Colson, C.I.E. Carl Damieo Newman, M.B., D.P.H.

Sir Oscar james Lardner de Glanville, C.I.E.

Sir Charles George Todhunter, XC.S.1. james Francis Fitzmaurice, L.R.C.P., M.R.C.S.

Colonel john Alfred Steele Phillips, C.I.E., L.R.C.P. & S., D.P.H., I.M.::.

FOR ADMISSIO'" IN THE GRADE OF ASSOCIATE OFFICER (BROTHER)

Lieut.-Colonel Mani Shanker joshi, I.M.S.

Sisir Chandra Chatterjee, M.D., M.KC.P., D.P.H.

Colonel Narendra Singh Sodhi, M.e., I.M.S. Captain Framroze Navrojee Kapadia, M.D.

Lieut.-Colonel Sohrab S. Antia. Major Yedatore Venkoba Krishnamoortby, M.B. Appakudal Venkataramana Iyer Ramanathan. jagannath Vasuder Karve, r.1.B., D.P.H.

FOR TO THE GRADE OF OFFICER (SbTElt). Mrs. Agnes Rosaline Smith, M.B.E. (from Serving Sister).

Mrs. Violet Marion Pucklc (from Serving Sisler).

FOR ADMISSION IN THE GRADE OF OrFICER 'S ISTERl

Mrs. Constance Eila Huddleston. Mrs. Heather Frances Bourne.

FOR AD:lIISSION IN THE GRADE OF SERVING BROTHRk

Major William John Marshall. james Clifford Dwyer. Harry Rosenberg. Albert Edward Prictoe.

Lieut.-Colonel George Henry Mahony. M.D., F.R.C.S.E d., LM.S. George Richard Yeoman. Alexander Lucas Allen. Percy obn Adams. Richard Henry Cox. Devavaram Yesudian. Major Frederick Tucker Deatker, 1.;\1 S.

'lrbe Jlobn

OFFICIAL GAS CHARTS

No. Chart shows gas derivations.

No. 2 is a full and complete educational chart of "Typical War Gases."

Everyone taking an possession of these for general issue to nominal fee.

"A.R.P." Course should be in available

To The Publisher.

I set 2 sets 3 6 12 H SO

100 or more charts which all St. John PRICE LIST (per 100) ... are now organ isations

3i d including 6d. ad 1/2 2/3/6 6 / 6 10/-

(Each Set comprises one etJch of Chart No. I and No 2.)

THE ST. JOHN AMBULANCE GAZETn, 19, Cursltor Street, London, E.CA.

ORDER FORM at a postage

ADDRESS LABEL.

Date 19 .•....

Please send set(s) of the St. John Ambulance NAME Gazette Official Gas Charts, for which I enclose remittance for In accordance with the above price list. STREET

Signed TOWN Mdress . COUNTY

Should you wtsh to retazn fvis iSSt4e 1'ntact would be a convemel1ce if whim orduwg Ga.s Ch arts you would enclose a copy of your name and address pnnted 011 plain whiu pap".

FOR

BURMA.

FOR AD:mSSION 1)1 THE GRADE OF KNIGHT.

HE The Hon Sir Archibald Douglas Cochrane, 1\:.C.S.1., D.S.O. FOR AD:\lISSION IN THE GRADE OF ASSOCIATE OFFICER (BROTHER).

Captain Ill. N. Ameen.

Sheikh Abdul Rashid.

FOR AmIISSI01\ 1:\ THE GRADE OF OFFICER (SISTER).

Mrs. Muriel Cecile Ady

FOR ADMISSION IN THE GRADE OF ASSOCIATE SERVI:\G BROTHER.

L. Choon Foung.

ADEN.

FOR ADMISSIO:\ IN THE GRADE OF OFFICER (BROTHER).

Lieut.-Colonel Edward Selby Phipson, C I.E., D.S.O. , L.R.C.P., I.r.I.S.

FOR AD:\IlSSlO, IN THE GRADE OF ASSOCIATE SERVWG BROTHER.

A. Bhatt. HONG KONG.,

FOR AD:lIISSIO)I IN THE GRADE OF KKIGHT.

H.E, Sir (,eoffry Alexander Stafford Korthcote, KC.:lLG. FOR ADMISSION IN THE GRADE OF OFFICER (BROTHER).

Professor \\'illiam Innes Gerrard, O.B.E., M.D., F.R.C.P., D.P.H.

FOR PR0:I[OTION TO THE GRADE OF ASSOCIATE OFFICER (BROTHER).

Abbas el Arculli (from Associate Serving Brother).

FOR AmlISSIOK IN THE GRADE OF ASSOCIATE OFFICER (BROTHER). Fung Kong Un.

FOR PRmlOTIOK TO THE GRADE OF OFFICER (SISTER).

Mrs. Rosa Langley (from Serving. Sister).

FOR AD:.nSSION IX THE GRADE OF SERVING BROTHER.

Edward Manrice Raymond.

John Edward Dovey, M.B.

FOR ADMISSION IN THE GRADE OF ASSOCIATE SERVI:\G BROTHER

Li Shu Fan, M.B.

Arthur Wai -Tak Woo, M.B. Szeto Chung.

Dr. Ma Lul<.

Dr. Shin Lok Shang. Fung Ping-fan.

FOR IN THE GRADE Or SISTER.

Mrs. Agnes Lilias Jenkins Dovey, Jll.l:!.

FOR AD:l1I SIOX IN THE GR.-illE OF .-\S OClAT!:. SERVING SISTER.

Dr. pUSS! Parrin RuitonJee.

J,Uss Fok Kuru Yung.

Miss Hung Lai Kwan.

Miss Delminda Lopes.

CEYLO:\.

FOR AInIISSIOX 1:\ [HI: GRADE OF CmmANDER (BROTHER).

Philip Norton Banks.

FOR IK THE GRADF OF CO:lDL\NDER (SISTER).

Olh-e :l1ary, Lady Caldecott.

FOR PROMOTION TO THE GRADE OF OFFICER (BROTHER).

Captain William Thomas Brindley (froID Serving Brother)

FOR AD:.nSSION IN THE GRADE OF ASSOCIATh OFFICER (BROTHER).

Samnel Denis de Vos, L.R.C.P. & S Ed. FOR AD:-'IISSION IN THE GRADE OF OFFICER (SISTER).

Mrs. Ida l\Iane Hume

FOR ADMISSION IN THe GRADE OF SERVI:\G BROTHER. Arthur Jackson.

Shirlev cle la I [arpe.

Wilbeim Justin Pnns. Frederick Christian Scharenguivel.

Levi Hines.

Bertram Edmund Weerasinghe.

SlNGAPORI:..

FOR IN THE GRADE OF OFFICER (BROTHI R).

The Hon. Richard Desmond Fitzgerald, III.C., 1I1.D.

John Sutton Webster, 111.0.

FOR AmnSSION 1:-\ THE GRADC OF SERVI);G BROTHER.

Roderick Clarke Oehlers, M D. AUSTRALIA.

VIeTO/NA.

FOR ADMISSION IN THE GRADL OF (SISTER).

The Lady Huntingfield. TASMANIA.

FOR AD:\lISSlO:--1 IN THE GR.\DL OF I(NIGHT H.I:.. Sir Ernest Clark, K.C.B., C.B .E. ;0

CADET NEWS II

We hope all our Cadets have a very happy Christmas time, with" lots " of partles and unselfish pleasures. We have heard of classes <;>f Cadet Cooks who made their own Chnstmas puddmgs and mincemeat. \'7ell done!

Now the holidays are over, classes will be resumed with renewed energy and zeal, and we hope with increased numbers.

The R oche Ambulance and Nursing Cadets -held their Annual Party on December 20, at the Ambulance D rill Hall, which was very tastefully decorated for the occaSIon.

Supper was served the interval, and a v,ery happy evening was spent With and danClng. Len Brinley's Band played for danCIng.

During the evening the fayor and Mayoress (Councillor James Duckworth, J.P., and Mrs. Duckworth) attended, and presented certificates gained during the year

The No. IV Lancashire District Competition for Boy Cadets for the District Cup will be beld at Preston on January 29.

Obituary

The death of Miss Violet Sayer, which occurred on December 28, has been received with deep regret by all ranks of the St. John Ambulance Brigade in Southern Ireland.

Miss Sayer, who was a Serving ister of the Order of St John, first became known to the Brigade in 1917, when, as Secretary to the Our Day Appeal for Red Cross Funds, her ability soon became apparent to the Organisers

The position of Secretary to the Brigade entails much responsibility, which Miss assumed .\nth dignity, and carried out the duties .wIth ability from the date of her appOlntrr:ent 10 1924_ Miss Sayer was also Secretary to the IrIsh Centre () t the St. John Ambulance Association.

The Chief Commissioner regrets to announce the death of the following members of the Brigade Overseas :-

Ambulance Sister Mrs. I. Jacob, 3rd Calcutta (E. B State Rly., European Nsg Division, No. 2 D istrict, India. D eceased-October 3 I, 1937.

Ambulance Sister 1. C. Reynolds (S.S.St.]., Service Medal and two Bars), Marrickville Nursing D ivision, New South Wales, Australia. D eceasedNovember 5, 1937·

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SCENT-CARDS (printed).-I44 3/9, 500 10/-, 1,000 16/9. Tickets, handbills. Samples free.-'( S" TICES, 11, Oaklands Grove, London, \V.12.

BOROUGH OF CHIPPENHAM AMBULANCE VEHICLE

T HE CHIPPENHAM TO\'('N COli ClL imite offers for their existing Ambulance (Accident Cases) and its firtings. The vehicle is a 19 2 9 "\ustin, 12 h.p., ..j. cylinder, and is equippeu to take two stretchers (one stretcher and bt:d included \vith the vehicle). rhe tyrcs arc in a good condition. Tenders to be sent to the undersigned not later than H.a noon, on Thursday, February 17, 193 8 \. STR1\ D, 1 hGH STREET, To)).'11 Clerk. CHIPPENHAM, \'(1ILTS.

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Wholesale Prices to all Brigade Secretaries.

6 2, HOLBORN VIADUCT,

Phon

T HE JOURNAL OF T HE VENERABLE ORDER OF THE

HOBSON & SONS

Important Parents to

ANEW service is offered to " Gazette" readers which will be of great help in their family lives and will be of value to all parents. It is the introduction of :a special Child Psychology Section in NEW HEALTH (Consulting Editor, Sir W. Arbuthnot Lane, Bt., C.B.).

This Section is under the direction of a European psychiatrist of repute and gives detailed guidance on the many problems of psychology with which all parents are face d This feature was introduced in the January, 1937 issue, and has proved an outstanding success. Advice is being sought by readers all over the country.

"Gazette" readers who are regular readers of NEW HEALTH are invited to send their problems to thi bureau for free guidance

NEW HEALTH is the most popular orthodox health journal in the country and has associated with it many distinguished medical and scientific authorities. It is o n sale at bookstalls and newsagents on the 1st of each month, price 6d. In case of difficulty, send 8d. for each issu e post fre e, t o :

(S.J.) NEW HEALTH, 39, Bedford Square , London, W.C.l

THE ST. JOHN AMBULANCE GAZETTE is published

M the 15th of each month. The annllal subscription is ss. 6d" post f ree; single copies 3d B rigade Repo rts and Photographs should be addressed ./() Ihe Edito r , at 32, Shoe LAne, E.C.4. Reports and pholographs should reach him as earlY in the month as pouible.

Slibscriptions and advertisements should be forwarded fo lhe Publisher:

Messrs. British Periodicals, Ltd., 19, 19a, Cllrsitor Street, London, E C.4·

CONTENTS.

Editorial

First Aid to the Injured Camp for Nursing

Police National First !\id

The Gate at Play Brigade News

N"ursing Team Test

Interesting Case Reports

Air Raid Precautions (B.O.)

The Order's Library and "\1useum

Princess Mary's Royal Air force ursing Service Reserve

Cadet News

Priory for Wales

Air Raid

Extract from the Final Rcpof[ of the Chief Commissioner lUilway News PAGB

CHANCERY OF THE ORDER, ST. JOHN'S GATE, CLERKEN\VELL, LONDON, E.C.l.

Progress

On another page of this issue we give extracts from the Chief Commissioner's R eport for 1936. These

extracts speak for themselves and show the continuous and steady progress that has been made bv all departments of the Brigade, a progress which is being continued even more steadily and which, in addition to ordinary duties, is more than ever concerned with the most important subject of Air Raid Precautions.

The 1936 Report is unique if only because It is the 49th Report dealing with Brigade effort and the first to embody a full length report from the Surgeon-inChief.

In his own report the Chief Commissioner, in stating that the efficiency of the Brigade is being maintained, thanks the 2,500 members of the medical profession who belong to the Brigade for "their self-sacrificing services in training and examining our members." He goes on to say that without this assistance the Brigade could not possibly have reached its high standard of efficiency.

In this connection the remarks of the Surgeon-inChief with reference to the First Conference of District and County Surgeons are more than interesting. There can be no doubt that this original Conference marks a definite page in the history of Brigade organisation and will have much to do with the maintenance in future years of that efficiency which becomes more and more necessary as the work of the Brigade becomes greater and more urgent.

1.*

"First Aid to the 2----

(Contintled frolll page 20, issue.)

Last month I gave my general impressions of the Revised Te:xt1::ook. Now I propose to set out a detailed review of the many changes which have been made by the Revision Committee and which must be closely studied by all of us, Surgeon-lecturers and students.

Before so doing, however, I would refer to the Preface and the statement (with which I cordially agree) that the task of the Committee has not been an easy one in view of certain problems which, since the last revision of 1928, have been the subject of much difference of opinion, namely, the scope of first aid, the treatment of burns and the method of transporting patients suffering from spinal injuries. With the last two I shall deal in their appropriate Chapters.

Chapter 1. (Outline of First Aid).

With reference to the first problem the Committee has introduced in the opening lines of the Textbook a stricter definition of first aid. It has done this-partly because it is rightly opposed to the tendency in some quarters to-day to encourage first-aiders to encroach on the duties of a trained nurse and even of a doctor and partly because the Textbook is intended to deal primarily with first aid rendered by the individual at the scene of accident and with such material as is at hand. To the student the net result is a somewhat lengthy definition, of which the opening sentence occupies seven and a half lines and would have been better if it had been split up into two or three sentences!

Next follow the "necessary qualifications" of a first-aider. Of these the one concerning "discrimination" has alone been altered and, in my opinion, it has been spoiled by the omission of reference to the injuries which can be treated by patient or bystanders and which must be treated by the doctor. Personally, I have always taught that it is a useful adjunct to the first-aid treatment of shock, where possible, to distract the patient's attention by giving him something to do, even if it be merely to roll up a bandage which, unknown to him, has been deliberately unrolled!

The definition and qualifications being established, the Textbook now proceeds to deal with "the essentials of first aid" and includes thereunder (as previously) the various factors which may have a bearing on the case. These show minor changes. Under Signs, Symptoms etc., the bracketed statement that "the sense of taste should rarely be used" is

Injllred" I

deleted. Under Help Available the final paragraph with reference to professional assistance is removed consequent on the general warning which is now added to "Principles of First Aid," while the very wise instruction about exercising discretion as to sendinO' for doctor or taking patient to doctor now Principle No. 13. Also, the introduction to Appliances Available is completely altered and the opening sentence now reads: "Appliances may be at hand; but, if not, the first-aider must be resourceful in utilising such means of improvising as may be available."

Chapter 11. (Principles First Aid).

Principles of First Aid now occupy a Chapter and are prefaced by a paragraph setting out their importance. These have been increased from 12 to 13 (hateful number !) by the addit.ion of a Principle relating to treatment of fractures which, in les elaborate form, used to figure under Rest.

The instructions on IParmth now precede those on Rest and are amplified by a description of the various methods to promote it. Under If/ hen Skin is Brokel1 the old warning about the special objects of treatment with poisoned wounds has been removed.

Next, under Poisons 1 note the amazing fact that here only (as in the 1928 edition) are to be found the objects of treatment of poisoning, the special chapter on Poisons being silent on this point 1 Under Removal if Clothing the first-aider is still encouraged to do unnecessary damage to the patient's trousers (and sock) because he is instructed to slip up outer seam (and to cut off). Surely, with both a provisory note should have been added that the use of scissors is only indicated when these articles of clothing cannot be slipped off easily I

The Chapter ends with a general warning (in large capitals) about the treatment of shock and the provision of medical aid. Consequently the old-time instruction-" Treat shock "-is no longer necessary when the various local injuries are under consideration. This, as I have already stated, will protect certain of our students from repeating this instruction in parrotlike fashion !

Chapter Ill. (Structure and Functions of Bocfy).

This Chapter, which deals with "Structure and Functions of Body," is still No. III.; and it is unaltered in its text and diagrams, except that the old Fig 30 (showing organs of. chest abd0t?en) now gives place to two much - Improved Illustrations",

Figs. 10 and (front and bad VIews), for reproduction of which acknowledgment is made to an American Company. Incidentally, Fig. 5 (previously Fig. 25) still shows the whole collarbone, which it describes as " part of collarbone" I !

Chapter IV. (Shock).

Shock now has a Chapter all to itself and is fully described by the inclusion of definition, causes of aggravation, signs and symptom, objects of treatment and treatment on the spot and after arrival at shelter.

Perhaps first-aiders will now more readily appreciate the great importance of tbe condition, more especiaJly as the Chapter closes with a hint that in certain circumstances it is advantageous to delay the patient's removal to home or hospital. In this connection it is noteworthy that the instruction in previous issues to patient with blanket" has now been changed to " wrap patient in blankets."

Chapter r (Dressing and Bandages)

From a brief paragraph under the treatment of wounds in previous editions dressings are now promoted to share (and to introduce) the Chapter on the use of the triangular bandage, the title of which should surely have been " Dres ings, Arm-slings and Bandages." Dry dressings (sterilised and emergency) and wet dressings (cold and hot) are fully described.

No important change has been made in the description of arm-slings and dressings, except that the illustrations are now actual photographs. In my systematic survey, howe\Tr, I noted two curious slips in the instructions which the Revision Committee seems to have missed. Thus, with the Shoulder Bandage the centre of the bandage is, in fact, placed below and not (C on" the shoulder; and with the Bandage the middle of the base of the bandage IS, In fact, placed on the head of the tibia, which is below the knee joint and some Ettle distance below the knee-cap.

N. C. F.

(To be cOlltinlled.)

Camp for Nursing Divisions

A camp will be held for the nursing personnel of the Brigade this year at Rossall School, between Fleetwood and Blackpool, from July 30 to August 6. The postal address is Rossall School, Fleetwood. The nearest railway station is Fleetwood. Trams from Fleetwood pass the gates of the school.

The cost per head, inclusive of board and lodging for the week, w.ill be 37s. 6d. for officers and 35 s. for members. This is less than the charge made by the school authorities, but the Order has most generously consented to pay the extra charge of 7S. per head.

Rossall School is most delightfully situated, being really on the seashore, for one can walk from the courtyard through the archway on to the pnvate beach belonging to the school, of which we have the usc. There is a private chapel, a beau tiEul

dining hall, comfortable sitting-rooms, and the windows of most of the bedrooms look right out to the sea. The food is excellent. There are also tennis courts and large playing fields and a swimming pool. There will be lectures and a certain amount of practical work each day, but as it is realised that many members wish to combine work with pleasure, making this their holiday, plenty of free time will be given in which they may follow their own pleasures.

Regulation indoor and outdoor uniform is essential. For lectures and practical work the plain grey camp overall with black tie and belt, and soft white coilar, is recommended as it is most comfortable. !vfemberc; desiring such an overall can obtain a paper pattern, in sizes 34, 36, 38, and 4o-inch bust measurement, from the Lady Superintendent-in-Chief's office, price 6d., or the overall can be obtained ready-made from the Stores and the usual firms. The white straw camp hat can'be obtained from the Stores Department at St. John's Gate by those members who desire to have it. 1ufti may be worn if liked during free time. Those attending the camp must provide thei r own soap, towels and bedroom tumbler.

Cookery classes will be held. Those who wish to attend must provide themselves with an oven cloth, tea towel, small saucepan, small pie dish, tablespoon, fork, and knife.

An\' officer or member who owns a gas mask should take it.

All application must be accompanied by a 55 deposit, which will be forfeited if the officer or member cancels her application after being accepted. The balance of the total sum due must be sent direct to the Lady Superintendent-in-Chief at St. John's Gate to reach her not later than July r6, 1938. The full payment for the week will be due unless an applicant cancels her application not later than July 23, except in the case of sudden illness, when a doctor's certificate must be submitted.

Official application forms can be obtained b) Officers-in-Charge of Divisions from the office of the Lady Superintendent-in-Chief.

All applications mu t be made on the official form in duplicate through the Officer-in-Charge of the applicant's Division, and forwarded by that Officer to the I,ady Superintendent-in-Chief at St. Gate, London, E.C. I.

The work in connection with the camp will be very much facilitated if those wishing to attend will make as early application as possible. Applications should reach the Lady Superintendent-in-Chief's office by ] une 3° at the latest, but applications received after that date \\'i11 not be refused unless the camp is already filled. No application can be considered after July 23.

Officers-in-Charge of ur ing Divi ions are urgently a ked to bring this notice before their members . It is sent for the information of all the nursing personnel and not only for the benefit of the Officer-inCharge of the

Police National First-Aid Competition 1938

The Final will be held at the Central Hall Westminster, London, S.W. (opposite the West Door of Westminster Abbey) on the 25th instant.

The following teams will compete :-

No.1 District. Liverpool City Police.

No.2" Durham County Constabulary.

No. 3 Leeds City Police.

NO.4" Birmingham City Police.

No. Luton Borough Police.

No.6" Brighton Borough Police.

NO.7" Bath City Police.

No.8

NO·9 " " Monmouthshire Constabulary. Metropolitan Police (" G " Division).

The Judges will be :-

G. S. Phillips, M.D., M.R.C.S., of Gwaun-CaeGurwent, Glam., and M. M. Scott, M.R.C.S., L.R.C.P., of London.

The Preliminary Eliminating Competitions for the Nine Police Districts in England and Wales were . held during January, at Preston York Doncaster Birmingham, Brighton, Taunton: gomeryshire, and London. Over 100 teams entered for these Competitions.

Norlhern Ireland District

Considerable activity is being shown in this District the Commissioner (Mr. Ian Fraser) and Assistan; Commissioners all assisting.

A series of Air Raid Precaution lectures are being gIven by Mr. H. S. L. Ivloore in North Belfast. Mr. William Allen, Assistant Commissioner, assisted by Mr. J. Luke, is giving practical demonstration in and also giving lectures in hygiene and sarutatlOn.

Lectures in the Finaghy District, South Belfast, are at present being given by Mr. A. W. Mann, A.R.P. Officer, St. John Ambulance Brigade, N.I.

Mr. Ian Fraser, Commissioner, has visited Maghera and given a public lecture on A.R.P.

In and Portaferry classes are being formed, the operung lecture in each case being given by Mr. A. W. :Mann.

In Ballymoney a public meeting was held and addresses given in First Aid and A.R.P. by Dr. R. W. M. Strain and Mr. A. W. Mann.

:\. public meeting has recently been held in Strabane, when a lecture on A.R.P. was given by Mr. A. W. Mann. Miss Sinclair, Lady District Superintendent, spoke on First Aid and Major Parkinson Cumine on the training given at the official gas schooL

The Gate at Play

Amongst the many distinctions of St. John'S Gate lt is famous for the fact that David Garrick appeared in his first London play there. This tradition was continued on Saturday, February 5, when the Dramatic Section of the St. John's Gate Staff Recreation Club produced its first entertainment.

The programme included two one-act plays and a number of individual items which made up an interesting and highly entertaining evening's enjoyment to a large gathering of the Staff and their friends.

In the individual part of the programme Mr. Richard Wintle (conjuror) assisted by Mr. Henry Wye and Miss Rockall; Mr. Ernest Pottinger (campanologist); Mr. Percy Collings (comedian); and Mr. Herbert Bennett (pianist) revealed unexpected talent of a very high standard, while the accordion solos of Mr. Eric Godfrey (the only non-member of the Staff on the programme) aroused the audience to enthusiasm.

The two one-act plays were well received and theIr presentation showed real ability on the part of all the players, and Mr. Lewis Wood (the Secretary-pro ducer) is to be congratulated on the general excellence of the performance. In the comedy (" Bobbie Down") Miss Eileen Day, Miss Madge Headridge Miss 'X/inifred Ramson' and Mr. George Carey full} interpreted the subtle lines of humour, and in the " thriller» (" A Man of Mystery") Mr. Lewis Wood and Miss Barbara Ferguson lifted the performance to a high standard in their most difficult parts, in which they were ably assisted by Mr. Henry Wye and Mr. Richard Wintle.

We wish the St. John'S Gate Staff every success 10 their future endeavours and congratulate them on the success of their first venture.

Among those present were Brigadier Barne (Secre tary of the Order) and Mrs. Barne, Colonel Perowne (Hospitaller OC the Order), Mr. Fincham (Assistant Librarian of the Order), and Mr. Monteith (Assistant Secretary of the Order), and Mrs. Monteith.

Brigade Final Competitions

The Brigade Fina1 Competitions, 1938, will be held at the Great Central Hotel, Marylebone Road, London, N.W.I, on Friday, May 13 next.

H.R.H. The Duchess of Gloucester will present the shields and prizes

I The St. John Ambulance Brigade News I

No. 1 (PRINCE OF WALES'S) DISTRICT.

The Commissioner has addressed the following message to all Officers and members of No. District:

"At the opening of another year, I have the pleasurable duty of sending to Officers and Members of No. I District my sincere wishes for their future happiness, health and prosperity. I would like to shake each one of you by hand and thank you for a past year of work well done. That I cannot do so makes no difference to the bonds of personal friendship, understanding and loyal co-operation, which I know exist between us. During 1938 I feel T can with confidence look to you for even greater effort in the advancement of the organisation to which we and even further self-sacrifice in the cause of alleviating human suffering."

* .f<

What was described as the most succes ful dinner the No. I District Drum and Fife and Bugle Band had c\ er held took place at Fleming's Restaurant, Oxford treet, W., on Saturday, January 22.

The Band President (District Staff Officer L. L. Franks), who was accompanied by :Mrs. Franks, presided.

After the loyal toast had been drunk, the Bandmaster (Ambulance Officer 'X' . J. \X1illoughby) proposed the toast of « The Visitors," to which District Officer F. W. Isem -Smith responded. ing to the toast of " The Band," which by ergeant Newick ( o. 37 Division), Dlstnct taff fRcer Franks said he wished to express his regret at the unavoidable absence of the Commiss ioner ( apt. W. Goodley, M.C.). I Ie could assure them, he that the Commissioner's regret was as great as hIS own, but Captain Goodley had o be out of town carrying on a Brigade competition.

The Band, Captain Franks reminded them, had a I')ng and splendid record. I Ie himself had been in he Brigade for 36 years and, \\'hen he joined, the Ban d was already a living factor. It had had it chffi culties, and still had difEculties. If, ho\.l, ever, uperintendents of Divisions would encourao-e the b an d by utilising its services more, many of their dIffi culties wo.uld be an The Band did very \\ ell consldenng all Its handIcaps, although it had d be remembered that the main reason for their istence was first aid Considering the dme taken r by their practices and work as bandsmen and t eir duties as ambulance men, a great deal of \\ as due to every member. He wished them a very : uccessful future; that thev might 0'0 from strenoth h b o strength, and contInue the excellent work which the Band had done for so long.

39

Sergeant F. C. White (No. 13 Division) proposed the toast of "The Bandmaster," wishing him health and a long future as their leader.

In responding, Ambulance Officer \{Tilloughb) said that if only the Divisions would give them wider support, they would prove what they could do. They could give Divisions first-rate programmesfrom five minutes to one of a whole day's duration

Following dinner, dancing continued until midnight.

The whole of the arrangements were in the hands of Sergeant S. Smith (No.3 7 Division ), who, although suffering from the after-effects of tonsillitis, attended in order to ensure a successful evening.

teady progress with the Building Fund for the new headquarters of the Tottenham and Edmonton (No. 71) Ambulance and 56) Divi sions is reported. It will be recalled that the site in Claremont Street, Edmonton, was presented recently by the Divisional President ( fro R. J. Bradley) The plans have been prepared and now await the approval of the Edmonton Borough Council.

The Management Committee, under the Chairmanship of Dr. Archibald \v'llson , O.B.E., 1LC., and with the assistance (of Mr. G. W. Newman (Hon ;\rchitect), have planned a building worthy of the excellent work being done by the Brigade in Tottenham and Edmonton. There are to be a drill hall, two committee rooms, medical comforts department, stores room, kitchen, etc., and modern lighting and heating installed, while the decorations are designed on tasteful yet practical lines.

The Committee hope to have the new building all ready for occupation in lvfay next.

Plans to form a new Diyision of the Brigade in idcup, for which 1r. W F. Herwegh is re ponsiblc. are well in hand.

At a recent public meeting, presided over by Mr. T. G. Galbraith (Vice-Chairman of the Council, supported by Dr. P. N. Cave, the project was enthusiasticallyendorsed. Captain \Vhite Knox (.t\sjstant Commissioner in charge of the ollthern \rea said that a unit of the Brio-ade would be a great help to the locality. He could promise idcup that he and his colleagues would do e\Terything they could to forward the interests of the work. He much appreciated the friendly interest of the Counell.

Mr. T. Veevers-Thompson (Deputy Librarian of the Order) gave a lantern lecture on the historY of the Order of St. John, and the Eltham (No. '122)

Division, under Divisional Superintendent H. J. Harbottle, staged a demonstration of first aid.

Commenting on the plan for the formation of the new Division, the local newspaper, in a leading article, says:-

"The efforts to start a unit of the St. John Ambulance in Sidcup, for which fr. W. F. Herwegh, of 187, Faraday Avenue, is responsible, should be a subject of public support. Apart from the interest that men and women can show by joining, the moral and financial support of the remainder will be of great assistance to Mr. Herwegh in carrying out his ambitious schemes. He hopes to have a local headquarters and units all over the district. Nobody doubts the great value of the Brigade in its civil capacity to a growing township like our own."

No. 2 DISTRICT.

BRISTOL.

Active training in Air Raid Precautions has been afoot in the County of Bristol during the past twelve months, with the result that this county now has the following trained personnel :-

27 Grade 1 Instructors (including five Home Office st Class Certificate tholders).

15 Grade 2 Instructors.

371 Rank and File Certificate holders.

65 General Public Certificate holders.

38 Grade I and 34 Grade 2 Instructors in a special reserve carrying out instruction in the larger business houses of this city.

In the absence, through illness, of the County Commissioner (Major Norman Burgess, M.D.), the Lady County Superintendent (Mrs. N. Burgess), accompanied by the Air Raid Precautions Staff Officer (Corps Officer G. J. Creech), visited the majority of the Divisions to distribute the various Certificates.

A special refresher course is being arranged for the benefit of qualified lecturers, and further classes are being formed for the training both of the members of the Brigade and of the general public.

Each Division is devoting one drill period in four to the study of this subject, so that all members can retain their interest in and knowledge of this new phase of our work.

No. 3 DISTRICT (WESTERN).

SOUTH WORCESTERSHIRE.

General progress is still evident in the Corps, one new Ambulance Division and a Cadet Nursing Division (the first in the County) having been registered.

Additional duties have been undertaken at the Royal Infirmary, the Municipal Hospital, Worcester, and Evesham General Hospital. Reports from the various matrons express their appreciation of the help given. All Nursing Divisions and most of the Ambulance Divisions have attended lectures and examinations in A.R.P., and a high percentage have received Personnel Certificates.

A week-end course for Instructors in A.R.P. was held at the Shirehall, Worcester, and a Home Office g:.s demonstration van was used, the Corps now having four CA.G.S. Instructors, 40 Grade I anel 20 Grade 2 Instructors.

Classes for the general public, British Legion, and other bodies have been held, and Corps A.R.P. Officer E. S. Bond is arranging for further classe& to be held.

Orderlies and Nurses have been in attendance with Borough Council ambulances, and an increase in the number of road accidents and removals of patients is reported.

The Kempsey Ambulance Division rendered assistance at 28 road accidents in their own village during the summer and autumn months. Unfortunately the Divisional Secretary's daughter, aged 9, was one of the more seriously injured patients, having sustained a fractured femur, concussion, and abrasions.

As a result of so many accidents in the village, three first-aid kits are now maintained at different points in the village.

An accident worthy of note is reported from the Malvern Wells Ambulance Division: a small car with five occupants collided with a cyclist. The car ran through a hedge and rolled down a steep embankment, being compJetely wrecked. Ambulance Officer W. A. Hill and Sergeant E.]. farsh, who lives near, attended. The cyclist was found to hayt complicated fractured ribs both sides, the driver of the car had his head jammed through the windscreen and was badly cut, and the four passenge rs were struggling inside the upturned car and were panicky. Difficulty was experienced in liberating them owing to the doors being buckled up. All were badly bruised and cut, with hremorrhage of varying degrees of severity.

Dr. Fuller quickly responded to an appeal for his attendance, and congratulated the Officer and Sergeant on their work. Petrol was running freely from tht burst tank. A charabanc unloaded a party of sightseers right on the spot, and the bank was very steep, all adding to the difficulties. However, all patients were removed to hospital, two miles away, within 25 minutes.

Whist drives, dances, and other social functions have been organised by various Divisions to raise funds.

Kempsey Ambulance Division are arranging a series of whist drives and introducing a Championship Competition. The arrangements are undertaken by Privates H. Smith and G. Goodwin. The refreshments are served by Miss M. Tanner and the ladie' of the Kempsey S. ].A.A. Class. It is hoped that a Nursing Division will be registered early in the New Year.

MALVERN WELLS.

Malvern Wells Ambulance and Nursing Divisions held their Annual Whist Drive and Dance at the

Church Institute on December 27. Mr. E. Marsh acted as M.C and the prizes were presented by Mrs. Jamison Meickle, who was accompanied by Divisional Surgeon Dr. G. Jamison Meickle. He appealed to those present to attend lectures on "First Aid" and " Home Nursing" and acquire some valuable knowledge, and, if they could, join the local Divisions.

Mr. IIerbert Hayward's Band played for dancing, after the whist drive, till 2 a.m. Everyone present had a most enjoyable time.

The Worcester Ambulance and Nursing Divisions held their dlnce on January 6, at the Co-operative Hall. About z 50 patrons attended, and enjoyed dancing to Al Beechey and his Dominion Players. Professor W. Cale kindly officiated as M.e.

Among those supporting the function were Councillor A. E. and :Mrs. Looker, Superintendent F. Lane, Ambulnace Officer E. Gwillam (Midland Red Worceste.r Division). Apologies were received from Mrs. A. Lechmere (President, County S.].A.B. Nursing Divisions), County Officer :Major P. R. W. Carthew (County Dr. F. L. Newton, B. C Hammond, M.r.CE. (Vice-President, Worcester Nursing Division).

In thankjng the patrons, Corps Sergeant lajor H. E. Allen said that the Social Committee had aimed at making the dance a social success, as well as a financial success, and it was quite evident that everyone was having a good time. He went on to say that up till the present time the means of raisinO' funds had been limited. He appealed for their further support and said a Joint ocial Committee had now been formed under the direction of Lady Divisional Superintendent :Mrs. 11. Hammond and Divisional Superintendent E.]. hepherd, who would arrange other dances in the near future.

Ambulance Sister M. Harding presented ir. IIammond with a bouquet of pink carnations in appreciation of her very great interest.

In reply, Mrs. Hammond thanked the \'\Iorcester Nurses for their co-operation and the efficient manner in which they had carried out their work during the past year.

In response to a vote of thanks, Professor Cale said he was always willing to do anything that would further the cause of St. John Units in Worcester.

The newly formed Cadet Nursing Division at Malvern in a. tate of favourable progress, under DlvlslOnal Supenntendent fiss D. 1L Fellows.

At the Malvern S.J.A.A. Competitions they were successful in winning the cc frs. Newton" Cup. Nine teams competed.

No. 4 (LANCASHIRE) DISTRICT.

ACCRINGTON.

The Officers of No. Area and friends held the Dinner, January 29, at the Headquarters, Accnngton.

The Commissioner, Mr. W. G. Smith, O.B.E., presided, and was supported by the Mayor and Mayoress of Accrington (Councillor and Mrs. Moorhouse), members of the District Staff, and other ladies and gentlemen.

Excellent fare was provided and the usual toasts were honoured, after which whist and dancing were indulged in.

The Commissioner spoke of the valuable service rendered by the Corps and Divisions of the Area, many for about half-a-century. While Assistant Commissioner Dr. R. Clegg paid a glowing tribute to many past and present Officers of the Accrington Corps.

FLEETWOOD.

The distribution of a shield, medals and certificate& to members of the Cadet Division of the Fleetwood St. John Ambulance Brigade was held at the Ambulance Headquarters, Fleetwood, on January 5, 1938.

The event also took the form of a hot-pot supper, dance and social evening.

The shield, awarded to the most efficient cadet in first-aid work, was presented by Mr. H. M. Brown, President of the Fleetwood Fish Merchants' Association, Ltd.

Councillor C H. Dent presented the medals, and Divisional Surgeon S. Newsom, F.R.e.S., distributed the certificates.

Ambulance Superintendent T. R. Bailey presided. Councillor ]. P. Thomason, J.P., proposed a vote of thanks to Mr. Brown and Councillor Dent, and this was seconded by Cadet Officer ]. Edwards.

Cadet Superintendent R. Firth proposed a vote of thanks to Divisional Surgeon for his help in the past, and also extended his best thanks to the ladies for their assistance in organising the event.

The winner of the shield \vas Albert Blight, and medals were awarded for first-aid work to the following: Owell Vaughan, Wilfred \Vhite, and Sydney Cardwell.

Certificates for the first and preliminary examination were awarded to elson V. Large, Sydney Cardwell, William H. Towne, Harry Rimmer and Arthur \'\1. Hughes.

Cadet-Superintendent Frith and Cadet Officer Edwards had charge of the arrangements and entertainment was provided by Harry Phillipson (pianist) Cyril Wright (sketch), and Victor Large (sketch).

LANCA TER.

Lack of interest and appreclatlOn by the general public in the work of the St. John Ambulance Brigade and the Lancaster Nursing Division was deplored

by Councillor R. E. Bamber on his retirement from the Mayoralty.

His Worship was addressing members of the organisations at the Co-operative Cafe, New Street, before presenting their representatives with City Cups in commemoration of the raising of Lancaster from the status of borough. The cups will be returned by the recipients as perpetual challenge trophies to be competed for from time to time.

Two cups were awarded for comprehensive firstaid tests, and in addition the runner-up in the men's received a gold medal subscribed for by members of the Brigade.

The Mayor said: « I think this will be my last public meeting before retirement of the office of Mayor of the City, but it is none the less important. Y our calling as members of the St. ] ohn Ambulance Corps is one that has my entire sympathy, a.s y,our services are given freely and voluntanly, but I am afraid they are not appreciated by the general public as they might be.

" As far as the financial side is concerned, perhaps it is modesty on your part not appealing to the public for support.

"The splendid work which has been done and still is being done by you is highly commendable a.nd worthy of praise.

_c Yours is one of the silent units which goes about doing acts of kindness by attending to the sick and suffering when necessity calls, truly carrying of the missions of our Great Master and Phys1C1an, that of Good Samaritan. "

The Mayor then handed over the cups to the wi1lD:ers of the competitions, Mr. Hartell (of the Nursmg Division) and Pte. J. Wheeldon, of the Ambulance Brigade.

A surprise gift of a shaving cabinet was made to Superintendent ]. E. Helme by Dr. .W. Ge?rge, the Nursing Divisional Surgeon. The gIft was 1ll appreciation of the Superintendent's work in respect of Air Raid Precautions work.

A vote of thanks was proposed to the Mayor by Divisional Surgeon Capt. ]. A. Tomb, and seconded by Divisional Surgeon Col. W. George.

The presentation followed a potato pie supper and later there was a whist drive and dance.

MANCHESTER.

Much sympathy was shown at the funeral of Mr. James Arthur North, aged 53, of 2, Higher Openshaw, Mr. North, who retlred, owmg to ill-health from the position of Divisional Superintendent of the Openshaw G.C.R. Division of the St. ] ohn Ambulance Brigade and was placed on the Brigade Reserve by the Chief Commissioner.

In ovember, 1933, Mr. North was made a ' ervmg Brother of the Order of \ St. John of Jerusalem, the hiO'hest honour obtainable by an amulance officer. t:> He joined the G.C.R. Division when it was formed in 1910 as a private. He served the war in the R.A.1'vi,C. and was demoblhsed m 19 1 9. :Most of his wartime duties were carried out in Ireland.

He was promoted to ambulance officer in 19 28 , and was further promoted to Divisional Superintendent in 1932. He had been a member of the L.N.E.R. Works Ambulance Competition team for z 3 years.

He was employed in a brass foundry of the Gorton Loco Works of the L.N.E.R., and had been in the company's service since 1905 PRESTON.

Teams from many Lancashire towns took part at Preston on Saturday, January 29, 1938, in the annual nursinO' competitions for the North-West District of the b St. John Ambulance Brigade. There were six teams of nurses with five in each team. In addition there were competitions for boy cadets in which four teams were entered.

The competitions took place in the headquarter _ of the Preston Corps. At the presentation of the awards there were present the Mayor and :Mayoress (Councillor and Mrs. O. A. Goodier), Dr. C. ]. Trimble, Dr. T. H. C. Durham, Dr. A. E. Rayner, Mrs. Tweedale (Lady District Superintendent), 1vliss M. 1tIoore (Preston Corps Lady Superintendent), NIrs. A. Howard (Lady Vice-President of the Preston Corps), and Capt. E. F. 1'vIilling ton (Preston Corps Superintendent)

The Judges were Dr. Hu g h Riddell (Wyresdale Park Scorton), Dr. A. S. Holden, Dr. A. Russell, and Dr. T. H. Harrison. The awards were :-

C. ]. Trimble Shield :-1, North-West ianchester; 2, (Southport Cup) Blackpool; 3, Birkenhead.

A. Howard Rose Bowl :- 1, Todmorden; 2, Blackpool; 3, Didsbury (Manchester).

Officers Peace Trophy (First Aid and Home Nursing) :-1 (equal), Miss Wrigley (Rochdale) and and Miss Dean (North-West 1'vianchester); 2, Mrs. Williams (Birkenhead); 3, Miss Hall (Blackpool).

Boy Cadet Competition: - (equal), Ardwick (Manchester) and Liverpool North; 2, Liverpool Exchange; 3, Great Harwood.

Dr. Derham presided at the presentation of awards made by the Mayoress. Dr. Russell proposed a vote of thanks to the Mayoress, and the Mayor replying commended the work of the S.] .A.B. and congratulated the district on the work performed. Mrs. Howard proposed a vote of thanks to the judges. Miss Wilson thanked the Preston Corps for the use of the Headquarters.

NORTH MANCHESTER NURSING DIVISION.

On Saturday, December I I, at the Blackley Institute, the members of the North Manchester Nursing Division celebrated the Silver Jubilee of their formation by a grand social evening of song and dance. The members contributed to the joy of the evening by singing four part-songs and after rendering their items presented to Madame Wolstencroft a bouquet to mark their appreciation of her careful training of the members and conducting the songs.

Madame Worthington and Mr. Shelmerdine rendered several songs and duets in a delightful manner.

The surprise of the evening was a birthday cake kin dly provided by Lady Divisional Surgeon and Superintendent H. R. L. Reid, on which was displayed the White Cross of St. ] ohn and twenty-five candles. In the regrettable absence of Commissioner W. G. Smith, O.B.E., K.St.J., through sickness, the Lady District Superintendent, Mrs. E. A. Tweedale, C.B.E., A.R.R.C., Dt.St.]., ].P., lit the candles, and afterwards in her usual charming manner referred to the excellent work of the North Manchester Nursing Division during its twenty-five years of service, enjoining them to maintain the high character they had established for themselves; she also made reference to the Knights of St. ] ohn of old and how the motto « Pro Fide" came to be adopted and which had been handed down through the long history of the Venerable Order and that it would be handed on by those who are passing to their successors and at present serving the Order as Cadets, closing her remarks by wishing the Division « Many happy returns."

Doctor R. H. L. Reid suitably replied and thanked Mrs. Tweedale for her inspiring speech, after which the oldest member of the Division presented her with a beautiful bouquet decorated with plaid ribbon as an expression of the loyalty to her and the esteem in which the members of the Division held her.

A very warm welcome was given by the members of the Division and their assembled guests to Mrs. M. W. Dyson, S.S.St.]., who had been Superintendent for. twenty-tw:o years and had recently undergone a senous operatIOn.

Lady Ambulance Officer L. Raw was responsible for the details of the organisation of the evening and she and her fellow members were exceedingly happy in entertaining the 200 or more guests, among , whom were Assistant Commissioner W. MaJo..'Well Reekie, O.B.E., C.St.]., J.P., District Officer Major and Mrs. E. S. Burt Hamilton, M.C., S.B.St.]., 1'v1.B., Ch.B., F.R.C.S., Corps Surgeon Captain N. W Rawli?gs, L.M.S.S.A., L.M.R.C.P., C.A.G.S., Corps Supenntendent ·\Jl. E. Naylor, S.B.St.]., who officiated as and Mrs. S.S.St.]., and Lady Corps Supenntendent E. Haliday, S.S.St.]., together with 43

many Divisional Surgeons and Superintendents from the other units of the Manchester and Salford Corps.

It is of interest to record that this unit, under the. guidance of the late Superintendent Mrs. W. M Dyson, established a Medical Comforts Depot in Ashley Lane, Moston, and which has been the means of an excellent public service by the loan of sickroom requisites which are necessary for the nursingof cases of sickness at home.

\ most enjoyable and pleasant evening was brought to a close by the singing of "Auld Lang Syne" and the National Anthem

r\o. ) DISTRICT. TAPLEFORD.

An event which arou sed intere st and cong ratulatIO n was the celebration on Saturda y of the twenty-first anniversar y of the formati o n of the Staplefo rd and Sandiacre Diyision of St. John Ambulance Brig ade

Two hundred g uests partook of tea in the church schoolroom, Albert Street, Stapleford. Red, white and blue streamers inspired a motif for the decoration of the room. The smart uniforms of the ambulance men and of lad y members of the nursing divisio n Increased the attractiveness o f the setting.

Mr. A. B. Gibson (late Assistant Commissioner for' the district), who presided, recalled how he came to Stapleford 2 I years ago to assist in the formation o f the Division. He extended congratulations on the change of headquarters, having recollections of the first quarters at the Old Hall.

" You are attached to the o ldest and finest orgarusacion connected with the Chris tian belief," he told his audience. " Your ri g ht spot fo r headquarters conveniently clo se to the church."

Mr. Gibson eulo g ised the splen::lid work performed by members of the Division and remarked that whilst the ladies' section had not pro g res sed to the same extent as the ambulance section, h e hoped the celebrations that eyenin g would induce the recruitment o f members .

, There is no tiner w o rk o n earth and none mor e Christlike than to help those who are unable to help themselves," he added.

GRThfSBY

An interesting presentation (Ook place at the headquarters on Tuesday evening, January I, when the Cadet Team, compos ed of the following Cadets: Captain R. J. Wilde, A. parkes, A. Bardell, A. Fulcher and S. Rees, who \,yere succes ful during the past year in winning the "Plumtree Shield," were handed medals upon which to mark the occasion of thei r

success. Mr. e. Plumtree, the donor, presented the medals and urged each boy to try still further to retain the shield, and this could only be done by careful study and attendance on drill nights. Those present were Divisional Surgeon Dr. A. H. De1ghton, Divisional Superintendent Gott, Officers Fletcher, Ely, Cadet Superintendent Walmsley and members.

NOTTINGHAM.

The Radford Ambulance Division of the Nottingham Corps, St. John Ambulance Brigade, held their first social function at the Wollaton Road Schools, Nottingham, on December 30 last, in the form of a dance and social evening, which was attended by the officers and members of the Division and friends and also representatives of other Ambulance and Nursing Divisions of the Corps.

Among those present were Superintendent Major J. Cohen, Radford D1VlslOn, and Mrs. Cohen, District Officer A. G. \,\Teller and 1\1r5. Weller, Corps Surgeon and Superintendent H. G. Parker and 1\11rs. Parker, Corps Officer e. Lewendon and Mrs. Lewendon.

In adclition to the dancing, for which the m1lsic was played by the Thelma Band, a number of interesting and novel competItlOns were arranged, which prizes were awatded to the successful competltors.

During an interval in the dancing, Miss Hazel Parker, daughter of the Corps and intendent contributed a clever dtsplay of acrobatic dancing, 'which evoked well-merited from the company. Private Bailey, Radford also contributed two humorous monologues, which were greatly appreciated.

Light refreshments were available, and were by Mrs. Cohen and a hard-working band of WIlling lady helpers.

Great credit is due to the enthusiasm of the men:bers of the Radford Division for the success of theIr initial effort, which was greatly enjoyed by all who were present.

Officers and members of the Nottingham Corps assembled at Bath Street Schools, Nottingham, on Thursday, January 27, 193 8, when Dr. H. G Parker, Corps Surgeon and Superintendent, Corps, was presented a case electn: diagnostlc instruments, in recogrutlon of his serVlCes to the Corps during the past seventeen years.

The presentation was made on behalf of the officers and members of the Corps-with the former Assistant Commissioner, Mr. A. B. G1bson, an? Lady District Officer, Miss W. Gi bson, also were assoclated-

44

by the County Surgeon, Dr. A. la Touche Darley, who referred to the good work performed on behalf of the Brigade by Dr. Parker, and said there was always a sadness associated with a parting, yet on an occasion of this nature, was pleasure in honouring a man who had deserved 1t. Dr. Parker had been a willing helper since 1921, and was appointed as Divisional Surgeon of the Radford (formerly \Ylollaton) Ambulance Division in January, 19 26 , taking over the position of Corps Surg.eon a?out years ago, and during the .whole of the hIS servlCes had always been at the dIsposal of the Bngade whenever called upon.

On behalf of the Nursing Divisions of the Corps, Lady District Officer Miss W. Gibson presented Mrs. Parker with a crocodile skin handbag, as a token of the reo-ard of the Officers and members, and in recognition of the very valuable help which had been afforded to the Corps by :Mrs. Parker.

Both gifts were subscribed to by the Officers and members of the Corps.

In his reply Dr. Parker said that in 190.5 he wore the uniform of a Scottish Volunteer RegIment, but his pride in wearing the scarlet of those was exceeded by his pride in weanng the black. turu.c of the St. John Ambulance Brigade, and wlulst was a fine thing to be prepared to defend s country, it was still finer to work for the allevlatlOn of human suffering. On behalf of Mrs. and himself, he expressed their great regret <;:>n leavmg the Nottingham Corps, was occaslOned cl: e fact that he is leaving the :>lty to take up a pJactlce In his native county of Cumberland, ?ut hopes to continue his association with the Bngade Ln his new environment.

Dr. Parker also expressed the thanks of himself and his wife for the appreciation shown by the Officers and members of the Corps, and hoped that under his successors, the Corps would continue to progress, and that they would receive the from all ranks which had been accorded to him.

Among those present were Lady Corps Superi.nten dent Mrs. E. Paling, Lady Corps Officer Miss A. L. Oldfield, Corps Officer C. Lewendon, Surgeon and J. Cohen, DIVisional-Superintendent F. Wllson Moulds and 1-fr. J. Biddle (Hon. Corps Treasurer). An apology for absence on account of illness was tendered on behalf of Mr. A. B. Gibson, the former Assistant Commissioner, Nottinghamshire Area.

No. 6 DISTRICT.

NORTHUMBERLA DAD DURHAM.

The first Officers' Fraternal of the eighth session was held on Saturday, January 22, and took the form

of a Fraternal Supper at the Heaton Assembly Hall, Newcastle-on-Tyne.

The suprer was attended by about sev:enty and friends of the Brigade, under the of Corps Superintendent R. W. Cop e.land , the pnnclpal guests being the County CommlsslOner (Mr. Stanley Embleton) and Mrs. Embleto-?; the appointed County Secretary, CaptaIn M. Y. Slmpson, M.e., was also present.

During the evening the company was favoured with a visit from Colonel C. B. Palmer, late Commissioner for No. 6 District and now resident near Windsor. During a short speech Colonel Palmer expressed pleasure at his acquaintance wit.h old friends of the Bngade and related some of his experiences both during and subsequent to being in charge of No. 6 District.

After supper an opportunity was given for conversation and several musical items were provided by Mr. and Mrs. Crossley Fairley, Mr. J. Spencer Simpson and Mr. Henry M. Bramwell. A vote of thanks to the County Commissioner and 1rs. Embleton for their patronage, to Colonel for his address, to the artistes for theIr honorary servlCes and to the manager of the hall for his co-operation in the arrangements for the supper was proposed by the Fraternal Secretary, Corps Superintendent T. R. Midgley, and carried with acclamation.

No. 9 DI TRICT.

REDRUTH.

The annual meeting of the Reruuth Ambulance Division was held on 10nday, January 24, Mr. Harry Rich (President) presiding over a large gathering. Among those present were Dr. A. A. Macdonald (Divisional Surgeon), Mr. E. Trounson and Mr. S. J. Bartle (Vice-Presidents), Mr. WI. H. Griffin (Hon. Treasurer), Mr. G. e. Willis (Hon. Auditor), several members of the Management Committee and 45 members of the Division.

Reports on the year's work were read by Superintendent e. c. Pellowe (Superintendent's Report), Sergeant J. Olson (Secretary's Report), Mr. W. H. Griffin (Treasurer's Report), Corporal H. R. Williams (Storekeeper's Report), Corporal J. Davey (Trip Secretary'. Report) and Private K. Whittaker (Cadet Report).

Superintendent Pellowe, sLlmmansmg the year, said he took charge of the DIvision on March 23 with 27 members, which by the end of the year had increased to 52. For the first time in the history of the Division a committee of townspeople, known as the Committee of :tvranagement, was formed. As the result of a N.e.O.'s class, 2 officers, 2 sergeants and

4 corporals had passed their examinations for promotions. The Annual Inspection was carried out by the County Commissioner, Lt.-Col. W. Blackwood, only two members being absent through sickness. All the events of the year had been exceptionally well supported by the public, including the Sportsman's Service, the Whit-Sunday Concert, the Crown Jewel Replicas Exhibition, House-to-House Collection, Flag Day, etc. He tendered his sincere thanks to everyone who had assisted him during the year and emphasised the wonderful team spirit now prevailing among the members of the Division.

Sergeant J. Olson, in the Secretary's Report, spoke of the enthusiasm and keenness of the members which had been proved by the fact that there had been an average weekly attendance of 30 out of 39 members up to ovember. In December 13 new recruits had been enrolled, thereby bringing the strength of the Division up to 52. as compared with 41 on December 3 r of the previous year. All records had been broken in the transport work of the Division, 673 patients having been removed in the ambulance car, 137 more than the previous record and, in the removal of these patients the car had travelled 4,395 miles. During the year the members had treated 2,2.22 cases of First Aid as compared with 817 in 19,36. Every member of the Division had been efficient in 1937, a record not achieved for over 20 years. Ambulance Officer F. Pollcinghorne had completed 15 years' service with the Division and therefore qualified for the Long-Service Medal. Members had attended duty at all public functions in' the town and several parades and were complimented by the townspeople on their smart appearance and the good discipline in marching. In his concluding remarks he stated that the Division had been brought to its present highly efficient state by a splendid spirit of fellowship and self-sacrifice and he hoped that, by a continuance of these qualities, the Division would go from strength to strength.

The Hon. Treasurer (Mr. W. H. Griffin) reported that the receipts for the year, inclucling £123 lOS. rd. brought forward, were £433 7s. 6d., and after meeting expenses they were left with a balance of £ 35 8s. 7d ., plus £50 on deposit. In addition, over £29 had been expended in chairs and other equipment. Their subscriptions had risen from £23 2S. 2d. to £81. 8s. 7d

Private \Vhittaker reported the strength of the Cadet Division to be 21, a number of new recruits.

The President, Mr. Harry Rich, expressed his gratification at the reports and said the Division, with the self-sacrificing work of the members, would not lack public support. He also tendered his personal thanks to the unemployed members of the Division, who were rendering such valuable assistance in the transport work. He said the ne"\v Headquarter

would be completed shortly; it was b eing bu ilt on the most economical lines and when ready would furnish a long-felt need. He hoped the deficit on the building would soon be paid off so that they might tackle another problem which was becoming a necessity-the purchase of a new ambulance car.

HELSTON.

Probably in no part of Cornwall is the voluntary work of the local Division of St. John Ambulance Brigade more appreciated than in Helston-Porthleven and the surrounding large rural district, and practical evidence of this is forthcoming in the extremely generous response to any appeal for funds. Formed in 1924 by Superintendent J. B. Gilbert, who is still in command, the Division has acquired a new car, which is the last word in up-to-date construction and comfort in transit-a'z5-h.P. Vauxhall vehicle, fitted with all the latest-known appliances. The cost was £724 and this sum has been raised.

In the presence of a large assembly of local residents and members of neighbouring ambulance Divisions, the car was, on Sunday (January 9) afternoon, formally christened and dedicated, the ceremony taking place in the garage of Mr. W. Jory, in Meneage Street. The christening was to have been performed by Colonel Sir Courtenay Vyvyan, Bart., of Trelowarren (President of the Division), but, in consequence of having contracted a chill, he was unable to be present and Mr. A. Randle Thomas, who has acted as chairman bf the Ambulance Committee since its inauguration, deputised for him. The Bishop of Truro (Dr. J W. Hunkin) offered the dedicatory prayer, Members of the visiting Divisions assembled at the Helston headquarters and, headed by Helston Town Band, under Mr. A. F. Busby, marched in procession to :Meneage Street. Lieut.-Colonel (Dr.) W. Blackwood, D S.O. (County Commissioner), was accompanied by ?vIrs. Blackwood (President cf Cam borne Division and a Serving Sister of the Order of St. John of Jerusalem) and County Officer C. Tresidder (Truro).

FALMOUTH.

Many members said good-bye to Mrs. F. B. Strongman with much regret when, on the occasion of the Social held at Falmouth, she bade farewell to the Brigade.

For twenty-one years Mrs. Strongman has been connected with the organisation, and much of its proficiency and progress can be directly traced to her enthusiasm and knowledge as Superintendent for the past thirteen years.

Various tributes were paid to her ability and leadership, and in reply she mentioned her happy association with the Nursing Division. Mrs. Strongman was the recipient of a hall chair from the Nursing Division and a pouffe from the Men's Division, Miss Bull and Superintendent J. Jackman respectively making the presen tations.

NURSING TEAM TEST

Time limit, 22 minutes.

CARD OF INSTRUCTION.

Your Divisional Ambulance and you four have been detailed [0 take Public Duty at a neighbouring County Review to relieve personnel for the Parade. The men are being supplied by anothet Division. The rain ceased just before you started out at 8.;0 a.m

You have been on the way about half an hour.

You are now approaching a small country garage with a sm:;!11 house attached. No other buildings in sight.

STAGING OF TEST.

Fonn motor ambulance and seat therein team before banding t') leader the card of instruction. Man to act part of driver.

After team has read card, another man acting part of " garagL proprietor" to stand in roadway waving his anns and shoutin.1! Stop!"

The ambulance driver to be instructed to act the movements of stopping the ambulance and the " garage proprietor" says: "M, brother and I were carrying a small engine cylinder block and bl slipped and the block and myself fell on him. He is lying in thl garage. Please help."

SCENE.

"Garage." Brother to be middle-aged man lying on his lett side on greasy floor, with two other mechanics by sorry bUI helpless to act. Red cloth or paper on floor under patient'S left leg; room in "house" to have bed, washstand, small tabk. bedclothes, cupboard in comer and fire grate. Other requisites tc be supplied as requisitioned.

Patient to place denture in mouth (made of orange peel) on signal from Judge. Mark wound on left leg three inches below head of tibia, caused by sharp edge of cylinder block; strips of red cloth 0 strings of red wool to represent steady stream of blood.

Mar]..'

Details of Test. Ma).

I mmediale aclion.

Mode of action and approach :!.

Ask garage proprietor if he is hurt. (No.)

Approach accident rapidly but carefully :!.

Ask men to stand back, but to stay to help :!.

Ask colour of face. (Flushed and congested.)

Test consciousness by speech and touch. (No reJponse .)

Ask if eyeballs respond to touch. (YeJ.)

If pupils respond to light. (Yes.)

Ask if pupils are equal. (Yes.)

Examine nature of breathing. (Noisily and Il'ilh difficulty.)

Loosen clothes round neck 2

Examine mouth for obstruction. (Find and remol'e dentllres.) f>

Ask if he now breathes more easily. (Yes.) 4

Send man to house for blankets

Cover wannly below and above patient

Rapidly but efficiently e>:clude injury to spine. (None.)

Turn patient on to back and on to blanket.

Observe haemorrhage; immediately support left leg

Expose site of wound. (11 {arked Ihree inches below head of libla.)

Ask colour of blood. (Dark red.)

Ask nature of flow. (In steat/y slream.)

Examine for irregularity of bone. (Yes.)

Ask if defonnity; swelling. (Yes.)

Does wound lead down to fracture? (No.) 4

Ask if wound clean. (Yes.)

Examine for foreign bodies. CNone.)

Examine for and exclude haemorrhage elsewhere

Officer orders one Sister to iodine fingers

And apply direct digiral pressure on wound

Ask if bleeditlg controlled. (No.)

Apply firm bandage below wound

Keeping well clear of fracture

Ask if bleeding is controlled. (Yes.)

Again examine breathing. (Patient breathing.)

Temporary dressing to wound

Ask colour of face. (It is now pale.)

Again speak to patient. (No reJponse.)

Keep patient covered warmly 2

Head low and turned to one side

Maintain support of injured limb

\sk nearest doctor. (Two miles awqy.)

-\.sk nearest hospital. (Five miles away.)

Decide to take patient to hospital

Judge sap: "Carage proprietor will not allow his brother 10 go 10 hospital until seen by his doclor."

Try to persuade man to let patient be conveyed to hospital

Judge says: "No! He insists on his brother being taken into the house."

Direct garage proprietor to telephone to his doctor

Writing on paper message to be given

Eoding message by asking for instructions to be given to first-aiders

'Iot forgetting to say that he would not let patient be taken to hospital in motor ambulance

(Carage proprietor away 111'0 ",inutes.)

Officer decides to send two Sisters to house to prepare room

isk distance to house. (TIlJenty yards.)

Locate site of patient's bedroom. (Ground floor front.)

EXAMfNATION OF PATIENT.

Head--examine for possible wound. (Ao, only a bruise.)

Locate site of bruise. (Back of cranill"'.)

Ask if any swelling (Ye.r); if irregularity of bone (No)

If any bleeding or clear fluid from ears. (No.)

If any blood from mouth or nose. (No.)

If eyes are bloodshot. (So.)

If patient has vomited blood. (No.)

Test nature of pulse. (Quick and 1J·rak.)

"lext examine upper limbs and chest

Pelvis and righr lower limbs. (.Yo i'!itlrie.r.)

\{etbod and efficiency (')f examination

fREATMENT OF PATIENT.

Left Leg.

-\.pply iodine to fingers before touching· dressings rodine to wound, skin around; allow to dry \pply clean dry dressint;, pad and bandage firmly

Remove bandage from below wound

\sk if bleeding still controlled. (} "rs.)

-\.gain test for consciousness by speech and touch. (lYO response.)

• two splints padded ro fit dressing \pply five bandages; correctly applied fudge saJ·s.: " 1'/011.'0 hI' laken 10 the /;OIIJC and pullo bed. Doclor Inll arn!'c' 1Il ahollt It'n llIi'1llle.r."

Hecui.

\sk for can of cold "atl.:r piece of llOt and apply cold dressings

TRANSPORT OF PATIE T.

Decide to remo e patient by human srretcher

Using men in garage for purpose

Officer two men to face each other

One on each stde of patient

To clasp their lefr hands beneath patient's hips

£n manner of shaking hands

\lan on h lefdt to pass his left hand and forearm' ea neck and houlders

\fan to right hand and

Men to rise together and' carry'

Feet foremost by short side paces covered \varmly

re of Injured limb dUring transport

patient 0fn. on covering bedclorhes

a ng care 0 :nJured limb

Test condition of patient (".' /; ')' A I e' 1 \0 C7allf!,e.

pp y ror. and apply hot-water botties

Cover patient warmly

Encouraging word s 0 garage propneror

Judge sqys: "Doctor has arrived" history, diagnosis and tmple fracture left Ie of h d. g, venous haemorrhage; bruise back ea ,conCUSSion

Interesting Case Reports

CASE REpORT No. 136.-The Officer-in-Charge of No. 8 (Duke of Connaught's) District, St. John Ambulance Brigade, reports the efficient performance of first aid by members of the Ashford Corps, as follows:- ...

On May 26, the ambulance was called to a case Gas ·Poisoning. It left at once with a ot Nursina Division and a police constable was plcked up frofu outside the ambulance station. It reached the house just as the neighbours had turned off the gas and got the patient out into the yard. Artificial respiration was at once carned out In relays while attempts were made to secure the attendance of a doctor. After about an hour's steady work, during which the administration of carbon dioxide from a Sparklet Resuscitator played an important part, the patient v.'as breathing fairly \vell. Then, as it had proved impossible to find a doctor at home, it was' decided to remove the patient [0 hospital. This was successfully done with great care and the carbon dioxide administration \-"as continued until the hospital staff had got their oxygen apparatus to work. The patient has since been watched continuously by members of the Nursjng Division and it is hoped she will soon be fit tor removal [0 a mental home.

C01-HfE. T.- To restore lije 0' arfijicial respiratioll is probabfy the heart's desire of eve,y keen first-aider. To rio so, h01vez'er, the various moveJJlents lIIwt be freq uellt6 1 practised and patimtfy applied when the opportunity arises. To those u1Z11amed members, therefore, of the A.shford Corps who in this instance proved their ill the application of artificial respiration lIJf tmder ot/r cordial congratulations -N. C. F.

USE OF IPEC"\CUANHA

\Xi'rNE.

P. N. (Wellington, N.Z.).-The other day, as 1 read the Chapter on Poisons, T wondered why the Textbook no longer recommends us to use Ipecacuanha Wine as an emetic and I shall be grateful for you r comments on this point.

Time was 1JJhen no medical chest for fami61 lISe waJ complete 2vithout its bottle of Ipecacuanha ff/ine. To-da)1 it is not so popular and I slIrmise that the Revision COll/mittee felt that it l1Jouid not be avai.iable in most emergencie.r and so left it out ql the Textbook. Omission, however, does not suggest reason against its use in an

thottgh probabOI IllIfJtard and J1ICl/er are better for thepurpose beC£1J1Se Il/1fslard is 170t so depressant. At a1!J rate, lJIustard al7d 2vater have abvays served me well, though I have never succeeded ill making a '( poison JJ patient vomit ulltil he (or she) has sUJal101ved fotlr ttimblers/ull of the Illixttlre-N. C. F.

BLUE BAG FOR STINGS.

A.. 1\.1. (Pontlottyn).-Please be good enough to explain how the" wet blue bag," which on page 3 of the Textbook is recommepded for use with acts.

The blue bag is for Stil1gJ Plants and In;ec/s becaffse it is cOli/posed of alkalies, of bicarbonate qf roda is its chief constiflffllt. CO/1jeqllel1t(y, it will be Illore when lJIoist('!7ed 71'I"th T}.'o/er than when applied dl."l' to the iljffred part.-N. C. F.

TREAD-rENT OF BeRST VARICOSE VEIN.

B. C. (Chelsea).- \X'ith a burst varicose vein 1ligature (or injection) of the \-ein necessary subsequent to first-aid treatment, or will the vein repair itself \\Tithout surgical operation? \v'e await your comments and thank you.

Under llledical treatlllmt the blfnl vein Jllill JJst/aIIY heal more or less quick/)' aJld the OJJ[Y illdication for inteljerence ]llottld be the adviJabili/ji of radical cllre oj the varicose IJei", 1JliJic/J i.f so qften complicated by the development an /liceI'. 111 llIaI!)' instances the bursting of the vein is the set'uel to this ulceration alld the first-aider has to treat the blfr.rl lIein a.f a )llolmd accompanied h(flJlorrhage -N C. F.

ELECTRICITY Be Rr-.':>.

, -. D. (Leecls).-Please tell me \l:hat are the signs of burning by electricity and if the burns are lhe same as those caused by dry heat.

Electricity ma)' cause death Ji-om shock without at!} abrasion of the sm/ace. A gai77, it may calise burns which will Vaf]! in severit] 71/ith the strength qf the current appliec! and which lvill prese171 the usual of al!Y such injlll]! due to dly heat, name!;', b/is{ering or charring of the part 1vhere contact takes place Moisttlre and metals fa1Jour the condlfction of the mrrent.--N C. F.

Overseas Friends Wanted

Several Tursing Cadets at Malvern would like to form Pen-Friendships 'A-ith Nursing Cadets (Englishspeaking) overseas. lnitial correspondence to Miss D. M. Fellows, Glendene, Victoria Road, Malvern .

The Grand Priory in the British Realm. of the Venerable Order of the Hospital of St. John of Jerusalem. (Ambulance Department)

THE ST. JOHN AMBULANCE BRIGADE AIR RAID PRECAUTIONS

All previous Brigade Orders on this subject ate hereby cancelled (Continued from last month)

I. RE-EXAMINATION.

Those in posses. rio" of an A.R.P. Certificate should be re-examined anmfally, and to tho.re ll,ho pass a voucher will be awarded.

12.

SVPPLEMENTARY I STRL"CTIONS.

(a) In no case shall the instructor and the examiner be the same individual.

(b) The minimum percentage of attendances at lectures to qualify for examination shall be twothirds.

(c) A.R.P./F shall be used as a Class Register for A.R.P. Lecture and sent to the Commissioner after examination of class. It is most important that the Class Register hall be correctly completed before submission to the Commissioner.

Cd) Form R .P./F 2 (Nominal Roll of those attending exammarion) must be completed in triplicate. Separate forms are to be used for those entering examination for C rade I Instructor, Brigade members, and general public. These forms to be handed to the examiner before commencement of the examination.

(e) A urgeon on the Actiye I ist who has taken an Instructor's Course on J\.R. p" or an individual whose knowledge of the subject ( J\.R.P.), training and experience qualify him or her to instruct or examine, may, if an acti,-c member of the Brigade, have his or her name with details of qualifications submitted through the Commi sioner to the Chief Commissioner, for appointment as a Brigade A.R.P. Instructor. 1f approved, he or she will be accepted as a Grade Instructor.

(f) A ommissioncf may select one officer holding a Grade instructor's certificate as his A.R .P. District or County taff Officer. \"\ here warranted by geographica 1 or other reasons additional A.R.P. Officers may be appointed, and such assistant A.R.P. Officer may be given on the recommendation of the Commissioner, the rank of Corps Officer.

13. MARKIG OF EXA1H ATIO PAPER.

Test papers for Grade 2, J\.R.P. Rank and File, and General Public Examinations arc marked by the 1

Tc:st papers for Grade I-Lecture and Oral I paper are marked by the Examiner; rhe written paper must be sent to IIeadquarters for marking accompanied by l\.R.P.jF 4. Lecttlre and Oral paper.r are not /0 t7CCOIII/,aI!)! de lJ1ritten papers, hut the percentage of marks gained in the Lecture and Oral tests must be inserted on j\.R.P./F 4

14· NOTIFICATION OF RESULTS.

The Commissioner will notify the results of Grade 2, J\.R.P. Rank and File, and General Public A.R .P. Examinations to the yarious units without :0. lleadquarters, and also issue the appropnate certlficates. In the case of Grade 2 Certificates the Commissioner shall forward Issue Slip A.R.P.jC 2 to- the Chief Commissioner.

With the exception of the written papers for Grade I, no other examination papers are required at Headquarters.

In the case of Grade I examinees, after the written paper has been marked the Chief Commissioner will notify the result to the Commissioner on Form A.R.P./F 5.

15.

CORRESPO

.

All communications relating to instruction, examination, or equipment must be made through the Commissioner or his duly appointed officer. Brigade personnel including Brigade nominated C.A.G.S . Instructors are not to communicate direct with the A.R.P. Department Home Office.

Correspondence regarding the issue of equipment on. loan should be addressed to the Brigade Secretary, Bngade Headquarter, St. John's Gate, London, E.C. I, through the Commissioner or Officer detailed by him for the purpose.

16. CSE 01 GA VA>:' GA CHAMBER.

Any Instructor (C. , \.G.S.), whether he hold a first class or a second class certificate, may be allowed to use a Home Office gas \. an, and also other persons v:ith suitable qualifications appro\Ted by the A.R.P Department of the Home Office (amongst whom are some of Brigade Grade I Instructors).

Application for u e of gas , -ans must be made to the Chief Constable or the local authority as the case may be concerned. .

17. B -\DGF _'

.L \n n.R.P. Badge is being issued by the Home Office throuah local authorities to any person \.vho is a member of the _ \.R.P. Organisation of that local authority and who

(a) is serying on a yoluntary basis in time of peace; (b) has sen-ed for at least one month; and (c) is in the opinion of the local authority an efficient member of the branch of the oraanisab tion to which he belongs.

Police officers, special cor{stables, or members of P ublic fire briiYades are not eligible for the bado e in L) w b these capacities.

This Badge shall not be worn on Brigade umform. 1\ Brigade A.R.P. Reserye brassard to be worn bv member of thi ' Re erve ha been approved.

18. COPE OF LOCAL CHE)'lE.

The following is issued for information onh and how that the Lmedical and fir t aid, although 'most important parts, are only t\\'O of many enTices which haye to be con idered by local \.R.P. organisers:(I) Treatment of air raid casualties.

49

(z) Rescue work and demolition of unsafe buildings.

(3) Decontamination of material.

(4) Augmentation of resources for repairs of roads, sewers, etc.

(5) Air raid wardens..

(6) Fire fighting organ1sat10n.

(7) Gas detection. .'

(S) Emergency commurucatl?ns

(9) Protection of the (1.e:, for persons cauo-ht in the street dunng raIds).

(10) of public buildings and utility undertakings.

(1 I) Lighting restrictions.

(12) Air raid warnings. ., .

The organisation of No. I (Au RaId Services' is one in which the Brigade has been mvIted to play its part. This organisation includes-First aid , parties. First aid posts. Casualty clearing hospitals.

Base hospitals. Ambulance and other auxiliary services.

APPENDIX 1.

ARP/F

ARP/F1A

ARP/F 2

ARP/F 3

ARP/F 4

Application for examination. For Headquarters' use only.

ARP/F 5

ARP/Ex I

ARP/Ex 2

ARP/Ex 3

Nominal Roll of examinees. Class Register Sheet. From the Commissioner to the Chief Commissioner covering written papers, and showing marks obtained by the candidates in the oral and lecture tests. From the Chief Commissioner to the Commissioner notifying results of Grade 1 examination. Written paper for Grade 1. Lecture test for Grade and Grade z. Oral tests for Grade I, Grade 2, Rank and File, and General Public.

APPENDIX II.

List of Air Raid Precautions Handbooks.

No. ( . 6d sd I. Personal Protection Against Gas pnce ., . post free).

2. First Aid for Gas Casualties (price 4 d ., 5d. post free).

3. Treatment of Gas Casualties (a handbook for hospitals, doctors, and nurses). . . 4. Decontamination of Matenals (pnce 6d., sd. post free).

5. Structural Precautions. against and .Gas.

6. Air Raid Precautions In Factones and Buslness Premises.

7. Anti-Gas Precautions for Merchant Shipping (price 3d., 4d. post free).

APPENDIX III.

(Other publications. on the subject.)

Defence Against Gas (price 4d., H.M. StatlOnery Office).

Manual of Treatment of Gas CasualtIes (pnce 2S., H.M. Stationery Office).

1,[edical Historv of the War, Vol. ii (price 25 s., H.11. Stationery Office).

Chemical Warfare (Friss and Medical Aspects of Chemical Warfare \Vedder).

Historv of the Special Brigade (Major-General Foulkes): . Tactical Notes on Defence agamst Gas. Gas, by Dr. John Fenton.

Catechism of A.R.P., by Major N. Hammer, M.R.C.S.

The Order's Library and Museum

CO TRIBUTED BY T. VEEYERS- THOMPso

Although relatively little .of lay interest has been added to the Library dunng recent the :Nluseum has been particularly fortunate 1n Its many acquisitions, and our grateful thanks are due to the several donors.

It will be recalled that a model of the Church the Holy Sepulchre was presented to us by Regmald Fremantle in 1936. We have now recelved mao-nificent specimen from Mr. A. S. Jones. ThiS on: is much larger and more elaborately decorated than the other and the model of the actual sepulchre is still intact. Both apparently from the same workshop they date from the latter half of the se:renteenth and are executed in Syrian walnut, Ivory and mother-of-pear 1.

A copy of the rare portrait medal of Shelley has recently been given by Su R1chard Sennett. Shelley was Grand Prior of England from 15 66 to 1590. Being a Cath?lic, he had to flee the country on Elizabeth's acceSSlOn, he seen;s to have remained on good terms wlt.h the Queer: s Minister, W'alshingham. After travelling for a while he settled in Venice, where he seems to have done a large amount of secret service work for our Gc:>vernment. An interesting file of Shelley'S letters m the British Museum attests the value of work dor:e in this direction, and his efforts to obtam the Queen. s pardon are pathetic. He died in exile, however, m 1590 b'

Another interesting portraIt medal has een g1ven us by Sir Charles Smith, of Natal, one of the Grand Master Fn\ Martino Garzes, dated 1600. was a Spaniard, of the Langue of Aragon, and re1gned in 11alta from 1595 to 1601. The only known specimen of this medal is in the Blbliotheque Nationale, Paris.

Still another portrait medal has us from our friends, the Very Rev. Dean of BockIng an? Mrs. Rodgers. This is a rare example of the reIgn of

Alof de Wignacourt, and is dated r6ro. The de Wignacourt family we:-e of the ?luest of France, as witness the1r genealog1cal tree 1n our Museum. Another member of the family was Grand Master at the end of the seventeenth century.

An interesting silver coin of the Grand !daster Fabrice Caretto has been added to our collectlOn, of which acquisition we have cause to be proud, as this is one of the rare examples of the penod when the Order occupied the Island of Rhodes. Caretto ruled from 15 13 to 15 z I, and the year after his death the Knights were driven frc:>m the Island the Turks, after which they settled 1n .Malta. This, together with the following item, was also given by Sir Charles Smith.

This further addition from our generous friend is a well-appointed miniature portrait of a Knight of the Order, apparently painted in the late eighteenth century.

Captain F. Johnston-Saint has sent us an engraved brass seal bearing the arms of a Grand Cross of the Order of St. John-probably French and late eiahteenth century, but not yet identified.

bFinally, 11r. F: R. Parkinson, of Ipswich, has given us a beautiful little model of St. John'S Gate, executed in porcelain by 11iss Rope, of in r931. This model is made strictly to scale, del1cately coloured and forms a dainty addition to the museum.

Princess Mary's Royal Air Force Nursing Service Reserve

The Air 1Iinistry asks us to announce ;In order to supplement Princess Mary's Royal A.ir Force Nursing Service in time of emergency, it has been decided to recruit a reserve of fully trained and State registered nurses.

Candidates must be between the ages of 24 and 40, single, or widows without children, and be prepared in a national emergency to serve at home or abroad.

Candidates w.ill be enrolled for a period of three years, which may be extended from time to time, and when mobilised will be eligible for promotion. When called up for service, members will be issued with an allowance to cover the cost of providing and maintaining uniform and will he entitled to receive pay ranging from £80 a year in the case of a staff nurse to £ 140 in the case of a Senior Sister. In addition, an allowance is issuable to cover washing and board and, where quarters, fuel, etc., are not available, allowances in lieu are payable.

Membership does not entail any period of annual training, but arrangements will be made to enable members to do duty in a Royal Air Force Hospital for a week or a fortnight if they wish.

Regulations of entry and application forms may be obtained on application to the fatron-in-Chief, Princess Mary's Royal Air Force Nursing Service, Air Ministry, Adastral House, Kingsway, London, W.C.2.

II CADET NEWS II

Now that the Air Raid Precaution Certificate counts as one of the subjects for the Grand Priors' Badge. I wonder how many Senior Cadets are taking this subject. I hope a great many, and that they will take the information into their homes, schools and workshops, and encourage others to take it. Knowledge brings self-confidence in times of stress.

The No. IV District Competition in First Aid fOI Boy Cadets for the District Challenge Cup was held at Preston, on Saturday, January 29, in the St. John Headquarters, Chapel Walks.

The Judges were Dr. Holden for the Team test, and Dr. Harrison for viva voce.

For the team test a boy was fixing an aerial outside his friend's house, when the ladder slipped, and he fell. He was found on the floor at the foot of the ladder, with a cut on the right hand and complaining of pain in the left foot.

The Team had to attend to him and take the boy home.

There was a " tie" for first place.

1St, Ardwick, :N1anchester, and Liverpool North, equal 1st, 163. Each will hold the cup for six months. 2nd, Liverpool Exchange.

3rd, Great Ha1\vood.

The Iayoress of Preston (1frs. Goodier) presented the awards, and Corps-Surgeon Durham presided.

RECIPE FOR GIRL CADET COOKS. LrVER A LA FRANCAISE.

!- lb. calf's liver.

; large onions.

2 ozs. of fat bacon.

2 02S. breadcrumbs.

Salt, pepper to taste.

iVethod:

Wash the liver and dry well. Cut into slices ! in. thick, lay them in a greased dripping tin. Grate' the onions, mix with the breadcrumbs, pepper and salt in a separate basin. When mL'Ced, place a tablespoonful on each piece of liver, then put over each a thin piece of bacon. Pour round enough boiling water just to come to the top of the liver. Bake in a slow oven one hour.

Arrange on a hot dish with the gravy poured round.

Priory for Wales

Headquarters: Priory House, 4 Cathedral Rd., Cardiff

GENERAL INTEREST

New life has been infused into the St. John Cadet Movement in the depressed areas of the South Wales Coalfield by the allocation of a grant of £2,500 from the Commissioner for Special Areas, which was notified to Cadet Officers at the opening of the New Year. The abnormal difficulties which have been experienced in maintaining interest and efficiency in the conditions prevailing can be appreciated from the facts revealed by the returns. For instance, out of the total membership of 3, I 94 in I l3 Cadet Divisions within the Special Areas, no less than 1,621 are dependent upon old-age pensioners or unemployed persons in strict accordance with the following definition specified by the Commissioner: " a man or woman whoJly unemployed and in receipt of Unemployment Benefit or Assistance or Poor Law Relief continuously for the past three months, or who has been unemployed for not less than nine months in the preceding twelve months commencing 1st June, 1936, and who is now unemployed." A larger sum was needed to make good all of uniform among the total number of cadets elig1ble for benefit, but claims have been brought down proportionately to the limits of the Grant, which will be expended wholly upon Uniform. Grateful thanks have been accorded by the Ambulance Committee of the Priory to Captain Geoffrey Crawshay, the District Commissioner, for the sympathetic manner in which the Priory's application has been dealt with.

Lady (Herbert) Lewis, O.B.E., Assistant Lady Superintendent-in-Chief for. Wales, at a meeting of the Camp Comm1ttee held at PriOry House on January 25, when it was unanimously decided to hold the following Camps at the Barry Island Hutments, which acccmmodates 100 campers, kindly placed at the Priory's disposal by the Glamorgan Territorial Army and Air Force Association:-

July 30-August 6.-V.A.D. and Nursing Camp.

August 6-August I3.-Girl Cadet Camp.

August I3-August lo.-Boy Cadet Camp.

August 2o-August 27.-Boy Cadet Camp.

August 27-September 3.-Boy Cadet Camp.

A Sub-Committee was appointed to frame general principles of procedure and consider the nominations for the important offices of Commandant and Assistant Commandant.

The summary of the services of the co-ordinated system of Ambulance Transport operated by the

Priory for Wales in the South Wales Coalfield during the year 1937 shows a total of 18,241 cases carried, involving an aggregate mileage of 302,24o-an increase of 2,005 cases and 22,795 miles on the previous year, although the service was not e.."{tended by the opening of any new Car '- tations. These figures do not take into account the services of the Home Service Ambulance Cars in Wales, of which there are 13 mostly in agricultural areas, under the joint control of a Committee representative of the Priory for Wales and British Red Cross Society.

CENTRE REPORTS

GLAMORGAN COUNTY CENTRE.

Ambulance Hall Opening.

The Special Areas Grant for aiding Brigade Units in the acquisition of permanent headquarters has enabled the Cefn Cribbwr Division to attain a longcherished aim, which was brought to fulfilment on New Year's Day, when the Hon. John H. Bruce (Principal Secretary and Commissioner for Wales) formally opened the new Ambulance Hall. The building replaces a wooden hut which was blown down in a gale about two years ago; and, with the exception of work needing skilled labour, the large amount of the erection was carried out voluntarily.

Mr. J. Picton James, J.P. (General Manager, Messrs. Baldwins, Ltd.), referred to the importance of co-operation between the management and men, which was encouraged by such movements as Ambulance Work; and urged upon the men the necessity for utilising all facilities intended to reduce the incidence of accidents in the mines.

Mrs. Picton James distributed Certificates to Boy Cadets and Superintendent D. M. Jones (Brynmenyn Mines Rescue Station) presented Safety Badges. Mr. Robert Bryant, one of the founders of the Cefn Cribbwr Division in 1913, was the recipient of a fireside chair.

Competition at NantytIJoel.

It has been the ambition of the Superintendent and Officers of the Nantymoel Division for some years to run an open Competition to encourage the maintenance of a high standard of efficiency and as a means of keeping in touch with fellow ambulance workers in other parts of the country. Following the generous gift of a trophy by Corps Officer T. Ivor Evans, the competition was held recently. The team test was judged by Dr. J. Lamb and Super-

mtendent D. T. Jones; while Dr. Stewart Mullen, Dr. Whisher, Ambulance Officer E. J. Roberts and Private Ll. Morgan judged the individual tests, whose awards placed the teams in the following order :I, Kenfig lIill; 2, Ffaldau; 3, Mon. Police. The Shield and prizes were distributed by Dr. Stewart Mullens, and Mrs. Owen Jones handed the medals.

A large attendance included the Assistant SurgeonIn-Chief for Wales (Major A. W. Anderson, M.B., Ch.B.), who wished the Division every success, and congratulated the teams on their work; Mr. D. Mardy Jones, Corps Superintendent E. G. Howells, M.M., Corps Officer A. E. Lovesy, Dd. Thomas, T. Bennett and Lady Superintendent F. Waters, P. S. Doherty, Mr. Shad 'X'illizms and M r. WI. E. Bundy, M.E.

Pontypool Annual Dinner.

Assistant Commissioner G. H. Nelms presided at the Annual Presentation Meeting of the Pontypool Divisions. The guests included Mr. W. Mabon Abraham (Brigade Secretary) and Mrs. Abraham, Divisional Surgeon Dr. Bernard Siddons, County Councillor Arthur James, Mr. Arthur Jenlcins, Mr. Rowland Meredith and Mr. R. Herbert. The meeting was in the nature of a H house parming " after the recent decoration and relighting of the Hall; and the company were entertained by a number of local artistes. Certificates were presented to members of the T ursing Division by Mr. Abraham and awards to members of the Ambulance Division by Mr. C. C. Arthur Jones, while medals won by

Mo MOUTHSHIRE CENTRE.

Social Gathering at en' Tredegar.

On December 4 a concert was held in the Ambulance Hall, New Tredegar, when certificates and other awards were presented to members of New Tredegar Division. Mr. M. J. Davies, M.E., presided, and the programme was provided by the Blackwood Piano-Accordion Band, conducted by Mr. Elvet Prosser. The gathering was addressed by 11r. Norman C. Richards (Assistant Commissioner, Bedwellty County Area), 1iss V. Lovett, Mr. W. Walters, Mr. C. M. Kitto, the Rev. D. Davies, the Rev. F. L. Jones and Dr R. M. Carmichael (Divi ional Warrants were presented to Cadet SuperIntendent W. Walters and Mr. M. J. Davies, M.E. (Hon. Vice-President), by the Assistant Commissioner.

53

the Glyn Tillery Colliery Team were presented by Mr. Arthur Jenkins, under-manager of the Colliery. A certificate for Grade 2 Air Raid Precautions was presented to Corps Officer John Rickards by 1\1r. Robert Stephen, 1.A., A.R.P. Officer to the Trevethin County Area, who afterward addressed the Meeting on Air Raid Precautions.

Dancing was indulged in until a late hour, terminating a very happy evening.

PE11BROKE HIRE CE TRE. Kilgetty Class AlIJards.

Kilgetty Ambulance Class held their Annual Social and Presentation of Awards at the Scout and Guide Hall, where 1\fr. J. B. T. Ebsworth presided. The guest of the evening was the Chief Constable, 1-1r. -\.. R. Evans, Assistant Commissioner, who presented

the awards in the unavoidable absence of Lord Merthyr, who was in London.

The Chief Constable, who received a warm welcome, pleasure at being present, and said he was very pleased to see such enthusiasm at Kilgetty in ambulance work. He referred to the necessity of becoming conversant with air-raid precautions, the details of which he outlined, and urged tho e present to interest themselves in the work.

Mr. Gwyn Llewellyn, on behalf of the class, presented gifts to Dr. T. R. Griffiths (Honorary Lecturer) and to Mr. Sid Board (Instructor), who gratefully responded.

Haverfordwest Nursing Awards.

The presentation of certificates and a silver cup to members of the Haverfordwest Ladies' First Aid and Home Nursing Classes took place at the Cliffe Cafe; and in tlle absence of the County Lady President (Mrs. Foley Philipps), Mrs. A. T. Evans presented First Aid and Home Nursing Awards. A silver cup (given by Mrs. Foley Philipps) was then presented to the Home Nursing team which competed successfully at Hean Castle competitions in August last and whose success was all the more meritorious as it was the first experience of team work undertaken by any of the members. A vote of thanks, proposed by Miss Dawkins and seconded by Mr. C. Lawrence, was accorded to Mrs. A. T. Evans for her kindly interest and presence. .

RHONDDA CE TRE.

Ambulance " Home" for Ton Pen/reo

Mr. Levi Phillips, M.E., opened the new headquarters erected by the Maindy and Eastern Division at Ton Pentre, at a cost of approximately £200, towards which a 5° per cent. grant was received from the Special Areas Ambulance Hall grant A considerable amount of voluntary labour was put into the scheme by members of the Ambulance qivision, while the Nursing members have been working hard in raising the money required. A large number attended the tea following the opening ceremony, including the Commissioner for the Rhondda (Captain T E. Richards, J P , M.E.) and 1'v1rs. Richards, and the Lady County Superintendent (1'vfrs. Hamilton Ingledew).

NEWS IN BRIEF.

Members of the Priory will learn with regret that Mr. Lemuel Jones, J.P., the octogenarian Assistant Commissioner who controls the important Aberavon County Area of the Glamorgan County Centre, was involved in a car accident on making his way to the station after attending meetings at Priory House on November 30. He sustained a broken leg and is now a patient at Port Talbot Hospital.

The first Welsh Annual Cadet Competitions will be held at the City Hall, Cardiff, on Saturday, February 26 . Each Centre has been given an opportunity of entering two teams of boys and two of girls, one in each of the age groups 12-16 and 16-18.

Air Raid Precautions

Q UE STI O N S AND AN SWERS

1. Q In ab sence of oilskin gloves, how far wou ld rubbe r gloves go?

In proportion to their thickness, th u s the surgeo n 's operati n g gloves wo uld be of very little use : the d omestic rubber glove wou ld be a li t tle better.

2. Q. Can you use an ti-dim on goggles to p revent them from steaming up?

A . T hat is what it is for.

3. Q Be undressing, if the protective clothing suit 1. covered with liquid g1\s, will no t a strong vapour be given off, sufficient to blister the bare skin when clothing is removed?

A. It is recommended in so severe a contamination with liqui d , the wearer with such protec tive clothing should be well hosed over before undressing is commenced.

A D octor has sent the following questions:-

I. Q. How is it possible to undo buttons or collarstuds if you are wearing protective gloves

A. I have undone buttons easily and less easily with protective gloves on.

Z. Q. How is it possible to adjust a respirator on somebody else if you have contaminated gloves on?

A. If it is necessary for a man in a casualty clearing party to adjust a respirator owing to th presence of gas, the outside of the respirator and the patient's head and face is already gassed, and the slight touching with the gloved hand would make no appreciable difference in .the amount of contamination existing already.

3. Q. How can a member of a stretcher party handle a pair of scissors if he is wearing protective clothing?

A. I have cut with scissors with protective on. The questioner seems to have missed the point that a casualty cl.earing party should convey a patient with all possible speed to a First Aid Post, and flO dressings should be done on the spot unless life itself it, e.g., a severe ha:morrhage.

4. Q. As an alternative to protective gloves would the hands be protected against gas contamination if the surgeon or undresser wore surgical rubber gloves, dipping them frequently in bleach and then washing them in running water?

A. Surgical gloves are very difficult for the: inexperienced to put on: they are very easil) impaired, as we surgeons know well, and their thinness affords a very temporary protection against mustard gas. Therefore they are unsuitable.

W .C. B

Annual Report of the Chief Commissioner

There is a very substantial increase not only in the strength of the Brigade, but in the numbers of new Divisions.

The actual increases of new Divisions and personnel compared with 1935 are as follows :-

Di/,isions.

From the above it will be seen that there is an lncrease of IF new Divisions and of 3,901 personnel after allowing for discharges.

The following table shows the strength of the Brigade on 3 st December, 193 6 :-

WORK OF THE BRIGADE.

The for t.he. services of the Brigade continue to lncrease, this IS particularly in the case of Air Scheme. The responsibIlitIes whiCh the Bngade has taken on in connection with this latter ?ave added enormously to the work of the ComffilsslOners and their staff.

.The of the Brigade in its First Aid work IS belng malntalned. In this connection the Chief Co mmi ss ioner thanks very numbers (about 2,5°0) of the 1fedical Profession who. to. t?e Brigade for their self-sacrificing ser:1Ces In. traIrung and examining our members. Wlthout this Brigade could not have reached Its present high standard of efficiency.

The greatest keenness exists amongst all ranks for their self-iI?pose?- duties. !he way they have taken up the Air Scheme is a good example of thelt zeal to aSSIst the public.

the ?n the members of the Brigade contInue to lncrease IS best exemplified by the fact that last year.the members dealt with 614>373 reported cases of aCCIdent or sudden illness compared with 599,878 cases dealt with in 1935.

\,11 country there are established Road side and First Posts are usually manned dUrIng and holIdays. There are now 21 3 RoadSIde Huts and 963 First Aid Posts. These figures illustrate the great service rendered to the motoring public by the Brigade.

Iany have brought to notice during the year of lives haVIng been saved by the prompt and efficient action of our members. In the g reat mining and industrial centres, the work of our unit is an essential service.

From the above it will be seen that the total numb er of members of the Brigade is 82,038.

It is a fine testimony to the value of the work out by the Brigade, and of the interest taken by the members in their duties that these increases have become an annua l feature of the Chief Commissioner's R eport; for no organization could conti nue t o expand so regularly unless it was both necessary and su ccessful i n the work it was carrying out.

Attendances at Civil Hospitals, Clinics and Welfare Centres, by the members of the Nursing Diyisions were 33,163,

The undertaken during the year was In connectIOn with the funeral of His Late 1Iajesty King George V. In London on that occasion the necessary arrangements were carried out by Captain \\1. Goodley, M.e., Commissioner No. I Wales) District. Over 7,73 5 were dealt w1th In the Ietropolis and 416 at Windsor. The personnel for duty for the funeral numbered

4,000 and were dra"\,'n from London and the Home Counties.

The thanks of His lajesty the King were conveyed in the following message from the Home Secretary :-

"I am Commanded by the King to express to all members of the St. John Ambulance Brigade who were on duty in connection with the Funeral ofRis Late lvIajest)' King George the Fifth the entire satisfaction of His Majesq > and of Her Majesty Queen .Mary with the manner in which their work was carried out. Their 1'vlajesties deeply appreciate the services which the members of the St. John Ambulance Brigade rendered to the public during the Funeral Procession and They have no doubt that these services contributed largely to the comfort and well-being of the great crowds lining the streets.

Yours very sincerely, (Sgd.) .lOR 1 SnroN."

AMBULANCE TRANSPORT.

The Brigade continues to fulfil a National need in the provision and maintenance of lYfotor Ambulances.

The responsibility and hard work entailed in this service is borne by the Officers of the Units concerned, and the and efficient manner in which calls are responded to reflects the greatest credi upon these Officers, and the members who act as drlyers and attendants. It is gratifying to note that in a large number of towns the entire ambulance service of the town has been entrusted by the .M unicipal authorities to the Brigade.

313 Ambulances are operated by Corps and Divisions. These Ambulances carried 12,001 patients.

AIR R AID PRECAUTIOl

This is the second year of this work undertaken at the request of the Home Office. The period has shown rapid progress, sound development and much increase of \J,>ork. 193 5 was a year of training Instructors within the Brigade; 1936 has been a year of training the members of the Division throughcut the country; and the coming year will evidently involve the training of the general public which will throw increasing strain upon our work in every way.

CLASSES OF

(a) Instructors.-Seven intensive courses of instruction were held at the Great Central Hotel from midday Saturday to Sunday evening when, for each course, 200 officers from all over the country came up for a series of ten lectures, and from amongst these, several hundred have gained the Grade I Instructors' Certificate which the Home Office officially recognizes. Similar courses have been held in many provincial centres also over the week-ends.

(b) Doctors.-Not only the medical officers of the Brigade, but doctors outside our Ranks have .received

lectures in many places in Air Raid Precautions delivered bv lecturers on the Staff. These have been highly app;eciated by the Profession.

(c) Th(' Rallk and File the Brigade.- This has been the prominent work of this year. Procedure for lectures and examinations has been standardized. and has involved an enormous strain in the administrative side, not only of headquarters, but of all the districts.

Cd) G eneral P1!blic - D uring the year was commenced this almost unlimited task at the request of the Home Office. Municipalities, Rural Councih-, Business Houses, Factories, Harbour Boards, Water Boards, etc., etc., are all passed on by till Home Office, and our Lecturers and are being taxed to the utmost, involving in the mon energetic counties completely specialized staffs tC) cope with the extra work.

(e) Visits to Areas tlJrollghoJlt Britain.-In order t() advise and confer with County Staffs; and also tC) meet the requests of MuniCIpal Councils and t(l inaugurate local campaigns of propaganda, ane! launch classes for the general public, the Chiet Commissioner's Staff Officer has visited 38 in all parts of the country. Very full Press have shown the value of this propaganda for the Government's scheme.

(f) Flf!,!II'(,S ()/ tmlned P(,l'Solllz{'1

These figures only represent those who have taken the examinations and obtained their certificate, whereas a verr much larger number have taken instructicn.

It is difficult to estimate fully or adequately appreciate the enormous amount of extra work involved by the A.R.P. Scheme undertaken at the request of the Government. From Headquarters to the remote rural areas the burden has been shouldered with that fine spirit characteristic of the Brigade.

INSPECTIONS.

The following inspections were carried out during the year:-

By the Chief Commissioner.-Units of No. 1 District in Hyde Park; Hampshire, and Dedication of Colours at \X'inchcster;' urrev and Sussex at Li ttlehampton. .

By the Duk e of Beaufort. - Units of the Bristol Corps

By Colonel J. T. Woolrych Pero,,'ne, v.n., T.O.Un its of Kent at Ramsgatc.

AN ambulance must, above all, be dependable-ready for any emergency, unfailing day in and day out. E'::;lcting staru.lard3 of workmlnship, therefore. __--_ .lre essential to eliminate the possibility of breakdown. The Austin Motor Compa ny have been designing ambulances for many years--huilding for small hospitals, for nursing homes, for great institutions. Tn these years they have supplied not only standard type ambulances, hut have designed special fitments to suit varying requirements for every branch of amhulance work This specialised knowledge is at your disposal.

(n choosing your new ambulallcc, rem e mber the Austin 1 radition for sterling \\oorth and lasting dependability. Examine these ambulances: notice the smooth running. lhe thought given to the patient:;' comtort; compare the lin ish of detail and the specifications, and you will agree [hat (_I.ustin pro\ide an i11\estment in the amhulance Jie ld. LiteL!ture and prices 1111 request.

By Colonel J. L. Sleeman, C.B., C.M.G., C B.E., M.V.O.-Units of Three Counties at Hereford; Oxford and North Bucks:at Banbury.

By Assistant Chief Commissioner.-Units at Birmingham and Hull.

By Surgeon-in-Chief.-Units of South Bucks at Slough; No. Area Lancashire at CoIne; Eastbourne and Herne Bay; Northern Ireland District.

By Assistant Surgeon-in-Chief.-Units of the Channel Islands.

By Colonel C. 1. Ellis, C.M.A., T.D., M.D.-Manchester and Salford CorpS:; North Devon and County of Dorset Units.

By Colonel C. ]. Trimble, C.B., C.M.G.-Units at CoIne; Corps.

Inspections in other areas were arranged and carried out by Commissioners. Reports on all the inspections are satisfactory.

Inspections of Nursing Divisions are referred to in the Report of the Lady Superintendent-in-Chief.

By Colonel J. P. W. Jamie, 1-I.c.-North Leicester Units at Coalville.

RESERVES.

Royal Naval Auxiliary Sick Berth Reserve.-This Reserve continues to be maintained at full strength (1,275) with a long waiting list of names of candidates wishing to be enrolled. 1,025 ratings attended at Royal Naval Hospitals for Trainings. During the year, volunteers were called for temporary service in the Royal Navy.

In his report to the Medical Director-General of the Navy, the Inspecting Medical Officer states, " I consider the R.N A. S.B.R. to be a well organized, efficient body, of high potential value in emergency."

Military Hospital Reserve.- This reserve is well maintained, the number enrolled being 1,746. Durin g the year, 800 reservists attended a week's training in a military hospital.

Training reports received in respect of both R.N.A.S.B.R. and M.H.R. reservists were most satisfactory.

VOLUNTARY AID DETACHMENTS

There are 340 St. John Voluntary Aid Detachments registered at the War Office, with a total personnel of

58

7, 6°9, of which 1,732 are enrolled as mobile memberS. In comparison with 1935, there is an increase of 18 Detachments and 760 members, including 1 17 mo bile members.

CADET '.

The Cadet Units during the year have increased in a most satisfactory manner and have now reached a total strength of 13,43°, being a gain of 993 on the year.

Great importance is attached to maintaining these units in an efficient state and increasing their numbers, for quite apart from the value which the knowledge of First Aid obtained at such an impressionable age, these units are an excellent source of recruiting for the adult Divisions.

Accou TS.

The Chef Commissioner has been much impressed by the way in which units have collected sufficient funds to pay their way, and great credit is therefore due to all those concerned in collecting funds to enable the valuable work of the Brigade to be carried on.

MUNICIPAL SUPPORT.

The continued increase of recognition and en couragement from Municipal Authorities and the police Authorities in all parts of thet country is mo<;t encouraging to our personnel.

CONCLUSIO

During the past year the Brigade has increased in numbers, maintained its efficiency and given ever greater service to the public. For this satifactory state of affairs thanks are due to the. Commissioners and their Staffs, for without their whole-hearted co-operation, such success could nOt have been accomplished. But it is to the officers and men and women in the Corps and Divisions that thanks are particularly due, for by giving up their hard-earned leisure to training and public duties they have made the Brigade one of the finest of voluntary service in the country.

RAILWAY NEWS

Southern Railway

CONTRIBUTED BY E. A. RICHARDS.

WMPETITlONS-A REMI DER.

, The date for receipt of entries for the torthcotrung Divisional Competitions is Friday, February 25.

It will considerably facilitate arrangements at Hea?quarters if Captains of teams will send their entnes to the District Secretaries prior to that date.

In acc?rdance with the conditions governing the presentatIOn of. the Challenge Trophy," the DlvisIOnal Competitions will proVIde Its DIstnct with an additional 10 points.

CRICHTON CUP COMPETITION, SOUTHAMPTO

The First-Aid Competition for the Crichton Cup was held at Southampton Docks recently, when four teams of Railwaymen competed. The (earn which represented a domestic Christmas decoratIOn scheme, was set by Dr. John B. A. Southampton, and a difficult question tor the IndiVIdual test was set and judged b D L. E. Green, of Eastleigh. Y r.

The competition was under the direction of M L B. Petty (District Secretary), Southampton

Mr. E. Uzzell (Chairman) apologised for the absence of Mr. R. P. Biddle and other Dock officials J:Ie welcomed Judges, who were making thei; ftrst appearance In Docks competitions.

Mr. Petty proposed a vote of thanks to the doctors.

Dr. Reyr:-olds said that until that evening he did the high standard of efficiency to w c t had been trained, and Dr. Green S oke In appreClatlve terms of the first-aid work of the outhampton Docks men.

R .cups and prizes will be presented by Mrs BIddle at the annual dinner of the Docks b -o f St. John Ambulance ssociation, which will be eld on March 24 next.

The result of the competition was as follows : _

Southampton Docks (C A "

HATRAM AND DISTRICT HIELD COMPETITION.

The Southern Railway team won the Shield Competition, n a, Chatham, recently.

Five teams took part and 60- d th oure In a orough

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first-aid test, which was judged by Dr. W. H. Noble, of Sittingbourne, and Dr. H. J. Hoby (Chatham).

Superintendent F. Hickmott presided over the prize-giving proceedings and announced the result to the assembly, who also included the Mayor of Gillingham (Councillor L. J. Newman) and :Mr. W. Hancox (Chatham).

Dr. Sleigh, Dr. Hoby and Mr. Hancox each voiced their congratulations on the high standard of first-aid efficiency which the competition had produced.

It is with regret that we have to record the passing of Guard J. A. Holness, of Peckham Rye.

Mr. Holness gained his first certificate in ambulance work in 1909 and had qualified each year since that date. He was in possession of the Southern Railway Gold ::Nledal (21 years) and was awarded the Meritorious Long-Serv ice Certificate in 1928. He had been associated with the New Cross class for many years, his passing will be keenly felt by all with whom he came into contact.

MERITORIOUS LONG-SERYICE C E RTIFICATES.

At a recent meeting of the Centre Committee it was agreed that the undermentioned members of the staff should be awarded the Meritorious Long-Service Certificate of the Centre. :-

A. Anning, Loader, Nine Elms.

E. Ash, Clerk, Loco. Dept., Faversham.

E. C. Arney, Dock Porter, Southampton Docks.

S. Tiller, Station Foreman, Poole.

W. Roberts, Lengthman, Claygate.

H. Hunneybell, Driver, Redhill.

G. Rowley, Clerk, Blackfriars.

W. Morley, Gas Fitter, Woodside.

MERITORIOUS FIRST-AID C E RTIFICATES.

The Meritorious First-Aid Certificate of the Centre is to be awarded to Porter- Signalman F. Hulbert, of Epsom Downs, in recognition of exceptional promptitude and efficiency in rendering first aid to Motorman Smith, who sustained a severe injury in the left armpit, causing considerable ha:morrhage, and also injury to his side when his train ran into the rear of a stationary coach at Epsom Downs on August 13 last.

London Midland & Scottish Railway

CO TRIB TED BY GILBERT HILL. STIRLING.

The class conducted by Dr. Shedden has been particularly well attended and 39 members presented themselves for the examination conducted by Dr. Cowie. Mr. Donaldson thanked Dr. Cowie for hi interest and paid tribute to the Secretary (Mr. J . Kemp) for his consistent endeavour to stimulate th first-aid movement.

BIRlvfI GHA}'L

The presentation of awards of the D.G.M. Class took place recently. Mr. G. Bailey occupied the chair and 11r. Evans made the presentationseven first-year certificates, four second-year vouchers, three third-year medallions and nine labels.

1fr. Evans also congratulated the class, and after thanking Dr. C. St. Johnston, presented him with a small gift in recognition of his services.

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Eighteen labels, three medallions and two were recently presented to members by Mr. R Southworth. Mr. Weatherho gg congratulated tht. members on their SLlccess

FORFA R.

On January 20, :Messrs. John Robertson and John D . Bett were presented with the Imperial Medical Medal (King's Medal) and the L.M.S. Gold Medal for 1) years' service to the movement. Commandant D Gray presided, and }vIr. John Bissell, who made the presentations, complimented the recipients on their splendid records. The ceremon y was followed by Il. whist drive, organised by Mf. John tewart.

London & North EasternRailway

CONTRIBUTED BY R. D. BROWN.

NORWICH AMBULA.K'CE DIVISION.

After expressing his thanks for the gift, the Doctol referred to the Class Secretary and Instructor ( if. A. E. BenN'ick), who, he stated, deserved the most praise for the able way in which he had conducted and maintained the class 60 SKIPTON.

The ninth annual competition for the Norwich District Officers' Ambulance Shield was held in the Ailwyn Hall, Norwich, on Jahuary 22. The judge, were (team test) Capt. W. Goodley, M.C., K. St·l).

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Commissioner, and individual tests) Mr. C. ]. Fitch, O. St. J. District Officer, both of London District, S.J.A.B.

The team test was as follows :-

c, You are proceeding to a competition with your stretcher and equipment when you are called to a man who has been removed to the pavement in front of some shops, after being knocked down by a motorvan which has gone on. The patient is lying on his back as you find him. Time limit, 20 minutes."

The supposed injuries were wound of forearm, simple fracture of ribs and left knee-cap, followed by compression of the brain in the later stages of the test.

The totaJ maximum points were 410, the results being as follows :-

Team, Stretcher Individual Total Test. Tests. PossIble, 250. 160. 410.

1. Norwich .. 199 122 32 1

2. Yarmouth 199 106 3°5

3, Thetford 182 78 260

4· Lowestoft .. 166 81 247

5· Attleborough 179 66 245

6. Brandon 166 59 225

The members of the Norwich team were C. Etherldge, p, Middleton, C. Farrant, and H. G. Linder (captain).

The shield, and prizes conslstmg of cut-glass hygienic sugar bowls, were presented to the winning team by Mrs. Magnus, S.S.St.]., whose late husband inaugurated the competition in 1930.

Mr. H. R. Statham (district goods and passenger manager), who presided, was supported by Mr. H. G. Fish (district loco. superintendent), Mr. H. G. Rampling (assistant district superintendent); Mr. Ainger (station-master, Norwich Thorpe); lv'frs. Statham, Mrs. Fish, Mrs. Fitch, and Mr. R. D. Brown, S.B.St.]. (competition secretary).

Mr. Statham referred to the A.R.P. instruction now being given which was well supported by ambulance men, and appealed to the womenfolk to encourage their husbands and sons in this important work. It was essential that ambulance men should be 100 per cent. everywhere. He was glad to see 6.

six teams competing again and welcomed the return of the Attleborough team.

A vote of thanks to Mrs. Magnus was carried with acclamation on the proposal of IvIr. Fish, and, in replying, Mrs. Iv{agnus impressed on all present that their training and study would be well worth while if they were only called upon once in a lifetime to help in some emergency.

Responding to a vote of thanks from the captain of the Norwich team, Capt. Goodley thanked the patient for his services in the test, remarking it was a test of endurance to survive such (( injuries" no less than six times. The test was a straightforward one, and the injuries were definitely faked in such a manner that if a proper examination of the patient had been made they would have been discovered, but it wa rather strange that only three teams out of the six found the "fractured" ribs. In encouraging the unsuccessful teams, reference wa made to the revised text-book, and he remarked that teams would be on the same level next year, as they would have to start again from the beginning.

Mr. Fitch reminded the losing teams that most marks were lost through lack of knowledge over subjects in the (( black book," and this could be remedied by individual study.

In proposing a vote of thanks to the chairman, Mr. Rampling referred to the continued interest and support given by the District Officers, expressing on behalf of Mr. Greenfield (District Superintendent) , his regret and apologies for his absence, which wa tentirely unavoidable. Mr. Bender (District Civi Engineer) was also unfortunately absent owing t<

In conclusion, thanks were expessed to the comp tition secretary (Mr. R. D. Brown) for the excellen arrangements made, and to Mr. Bayfield (secretar of the Railwaymen's Social Club) for the use of th hall, in respect of which they were extremely for tunate, as otherwise difficulty would be experience·! in staging such a competition.

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No. I Chart shows gas derivations.

No. 2 is a full and complete educational chart of "Typical War Gases."

Everyone taking an "A.R.P." Course should in possession of these charts which are now available for general issue to all St. John organisations at a nominal fee.

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Important Parents to A

NEW service is offered to "Gazette" readers which will be of great help in their family lives and will be of value to all parents. It is the introduction of a special Child Psychology Section in NEW HEALTH (Consulting Editor, Sir W. Arbuthnot Lane, Bt., C.B.). This Section is under the direction of a European psychiatrist of repute and gives detailed guidance on the many problems of psychology with which all parents are faced. This feature was introduced in the January, 1937 issue, and has proved an outstanding success. Advice is being sought by readers all over the country.

"Gazette" readers who are regular readers of NEW HEALTH are invited to send their problems to this bureau for free guidance.

NEW HEALTH is the most popular orthodox health journal in the country and has associated with it many distinguished medical and scientific authorities. It is on sale at bookstalls and newsagents on the st of each month, price 6d. In case of clifficulty, send sd. for each issue post free, to :

(S.J.) NEW HEALTH, 39, Bedford Square, W.C.1 66

IMPORTANT!

New Type ANTISEPTIC

now recommended by

S.J.A.A ·

T.C.P. exactly conforms to Requirements given in the New First Aid Text Book.

In conformity 'with modem medIcal opinion, the recommendation of tincture of Iodine as the antiseptic for use on wounds, cuts, etc., bas been DELETED in the ne\\' edition of the S.J.A.A. FIRST AID Book.

The official recommendation now given is to use an antiseptic which does not stain, burn or z:Yritate , and which is not poisonous.

T.C.P.-the really AFE Antiseptic-completely conforms to these requirements. It is nonpoisonous and, in fact , can be given INTERNALLY. At the same time It IS a powerful genlllcide which deeply penetrates into the tissues. It does not stain. It is entirely free from caustic and irritating action. It bas a- marked power of relieving pain and promoting particularly rapid and clean healing.

For these reasons T.C.P. bas now been adopted as the standard antiseptic for treating Cuts, Grazes, Wounds and Burns in the First Aid and Ambulance Departments of many of the biggest Works in the conntry. It is also widely used as a gargle and internal dose in the prevention of Colds, Influenza, etc., during epidemics. T.C.P. is already used by many branches of the St. John Ambulance Association itself.

Trial Sample of T.C.P. sent FREE!

Members of the S.J.A.A. or any recognised Ambulance Society can have a booklet and a trial sample of T.C.P. free, on application to the manufacturers :-British Alkaloids Ltd., 'Winchester House, London, E.C.2. Please mention this paper

THE SAFE EXTERNAL & INTERNAL ANTISEPTIC

Supersedes Iodine, Boracic and Carbolic Ointments, Carron Oil and Picric Acid for First Aid and Welfare Work.

T HE JOURNAL OF THE VENE.RABLE ORDER OF THE

THE ST. JOHN AMBULANCE GAZEITE is published on the 15th of each month The annual subscription is F. Gd., post free; single copIes 3d

Brigade Reports and Photographs should be addressed 10 the Editor, at 32, Shoe Lane, E.C.4. Reports and photographs should reach him as earb in the month as possible.

Subscriptions and advertisements shoJild be forwarded 1o the Publisher:

Messrs. British Periodicals, Ltd., 19, 19a, Cursitor Street, London, E. C.4.

CONTENTS.

Editorial

First Aid to the Injured

The Healing Power of Nature in Ha::morrhage

Cadet News

All-India Ambulance Competltions

Brigade News

Sister Services "

Markham Main Corps 12th Annual Dinner

Police National First Aid Competitioo, 1938

Priory for Wales

Railway News

CHANCERY OF THE ORDER, ST. JOHN'S GATE, CLERKENWELL, LONDON) E. C. I.

Where A.R.P. Spells Art

Hats off to Lichfield, first town in Britain to bring a dainty touch to the grim subject of air raid precautions, where the authorities are" sellino- " air raid b precautions by sheer artistry.

In a cream-coloured brochure, etched in pale blue and stamped with the arms of the corporation, they have just issued the programme of safety measures to be carried out a week on o woman glimpsing the blue silk cord adorning the cover could resist turning over the pages. And once she started reading she would forget even the art-blue silk tassels on the front.

" This literary and historical oasis set in the midst of the industrial 11idlands," says the introduction, " has been one of the first towns to realise the necessity for safeguarding its treasures against danger from enemy aircraft by the installation of the most efficient street lighting and air-raid control ystem known to modern science.»

Well done, Lichfield! i'\ot only have you installed the finest system, but you have found a way to create the widest public interest in it as well.

Perhaps other towns and cities will no\v take the hint from Lichfield and create public interest in the same way.-Dai£v Sketch.

Westminster

course of Lectures to 1-Ien on "First Aid to the Injured" will be given on Wednesday evening, at 6 p.m., from :March 2, 1938, at Westminster City Clinic, Ebury Bridge, S. \V. I (buses 1 I and 39 pass the door). Inclusive fee, 5s. 6d.

Full details from J. E. Brown, p, utton Road, N.lo.

THE REVISED (39th ) EDITION OF ---------,I

"First Aid to the Injllred"

1---------------------------------------------------------lVo.

3----

(Continued/rom page 37, February issue.)

Pursuing our detailed review of the many changes which have been made in the Revised Textbook we come ,to Chapter VI (Fractures).

The Chapter on Fractures of Bones (which to me is the better title) has been increased by seven pages, and opens with a new definition, the advantage of which is not apparent. Indeed, it has already excited the witty comment that Fracture is not the term used by the patient when one of his bones is broken I

No change has been made in the Causes and Varieties of Fracture; and the Textbook still slavishly follows the various Manuals of Surgery in speaking of "direct violence, indirect violence, and muscular action" (my italics). Personally, I prefer to teach that fractures of bone are due to violence-direct, indirect and muscular; and I find that this definition simplifies matters for my students.

The Chapter has been considerably improved in its teaching value by the introduction of excellent X-ray photographs, which demonstrate clearly a green stick fracture of the radius, an impacted fracture of the humerus, a fracture-dislocation of the spine and a fractured neck of femur.

The General Signs and Symptoms are set out as in the previous edition, except that under "Irregularity of the bone" the reference to compound fracture has been deleted. Incidentally the Textbook still differentiates between deformity 0/ the limb and irregularity of the bones (my italics); and I mention the point because those who prepare detailed marking sheets (surgeons and lay persons alike) often share with some of their competitors the mistake of mixing up those two signs of fracture. The Revision Committee still tells us that "unnatural mobility and crepitus should be sought by a doctor" (my italics). This seems to be rather a presumptuous instruction, and one seldom indulged in these days of X-ray examination of all fractures, whereas" mcry be sought" would have raised no question on the part of doctor or first-aider.

The Oo/ect of Treatment is as before, although it seems to me that a second object should have been included, namely, the choice of the proper method of transport, if only to emphasise the special dangers of aggravation associated therewith.

The General Rules for Treatment are practically unaltered with the result that the perfectly good definition of a splint is still spoiled by the sequence of 68

articles suggested as suitable for improvisation. It has always struck me as inconsistent that the articles really suitable for this purpose (if we exclude a "rolled-up map" which, by reason of its position, has the appearance of being an afterthought!) should be placed at the end of the list! [

It is a curious and interesting fact that, except for an indirect reference in Rule 5 (a) in this as in previous editions, the Textbook nO')'J)here gives instructions that simple fractures should not be exposed, and that in these circumstances the patient's clothing will serve as padding for splints I !

Rule 5 (b), which deals with the application of bandages has been amended by the addition (I) of the words cc thereby producing congestion in the extremity," and (2) of a warning that, with an improvised round splint, an extra turn of the bandage must be made round the splint to hold it in position. Finally, the old Rule 7, which taught that patients suffering from fractures of spine, pelvis or thigh, must be removed in recumbent position, no longer figures in the Revised Textbook.

The Special Fractures are now illustrated by a most useful series of actual photographs; and for some curious reason the causes of Fractured Jaw (concerning which instruction age as in the 38th Edition) are still unnamed.

Next comes the vexatious problem concerning the treatment and transport of cases of Fractured Spine; and I venture to congratulate the Revision Committee on the new instructions because it has taken the middle path in the difficult task of meeting the opinions of two diametrically opposed schools of thought. First, then, there are Rules for Treatment in all cases; and, incidentally, the figure-of-eight bandage is now officially recognised as the correct way to bind together the patient's ankles and feet. Then come three methods of action--( ) patient unconscious and site of injury not clearly remove face-upwards; (2) patient conscious, but unable to move (or without sensation in) his arms or legs,. remove face-upwards,. and (3) patient conscious, but unable to move (or without sensation in) one or both legs, remove face-downwards. The section closes with precise instructions as to the ways in which these two methods of transport should be conducted.

The instructions with reference to Fractured Ribs are as in the 1928 edition, the only change being that the two varieties are now definitely labelled Simple

and Complicated Fractures. Incidentally, can anyone of us place an cc arm" in a sling? Surely the instructions in Rules 2 and 5 on pp. 79 and 80 should have read, "place the limb on the injured side in a large sling" !

The treatment of Fractured Breast-Bone has been altered in that the patient is now to be cc placed on his back in the most comfortable position and removed to shelter." There is still no hint as to ways in which this fracture may be caused or to the complications with which it may be associated.

Similarly, with Fractured Collarbone the only change is a more precise definition of the pad which is placed in the armpit. This is now to be 2 ins. thick, 2 ins. broad and 4 ins. across. Personally I would have preferred the words cc from front to back" in place of " across." Incidentally, the practical test of the size of the pad required is the size of the patient's clenched fist, and the measurements now given are exactly those of the average man's fists.

The description of Fractured Shoulder-blade is unaltered; and the Textbook is still silent as to causes and to signs and symptoms.

The instructions with reference to Fractured Arm show various and important changes; and it is curious that the possible causes are again omitted, though the arm is a bone which may be broken by direct, indirect and muscular violence.

When the fracture is close 10 the shoulder the upper b<?rder of the broad bandage is now placed cc level WIth the top of the shoulder." When the fracture is near the middle qf the ,rhaft the forearm is first placed across the chest at right angles to the arm, by which means the Revision Committee rectifies its mistake in the and is now anatomically correct In Its InstructlOns that splints are to be placed on the front, back and outer side of the arm. l \gain, :v hen fracture involves the elb01V joint, the previous InstructlOns for outdoor and indoor treatment are (to my regret) discarded; and the injury is to be treated on the same lines as other fractures. .Also, 0 e bandage (C the hand" in previous editions IS to be applied as a figure-of-eight cc round the hand wrist" (note the sequence), while a cold compress IS to be applied over the fracture. The last is a ?tupid I) because the cold application WIll avall. nothlllg except when brought into direct WIth the skin; and (2) because, if the fracture IS SImple, then the clothing should on no account be removed.

The only changes with Fractured Forearm are: (I) that the splints are now described as being placed on cc front and back" instead of on cc inner and outer sides" of the forearm, which is in strict accordance with the footnote to the Frontispiece; and (2) that the lower or figure-of-eight bandage is now stated to be placed " round the hand and wrist" instead of " round the wrist and hand."

A Fractured or Crushed Hand is to be treated as n previous editions except that a second bandage is

now applied round the forearm and above the figureof-eight bandage.

With Fractured Pelvis the only change is that Rule 3 has been amplified, and, in place of the old (C bandage both knees and ankles together," now reads: "apply a bandage as figure-of-eight round ankles and feet and a broad bandage round both knees."

The only material changes with Fractured Femur are that a note emphasising the danger from shock has been added and that the bandage round the ankles and feet is to be applied as a figure-of-eight.

The instructions with reference to Fractured Knee Cap are as in the last edition, except that the splint is now to be well padded under the heel (to relieve tension on the lower fragment of the fracture and to avoid pressure on the heel), and that an extra bandage curiously labelled a cc double figure-ofeight ") is to be applied round splint, ankle, foot and splint. As before, a cold compress is to be applied to the fracture; and what I have already written concerning the cold compress with fracture involving elbow joint applies also to this injury. To me it is positively absurd to suggest that the first-aider should apply a cold compress which will soak the patient's trousers and pants!

No change has been made in the description and treatment of Fractured Leg or of Fractured (or Crushed) Foot.

N. C. F. (To be contil1ued.)

Cleethorpes and District Cadet Division

On February 24 the annual social and prize distribution of the aboye took place at the Cleethorpes Ladies' Adult School, under the patronage of the Mayor, Alderman F. W. George, supported by Ambulance Officers Phillips and Dodds and Cadet uperintendent Birkett.

The 1fayor opened his remarks with a quotation from the book- CC encouraging words." He said, as one with a good many years' experience as a member of the Council, he knew how important it was to use encouraging ,vords. That was his object that night, to encourage the boys, of \l;hich there were about fifty present, to become worthy and useful citizens in serving the public in a different way, by rendering first aid in cases of accident and sudden illness. He then handed the prizes and awards to the following Cadets :-

The Fisher Cup:- Winners: S. Williams (Captain), K. Power, R. Egart, L. Draper. Runners up : H. Kenning (Captain), c. A. Hammond, R. Broughton, J. Green. Special prizes: Cadets Broughton, Betts, Coates and Snelling. Individual Cup, presented for the best all-round Cadet of the year: S. Williams; runner-up, L. Kicks.

The Healing Power of Nature in Hremorrhage

In all our work Nature is continually at our beck and call, although this fact may not be apparent to the untrained person. Even when an appropriate drug is administered the cure of the complaint is brought about by the co-operative action of the and the natural tissue defences or the natural curat1ve powers inherent in the body. The old doctors always wrote and spoke of vis medicalrix naltlrce (the healing power of Nature)-the natural power of the body to resist injury or disease.

Let us therefore not forget that our success 10 dealing ;ith injuries' and depends on our help assisted by the power of Nature.

It would be rather too technical, in an article of this kind, to discuss the reaction of the bodily temperature to sayan attack of influenza or the reaction of the tissues to a preventiye or curative serum injected by the doctor, hut just bear it in mind.

Without the inimitable alliance of Nature our own efforts would be doomed to failure. To have a reliable friend or colleague who always works with you and for you is most comforting.

When an athlete undergoes too violent, too rapid or too prolonged exertion, the supply of oxygen to the blood is insufficient, it (the blood) contains more CO-z than it should, the brain gets too little blood and the limbs too much, he becomes exhausted and, perhaps, collapses. Here ature comes in and gives its own first aid treatment by increasing the rapidity of the respiration and the heart-beats, so that the excess of CO 2 is driven out of the blood and the lack of oxygen is made good as quickly as possible. We do our part by laying the patient down, making sure that his increased respiration rate is unimpeded, adjusting the position of his head according to the colour of the face, keeping him warm, etc.

Let us discuss for a minute what happens when we receive a cut somewhere on the body-a separation of the continuity of the tissues. Nature comes to the rescue at once and the blood soon begins to dot to form a plug to close the wound, yes, and even a big artery, if necessary. If it were not so, we should, probably, bleed to death.

The liquid part of the blood named plasma, in which the red and white corpuscles float, contains, in solution, various protein substances and one of these is called fibrinogen, which is going to produce fibrin by the action of a ferment in the blood. As soon as blood escapes from a blood vessel and comes into contact with the air, the chemical changes, indicated above, start and little masses of fibrin (fibres) together

70

By Colonel C. I. Ellis, C.M.G. , T.D ., M.D. , &c .

with the blood serum* and corpuscles form the clots of blood, which, like a cork, close up the opening and prevent the blood from pouring out continuously.

Another provision of Nature is that, when a wound is made, the white corpuscles of the blood mass at the injured place and resist any disease germs may try to enter from outside. If our blood IS healthy, then the white corpuscles are usually able to absorb (eat up) and destroy the germs; obVIOusly, therefore, the blood has very "positive" powers. We must not rely on ature to do all the work, vou all know what we are called upon to do-see PP' 92-98 "First Aid to the Injured."

Where there is severe hremorrhage certam condLtions must be fulfilled, viz. :-

(a) The pressure within the bleeding vessel must be kept low.

(b) The site of the bleeding point must be kept absolutely at rest.

Nature has other ways of helping: the patient feels faint and collapsed and so lies down, thus reducing the blood pressure. Iso his face and skin generally is deprived of its usual blood we say he is pale-blood, therefore, IS bemg conserved for more deep -seated and vital parts.

The bloodless and pallid skin is favourable, too, to the conservatism of inward heat-a most important item in cases of shock \vhere the temperature is subnormal.

The elastic coat of the cut or torn artery contracts and so the opening in the artery becomes smaller, thus assisting the plugging of the damaged artery bv the clot.

On page 18 of "First Aid to the Injured" you will find these words: "Severe hremorrhage must receive the first attention, no matter what are the other injuries." This is excellent advice for severe hremorrhage implies that the heart is working powerfully and respiration is being carried on efficiently.

In this connection always remember that heat't and lungs are permanently wedded in a life-long partnershjp (no divorce is permitted) and what effects one will always affect the other.

In my long experience I, practically:, always hear from candidates and competitors: "Hremorrhage must always receive the first attention." This needs some qualifying, because it is not necessarily the case.

I am not decrying the importance of hremorrhage.

It is of all symptoms the most appalling to the patient

* The clear liquid part of the blood separated from its fibrin and corpuscles.

and, perhaps, most tryIng t() the nerves of the hrstaider and he has to rely on the help of Nature and on what he can do himself to help as well. H::cmorrhage from the larger blood vessels is an absolute emergency. In bleeding from the nose, lungs or stomach more reliance must be placed on the natural resources of the body and our assistance is not so material.

When however, hremorrhage is but slight and from cause there is danger of asphyxiation, choking or where the _is in an epilept.ic or apoplectic fit, or bleedtng IS from a very rubl.cuncl person the patient may be all the. for lOSIng a little blood. \YJe must learn to dIscnmlOate.

In such incidents as those just mentioned the most urgent condition (i.e., the one most likely to endanger life) should be treated. first, so it is. not always that slight bleedlng is the first conslderatlOn.

Whilst breathing is at a low ebb, from whate, er cause, there can be but little harmful hxmorrhage and so it often is necessary to see to adequate breathing by artificial respiration, to the choking by removing obstructions in the throat, and to the fit by support, protection, etc., before attending to a slight hxmorrhage.

The Hospitallers' Club

Under the chairmanship of the President (1fr. J. Standingford), the Hospitallers' Club held their monthly meeting at the Bonnington Hotel, on Friday evening, February I I, when a most interesting and instructive lecture was gin:n by Mr. H. G. P. Cole,,> \ Superintendent of the 1 lorn cy Fire Brigade.

The lecturer briefly traced the history of the hre brigades since their formation by the insurance companies, and dealt at length with the complex and efficient fire-flght.ing organisations of the pre ent day, which must be ready in a few seconds to deal \,vith anything from a cat up a tree or a person trapped in a lift, to a vast conflagration. It was necessary, aid Mr. Coles, for a fireman to have knowledge of hr t aid, electricity, chemistry and many other things, as well as plenty of courage.

During the evening three new members were received into the Club: fessr Dines, of Finchley ; Mr. Avon, of New Cross; and Widdicombe, of Herts. County Headquarters.

No . 99 (Lamb eth) Division

A course of lectures on " IIome Nursing for 1-1en " commencing on Monday, farch 21, 1938, at 8 p.m., will be given by the Divisional Surgeon Captain James Grant-lv[orrin, at tannary Street .S. 1. Hall, Kennington, .E.11, near" The Horns."

Fee for course, examination and certificate, 3s. 6d. <

Further particulars may be had of the Hon. Secretary, Sergeant F. R. Glover, 83, Elm Park, Brixton Hill, S. W.2.

CADET NEWS II

The No. IV District Competition for Girl Cadets was held at Todmorden, on Saturday, February T 2, at the Headquarters of the Brigade.

The Mayor of Todmorden (Councillor Goodier, J.P.) welcomed the competitors, and praised the work the Brigade is doing in training . ) oung people: The Mayoress presented the trophies to the wmners. The Judge was Dr. Kitson, .lY1edicai Officer of Health.

The result was: ] st, Roche, Cadet Trophy: 2nd, Todmorden, Cadet Cup; 3rd, Liverpool.t orth.

The Commissioner, W. G. Smith, Esq., O.B.I"., proposed a votc of thanks to the fayor and The Ivfedical Officer of Health, in responding t() a vote of thanks to the Judges, said they were relying on the Brigade and the Nursing Association .to help in their Air Raid Precaution scheme, and adV"lsed the spectators to join the Brigade classes, and so b e able to help in emergency.

11rs. T\\'eedale, Lady District Superintendem, in charge of the competition.

COOKERY RECIPE FOR GIRL C\'DET CoOK::' Frellch PaJZcakeJ'. oz. butter, I oz. sugar, 1 oz. flour, I egg, teaspoonful baking powder, } gill of warmed milk. Alethod.-Cream the sugar and butter, add egg (whipped), sprinkle in the flour, add the baking powder, put a little butter on small saucers, warm to melt the butter, pour a little batter into each saucer, bake in moderate oven about 20 minutes. Spread a little jam on when baked, fold oyer, and sprinkle a little sugar over to serye, with cream.

Annual Dinner

The Hospitallers' Club annual dinner took place at the Connaught Rooms, on February 19, under the chairmanship of the Vice-President G. C. Green). It was a yery succes ful function, a hundred and t\,yent\ -five members and friends sitting down to dinner.

Thc principal guest of the evening wa Dr. Corbet Fletcher, the urgeon-in-Chief, who the toast of "The lub." 11r. G. C. Green replIed. The toast of C The Visitors» \vas proposed by 1fr. H., Langley- Jones, Commissioner for the County ot, Hertfordshire, to which \lderman Vyyyan Wells, ot finchley, responded.

L\n excellent concert followed, which had be n arrano-ed by 11r. F. Stallard, who, owing to indi 'not be pres nt. The dutie of musical director were, however, admirably carried out by hi son, Mr. K. tallard, assisted by 1[1'. J. Kemp.

The All-India Ambulance New Delhi

Imperial Delhi had its first All-India Ambulance Competitions in the Irwin Stadium, from February 2 to 4, when Their Excellencies the Viceroy and the Marchioness of Linlithgow were present to witness an ambulance display, after which the Viceroy gave away the trophies and prizes to the various winners. The competitions attracted a record number of entries with no less than 475 men and 35 women competitors from all over India. Some of the competing

NIajesty the King Emperor, and the Gwalior Challenge Shield, open to teams of four men from British units of the Regular Army, which had been in abeyance for fourteen years, were competed for. The competitions were conducted by the Indian Council, with the help of St. John Ambulance Association, a number of officials and private medical practitioners.

Dr. Cairns, C.LE., who has considerable experience of these competitions, acted as moderator. Captain

of first aid training in modern aerial warfare and in every-day accidents in actual life. An aeroplane appeared from the blue and dropped a " bomb" on a property house erected in the centre of the Stadium, which exploded and filled the house with gas. The occupant of the house was gassed, but was given immediate skilled assistance by a squad of first-aiders trained in anti-gas measures, who came to his rescue complete with gas mask and stretcher. The second display was full of action: a party of picnickers rushed to the aid of an aeroplane pilot and passenger who were burnt and sustained injuries in a forced landing. In the twinkling of an eye the picnickers, :vho trained in Fi:-st Aid and Home Nursing, unprovlsed stretchers WIth umbrellas and rugs, tied up the fractured limbs in ne\vspapers and serviettes carried .off to a hospital. Among the other Hems were a VIctIm of a boxing contest, an old man who .stumbled in alighting from a horse-cart, a village dacolty, and a display of rescue work by the Kolar Goldfields team.

The Viceroy, in his address referred to the yisit of Colonel Sleeman in 1937, and to the work of the Order in India during riots, earthquakes and railwa T disasters, to all for greater support [o'r the work In Ind1a. SIr Ernest Burdon, chairman of the St. John Ambulance Associati?n (Indian Council), proposed a vote of thanks to TheIr Excellencies after which the Camp broke up. '

IALL-INDIA AMBULA CE Co.MPETITIONS, NEW DELI-II

Sardar Bahadur Balwant Singh Puri, Secretary of the Competitions, with the General Secretary, .\lEss Hill and H.E. The Commander-in-Chief

teams came f.rom as far distant places as Lal Musa, in the extreme North, and Bangalore and the Kolar Goldfields, in the South. The Kolar Goldfields teams of miners trained in the use of the "Proto" oxygen apparatus to deal with cases of fires in mines entered the competitions for the first time. Wearing special mining headgear and with the oxygen apparatus strapped to their chests, these teams proved an attractive feature in the competitions, and their demonstration of artificial respiration by the rocking method was a high spot in the displays on the final day. Fourteen trophies, including two presented by His 7'1.

Hafizuddin, Staff Officer for Training, St. John Ambulance Brigade Overseas, and Mr. M. Kazmi, Camp Directors. All the male competitors lived under canvas in the grounds adjoining the Stadium as guests of the Association.

A general view of the public galleries during the ambulance displays gave ample proof of the interest the competitions aroused in Delhi. Their Excellencies, with a number of distinguished guests, occupied the central box, from which the Viceroy took the salute of the teams during a grand march past. A programme of six displays was drawn up to demonstrate the need

Reproduction of Badge

Do You KNow TIllS BADGE?

A (repr<?duced above) has come into our It IS Interesting inasmuch as it possesses some uruque features.

Have you ever seen such a bado-e? If you have and can explain its origin, the Editor will be o-lad to hear from you. b

E or postcards should be addressed to The L ditor , THE ST. JOHN AMBuLA CE GAZETTE 3 2 Shoe ane, London, E.e4. ' ,

The St. John Ambulance Brigade News

No. (PRINCE OF WALES'S) DISTRICT.

At on Thursday, February 3, the ComffilsslOner (Captain W. Goodley, M.e, K St.J.) presented fifteen Service Medals, twentythree bars and one Royal Naval Sick Berth Reserve Service Medal to members of No. District.

In congratulating those who were to receive the decorations, the Commissioner reminded them that the Service Medal was sanctioned by Queen Victoria as long ago as 1895, and it was formally instituted by Royal Charter of King Edward VII in 1906 •

It was awarded. by the Gr.and Prior and ChapterGeneral for conspICUOUS servIces to the Order and its Departments. But it. should not be looked upon as a long sennce medal, as it was far more lmportant than that. It was awarded on rare occasions to members who had no connection with the Brigade, but who had rendered great service to the Order. The. Order, wisdo.m, decided that fifteen years' effiCIent servIce In the Bngade was conspicuous service rendered to a of the Order-The St. John Ambulance Bngade-of which it was intensely proud, and so conferred upon the recipient its conspicuous Service Medal.

The bust of Queen Victoria upon the was modelled by her daughter, Princess Beatrice and the which :vas vet)Tminutely but still very clearly deSIgned, of reproductions of the Royal Arms, the Impenal Crown, the arms of H.R.H. the Grand Prior of the Order, and the badge of H.R.H. the Prince of Wales.

An interesting note in the proceedino-s was struck when the Commissioner took one of the bars which had been awarded to himself-his second District Sergeant- Major J. Elam was presented with fifth bar \on comple.tion f?rty years' service) ; B. Bngman his tourth bar (35 years' serYlce), and Corporal H. J. Palmer his third bar (3 0 years' service).

East Lox:d?r: (No. 30) and Nursing 76) Dl"n a grand novelty dance 111 aId of the DlvlslOnal funds, which was held on Saturday, February 5, at the Hackney Town Hall. It proved a remarkable success, as evidenced by the fact that the Committee were compelled to refuse admisslOn to nearly 200 ",-ould-be dancers.

Among the guests of the Divisions at the dance

.Distri::t Officer Captain and Mrs. L. L. Franks, DIstrIct and 11rs. T. McBride, Lady District Officer 1\1:1SS M. M. Masson, Divisional-Surgeon Dr. and Mrs. M. B. Jay, Dr. J. M. Rafalowsky, and many others.

Tribute should be paid to the whole Committee of the combined Divisions, and specially to the Chairman, Nfr. A. Goldstein (No. 30), and the. Secretary, NEss S. Ruderman (No. 76), by theIr hard work and enthusiasm made the functlOn the undoubted success it was.

The main attraction of the evening was" In Town To-night," presented tby Jack the. defeated Cruiser-weight ChamplOn of Empire. Among the well-known personalit:es 111troduced by :Mr. Bloomfield during the were Miss Peggy Desmond, the w.ell-known radio pated pianist, Lvir. George Elr1ck, late of Hall s Band, and now touring the country With own band' Nliss Pat Hyde and Mr. Lawrence \Vnght, the publi;her, better known under his nom-de-plume, ,,( Horatio Nicholls," the popular composer.

Mr. Wright presented three to the winners of the " Lawrence W nght S111g111!S Competition" for the be.st of any of his published numbers, the \Vlnners be111g: (I) Low Brody; (2) Mr. Freddie Phieffer; (3) :Miss Rose Lyons.

The catering arrangements were carrle.d out by the Nurses of the No. 76 DlvlslOn and thelt friends' and the Cadets of No. C23 rendered valuable service the evening.

Arrangements for the of an Ambulance Division of the Brigade in Westrrunster are now well advanced. A course of lectures on First Aid at the Westminster City Clinic, Ebury Bridge, commenced on March 2, the services of Dr. F. A. as lecturer having been secured. A second course IS to be arranged if there appears to be su£?cient demar:d. Anyone interested is invited to get 111tO touch With Mr. ]. E. Brown, either at Ebury Bridge, on Wednesday evenings (6-8 p.m.), or at 42, Sutton Road, N.IO.

Dr. A. L. Banks, a well-known figure in Central Area, until a few years ago, has to become Divisional-Surgeon of this new DIvlslOn when formed.

No. 2 DISTRICT.

MlNEHEAD.

The Annual General Meeting of the Minehead Division was held at Headquarters, the Rooms on Monday, February 14· The chal! was taken by Dr. W. Bain (Divisional-Surgeon), and he was supported by Supenntendent F. C. Tarr, Ambulance Officers G. H. Hawkins (Treasurer) and W. ]. Morse, and the Secretary.

After the minutes of the last meeting had been read and adopted, the Secretary the Annual Report, wruch was also adopted, and It was reso.lved that repo.rt and balance-sheet be printed and cltculated as 111 previous years.

..,

ties for 1937 :-Transport-Accidents, I; invalids, 25 6 ; total cases transported, 3°7; mIles travelled by motor ambulances, 8,397; occur:-ences treated, 4 26 ; total cases attended, 733; dnlls. held, 3 ; average attendance, 21 men:bers; publiC . duties attended, 43 I; transport dutIes, 1,083; publ1c duty hours, 1,560; transport duty hours, 3,981; total hours of voluntary service, 5,541. The strength of the Division is given a F members.

The Treasurer's Report shows an income of £340, and e},."Penditure of £248, giving a surplus of £9 2 on the year's working.

on the Annual Report, Dr. Bain said it was most comprehensive, and the whole of the Division's activities. He complimented the members on the excellence of their work and the great amount of time they had devoted to it, it was a benefit to the community, and was fully appreclated_ by the public, as was from the ot support the Division recetved throughout the dIstrIct.

Dealing with the transport side, Dr. said number of calls and mileage were steadily mounting every year, the purchase of the second ambulance was a big asset and had been fully JustIfied. In competitions they the return of the" Lad) Forrester" Cup to Minehead, but he .they had come off second best in the County CompetitIOns. He looked to the members to bring the cup back to Minehead again in 193 8.

Regarding Air Raid Precaution, the Division had a big part to play, which would mean further calls upon the members' time, but he felt sure they would tackle the job in the same spirit as they did their first aid, and become just as efficient.

Dr. Bain added they all regretted the death of their late Commissioner-Mr. J. S. Cox-who had done so much for the Brigade in the county, and they welcomed Dr. Beath as his successor, a gentleman they all knew, and who had worked with them for a number of years.

It was agreed that the Division enter teams to compete in the County and Lady Cup Competitions and that the competition for the " Luttrell" ;nd "Duck" Cups be held at Headquarters on March 30.

The followin 0- members were elected to serve on the Committee: Messrs. K. Bailey, E. Pring, J. Rawle, C. Green C. Sage, a?d it was left to this Committee to go lUto the questlOn of an annual dinner.

A vote of thanks was passed to Mr. C. Sage for the assistance he had given the Secretary during the year, and a proposal that a letter of thanks ?e sent to Mrs. G. H. Hawkins for her many servIces to the Division was passed with acclamation. BRISTOL.

The following is a summary of the DIVISlOn s actIvl74

For the second time within a year the County of Bristol St. John Ambulance Brigade has arranged a

Special Week-end Air Raid Precautions Instructors Course in conjunction with the Bristol Chamber of Commerce.

Selected representatives from all the important business houses of Bristol are, in this way, being trained as External Brigade Instructors, so that they may, in their turn, instruct the employees of their firms for the Brigade General Public Certificate.

On Saturday and Sunday, January 29 and 30, 125 candidates attended lectures at the Royal Hotel, and also visited the gas chamber at the Bristol Central Police Station.

The course was under the direction of the Air Raid Precautions Staff Officer to the Bristol County Commissioner, Corps-Officer G. J. Creech, who was assisted by Corps-Superintendent Dr. N. H. KettleweU, Corps-Surgeon Dr. N. S. B. Vinter and Corps-Officer A. R. Harding.

All four lecturers are Falfield trained 1st Class C.A.G Instructors, and it is probably unique for such a week-end course to be given solely b}C.A.G.S. Instructors.

Already the County of Bristol has some 72 External Instructors in addition to 43 Brigade Instructors, and it is hoped that, as a result of this present course, these numbers will be greatly increased.

o. 3 ('X E TERN) DISTRICT.

LYE.

A very interesting competition-the Dewar Shield " eliminator" for the Ollis Shield-open to Ambulance Divisions of the Dudley and District Corps of St. John mbulance Brigade, was held at Lye Ambulance Brigade headquarters recently when five teams-Dudley, Stourbridge, Tipton, Kinver and M.E.C. (Tipton)-competed.

Corps Surgeon Dr. F. G. Lewis, of Dudley, judged the stretcher test; Divisional Surgeon Dr. W. 11urdock, .M.C., of Tipton, took the viva voce tests; Corps Officer E. Lakin, S.B.S.]., and Divisional Superintendent H. Mills, S.B.S.]., officiated as timekeepers; and Staff-Sergeant D. Jones, of Dudley, was orderly officer.

The arrangements for the competition were made by Corps Superintendent A. Winbow, S.B J, of Dudley, who had charge of the competition.

Among others present were County Officer P. H. Schofield, S.B.S.]., R.A.P. Corps Officers C. Ollis, of H. Mills, S.B.S.]., of Lye; W. Robmson, C1ty Gas Division, Birmingham; Ambulance Officers Weaver (Stourbridge), Cooper (Lye), J Turley Tipton), Lady Superintendents E. Ollis, S.B.S.]. (Dudley), Miss S. Wakefield (Klnver), and .P. Hamblett (Lye) and a good number of representatives of Ambulance and Nursino- Divib SlOns.

At the close, Corps Superintendent Win bow hanked Dr. Lewis and Dr. Murdock for judging the

teams, and announced the results as follows: Stourbridge, 25 1 points; Tipton, 228; Dudley, Z 20 : Klnver, 173; M.E.C. (Tipton),

The members of the winning team were: Ambulance Officer A. E. Roden (Captain), Lance-Corporal O. F. Sawtill, Privates I. T. A. Wyatt, W. H. Weston, J. H. Martin and G. H. Berry (reserve).

No. 4 (LANCASHIRE) DISTRICT. FLEETWOOD.

"During the last year we have done exceedingl) well. This year we are out for a new building, and we all want to work very hard together.

"This is the finest work done in Fleetwood, and 1 don't think the public realises one-half of it," said \lderman T. Clegg, presiding at the annual social and distribution of awards of Fleetwood St. John Ambulance Brigade and Nursing Division at the headquarters, recently.

11rs. C. H. Dent, wife of the Vice-President, handed. awards to the Tursing Division members; and :Mrs. S. Newsom, wife of the Divisional Surgeon, distributed the men's awards.

The Efficiency Cup for Privates in the Fleetwood Division was handed by ?vIrs. Newsom to PriYate E Brown, who also received a medal, as did the runnerup, Private 1 G. Frith.

Alderman Clegg presented the Cadet Division Vicepresident's badge to Ir.]. G. Ellenden.

.In his annual report, Superintendent T. R. Bailey sald the membership of the Nursing Division was 26. During the year they had attended 80 first-aid cases , and put in 158 attendances at public duties.

The home comforts depot loaned 73 article for sick patients.

The Ambulance Division strength comprised three urgeons, one Divisional Superintendent, two Ambulance Officers, two Cadet Officers, one Staff-Sergeant two ergeants, one Hon. Sergeant, five Corporals, one upernumerary Corporal and 3 Privates, with four members on the reserve list.

_ Drills to the of 52 held, and reports ot 191 cases ot first-aId had been made, while mammore had not been reported would have attended.

Fifteen member had obtained the Brigade Certificate under the Air Raid Precautions Scheme.

Public duty was carried out at football matches , sports, galas, field days and other gatherings. 4 8 attendance at these were made by members, and this represented approximately 2,000 hours o-i\T'en to public ervice in the borough without cosf to the community.

The mbulance and 1 ursing Divisions had ao-reed on the purcha e of a plot of land on which to build new headquarter .

Councillor C. H. Dent proposed a vote of thanks to Mrs. Newsom and 11rs. Dent, and this wa seconded

by Ambulance Officer Councillor J. P. Thomason, J.P.

A vote of thanks to Alderman Clegg was proposed by Mr. S. Newsom, F.R.C.S. (Divisional Surgeon), and seconded by Superintendent T. R. Bailey. MIDDLETON.

Recently a most enjoyable Whist Drive and Dance, organised by Mrs. P. L. Kay, in aid of the funds of the St. John Ambulance Brigade, Middleton Division, was held in the Assembly Hall, which was attended by over 150 ladies and gentlemen.

The Mayor and Mayoress presented the whist prizes, and they were supported by Divisional Surgeon Dr. J. Gourley, Corps Superintendent Naylor, Superintendent Golborne, and Councillors Dawson, Butterworth and Kay.

We understand the funds of the Society will benefit to the extent of £ 2.4.

No. 5 DISTRICT. DONCASTER.

"The work of the St. John Ambulance Brigade right from the olden days is self-evident, and really when the lads not only give their time and service, but more often than not are called upon to dig down into their pockets, I think that is the best thing for all of us to emulate," said Mr. J. Hunter, managing director of Doncaster Amalgamated Collieries, Ltd., proposing the toast of "The St. John Ambulance Brigade," at the annual dinner and presentation of awards of the Bullcroft Main Corps.

Corps Superintendent J. Le Brun, who presided, said the Bullcroft Corps did their work efficiently, and did not expect any praise. On this particular evening, however, they did like to show off a little, and it was pleasing that they should come up and be presented with their awards.

Mr. Le Brun spoke of the work of Mr. Alan McCracken (President), and Mr. Andrew Clarke. (Secretary) of Bullcroft Branch of the Y.M.A., who, he said, had helped the Corps in a lot of ways which probably nobody knew anything about. They had managed by ways and means which he did not know, to help them with very many subscriptions.

Mr. J. Criddle, Corps Superintendent Brigade Reserve, said the Corps was comprised of three Divisions, Bullcroft, Carcroft Ambulance Divisions, and the Nursing Sisters. Tte present total strength was 146, and the number of successful candidates at the year's examinations was Il2, or 76.71 per cent. of the total numbers.

During the past 13 years 1,615 members (nursing and ambulance) had passed their examination. This was an average of 124 members per year being qualified as efficient to render first aid to the injured. A total of 1,780 cases had been attended and treated during the year by ambulance men and Nursing Sisters. The number of removals had been 15, and there had been 27 road accidents attended.

A class of between 40 and 50 members was receiving instruction in Air Raid Precautions Work. CASTLEFORD.

At the annual meeting of the Castleford Division of the St. John Ambulance Brigade Divisional Superintendent G. Day presided, supported by Divisional Surgeon Dr. A. E. James. Corps Superintendent A. Addinell was unable to be present owing to indisposition. Other Officers present were Ambulance Officer T. S. Smith, Divisional Treasurer, Ambulance Officers E. Morton and H. Schofield, and the Secretary, Sergeant Wm. Finan, some forty N.C.O.s and men also attending.

In his annual report the Secretary said he had pleasure in announcing that Ambulance Officer T. S. Smith, Evan 1forton and Sergeant L. Hopton would be invested as Serving Brothers in recognition of their services to the ambulance movement in general. This, he believed, was the first time that three men from one Division had had that honour conferred upon them at the same time. The returns at the end of the year 1937 showed the Brigade strength to be 64 members, a decrease of 12, due mainly to resignations. At the annual examination 51 members passed. He noted that they had only the same number of members in possession of Air Raid Precautions certificates as when he made his last report, but Corps Superintendent Addinell and Sergeant H. Addinell were now in possession of Grade 1 certificates, and Corporal Cox and Private W. A. Moreton had gained Grade 2. Efforts had been made to start another A.R.P. class during the year, but the response was very poor. In view of the fact that they had only 19 members who were in possession of certificates, it was hoped that other members would take the opportunity of attending the next course of lectures, as it was possible a lot would be heard of this subject during the present year. In competitions the Zetland Shield was won for the fourth successive time, and Ambulance Officer Schofield and the other members of the team were to be congratulated. The appointment of Dr. A. E. James as Divisional Surgeon would be much appreciated, and they were looking forward to some interesting lectures in the near future.

DONCASTER.

Progress is reported in the Doncaster District, and the Divisional Corps are giving lectures for the third year.

Forty-four men and 2.2. women passed for certificate in 1936; 22 men and 5 women passed for certificate in 1937; 2 men have Grade 1 certificates, 1937; 5 men have Grade 2 certificates, 1936; 4 women have Grade 2. certificates, 1936.

This year's class is being attended by eighty people, and on Monday, February 2 I, seventy of these went from the class in the Drill Hall, where they had been instructed how to wear the respirators, to the Fire Station at the Racecourse, where they were conducted in batches through the gas chamber, which contained

C.A.P. tear · gas, by Police-Sergeant T. Davies, 1St Class, Falfield. The importance of this test was appreciated by all, and will serve as a stimulus to prove the respirator 100 per cent. proof against war gases. LYDD.

No. 8 (DUKE OF CONNAUGHT'S) DISTRICT.

.Th.e of the Lydd, New Romney and DISttlct DIvlslOn of the St. John Ambulance Brigade was held at Hardy Hall, Lydd, on Tuesday last week. Supenntendent A. Wood presided in the absence of the President, the Mayor (Councillor G. T. Paine).

Wood said the unity of the members was equal If not better than when the Division was first formed.

The Secretary (Sergeant Percival), in his report, stated that the total membership was 20, an increase of one member on last year's total. There had been 33 drills and practices, they had been well attended. Two members had completed full attendance.

The total number of accident cases treated by individual members was 2.96, and the total number of cases to hospital was 77, including 16 road accIdent cases.

On July 4 the Division had attended in strong force at the Review at Dover, and on August 3 the was lnspected by the Assistant (Mr. J. H. Day). His report was encouragmg.

The Treasurer, Sergeant G. Coleman, presented the statement of accounts, 1937.

No. 9 DISTRICT. REDRUTH DIVISION.

At the invitation of the Redruth Wesley Men's Bi?l.e. Class, members of the Redruth Ambulance DlvlslOn gave a demonstration at their weekly class ?n Tuesday, February 15. The demonstration was Interspersed with musical items, also given by the members. Superintendent C. C. Pellowe was In charge, and also gave a short description of the skele.ton. One of the most interesting features of the everung was a talk on " Air Raid Precautions" by Officer F. Polkinghome, and the display of CIVIl and service respirators. Corporal W. Goldsworthy gave a short talk on the causes and varieties of fra.ctures, while Corporal H. R. Williams described the difference between burns and scalds, and how to treat them Corporal E. J. Davey gave a description of the respuatory system, and ·also demonstrated to the class how to perform artificial respiration. Private T. Altree gave a talk on wounds and the treatment of wounds and bleeding. A very realistic accident was 77

staged in which a cyclist was supposed to have been thrown from his cycle, and was suffering from arterial from the hand, a fractured thigh and conCUSSlOn. The patient was treated by a team comprising of Sergeant J. Olson, Privates W. Dunstan, T. Altree, II. Moyle and L. Trewren; while Sergeant R. J. Blarney described the accident and acted as The musical programme was given by Pnvate H. Smith (piano-accordion), Private H. (vocal solos) and Private F. Goldsworthy (VlOlin). The members of the Division were thanked for the evening's entertainment by Messrs. S. Wickett and H. Rich, leaders of the class.

Me.mbers of Redruth Division had a unique expenence on Monday evening, January 31. Thev were attending the weekly drill when a word from Superintendent Care, of the St. Ives Division, there was a shipwreck at St. Ives, and asking tor assistance. Within a short time, thanks to the members who took their cars as well as the ambulance car, 24 men were at St. rves, assisting the St. Ives and Camborne Divisions in rendering first aid to the men of the _4Iba, who were thrown into the raging sea when the St. Ives lifeboat turned over. The y arri-\Ted back at Redruth at about 1.30 a.m., tired, but pleased to know that they had been able to be of assistance to the helpless sailors. Redruth Division are ven" grateful to Superintendent Care and the members ;f the St. Ives Division for giving them the opportunity of rendering assistance in these circumstances.

No. 10 DISTRICT. HARWICH.

Under the superintendence of Superintendent B. L. Bowden, of the St. John Ambulance Brigade, Harwich and .District Division, a mock air raid was successfully earned out in the British Legion Hall, at Dovercourt, on Monday night, following a meeting at which members of the Brigade, and various organisations were present, and at which information was O'iven of the preparations that are being made, supple;ental to those being undertaken by the local authority for air raid precautions.

At a given signal the hall was placed in total darkness, the buzz of aircraft was audible, and " bombs» dropped; within a few minutes, " casualties» arrived, and the method of treatment "Uras demonstrated. It " Tas a most practical and interestinO' demonstration. b

Alderman G. CalYer, Chairman of the local ..(\ir

Raids Precaution Committee, presided, and was supported by the Mayor (Alderman J. E. Cann), D r. K. Phelan, Superintendent B. L. B owden, and many others, and amongst the many present were representatives of Essex 88 V.A.D., Scouts, Guides, and other organisations.

The chairman expressed himself as being greatly interested in the work. The Council, he said, were doing everything possible, and within a few weeks the public would be notified of what they had arranged. He congratulated St. John Ambulance Brigade on the work they had already done, and what they were contemplating, and expressed the hope that they would get all the volunteers they required.

Dr. K. Phelan said in that particular locality there mia-ht be some individuals who said that such pre- b cautions as they proposed, was a preparation for war, and was war-mongering. That was not the case. As they had been teaching their pupils how to treat injuries, so the principle now was to come into contact with another new kind of injury produced by a new method of poison gas. It was their aim and ambition to learn as much as possible of the treatment of such injuries, and he considered they would be lacking in their duty if they did not do so.

Superintendent Bowden, who combined his address with practical illustrations of the use of gas masks of various types, said the time had come, however much they might dislike it, to learn how to protect the civilian population by the establishment of airraid wardens, first aid posts, and parties, fire patrols, decontamination squads, gas masks and protective clothing. "

LETCHWORTH.

The need of headquarters for the Letchworth Division of the St. John Ambulance Brigade was stressed at the annual dinner of the Division in the Icknield Halls recently, when Mr. Harold Craske presided.

Also present was Sir Arnold Wilson, M.P . for North Herts., who had hurried from abroad to be present at the dinner.

County Surgeon's I llness -Mr. Craske expressed his regret that the County Surgeon, D r. C. P. Craggs, was unable to be present owing to illness, and he asked Mrs. Craggs to convey to the doctor their best wishes for a speedy and complete recovery. He also mentioned that a telegram had been received from Mr. G. C. Blakeway, Vice-P resident, who was in France .

Mter congratulating the D inner Committee on their hard and efficient work in arranging the dinner,

M r. Craske als o co n g ratulated Cou nty Corp s Officer P etts o n his re cen t pro m o ti on, and Mr. Dou g las, w ho has taken Mr . P etts' place as D ivisional Superinten dent

Two Knights of Grace -Since the dinner a year ago, the honour of Knight of Grace of the O r d er of St . J ohn of J erusalem had been conferred upon Mr. Langley J ones, the County Commissioner. Therefore they had two Knights of Grace of the Order p resent, the other being Sir Arnold Wilson, M.P.

The County Commissioner, Mr. Langley Jones, said that the membership of the St. John Ambulance Brigade had reached the wonderful total of 85,000 men and women In addition there were about another 15,000 or 20,000 in the Dominions and Colonies.

That was a wonderful record for fifty years. -:fhe Brigade was started in 1887 with a few men and women dotted about the country.

After referring to the praise that had been meted out to the Brigade for their work during the Coronation, he said that he believed it was at last sinking home to the public that the members did their work voluntarily, and were not making anything out of it except for the good of their souls.

The membership in Hertfordshire had increased b) over a hundred during the past year. That did nor seem very much until it was realised that only a fe\>. years ago they had only about 200 members in the county.

In connection with the air raid precautions, the) were well ahead in Hertfordshire, and the Letchworth D ivision led There was a higher percentage in Letchworth of those who took the Brigade course, and there were larger and more classes in the factories than anywhere else in the county.

One thing he did want to stress-and that was the need in Letchworth for headquarters of their own . He emphasised the advantage of a Brigade having their own headquarters, even if they were quitt modest.

The Grand Priory Church of the Order of St. John

Chapter General has decided that a service shall be held in the Church as follows :J une 24.-St. J ohn Baptist's D ay, the Annual Commemoration Services of the Order. Holy Communion at 8.30 a.m . Festival Service, 2.3 0 p.m. P reacher : The Lord Bishop of Lincoln, Sub-Prelate of the Ord er.

Tear and Other Gases (Without Tears)

Tiar Gases-first comes C.A.D., Then K.S K. and B.B.C. If you smell pear drops, then beware, For K.S.K is in the air. These gases, too, affect the mind, Explain they are not really blind. R emove and reassure you "oughter" ; Wash out the eyes with saline water

NOSE GASES.

D.A., D.M.-also D.C., You cannot smell, you cannot see; This makes it harder still to tell There's arsenic in them as well. It makes one snuff, and sneeze and blow, It makes one very sad and low. Non-permanent, so won't endure; Pop on a mask, and re-assure. Make several jokes and remove quick; Don't be surprised if the y are sick.

CHOKING GASES.

Phosgene and Chlorine, are, alas! Chlorpicric, too, a deadly gas. Affects the lungs, affects the breath, And very soon may lead to death. The only hope is perfect rest; Remember this, and do your best. Pop on a mask, and quickly fetch her Without the least delay a stretcher. Don't let her move; give her beef tea, Keep her as warm as she can be. Don't give her alcoholic drinks; Persuade her to have forty winks; And in spite of great temptation, Try artIfiCIal respiration.

MUSTARD GAS.

When you have heard the warning sound That Mustard Gas is on the ground

Put on the mask that you possess ;'

All helpers have protective dress

Remember, 'tis persistent gas' Will last for weeks on road grass. The smallest splash upon your hand Will quickly to a sore expand.

If on a person there's a trace

R ush him the appointed piace; Take off his boots and clothes and suit

And scrub him well from head to foot'

Then in another room he'll find

Fresh clothes and boots, assistance kind.

E M W.

Sister Services

By LIEUT.-COLONEL W. BLACKWOOD, D.S O., M.B., County Commissioner, Cornwall.

At 7· 15 p.m., on the night of January 31, 1938, a strong westerly gale was blowing at St. Ives, Cornwall by. driving rain and sleet, so strong the Will? an? raill that one could with difficulty make way agaillst It. Suddenly, above the noise of the storm one heard the report of a maroon fired from the Lifeboat Station to summon the crew of the lifeboat and at the same time to announce to the St. Ambulance Division that the lifeboat was called out that their services were required. It is so arranged In Cornwall that all the local lifeboat stations are up with a Division of the Brigade, and when the. lifeboat proceeds to sea, are available at the or else th.ey may accompany the rocket savlllg apparatus Bngade along the cliffs. On arrival at the harbour, Superintendent W. H. Case learned that a steamer, the Alba, of Panama, was ashore on the rocks of the in Porthmere Cove, a spot so well known to VISitors to St. Ives. As the lifeboat made its way round the island the Ambulance Division with full equipment made its way, accompanied by hundreds of spectators, to the Porthmere Beach. There, in the darkness, illuminated only by the fitful glare of lamps from motor-cars and the light of the Lifesaving Brigade, the wreck could be seen the movements of the lifeboat towards it were w;tched with an.....uety. The wind and rain, accompanied by clouds of sand, were drivina- straia-ht on shore and th b b so great was elr that it was with difficulty one could stand agamst It. waves were breaking on shore and on the surrounding rocks. The lifeboat came alongside the ship and took off the crew of 23 officers and men. Gradually the lifeboat drew away from. the ship, when suddenly a huge wave the and it, throwing 29 men the bOIling sea. Qwckly the lifeboat righted Itself, and some of those in the water could be observed getting into her, but the capsizing had damaged her motor, and she could not be restarted. She was now unmanageable, as her anchor failed to hold the officer in charge. of the rocket teared that she would be driven broadside on towards be.ach, then roll over and crush those still struggling III the water or those in the boat. He therefore fired a line over her bow, and was able to keep her head to the seas, though not to prevent her drifting unmanageable on to the rocks to become a total wreck The work of the ambulance men and those on the beach now became most an.'rious as men could be .seen struggling in the water, or' being dashed agrunst the rocks. I quote the words of Private W. Thomas, of the St. Ives Division: "I saw a seaman the rocks and the sea. I immediately went to. hIS when a large wave caught me and the allor, us both in amongst the rocks. The backwash carrIed us out, but after a while I was able to catch the hand of a man on the rocks who , ,

with other assistance, got us both out of the water." The sailor required artificial respiration, which was successfully applied, and he was afterwards carried on a stretcher over the rocks, and removed to hospital by the motor ambulance. Sergeant Percy Cortis, of the same Division, tells me that he saw a man Boating in the raging surf and drifting towards him, and, to use his own words, cc Police Constable Appleton jumped into the sea, but was washed back again. The man drifted near us, and Appleton again jumped in and caught hold of the man. I then jumped in, and together we dragged him to the rocks, where, with assistance, we got him clear of the water. He was alive, and was removed to hospital."

Such is the tale of the wreck of the Alba. Of the 29 men thrown into the water when the lifeboat upset, 24 were rescued, including the entire crew of the lifeboat; but three of the crew of the steamer were drowned, though every attempt was made by artificial respiration to revive them, and two were never seen again, probably washed out to sea and drowned. The St. I ves Division and that of Camborne and Redruth, who came to their assistance, were specially thanked by the coxwain and crew of the lifeboat and by the District Officer of H.1L Coastguards for their services on that night. One feels sure that this tragic wreck will increase the co-operation of those three Sister services engaged in life-saving-the Lifeboat, the Rocket Apparatus Brigade and the St. John Ambulance Brigade.

Markham Main Corps 12th Annual Dinner

CC The Order of St. John has been made by its rank and file. It owes everything to the man and woman in the street," said Dr. N. Corbet Fletcher (Surgeon-in-Chief of the St. John Ambulance Brigade), speaking at the 12th annual dinner of the Markham Main Corps, held at the Danum Hotel, Doncaster, recently.

The function was one of the most successful the Corps has ever held. Many officials of the Ambulance Brigade and local colliery companies were present, including: Mr. C. C. Gatley (Secretary to theD.A.C.) and Mrs. Gatley; Superintendent and Mrs. T. Gordon; Mr. Tom Williams (M.P. for Don Valley) and Mrs. Williams; Mr. J. Le Brun (Agent at Bullcroft and Brodsworth Main) and Mrs. Le Brun; District Officer E. T. Millburn (Secretary to the Surgeon-inChief); District Officer and Mrs. W. Still; Corps Superintendent D. Macaskill; Mr. D. Palmer (VicePresident of the Markham Main Corps) and Mrs. Palmer, and Dr. F. J. O'Gorman (Corps Surgeon to Bullcroft Corps).

Proposing the toast of cc The St. John Ambulance Brigade and Markham Main Corps," Mr. E. C. Hamilton-Russell (general manager of the D.A.C.)

He did not propose to say anything about their Corps Surgeon (Dr. Hart)-they all knew him sufficiently well. He regarded Sergeant-Major Seaton as one of the most efficient and hard-working instructors he had ever known. His one and only thought was,. " What can I do towards ambulance work?"

Responding, Corps Superintendent T. Blunt said that their object in life had not only been to render first-aid, but to do it efficiently, properly and without fear of being criticised. At Markham Main they were not pretentious. They were only a small village, but they could boast of men and women who lived for their work.

The toast of "The Visitors" was proposed by Corps Surgeon B. Hart, and in response, Dr. Corbet Fletcher paid a tribute to local ambulance workers, saying that some of the cleverest questions he had had to deal with had come from the Doncaster district. He welcomed his first appearance in No. 5 D istrict .

He passed on a message from Sir John Duncan (The Chief Commissioner), in which he said, « Tell them I am proud of what they are doing."

From the point of view of headquarters, he added. it was interesting to visit various parts of the country, and see what the Brigade stood for. Few realised that the Brigade was 100,000 strong on January last year, when they celebrated their jubilee. The Brigade consisted of 86,000 members in the home country and 16,000 overseas. They were proud of it.

Dr. Corbet Fletcher said he was disappointed that there were not more Cadets in the :Markham 11ain Corps, and he advised them to think about that point. While he was most impressed by what was going on in the district-it was his first visit to a colliery district-he thought they ought to become a complete St. John family and attempt to enrol Cadets.

Interesting Case Reports II

CASE REPORT No. 137.-The Officer-in-Charge of No. 8 (Duke of Connaught's) District, S.J.A.B., reports the efficient performance of first aid by the Transport Officer of the Maidstone and District Corps in the following exceptional circumstances :-

Two weeks ago, at 9.40 a.m., the Maidstone Ambulance received a call to a serious accident which had occurred at the Aylesford Pottery Company's works about four miles away.

Transport Officer F. Skinner, with Driver Wickens> arrived there within twenty minutes, and found that

80 said he had always felt that the Markham Main Corps was one of the most efficient in its duties. They had a fine leader in Mr. Blunt, and their Secretary was. most efficient. He had that personality which helped to make the Corps what it was.

in the course of demolition a reinforced concrete floor weighing about 4 tons had fallen down endways, and that the lower end had trapped two workmen.

One man (since dead) had both legs, right arm and hand pinned down under this mass; and the other man had his left leg and arm caught, while both were wedged between the floor and the wall. There was no doctor available; and for over an hour workmen laboured to cut a hole in the concrete and iron before the men could be freed.

During the whole of this period Transport Officer Skinner rendered first aid, arresting hremorrhage, splinting and bandaging up where he could get at the injuries, supporting the smashed limbs and giving all the comfort and encouragement he could.

He carried on his work mostly lying on his back amongst broken bricks, rubbish and dust underneath the fallen floor which had cracked up the middle and was liable to collapse flat at any moment, thus creating a condition of very great danger to Transport Officer Skinner, of which he to k no thought in his anxiety to do his best for the men.

All this work was carried on by the light of flares in the interior of a dark building. By 1 I. 15 a.m. the victims were loaded up in the ambulance, and in the hospital twenty l11tnutes later.

CmfMp. T.- To render ejJicimt first aid i/J sale SUl'rotmdillgs requires knoil1ledge alJd experience; but /0 render it 11/hen there is c01lsiderable to life and limb of the first-aider calls for milch plffck and pen-everallce.

In these circulllsta1lCes Transport Officer SkilJner wins our admiration and also our congratltiations on his artioll which was in jllil accord with the highest traditions of the Order of St. Johll and of the Brl(Jade.-l. F.

Questions and Answers

ACTION OF ACID A. D ALKALIS.

J. P. (Hounslow).-Following a discussion upon for corrosive poisons, the question was ratsed .as to whether, in addition to being primarily an antidote for an alkali, dilute lemon-juice has itself any alkaline reactions when taken internally.

Mention was made of the fact that an bv its action upon the salivary glands, has the effect of alkaline secretions locally; similarlv, alkaline substances stimulated acid secretions.

Further, to take a fairly common example, oyeracidity of the stomach, a popular treatment the unsweetened juice of a fresh lemon. Was the acidity of the stomach rendered alkaline by the action of the lemon-juice? Was it absorbed into the blood and changed into an alkaline substance?

Y <?ur explanati?n of such secondary or incidental reactIOns from .aclds and alkalis, though beyond the of first aId, would, from the point of view of Interest, be greatly appreciated.

81

While you have grasped some of the facts connected with the action of acids and alkalis, you seem to have drawn several incorrect conclusions. So here are the facts :-

(I ) Saliva is a mixture the secretions from the various glands round the mouth. It is alkaline in reaction; and its main constituent, ptyalin, can onlY act in an alkaline medium.

(2) An acid, such as lemon juice, taken into the mouth> will stimulate the secretion of saliva, which, as just stated, is alkaline. I t is not true, however, to that an alkali taken into the mouth wi" prodtice acid saliva.

(3) Gastric secretion is acid. .5 Ollie cases of 4Jspepsia are due to exce.rsive acidity (which doctors call C( hyperacidity "), while others are dlle to difllimshed acidity (" hypoacidity "). The latter cases, therefore, be benefited 0; the administration of « the UJ1Slveetened juice of a jresh lemon."- T C. F.

LL\BILITY FOR DOCTOR'S FEE.

L. P. (Bilston).-Herewith I send you a newscutting which states that in the orth of England an ambulance man with 25 year"i' voluntary service was recently called to an urgent case, and that, in view of the patient'S grave condition, he sent forth"\yith for medical assistance. It adds that he has now received the doctor's bill for a sum which he cannot possibly afford and yet must pay.

Now I am wondering how this ruling affects members of the Brigade when rendering first aid, more especially with reference to the Textbook instruction" Send for a doctor." Your comments will be much appreciated.

In lau' the individual 11,ho cails 011 the services of a doctor is responsible jor the fee. So an all/bulance man does rtm a financial ri.rk Jl,hen he SllllllJlOIlS II/ediml aJ-sistance ill the event of a patiellt beillg unable or IIIm'illlJ1g to the fee. Indeed, 1 have been told once (or perhaps t]J'ice) fry firstaiders that th£')1 hCll le had to pa] tp in sllch cirCIIJlJstanas. J\Tet'ertheless, 1 cannot ill/agine aI!J' hlllllalle 1vhell the facts nue fit/IY explained to him, canyil1g hiJ- legal rights to tbis extreme, even thol(f!,h 1 remember !lJaI!} Iii/paid (aJ1d ofte!l ]2'ild-uoose) calls for tlI!) aSJ"istance ill street elller(TeJJcies.

In this connection it is interesting to ,0}o12' that in DecelJlbel', 1928, a decision u as givetl in the Law COlfrts that a doctor 11'as liable (and IJIIIS! Pa.y) for the cos! of hire of all alJlblllallce n'hich, ordered 0; him, was wt'd fry a patimt for re/l/oMI over a 101lf!, diJ-ta!/ce to her hO!J/t'. 111 this case therifore, the shoe ;'a., on the other foot! '

To softell the b10721 and to llJillilJliJ-e ),011)' jears, 1 hasteJI to add that abollt t11 O),ears ago there came into force a Imv which required the Il1slfrance COlJIpa/!) ' to Pa..Y a doctor (] fee qf 12S. 6d. for hiJ atteJidance Ofl ClI!) patieJJf ;'y"red 0' its motorist provided that the claim is SlljJported 0; a police certiftcate.- C. F.

Police National First-Aid Competition 19 311

The Police Finals for the "Pim" Challenge Cup was held at Central Hall, Westminster, on February 25. The positions in which the teams were pla_ced by the Judges, G. S. Phillips, M.D., M.R.CS., ot Cwm-

The Earl of Clarendon, G.CM.C, P.C, speaking on behalf of the Order, stressed the invaluable work which is being done throughout the country, and especially by the Police, and that during the past

OF THE POLICE NATIONAL FIRST-AID COMPETITIO AT THE CE TRAL HALL, WESTMINSTER, LONDON, S.W., FOR THE "PIM" CHALLE GE CUP

Photo shows: Lieut.-Col. Sir Hugh Turnbull, Commissioner of Police for the City of London, presenting the Cup to Brighton Borough Police, tbe winners

gors, Glam., and M. M. Scott, M.R.CS., L.R.C.P., of London, in the Final Competition were as follows: Police Forces.

I. Brighton Borough Police

2. Birmingham City Police .,

3. Monmouthshire Constabulary

4. Liverpool City Police

5. Leeds City Police

6. Metropolitan Police (CC G " Div.)

7. Durham County Constabulary

8. Bath City Police

9. Luton Borough Police

obtainable, Marks Obtained.

twelve months a record number of cases had been dealt with.

He asked for a vote of thanks for the Judges, Dr G. S. Phillips and Dr. M. M. Scott, Mrs. and Mr. John Maxwell and Mr. " Joe" Grossman, who was responsible for the "staging"; and also for Mr. D G. Monteith, the Competition Secretary, on whose shoulders fell a great deal of the work of preparation for the competition.

Dr. Phillips said that he considered that the faults of the teams were, in the main, " sins of omission," and Dr. Scott's criticisms were that in the individual tests competitors had failed to make use of the loaf on the table as an antidote for iodine poisoning, and

that they were inclined to treat the fracture to the jaw before examining the head injury.

In the absence of the Right Hon. Sir Samuel Hoare, Bt., the Home Secretary, who had been suddenly called to a Cabinet meeting, LieutenantColonel Sir Hugh Turnbull, Commissioner of Police for the City of London, presented the Challenge Cup and prizes.

POLICE NATIONAL FIRST AID COMPETITION, 1938 FINAL.

JUDGES.-G. S. PHILLIPS, M.D., M.R.C.S. (Team and NO.4); M. M. SCOTT, M.R.C.S, L.R.C.P. (Nos. I, 2, 3, and 5).

PART A. (Team Test.) TEST.

C\RD I-lANoED TO OUTSroE ROOM.

You are practising for a First Aid Competition in your Police Station on a Sunday afternoon when a messenger runs in and states that there has been an accident at a new building 50 yards down the road. Act.

Time allowed: 20 minutes beginning when you receive the message.

SCENE OF AccmENT.

Front of house with scafrolding, two platforms. Upper platform has given way. Lower platform is intact. Unconscious patient lying on his back on lower platform wirh di tressed man kneeling by him. Ladder to scaffolding. The second man will, if questioned, give the history of tbe accident and state that he is the foreman on the job, and that the patient is the contractor and his" Boss" they were inspecting the work and while the " Boss" was on the uppe'r platform it broke and the" Boss" fell tbrough. He will al 0 srate, if asked, that be was climbing the ladder and is unhurt.

REQUlREMEhTS.

House with scaffolding. Watchman s hut nearby with ligbted brazier in front. Building materials lying about-planks, bricks, ropes, empty packing cases.

Patient (aged about 50) lying on his back on lower platform.

Unconscious, with bruise and swelling on back of head. Fracture of right lower end of femur and right patella. Pupils unequal.

Face flushed. Breathing stertorous.

Test.

Two bearers collect ambulance material

Rapid approach to scene of accident

Taking messenger with you

Test ladder and scaffolding for safe tv

Get messenger to control crowd

Climb ladder to platform

Ask foreman for history of accident

Ask how" Boss" fell. (judge; 011 10 his feet, alld thm back striking, hi! head.) " :

Ask him if he is hurt himself. (fudge; No )

EXAMlNATION OF PATIENT.

Test for consciousness

By speaking to him. (judge';' Ao

Note colour of face. (judge.' Flushed.)

Note: no visible deformity "

Note no visible hremorrhage

Note breathing. (Judge.' 5Ier/orolls.)

Note temperature of skin. (judge.' Raised.)

Feel pulse. (judge: Sixty ,. full.) _ Note odour of breath. (j1ldge.' As you find it.) pupils. (judge: Unequal.) head. (Nole bruise and sllJellillg.) ears. (judge: No injury.)

Examme nose, (judge,' No i'!lJfry.)

Cold water dressing to knee

No further treatment for patella \s this might aggravate injury to femur

proper order

TRA"ISPoRT.

Bring stretcher on to scaffold

Load stretcher

By fore and aft method

As platform is a narrow one

Secure patient to stretcher

\\'ith straps, bandages or ropes

Raise his head and shoulders

Efficiency and expedition in lowering to ground

Place gently on ground

Re-examine patient. (Judge: 1\'0 change in condition.)

Renew cold to head and knee, and hot bricks to

extremities

Help foreman down ladder

Place him on seat in watchman's cabin

Until ambulance arri,es

Alllbulance arrit es (IO fIIiJlu/fS after tell'pholling)

Correct position for loading ambulance

Loading into ambulance

Seat foreman in ambulance

Obtain Boss's address from foreman

Send bearer to his home to break news

Doclor an'iI'ps (t1J.'O millllies frolll " Time ").

Report to doctor

Diagnosis. Compression of brain

Bruised back of head

Fractured lower end of right femur

Fractured right patella General efficiency

Total PART B (INDIVIDUAL TESTS).

Nos. I AND 5.

Marks Max. z Z 2 12

You have met outside a lonely cottage, two miles from the nearest bouse or telephone (which is at the Police Station). A lad rushes out of the cottage, obviously desiring to give you a message. Act.

Time allowed, 8 minutes, beginning when the message is delivered to you by the lad.

NOTE FOR JUDGE.

Injuries presmt.-Iodine poisoning and fracture of lower end of left humerus, with dislocation of the elbow joint. Shock.

Staging.-Man lying on his back on the Boor of his kitchen. Kitchen table on which are knife, fork, 2 teaspoons, 2 cups and saucers, 4 large serviettes or cloths (suitable for triangular bandages), a halfloaf of white bread, hard-boiled egg, butter, a small bottle of brandy, teapot marked" Hot tea," milk, sugar, table salt, salad oil, some nonstarchy biscuits.

Also to be available, jugs marked" Hot" and "Cold water," blankets, smelling salts, hot water bottles, and several flat pieces of wood suitable for arm splints and prominently displayed.

Near the patient's right hand is a dark coloured bottle containing Iodine, and labelled " Poison" also the patient's " vomit" (bowl containing mashed food and water, coloured blue by adding a few drops of iodine to some starch solution).

The lad wears a large scarf on his neck, big enough to be tom into two triangular bandages. He also carries a large clean pockethandkerchief.

A supply of triangular bandages to be available to replace improvides ones.

Give freeJy by mouth to patient

Give emetic promptly (2 tablesJX!onfuls salt in tumbler lukewarm water). (judge slatu there will bl no

tJomiting at end of five minttles.) 2

Decide to repeat emetic every 5 minutes. (jm/ge slates tJollliling will not occur.)

Tickle back of throat with fingers. (judge: Palient vomits.) 2

Give salad oil

Give strong tea

INVESTIGATION OF ARM INJURY.

Any swelling? (judge: Marked.)

Any pain? (a) Severe? (judge: Yes.) (b) Sickening? (judge: Yes.)

Any loss of power? (judge: Yu.)

Any deformity? (a) Unnatural position? (jm/ge: Yu.)

(b) Misshapen? (judge: Yu.)

(c) Shortening? (judge: Yes.)

Was unnatural mobility and crepitus accidentally discovered ? (judge: Yes,. both.)

Is there numbness below elbow? (judge: Yes.)

Do not test for fixity

Any marks on clothing or skin? (judge: AsYOIl su.)

Was the snap of bone heard or felt? (judge: Yef,. both.)

Diagnose fracture of lower part of left humerus, and dislocation of elbow 2

Maintain support, pending treatment

Commence examination for other injuries. (Judge: None preseJ1t.)

INvESTIGATION OF PATIENT'S L;ENERAL CONDITION.

State of pulse? (judge: Rapid and feeble.) Colour of face ? (judge: Pale.)

Condition of skin? (jlldge: Cold alld clam/JIy.) State of breathing? (judge: Quick alld sighing.)

Diagnose "Shock"

TREATMENT.

Maintain comfortable position of patient 2

Head low and turned to one side

feet

Approach. Warn not to (Patient moanf: (t Ob my varicose vem bas burst agam. )

Lay patient down on back, carefully and comfortably

Slit up outer seam of trouser and underclothing and expose wound

Observc from wound, and irregularity of Tibia

Instruct bystander so steady and support leg by holding ankle and foot

INVESTIGATION OF WOUND.

Iodine or spirit to own fingers

-Colour of ? (jfldge Dark red.)

Nature of flow? (judge: Steady.)

From both sides of wound? (judge: }-es.)

Any obvious foreign bodies? (judge: No.)

Is wound obviously <liet)!? (judge: Yes.)

Can surgical aid be procured at once? (judge: No.)

Diagnose from wound involving varicose vein

'TREATMENT OF WO UND AND HfEMORRHAGE.

Do not raise leg to right angle

o direct digital pressure

Loosen garter

\pply bandage on side of wound away from heart

As far from fracture as efficiently possible

Apply bandage on side of wound nearest heart

As far from fracture as efficiently po sible

Is controlled? (judge: Yes.)

\X' ash away as much dirt from " 'o und as possible with sterile water

Do not wash surrounding parts towards wound

Apply Tincture of Iodine over wound and surrounding skin

Gean, dry, soft absorbent dressing

Pad of wool, lint or soft material

Bandage lightly

FURTHER INvESTIGA.TION AND TREATMENT OF LLG.

Marks Max. t i

NO·3·

You are called to attend to a man who has received a severe blow on the lower jaw. Another officer has attended to Police routine matters and summoned doctor and ambulance. There is one unskilled bystander present.

Scene: The man's own house. Act.

TIME ALLOWED, 8 MINUTES, BEGINNING WHEN YOU RECEIVE THIS CARD.

NOTE FOR JUDGE.

Injuries present.-Fracture of lower jaw, and impacted fracture of base of skull. Ha::morrhage and yellow fluid from left ear. Concussion developing into compression.

Staging.-Patient sitting on the floor. A small table covered with white tablecloth (to be torn for triangular bandages), blankets, ice and jug marked" Cold water," hot water bottles, tea-pot marked " Hot tea."

Approach

Lay patient on back gently and comfortably

Speak to patient. (Judge: Patient moans ,. he .reems dazed.)

Observe irregularity of lower jaw. Instruct bystander to gently support lower jaw until further notice with palm of hand

EXAMINATION OF LOWER JAW.

Any pain ? (judge: Ye.r.) Any swelling? (judge: Yes.)

Any loss of power? (a) Inability to speak? (b) Inability to move jaw freely? (Judge: Unable to state.)

Any irregularity? (judge: Yes.)

Was crepitus accidmtalty noticed? (judge: Yes.)

Any bleeding from gums? (judge: Slight, almost ceased.)

Confirm diagnosis of fracture of lower jaw

FURTHER EXAMINATION OF &ill.

Front, back, vault and sides. (judge: lVo j'dtlry.)

Eyes, ears, and nose for hremorrhage. (Find htB1JIorrhage andyellow fluid from lift ear.)

Printed card, to be handed by lad to the competitors, bearing the words: "Father slipped and hurt his arm. He asked me to give him some brandy, but I'm afraid it must have been the wrong bottle." Tests.

Approach. Ask what has happened. (Boy hands card.)

Hasten to patient: warn him not to move. (Patient groans

Marks

and points to his throat and left elbow.) 2

Any visible ? (judge: No.) I

Any dampness of clothing? (judge: ]\'0.)

Any obvious injury elsewhere apart from places indicated? (judge: No.) 2

Make patient comfortable and cover 2

Tum head to one side

Observing irregularity of left elbow region-carefully and steadily support left arm and elbow

IMMEDIATE INvESTIGATION OF POISONING.

State of breathing? (a) It is discernible? (judge: Yes.) (b) Is it failing? (judge: No.)

Odour of breath? (judge: As in bottle.)

Any corrosion of mouth and lips? (judge: No.)

Examine contents of bottle: Preserve bottle

By smell and colour identify Iodine

Has patient vomited? (judge: Very slightty.-Show blue vomit.)

Preserve vomited material

Does patient complain of burning? (a) Throat? (judge: Yes.)

(b) Pit of stomach? (judge: Yes.)

Any diarrhcea ? (judge: No.)

Confum Iodine poisoning

lMMEDIATELY TREAT POISONING.

Temporarily support arm in small arm sling

At once send boy with written message to Police Station

Stating what has occurred

Requesting doctor and ambulance immediately

And to notify any neighbouring relatives

Observe the only starchy material available is white bread 2

Macerate soft bread with cold water in cup 2

Rest left elbow and arm in comfortable position and support by rolled blanket

Any ice available? (jlldge: No.)

Apply cold water dressing

Renew as necessary

Apply hot water bottles (tested and wrapped) to pit of stomach and over heart

Cover patient with blankets

Ensure fresh air

Sprinkle face with hot and cold water alternately

Vigorous friction of limbs from below upwards

Smelling salts cautiously applied

Gi ve more strong tea

Carefully watch and reassure patient while awaiting doctor and ambulance

Special marks for grasp of case and efficiency

You are called to attend a prisoner who has received a kick on the right shin. There are no injuries elsewhere. Doctor and ambulance have been summoned. There is one unskilled bystander present. First Aid kit is readily available.

Scene: Your local Police Station. Act.

TIME ALLOWED,

NOTE FOR JUDGE. MINUTES, BEGINNING WHEN YOU RECErvE THIS CARD.

Injuries presmt.-Fracture of right Tibia, with wound and rhage involving overlying varicose vein.

Staging.-Patient sitting on floor, groaning. First Aid kit, blankets, jug marked" Hot water," hot water bottles, and teapot marked " Hot tea" to be available.

Any pain at seat of fracture? (jlld.ge:) -es. )

Loss of power in limb? (judge:) ·c.r .)

Any swelling about seat of fracture? (judge: Yes.)

Any deformity? (judge: .1.Vo.)

Any irregularity of bone: (a) felt; (b) seen? (Judge: Yes.)

Was unnatural mobility and acddmlally discovered? (judge: No.)

Any marks 00 clothing and skin? (judge: As )'011 see.)

Confirm diagnosis of fracture of Tibia (compound)

TREATMENT OF FRACTURE.

Holding ankle and foot

Gently draw foot into its natural position

Instruct bystander to maintain position until splints are fixed

Apply two padded splints from above knee to beyond foot (a) Outer side; (b) Inner side of leg r(a) Above fracture (b) Below fracture

Secure by correct bandagel (c) Immediately above knee I (d) Around both ankles (e) Broad bandage around both L knees.

GENERAL INVESTIGATION.

Is patient conscious? (judge: i'es.)

Colour of face? (judge: Pale.)

Condition of skin? (judge: Cold and clam",)'.)

State of pulse (judge: Rapid and feeble.)

State of breathing? (judge: Quick, .rigbmg alld irregular.)

TREAT SHOCK.

Lower head, and turn to one side

Raise both fect slightly

Undo tight clothing about neck, chest, and waist

Give sips of cold water

Keep patient warm with (a) Bhmkers, (b) flot-water bottles (tested) to heart and pit of <;tn111.1ch

Ensure fresh air Total

Mouth for hremorrhage or froth. (Judge: l\'olle. )

GENERAL EXAMINATION.

Colour of face? (judge: Pale.) Condition of skin? (Judge: Cold and clammy.)

State of pulse: (a) Rate; (b) Strength. (Judge: Quick,. weak.)

State of breathing. (Judge Quick and sballow.)

Is it stertorous? (Jlldge: lYO.)

Response of eyes: (a) to light; (b) to touch. (Judge: Response 10 both.)

patient be rO';Ised? (judge: Yes, n-itb difliculty.)

DIagnose concussIOn

SlI.rpectif/gfractllre of base of skldl, k£ep careful 1J'alch for possible Of/.ret of compres.rion

IMMEDIATE TREATMENT.

Keep head low and turned to sound side absorbent dressing over ear ; bandage lightly fuuse feet

Apply i.ce or applications to head COntinuously

Undo ught clothlOg about neck, chest, and waist

Cover body and keep warm

Give nothing by mouth

TREATIfENT OF JAW.

Centre of narrow bandage under chin

Release bystander

Carry ends upwaxds and tie above forehead

Centre of narrow bandage in front of chin

Carry ends backwards and tie at back of neck

Tie ends of bandages together

Speciaillfarks for gentlmess alld affordingJil.rt sllflicietJt pressure /0 steady ja)JJ

Does patient shO\.\· inclination to "Vomit? (Judge: 1\'0 .)

At 6 ",il/lftcs ()1.'arning I!J timekeeper) patient COI/I11/mces stre/orous breathing.

FURTI-IER GENERAL EXAUINATIO OF PATIENT.

Colour of face? (Jlldge: Becoming flushed.) State of pulse? Ulldge: Full alld sloTJ'.)

State of bI'eathing? (judge: Stertorous.)

Any loss of power and sensation? (judge: }"t'J.)

Pupils? (a) Equality? (b) to light and tOuch :' (fudge: UnequaL,. no reactloll.)

Is body temperature raised? (judge : res.)

Diagnose onset of compression. Confirm fracture of bast: of skull

FURTHER TREATME.NT.

Raise bead and sboulders, lower feet

Head inclined to side as before

Retain cold applications

Keep patient covered and warm

Carefully watch patient

Total

NO.4·

What kinds of bleeding from tbe calf o f the leg may occur and how may they be controlled?

TIME ALLOWED, 4 1I1D'UTES, B E GI:-;"I"G WHEN YOU RECEfV E THIS CARD.

Bleeding from the calf of the leg may be of [our kindsarterial, capillary, venous, or venous from a varicose vein -+

In all cases there may be natural control by the formation of a clot

In all cases lay the patient on his back ARTERIAL.

Apply direct pressure--digital (exc:ept over a fracture U fowgn body) 4 --clean dry dressing, pad, and (lightly if fracture or forei g n body is suspected) 4

Apply indirect pressure--digital on Femoral Pressure Poiat -tourniquet or pad and bandage on Femoral Pressure Point

Elevate limb, if not fractured

CAPILLARY.

Apply direct pressurc--clean dry dressing and bandage

VENOUS.

Apply direct pressure- digital (except over a fracture or foreign body) --clean dry dressing, pad, and bandage, (lig htly if fracture or foreign body is suspected)

Remove constrictIOns above wound

Apply constriction below ,-.;round

Elevate limb, if not fractured

IF THE VENOUS BLEEDING IS FRml A V"\RICO E V E IN.

Apply direct pressure- digital - pad and bandag t

Apply constriction below wound

Apply constriction above wound

Remo,e garters or suspenders

Elevate limb, if not fractured

ANALYSIS OF FINAL COMPETITION HELD AT THE CENTRAL HALL, \'VESTMINSTER, LONDON, S.W., ON FEBRUARY 25, 193 8

JUDGES: G. S. PHILLIPS, M.D., M.R.CS., of Cwmgors, Glam., and M. M. SCOTT, M.R.C.S., L.R.CP., of London.

INDIVIDUAL TESTS

Priory for Wales

Headquarters: Priory House, 4. Cathedral Rd., Cardiff

GENERAL INTEREST

The following acknowledgment was received at a meeting of the Ambulance Committee of the Priory over which Professor George Knox, M.I.M.E., F.G.S., Director of Ambulance, presided at Priory House, Cardiff, on January 22 :-

" I am desired by the Duchess of Kent to ask you to convey to all the Members of the Venerable Order of St. John of Jerusalem on the Roll of the Priory of Wales and also to the St. John Ambulance Association and Brigade Her Royal Highness's thanks for their kind message of condolence which the Duches s of Kent very much appreciated.

" MARJORIE BRECKNOCK, " Lady-in-Waiting."

The Committee gratefully accepted the gift of two silver trophies from Captain L. Twiston Davies, Assistant Commissioner for Monmouthshire, and Mrs. Twiston Davies, Lady County Officer, Monmouthshire, and a third kindly given by Lady (Herbert) Lewis, O.B.E., Assistant Lady Superintendentin-Chief for Wales, which were competed for at the first Welsh National Competitions for Cadet teams of the St. John Ambulance Brigade at the City Hall, Cardiff, on Saturday, February 26.

It was decided to resuscitate the Almonry Committee of the Priory, of which the Most Hon. the Marchioness of Bute, D.B.E., was formerly an active member, to take a supervisory interest in the Medical Comforts Depots, about sixty of which are due to benefit by a grant from the Special Areas Fund administered by the South Wales and Monmouthshire Council of Social Service. The value of this scheme, initiated by the Priory in 1919 for providing medical requisites and sick room requisites on loan at nominal charges, can be estimated from the Returns of the Depot at Priory House, Cathedral Road, where an average of 600 articles a year are issued.

Sanction was given to the registration of new Ambulance Divisions at Penmaenmawr (Caernarvonshire), Colwyn Bay (Denbighshire), John Summers Works (Flintshire), a Nursing Division at Rhoose, and a Cadet Ambulance Division at Aberkenfig. An application which was approved for the formation of two ('orps within the Borough of Swansea Centre is a sign of progressive development.

8S

CENTRE REPORTS

BRECKNOCKSHlRE CENTRE.

The following extract of the report of Lieut.Colonel C. G. Cole-Hamilton, C.M.G., D.S.O., for 1937, is of interest in demonstrating the possibilities for the development of every department of ambulance work in an agricultural county :-

"There are, in the Centre, 19 Ambulance, eight Nursing, seven Boy Cadet and six Girl Cadet Divlsions registered, total 40 Divisions; and a total strength of 782-viz.: five Centre Officers, eight Corps Officers, 340 Men, 145 Nurses, 171 Boy Cadets and 113 Girl Cadets-an increase of 63 on 1936. There are also two Nursing Divisions provisionally registered, and two Ambulance, four Nursing and one Girl Cadet Classes in training with a view to becoming Divisions. The three Medical Comfort Depots have continued to serve a very useful purpose. The Depot at Clydach is being moved to Gilwern, and it is hoped to set up another at Crickhowell in the near future.

The two Ambulance Cars, stationed at Brecon and Builth respectively, have dealt with 144 cases and covered 2,871 miles. Brigade members have dealt with 1,776 cases involving removal by ambulance in 95 instances.

The Medical Profession have again given much of their valuable time to training of our Divisions and Classes. The thanks of the Centre are due to those members who have assisted us. I would, however, again point out that the Centre is very gravely handicapped by the scarcity of Doctors who find themselves able to help us. Several Divisions are finding it increasingly difficult to maintain themselves, owing to their inability to get new members lectured by a Doctor, to replace their losses due to casualties and the exodus of members to other parts of the country.

The A.R.P. side of our work is progressing, 21 7 certificates having been awarded (and two vouchers gained) by members of the Centre, of whom 35 have qualified as Grade I, and 17 as Grade 2 Instructors. It is hoped that by the end of 1938 all our adult members will have taken the A.R.P. certificate.

V.A.D.-The County Controller, the Hon. Mrs. A. Cooper, who is also Lady President of the Centre, has succeeded in forming four detachments at Bwlch, Brecon, Builth Wells and Sennybridge.

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There are hundreds of men and women to-day who at one time were employed in various inadequately paid positions but who were keen enough to take up the excellent training of the St. John Ambulance Corps, giving their servIces willingly and gratuitously for the benefit of the general public.

As a result of their interest in first aid matters they read the Sl\IAE Institute's advertisements with keen interest and decided to increase their knowledge in Physical Treatment. To them the Course was easy to learn and a highly profitable field of unlimited scope was opened up. At the end of their short period of training they had earned the Institute's Diploma and finally gave up their poorly paid jobs and set up in practice on their OWD.qualified in massage and joint manipulation. To-day they are earning big money regularly.

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St(ccesJjfli Abercrave EVeJlt.-The Church Hall, Abercrave, presented a very pretty scene on Friday, January 28, when the third annual ball organised b y the local Divisions was held under the patronage of the Hon. Ivor Guest, 1LP., and the County Commissioner, Lieutenant-Colonel C G. Cole-Hamilton, C1-1.G., D.S.O. Durin g the proceedings the Commissioner handed a Lady Vice-President's badge to :Miss Iris Watkins, Chairman of the Committee, to whom the Division was greatly indebted, and urged upon the women present the advisability of forming a Nursing Division at Abercrave. The success of the eyent socially and financ ially was a tribute to the organisers.

Nursing Association," said the Ambulance Division was rendering an invaluable service in the town, and was always pleased to recall his active participation in its establishment in 1926. Divisional Superintendent T. J. Thomas thanked the Mayor and others for their appreciative references to the work of the Neath Division. The 11ayoress, Mrs. C Hedge, presented the cup and medals to successful teams in the Dulais Valley Competitions.

PreseJltatioltS at Caerphilly.

Nearly 100 guests attended the annual socIal and presentation of trophies organised by the Caerphilly Town Division on February 12. Mr. E.

instruction in Air Raid Precautions from a member of the Cardiff City Division, Private T. Enos

GLAMORGAN COUKTY CENTRE.

IVeath Divisio1t.-Mr. Theodore Gibbins, J.P., Chairman of the Glamorgan County Centre, presided at the second annual dinner of the Neath Division, at the Castle Hotel, Neath, on February 7, and took an opportunity of commending the unit on the services rendered during 1937, when special duties included the ambulance arrangements for the visit of Their Majesties the King and Queen to Neath, where more than 300 persons received first-aid treatment. The "Priory for Wales" was proposed by Corps Inspector of Stores Stan Williams; and the D eputy Mayor, Councillor T. proposed" The Neath Corps," to which County Officer ]. Richards responded. The Mayor of Neath, Councillor C. R . Hedge, in proposing "The Neath Ambulance and

Williams presided, and was supported by the ASSistant Commissioner, Captain S. B. Turner, M.R.C. ., L.R.CP., and Lady County Officer Mrs. S. B. Turner. In addition to the distribution of certificates, medallions and labels, a number of special presentations were made. Superintendent C. Cavell, on behalf of the Division, handed to Dr. J. Briggs a silver cigarette case in appreciation of his twelve years' service as Divisional Surgeon. Dr. Turner presented a gold medal to Corps Inspector of Stores S. R. Osmond, in recognition of 15 years' service, and handed badges of office and warrants of appointment to Mr. R. R Morgan as President; Mr. F. W. Coleman and Mr. E. Lewis, as Vice-Presidents; and newlyappointed Officers of the Division.

DAY EMBLEMS, BUTTONS & BADGES, CARNIVAL GOODS. HOBSON & SONS Price Lists Off application. For all supplies write.' THE UNIVERSAL BUTTON CO., 13,15,17, Surat St. Bethnal Green,E.2 Telephone : Telegrams,' A dvance 2254. Beth. London.

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S ociaJ Gathering at Aberavon.

Members of the Taibach and Port Talbot Ambulance and Nursing Divisions met at the Walnut Tree Hotel, Aberavon, on Saturday, January 29, to celebrate the of a very satisfactory year's work. Mr. FrederIck Snook (Divisional Treasurer) presided, and a report .on the activities of the units in 1937 revealed that 1n connection with public duties a total of 384 cases of accident or sickness were treated and 69 0 .hours of duty had been put in at the Firs; Aid Statton at the beach, where useful service was renon 252 occasions in addition to temporary care haVlng been taken of eighty children who became lost on the sands.

Dr. Donald Isaac proposed the toast of "The Divisions,» whom he commended on their devotion to duties. Lady Superintendent Mrs. L. Roberts, who was presented by Mrs. D. Isaac with a handbag as a token of the appreciation of the Nursing Division, thanked the Surgeon for his interest and assistance; and Nurse A. Matthews was made the recipient of a statuette as a mark of appreciation of her services as lecturer in Home Nursing. The toast to "Our Guests," proposed by Mr. F. Wyatt, was responded to by Dr. Tudor Llewellyn, who in his capacity of to the Taibach and Port Talbot Nursing DIVISlO?- and Medical Officer of Health, appealed to the. BrIgade members to qualify for the A.R.P. certificate.

MONMOUTHSHIRE CENTRE.

A.R.P. Interest at Pontypool.

County A.R.P. Officer Dr. J. P. Jenkins addressed a public meeting held at the Town Hall, Pontypoo1, February 2, called by the Brigade in collaboration WIth the Monmouthshire Police with a view to arousing interest in the subject of Air Raid Precautions. The Chairman of the Pontypoo1 Council, Mr. Charles Jones, J.P., presided; and Assistant Commissioner G. H. Nelms gave demonstrations in the use of respirators. Mr. Robert Stephens, M.A., A.R.P. Officer for the Trevethin County Area, in the course of his remarks, said " Gas will be as ineffective as our knowledge makes it." Major W. R. Lucas, O.B.E., D.S.O., Chief Constable of Monmouthshire, appealed for men to enrol as Special Constables.

Abertillery Presentations.

As. principal guest at the dinner and presentation of prIZes to the Abertillery Division held on January 29, Dr. Gwyn Rocyn Jones was attending his first public function since acceptance of office in the St. John Ambulance Brigade. He referred to the fact that his father, Dr. D. Rocyn Jones, C.B.E., now Surgeon-in-Chief of the Brigade in Wales, had started the Division at Abertillery, and he looked forward to making some contribution to the Ambulance Movement worthy of the family tradition.

The cc Abertillery Division" was proposed by

Mr. S. Horler, who eulogized the services of the unit> whose membership is increasing and the scope of its work broadening. Their teams have been remarkably successful in first aid competitions, and their nursing members are active in the homes of the to whom 200 medical comforts were issued on loan during 1937.

CITY OF CARDIFF CENTRE.

All Officers and members of the City of Cardiff Centre have cause to regret the resignation of Captain Charles S. Mason, M.C., as Honorary Centre Secretary, in consequence of his leaving South Wales to take up an appointment in the Midlands under the National Fitness Council. Mr. Mason accepted office when the Centre Committee was recognised in 1935 ; and it is due in no small measure to his valued assistance that some of the Brigade within the Centre have been able to liquidate some long-standing debts and become better equipped.

As an Officer of the Order and a member of the Ambulance and other Headquarter Committees, Mr. Mason took a prominent part in the administrative work of the Priory for Wales for many years, and the severance of his connection will be a keenly-felt loss.

A.R.P. Class for Cardiff Citizens.

The last of a series of lectures arranged by the Centre, under the direction of the Commissioner, Dr. Edgar Llewellyn, for members of the general public was given on February 21, when Ambulance Officer T. L. Dayment, a First Class Falfield Instructor, gave a demonstration with gas masks and protective clothing. The formation of this class is the result of the exhibition of the film "The W o rld in Revolt» at two Cardiff cinemas in collaboration with the Brigade.

NEWS 11 BRIE F.

Ambulance and Boy Cadet teams will be interested to learn that the Abertillery Division is arranging for the annual competitions for the" Ince " Shield and " Women Citizens' Shield," to be held at Abertillery, on Easter Tuesday, April 19. The" Ince» Shield (with monetary prizes) is open to teams of men in possession of reco g nised First Aid Certificates; and the other contest is for Boy Cadets. Entries should be addressed to the Secretary, Mr. Ivor Venn, 34, V ivian Street, Abertillery, Mon.

Saturday, April 9, is the date selected for the Brigade Finals, which will be held at the City Hall, Cardiff.

A report on the work of the G lamorgan Emergency Help Committee of the Joint Council of the Order of St. John and British Red Cross Society, which is g iven accommodation at the Headquarters of the Priory for Wales, shows that a total amount of £1,355 16s. 8d. was administered during 1937 in grants to ex-sel-vice men suffering from sickness or disablement attributable to or aggravated by war service.

OFFICIAL GAS CHARTS

No. I Chart shows gas derivations.

No. 2 is a full and complete educational chart of .. Typical War Gases."

Everyone taking an "A.R.P." Course should be in posseSSion of these charts which are now available for general issue to all St. John organisations at a nominal fee.

(Each Set comprises one each of Chart No.1 and No.2.)

ORDER FORM

10 The Publisher, THE ST. JOHN AMBULANCE GAZETTE. 19, Cursltor Street, London, E.C.4. Date , 19

Please send set(s) of the St. John Ambulance Gazette Official Gas Charts. for which I enclose remittance for in accordance with the above price list.

RAILWAY

Southern Railway

CoNTRIBUTED BY E. A. RICH. RDS. Waterloo Class.

The members of the Waterloo Ambulance Class and their friends filled the Brunswick Institute, Vauxhall, almost to overflowing, on February 17, the occasion being the annual Concert and Presentation of Awards.

Mr. J. B. Elliot (Assistant General Manager) presided, and was supported by T. E. Brain, Esq. (Assistant Secretary), W. M. Perts, Esq. (Commercial Superintendent), A. E. Hammett, Esq. (Assistant Commercial Superintendent), A. D. Cook, Esq. (Chief Cashier), E. Stone, Esq. (Registrar), Dr. Mowll (Chief Medical Officer), and other Officers of the Company. Mrs. Elliot was "booked" to present the awards to the successful candidates, but unfortunately indisposition prevented her attending, and in her absence the duty was undertaken by Mr. Elliot.

Mr. C. Hatch (Captain of the Waterloo" A " Team, which won the Inter-Railway Shield again in 1937) proposed a vote of thanks to Mr. Elliot for attending, and stressed the real encouragement the presence of the Chief Officers at this function gave to the members of the class.

In his reply, Mr. Elliot stated that it was a great pleasure to him to associate himself with the First Aid movement. It was indeed a tribute to the high standard of ambulance work on our Railway that a team from the Southern should have secured the Inter-Railway Shield on twelve occasions in the last seventeen years, and in this connection a special measure of praise was due to the Waterloo team in that on six of these occasions that team had brought honour to the Southern in this re spect.

London Midland & Scottish Railway

CoNTRIBUTED BY GILBERT S. HILL. STIRLING.

The Inter-Section Competition was held on February 13, the arbiters being Messrs. M. H. Paul, W. McIntyre and D. McLelIen.

Results.-Seniors: 1, Grangemouth NO.2 (241) ; 2, Larbert No. 1 (236t); 3, Grangemouth No. 1 (2.29). Juniors: 1, Grangemouth No. 3 (221); 2, Larbert No. 2

Mr. D. M. Smith handed over the prizes to the winning teams.

CASTLEMAN" TROPHY COMPETITION.

The annual "Individual" Competition for the <;c Castleman" trophy was held on February 2, and

Dr. W. Megaw and Messrs. Craft, Green a.nd Kirkhal? acted as judges.

Leading Results (Possible marks 280).

Salisbury, H. E. Camden Goods 219 points

Wood, A. J. Camden Accounts.. 210

Morgan, W. J. Camden Goods 202"

Fisher, A. Broad St. Goods ., 197t " Marden, F. C. Commercial Rd. 17 8

Miss E. Pope Broad St., D.G.M. 169 "

Miss I. Campany Camden Accounts 15 3t "

Mr. W. J. Blake spoke to the competitors in an encouraging manner; whilst Dr. Megaw and Mr. Craft criticised their work in a helpful way. Mr. S. A. Purves (Class Secretary) thanked Mr. Castleman for handing over the trophy.

STIRLING.

Dr. Shedden and Messrs. Milne and Bremner were the arbiters at the recent Individual Competition Results (maximum 30 points) :- First Year: I, Miss Taylor (27); 2, W. Hutchieson (26). Second Year: 1 (after a tie), Miss Penman (30); 2, James Dow (30). Three Years and Over: L. G. Crook (29) ; 2, Miss J. Syme (27 t )·

London & North EasternRailwa y

CONTRIBUTED BY W. GOODLEY

GREAT NORTHERN CENTR E A UAL AMBULANCE COMPETITION

The Final Competition for the Cup presented by Officers of the Great Northern Railway, will be held in the Gymnasium, Liverpool Street Station, on Thursday, 24th March, commencing at p.m.

The Cup and prizes will be presented by th€ President of the Centre, Sir Ronald W. Matthews, shortlJl after 4 p.m.

Islington

A course of lectures and practical instruction on "The 39th Edition Manual of Aid to the Injured," for men, commenced at The Court Room, The Town Hall, Upper Street, Islington, N.1 (side entrance), on Monday, March 7, 1938, and will be held each subsequent Monday for six weeks, at 8 p.m.

Lecturer: R. L. Benison, F.R.C.S.

Fee: to include lectures, manual, examination fee and certificate, 5s. 6d. Application should be made to the Local Hon. Secretary: Ambulance Officer A. E. Turtle, 58-6 (Stores Dept.) Division, S.J.A.B. E.-in-C.'s Testing Branch, Studd Street, London, N.I.

MANUALS OF FIRST-AID, &c.

By N. CORBET FLETCHER, M.B., B.C., M.A. (Cantab.), M.R.C.S.

AIDS TO FIRST-AID.

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AIDS TO HOME-NURSING.

Third Edition Price 15. net, post free 11. 2d. Home-Nursing Simplified and Tabulated, with Aids to Memory. " rAis book wOlldcrfully simphfits a complex subject and should be read by ail stud,nls.·' -L. & N.W. RLY. GAZETTR. EFFICI ENCY IN FIRST-AID. ThIrd Edition. Price ls. net, pos free, 15. 3d. Problems in Study, Treatment and Examination solved for Senior Students. "WuMuI doubllhe book WIll be of great serv ce i,. the training of those lor whom " i, dtsigned "-BRITISH MKDI CAL JOURNAL.

COMMON ERRORS IN FIRST-AID.

Price ls. net; post free 11. 2d. Errors in First-Aid Detailed and Explained. book gives a clearer illsight illto the me/hods and dtfJi cllttles of enurgen&y Ire<ilnum by laymen thall the official Textbook itselj. " -LANCET

AMBULANCE COMPETITION TESTS.

(Stretcher Individual and Queshon-Six Folders. ) Price 6d each net. post ltd. Each Folder contalDs speCIal artIcle on Compe tition -No 1, Training of Com· petition Teams; No.2 Condu ct of Team In Compe u tion Room; No.3, COIIlIDQll Errors in Competition; No.4 Further Errors in Treatment; No.5, History of Competition T es ts ; No 6, Preparation of Tests.

WHY AND WHEREFORE IN FIRST-AID. Fifth Edition. Price ls. net pos free 1s. 2d. Ddllcultre. In Study and Treatment solved by Question and Answer. "We commMld thtS book to Lecturers and Students who will find it oj grtaJ seflXU " -FIRS T AID.

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Pnce 6d. net, post free Sd. Orderly Duties Simplified and Tabulated. with Aids to Memory. "A mosl comP(J(;1 brochure con/allIS much useful mJormailon."-PRRSCRUlllR.

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The St. John Ambulance Association. Itl Hiltory aod its Part in the Anlbulaoce Movement. By N. CORBET FLETCHER, M A., M.B., M.R.C.S. Tiu book.lrom cover to COtler, <s full 01 'tlformatWfl of €'taJesI 'flUrlU1 ,,,.porUltfU to everyotU trt Iile A ",bulaNe M ovemntt "St. Jobn Rmbulllnce G5a3ettc. Price 3 6 POItage oct. 8

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AtbJertl.rement.f with remillance .fhould be .fenl 10 The S I. John Amhulan., Gazelle, CIIr.rilqr Street, E.C.4. 2d. per word, minimum 3S.

SCENT CARDS AND SACHETS, printed with your announcements, are splendid money raisers and show 300% profit. Samples free on request.-AIREDALE PRESS, Bradford

pENCILS OF SUPERIOR QUALITY, printed with your Corps Name and announcement .;ell easily. Sample free.AIREDALE PRESS, Bradford.

SCENT-CARDS (printed).-144 3/ 9, 500 10/-, 1,000 16/9. Tickets, handbills. Samples free -" S" TICES, 11, Oaklands Grove, London, W.12.

ROY AL AIR FORCE.-Men who are interested in hospital work are required for enlistment and training as MEDICAL ORDERLIES. Age. limits 18-32.-Apply, INSPECTOR OF RECRUITING, Royal AIr Force, Kingsway London, W.C 2., or any R.A.F. Recruiting Depot 95

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HOSPl

THE ST. JOHN AMBULANCE GAZETTE is published on the 15th of each month. The annual subscription is Ss. 6d., post fru; single copies 3d Brigade Reports and Photographs should be addnssed 10 the Editor, at 32, Shoe Lane, E.C.4. Reports and should reach him as earlY in the month a.s possible.

Subscriptions and advertisements should be forwarded 10 the Publisher: Messrs. British Periodicals, Ltd., 19, 19a, Cursitor Stne!, London, E,C'4'

Editorial

F irst Aid to the Injured

CONTENTS.

In ter.Railway Ambulance Competition, 1938

A ir Raid Precautions

The Royal Navy and Sick Berth Attendants

G rand Priory Appointments

Priory for Wales

Interesting Case Reports

Questions and Answers

Brigade News

Railway News

All enquiries to154 - 164, TOOLEY STREET LONDON BRIDGE, S. E. 1 . Telephone-Hop 2476 (4 lines). T elegraml-" Hobson. Boroh. London." Norda of Enlland Oflice:-22, YORK PLACE. LEEDS. Te&.plaooe : 2888' Leeda. Telqnma Trien, r.-ta." THE JOURNAL OF THE VENERABLE ORDER OF THE

CHANCERY OF THE ORDER, ST. JOHN'S GATE, CLERKENWELL, LONDON, E.C. 1.

The Year's Work

The report of the Home Service Ambulance Committee shows that the total number of ambulance in the country equipped by the Committee IS 135 and there are, in addition, 243 ambulances :a.ffiliated to the Service, making 378 in all.

The number of patients carried in the ambulances during the quarter ended December 3 I, 1937, was 4 1 ,931.

During the twelve months ended December 3 1 1937, the ambulances carried 161,840 patients and the total number of patients carried by the Service since it was set up is 1,885,919, Since the last annual report (December 31, 1936), the following stations have been equipped: Kington (Herefordshire) and Ripley (Derbyshire).

Wanted-A l\1illion Patriots

Sir Samuel Hoare, in his broadcast speech, asked for a million men and women for air-raid precautions work-" work that in an emergency would be exacting and dangerous."

We recommend the Home Secretary's appeal to the nation with all the emphasis we can command. The job" is not an amusement in peace-time, nor a soft job in war-time." The appeal is not a panic appeal.

If the appeal succeeds-as it must-the fear of panic vanishes. "When everyone knows his job," said Sir Samuel, "there is never panic."

Let the volunteers come forward, and a totally unnecessary word will be abolished from the nation's vocabulary.-(Daib Sketch).

5t. I.A.B. "C.O.l\1."

Our heartiest congratulations-in which we are joined by everyone who knows him-to Colonel C. J. Trimble, who celebrated his 82nd birthday on March 16 last.

"First A id to the Injured"

(Continued f r om page 69, il1arch issue)

Chapter VII (I'!Juries to joints and i11uscles).

This Chapter has been improved by the addition of X-ray photographs ""hich show dislocations of shoulder, elbow and fingers. The definition of a dislocation is as in the last Edition, though I could wish that it had read: "A dislocation is the persistent displacement. " The COlllmon Site.f of dislocation are as previously detailed. Tbe S({l,n.r m:d S)'lJIptoms are unchanged except (I) that o. 3 now reads" either by patient or first-aider," a change of doubtful value because first-aiders (which term signifies certificated lay are not likely to attempt to move a dislocated joint, the " others" of the 38th Edition (who are untrained and hold no certificates) might; and (2) that numbness below the joint is no longer recognised as a symptom. Under Treatment, Rule (a) is nmv amended to read "using padding where necessary in order to lessen the effects of jolting during transport."

Interleaved between the instructions on Dislocations and those on Sprains there are now two paragraphs dealing with the displacement of the cartilages of the kneejoint, a full description of which in this, as in the 38th Edition, figures under " Joints" in Chapter III. The muddled instructions of the previous Edition with reference to the Treatment of Sprains have been changed completely; and in the 39th Edition there is no longer any differentiation between indoor and out-of-door treatment, the result being that a first-aider is acting strictly in accordance with the Textbook if he exposes an injured joint in a busy street. Nevertheless, if he should act thus, the local police officer is likely to teach him better first aid on this point than does the present issue of his Textbook! Other changes are that, after exposure of the joint, a firm bandage is to be applied and kept wet with cold water; and that, if this ceases to give relief, the bandage is to be removed and re-applied. No longer may first-aiders try the effects of hot fomentations with a sprained joint! Further, the warning concerning fractures is now repeated; and in all doubtful cases the injury is to be treated as a fracture. Incidentally, it would have saved some students a good deal of worry if these sections had been designated "Dislocations of Joints" and " Sprains of Joints."

The description of Strains and Ruptured Muscles is unaltered.

100

Cbapter T 711 (Cirmlatioll of Blood).

1\part from some light re-arrangement, t11l" Chapter shows no material change.

Cbapter LY (T!,'olff1rh and H cl'Illorri.JaJ!,e)

This Chapter now opens with a good (khnition ota wound. ext follow the Classihcation of \'(1ound" and kinds of Hxmorrhage, both of which are unchanged. Tbe Ol!jrcts of Treatll/eJlt are also as 111 the ) 8th Edition, although more detailed instruction" are gi\'en with reference to the third object, prevention of contamination, and now include the dehnition ot an antiseptic.

In its GeJ1cml Rilles for TreatmeNt l1"o/IJJd,r tb e Re\'ision Committee has departed from the St. John tradition of precise instruction by failing to name an antiseptic which shall replace our old but now di,credited friend (Tincture of Iodine) or to sugge.t a possible choice of antiseptics. Indeed, it make" matters worse by specifying normal saline solutio:1 an an alternative for an antiseptic, in spite of the fact that its medical members know full well how uttcrl\' impossible it will be for first-aiders to prepare normal saline solution in the vast majority of emergcncic which require treatment of wounds.

Apparently every urgeon-lecturer throughout tllL Empire is to decide what anti eptic should be used by members of his (or her) class whereby of instruction is lost. The weakness of this decision (or rather lack of decision) was driven honie to me at my first examination of a class instructed on the Revised Textbook, the lecturer being, by interesting coincidence, a member of the Revision Committee! 1\11 the candidates talked glibly about applying an antiseptic to a wound; but, when pressed for a precise statement, a large percentage of the candidates could not name the antiseptic which would use in actual emergency. Incidentally, I am not surprised to learn that some lecturers arL advising their classes to continue with the use ot Tincture of Iodine-in spite of the silence of the Textbook!

Be this as it may, the decision, which the Revision Committee burked, was made for the Brigade in October last when the Conference of Surgeon unanimously named surgical (or methylated) spir' as " the ideal emergency antiseptic," this recommendation being subsequently approved by the Brigack Sub-Committee which chose surgical spirit.

The G l'Ileral i?Jrle.r lor T reat///ell t of Wounds accompani e d b y a r terial hremo rrhage have been re d uced from L..j. to 12.; and, excep t as already stated, these are practically unchanged. I n Rule 2. the explanatory sentence- "as thereby less blood hnds its way into it "--is withdrawn Rule 3 now reads - " onlY what clothing " Rule 4 combines the instructions of the prey ious Rules 4 and 5; and for some curious reason (probably an oversight) now calls pressu re with thumb or fingers "digital pressure," the qualifying adjective "direct" being omitted, as IS also the references to " the numbered dots at foot of Frontispiece. it is an interesting tact that neither in this or in the previous Edition is any explanation of '"",hat actually constitutes a pressure poinl. In Rule 5 we find some amendments of the old Rule 6, the student being told ro substitutc pad and bandage for digltal pressure ., as soon as J)racticable " and to apply a tourniquet un the pressure point, .< if necessary." Rule 7 instructs hrst-aic.krs to \\ ash an obvioush dirt\ wound if surgical aId cannot bc.- procured," 'the y'ualif\ ing words" at once" being now elloppcd. Consequent lll1 the section on " Dressings" in Chapter V, Rule R no,,' names nnl: ", elr) dressinu;," all the various <;ubstitutes (which Llsed to figure here) bung no longer mcntioned. In Rule the period during which indirect prcssure (by pad and or by tourniquet) ma\ be maintaincd hns ',,\ Isch' been reduced from 30 20 minutes.

_ The improyisatlon of a tourniquet no Jongu' hgurc'i among the General Rules and no\\' occupies a scction of it') own. \part from that, the in tructions concermng tbe improviscd and thc 't. John tournIquet are unchanged.

The scction dcahng \, tth the COlfr.!"e of tbe JJaill A.rtericJ and the \rrcst of anenal bxmorrha l1 c has been improvcd by the adoption of actual and by the additlon of explanator) notes to the various figures. Othen\ ise, it follows the same Jines as in the previous is ue \vith certain minor alterations. Thus, the j \orta is no\1,' said to cnd " JUSt below the second lumbar vertebra" in place of the pre\' ious " just below the navel."

In the de cription of the Carotid artcrr the words " in front of the ear" are no\\" omitted while the instructions sing this artery a;e ampli i1ed by the acldltlons ot the WOlds "cen ical yertcbra:: " thou.gh "against the trans\'e rse processes of the ccrvlcal vertebrx" migbt have been more useful to students. For wounds below the C\ e the method of controlling the Facial artery by « in'direct pressure, on point. 2" is now included (as a third pOSSIble) mcthod 111 the context as as in the diagrarn. Incidentally, the correct war to control Facial artery is by compression of both pres. lire POlnts as sho,,'n Il1 the dialrrams of the '8th and 39th which metl,gd, by reason the communlcat10ns between the branches of the Carotid

Comprcssion of the J\xillar) artery is a stumbling block to most first-aiders who do not realise how small is the cavity into which the pad must be inserted. lndeed, in examination one often sees candidates placing the pad ou tside the patient'S coat, this beinu; even more useless for the purpose than is the pad which is so often placed in the same position for a fractured cla\ icle. For this reason, as I have alread,' \\Titten, I do not consider that the new diagram \ViiI be of much use to candidates for first aid certihcates. . \lso in my lectures 1 always amplify the instructions of the Textbook by insisting on a raJ, the .riZf, .rbape aJ/d (oJl.fiJtell0' of a billiard ball," such as a billiard ball, stone, golf or h,'es ball or the im'erted howl of a briar pipe. I alway' confcss that I haye nevcr yet com'crtcd a triangular bandage int() slIch a pad.

Under the description of the Brachial arten a ncw paragraph has been added how' tre artery can be c()mprcs<;ed frolll hehind and from beneath the arm. The instruction \\'ith rderence to compression of the Radial and L lnar arteries ha\'c been changeel 0111\' in that the d(ll ble-knotted handkerchief is' now the instrumer..a 1 lllcthod advocated in place of the time-honr)LIred c()rk of a quart or pmt bottle," ,,-hicb has becn oll'i-r:el.

The pre, ious description (It compression of Palmar archcs made no to the need fe r treating the wound. candidate in examination ,,-e re ','ery prone to clap the pad upon the wound. The Re"i ed Textbook partly rectihes [his omission b} telling them to " \pply a dressing and a hrm pad ," the result bcing that many candidates ,\"ill no"v to apply the antiseptic to wound. Othenvi e th(; instructions are the same.

\rterial bleeding from the hnger i to be controlled as in the pre\'ious Edition, except that a bandage no,,- displace plaster, which, as a more or less permanent dressing, should ha,-e no place in rhe eguipment of a hrst-aider.

Th e Grand P rior} Ch urch 0 f th e Or d er o f St. John

Chapter G neral has decided rhat a sen'lce hall be held in the Church as fo11o,,'s :Jilin 2-1-.- t. John Baptisr's Day, the \nnual Commemoration cn-ices of the Order. lloly Communion at 8,30 a.m. Festi\.ll ernce, 2. W p.m. Prcacher: The Lord Bishop ()f Lincoln, ,'lib-Prelate of the Order.

e'ws in Brief

\ \\ ar .-'cn ICC Badge \, -as plck.ed lip ,H a football match in CardifF on ' \brch 12 ,lnd h.mded 111 rn Priory J lOllse. This on be claimed h\ the o\\"ner on

101 artery (p. I r 4)," 15 usually called f()r In actual emergency

Inter-l(aihvay Ambulance Competition

The result of the Preliminary Competition for ungrouped Railways judged by Dr. R. B. Duncan, of London, on March 25, 1938, is as follows :-

Railwqys. Marks.

I Metropolitan Line, L.P.T.B. 241

2 Cheshire Lines Committee 236

3 Mid.1and and Great Northern Joint. 226

4 Southern and London Midland & Scottish Joint (Somerset and Dorset) 181

Maximum marks obtainable-40o

The teams of the following Railways will therefore compete in the Final Competition on May 26:-

Great Western (2 teams)

London Midland & Scottish ( " )

London & North Eastern (2 " )

Metropolitan Line, L.P.T.B. (I team) Southern (2 teams)

PRELIMINARY.

judg. : R. B. DUNCAN, M.D.

Team No

PART A.-TEAM TEST.

CARD.

two (Nos. and 3) observe a very thin, weak-looking man

burrylOg d<?wn on to platform to catch a train. He slips on the step, tnes to save himself, and falls heavily on to his back. He q.Ulckly gets up, staggers, and falls forward on to his outstretched nght hand. He lies groaning and coughing. You know that :z and 4 are on duty nearby, and that all necessary First Aid equIpment and a refreshment room are on the station. Weather fine and mild. Act.

Hasten to patient Marh 2

Warn to lie still

Sympathetic encouragement

Keep back any crowd

One bearer goes for First Aid equipment and colleaguei (out 2 minutes)

And to telephone for doctor and ambulance. (Judge: Will arrive in 12 minutes)

Also to Hospital Ask where the patient is in pain. (Judge: Right shoulder (1,111 knee) ••

Ask re character of blood from mouth. (Judge: Bright reti and frotM

Ask if coughed up. (Judge: Yes)

Ask if there is any pain in the chest. (Judge: No)

Ask if he has ever coughed up any blood before. (Judge: No)

Carefully examine right upper limb. (Judge: l\orma/)

Carefully examine right lower limb. (Judge: Fra(tll1'ed paM/a)

Nature of report to Captain on his arrival

Spreadrug next to left side

Gently tum patient over on to rug

With great care of right arm and leg

With great care bring right arm down by patient's side

Turn head to right side

Undo clothing about neck, chest and waist

Carefully examine ribs and sternum. (Judge: No if!Jltry, bid 1/er)' thin)

Carefully examine head, face, mouth, nose and ears. (Judge: Blood in mouth)

Carefully examine both clavicles. (Judge: Fractured righl clavicle)

Carefully examine left upper and lower limbs. (J udge : Nfl injuT)')

Carefully examine spine and pelvis. (Judge: No injury)

Colour of face? (Judge: Very pale)

Conclition of pulse? (J udge : Quick and );peak)

Con clition of breathing? (Judge: Quick, sighing and irregular)

Time allowed: 20 minutes, beginning when you receive this card. Condition of skin? (Judge: Cold and clammy)

(Notefor to be lying prone, with right arm extended. Ask patient for his name and address. (Patient pulls out card) Cork over nght cl avlcle. Grooved cork over right patella. Bright At once request patient not to talk red smears on chin. Face very pale. Patient's name and address But to nod in reply to any further questions on card of admission to " Hospital for Consumption" in his pocket.) Ask if the right lung is the weak one? (Judge: He nods Yes)

PRELIMINARY COMPETITION FOR UNGROUPED RAILWAYS. March 25, 1938. Judge: R. B. DUNCAN, M.D. ANALYSIS OF MARKS.

Place.

2-

3

4

Gently

Ensurc

Pad

Broad

Broad

So

Gently

and support both lower limbs

Securc splint under right lower limb by bandages round thigh and leg

Support feet welJ off the ground by pillow or rug

Figure of eight bandage round patella and splint

Apply cold water dressings over right chest and knee

Sprinkle cold water on the face

Give sips of cold water or icc to suck

Hold smelling-salts to the nostrils cautiously

Avoid othcr forms of stimulants. .•

Gently sponge blood from lips and chin

Keep patient warmly but lightly covered

Prepare and test stretcher

Load stretcher

Load ambulance

Ensure good supply of cold water in ambulance

Careful watch en rOlile

Tell patienr you will send a message to his home

Report at hospital: Consumptive with hremorrbage from lung, fractu re of clavicle and patella, all on right side

General promptness and efficiency

Total PART B.-INDIVIDUAL TESTS.

No. l.-\'V'hile endeavouring to open a window your brother's left hand goes through a pane of glass. He receives a nasty gasb along the ball of the left thumb, from which brigh t red blood spurts out freely. No one else is at home. You have a haversack in the room upstairs. A doctor liV'es on the opposite side of the street

Render First Aid.

Time allowed: 8 minutes, beginning when you receive this card.

(Note for fudgt: Patient's face pale Bright red mark along ball of left thumb, with red smears over front of wrist.) Max. Mark.

Immediate flexion of left elbo\.v. 2

Over a fold of the slee,'c. :z Lay broLher down. 3

Ensure hand is kept with palm down

Enco uraging words Instruct him how to keep hremorrhage controlled

By holding wrist firmly up to shoulder.

While you go for haversack

Bandage pads firmly on radial and ulnar arteries

Release pressure at elbow and note if ha:morrbage controlled 2-

Iodine own fingers and wound 2-

Any dirt or glass in wound? (Judge: Yes, some small pieces of gloss) 2

Gently remove the pieces seen 2. Apply light dressing and bandage z

Apply St. John sling 2

Treatment of shock ; Await opportunity of sending for doctor

2 and 3.-\V'hile walking along a corridor in a factory you suddenly hear shouts for help from an adjacent room. You know that there is a haversack kept ready for use in the recreation room 50 yards away. Act Time allowed: 8 minutes, beginning when you receive this card. (Note for judge: Patient to be kneeling and sitting back on both heels. Wound 3 ins. above right knee-joint, with profuse venous ha:morrhage. A short piece: of wood and a bloodstained knife

Immediately help friend into sitting-room Seat him comfortably in a chair

Sympathetic

Help to remove coat and undo braces

Explicit instructions to patient ., To bend up forearm and steady limb Apply pad in armpit

Apply St. John sling Broad bandage round elbo\.v and chest

Test pulse, if present, tighten sling Replace coat, and give hot tea Await opportunity to send for doctor General promptness and efficiency

Air Raid Precautions

For th e Information of All Instructor s

I. In order to maintain the re pirator in a whol somc. condition thc inside of the facepiece and thc top ot the container may be ponged a sponge or soft cloth which has been dIpped In lukewarm soapy water and squeezed from excessiye. Only soap of toilet qualIty IS to be used tor thIS purpo e and the ,,-ater must nO.t be l:ot. The soap must then be removed by spongIng with clean "Tater. \X-hen ponging the eyepiece, it must be supported on the outside with the palm of the hand. be taken not to use an excessive amount ot liqUld, and no liquid must be al1o"\'ved to enter the c.ontainer or to remain ben..veen the rim of the contalOer and the facepiece.

2. Disinfectioll.

Whenever the respirator changes or in the event of an outbreak of infectlOus dIsease, the respirator will be disinfected in the following n1anner :-

(r) Remm-e the rubber band, disconnect the container from the face piece and remove the rubber disc yalve from the container.

(

z) Immerse the entire facepiece, the valve and the. rubber band in a 2 per cent solu60n ot Formalin* for 30 minutes. Then remove them from the disinfectin a solution and wash under b 1 running water for Eve minutes, or In changes of \,-a ter if running IS not ayailable. Then hang up the faceplece, vahe and band to dry.

(3) Hold the container hI,' the rim on the outer end and sponge oyer the and rim a?d the entire surface of the cylindncal body WIth cotton wool or a soft cloth which has been immersed in a 2 per cent. solution of Formalin and freed from excessi,re liquid. Allow to stand for five minutes and then wipe off the disinfecting solu60n with a soft cloth or sponge \'vhich has been wrung out in clean water. Then allow the container to dry. Care must be taken not to allow any liquid to enter the container during these operations.

This shrJUJd not bc takcn as implying that no other disinfectant \,"Quld bc ,uicablc. Ocher disinfectants ma) be added tIme to time as thC\' arc appro, ed. disinfectants, howeycr, wIth a creosotc basc should be used.

The disinfectants apprm ed for usc with the .\=iYilian and Servicc respiratOrs may not be the respltator. Thc exccssive use of certaIn dISInfectants 15 lIable to cause lachrymation. KE\vJY DISfNFECTED RESPIRATORS SHOULD, THERL· FORE BE AVOIDED BY PERSONS UJ';DFRGOI"lG GAS TEST, as false mi,t!ht thus be obtaincd.

(..+) \ '\lhen all the parts of the respirator are dry they are ready for reassembly.

The respirator i to be reassembled in the following n1anner :-

(i) the rubber disc \,ah'e on the stud in the container end.

(ii) (iii)

G ra p the container. by the rir:1 on its end and insert one SIde of the Inner I?to the aperture in the facepiece at a pomt .lm mediately under the window. If the faceplece is a large size, the edge of t.he rubber s?ould be brought just over. swage m. the container body, and It It IS either a :Medium of Small ize the edge of the rubber should be brought ju t up to the raised Hold the rubber in place on the contamer WIth the fingers, insert Engers of the other inside the faceplece and stretch t?e rubbet outwards and slip it over the contamer. If the facepiece has not slipped over the container far enough It must not bl. corrected by pulling the edge. of the ; the Enacrs are to be inserted In the facepiecc and rubber lifted and pushed on to the container. See that the edge of the rubber is not turned in, that it i" traight round container, and in the correct position accord1ng to the size of the facepiece.

Place the rubber band in position around the container so that one-half of its width hes on the rubber of the facepiece and the other half on the container.

DI'>I"-.FEcno, or \" I1-G \'i RL:-'PIR \TORS. respirators will be twice earl\' and on e, ery occasion that the iaceplccc changes owncl ship (Sec J fandbook T, page 46.)

Civi/iall R e.rpiralol'.,·. \.-1. orllla/ Procedlfre.

I. A solution of disinfectant will be prepared in proportion given at the foot of page 5. The should be freshly prepared for use 011 each and not more than 100 faccpieces should be dlSln· fee ted with three gallons of the solution.

Turn the facepiece completely inside .out and sponge out the er:tire inr:er of t?e including the eyepieces, with the chsmfectlOg solutlOn.

2. Turn the facepiece back to its norn:-al and pour a little of the disinfecting solutlOn IOto the

depression between the eyepieces Then, pinching the outlet valve between the fingers, carefully tilt the mask so that the disinfect.ing liquid flows into the valve . When the valve is filled, release it and allow the liquid to drain away through the valve. J\ny solution remaining in the mask should be emptied out, care being taken not to wet the gauze pad on the container more than necessar)

Set the mask aside and proceed as above with other masks, arranging the routine so that each face piece stands with a film of the disinfecting solution on it for at least Eve minutes.

3· After the facepiece has stood [or live minutes, repeat the procedure abme with clean water instead of the solution and sponge out the \,-hole of the Inside surface of the facepiece with water.

Wipe the inside of the facepiece with a clean cloth, disinfecting, and set it aside to dry off thoroughly at room temperature.

4· Before putting away, the perforated top of the container i to be \viped over with a cloth wrung out in the disinfecting solution, allowed to stand for at least Eve minutes and then wiped over with a cloth wrung out in water. Care must be taken not to allow liquid to run into the perforations. Finally, a new pad, disinfection, is to be fitted and secured in place with the pring.

B.-Procedllre III the ellell! if all epidemic or oCClIrrellce of ill/ecliolls disea.re.

1. In the c,'ent of an epidemic, the procedure described in IL\ will be immediateh di continued, and respirators will be disinfeckd to the following procedu reo

2. - \ solution of the disinfectant will be prepared in the proportion gi\Tn at the foot of page I. TI1L solution should be freshh made for use on each occasion, and not morc th'an 50 facepieces should be disinfected with three gallons of the solution.

3· The container will be detached by remoYing the turns of bindlOg wire or thread. The wire or thread is to be destroyed. The container \vi11 then be removed by gently v,:jthdrawing it from the aperture of the facepiece with a slight turning movement.

4· The pad, disinfection, will be remO\"e d and destro}ed.

5· The eyepieces and eyepiece nms are to be removed.

6. The whole of the facepiece, the eyepieces, the eyepiece rims and the spring retaining the pad, disinfection, are then to be completely immersed in the disinfecting solution. \nr COlwen ient YCS , el may be used to accommodate a !lumber of faccpiecc at one time.

7· After Eve minutes the face piece, eyepieces, eyepiece rims and spring are to bc removed from the diSinfecting solution and throughly washed with water.

8. As much water as possible will be shaken off the facepiece. The whole facepiece, and the eyepieces, eyepiece rims and spring will then be laid out to <.lry. The facepiece must be quite dry before re-attaching the container.

9· ,After disinfection, and when dry, the eyepieces will be re-assembled and the container must be reattached as follows :-

The top end of the container is to be inserted in the central aperture of the facepiece and gently pressed inwards with a slight turning movement until the metal rim of the container is in contact with the flange at the base of the cylindrical aperture in the facepiece. The container is secured by bj nding with wire or thread on to the outside of the rubber belo\\the Range.

10. Before putting away, the perforated top of the container is to be wiped over with a cloth wrung out in disinfecting solution, allowed to stand for at least Eve minutes and then wiped over with a cloth wrung out in water. Care must be taken not to allow liquid to run into the perforations. Finally, a new pad, disinfection, is to be Etted and secured in place with the spring.

OF RE

)\11 respirators will be disinfected t\vice yearl yand on everr occasion that the facepiece change s ownership. (ee Handbook I, page ..+6.)

Serz1ice R espiratorJ\.- Yor/l/a! Procedure

1. The tores required for di infection of each respirator are :.l \n ar proved disinfectant. '" Cloths, disinfecting, facepiece-z.

1. The procedure for disinfection, "-hjch \,-ill be carried out in t\\-O operations, is as follows : _

11, solution of the disinfectant, in the proportion gi,-en at the foot of the page, will be prepared. The solution should be freshly prepared for use on each occasion, and not more than 100 facepiece. -hould be disinfected \'vith three gallons of the solution.

Thc disinfectants ha,'c so far been apprO\'ed for USL with the en' ice and Ci"ilian Duty respirawrs (othcr di;:intccran" m,w be adJed [() the lisr from time tn rime a: they arc The proportions in "hich they 'hould be diluted \\ ith watcr arc as follows:C"\) For "\ orll/,II J>ro,t'dflrf:b:al parr in 200 parts of \\ ;HCr. Ic\'cs' \\ hite ("llin 2.00 '!eyes' fluiJ 3 parts in 2.00 LYsnl 10 ,00 (8) TH' pt't'i<ll J)uiJJj",;io:1 :_ l Z:lJ pans in 100 parts of ,,-:ltcr. ]eyCS' \\ hite ('dlin 100 'k,cs' fluid 9 roo 20 roo

The exccssi\ c usc of ccrtain disintccrants IS liable to C1USC lachrymation. E\\ LY 01 1:-.11 ECTED RESPIR.\TORS SHOCLD, THEREFORE, DR WOlDED BY PI R.O:-:' L G \5 C'l1\\IBER Tr-r, as f.llse rcsults might thus be obrained.

10 5

Sponge out the entire inner of (including the eyepieces) with the diS111fect1ng solutlOn, taking care not to allow the li9uid to enter air inlet orifices which are at the sldes of the eyepIeces in Facepiece Mk. III and between the eyepieces in Facepiece Mk. IV.

Turn the facepiece completely inside out, so that a cup-shaped depression is formed over the outlet valve.

(a) For Facepiece Mk. III.-Nip the outlet valve between the fingers and pour into the cupshaped depression about two fluid ounces of the disinfecting solution.

Swill the solution round gently, then release the outlet valve and allow as much of the solution as possible to drain out through the valve. Any solution remaining in the mask should be emptied out.

(b) For Facepiece Mk. IV.-Close the air inlet orifice between the eyepieces by inserting the thumb carefully in the hole. Pour about two fluid ounces of the disinfecting solution into the cup-shaped depression over the expiratory valve and swill round. If the solution does not pass out through the valve, tilt the facepiece over and allow the liquid to escape. Set the facepiece aside and proceed as above with other facepieces, arranging the routine so that each facepiece stands with a film of the disinfecting solution on it for at least five minutes.

After the facepiece has stood for five minutes, repeat the procedure at (a) or (b) with clean water instead of the solution, and sponge out tpe whole of the inside surface of the face piece with water.

Wipe the inside of the facepiece with a clean cloth, disinfecting, and set it aside to dry off thoroughly at room temperature.

3. Care must be taken as far as possible to avoid wetting the stockinet covering of the mask, as this requires a long time to dry.

4. In no circumstances must water or disinfecting solution be allowed to enter the air inlet orifice in the facepiece.

B.-Procedure in the event of an epidemic or occurrence of infectious disea.re.

1. In the event of an epidemic, the procedure described in LA will be immediately discontinued, and facepieces will be disinfected by the following procedure.

2. A solution of disinfectant will be prepared of the streno-th stated at the foot of page 1. The solution of the disinfectant in the event of an epidemic should be freshly made for use on each occasion, and not more than 50 facepieces should be disinfected with three gallons of the solution.

3. The rubber connecting tube will be. from the container, and the whole faceplece, WIth connecting tube, immersed in the disinfecting solution.

4. After five minutes the faceplece is to be removed from the disinfecting solution and thoroughly washed out with water.

5. As much water as possible will be shaken off the facepiece and out of the connecting tube. The whole facepiece will then be laid out to dry. The time taken to dry will vary with the time of year, but it is essential that all moisture is allowed to dry out of the connecting tube before replacing on the container.

6. Containers.-The inside of the neck of the container will be carefully wiped out with a rag moistened with the disinfecting solution, the greatest care being taken to prevent any of the solution from penetrating to the chemicals in the container.

7. After disinfection, the rubber connecting tube should be re-attached to the container with wire binding, 1 I in., a supply of which will be allowed for that purpose.

QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS.

I. Q. Should cellophane and newspaper be stuck inside or outside the glass of windows?

A. Inside only.

2. Q. Is the civilian respirator efficient in rain, or does rain affect the container?

A. It is quite efficient in rain.

;. Q. If the civilian duty and civilian respirator containers are similar, how does the former protect for 40 minutes and the latter for only 10 minutes?

A. The question states an error. The civilian duty respirator is effective for from 20 to 30 hours, and the civilian respirator for from 8 to 10 hours, and the service respirator for from 50 to 60 hours. The difference is in the amount of filtering material in the containers.

4. Q. Are the civilian masks all cut in the same size?

A. No. The Wardens will adjust the civilian population.

5. Q. What advantage has formalin over izol as a cleanser for the civilian respirator?

A. The construction of the civilian respirator is different to the ·service and civilian duty respirators, and this altered construction makes izol unsuitable whereas formalin is quite suitable.

6. Q. Is there a plentiful supply of bleach in the country?

A. Government are taking adequate steps to ensure there being a good supply.

7 Q. How should hair be treated after contamination with liquid mustard?

A. Most effectively by cutting off.

8. Q. Should Lewisite blisters be broken by First Aiders?

Only by those who understand the correct technique of antiseptic opening of such blisters.

106 Any convenient vessel may be used to accommodate a number of facepieces at one time.

9· Q. How about airbricks, sink-pipes, etc., will they allow gas to enter the refuge room?

A. Airbricks will, and we teach that they should be covered on the outside with a small piece of board. Sink-pipes are generally trapped to prevent sewer gas travelling back, and so need no further treatment.

10. Q. In protecting a room, when blankets are used should they be wet or dry?

A. 'They are better wet. Oil is more effective than water.

J 1. Q. C?fficer at top of tall factory cl}?mney dunng gas attack, considered gas ffilght be. dra\X'n up the chimney in heavy concentratIOn.

A . Yes, if the .concentration was heavy enough, the heIght of the factory chimney suffiCIent to allow for Its sufficient dilution.

12. Q. I have filled lots of old stockings with sand for pu tting along the bottom of doors and wi ndmvs; \\'ould they be effective?

A. Yes, if not laddered too much.

13· Q. it a fact that outside air will find its way lOto a room despite the sealing of every likely entrance?

A.. No, the re\ erse is the most likely to occur as the pressure of air in an occupied room would probably be greater than outside pressure.

q. Q. \ ' not "ap(:mr be given off in process of bOlllng clothing contaminated by "apour mustard gas?

A. Yes, and we always teach that it should be done under trained supervision and therefore not at home. \V.C.B.

The Royal Navy and Sick Berth Attendants

For the past six weeks there has been a marked Increase ir: the number of men joining the Royal Navy as SIck Berth Probationers. Many more men are, however, still required for this branch. Candidates . continuously through the Recrulttng StatIOns. A fair medical and phYSIcal standard is required. Previous experience is all must pass a simple examination wntlng, and arithmetic. The lower age IS stIll 18 years, but the upper limit is now raised to 28.

As marriage allowance is paid to an married Naval men from the age of 25, the very substantial increase rece.n.tly announced of 7S. a week for a wife, and the to children's allowances, should be added In?UCements to join this branch. The weekly rates now be I7S. for a wife, with additions of 5S 6d. the first child, 3S. 6d. for the second, 2S. for tlle thi r?, IS. 6d. for the fourth, and IS. each thereafter.

.SIck Berth draw.I4s. a week on entry, WIth all found, Including unlform, clothing, etc.

On completion of a year's training, which is considerably reduced for those of exceptional ability, they are rated Sick Berth Attendants with pay rising from 22S. 9d. to 278. 5d. a week. Pay then rises from 338. lod. to 56s. a week and upwards on advancement to Leading, Petty Officer and Chief Petty Officer rates. Exceptional men are promoted to Warrant Officer. After 13 years' service, the efficient man will be a Sick Berth Petty Officer of three years' seniority, with three good conduct badges. If married and with three children, his total pay would be £4 IS. 8d. a week, and he is provided free with food, quarters and other essentials. The majority will also draw extra pay of 3S. 6d. a week for special qualification as X-ray, Operating or Laboratory Assistant, or Masseur, or for certain ward duties.

For the man who wishes to see the world and who is interested in medicine or surgery, it wouid be hard find a more attractive career. As well as serving lil Home Fleet and in foreign service squadrons, he WIll be for long periods in the big Naval hospitals at home-and occasionally in the smaller hospitalsour Naval bases abroad. In these hospitals there IS sc.ope for acquiring specialised experience fits hi m for excellent posts in civil life when he. retires.

is for I but men of satisfactory ser:lce may re-engage tor a turther 10 years and then retne on. a substantial pension. Of the 71 Sick ratlOgs who completed their first 12 years 1n 1936-37, all but one elected to serve for the further 10 years-and marriage allowance was then 7S. a week less than it is now.

Those interested should apply for full information to the. nearest Naval RecJ;.euiting Office-the address of which can be obtained from any Post Office

T.C.P.

A Ne,v Type of Antiseptic

The proprietors of T.C.P. are to be cono-ratulated on ,the useful little book which they have maInly for the assIstance of nurses and first-aiders wh? find themselves in charge of ambulance or aCCIdent departments. In its introductory pao-es 0 e , bo?k sets out the properties of T.C.P. and 'ilie lndicatIOns for its us.e. Then follows an alphabetical reference to. the vanouS conditions in which T.C.P. has proven Its emphasis being laid on. the appropnate nrst-ald treatments of each TJ:is done, the treatment ,?f injuries of certain partsskin, face, etc., otten met with in industry, are detailed. carefully and accurately in separate sections. FInally, the book do es with summaries of recei,red doctors and dental surgeons. Interested In T.C.P. are invited to write to Bntlsh Alkaloids, Ltd., Winchester House London E.C.2, who will be pleased to send a copy of the book and free sample of T.C.P., provided that they mentlOn THE ST. JOHN A},IBULA CE GAZETTE.

107

The Grand Priory in the British Realm of the Venerable Order of the Hospital of St. John of Jerusalem

His i\lajcsty the Kin g has gra.cio u sly plea.sed to sanction the followino- promotlOns lil, and appotntments to the Venerable 'Order of the Hospital of St. John of Jerusalem.

FOR P1W;lIOTIO); TO THE GRADE OF K:\lGHT.

AJexander ;I[ollitt Fullerton. O.B.E. (from COlUmander).

The Lord Brocket (from Commander),

FOR PRO'\[OTIO); TO THE GRADE OF CO\Dl:\:--':DER (BROTHE1{).

Captain Douglas ;I[cl{cnzic Gordon, ;ILl. (from Officer

Cm' Gc.orge Rl'pton. ;ll.B.E. (from Officer).

Arthur Louis Allen (from Officer).

Alfred Charles B(l. om. ;lI.P, (from Officer)'

Lieut.-Colonel Henry George );orman White (from Sernng Brothl'r).

Douglas 'William .-\.nderson Bull. \LD. (from Honorary AssocIate).. _. FOR PRO\lOTTO); TO THE GRADE OF ASSOCIATE lOmI.-\.'\DlR (BROTHER)

Captain LawTCJlcc LaZ'lrllS Franks (froIll Assoclak Officer).

FOR AD\llSS[O); 1); THE Gl{ADE OF CO:\DIA:--':DER (SlSThl{).

\Irs. Eleonora Barbara O.B E. \Iarie Sert'na.

FOR PRmIOTIO:\ TO THE GRADE OF OFFICER (BROTHLHL

Rubert Sloan (from Brother,. LIonel Langford \\ ('strope. L.R.C P .• S. (from Brother).

Hugh Riddell. :'I.B. (irolIl SC'rving Brother).

rOR AmllSSIO); 1); THE GRAD£' OF OFFICER (BROTHER),

Jobn Yilliers Farro\\', Leopold Horace Emlm Jones and Harry Bank5, F.R.C.S. (IOn appollltment a" Personal to Lieu t.Colonel E. J. [re\,or Cory). ._

Captain Edward Duncan Graham Brown (on appOIntment as PeDonal tll LIeut.-Colonel Oscar BoullOu).

-\.rtbur Reginald Eelse\,.

The Hon. Henry Charles Howll Thurlow Cumnung·Bruce. Lieut.-Colonel );eil \\,illiam Douglas·\Iatheson, D,S.O., ;\I.C and Colonel \Lichael Arthur Grcen, :\I.c. (on appointment as Personal EsqUIre tu Ric, Sir Arnold Hodson).

Tbe Earl of Dudley, \tC.• T.D.

Paul Josepb Patrick. C.s.T.

Cecil Clare Adams. :\1.c., F.S.A .• and George Edmuncl \\'alker Bridge, F.S,,\. (pn appomtm('nt as Esquire t" Sir Henry \[c\labon).

Richard Stiles Allen.

Colonel Edward Henry Eley, C.\I.G., l.B.E., D.S.O., T.D A.D.C. FOR AD\IISSIO:\ I); THE (,R.-\DE OF OFl-ICER (SISTER). :\Irs. Grace Selinger, C.B,£' FOR IC\' THE GRADE OF S£R\,I:\G BROTHER, Cleland.

Alfred Richard Burland.

George Whittaker Smitb.

Edwin William Richard Tipton, William George Parker.

Charles Dewsbury Browl1hilL

James Cook.

Herbert Joseph Cadc, \1.:\1.

Harry Elliott. George Parker.

DaVId Handel Williams. James Gorton, Thomas Robert Henry Hill.

Samuel John Coyde.

William Powls.

Robert William Vv'inham, Samuel Smith Knighton.

The Rev, Ernest Cadogan Campbell (Assistant-Chaplain).

George Edward Craft.

Walter Wbeewall Gilbert. Arcbdale John Keech.

John Dunne.

William Frederick );cw.

Edgar White. Frank Longson, ;\[.B, George Allman.

Edward Archer.

William

William Sherratt.

Benjamin Vernon, John Thomas Warburton.

David Hound, \VHliam Taylor.

Henry Douglas \\"ynnr·13('nnctt. Harr\' Svdnl'Y Franc!>. Albeit Edward Ha·wkins. James Carley. Walter Hl'nry lIlorrisl1James \\" illia'm Roberh. \\ 'illiam Ecckston. Joseph Henn' Theaker. William Guthrie Hobinson. Ernest Ringrose, M.D R.C. '., L.R,C.P. Joseph Cortiele!, John Rol1<"rtson Hall, \[ B. John Baird. Joseph Shotton, Brian Gilford HCt"()ll\. FOR. :\D)IIS 1;\ fHl. CRADE 01' SL]{\ 11\(, :,1::>11.1{. Mis, Lois ,,[an; Hohert'. \1.B I,. \Iiss -\.lic(' Swak. Esth('r ::I1atthe\\',;. Elizabeth ::Ilrs. Flora Shuttleworth Taylor. Mrs. Sarah Frances Speight. Lilian H.lzen ::Ilrs. Don Antolll., Garrod. OF OFl III l{ (LHWI HLl{).

Andrew Pa\On 'I.B, Llti'llt. Colond \\',,!ter S"\'In(1l1r LOllg. FOR .-\Il\IISSIll;\ 1;\ fHl' (,l{A])L 01' SI,,]{\ Bl{(lTHEI'. Lharles

l{ -\ lll' Ul' Sl.I{\"]'\c BIWTHLI{. \\il1lalll Hlehanl LmTenc(>. t. ]{.\l)L (li' uml \;\D1c l{ (131WTH 1, l{)

The Hon LOLliS Lotl. I{ L (from Offw'r) H)l{ ,\j)\lISSIO;\ 1;\ THE C R-\DI llF Ol·I·ILl'l{ Hl{OTlll.R).

Jo'''ph Ar,('n(' B(1I"Joh. _-\rtbur Staflord Looper, :l1.l. Gaylen Rupert DlIIlGIIl. Lieut.-CoJrllwl (,('orge l;arnd (.n·er, )l.l Thomas Gucrill. John Del\ Id Johllson. Thoma' Hpnr" hirk. Colonel LOlli, 'Pierre jo,rph l.eo RIcher La rtedw, D.S,() Joseph \'aillancourt, \1.]). Lieut.-Colonel Fr d,·nck Armstrong \ :\1.]).

FOR I'RO.\IOTIO;\ TO THE GRA-DE OF OFFILL!, IShl El{, Harrit'l Sarah Kane (from Sen'lng SI'ler). MbS Edith )[aud Southcott (frolll Serviog Sister).

FOR 1:\ THE GRADl: OF SU{\ 1 'G BROTHEl, Herbert \\'alllwf!ght I.dwardsun. James Bell Haddow. Bert \[t'adows Little. Thomas \\'agstatT Lo\'('. Charles Edwards )lcArthur, D,C.;'L Peter Pcruing-ton. Archibald Sawers. Garnet Shea. Hugb Williams. George Fisk, \I.D. rOR ADmSSIOX 1:\ GRADE OF SERV[:\G SrS11d{. Dr. :\lary Lltzabt:th C.nwford. Miss Joan She\\ell Morn,.

Il\DIA' FOR AD:-.nSSIO:-; THE GRADE OF OFFfChL{ (BROTHER). Colond Percy Strickland C.I.E.• 1.:11.S. FOR PRO,,10TIO;\ fO THE ('R,\DL OF ASSOCIATE OFHLER (BROTIlER). Gajaoan Sundcrrao I":otharc (from ASSOCIate Scn'lOg Brother).

FOR AD:\IISSrO:\ J'\) THh (.RADE OF ASSOCIATI; OFFICER (BROTHEI{). Colonel D. H. Hai, \I.C., r :lIS. BURMA.

FOR AD:\llSSIO:-l 1:\ THE GRADE OF COMMANDER (SISTEl{). Julia Dorothy, The HOIl. Lad" Cochrane. FOR AD;\IISSIO:\ 1:\ THE GHADE OF ASSOCIATE OFFICER (BlWTllEH), Mr. Justice Ba G, HOC\'G KO);(J FOR AD\IlSSIO;\ IX THE CH.ADL OF ASSOCIATh SLl{VI;>;C; BROTHhR. Dr. Ip l<am Wah, 1\:wok Chan.

CEYLO:--':.

ADmSSIO:\ I); TilE GRADE OF B1{01Hl,H. Captain Wllhdm John 1<0(0 Cragg, A.D.C. r-;EW SOUTH WALES.

FOR PHO:\IOrWN TO THE GHADE OF OFFICEH. (13IWTIl EH), Edward HerrIck Knowles, L.R.C,P., & S.Ed, (froIU St·rving Brother),

Priory for Wales

Headquarters: Priory House, 4 Cathedral Rd., Cardiff

GENERAL INTEREST

\VELSI1 [r'-. \L C \DLI CO\IPl,TITIO/'.,S. ational Competitions for Ambulance and ursing Cadet teams of the Brigade in \X/ales were inaugurated , n Saturdaj, February 26. For the past t\vclve '110nths cadets h;l\'e been competing in conte ts in their '-espectivc.: Jocalities in preparation for the W'clsh +1na1 ; ancl the competiti\-e spirit is found to bc as effective among junior L:nits as with the seniors in maintaining con tant interest. The annual returns ior 1937 show that the Cadet has increascd hy four \mbulance and nme Cadet Units to a total of -+,526, and It is all important that progress in numbers be paralleled b} a high tandard of Lfncienc\

The contest. wcre arranged in two age groups, "he junior scction (12 to 16 years) being judged on the ')reliminan Testbooks and the seniors (16 to 18 }cars) on 'the official hand boo ks; and cac h Centre of the Prion wac; entitled to enter onc team in each TI{c competitions wue held in the dignified .ltl11os phere ()f the City lall, Cardlff; and [he con;cstants wcnt about their tasks Yen- serioush', before .1 ar) ing cro\\ d or over a Sl cctat<;rs. The Judges \\ ere: Dr. L.:rban \farks, Commissioner for \ . Count\ 'urgcon J. P. J. Jenkins; COITlS 1. Phillips (CJwaun-cae-Gurwen), E. Orr (\X'attsto\\-n), J. Prosser Davies (Hengoed), :l.nd Di'\ isional urgcons C. \. Bence (Cardiff) and \. AI. Robertson (Treherbcrt).

The following are the marks awarcled :Jllnior Girls (I-a1y !_cJl 'is Clip).

1 allle of Tea/N. Celltre. Llanelly armarthenshire

2. Duffryn j \ man \b erdare

3 Brecon Brecknockshirc , -+ Pontnewynydd Monmouth -hire l11arkr. 162 121 Briton Fcrry ,. G lamorgan

SeJJior Boj,s (Capt. L , TU'iJ"/oil Dc/pies Cnp).

P ontyberem Carmarth nshire

2 Duffryn l \m an Aberclare. ,

3 Maindy and Eastern Rh ondda

--I- Cilfynydd Glamorgan

jlfl1ior Bf!)',r (l11rs , L. Tn'is/oll Dm'ies Clip), Clydach and District Brecknockshire , .

z E bb w Vale Ionmouthshirc

3 Tr eharris I\1ertlwr Tydfil

4 Duffryn Aman .

5 Ammanford Carmarthenshire

6 Lady ] Jew is Rhondda

7 Barry Dock City of Cardiff 28 5 282 27 8 } 2-+5} 15 15 5

In presiding at the presentation of prizes, following tea, the Principal Secretary and Commissioner for \X/ales (The Hon. John H, Bruce) pointed out that Wales had a comparatively greater Cadet strength than any other Di trict of the Brigade, It unfortunately happened that none of the three Donor of the cups was able to attend and the presentations were made by thc Hon. Mrs. John 11. Bruce, Lady Staff Officer for \X'aJes; Alderman G. Fred EYans, J.P., and Professor George Knox, .0.-LL\LE" FG \L LrsTEDDFOD

Ambulance Competitions may ,,'ell be expected to figure prominently in the programme of the Royal :\'ational Eisteddf()dd of W'ales, which this vear meets in Cardiff, the "home" of the Prion' quarters; and the innovation of a competj'tion for teams of fixe members in possession of >\.. R.P. certificates \\ ill attract a number of pioneer competitors in \.R.P. work. This e\'ent will cake place on , _\ugust 3, and monetary prizes will be a\,-arded to the hrst three team.

,\nother fresh introduction \\-hich \\'ill make a special appeal to W'elsh-speaking enthusia t is a competition for boys and girls to be conducted cntireh in \,\ 'eJsh,

The main \mbulance e\-enL, \\-hich will be held on \.ugust I, 2 and 3, are :-

The" Lady Le\\-is " Cup of the Priory for W'ales, open to teams of men, Prizes: £ 10, £) and £ 1, and a pccial medal of registered design by the Priory for \, 'ales to each member of the team \\'inning t he firs t prize.

Thc "Lady Bute" Cup of the Priory, open to teams of four \"0 men. Prizes: £8, £+ and £1 \\'ill be awarded, and a special medal pre ented by the Priory to each member of the \,,-inning team.

The " Treycthin" hield, with prizes of £) £ J, and £ 1, and a special medal to each member of the team \\.-inning thc fir t prize, will be contested by teams of five men resident in \\'alc_ or i\Ionmouthshir

The" ilurian" hield, with prize of £-+, £2 8s" and £ I, and special medals, is open to teams of four women re id nt in \\'a les or i\fonmouthshire.

The" lsca" with prizes of £3, £2 and £1, and a special medal, is open to teams of boys under 18 year' of age, resident in outh \ Vales or nlonLTlouthshire

Thc "G\X"Cnt" hield, with priz s of £2 8" £ 1 1 25, and £ 1, and special medal ,i open to teams

of o-irls under 18 years of age, resident *in Wales or b Monmouthshire

CENTRE REPORTS

BRECKNOCKSHlRE CENTRE.

The Lord Glanusk (president of the Centre) and Colonel e G. Cole-Hamilton, eM.G., D.S.O. (Commissioner), were present at the annual Centre Competitions at Brecon on Saturday, lvIarch 26.

The Judges were: A. M. Robertson (Tleharris), Dr. G. S. Phillips (Cwmgorse), D. J M. Wilson (Aberdare) and Dr. Edgar Llewellyn (Cardiff), and the of Brecon (Mr. Albert Jolly) presented the followmg awards :President's Shield, open: 1st, Clydach; 2nd, Y stradgynlais.

Novice, Men's: 1st, Clydach; 2nd, Llanwrtyd. Nursing: 1st, Builth Wells; 2nd, Brecon. Boy Cadets, Senior: 1St, Clydach; 2nd, Cefn Coed. Junior: 1st, Clydach; 2nd, Penrhos. Girl Cadets: 1st, Builth Wells; 2nd, Brecon.

Individual Cups, open: W. Bennett (Clydach).

Men's Novice: E. G. Groves (Llanwrtyd). Nursing: Miss E. Jones (Brecon).. Boy Junior: J. Hanks (Clydach) Ser:lO.r: J. LewIs (Clydach). Girl Cadets: Phylis GIttlllS (Brecon).

CAIUrfARTHENSHlRE CENTRE.

V.A.D. Inspection -The Voluntary Aid Detachment, of which Lady DlvlslOnal Superintendent Miss Evelyn Harries is Com:nandant, was inspected on March 8 by Capt. T. KeswIck, R.A.M.e, who was accompanied by the County Contr.oller, Miss Stepney Gulston, M.B.E , JP., ASSIstant Controller, Mr. E. D. Jones, COmm1SSlOner f?r Carmarthenshire. The members were tested m A.R.P., Cookery, Bed-mak0g, etc , to the expressed satisfaction of the Inspectlllg Officers, who gratulated the Detachment on its and high standard of efficiency. The was proud to report a personal remark made to him by Capt. Keswick to the effect that it was the best he had ever inspected; and in the .Inspec.tlng s official report, knowledge of Pust Aid, A.ntI-Gas Measures, Invalid Cookery, etc., was descnbed as " excellent."

The Detachment consists of 4 5 members drawn from the Llanelly Nursing Division and a few from Parcyrhyn Nursing Division, AmI?anford, and Includes a Medical Officer and a tramed Nurse, both of whom take an active interest in the Detachment. There are 34 members in possession of the: A.R.P. Certificate, one Grade II and one Gra?e 1. Tv.:-entyone members have secured the H ygiene and six the Cookery (An in Cookery is shortly to be held, when It 1S hoped that the number will be increased.) All the. 15 Mobile members will have completed the first SeSSlO? of training at a Military Hospital in June of this year. Members of the Detachment d? weekly. at the Llanelly General Hospital, by kind permISSIOn

AMBULANCE JUBILEE AT CROSS

Commissioner E. D. Jones pres1ded at a SOCIal function held to celebrate the 25th year's of the formation of the Cross Hands DlvlslOn. He welcomed the attendance of the Lady County Superintendent, :Mrs. M. H. Llewellyn, Lady County Officer Miss B. Price and others, and presented warrants of appointment to Mrs.. D. Farr Davies and Captain A. E. Edwards as PreSIdent and Vice-President respectively.

Mrs . :.M. H. Llewellyn handed Certificates and Awards to successful members, and frs. D. F. Davies had the pleasant task of Surgeon D. H. Griffiths witt: a clock In of his services as Surgeon SInce the regl tratlOn , of the Division. Other speakers were the Rev. J. PrIce, Mr. William Rees and Captain A. E. Edwards, GLAMORGAN Cou TY CE TRE.

The Workmen's Hall, Cilfynydd, was the venue of a pleasant function on Saturday, March l?,_ when the Albion Colliery Division and the Clltynydd Nursing Divisior: for s,upper and presentations. Dr. Tudor WIlliams, Commissioner, presided, and, welcorwng the I Ion. John H. and Mrs rev:ewed the ,w,ork of the Albion Colliery DIVIsIon, which had, onginated two years aao on the initiative of S .l pcnntendent E. J. Edwards. Of the 38 members, uniforms had been supplied to 32; a total of 2 !1ad enrolled In the Military Hospital Reserve and hve, members had gained 2nd Raid Certificates, whilst rune held Alr Raid Certificates. Dr, Williams expressed of the services of the Trallwn Band that remarking that each member, besides being an .Instrumentalist, also possessed an Ambulance FIrst Aid Certificate.

In his address the Hon. John H. Bruce said the Units in the Pontypridd County Area were in having the goodwill and assistance of the II!e?i cal profession in the person of Dr. Tudor Williams and the area had been well and truly served by him. Valuable assistance had always been given by Mrs. Williams, the Lady County Officer, and Con:mandant of the Cilfynydd V.A.D. Mr. Bruce acquainted the assembly with the negotiations taking place for a new Ambulance Headquarters at Cilfynydd, and he looked forward to all ambulance adherents in the

110 of the Matro n , Miss Callard, R.R.e; and it is of in terest t o n ote tha t n o fewer t h an 34 me mbers of the L lanelly D ivision have left the Unit t o take u p nursing professionally Amono- those who attended the I nspectlOn were the County Superintendent, Mrs . M. . H. Llewellyn, Lady County Officer Miss Pnce, Lady Corps Officer :Miss Etty Rees, MISS (Matron, Llanelly. Mrs'. Sydney Mrs. Harries, lvfISS Phillips, Mrs. T J. WlllIams, and others.

locali ty enj oying in the f utu re a new where Am bulance work cou ld b e mamtamed In a state of high proficiency. The Commissioner for Wales presented warrants of to the Officers; and A.R.P. Certificates were by Capt. F. P. Robathan, M.e, Assistant ComffilsslOner Home Nursing Certificates were by Councillor Llewellyn Jenkins and First Aid Certificates by Mrs J. W. Jordan.

A particularly pleasing incident was the presentation of a leather emergency accident case to Dr. Tudor Williams, which was made by the Hon. Mrs. J. H. Bruce, on behalf of the Cilfynydd Ambulance Classes. CITY OF CARDIFF CE TRE.

Barry and District J? J.

J.P., Chairman of the Barry Urban CouncIl, was the chief guest at the annual dlllner and dance of the Barry and District Corps held on Saturday, February 26. Dr. Edgar Llewellyn, Commissioner for the Cardiff Centre, presided, and the Officers present included Assistant Commissioners F. R. Hortop and Capt. F. P. Robathan, M.e, Lady County Officer :Mrs 11. Lucas, M.B:E., Superintendent T. Lennox and of praise were paid to the Barry Uruts which malnt.aln a heavy programme of activities, particularly dunng the summer months when the First Aid Station on the island is staffed daily and over 2,000 cases received attention during the course of the season. It is indicative of the high standard of efficiency maintained that the City of Cardiff Centre will be bX two Barry teams in the Welsh Brigade FInals this year.

Time!" Aid of Cardiff Unif.-The speed with victims of accident or illness can be brought within the scope of medical skill was demonstrated in connection with an accident which occurred to two employees of the Great \X1estern Railway who were knocked down and gravely inj ured by a light engine, outside Cardiff General Station on February 24. It happened that Dr. e A. Bence, Divisional Surgeon of the Cardiff G. W.R. Division, was on the station platform awaiting the arrival of a train when the accident occurred, and with four members of the Division he went at once to the scene. Within fifteen minutes of the occurrence both men were in hospital, having been conveyed after first aid treatment by a Priory ambulance.

ABERDARE CENTRE.

The official opening of the new Ambulance Hall at Aberdare was performed by Sir David R. Llewellyn, Bart., in the presence of a large gathering Ambulance and Nursing members were lined up as a guard of honow.', which was inspected by the Commissioner for Wales (The Hon. John H. Bruce) who welcomed Sir David and Lady Llewellyn . Lady County Officer Mrs . H. Banks presented Sir David with an engraved key, with which he unlocked the door and declared the hall open.

Insi d e the b uilding the Commissioner for Waler presided, and D r J M Wilson, fo Aberdare, and High Constable of Higher, thanked Sir David for the freehold on which the hall was erected and for the gift of 36,000 bricks. Sir David Llewellyn, who was warmly received, recalled his attendance at an Ambulance Class in 1896, when only a few colliers and policemen evinced any interest, and referred to the growth of the movement as a remarkable achievement. 11r George Hall, M.P., remarked that, like Sir David, he too was an old ambulance member and was delighted to have the opportunity of associating with present members in their new" home."

Councillor J. Rhys James assured those present that Ambulance work would always have the utmost support of the Council.

County Officer Glyndwr Davies reported on the financial position of the hall, which had been erected at a cost of £59 0 , towards which a grant of £25 0 had been provided from the Special There was a balance owing of £199, agalllst which a sum of £ 5, collected by the Girl Cadets, had been handed in that afternoon. At this point Dr. Wilson made the welcome announcement that Mr. W. M. Llewellyn had sent a cheque for 100 guineas. Cheques were later received from Dr. and 1-1rs. Harry Banks, and a subsequent donation of £100 from Mrs. - L. A. Pugh, who was always a helpt:ul interest !n the Brigade, has turned a prev10US debit balance lnto a credit of £84.

1fERIONETHSHIRE CE.."TRE

Divisional Superintendent Captain R. Basil Evans B.Sc., presided at the Annual Dinner of the Blaenau Festiniog Division on February 24. The guests included the Commissioner, Sir Charles Phibbs, Councillor J E. Thomas, JP., the Rev. G. Ro\\'lands, Ieirion Jones, E q., and R. D. Williams, Esq. After the loyal toast had been honoured, the toast of " Our Guests" \vas proposed by Captain Evans, to which ir Charles Phibbs responded. The chief event of the evening was the presentation made by Sir Charles on behalf of the Division of an inscribed walkina-stick to the {Divisional uperintendent. EYans gratefully acknO\vledged the kind thought and gift. In presenting the awards Commissioner congratulated all members on the1r work and \vished the Division every prosperity in the future. nfention was made of excellent services rendered in connection with recent accidents. One occurred in the local quarry on February 14, when Privates R. R. Hughes and \V. R. Owen \\'ere called upon to render fir t aid underground and were complimented on the efficient and prompt manner. in which the patient \vas treated and remm' ed to hospital, while similar sen-ices were rendered by Pri \Tate W. R. Hughes on February 18. On nfarch 12 Private R. J Roberts was helpful in connection with a road accident and handled the position with considerable ability and care.

III

Interesting Case Reports II

C-\ E REPORT O. 137.-The Officer-in-Charge of o. 8 (Duke of Connaught's) District, St. John Ambulance Brigade, reports the efficient performance of first aid by members of the Borough of Guildford Corps in the follo\"ing difficult circumstances :-

On Saturday, December II, at 3.20 a.m., Corps Superintendent J. D. Rutter took an " .L\ccident Call " on the telephone which was quickly followed by three further calls indicating a serious accident on the London to Portsmouth road just outside the borough boundanT of Guildford. Two members who were on night duty (Divisional Superintendent J. E. Cheshire and Lance Corporal G . Baker) were despatched immediately with the accident ambulance, followed by the Corps Superintendent, who felt that the seriousness of the accident warranted his attendance.

On arrival it was found that a private car had left the road and broken a double telephone pole, at the same time shedding its engine before coming to rest at the base of the pole The top of the pole hung dangerously and threatened to fall if disturbed. There was a strong smell of petrol. The road was wet and it was very dark and cold, and we were in a ditch. The Superintendent stopped his car with its head lights focussed on the wreck which disclosed the damaged car on its side with the head of a man projecting from the sunshine roof. To move him wa s impossible. He spoke and said that there was a passenger underneath him, and that he could hot move.

Messages were sent for the telephone breakdown gang to come and support the pole. A further message was sent for a large breakdown car with a crane. A local doctor was also called and brought morphia and chloroform. Corps Headquarters were informed that members would be out for some long time. After half-an-hour's work consisting of much further destruction of the car, it was possible to remove the man who was suffering from a fractured thigh, concussion and a deep punctured wound on the leg His condition was so serious that it was decided to take him to hospital at once, while the rest of us proceeded to free the passenger, who was a girl of 18.

To remove her at this stage was impossible, for the scuttle of the car had closed in on her and trapped both leg s and she had sustained two fractured lower limbs . One member entered the car by the roof, took in hot water bottles and blankets and remained with the patient and comforted her while she was slowly freed. 110rphia was administered with difficulty by the Doctor

After much sawing and hacking away at the steel frame we sent for members of the Fire Brigade, who brought some heavier tools than we could

lIZ

pro d uce. Th e fina l operation co nsis ted of fixing our river drags to the scu ttle of the car an d a rop e t o the breakdown crane. Then by slow winding the front of the car was expanded until we were able to extract large jagged pieces of wood and metal which were securing the patient. Happily before the final removal of the very plucky girl it was possible to put her to sleep and the Doctor accompanied her to hospital, keeping her under chloroform, thus avoiding much pain The rescue of the girl took 2 hours, but during the whole time it was possible to keep her warm and to administer drops of water to her parched lips.

The duty did not finish till 7 a.m., for the Doctor was taken back in the Corps uperintendent's car to collect his own car. During the operations the parents were informed of what had happened and went to the Hospital to be handy. The condition of both patients was very critical, but seven days later they were reported to be C( going on as well as could be expected." The expedition cost us one overcoat destroyed and torn beyond use and many hack sa,, blades; and the conditions of rescue work wert: made worse by the bitterly cold wind that wa blowing all the time.

Cm,L\IE T.- UYe do 110t kU01V which more cOlllmand\" our admiration- the plNck of the gravelY i1!jllred girl or the perseverance of the melllbers oj the alld those 11 ,ho shared their task of rescuilJg her. To the lIIelllbers oj the Borough of Gllildford CorpJ', hOJJ 'e ver, 11!e tet/der cordial congrat1flatiolZ f OIl th eir splendid devotion 10 in JllOS t t'],illg a/ld di./Jtcult cirC!fIll staI1Ce. f. C. F. TIlE REn SED TEXTBOOK.

A. T. (1fitcham).-\'rould you ha\' e any objection to me making a summary of your very useful series of articles on the Revised Textbook at pre ent being published in THE GAZETTE, and handing copies of the summary to members of my Unit? 1\S their Divisional Surgeon I feel that by so doing I shall be able to help them to appreciate the many change s which have been made in the Textbook. B.y aff means do as YO/l slIggest. - C. F.

TRL\'DIENT OF FRACTl RED AR\f.

M R. will you tell me how many splints are to be used in the treatment of a Fracture of Humerus near the middle of the shaft? I had always assumed that three were meant; but at a recent inspection we were told that two were intended, viZ' one on the front and one on the" back and outer" side of the arm. The absence of a comma after the word" back" was given as a justification; and certainly the illustration in the 1928 Edition of the Textbook lends some support to th is view. I

sh o uld be very gla d of a ru l ing on t h is point, trivial as it m ay seem

The correct nU1J1ber reqllired is 1hree splints, Jvhich form a box splint, as is more clearlY ,fh071m in Fig. 43 of the Revised (1937) Textbook. Tbe st(ggestioJ] thai onlY trJ)O splints are reqtlired Jor this JractNre is a novel one and has never bem 10 !}!y notice during the tell years' life of the 38/b Edition. It is nOleworthy that ill the Revised Editioll ill.rtmcliolls are /!,iveJl 10 place the tipper lilJJb ill all arJJJslzizf!, before app6 !JZ{[, Ihe splints, l?y ]J Jhich Illeaw the Revisioll (ollllJlifle e has corrected il.r lIIistake ill tbe 38tb Edilioll.' C. r.

LIST OF i\KTISEPTIC,).

F. P. (Sheffield) and others. - A a Divisional uperintendent, I should esteem it a favour if you would supply us with a Jist of recogllised antiseptics and the strengths of each as required for first aid work. We could then cut out reply from THE GAZETTE and paste it in our new textbooks for guidance in emergencies.

As far as J'o/lr Brigade 11'ork iJ cOJleemed, the lIIalter is settled, becat/se the Brigade Sub-ColI/millee has (l iven its decision ill favollr of SlIrgical Spirit, J})hich (lik e '-Tille/lire of Iodine) sho/lld be paziJled Ollce ov er the JVOH Jld and sllrrotfl7dill.g skin and allOlved to d,y before the Jvotmd is protected 12/l'th its dressing.

YOllr sllggestiolJ for a recogllised list of antljeptics is /lot approved, because this will 01lIY lead to u10ny and IfIlcertaillf)'.

As to Ih e rtrelJg/h s of aJJtis eptics, it is iJltere.rt liz{!, to :·e.eord that the Orig inal choice of sllr (lieal (or lIIeti.!),la led ) rplJ'j t 1}/C1 r II/tide at the 1937 COIl/ereJlce of Bl'i,gade and that i t 11 a.r the IInallilllom oPlifioll of those pr fJ' e!lt tbat th e allti reptie .relected for w e I?J II/ell/b en the shollld be olle 7J 1hicb did 1201 reqllire dillltioJl.- C. F.

TRE,\T\£ENT OF \uDmrr"\.L I "'lC'RY.

M. A. (1\ldershot).-Durina a game of Ruab\ football a player was accidentally kneed in the side of the by another i)layer and a fcw mInutes he recovered and went on playlng; but sh?rtly afterwards he again collapsed and was earned to the dressina-room. Later he recovered again and told the firsf aider who was in attendance that he had a severe pain in the right side of the abdomen. The latter administered a dose volat.ile, on the grounds that the patient exhlblted no SIgns or symptoms of internal ha:morrhao e. There was n.o swelling or othcr signs of local ; and the patient was promptly removed to hospital. Now we are wondering if tbe first aider was correct in giving sal volatile in these circumstances.

.0:, your statemellts q/ factJ' it is dijjiClflt to form (11/ °Pl17I017. If, however, the patient 11!aS feelitj{J Jaint, then tbe 1J'01l1d probablY do II/ore ,good than harm, espeCiallY S/IJce, as yO!! scry, the first aide}' excluded the

possibility (and found no evidence) oj h(£tJ1orrhage from air internal organ.-N. C. F.

LOADING ON STRETCHER

H. H. (Ludlow) . - Will you kindly give me your ruling on the following point with regard to loadin g an injured patient on to a stretcher?

On page 193, 38th Edition of the Textbook, we read that os. I, 2, 3 (unless otherwise directed by NO.4) are to place themselves on the left side of the patient. Several members of our Div ision insist that o. 4 should always place them on the side of the most severe injuries, meaning that if there were only a simple fracture of the ri g ht tibia and no other injuries, he should place them on the right side. My own interpretation of thi s is that if the compilers had intended this to be done, the instruction s would say "place the os. 1,2,3 on the injured side." I think that it is intended that the chan a t: should only be made in the case of more severe complicated injuries. Meanwhile, we thank you in anticipation of your reply.

I agree entirelY u)ithYOII.-N. C. F.

Stourhridge Division Su c ce ss

A keen and interesting ambulance competition took place in the \vorks canteen of 11essrs. T. \'C Lench, Ltd., Excelsior \X orks, Blackheath, recenth-, between the \.vorks team (representing the Torrh \X rorcester hire Corp of the t. John Ambulance Brigade) and tourbridg e Diyision ( repres entin O' th e Dudley and District Corps) to decide which should compete in the \'{'orce ter Co unty contes t in connecti o n \vith the "Dewar" hield b competltlon. to urbridge Diyi sion we r e the \\'inner. br the narro\v margin o f five marks, and quali fie d t o ag ainst R e dditch Division, the representatn es ot the outh \X orcestershire Corp , at Brierle,· Hill. The _ ucce ssful team in that conteSt w i il then participate in the No. 3 District final at Lei c:e ter. T . W.'. Lench, Ltd., had prO\-e d the best o f tour teams lil the W orcestershire orp " contes t at Coombs \,\ rood and g ained the" Frank omers ,> cup. tourbrid g e Di\' ision had been successful in the Dudley and District Corps competition, and receIved the ., Ollis" challenge shield, at L,' e in February.

Corr e spond en t

11_r. \\7 L. Pippitt, of 15 17, treet, Oakland, California, a First- \ider on a mobile fi rst aid station on the an Francisco-Oakland BaIT Brido e \vould b , be pleased to cone pond with a member of the t. John Ambulance Brigade and exchange ideas and experiences.

The St. John Ambulance Brigade News!

No I (PRINCE OF WALES'S) DISTRICT.

Councillor A. W. Green, CA., J.p., presided at the annual dinner of the Fairlop (78) Nursing Division, beina supported by the Commissioner (Captain W. M.e., K.St.J.), Assistant Commissioner Captain Bendix, District Officer Kemp, Lady Supt. Mrs. M. Browne, Dr. A. Parry-Jones, and Mr. M. Browne (Vice-President).

Proposin a an " all-in-one " toast to "Friendship," Mrs. briefly outlined the history of the Division from its inception three years ago, with only a handful of members, to its present healthy position with over forty enthusiastic members, and a local section at Hainault.

Councillor Green then presented trophies and medals to the following members of the Division: (( Green" Cup (for First Aid) : Ambulance Sister Miss Maud Layton; runner-up, Ambulance Sister :Mrs,. M. Milligan; 2nd runner-up, Ambulance Sister Mrs. Lindholm. "Buster Brown" Cup: Cadet Ins Metchener; runner-up, Cadet Joyce Howard.

11r. M. Browne was invested with the Vice-president's badge by Captain Goodley, who spoke of the rapid growth of the Division, and said that it could not have been accomplished without a lot of hard work. More than 1,100 public duties had been performed by the members. Hospital duties numbered 550, and cinema duties totalled 950. A Cadets' Division had been formed and already there were 18 members.

The Annual Report of the Western Postal and St. Marylebone (5813) Division, recently issued, shows a strength of 84 officers and members, an increase of 21 over 1936.

The number of cases treated during the year amounted to 1,013; public duties 694, and drills and practices 47. . .

The Division's Air Raid Precautions work, It IS shown, has been greatly increased, no less than four courses of lectures having been successfully held at the Town Hall, St. Marylebone, resulting in 721 persons receiving instruction. The Division has 2 Class I Falfield Instructors, 5 Grade I Instructors, 6 Grade II A.R.P. Instructors, 26 with A.R .P. (Brigade) Certificates and F with General Public A.R.P. Certificates. The Division's A.R.P. Reserve has reached a total of 30. *

The Annual Dinner of the Finchley (93) Division was held on Tuesday, March 22. The Mayor (Alderman A. T. Pike, O.B.E., J.P.) presided and was accompanied by the May.Dress.

Divisional Surgeon J. D. Holmes, M.B., C.M., who proposed the toast of "The President and Vice-

Presidents," spoke of their great pleasure in having with them their President, the Mayor, and the Mayoress. It did not need many words of his, he said, to commend the Mayor to them, for the Division knew him well. " I am sure our Mayor is out to do all he can to further any good cause in Finchley during his year of office," observed Dr. Holmes, who then mentioned that Colonel Abraham, who occupied the chair last year, was away, but he had sent a telegram expressing his good wishes. Captain Fyfe was also away but they welcomed Mrs. Fyfe.

Responding, the Mayor said it was a great pleasure to him to preside again at their Annual Dinner. One could not help looking out on the world to-day without feeling that so many were trying to create chaos in what we thought was a well-established civilisation. It was pleasing to know that so many present that evening were ready to take their places in various capacities in case that chaos should inflict itself upon these shores.

" I am pleased to see such a large gathe ring on the occasion of our annual dinner," said Superintendent J. W. Taylor, who proposed the toast, " The Ladies and Visitors." Since the last dinner the of the Division had carried on usual duties. They had been able to register a section of the Division at Friern Barnet, and were pleased to have with them Dr. Poole and Ambulance Officer Dines, and some of his men. During the year 1,495 duties had been performed and 65 I cases treated, making a total of 8,012 duties performed since the Division started in 19 2 4.

Air raid precautions had not been so prominent as the year before, but he expected that in the future they would have greater calls. During the year Sergeant Hollingworth had received the Service Medal of the Order of St. John for 15 years' service in the Division.

He went on to refer to their visitors, LieutenantCommander Spens, Dr. Turner, the lYiedical Officer of Health for Finchley, Assistant Commissioner Captain White-Knox and Mrs. White-Knox, Corps Officer Stillwell, and others. He congratulated Miss Daniel and the Finchley and Southgate Nursing Division on having brought back to the Northern Area the "Brooks" Efficiency Cup.

Replying, Lieutenant-Commander W. J. M. Spens expressed his appreciation of being able to talk to them, and also of the work that had already been done by the Division in regard to the scheme for air raid precautions.

Assistant Commissioner Captain A. e. WhiteKnox, M.e., M.B., also replied. He congratulated Miss Daniel and her team on running away with what was the equivalent to the smartest nursing Division

in the whole of London . The visitors, he said, were highly appreciative of the welcome given. Superintendent Tayler, he thought, must have been shy and diffident when he thought out the toast list for the dinner, so he (the speaker) thought that it was right for him to ask them to drink to the good health of Mr. Tayler, his Division, and the members of the Ladies' Division.

Subsequently the hall was cleared for dancing. Corporal A. G. Harley was the M.e.

Barnet (42) Division held the competition for the Reg. Hawkins lYiemorial Cup on Friday, February 25, there being twenty competitors for this individual trophy. The winner was Private WI. E. Tarry, with Privates G. H. Hornett and G. Stern second and third

respectively. The judges were Corps Officer \'V'iddicombe and Superintendent Anderson, of t. Albans. The presentation was made by Councillor e. T. Beard. Excellent arrangements were carried out by Ambulance Officer W. \\'. I Iobbs, the Competition Secretary. * On Saturday, 1\larch 19, the Annual Dance of the and uouthgate Nursing Division was held at Fnern Barnet Church 1Iall and was thorouo-hly enjoyed by a splendid assembly. b

During the evening the team which had been successfu! in winning the" Brooks" Efficiency Cup the prevIOUS week were congratulated by District Staff Officer G. C Green on the! r splendld performance.

Among the guests were Dr. D. W. Reid and Dr. S. L. Westlake (Divisional urgeons), Divi lonal

Superintendent Tayler (Finchley), Superintendent Miss Vicary, Mrs. Green, and others. Corps Officer Stillwell officiated as M.e.

Lady Ambulance Officer Miss R. F. Daniel (Officer in Charge) thanked those present for their support.

lYfembers and friends of the Hampstead Division spent a very enjoyable evening at a so cial gathering in the Hampstead Parochial Hall recently. Dancing was interspersed with a number of entertaining items. Refreshments were tastefully served during the interval.

\mong those present, introduced b y Ambulance Officer Vigor, were 1fr. W. 1\loreland (President), District Officer e. T. O sborn and Corps Superintendent W. G. Warren, .i\.R.P. Officer of the Northern

Area. The duties of 11.e. were admirabh,' carried out by .Mr. R. Buzzel. 11t. Arthur Buzzel, the Hon. ocial ecretary, is to be commended upon making the arrangements for a very uccessful gathering .

The inspection of the 1Ierton 1 o 148 V.A.D. Detac1unent ( \'V"imbled on and 1Ierton 1 ursing Division), ","as an unqualified success from e,-ery viewpoint, and the smart ,,'o rk and appearance was very favourably commented upon. Colonel Bridge was the inspecting Officer, and at the close, addressing the parade, he said that for the fourth time he had to congratulate them. Their first aid and bandaging was .·traordinarily good, and he desired to congratulate the Commandant (Lady Superintendent :Miss E. 11. Leane) on the marvellous she had kept the detachment up to full strength.

No. 2 DISTRICT. BRISTOL.

The Bristol East Division of St. John Ambulance Brigade, County of Bristol o. 2 Corps, held their Annual Dinner recently. The Divisional Surgeon, Dr. J. Struthers, LB., Ch.B., presided, and was supported by his sister fiss Struthers.

The Diyisional Secretary, Ambulance Officer W. Pulham, in his report stated that the strength of the Division, including all sections and their respective probationers, amounted to I63. They had during the past twelve months carried out some 1,100 duties, and that 1,004 cases had been attended by the members

Presentations were made to Dr. Struthers, and to \mbulance Officer Fulham in marked appreciation of their valued services. The President, in the course of his remarks, stated that the progress of any division depended largely upon the .e.O.s, and to whom he expressed his hearty congratulations for the con'cientious way in which they carried out their duties.

A grand variety programme followed, and was rendered by the" Cecelian's " Concert Party, directed by J\fr. T. Davidge, and competed by II. Davidge, and contributed to a very successful evening arranged h\' the Social Secretary, Private C. Fudge.

GLOC"CESTER.

In the County of Gloucester the work of the Association and Brigade has during 1937 made marked progress. Cheltenham ·was honoured by being selected for the No. 2 District Competition, for the -, Oxo " Trophy, an honour which was greatly appreciated, and Headq-qarters we understand were pleased with the results.

Cheltenham has a Brigade strength of 240 all ranks, comprising 4 Adult and 4 Cadet are now actively engaged in A .R.P. trairung. PractIcally all Officers have qualified as and most other ranks have Certificates. The chief event of the year was the opening of the new Ambulance Headquarters, held jointly with the B.R.C.S. The for this was very great, and the Corps now has lilcreased facilities for Instruction and Training under the best possible conditions.

Gloucester City has 3 Divisions who are very active, and well maintain their strength They, too, are well advanced in A.R.P. Training.

There are other Divisions at Tewkesbury, Coleford, Andoversford and Frampton-on-Severn. ciation Classes are in progress at orthleach, WIthington, Park End and Newent, it is hoped that Divisions will in due course be regIstered at each.

This renewed activity is largely due to the efforts of the Commissioner and his County Officers, who visit the various Centres and render valuable assistance by their personal interest in the work of the

Order, and the excellent advice their wide experiencc enables them to offer.

Gloucester is fortunate to have residing in the County the Chief Commissioner for Overseas, Colonel J. L. leeman, C.B., C. 1.G., C.B.E., 11.V.0., who, notwith tanding his many responsibilities, attends the Cheltenham Centre of the A sociation as its President, and takes a venT real interest in all the County activities. -

The Rt. Ilon. Viscount Bledisloe, P.c., G.e.M.G., I"::'.B.E., Countr President, and the Rt. Hon. Viscountess Bledisioe, Lady President, are not sparing in their efforts to advance the interests of the Order. Gloucester is looking forward to 1938 for substantial progre s and increased efficiency.

J\IrNEHEAD.

The Annual Dinner of the 1Iinehead Division was held at 1 ewcombe s Cafe recentl,. Dr. WI. Bain (Senior Divisional Surgeon) was i)re ent, and was supported by Drs. H. 11. Chapple and J. Erskine Collins ( \'('atchet) as well as Divisional Officers.

The \nnual Competition for the "Luttrell" and " Duck" Cups was held at Headquarters, the Towns end Rooms, on \XTednesday, 1[arch 30. For the " Luttrell" Cup six teams from members of thc Division, including the ne\,vly formed Bishops 1_) deard Section, were drawn out of a hat, each led an J\:.C.O

The Team Test, drawn up by Dr. \"'\', Baln, wa s judged by Drs. E. T. Tatlow and H. B. \XTalker. The card of instructlOn was as fo11O\\'s: " "\ well shaft has collapsed, imprisoning two men who were working in it. Rescue \\'ork is in progress, and as each casualt) is brought to the surface you are rquired to diagnose and treat the injuries and transfer the patient to a waiting 110tor !\mbulance."

The effects of the "accident" were, in the first patient, apoplexy and abrasions on face, and in the second patient compound complicated fracture of right femur, middle third, with protusion of bone and arterial bruise on left temple and concussion. Twelve minutes was allowed for each team

Jones, Privates \. Lowe ll, F. Rogers, W, Cox (Bishop's Lydeard Section), and I!. J' I Ieard.

Commenting on the performance of the teams, Dr_ Walker said the work of the \vinning team was exceedJngl) in fact all the: teams had put Lip a very 110C perrormance, but some of them had not got on to the hxmorrhage yuick enough and had therefore lost points.

Dr. said it had been a very good test and performance of all the teams had been splendid; In all cases the treatment was correct, but some did not realise that the left arm ane! leg of the hrst patient were mon: flaccid and limp.

on the Duck Cup competition, Dr. Bam saId Prn ate I amb'5 performance was extremel) p;oo d ane! one o( the bc"t performances he had LTer see n in a competition.

Both cur's \\ ere to the WInners by Mr (1, r. Lutrrcll (Vice-President of the Di\ ision), who .how n uch she had enjoyed watching the comI etH10 (1 and congratulated not onh the \\'ioncr<; but all the m mbers 'for the kcennl ss efficie nC\ the\ pu t into thet r \\ ()r\.;.

()L;"'E )

The Ollle\ Di\ ision held their first \onual Dinner In their nn; } kadguartcrs on \Iarch 16; about 80 were prc;<.,cnt including members and guests. The chair was occupied by the W' E. Pebody, LSll., J.P., and am(}ng the \-isltors \\'ere (he fo11O\\ in g: Major Dan'il- Smith, CB.L (Co unt\ Com missioner ), County OB1ccr \frc.;, SC()tt, :.'Ilr. cottEvans, Count} Officers E. \. Bishop, W' T. }·'::'night and \'\. (. knight, uperintcnclent T. ,\ mblllancL' Officer Shelton, llpcnntcndent , c. I Iolmes, Dr. and ;\Ir<;. Chc\ aliter, ;\1rs. Grindon, ;\lr. 1nd ;\'frs. C.;\1. \Hen, :.'Ill'. \. J. \\ ifrrn, ;\fr. and :'11'.. J.ord, \11'. 11olJingshcacl,- A[r. J. C. -ichoI15, .nem bers ()f the \mbulance Dn ision, \vith upenn t<...ndcnt T. Dix and the K ursin o Di\'isio n with Lad) uperintendent l\li s 0

TRO \\BRIDG1"

their friends were entertained to tea by the Trowbridge Division at the Round Stone Hotel.

County Commissioner A. R. Towerzey presented the Towerzey Cup to Corporal Smith's team ,; also t?e Walker Cup given by Messrs. Walker for compenon from teams of the Swindon Division.

This is the third year in succession that Corporal Smith's team has won the Towerzey and Walker Cups.

3 (EASTERl ) DI TRICT.

LEICE TER.

1\ \-ery interesting event took place on :\Iarch I I at The Bell Hotel, Leicester, to celebrate the Jubilee (50 !'ears) of the Leicester ·ursing Di\-ision , and the (25 years) of the Vaughan College 1 ursing DIVISIon, The Lady Corps Officers and the Lady Officers of these two J. ursing Diyisions invited their officers of the Leicester Corps ::\ ursing Divi"lOns, also the past officers of the two Di\,Tisions making the celebration, to a Dinner and Social Eyening.

, \mongst those present were: J.ad,' Count" Officer G. E. Partridge, Honorary Lady 'Corps M. I. Partridge; also Polla rd, tanyon former Lady Di\Tisional uperinot the 1\ursing Division), :\Irs. Cardlnal Taylor, tounder and first Lad,- Di\Tisional of the yaughan College :\ur ing DnTlslOn, 1\IIS5 E, TO\Yl, hrst Lad, Ambulance Officer of the Vaughan College ing Di\-ision, and :.'IIiss F E. \llen, ent Corps uperintendem. County Officer 1IISS G. E. Partridge and ;\In. .b.oth _members of the original LeIcester DlnslOn rounded 50 :--ears ago.

\bRKl:1 H \RBOROCGH.

\"\ 'e deeply regret to announce the death of \lderman Geo. Green, \\'ho died at hi home at ;\Iarket Harborough on March at the age. of 2.

The results of the contests were announced as follows :-Luttrell Cup: "B" Team, 94 (possible 100); "c" Team, 81 points; ":c" Team 79 points; "A" Team, 7I points; "D" Team , 70 points; and" F" Team, 6 I points.

Duck Cup: Private E. S. Lamb, 4I points (out ot' 45); runner-up, Private F. Capron, 38 points.

The winning team consisted of Sergeant F. G

The" Duck" Cup (given by a former member fo r individual competition for members of not more tha n 5 years service) was judged by Dr. Bain. In thi s the competitors were required to treat a simpll fracture of humerus and compound fracture of femu r with II6

The results ot the Competitions of the \V'iltshire Divisions held at Trowbrido'e recently were a: follows :_ b

even teams took part: windon, 3 teams; alisbury, 2 teams; Box, T team; Trowbridge, kam.

, The judges were Dr. C E. . Fleming and Dr. B. H. ( arter.

The results were: 1st, S\vindon, orporal 1\' mith, 186 marks; 2nd, Trowbridge, ergcant E. Carter, 181; 3rd, Salisbury, Ambulance Officer Kirkbride, 174.

After the competitions tl1e members of teams and

, \lderman Green \\-as one of the pioneers of the Market Harborough Di\Tision and \\-as successiveh . ecretar;', •\mbulance Officer, 'uperintende m and fmally SInce 1924 and umil his death Treasurer. His hfrieth year of ambulance work wa celebrated in 1935 by a r -union dinner and presentation. The fine Headquarters and modern equipment of the Diyision to-da)' are largely the result of Mr. Green's efforts, and his passing lea\ s a gap \yhich will be hard to fill.

\ prominent primer and stationer in the town his other interest were not confined to _ work, for he was Chain.nan of the Bench of 1Iagistrates, a County ounCl1101', Goyernor of Leice ter lnfirmary, Chairman of the Building ocietr and Royal \ ssembly Rooms 0., also the TO\x:n a-nd a member of Committ es too numerous to mention.

The funeral took place at Market Harboroun-h on 1Iarch 4 and \Vas attended by many repre of

the various bodies to which Mr. Green belonged, including many members of St. Peter's Lodge of Freemasons, of which he was a Past Master, and the local Division of Police.

The Brigade was represented by County Commissioner Geo. F. Browne, Officers and N.CO.s and Members of both Ambulance and Nursing Divisions, while six N.CO.s acted as bearers. Mr. Green was a Serving Brother of the Order of St. John. No. 4 (LANCASHIRE) DISTRICT

SOUTHPORT.

Corps Superintendent L. Yewdall presided at the Annual Meeting, and paid a great tribute to the work which had been done by the members of the Ambulance and Nursing Divisions during the past twelve months, and that the total strength of the Corps was now 106 men and women. The total number of cases treated was 891 and the public duties done were 3,7 1 I.

The following is a copy of a letter received by one of our members :-

DEAR SIR,-My wife and I would like you to know something of our gratitude to you for being the donor of a blood transfusion last Thursday morning. The transfusion was successful and saved my wife's life.

You will know how clifficult it is to find words which adequately express at a time like this, but I would at least like you to know that your action has been deeply admired and appreciated by us both. With very sincere thanks, Yours truly, Ro ALD V. SPIVEY.

Total number of cases removed during the past 12 months, 378; mileage, 8,73 2 •

LAMPORT Cup COMPETITION.

In spite of the fact that they probably represented one of the smallest Divisions participating in the competition, the Pressall team gained the high distinction of registering most marks in an interesting competition at the Friends' Hall, recently. and thus for the first time since they have entered the contest they carried off the Lamport trophy against the challenge of six other tean:s from the north-west part of the county.

It was a magnificent performance, and Pressall's victory was given its heartiest reception by members of the other teams who came from Morecambe and Heysham, Barrow-in-Furness, Preston, Ulverston, Poulton-Ie-Fylde, and Thornton.

Pressall had a comfortable margin of 19t points over their nearest rivals, Morecambe and Heysham, who were second with 240 marks; and Ulverston was third with 239 marks. They received the cup at

the hands of Mr. W. G. Smith, of Liverpool, Commissioner for No. 4 District St. John Ambulance Brigade.

No. 5 (NORTH-EASTERN) DISTRICT. NOTTINGHAM.

The third annual general meeting of the Nottingham Corps N.CO.s Club was held on March 3 at the Premier Sporting Club, Nottingham. The Hon. Secretary in his report said the work being done by the members of the N.CO.s Club was now being greatly appreciated by the Officers of the Nottingham Corps.

Owing to pending promotion Company-SergeantMajor Peake was unable to continue his Chairmanship of the Club, and Mr. A. Hackett was elected to this position, a vote of thanks being recorded to Mr. Peake for his past services. Corporal Morland was re-elected Hon. Secretary and Sergeant Budworth Hon. Treasurer.

The Competition for the N.CO.s Trophy was held at the Premier Sporting Club on 11arch 20.

The Trophy is a beautiful example of the silversmith's art and stands 14 inches high. It was purchased by the N.CO.s Club and offered for annual competition.

Time proves it to be a

SOUND INVESTM ENrr

Teams were asked to treat a man who was supposed to have fallen through the glass roof of a works on to a machine below, fracturing his spine and lacerating his hand. In addition there were practical and oral tests.

The winners were: Cinderhill Division, 202 points; Mapperley, 178; and Carrington,

The prizes were presented to the winning teams by Mrs. I. Gianelli.

The Corps Surgeon, Major J. Cohen, congratulated the teams on their work and in particular the members of the N.CO.s. Club for their excellent arrangement of the tests.

The judges were: For the Team Test, Sergeant Oral, Corporal Branson and Hon. Sergeant Chilton; Practical, Sergeant Budworth and Hon. Sergeant Hopewell.

TI-IE SHEFFIELD NURSING- DIVISION.

In reviewing the work done during the year 19r by members of the Sheffield Nursing Division, we must again record appreciation of the amount of work put in by the members. The total duties recorded were 2,078, involving 8,919 hours,

The following teams entered: City Division, 2 teams; Central Division, 1; Carrington Division, 1 Cinderhill Division, 1; Radford Division, 1; Robin Hood Division, 2; Bulwell Division, 1; MetroCammell, I; Mapperley Division, 1; and Sneinton Division, team. lIS

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with a total of 1,309 cases. There is a slight decrease in the number of duties and hours on the previous year, the figures for which were 2,156 duties, 9,283 hours and 1,262 cases, but the number of cases treated creates yet another record, being the highest ever recorded

We are again pleased to note that the ursing Division still retains first place in the Corps Summary for the total duties performed, and the average duties per member, which is 41, this figure is, however, less than the previous year, attributable to an increase in membership, and a decrease in the number of duties.

CifJ' of ShefJield Central Alllbulallce Service.- The total figures for 1937 show a decrease of 123 duties and 604 hours compared with the previous year, the Sheffield Nursing Division being 56 duties and 277 hours less than in the year 1936.

The following figures show the number of duties performed during the year :-

No. of members

Duties. Hours. who helped Sheffield Nursing Division 380 1,802 14

Heeley Nursing Division 52 zz i 2

Ranm oor Nursing Di vision 49 269t Stocksbridge ursmg Division 42 16 9 3 Handsworth Nursing D ivision 90 47 1! 4 Firth Park ursIng Division 39 1591 4

Total 652 3,0931 28

PONTEFRACT

The urgen t need to rouse people to undertake airraid precautions was stressed b y the Chief Constable of the West Riding (Mr. G. V. Vaughan), the Mayor of Pontefract (Councillor G Wright, J.P.), and other speakers, at the annual dinner of the Pontefract Corps . Corps Superintendent T. C. Amery presided over a gathering of some 60 officers and gues ts. In addition to the Chief Constable and the Mayor and Mayoress , the guests included the Chief of Staff of No. 5 District of the Brigade (Mr H. C. Else) and Mrs. Else; the Assistant Commissioner of the Southern Area, and Home Office Lecturer for the North of England (Dr. K. A H. Beverley, of Worsborough) and Mrs . Beverley; Lady Di strict Officer Miss Ashbury, of Sheffield; County Surgeon and Mrs. T. C. A. Sweetman, of Hemsworth; Corps Surgeons F. W. Sullivan, of South Kirkby ; and B. I Z()

1lart, O.B.E., of l \rmthorpe; Mr. G. E. Guest, J.P., and Mrs. Guest, of Ackworth.

After the lo yal toast had been honoured, the Chief Constable proposed "The St. John Ambulance Brigade, Pontefract and District Corps." W.hat greater object could any manhave, he asked, than to help those who could not help themselves? Tht Brigade, with its no\\' consummated training was able to produce real experts, and performed a very definite service to the community, which he was happy to acknowledge. He recalled that, at the Brigade dinner at Pontefract two or thrce ycars ago, hc 1T1cntioneJ Pontefract as second in the " black li st" of policL divisions for road accidents, and said the fact that every year, in the county, 250 people w rc kiJled and 6,000 injured, was a matter for \'ery gra\ e concern.

Even an the Pontefract Division, last year, there \VerL 19 people killed and 360 injured-one person pe day, either killed or injured. It brought the problem very near home; and not only the police, but othebodies such as the Ambulance Bri gade, could help greatl y in the matter

Llr-;'COL

The Lincoln Corps has suffered the loss of anotheof its long service members by the death recently 0 f Corps Superintendent Herbert B. eaton, who joined the Corps in 1904 and ro e to be it uperintendent in lvIarch, 1932, and made a Serving Brother of tht. Order, 11arch, 1932. He later qualified as an \.R P. Instructor. He inaugurated the first \.R.P. courSL in the City, and with other officers succeeded ir. training class to a successful examination. I k was an associate of the Royal In stitute.

The funeral seryice v,as attended lw the forme Assistant Commissioner, Lieutenant-Coioncl F. Lambert, the present \ ssistant Commissioner, Captain G. B . . \rmstrong, the Corps Surgeon, Dr. J. Hadley, the former Corps uperintendent, \'{T. Trafford, 11r. A . Lane, Esq., Association Secretary, the District and others from B os ton and SpaId 109 who with the Corps Officers numbered 14, with 30 other ranks attending, four members acting as bearcrs uncler Corporal H. Kirby. -lany friends of tbe church where he has been a faithful worker attended the sen-ice, and numerous floral tributes includcd an eight-pointed cross from Officers of South Lincs area and wreath<. from the City School and Borough Police Officers He leaves a widow and one son and daughter.

SPALDI G.

The annual competition for the" Enderby" hield, the S. Lincs area troph y, was held at Boston on March 6, the judges were Dr. R. E. Pilchcr (team), Drs. R Flower and Greenwood for individual.

The shield was presented by the Mayoress, Mrs. Mountain. Results were (total 400): Spalding, 359 ; Skegness, 3 24; B ourne, 321 ; Boston, 314;

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305; Stamford A., 301; Stamford B., 296; Lincoln, 288.

No. 6 DISTRICT. SCARBOROUGH.

Although he was in a very high concentration of chloracetophenone (CA.P.) tear gas for a period of three to four minutes, the Mayor carne out smiling, thanks to the efficiency of the Service respirator he was wearing.

The occasion was the visit of the York City gas van to the St. John's Road Barracks, and through the courtesy of the Commanding Officer, about 40 members of the general public (students of a St. John Ambulance Brigade A.R.P. course) and some 20 members of the Scarborough Division, were allowed to experience the demonstration.

All the three kinds of respirator were worn, namely, the Service, the Public Duty and the General Public, and all proved perfect protection against gas.

Along with other participants, His Worship received instructions in the fitting, wearing and testing of a respirator from Ambulance Officer Atkinson, a Home Office 1st Class Instructor, who was in charge of the party, and also how to "test for gas" when in doubt as to the condition of the surrounding atmosphere when wearing the respirator.

The annual Scarborough and District ambulance competition for the" Benjamin Grey Challenge Cup" was held at the Scarborough Boys' High School, the Mayor and Mayoress being very interested spectators.

This competition consists of a team test and individual oral and practical tests, and is open to teams of four members of the St. John Ambulance Brigade.

Two teams from Whitby, one from Malton and one from Scarborough competed, the judges being Dr. Baker (Scarborough) team test, Dr. Vincent (Filey Divisional Surgeon) individual tests, the team test " patient" requiring treatment for concussion, temporal hremorrhage, injury to right shoulder and fractured right femur.

In his remarks Dr. Baker congratulated the teams on their first-aid and stretcher work, but said be would like to have seen the " unconscious state" given more preferential treatment.

Mter the Mayoress had presented the cup and medals, the Mayor expressed the opinion that the public generally did not appreciate the amount of time and practice which the St. John man had to put in to keep efficient. It was a most interesting and useful work, and he wished the Brigade every success.

The result was: 1st, Whitby A, 261 points; 2nd, Scarborough, 240 points; 3rd, Whitby B, 231 points; 4th, Melton, 228 points.

Superintendent Wberritt thanked the judges, the Mayor and Mayoress, the Education Authorities (for the use of the school), also the " patients," scouts of the 28th Scarborough (All Saints) Troop.

The Annual General Meeting of the Scarborough Division was held recently, presided over by Superintendent J. H. Wherritt, practically all members of the Division being present.

Surveying the past year, the Secretary stated that 35 drills had been held, and congratulated Private Walker on winning the " Cliffe" shield with 100 per cent. attendances, while Private Holborn was only one drill behind.

The Silver Shield, for individual first-aid competition, was also won by Private Walker, and the Ernest Camps Cup (for Non-Medallion holders) was won by Private Muir.

Of the 1,490 duties performed, 1,365 were done at three picture houses and the Fire Station alone, 75 at the world famous" Faust," and 40 at the Corporation galas. Members were also on duty at very many public events held throughout the season.

The first-aid cases treated numbered 150, including 64 road accidents.

At the next annual inspection three of the members hope to receive the Service Medal, and two, already this award, hope to receive the bar to it.

The Division now has two Grade and two Grade 2 A.R.P. Instructors.

CRAWLEY.

The Annual General Meeting of the Crawley Nursing Division was held at the Congregational Schoolroom on March 2.2. Divisional Surgeon R. H. Knight was in the chair, supported by Lady Divisional Superintendent Miss Matthews, Miss Church, Treasurer, and Mrs. Coker, Secretary.

The Treasurer presented a very satisfactory statement of accounts and report of the year's expenditure.

The Secretary stated that the total membership was 17 Nursing Sisters, I Surgeon and I Superintendent, and the work carried out by them was as follows: Ambulance attendances, 89; hospital duties, 128; roadside hut (Sundays only during the summer), 32. ; public duty, 4; accidents in homes, 12.; drills, 42 (average per member 26).

HORSHAM

For the first time for many years the Horsham Division of the St. John Ambulance Brigade held its own social function recently as an occasion for thedistribution of the awards gained during the year.

Previously the Brigade and the Horsham Centre of the Southern Railway Ambulance Brigade have 122

held a joint function. This year the former have a Nursing Division, a band of ladies who have volunteered for first-aid service and have qualified to act in any emergency with the Ambulance Division.

The chair was taken by Assistant Commissioner David Bryce, J.P., who was supported by Superintendent W. E. JupP, Ambulance Officers E. G. Chase and F. C CJapp, together with Lady Superintendent Miss Assheton Biddulph.

No. 8 (DUKE OF CONNAUGHT'S) DISTRICT. COBHAM.

The first l \nnual General Meeting of the Cobham Nursing Division was held at 8 p.m. on January 4, the Divisional Surgeon, Dr. A. J. Gibbs, D.M., RCh., M.R.CS., L.R.CP., being in the chair.

It was stated that the total strength of the Division was 15, all of whom had passed the re-examination by Dr. Lionel Lankester, and attended the inspection by Lady District Superintendent Mrs. C Falwasser, CSt.].

During the year the members undertook 256 cinema duties, 36 hospital attendances, and attended the ambulance 15 times, as well as taking duties on the road hut, at gymkhanas, garden parties, etc.

Thanks were given to the President, Lady :McAlpine, for her kindly interest in the Division, to Dr. Gibbs and the Nursing Officer, Mrs. 11. Bennett, .R.N.,

CM.B., I.S.M., for the most interesting lectures they gave during the year, in addition to the ordinary courses of First Aid and Home Nursing lectures. Lady Divisional Superintendent Mrs. D. M. Briggs was thanked for the hard work she had contributed to the Division during the year, and which was greatly appreciated. Miss K Smith was congratulated on her appointment as Lady Ambulance Officer.

All members have obtained A.R.P. Certificates, and in a recent examination four members qualified tli Grade Instructors.

It is now 9} years since this Division was formally registered at Headquarters on June 26, 1928.

It is satisfactory to record that during the past year the Division has been well supported by its members, and that almost without exception the duties imposed upon them have been conscientiously carried out.

The following particulars relating to the public duties carried out throughout the year are of interest:

Average individual attendance for drills, 29.4; number of cases attended, 187, made up as follows: Patients removed, 129; road accidents, 46; minor cases attended, 12.

The total mileage covered by the Ambulance was 3,465 miles, of which 531 miles applied to the treatment of road accidents.

Annual Re-examination.-The annual re-examination in first aid was held on January 17 and 24 this year, , '_.",A To those interested in Surgical and Medical Work the Sick Berth Staff· of

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the examiner being Dr. G. D. Barton, of \Xleybridgc. Only one member failed to attend and all those taking the examination "\,Te re successful.

o. 9 DlSTRICT. REDRUTH.

On Sunday, 1Iarch 13, the members of the Redruth Ambulance Division organised the 12th ,\nn ual Sportsmen's unday The portsmen's Service usually attracts one of the largest indoor gatherings in Cornwall, and this year it exceeded all records. The procession to the Redruth Fore treet :Mcthodist Church was one of the most imposing of its kind seen in the to\\"n and comprised representatiyes of all the porting Clubs in the district, Territorials, Police, Camborne-Redruth C.D C. Councillors, Fire Brigade, Rover Scouts, Girl Guides, British Legion, Fellowships and Bible Classes from the various churches, _\rnbulance Dh-islons from Redruth, Stithians, Illogan, St. Iyes, St. ", \gnes, Truro, and Camborne, Cadets, .Ambulance urses and mal1\' other public bodies. The parade ,vas in charge a'f Colonel J. E. T. Barbary, O.B.E. (T.D .), and the band of the Cornwall Ro\-al r\rtillcrv and Redruth Town and Camborne Bands wer'e in attendance.

Assistant County Commissioner \XT. W . Johnston, accompanied by Corps Officer C. Tresidder, ,\,Tas in charge of the Ambulance section of the parade. The spacious Fore Street Church was filled to its utmost capacity for the senTice, nearly 2,000 being present, and an inspiring address was given by the Rev. A. G. Payne (a former footballer), who took as his subject" Goal!" The Chief Constable of Cornwall, Major E. Hare, presided, and delightful musical items were rendered by the Illogan Boys' School Choir. Mr. Harry Rich, the President of the Redruth Ambulance Division, appealed to the public for a continuance of the splendid support they were now giving the members of the Redruth Ambulance, and also gave a short summary of the work of the Division. In the evening the Treverva Male Voice Choir gave a Sacred Concert in the Fore Street Methodist Church, when Mr. James Glasson, c.c., Chairman of the Redruth Ambulance Committee, presided. There was again a large gathering of the general public. The proceeds for the day totalled over £25 for the Divisional funds

Northern Ireland District

The sympathy of the officers and members of the St. John Ambulance Brigade has been extended to their Commissioner-Mr. Ian Fraser-in the great loss he has sustained in the death of his only child-little John Fraser, who was two years old last Christmas Day and had already won the affection of those who knew him.

Amongst the hundreds of letters of sympathy sent to Mr. and Mrs. Fraser were those of the Ulster Joint V.A.D. Committee, St. John Ambulance Association and the St. John Ambulance Briga de.

RAILWAY NEWS

London Midland & Scottish Railway

Preliminary Anlbulance Competition

HUMAN ANATOMY, OSTEOLOGY,

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There was a large attendance at the fourth annual dinner, when the prizes were distributed by the

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Mayor (Alderman Geo. Barlow). .J\fr. L. C. Brittlebank presided.

The Mayor proposed "The L.1f.S. Ambulance Movement," and Mr. Brittlebank in reply said that they were grateful to Dr. Welsh for giving instruction. Mr. Arthur :Moore proposed "The Visitors" and Mr. H. Rutt (Grosvenor Chater & Co., Ltd.) responded. In proposing the toast of " The Doctors," Mr. A. E. Mawson said the work the members of the medical profession did on their behalf was remarkable, and Dr. Welsh, who replied, was warmly received. DERBY.

An outline of the work of the Carriage and Wagon Department Ambulance Corps was given by Mr. E. Pugson, when he presided at the annual dinner of the Corps. In replying to the toast of " The C. and W. Corps," proposed by Dr. W. St. John, :Mr. Pugs on complimented the C.M.E. Erecting Shop Team on winning the Duke of Portland Shield, and paid tribute to Mr. H. C. Healey, the former Class Secretary, who was presented with a chromium and bakelite coffee table. Earlier in the day Mr. Healey had also been presented with a silver salver and tea service from ambulance men in the district and with an electric clock from the District Committee.

Mr. Pugs on also congratulated Mr. Healey, who together with Messrs. W. W. Gilbert, J. W. Wagg and F. J. Gilbert, have been admitted as Serving Brothers to the Order of St. John.

G.N. Final Ambulance Competition, 1938

The Final Competition for this Section took place in the Gymnasium, Liverpool Street Station, on Thursday, March 24, 1938.

The result was as follows :Marks gained. Maximum. King's Cross Loco. 331 450 New England 329 Nottingham 3 3 Boston 295t Drighlington 257 Doncaster 224

The King's Cross Locomotive team will, therefore, represent the Great Northern Section in the Group Competition to be held at the Board Room, Marylebone on April 26, 1938.

The Group Competition decides which two teams are to represent the L.N.E.R. in the Inter-Railway and England v. Scotland Competitions. Teams from the G.c., G.E., G.N., and N.B. areas will compete.

Southern Railway POOLE.

There was a happy gathering at the Antelope Hotel, Poole, recently, when the Poole and District Ambulance class held their annual dinner, at which the presentation of awards took place.

u6

11r. F. P. Watts (Assistant Divisional Superintendent) was in the chair, supported by Mr. A. Holdaway (Station :Nlaster, Poole), Mr. A. E. Hoare (Locomotive Foreman, Bournemouth), Mr. G. Fryer (Station Master, Bournemouth), Mr. V. H. Jury (Station 1-1aster, Bournemouth West).

Before asking Mr. Holdaway to present the awards, the Chairman spoke with regret of the passing of Dr. M. Lamb, who was the instigator of the annual function. He was also tl1e first lecturer of the classes, and held the office for seven years in succession. "He was a friend of railway men in particular," he added.

Mr. Holdaway remarked that as they had won the cup in the Divisional Competition held at Southampton, Poole now had to take part in competitions in the senior section. He added that the team worked wonderfully well under the guidance of Mr. Bryant.

A prominent worker in the ambulance world has retired from the Company's service-I refer to Mr. G. R. \Vard, late Inspector, Ramsgate, Kent.

Mr. Ward gained his first certificate 1899, was the holder of the 7, 14, and 2 - year medals of the Association, and, finally, received the 30-year certificate in 1935. He was made a Serving Brother of the Order in 1928, was a member of the Centre Committee, and acted as District Secretary for many years.

Mr. Ward joined the service as a porter at Grove Ferry in 1894, was later made signalman, holding the latter position for 32 years; in 1926 was promoted to the position of Station Foreman at :Minster, Thanet, and in 1929 was given a position at Ramsgate as Inspector.

His colleagues gathered together in the guards' room at Ramsgate recently, to wish him Godspeed, and to present him with gifts for himself and wife as an appreciation of their happy associations.

Mr. Smith (Station Master, Ramsgate) in making the presentation, spoke in appreciative terms of Mr. Ward's long connection with the railway and the ambulance work in particular.

No. 27 (West Ham) Nursing Division

First Aid Classes to be h eld at 'X hitehall Place School (Ground Floor), Infants Department, Forest Gate, E.7, commencing April 26, 1938 (Tuesdays), 7 to 9.30 p.m.

Approximately six lectures.

Lecturer: F. M. Hogg, M.B., Ch.B. Fee 3s. 6d., including Examination.

All enqulr1eS to Lady Superintendent Miss Strathern, 10, Claremont Road, E.7, or to Lady Ambulance Officer and Hon. Secretary Mrs. Dyke, 3 I, Mitcham Road, E.6.

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OFFICIAL GAS CHARTS

No. I Chart shows gas derivations.

No. 2 is a full and complete educational chart of U Typical War Gases."

Everyone taking an "A.R.P." Course should be in possession of these charts which are now available for general issue to all St. John organisations at a nominal fee. I

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ESTIMATES AND SAMPLES ON REQUESI

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CON T EN T S

Editorial

First Aid to t he Injured

Lingual (or Tongue) Asphyxia

.Air Raid Precau tions

Bngade News

Mrs. Dent's Tour

Hygienic Measu res and ilospital Organi:;.ltion of the luhan Expeditionary Forces during the Ethiopian War, 1935-1936

Interesting Case Reports

Questions and Answers

Railway News

Priory fo r Wales

Brigade Finals

CHANCERY OF THE ORDER, S T JOHN'S GATE, CLERKENWELL LONDON, E. C. I

T he Efficient First Aider

" The work of an effi cient doc tor is neve r fini shed.

Any medical man who b eli eve d that hi s medical

ed u cation was over at the time he qualliied would be misleading himself. He must go on. His search for knowledge ends only with death or retirement. "

These words, spoken by a distinguished physician, apply just as much to the first-aider as the doctor. The maintenance of efficiency in first aid is the result of continuous p r actice.

I t is true that the first -aider is not concerned with r esearch or with_the improvement of the science of first-aid. This is done for him by people adequately qualified for the work and he is presented from time to time with the results of their labours in the form of amendments and improyements in the books which he studies.

The efficient first-aider is, therefore, concerned merely with the acquisition of complete knowledge of his subject and (and this is probably more important than anything else) with absolu tely first-class practice. He may be well-grounded in the theory of first aid ; he may be able to quote verbatim from the 1vlanual, but unless he can translate his know ledge into one hundred per cent efficiency in practical work he is at as great a disadvantage as the actor who, having learned his part, sufFer s from stage fr ight and fo r gets his lines at t h e crucial mom ent.

Injured" I "First Aid to the 5---

(Contil1uedfrom page 101, April issue)

It is a curious fact that neither in the Revised nor in the 38th Edition do the Rules for compressing the Femoral artery give instructions to flex the thigh; and yet in each the accompanying diagram shows the patient with flexed thigh.

The description of the Posterior Tibial artery shows two changes, (I) its pulsations being felt " midway between ankle and knee" in place of the previous " behind the large bone at the inner side of the ankle"; and (2) its division into the Plantar arteries being now definitely stated. To the description of the Plantar Arch there is now added a sentence which states-" From which branches run along either side of each toe"-and so amends a curious omission in previous issues of the Textbook. Next there have been added instructions for arresting venous hremorrhage from the sole pf the foot as a kind of opposite number to those for controlling arterial bleeding from the palm of the hand.

Under the General Rules for Treatment of Wound accompanied by Capillary Hremorrhage, the pad of cotton wool, etc. (which was omitted in the 38th Edition) has been restored and the instruction to "Remove foreign bodies " is now qualified (here and also for wounds which are accompanied by Arterial and Venous hremorrhages) by the additional words-" which can be seen lying loose in the wound." Further these Rules now include an instruction to apply the bandage lightly "if the presence of foreign body or fracture is suspected."

Under the General Rules for Treatment of Wound accompanied by Venous Hremorrhage, Rule 6 now reads: "Apply firm bandage round limb near the wound " Incidentally the absence of instructions to remove this bandage after the wound has been dressed seems to suggest that in all cases it is to be left in position whereby in practically all cases unnecessary discomfort would be incurred by the patient.

Under Treatment of Burst Varicose Vein the Rules have been completely re-written and increased from 7 to 10, several errors of omission in the previous Edition being now corrected. Thus, the bandages round the limb- are to be placed in position before

the wound is dressed; an antiseptic is to be used; a dry dressing is to be applied; and finally the leg is to be kept elevated.

Next comes a general change; Wounds of Abdominal Wall and Bites by venomous snake and rabid animals being transferred to this Chapter, whilst Hremorrhage from Special Regions now follows in a Chapter of its own.

Little alteration has been made in the treatment of Wounds of Abdominal Wall. Section A., however, now deals with conditions "when there is no protrusion of organs" and recommends the use of an antiseptic, while Section B. sets out the old instructions for handling cases "when the intestine or other'" organs protrude, except (I) that a warning has been added to "Make no attempt to replace organs," (2) that salt is now named in place of table salt which often contains other ingredients and, (3) that the hot fomentation is now to be at the body temperature instead of, as previously, "as hot as can be borne» and to be changed every fifteen (in place of every thirty) minutes.

The Revjsion Committee has done well in unravelling the previous jumbled instructions with reference to "Wounds by Poisoned Weapons and Bites of Venomous Snakes and Rabid Animals," those due to Poisoned Weapons being now dropped from the Textbook. These instructions have been entirely re-written with the expert advice of Dr. Hamilton Fairley, whose help in this connection is gracefully acknowledged in the Preface.

The section which deals with Snake Bites opens w.ith a warning !hat "immediate action is necessary to prevent the spread of the venom throughout the body." It then sets out the treatment of a Bite on a limb, for which it lays down six Rules, among which are warnings emphasising ( 1) the uselessness of constrictions placed round forearm and leg; (2) the need to avoid administration of alcohol; and (3) the necessity to commence artificial respiration "if the breathing is failing." There is to be no scratching of the wound which is now to be washed" with a weak (pale pink) solution of permanganate of potash."

The section closes with instructions as to how the above Rules are to be modified" if the bite is elsewhere than on a limb." Incidentally the term" upper arm" looks strange in our Textbook!

The section which deals with Bite by Rabid Animal explains that in this case the poison travels along the nerves and so differs in its action from snake venom which is absorbed directly into the veins. By way of treatment constriction of the limb sufficient to cause congestion, keeping the affected part low, and bathing with a pale pink solution of permanganate of potash are the first steps. These are to be followed by cauterisation of the bite if the doctor is not "within a few minutes." Lunar caustic is named as a substitute for carbolic or nitric acid, a fact which surprises me because lunar caustic does not act deeply and is consequently an admirable agent on& lvhell we wish to obtain a limited caustic action. In these circumstances the warning that (( every tooth mark is to be probed and cauterised separately" is very necessary with lunar caustic. Cauterisation, however, is to be omitted if more than thirty minutes have lapsed since the patient was bitten.

Chapter X (HcelJlorrhage from Special &giolls).

This is the Chapter VIII of the 38th Edition which dealt each with" Injuries to Internal Organs," and it has been extended to cover, as its title states, from pecial Regions.

The introduction to the instructions on Ha::morrhage from an Internal Organ has been altered and now includes the possible causes. The Signs and Symptoms are the same except that the previous No. 2 (pallor of face) now becomes o. I. It is difficult for me to appreciate the reasons which have influenced the Revision Committee in its choice of sequence of the signs and symptoms, these being unnecessarily intermingled. Personally, I find that it simplifies matters for my Students if I teach (a) general effects (NO.2); (b) circulatory effects (Nos. I and 4); (c) respiratory efforts (Nos. 3 and 5); and nervous effects (Nos. 2 and 6)-my references here being as in the Revised Edition.

Next follow the special points dealing with hremorrhage from lungs, stomach, liver, spleen, pancreas, intestines, kidneys and bladder. Treatment for these is covered by three short Rules which emphasise the need to take prompt steps to counteract shock and to give nothing by mouth except in hremorrhage from the lungs when ice mar be given to suck.

Following closely on the lines recommended in the previous Edition, this Chapter ends with instructions for the treatment of bleeding from within the mouth from the nose and from the ear channel and with a description of the causes and treatment of bruises.

Chapter XI (The Respiratory System).

The description of the Respiratory System is identical with that which appeared in the 38th Edition, except that the sentence-" and practically wherever a rib is felt. . . there is lung beneath"-has been withdrawn.

Next comes what is probably the most important change in the Revised Textbook. Before t, I would cordially congratulate the ReVISIon Committee on the wisdom of its decision to discard the Prone Pressure Method of Artificial Respiration (which it introduced in the 38th Edition and against which some of us always protested) and to adopt the Schafer Method as taught to-day by the Royal Life Saving Society. Truly this unity of action the part of the two organisations most interested In the subject is much to be commended.

In this connection, however, I would point out to lecturers and senior students that the method introduced by Schafer in 19°3 (which used to figure in the Textbook) was modified and approved in certain particulars by Schafer himself in 193 I. There is need, therefore, for close attention to the alterations on the part of lecturers and students.

First, then, Schafer taught originally that the operator should kneel aside or astride the patient and that he should persevere with the movements for hours if necessary. Experience down the years has proven (I) that the aside position is less fatiguing for the individual who has to carrv our the movements over a period alone and assistance; and (2) that the astride position (which, though slightly more efficient, puts a big strain on the operator's adductor thigh muscles and consequently on his knees) requires relays of assistants.

Secondly, the operator's hands are now placed in a natural position on the small of the patient's back, their lo\.ver edges Erst clearing the top of the pelvi and the fingers being in opposition and wrapped round the lowest ribs. By this means the operator is protected from further muscular fatigue such as arises when, as in the 19°3 Schafer 11ethod the thumb is held at right angles to the extended fingers or when in the Prone Pressure :Method of America, as it used to be taught, the thumb is kept firmly in contact with the fingers.

Thirdly the photographs, which demonstrate the: modern chafer lYfethod, are correct and were specially prepared for the Textbook under the personal supervision of :Mr. A. c. P. }landover, who represented the Royal Life Saving Society in its discussions with the Revision Committee.

Silvester's Iethod is again restored to the body of the Textbook and is to be used only when it is impossible to turn the patient on to his .face. It description is identical with that in previous Editions, except that an assistant is to "catch hold of the patient's tongue with a handkerchief," draw 'it forward, and hold it in that position. N.C.F. (To be continlled.)

The tongue is said to be a woman's .weapon, apart from this, let us consider hO\ll Important Its consideration is in our First Aid work.

On page 140 "First Aid to the Injured" (3 8th Edition) it is pointed out that the tongue of an insensible person is very apt to fall back on the epiglottis and so obstruct the windpipe.

It is obvious, therefore, that this is one of the causes of asphyxia and a very important one. The late Mr. Walsham, surgeon to St. Bartholomew's Hospital, used to call this condition " swallowing the tongue."

If any of you have seen an amesthetic you will have noticed that the amesthetlst takes particular care to ascertain if there are any false teeth to be removed and that the tongue shall not fall back during amesthetisation. This he does in various ways-by having ready a tongue to pull it forward, pressing, with his fingers> at the back of the angle of the jaw to push the ja:v forward and tongue with it, or even passing a ligature through Its tip so that it can be easily pulled forward.

There is ever the possibility of air-way becoming obstructed by the tongue as it loses its tone and as the jaw relaxes.

A more modern and more satisfactory method of overcoming the difficulty of getting air into the larynx during anresthetisation is by the of an artificial ainvcry into the mouth. It consIsts a hollow rubber tubing with a metal end. It 1S introduced as soon as anresthesia is induced.

As first-aiders, in most cases we are content with turning the head of the patient to one side, so that the tongue shall not obstruct the entrance to the larynx (windpipe). Sometimes it may be necessary to pull the tongue forward and hold it, or .secure. it by one of the following methods or something akin.

(a) Wrap a cloth round the tongue and pull it out and tie it securely to the chin.

(h) Wrap and pull out as above and secure it between two small bars tied together on either side.

Always bear in mind that too much stress cannot be laid on the fact that the falling back 9f the tongue is a great menace to the patient as he is. in danger of dyspncea (difficult or laboured breathing), or eve? death from asphyxia, as it prevents the ingress of aIr to the lungs; this is known as lingual (or tongue) asphyxia.

If artificial respiration is tried without ensuring that the tongue is not occluding the the pressure on the chest walls will force air out ot the lungs, but there will be no inspiration effort, thus causi.ng bilateral pulmonary collapse. of .the qUlck death. There is no risk of this WIth Schafer s method, because the tongue falls forward; but with Silvester's there is a very real one.

:Most trained ambulance workers w.ill turn eh(; patient's head to side, but all of them do not quite realise that this .1S done to prevent. the .tongue falling back and blocking the top of the wmdplpe and so causing what is known as a " ( or tongue) check valve." This tendency IS due not only to the unconscious state but also to gravity and suction.

All this is illustrated by a person lying on his back asleep-loud snoring often results. If him and tell him to lie on his side the snorrng w1ll cease.

Many deaths attributed to ca.rdiac (heart) in alcoholism are really due to lingual asphyxta.

The stertorous breathing in apoplexy, etc., also 10 the "death-rattle," is due to the flapping of the " lingual check valve."

Both conditions can be moderated, or cured, hy turning the patient's head to one side, possibly to a right-angle.

The tongue, falling sideways from the epiglottis, makes free a slit of suffiCIent SIze to afford a passage for air to pass to and fro.

II

Obituary

Mrs . W. Chaloner

With deep regret we record the death of Mrs. Chaloner, the wife of Lt.-Col. W. O.B.E., T.D., J.P., the Commissioner for Cheshire County, on April I, 1938, and whose funeral. took place at Manchester Crematorium on Aprll 14, 193 8

The service was conducted by the Rev. P. L. Adams, M.A., Rector of St. Mary'S, South Reddish; the Rev. H. Pinchbeck, M.A , Rector of St. Thomas', Stockport; and the Rev. Canon C. C. Ellis, M.A., Rector of the Dids bu ry Parish Church.

Air Raid Precautions • Questions

1. Q. Should not the respirator to be put on a Phosgene case immediately?

A . Yes, if air is still infected.

2. Q. Is it any use laying Phosgene patient on his face to prevent fluid getting to lungs?

A. No.

3· Q. Is there not liability of permanent injury from nose gases on account of arsenical poisoning?

A. A very remote liability and only after repeated exposures.

4· Q. Y ou say that respirators are 100 per cent. proof against sneezjng gases. Why then did these gases penetrate the war-time gas masks?

A. Because the early war respirators did not filter the sneezing gases, but they were quickly altered to protect against sneezing gases 20 years ago.

5· Q. Would you leave off the respirator to douche the eyes with liquid ga in it?

A. Yes.

6. Q. How can the eye be wiped or douched with the respirator on? Yet to take the respirator off may be fatal by inhalation of another gas, i.e., Phosgene.. Which is the lesser of the two evils?

A. If the respirator is on no liquid gas will get in the eve.

7· Q. \X ould it 'be an adyantage to encourage perspiration of a mustard case? Would that help to get gas out of system?

A. No.

8. Q. What of the danger of swallowing contaminated food or drink?

A. Dependent on the protection or neglect of food or drink.

9· Q. Should not all casualties be treated as contaminated and so cut out the uncontaminated rooms in a first aid post?

A. No, it would cause delay and the waste of bleach powder.

10 Q. Would you not use bleach paste on the rubber boots before boiling?

A. You could if you like. Bleach should be conserved for essential purposes.

11. Q. Respirator costs 2 guineas. Respirators Issued to general public cost 2S. 6d. What am I to say to the villager who says your is a good one, mine is cheap and nasty?

A. Say the lo:ve.r-}?riced one is 110t cheap and nasty, that It IS Just as effective as the service one, but does not last for so loner a time and tell him how each one A villager of the type depIcted mayor may not believe you even then!

and Answers

12. Q. If you know gas is in the house should one open door and windows to get rid of it, or what other remedy should the ordinary householder apply?

A. If gas-free signal has been given open all doors and windows. If not don't.

13. Q. Sulphuretted hydrogen-how do sewer men manage to avoid the danger?

A. Ventilation of sewers where men go is carefully observed. Short time of exposure. Occasionally masks.

14. Q. If carbon monoxide is heavier than air why are we not all gassed owing to number of motor cars on the roads?

A. Because of speedy dilution in open air.

15. Q. As there are no symptoms for the first a.J.d w.orker, is every one not in the refuge rooms at the time of a mustard gas attack a " casualty."

A. Yes.

16. Q. Can nothing be done during the treatment in the first aid post for those who have inhaled mustard vapour?

A. It could, but it is unwise because the benefit would be slight, and the delay would hold up the rush of needy work being done.

I 7. Q. \Vill the respirator protect the eyes from mustard gas?

A. Yes.

18. Q. Can a first aider force a per on whom he thinks has been infected with mustard gru: to go to a first aid post for treatment?

A. Not at present in democratic countries.

19. Q. How is the bleach paste applied to the body?

A. With a brush. I prefer the hands.

zo. Q. Would not normal saline (i.e., a teaspoon of salt in a pint of water) sooth the eyes?

A. Yes, if you've got it ready.

21. Q. In the event of having to deal une:-"1'ectedly with a case of blistering are there any immediate remedies one can apply as a temporary measure?

A. Blistering cannot be "unexpected»; it is preceded by several hours with redness of the skin and irritation.

2Z. Q. In some Urban Districts the drainage system is by soakaways. Would it be advisable to use the hosing system for the removal of mustard gas ?

A. Yes, but mix bleaching pO'wder with wate.r or place bleach on the soaka\vay area.

2,. Q. In washing a contaminated article what do you wear on hands ?

A. Rubber gloves and change \vater frequently. w. C. B.

I

The St. John Ambulance Brigade News

No. I (pRINCE OF WALES 1S) DISTRICT.

The annual general meeting of Officers of the Prince of Wales's District was held in the Chapter Hall, St. John's Gate, 011 Saturday, April 2. There was a large attendance.

The Commissioner (Capt. \Y,f. Goodley), who presided, said that first of all he wanted to thank them all for the work which had been done in the District since their last meeting.

Their Flag Day, he reminded the meeting, had realised over £4,000. That was proof of public appreciation, he said, as was also the fact that, with 7,5 00 members on duty at the Coronation, there had been no adverse criticisms of any sort.

The Commissioner announced that the Annual Inspection of the District was to be held on Saturday, June II, Field-Marshal Sir Philip Chetwode being the Inspecting Officer.

A letter was then read which Capt. Goodley had received from the Chief Commissioner (Major-General Sir John Duncan) :

" I have read your report for 1937 with the greatest interest. I realise what a strenuous year it has been for your District as it included the Brigade Jubilee, in which your Staff and units took such a prominent part, and also the Coronation.

"I note that you show an increase of 392, which is highly creditable and is proof of the energy and success with which the work is being carried out.

ee The number of cases (46,210) is a testimony of the valuable services rendered to the public by the self-sacrificing work of your members.

"I wish to take this opportunity to express my appreciation again for the remarkably fine work performed by the members of No.1 (Prince of Wales) District during the past strenuous year. The heavy duties have put a severe strain on you and your staff, but you have the satisfaction in knowing that the work was carried out in a remarkably satisfactory manner.

"I am glad to hear that the A.R.P. Duties are being carried out with energy. No. I District initiated the Brigade side of this Scheme which IS most important for the public safety.

" With all good wishes for the present year."

The meeting closed with a vote of thanks, proposed by Asst. Commissioner Capt. White-Knox, to the Commissioner for presiding.

In opening the District Final Competitions at the Northampton Institute on April 23, the Commissioner said he knew of the high standard of work which had been achieved by competitors in the preliminary

competitions, and he fully expected that the finals that day would also show a high standard. However, he did feel that the competitions should be extended and laraer numbers of members take part. Competitionb work was most valuable in fostering the team spirit as well as encouraging individual effort.

This year, Capt. Goodley added, prizes were being presented to all winners, and he hoped would act as a stimulus to members to take part 111 future events. He was aware of the amount of time which A.R.P. training took up, and was anxious that the wishes of the Chief Commissioner in trus matter should be carried out, everyone taking the A.R.P. course. But he hoped that this would not be allowed to interfere with the first aid work.

At the close frs. Goodley presented the trophies and prizes.

The Barnet Division held its annual dinner on April 8, when the President of the Division (Councillor Beard) presided over a company numbering 150, and was supported by Supt. Hawkins Hawkins, Reserve Superintendent F. M. 11artln-Srruth, Ambul ance Officer W. W. Hobbs, ergeant T. A. Clark (Divisional Secretary), {r. Raymond H. (Hon. Auditor), Sergeant J. Harris, 1.11., and others

The guests included fr. H. Langley-Jones (Count) Commissioner for Hertfordshire), Asst. Commissioner Capt. A. C. White-Knox, District Staff Officer G. C. Green, District Officer J. hemp, District Officer C T. Osborn, Corps Supt. W. G. Warren, Supts. J. W. Taylor, S. H. Collins and G. Anderson, Corps Officer A. G. Widdicombe, Lady Ambulance Officer 1\1r5. Burns, Dr. H. M. Brown (Divisional Surgeon).

The l\nnual Meeting of the Watford Division was held on April 4. Supt. L. D. \Vhite presided and was supported by District Officer F. W. Isern Smith Ambulance Officer G. E . .Mitchinson and Ambt;lance Officer W. G. Stanley.

Supt. Wrute, presenting the report for the past year, said that the calls upon the Division had been yet heavier. Public duties had reached the record total of 5,500 wruch compared with 4,000 in 1936. No less than 22,000 hours had been spent by at public duty centres-I, 500 more than in the previou!'l twelve months.

At the end of 1936 their membership wa.':; 120; ten year;s ago it was 38; to-day it was. 140. Tn maintain their efficiency members had gIven 3,500 hours in organised practice and attending lectures by the Division's Honorary Surgeons, Dr. J. Buchanan, Dr. A. Stavely Gough, and Dr. J. R.

Buchanan. The cases treated jn the twelve months numbered 2,597.

The annual dinner of the Cricklewood Division proved a most interesting and enjoyable event for the large number of members and friends who attended. In the unavoidable absence of the Mayor of Hendon, Councillor Curton attended on his behalf.

Supt. Hart, who presided, proposing the toast of" No.1 the Prince of Wales's District," welcomed Assistant Commissioner Dr. W. A. Rees, and their new County urgeon, Major N. W. Hammer, and assured them of fuUe t support at all times. " It was a great pleasure," he said, "to propose the Prince

sterling servjce, and he and Mrs. Gray were the guests of honour at a social gathering at which were present many past and present Brigade members-ambulance and nursing divisions. In appreciation of his long record of service, Superintendent Gray was presented with an electric standard lamp and a barometer. A leather handbag was given to Mrs. Gray. Ambulance Officer S. Clarke presided, and those present included Dr. and Mrs. N. Sampey, Dr. Oliver Thomas, Comdr. A. H. \"'(1ilson, 1fr. E. V. Wright (Secretary of the G.L.c. Co. Sports Association) , Lady Superintendent Miss Brain and Ambulance Officer E. J. Henny.

o t \Vales's District, especially the orthern Area, of which the Cricklewood Division formed a part."

Replying, Dr. W. 1\. Rees said he was glad to be able to say that No. District, and especially the \;orthern Area, was progre sing yery rapidly. "One of the greatest compliments that ha been paid . to us recently" he said "is that we are so much In the limelight."

Major N. \X Hammer, proposing" The Division," said that he was struck with the efficiencv of their work. He was quite sure that that was due to the co-operation between the Officers and men, a co-operation based not on any slackness of discipline but on mutual respect.

One of the founders of the Beckton Division, Superintendent A. J. Gray, has retired after 37 years ]37

Irs. Sampey (at one time Superintendent of the Nursing Division) made the presentations.

urses of the Balham and Streatham Nursing Division formed a guard of honour when the United Dairies Dramatic Society presented "Distinguished Gathering," in aid of the Brigade.

The Commissioner (Capt. Goodley), Asst. Commissioner Capt. A. C. Wrute-Knox, Dr. G. Stoker, uperintendent Wickens, :Miss G: O. Tuckwell, Miss 11. Tuckwell, Mis L E. Burkitt and Dr. Alice Benham attended.

Superintendent F. T. Haldom of the Cravford Division gave a most intere -ting and valuable l;ctun:. on ApriJ 22 to a company of members of the

Bexley and District Chambers of Commerce, hls subject being" Air Raids Precautions."

. There was a large attendance at a lantern lecture held at Laindon on the work of the Royal Orthop::edic Hospital, arranged by Lady Superintendent Miss Harsent, of the Laindon Nursing Division. The lecturer was Dr. J. CholmondeleYl assistant resident Surgeon of the Hospital.

No. 2 DISTRICT. BANBURY.

The Annual Dinner of the Banbury Division of the St. John Ambulance Brigade \\ as held recently. The event had many interesting features. Amongst the company were Colonel H. Norris, the President of the Division, in the chair (who presented the President's Cup), the Lord-Lieutenant of Oxfordshlre, who is a Knight of Grace of the Order of St. John of Jerusalem (Mr. H. Vivian Smith) who came to present the awards gained in the men's and Nursing Divisions; Sir James Edmondson, M.P., who presented the Cadet Cup; the County Commissioner (Dr. C. Gardiner-Hill), who presented a Drum Major's staff to Mr. H. Bagley, the Superintendent of the Banbury Division, in memory of his wife, who was the Lady Superintendent of the County.

CLIFTON.

The Annual Dinner of the Cliftun Division, NO.1 Corps County of Bristol, took place recently. Among those present were: Divisional Surgeon Dr. H. 11, Golding, D.F.C., accompanied by his wife, presided, and was supported by Major and Mrs. Norman Burgess, County Officer A. Cotten, M.B.E., Corps Secretary H. Trott, Corps Officer G. J. Creech, Corps Surgeon A. P. Gorham, and Divisional Surgeon S B. Green and Mrs. Green.

Superintendent Gribble made a report on the work of the Division during the past year. "As regards Air Raids Precautions," he said, "nearly every member had obtained his certificate."

M.ajor Burgess, the County Commissioner, congratulated the Division on the report, and also Superintendent Gribble for his fine work.

FAREHAM.

In 1912 a Division of the St. John Ambulance Briga<;le was formed in Fareham, Hants, and for several years did good service. After the Great War, however, it gradually declined and eventually dropped out of existence. Owing chiefly to the efforts of Surgeon Capt Baxter, R N., and a few members of the" Old Brigade," a section was formed in July, 1936. By the end of 1937 Divisional status was acquired with a strength of 22. Since then has been progressive, and a total of 40 is

now recorded. The Division is giving a good account of itself in the way of Public Duties, and intends to be worthy of its connection with Gosport Corps.

No. 3 DISTRICT.

KETTERIIG.

After a lapse of some years the Dinner of the Kettering Ambulance Corps was held on April 2. In the absence of the County Commissioner, Corps Superintendent W. Dyson presided. Among others present were: County Officer C. E. Curtis and Corps Officer C S. Riggall.

Superintendent E. Claypole (the Commissioner s Secretary) reviewed the work done in the Corps during the past year, and said that the total personnel in 13 Diyisions was 309 Officers and men. He stressed the value of A.R.P. work, now a part of Brigade training, and in which 7 Divisions had taken courses and been examined. The 6 11otor Ambulances attached to the Corps moved 739 cases during the last year, covering 11,711 miles, in addition to a further 782 miles travelled in dealing with 82 road accidents, and added that Kettering was shortly to have a most up-to-date Motor Ambulance to replace one of the early models.

No. 4 DISTRICT.

ASHTON-UNDER-LThTE.

On Saturday, April 5, a social and dance was held by members and friends of the Ashton-under-Lyne Division to celebrate Mr. J. \V. Shelmerdine's appointment as Superintendent in succession to the late Superintendent D. Hall.

Mr. Shelmerdine is one of the Brigade veterans in Ashton. He received his First Aid Certificate in 1903, joined the Division in 1904, eventually attaining the rank of Ambulance Officer in 1925.

No. 5 DISTRICT. GRIMSBY.

The Grimsby Division of the St. John Ambulance Brigade recently held their Annual Presentation of Awards.

:Mr. Malcolm Smith congratulated the prize-winners and J..1r. Gott on his good work for the Brigade for over 36 years.

BARNSLEY.

Congratulations to Barnsley on the return of Dr. T H. Taylor to the active list.

The Officers and men are delighted to welcome him back. During the days when he was Surgeon his valuable work for the Division was greatly appreciated by the personnel, and they now look forward with great pleasure to their renewed association with him .

ASKERN MAIN CoRPS.

The Askern Main Corps held their social evening last month. In making presentations, District Officer Bunting made reference to the number of members wearing the 15 years' Service Medal, and expressed the wish for more recruits for A.R.P. work.

Speaking of the Annual Camp held at Skegness last year, he congratulated those responsible for the arrangements, whlch were excellent.

In recording a vote of thanks to the Corps President, Mr. Jones, Mr. G. H. Fenwick mentioned how much Mr. Jones's annual gift of gold medals for the Competitions was appreciated by men of the Colliery Ambulance.

LEEDS.

Corps Superintendent R. H. Baker, who has been in charge of the Leeds Corps for the past six years, has recently been promoted to the rank of District Officer and transferred to the Staff of the Asst. Commissioner of the Midland I\rea, No. 5 District. He will be chlefly concerned with A.R.P. work.

District Officer Baker joined the Brigade as a Private in 19 0 and has given 28 years of service to the Brigade. He took charge of the Leeds Corps in February, 1932, on the death of its late Corps Superintendent, J..fr. J..1arcroft, and during that period arrang ed several important duties for the Brig ade in connection with two Royal visits of Their 1tlajesties The King and Queen to Leeds, the Great Yorkshire Agricultural Show, two Northern Command Tattoos, besides others in connection with local events.

Corps Officer M. B. Fenton has been promoted to Corps Superintendent and succeeds Mr. Baker in charge of the Leeds Corps which he has seen grow from 7 Ambulance Di, isions, 4 Nursing Divisions, to its present strength of 12 Ambulance Divisions, 8 Nursing Divisions, and 7 Cadet Divisions, with a total personnel of 766.

HUDDERSFIELD.

On June 18 an inspection of the South-\('estern Area will be held at the Fartown Rugby Football Ground.

An Air Raid Display is to be given, with 1 Wing, Air Communication Group, Northern Command, representing the attacking force.

ce Casualities " from" high explosive bombs" will be treated by teams from each Division of the St. John Ambulance Brigade.

As planes fly overhead " gas bombs" will explode and casualities will be dealt with by representative teams In protective clothing.

The A.R P. Committee are building a skeleton decontaminating Station and First Aid Post to add realism to the proceedings.

Col. G. H. IJ. Hammerton, C.M.G., D.S.O., T.D., L.R.CP. &S., will officiate as commentator.

No. 6 DISTRICT. NORTH RmIKG OF YORKSHIRE.

The results of the North Riding of Y orkslure Competitions which gain popularity every year were as follows :-

•

Ladies oj Yorkshire CUP. - ISt, Stockton and Thornaby, 605 marks; 2nd, Middlesbrough, 581; 3rd, East Cleveland, 373.

Yorkshire Shield.-1st, Middlesbrough, 355 marks; 2nd, 1. Cl., Billingham, 342; 3rd, Scarborough, 324 ; 4th, Darlington, 308.

Gibbon Bowl.- 1st, I. Cl., Billingham, 320 marks; 2nd, Mlddlesbrough, 303 ; 3fd, Stockton and Thornaby, 265.

County Commissioner F. P. Wilson, J.P., announced the results and expressed his appreciation of the efficiency of all the Divisions in the North Riding. County Surgeon B. G. S. Belas, who was responsible for the grand panel of medical men as judges, thanked them for their wholehearted support.

Now, all hands to A.R.P. again. Every DIv ision is reporting large public classes. Over 200 General Public regular attenders at 1fiddlesbrough. Classes of 50 at Scarborough. More respirators and still more respirators is the cc cry."

Hull and East Riding County Centre.- The A nnual Meeting of the Hull and East Riding County Centre was held on April 2 in the Hull Guildhall. The Lord :Mayor (Alderman F. E. Woodliffe) presided Among st those present were: Sir Arthur J. Atkinson (president of the Centre), :t\1.r. Geo. Hampson (Hon Secretary), Lady County Officer 1liss L. Barron and County Commissioner W T. Atkinson.

In moying the adoption of the Annual Report the Lord 1fayor complimented the Centre on it s excellent progress. Sir Arthur Atkinson seconded, and pointed out that the streng th of the Brigade i n Hull an d the East Riding of Y orksrure was now 802, consisting of 549 men and 2. 53 \vomen. A new ursing Division had been formed at Filey as well as one at Cottingham and another at Beverley and an Ambulance Division at \"'\/ ithernsea. The Brigade, he said, continued to render fine serdce in the form o f r oad dut) , and during 1937 had treated .l.p cases.

Lady Atkinson proposed thanks to the members of the Profession to whom Brigade member were so much indebted, and paid tribute to those who regardless of expense and trouble ' have qualified as instructors and examiners in lur Raid Precautions work.

The cc Coronation Cup," presented by 1fr. \V E. Twinham for open competition amongst Ambulance teams in the Hull District was won by the New Holland Ferry Team.

The Team Test was undertaken by Dr. K. H Beverley, of Barnsley, and the Individual Sections by Drs. F. Deacon, E. M. Dearn, H. E. \Vatts-\Vaters. L. F. \Vilson, and Dr. J. M. Hermon.

The demonstration was watched by a large numb er of spectators

No.8 (DUKE OF CONNAUGHT'S) DIST R ICT. NO.3 AREA.

This year a precedent has been created in No. 8 District, by the County Surgeon of No. 3 Area of Kent convening a meeting, preceded by a Dinner, of his Divisional Surgeons.

The Meeting was held at Cant erbury and the Commissioner himself was present.

There was a fair attendance of Surgeons and the business of the Meeting was confined to the duties of Surgeons and the organisation of Competitions. It is hoped to make the Meeting an annual event.

HASTINGS.

A new ambulance of the Hastings Corps was dedicated on Sunday, March 20 Divisions on parade were :-Hastings Town Division, Hastings Band Division, Hastings S.R. Division and Boy Cadets, Hastino-s Nursing Division and Girl Cadets, repreof the Hastings Borough Volunteer Fire Brigade, British Red Cmss Society, Hastings Rover Scouts (Ambulance Section), and the Boys' Brigade.

The special Dedication Service was conducted by the Rev. E. G. Reid (Archdeacon-Designate of Hastino-s). In his address the Rev. Reid said that ambul:nce work was one of the oldest chivalries in the world. It had played a great part in the Crusades and was based upon the highest principles of Christ and Christianity. After the service in the church, the Divisions assembled in Trinity Street where the Ambulance was dedicated.

LYDD.

The dedication of Lydd's new motor ambulance took place on Easter Sunday. The Hastings Band Division headed a parade to the parish church followed by the Division, Tenterden Nursing Division and Cadets from both places.

After a special service, the dedication was carried out in Coronation Square by the Rev. W. F. Scott, R.N., Pl.D., Vicar of New Romney and Rural Dean of South Lympne.

At the conclusion of the service the Assistant Commissioner formally accepted the ambulance from the 1-fayor of Lydd (CouDcillor Gordon T. Paine, J.p.), and handed it over to Divisional Superintendent Wood, who thanked the Commissioner, Lady Officers from Headquarters, and the Hastings Band for their assistance.

NO.9 DISTRICT.

REDRGTH.

On Thursday, April 21, the new Headquarters of the Rednltb Division of the St. John Ambulance

The Right Reverend the Lord Bishop of Truro dedicated the Headquarters "In the service of God and for the relief of human suffering," and a dedication service was conducted by Clergy and Ministers of the town

Mr. Harry Rich (President of the Division) handed the deeds of the building to J-.ieut.-Col. Vii Blackwood, D .S.O , M.B. (County Commissioner for Cornwall), who accepted on behalf of the St. John Ambulance Headquarters

On Saturday, April 23, Redruth Ambulance team gained the premier at the NO.9 District Competition at Falmouth and will compete in the Finals at London. This is the third time that Redruth have won the District Shield, having been previously successful in 19IO and I922.

No. 10 DISTRICT.

YARMOUTH.

An eliminating competition took place recently at Norwich Lads' Club for the East Anglian Cup of the St. John Ambulance Brigade. Five teams competed, tbe result being as follows :-Yarmouth, 404 marks; Lads' Club, 381; heringham, 365 ; Norwich Corporation Employees, 248 Norwich City, 246}.

Yarmouth will go to Ipswich on April 30 to represent Norfolk in the final contest for the cup, and the ultimate winning team will go to London to represent No. 10 District in the All-England Dewar Shield Competition.

The judges were: Team Test, Lieut.-Col. 1. MacEwan (Hon. Surgeon, Ipswich air duties); Practical Individual Test, Drs. S. J. Fielding and D. Scott Napier; Oral Individual Test, Drs. May Rutledge and C. Roberts.

HARWICH A D DISTRICT.

The Cooper Ambulance Cup contest was held recently.

The competition comprised practical and aural tests, the judge being Dr. \Y;. Gillespie, formerly of Dovercourt. Dr. E. P. Dickin, Brigbtlingsea, gave the aural test.

This was the problem that faced the contestants :C( You leave the Phoenix Hotel and go across to the sea front and you come across two people injured. Number One has a compound fracture of the tibia and fibula and arterial bleeding. Number Two has a wound on the head and a sprained ankle. Both are suffering from shock. Treat the cases as far as

140 Brigad e was opene d b y Viscoun t Clifd en. He paid tri bute to the generosity of Mr. and Mrs. B ar tle, w h o presented the site, and congratulated the D ivision on possessing such a commodious and up- t o-date building.

loadin g of stretcher (if in d icated no questions are answere d).

The time allowed was 15 minutes

Four teams took part: Harwich V.A.D. (Essex 88), Colchester V.A.D. (Essex 48), Clacton V.A.D. (Essex 86), Harwich and District Division St. John Ambulance Brigade. The final marks were:Harwich and District Division St. John Ambulance Brigade, Harwich V.A.D. (Essex 88), 8 ; Colchester V.A.D. (Essex 48), 69; Clacton V.A.D. (Essex 86), 65.

The cup, medals and prizes were awarded by Dr. Phelan.

Dr. Gillespie addressed the contestants, pointing out where the unsuccessful entrants might have improved their work, but a.dding all round on the generally efficlent manner 1n which the tests were handled.

ORTHERN IRELAND DISTRICT.

Dr. Bentall paid a very welcome visit to Belfast recently and gave, in his own inimitable way, a lecture on Air Raid Precautions.

Sir Crawford kCullagh, Bart., the Lord Mayor, was in tbe chair.

The Commissioner for the Northern Ireland District was unavoidably absent.

Sir Robert Johnstone-the President of the British '\ledical \ssociation- proposed a vote of thanks.

A meetinO' in the Commissioner's House was held b later and the outcome exceeds even the most sanguwe expectations. ix classes are being held in the town each week\'\ th an average attendance of 200 at each.

The work of Air Raid Precautions is slowly gaining ground in 10rthern Ireland and it is due to the efforts of t. John 1\mbulance Bngade. Lately an A.R.P. Officer ha been appointed by the Northern Government and the Corporation are to make a similar appointment-a close liaison and very friendly relationship exist between these bodIes and the Brigade.

The St. John Ambulance Brigade in .L orthern Ireland have suffered a great loss during the month of March by the death of .Miss Beatrix Whitaker, Lady District Officer.

Iiss \)'lhitaker has been connected with the Order for many years and was a very efficient Officer. A few years ago she had been promoted Commander of the Order.

On Sunday afternoon last a 1-femorial l'tTice \,vas held in St. George's Cburch, Belfast. The sermon was preached by the Rev. Dr. l \ldwell.

Votes of sympathy were conveyed to the relatives of Miss \X hitaker by the Ulster Joint Committee (St. John and Red Cross), the St. John 1\mbulance Brigade and the St. John Amhulance Association.

Mrs. Dent's Tour

Mrs. Lancelot Dent, A.R.R.C., the Lady Superintendent-in-Chief of Nursing of the St. John Ambulance Brigade Overseas has recently returned from a tour of the British West Indies.

During her tour Mrs. Dent found there was an urgent need for a knowledge of First Aid and Home Nursing, for (apart from the police) few classes in these subjects have been held. During her stay, particularly in Jamaica, she endeavoured to create interest in the work of the Order and in the formation of classes of the Association and had many talks on these subjects with Their Excellencies Sir Edward and Lady Denham who were both greatly interested.

In addition, Mrs. Dent also addressed a great many meetings included among which were those held by the Jamaica Women's League and the members of the Kingston Y. W.C.A.

She was also able to obtain the sympathetic interest of Maj or Hallinan, Inspector-General of the Medical Service, and :Miss Walton, the Matron of the Kingston General Hospital.

1Irs. Dent returned from Jamaica with the most pleasant recollections of her tour and of those whom she met, and there are great hopes that First Aid and Home 1 ursing teaching will shortly be extended and that the formation of Ambulance and Nursing Divisions of the Brigade will follow.

The Grand Priory Church

The Chapter-General has decided that services shall be held in the Church as follows :-

Friday, JlfJJe 24. - St. John Baptist s Day, the Annual Commemoration SenTices of the Order. Holy Communion at 8,30 a.m.

Festival eryice 2.30 p.m. Preacher: The Lord Bishop of Lincoln, Sub-Prelate of the Order.

Brigade Overseas

OBITl' \RY

The Chief Commis ioner regret to announce the death of Diyisional Superintendent J. c. avage, of the Tindalls Division, \\' estern Australia, on farch 20, 1938.

1..p

Hygienic Measures and Hospital Organisation

of the

Italian Expeditionary F orees during the Ethiopian War , 1935-1936

A Paper read before the Royal Societj of Arts on March 30. Sir Humphrey Rolleston, Bt., C.C. V.O., K.C.B., M.A., M.D., presided.

By

Sir Aldo Cas tellani, K .C. M.G., D. S.C., F.R.C.P. , Count of Kisymiao, Inspector-General of the Italian Army and Navy lvfedical Services dllring the War.

The War began October 3, 1935, and ended May 9, 193 6, with the proclamation of the Italian Empire, four days after the fall of the Ethiopian capital, Addis Ababa. During this period, the white troops on the northern front (Eritrea) and the southern front (Somaliland) numbered approximately 500,000 men, including the Militia and the Gendarmerie and other police forces, and naval ratings. It is, I believe, the first time in the history of the world that so large a mass of white troops has been transported to a tropical zone and for military purposes.

The thought that half a million young white soldiers would be fighting in a tropical zone-a large part of it with a torrid climate-caused serious misgivings to various experts, as for many years it had been recognised and had become almost an axiom, that to prevent heavy losses from sickness in colonial wars, the bulk of the troops employed should consist of natives.

Articles appeared in many newspapers and magazines, expressing the view that the Italian troops, even if spared by the Abyssinian bullets, would be destroyed by disease.

These prophecies were based on sound historical facts, and the following are a few examples. In 1890 the French lost in Tonkin, out of a total of 8,505 white troops, I, I 2 5 men killed by disease.

In the French expedition in Madagascar in 18 95, during the ten months March to December, more than a third of the troops died of disease. The white force consisted of 9,600 men, and there were 3,417 deaths from disease. In the Cameroons, the German losses from disease amounted to 112 per thousand troops employed; while at home the German army had a mortality of five per thousand.

In the Boer War, the number of deaths from disease compared with the number of deaths on the battlefield .and deaths from wounds, was in the proportion of 1.98 to 1; the number of deaths from disease was, therefore, nearly double that of the firing line.

Mortality and sickness statistics for the BoerWai are available only from February 10, 1900. In the official report for the year 1900, published in the

British Aqedical Journal (January 18, 1902), figures are not glVen for January, nor for the first ten days of none the last week in February; we will therefore consIder the period of seven months, March to September, 19°°. During this among a total of at first 194,000 men (according to authorities, 154,000), and later 200,000 (accordIng to some 186,000), there were 5,ZI9 deaths from disease. The complete statistics for the whole army during first months (the war began October I, 1899, w1th fewer than 50,000 British are not available, but there are some imperfect statIstlCs for one or two localities . For instance at Ladysmith, the white troops amounted to 13.496: and of these 10,668 were admitted to hospital during the first four months (November, 1899, to February, 1900). '.There was a loss of 3,33 2 men, the maj ori of them It would appear, from disease.

During the Great War, the East African Expeditionary Force fighting from 1916 to 1918, had an average strength of 50,000 officers, non-commissioned and men. No fewer than 2,794 were killed in battle or died of wounds, and 6,308 died from disease. The Italian expeditionary force in Albania in 1918 had very severe losses from disease and so had th French and British forces in 1-1acedonia.

It was most fortunate that the head of the Itallan Government realised immediately the enormous of medical and organisation 10 a colomal war, and pald the same attention to It as to the military: preparations. The requesrs made. to hi.r:n for medical personnel and hospitab were Immediately acceded to, and were in fact often doubled at his express command. All the medical force, colonial-were placed under one JOInt. dIrectIOn . . yast supplies of quinine and other essentIal drugs, diSInfectants sera vaccines were despatched to .Africa, as well as 'hospital, X-ra; and laboratory eqwpment of every kind, and huge quantities. of cotton wool, gauze and bandages.

I can testify that on more than one occasion the despatch of medical and sanitary material 'took precedence over the despatch of munitions and war material.

The medical organisation in Africa during the war had gr<:at assistance. The High Command (Marshal Badogho, Marshal Graziani, Marshal de Bono) and the Ur;-der Secretaries for War, the Navy, the Air Force, the Militla, the Colonies, always showed the greatest interest in health matters.

Hospitals-The Italian army had in Africa during the war period-

(I) 135 base and field hospitals. Each base hospital had, in addition to the medical and surgical wards, a bacteriological laboratory an X-ray department.

Fifty-five small hospitals, transportable on mules.

Thirteen special surgical units.

Fifteen motorised X-ray laboratories.

Eleven dental motor ambulances.

Four central institutes for special chemical and bacteriological investigations.

Twelve disinfecting sections.

Six disinfestation stations.

139 large water sterilisers of special pattern " Potabilizzatori.» , Four general magazines and depots for medical supplies.

The navy had twenty hospitals and infirmaries along the coas.t, and eight hospital ships splendidly eqUIpped, six of which were air-conditioned.

(3) The air force has twenty-two infirmaries.

(4) The colonial medical service, reorganised by H. E. Lessona, placed at the disposal of the ArI?Y Service its thirty hospitals and climcs and Its laboratories in Eritrea and Somaliland.

(5) At too., the Director of the Army Medical ServIce, Surgeon Lieut.-General Franchi, the Director of the Naval 1-1edical Service, Surgeon Lieut.-General Falso the Director of the Air Medical Service, Coionel Arturo 1-10naco, the Director of the National Militia 11edical Service; Surgeon Lieut.General de Plato; and the Director of Civil Public Health, H.E. Professor Petragnani, helped the medical organisation in Africa in every possible way.

Medical personnel-There were in AfricaOfficers of the Royal Army Medical Corps and 1filitia 2,205 Officers of the Royal Naval 11edical Corps .. . . . . . .

Officers of the Air Force Medical Service

Colonial Medical Service

By order of the Head of the Government all the army medical officers followed a course of ins'truction at Hospital for Tropical Diseases in Rome, before leavIng for Africa.

Pharmacists and chemists.- There were in Africa 17 8 army pharmacists and chemists-all officersand ten in the navy.

Army speaking, army chaplains do not belong to organisation, but they sI?e?d much of t1me In hospitals, comforting patlents,. are often WIth the men, and, assist greatly III makin& acceptable and even popular, certain prophylactIC measures, such as malaria prophylaxis. There were 268 aru:y c.haplains with the troops, also ten chaplatns 1fi hospital ships and with the naval ratlllgs on shore. They all did excellent work.

Red Cross nurses.-:- Ther.e were 384 nurses serving on board the hospItal ships and in base hospitals. Among them was the Crown Princess, an admirable who gave a fine example. She served as nurse, without enjoying or accepting any pnvlleges whatsoever.

Army and Navy Nursing Service in Italy may be saId to have been in 191 during the Libian War, by H.R.H. Pnncess Helen of Savoia Aosta Dowager Duchess of Aosta, who has remained the head its since then. The di Targiani, most effiClent Superintendent of the Red Cross nurses directed that all nurses going to East Africa, should first take. a cou.rse in tropical nursing at the Hospital for TropIcal DIseases in Rome.

Hospital nuns and missionaries of variofls order.f.There were all applied themselves with loving care to the relief of the wounded and sick.

!l0spital attendants and male nurses (so-called sanitatIOn troops).-There were 15,5°0; always ready only to help the sick, but when these were 10 hospItal (and this was practically always the case) they lolunteered for labourers' work and became roadmakers.

Naval hospital attendants and male nurses.-There were. 639 on. hospital ships, warships in the Red Sea, and 10 hospitals on shore in East Africa. All were well trained and did their work very satisfactorily.

Total Il7

120

To these may be added about half a dozen doctors of private concerns, such as the Gondrand Company, who were always ready to assist their medical colleagues of the army.

I-leads of the variolls medical serJ);ceJ".-At the head of the Army Medical Service in Eritrea there was a Surgeon 1fajor.-General of long tropical experience Ferdinando 11artoglio). In Somaliland, a Surgeon of long tropical expeIlence (Colonel 11aUrlZlO Bedel). In each hospital ShIp there was a 1-1edical Director- -\ Colonel or Senior Lieut.-Colonel-of the Naval ledical Service ten to twenty doctors under him. (The fedicai ,vere .the following:- ndruzzi, Gelonesi, PeruZZI, Caselli, Cecchere1li Cavallini Marcone Basile, Maiorca, Rallo, Micheletti and Andrenelli.) "

(Conf;nued Ott page 156)

Interesting Case Reports

CASE REPORT No. 139.-The Secretary of the Royal National Life-Boat Institution presents the following report of assistance rendered by members of the Briaade in difficult circumstances :-

,? At a meeting of the Committee of Management held on February 10, I placed before them reports relative to the wreck of the S.S. Alba, on the night of January 3 I, when the St. Ives motor was capsized, with the unfortunate loss of: hve of the vessel's crew.

"The life-boat launched at 7.30 p.m. in a westerly aale with a heavy sea; and it was as she was returning the rescued crew that an exceptionally big sea struck her, turning her completely over. The Coxswain and his crew regained the boat and rescued eighteen of the twenty-three seamen from the Alba but the enaine could not be re tarted and the lifeboat b was washed towards the rockv. shore, '..vhere w1th the help of willing men and women all of these in the life-boat reached land safely. The life-boat subsequenfly became a total wreck.

"The Committee were much impressed by the plendid services rendered by the townspeople and members of local organisations who did everything possible in the work of life-saving; but they noted with satisfaction the especially efficient and willjng co-operation of Superintendent Care and the members of the St. Ives Division S.J.A.B., and of the Divisions from neighbouring places.

"I am directed to write and convey to you the Committee of 1fanagement's warm appreciation of the valuable help given by the members of the St. John Ambulance Brigade, and to request that they may be made acquainted \vith the contents of this letter."

CO).fMENT.-This report speaks for itself; and ail that reJJlaillS for tiS is to tender cordial congratulations to the JJlember.r of the St. Ives and neighbouring Divisions, who qy their good work in this and other occasions have brouJ!,ht honour to the Brigade.-N. C. F.

Questions and Answers

AN AID TO THE REVISED TEXTBOOK.

J. C. (Hull).-Herewith we send you a copy of a little booklet which we have called An Aid to the 39th Edition, and which having been compiled by three members of our Divi sional Committee, is intended to assist our members in their study of the new Textbook. We shall much appreciate your criticism through the columns of THE GAZETTE, more especially as this will give further help and confidence to our members when using the booklet.

Your Divisional Committee is to be congratulated on its foresight in taking prompt actio11 il1lmediateIY after the

publicatfoft of the Revi.red Textbook; and the three lIIelJlbers of the COll/lJIittee 111ho compiled the aid-book are, in their turn, J}.Iort/?)' of hfgh cOlJlllJeI1dation. The bookiet is a splelJdid effort; and I have nothing btlt praise for it, even if the alterations ill the Textbook are more extensive than your members thollght, as the iength of tbe present series of articles OJJ the sallie ,wl?ject which I am contributing to THE GAZETTE goes to prove. III )'0111' Editorial Note ),Oft tell )'0111' !)It'Illbers to st!lcfy both olrl and new Textbooks. I ,pollld, hon1ever, sllggest that )'OJI should forget all abo!tt the old and cOllcentrate on the new Textbook, as l}.1e shall do fJ/ these columns once Brigade Final C ompetittons have been held. Some folk do not realise h01P qllick(y h01JI/edge evaporates and how neceS.fa,] it is to keep 011 reading and re-readillg the Textbook ff thry J}.Iould be cOJ/versant lJ1ith the detailed instruction., thereof. So advise YO/l1' members to do this throtlghollt theyear and IIOt onlyjust the .A ml/{al Re-Examinatiol!.' ---1,l!,ain our congratulationJ to all concerned.-N. C. F.

CRUDE P ARAFFI " FOR S" \ KE BITES.

C. L (Brockley).-I have been informed that the African Natives employ crude paraffin as a specific in the treatment of snake bites. If this information is correct, I should be glad if you would tell nll', through the medium of your column , the prinCJpk upon which the liquid acts. Ieanwhile I thank vou in anticipation.

Though convinced that the remerly JJ'aJ meles,f for Iht pmpose, I passed )'our qllelJ' 10 a INII-k!lOJVlJ who replied as foll011 s :-

" With regard to the qlleJtioll of cmde paraffin aJ a specific/or snake bite, there are literal(J1 hlflldreds of alfe !!,f(/ Cflres for snake bite f" dijlerel11 cOlltille!ltJ all/ongst natil'e peoples aJld to the best qf my k/701Jlledge not one of them i." effective.

« Per.sonal(y, I have not come across the use of cr/fde paraffin, but it is inconceivable tbat it cat! be effective ollre venom has bem inoculated into the deeper tissue,f. '1N. C. F.

FRACTURES OF BOTH CL,\ VICLES.

P. B. (Hastings).- The question of how to treat a patient with Fractures of the right and left clavicles has often been raised at our Divisional Practices; and although this is not given in the Textbook we have had the same question in our examinations. Can you please give me the correct treatment?

This question 1}.1aS answered in the October, 1937, issue of THE GAZETTE. As, however, jlOf( seem to hatJe overlooked Ill)' replY, I will repeat it.

Treatment 1vill depend on the degree of shock assoclaled with this combination of fractures.

If this is ,,"iid and if the patient is fit to walk a shorl distance or to be moved in a sitting pOJ'ition, then you call adopt the method which used to figure in the Textbook. Fhis taught first-aiders to keep the patient's shoulders well back, qy means of narrow bandages Jvhich are tied round each arm (dose to the sholliderjoint), passed diagonal(y across the back over the opposite arm and tied together in front just belO1v the patient's hands, his forearm being

placed across his chest. While the Textbook used to teach that the forearllls should be raiJed and supported qy these two bandages, I prefer to advise that the use of a third (broad) bandage passed round the patient'S trunk and both elb01V,f to keep the flexed forearms comfortablY supported.

If, hOJ}.Icver, .rhock iJ ll/arked, as il probably lvouid be with a patient who sustaim ,filch a cOJJlbinatfon qf fractures, the patient JlJoldd have to be reJJloved on stretcher in reClftllbetlt position. III SItch circHlllstmIces jl0tl should keep both tipper lill1bs il7 dose apposition to the patient's borfy, with the forearJJl,r extended a/onl"sfde the trunk or flexed across the chest and kept ill this position qy a broad bandage passed round the patient's bo1J1 and tipper Ifll/bs.-N. C. F.

I"J

O. T. ( uneaton). - Last month we took part in a competition whic 1 was held in a neighbouring town; and during our team test one of us handed a written note to a boy asking him to take it to the nearest doctor. When '..\'e asked repeatedly if the boy had returned, the judge seemed worried and kept looking round. \( last he called another boy out of the audience and asked him to act the part (;f our missing messenger. J LIst as DU r test was finishing, this boy walked into the compc(ition room brInging with him a doctor from outside, who, naturally enough, was somewhat annoycd at being called to an imaginary patient !

• ow we are wondenng if sllch a thing has cyer happcned before in a competition.

Jllcb ca.ff.f oj r ealism ill rOll/petitioJl canllot oftell take place. SOllli' J'Mrs h01l1{'lJer, 1 J) 'a,f told a siory of a .I·Olllen lhat Sfllli/aJ' OCOlrrenC6, aJ folloJl',r :/)1Irit/g a RadJJ'a) CO'mpclltioJl a POJ·tll/all }}It/S the .fIIppo.red viclilll " a/ld olle tealll asked tI 1!Jlstat/der to report Ihe accidmt 10 the local ho,rpital alld to a,rk the allthorities to keep a bed for t/;e patfml. .- 1.1 i,,),01lr caJe the llIeJJeJJger disappeared for a period, a/ the md oj which he returned and reported to tht' jllr(e,e t!){/t t/;e ho,rpftal allthorilie,f 1l'ere a bedfor the patimt. \ '0 olle/III!} realhed u lhat had happened !lntil /11'0 hOllr.f later 1J'hall a pOJtal oificial arrived at the cOll/pelilfoll 1'00/)/ aJld asked Jl1here the if!jto'ed postman wa f and ]}.I0 he. had 110/ bp{')I relllolJed to the local ho.rpitai as '. F.

TREATi\1E>IT OF \

11. W. (Birmingham).-l\s a Brigade Surgeon I am supposed to lecture and to examine on the Revised Textbook even though Appendix 1 seems to me to teach a very dangerous method of treatment.

All the physiologists and ana:sthetists whom I have consulted on the subject agree that the inhalation of p1Ire Carbon-dioxide for three minutes would probably cause serious illness, if not death. This matter seems to me to be so urgent that some action should be taken before anyone is killed. At soda water facto ric and elsewhere cylinders of pure Carbon-dioxide are a ailable. Someday, therefore, someone \vill try

145

the treatment advocated in the Appendix referred to ; and the coroner, if he is wise, rna) make a great to-do over a death.

I agree with you that the wording of Appendix I is most unfortunate and that its instructions can be read aJ" jlou sllggest. The fact that the AppendicB-f are outside the Syllabus of Instruction in Fir.rt Aid will facilitate earlier amendment of the instructions than ,vo/dd have been possible if these had been given in the borIJ of the Textbook.-N. C. F.

RAILWAY NEWS

INTER-RAIL WAY AlvfBULANCE COMPETITIONS

Here are the *nin e teams which will compete for the" blue riband" of railway first-aid at Inter-Railwa\ -\mbulance Competitions the 26th of this month at the Great Central Hotel, London .

LO DO'-", :'\fIDLA:'-.D & SCOTTbH RAILWAY. Wolverton (1st). Crewe Machine Shop (2nd). RAIL \VA Y. Hor.ham '0. I (1st). Exmouth Junction Kn. 1 (2nd)

GREAT \X'ESTl:.RJ'. R\lLWAY. Pilning (1st). W es tbury ( 2nd)

Lo DO"J & ::\ORTH-E\ RA.ILWAY king-'s Cross Loco. (rst) Bishopsgate" B "(2nd). C"GROCPED RAIL\\·.\Ys. \fetropolitan Line (L. P.T.B. )

Southern Railway

LA'\. c I:'-.G.

1embers of the Lancing C.M.E. team, which won the Fir t Prize at the Southern Railwa\ Ambulance Divisional Competitions held at Brighton recently, \\ ere among the Railwaymen who received awards at the annual concert of the Lancing and Sompting District. Presentations were made bv Dr. Benton, of \X10rthing. -

During the evening, Dr. Benton \\ as presented with a casket of cigarettes by 11r. G. Hurst, as an appreciation of his service to the first-aiders.

ASHFORD, KENT.

"There is no district throughout the Southern Railway systeal where one can find a greater enthusiasm for ambulance work than in shford," said Mr. E. A. Richard, Welfare Asst. Southern Railway, at the annual pre entation of awards of the Ashford Class. He congratulated the " ... \" and o. I works team on being in the outhern Railway Final, with a chance of competing for tJ1e Inter-Railway shield. Over 110 medals were presented to the first aid candidate. The examiner to the class (Dr. J. N. Robins) appealed for young people to join the first aid classe ,

nd Mr. and Mrs. Richards were thanked for attendlng the presentation by Mr. H. E. Tobarts (Divisional Engineer, Ashford, Kent).

RED HILL.

The Redhill Centre held their annual concert and presentation of awards at the Colman Institute, Redhill, a civic touch being given to the proceedlngs by the presence of the Mayor and Mayoress of Reigate (Alderman and lY1rs. H. ]. Hamblen).

In his report Mr. Hunneybell stated that they had commenced the past year with 6z on the register. Of the 44 who took the examination all had passed. They had this year an increase of seven beginners, which was a big item for a class of that size. The teams who had entered for the competitions had done well.

Mr. Hunneybell said that they were pleased to have with them that night probably the oldest ambulance man in the dlstrict in Mr. Charlie Gabriel. No ambulance meeting at Redhill could be complete without him, and they hoped he would be spared for many more years to attend them.

SOUTHAMPTON DOCKS.

The Southern Railway Centre, Southampton Docks district of the St. John Ambulance Association, celebrated another successful year at its annual dinner held at Edwin James Restaurant, Southampton, when over 250 first aiders and their friends attended. The function was made the occasion to present the Lady Emma Crichton and West Country As sociation cups to the winning teams in the recent fir st aid competition.

Mr. Fred Green (President of the West Country Association in Hampshire) presented the cup given by his Association to the Chairman (Mr. Uzzell) who was their President during Coronation year. In doing so, he explained that it was customary for the Association to give a donation to any organisation in which their ex-President was interested, and he could not think of a more fitting way in which to commemorate Mr. Uzzell's year of office then by offering a cup for annual competition among the ambulance men in Southampton Docks. He knew Mr. Uzzell was keenly interested in the first aid movement, and had the welfare of the Docks staff very much at heart.

-Mr. Uzzell thanked Mr. Green for the cup, and then asked Mrs. Biddle (wife of the Docks and Marine Manager) to present the Lady Emma Crichton cup, and the West Country trophy to Southampton Docks " A "team. Southampton Docks " E " team were presented with the prizes as runners-up.

Dr. John Clayre was presented by Mrs. Biddle with a framed certificate recording his appointment as an honorary life member of the Order of St. John of Jerusalem. In reply, Dr. Clayre spoke of the honour he felt in receiving such an appointment.

London Midland & Scottish Railway

DUBLIN.

The Nightingale Shield Ambulance Competition was held on April 9 after a lapse of seven years. Result: 1. Dublin No. Team (234 points); z. Dublin No. 2 Team (217); 3. Belfast ( 207); 4. Greenore (206). -

CAMDEN.

The Camden station Indlvidual Trophy Competition was held on April 9, the judges being Mr. Craft, Edltor H First Aid" and 1vir. G. Lear of the City Police. Result: 1. H. E. Salisbury (68 points); z. S. A. Purves (65t); 3· W. J. Morgan (63)· Mr. W. ]. Taylor acted as Secretary.

ST. MARYLEBONE.

A new competition known as the St. lvlarylebone Open Ambulance Competition, initiated to foster friendly rivalry between teams from the Police, Railways, Post Office, etc., in the London area, attracted 36 teams in its first venture. Four preliminary heats were held and the two leading team s in each contested the final for the "Stiles Allen " Challenge Cup and the " Selfridge Challenge Shield " at the Portman Rooms, W. I, on April 7·

The L.M.S. Camden team were successful in winning the final by a margin of 32 points, and their excellent team work thoroughly merited the applause of the large and knowledgeable gathering which attended.

EUSTON.

The Twelfth Annual Presentation of A wards and Social Evening of the Euston (Clerical) Ambulance Class took place on March II, when an enjoyable evening was spent by members of the Class and their friends.

Mr. G. Morton presided over the presentation ceremony which took place during the evening, and Mrs. Morton dlstributed the awards, cups and pr,izes. Mr. and Mrs. S. J. Marchant were present, and Mr. Marchant paid a special tribute of appreciation to the doctors for their work in lecturing. Dr. Gilbert Orme responded with a happy speech.

The Ladles' Class had again been invited to take part and a new feature, a whist drive, took place in the Upper Room whilst dancing was progressing downstairs.

Both the Ladles' and the Men's Classes again report a satisfactory year's work. Eighty-nine awards were gained by the men, a new high record for the Class and thirty-four awards by the Ladles' Class.

The individual competitions organised by both Classes met with excellent support and were keenly contested.

Priory 'for Wales

Headquarters: Priory House, 4 Cathedral Rd., Cardiff

GENERAL INTEREST

MEDICAL COMFORTS DEPOTS.

The provision of invalid requisites and sick-room comforts by means of Medical Comforts Depots has been a matter of great concern to the Priory for Wales, and since its establishment the number of Depots operating has increased year by year. Although the 52. Depots operating in Wales dealt with the issue of a total of 7,616 articles during 1937, development of this branch of activity has been impeded for the past few years by the inability of Divisions to raise funds necessary to replenish stocks. The Priory, therefore, welcomed an opportunity to co-operate in a scheme for the establishment of a chain of Medlcal Comforts Depots in the Special Areas. The Health Services Committee of the South Wales and :Monmouthshire Council of Social Service, having been successful in obtaining a grant from the Commissioner for the Special Areas for the purpose of largely augmenting the number of District Nurses, submitted to him a scheme which envisaged the re-equipment of existing Depots and the establishment of new ones, where necessary, to meet the increased demand for sick-room requisites consequent upon the expansion of the Nursing Services. The Priory gladly undertook to be responsible for the provision of personnel and premises in respect of fifty Depots, the British Red Cross Society accepting responsibility for eight. The Commissioner s approval was intimated at the beginning of December; and it was agreed that the value of the scheme would be enhanced if the number of Depots could be increased and the articles thereby tendered more generally acces ible. To this end, there was a splendid response to the appeal for the co-operation of Brigade Units in the addltional dlstricts involved, with the result that it has been possible to provide equipment for 67 St. John Depots instead of the 50 originally contemplated.

WELSll BRIGADE FI:t\.AL Cm.fPETITION S

Two teams representing the Brecknockshire Centre were successful in the Competitions for the "Llandinam" Shield and "Arthur Griffiths Memorial" Cup for ambulance and Nursing teams respectively of the Brigade in \V'ales, held at the City Hall, Cardiff, on April 9·

The Judge were; -

Commissioner Dr. S. McCormac, Newport.

Assistant Commissioner Dr. S. B. Turner, Bargoed.

Corps Surgeon W. Venner, Newport. Corps Surgeon R. S. Morris-Thomas, Maerdy. Divisional Surgeon J. S. M. Wilson, Aberdare. Divisional Surgeon G. Rocyn-Jones, Llantarnam. Divisional Surgeon G. M. Mitchell, Treforest, and Miss M. Davies, Matron, Cardiff Royal Infirmary Uniforms were judged by Lady County Officer (Mrs.) S. B. Turner, Barg oed, and Commissioner Captain T. E. Richards, J.P., M.E., Rhondda. Results;

" Llandinam n Shield (Men )

T eam. Clydach and District

Tredegar Treharris

Barry Dock

Kenfi g Hill

Duffryn Aman Ffaldau Institute Garw

Alexandra Docks and Naval Collieries and Penvgraig District -

COlm ly R epresented. Brecknockshire Monmouthshire Merthyr Tydfil Cardi1f Glamorgan Aberdare Glamorg an Newport Rhondda

C< Arthur GrifJiths AJelJlorial " Cup (I V-omen ) Builth Wells Bre cknockshire 23 8 Pontnewynydd 1Ionmo uthshire Ogmore Vale Glamorgan 2191 Barry Cardiff .. 210 1 Ferndale Rhondda 193 1The Lord lvlayor o f Cardiff (Alderman O. C. Purnell, J.P.) presented the Shield and Lady (Herbe rt) Lewis, O.B.E. , As sistant Lad y Superintendent-inChief for Wales, presented the Cup to the Builth Wells Nursin g Team. The Hon. John H Bruce , Principal Secretary and Commissi oner for Wales, presided over the proceedings.

BRIGADE STRENGTH.

The Ambulance Committee of the Priory at i t s meeting on J. \pril 26 sanctioned the formation of he following new Divisions ;'-1I11IJtllance.-Penrhyn Quarry (Caern.), RhosIlanerchrugog (Den.), Bagillt (Flint.) and Goodwick (Pem. ) . Cadet AllIblllallce.-Brynkinalt and Ifton (Den.).

:-- Cadet (Glamorgan).

During the year I937 thirty-three new Divisions were registered, bringing the strength of the Brigade in Wales to 12,386.

CENTRE REPORTS

CAERNARVOI SHIRE CENTRE.

The Commissioner, Sir Michael Assheton-Smith, Bart., presided at a meeting of the Caernarvonshire Centre Committee held at the Police Station, Bangor, on April 30, and presented warrants of appointment to newly formed Divisions of the Brigade at Caernarvon and Penmaenmawr. Mr. G. St. John Day, Superintendent of the Llandudno Division,

Arthur Harford, Bart, high sheriff; Mr. Josiah R. Jones, J.P., ex-high sheriff, and Mrs. Jones; Ald. J. Barclay Jenkins, Mayor of Aberystwyth; Ald. David Evans, Mayor of Lampeter; Mr. Arthur Thomas, Mayor of Cardigan; Ald. E. J. Davies, Dr. D. M. Davies, Aberayron and others.

The examiners were: Dr. Tom Jones, Borth; Dr. T. J. Jenkins, Henllan; Dr. W. R. Bowen, Lampeter; and Dr. Rocyn Jones, Cardigan; who expressed themselves well pleased with the standard shown.

The trophy for the senior section was the "Earl of Lisburne» shield, whilst two shields were given in the junior section, the "Eirlys» shield for the Northern Division, the donor being Mr. Enoch

:and also to all the medical men of the county for their great interest in the work.

The Mayor of Lampeter seconded and invited the competitions to that town year.

Alderman E. J. Davies, New Quay, presented Dr. T. J. Jenkins with a certificate of Honorary Life Membership of the Priory in recognition of his .ervices as Lecturer. Mr. Steven Jones, Chief Constable, who is Commissioner for the County, congratulated the teams and thanked all who had assisted in the proceedings.

Aberystrryth Division.-At the annual meeting, presided over by Col. Sir G. Fossett Roberts, O.B.E., Superintendent Harry Davies gave a report on the work during 1937, which showed that calls on the ambulance amounted to 171 (132 illnesses, 39-accidents), of which 97 were conveyances of residents within the borough, conveyed free of cost. Members were on duty during the summer (4 men each evening, 12 on Sundays), duri.qg the Coronation Festivities and the Royal visit, at which 23 cases were dealt with. All the members were successful at the examination. Owing to pressure of duties, Dr. Ernest Jones had resigned from the office of Divisional Surgeon, a position which he held since the inauguration of the Division in 1930; and his successor, Dr. Evans, North Parade, was presented with the warrant of Divisional Surgeon. Dr. Ernest Jones was appointed on the Committee, as also was ir. Enoch J. Morgan, who, during 1937, drove the ambulance van on 83 occasions. The Treasurer, ::VIr. Davies, presented the balance sheet, which was adopted.

GLAMORGAN Coe TY CF.:-\TTRE.

CADET COMPETlTIO S

The Hon Mrs. John H. Bruce presenting the Lady Lewis Cup to the Llanelly Cadet Nursing Team at the City Hall, Cardiff, on the 26th February

received the cherished Service Medal of the Brigade, granted on completion of fifteen years' efficient service.

The Assistant Commissioner, Mr. Edward Williams, Chief Constable, announced that Sir Michael had allowed the use of his grounds at Vaynol for the Annual Inspection and that the Competition for the Lord Penrhyn Cup would take place on the same day.

The Hon. Inspector G. W. Roberts, submitted the financial statement showing a credit balance of £225; and it was decided to hold the Flag Day throughout the County on August 13.

CARD1GANSHlRE CENTRE.

County Competitions.-A large attendance at the Memorial Hall, Aberayron, on Saturday, April 9, for the annual county competitions included Sir 14 8

J. Morgan, Aberystwyth, and the" Cardigan Castle" shield for the Southern, given by Mr. John Evans, J.P., Ca!itle Green, Cardigan. Six teams entered the senior competition, in which the Trawscoed team was successful. In the Junior Section (Northern Division) Goginan team came first; and the Lampeter team won the trophy in the Junior (Southern Division) contest.

Dr. D. M. Davies, J.P., Aberayron, who presided at the presentation ceremony, called upon Alderman J. Marclay Jenkins to present the" Earl of Lisburne " shield to the Trawscoed team, while Mrs. John Evans, Cardigan, presented the Lampeter team with the " Cardigan Castle» shield and Miss Eirlys Morgan the " Eirlys " shield to the Goginan team.

Sir Arthur Harford moved a hearty vote of thanks to the doctors for training and examining the teams,

Aberdlliais Hall Opened.-The opening of the \berdulais Ambulance Hall bv Mr. Evan Taylor, J.P., President of the Division, fulfilled the promise of the Commissioner for Glamorgan that every Division in the Dulais Valley should have a home of its o\vn. Prior to the cerem o ny the Hon. John H. Bruce, Principal ecretary and' Commis.sioner for Wales, inspected the men and cadets, while the Hon. 1frs. Bruce in spected the ursing members. Count} Officer J. Richards proposed a vote of thanks to Ir. D. j\1. Evans-Bevan and the Priory for Wales, to which fr. Bruce responded; and Corps Officer D. J. John expressed thanks to the donors of the ground on which the building was erected, 11r. Howells and 1fr. Llewellyn Jones.

Alderman W. K. Owen, Chairman of the Neath Branch of the .Legion, emphasised the appeal made by the CommlsslOner for \\/ ales and 1Irs. Bruce for recruits to Ambulance \"'{,'ork. Dr. Trevor Davies, Divisional urgeon, presented to fro Evan Tayl.or a watch to .mark the Division's appreciation of his valuable services as its President.

Dtllais T/alley Corps.-A pleasant evening was spent by Officers and Members of the Dulais Valley l.J-9

Corps who attended the annual dinner at the Castle Hotel, Neath, where the County Commissioner, Mr. D. M. Evans-Bevan, J.P., presided.

Proposing the "Priory for Wales," Alderman W. K. Owen said the Organisation was rendering invaluable service all over the industrial and rural areas. In responding, 11 iss Vera Lovett, Assistant Secretary, summarised the growth of the Ambulance movement in Wales since the inception of the Priory twenty years ago. Mr. W. Mabon Abraham, Brigade Secretary, who supported, commented on the need to introduce more nursing units in the Dulais Valley.

Superintendent W. Doolan, toasting" The Dulais Valley Corps," referred to the co-operation between the Priory and the Police particularly in connection with Air Raid Precautions. The President, 1fr. D. J. Thomas, replied, supported by Dr. Trevor Davis. Mr. S. G. Johns, Chairman of the Swansea Branch of the British Legion, proposing" A.R.P. Instructors," gratefully referred to the services of the Brigade Officers in lecturing to Legion Members on A.R.P. Dr. J. P. Prell, Corps Surgeon, who has devoted considerable time to the instruction of the Corps in A.R.P., responded.

j\£r. Ev-ans-Bevan, to whose generous support and in the Ambulance :Movement high tributes were paid, presented the following awards :President's Challenge Cup to r.faesmarchog Ambulance Division (Captain, j\Ir. W. Rowe), and medals to the members 1Iessrs. D. J. Smith, £VI, Podger, R. Rees, Edgar Bevan; highest efficiency medal to Corps Sergeant-11ajor G. R. \\7illiams, Onllwyn; and highest average marks cup to 1Ir. Robert Jones, Onllwyn.

RHO:-\TDDA CEXTRE.

A conyerted shop in Llewellvn Street Pontvowaith J b was opened on Thur day, :i\larch 3 I, bv 1ft. \\!. H. Main\\"aring, who received the key from 11r. T. E. ffilth, Honorary Architect for the Priory for " ales. The premises had been acquired and adapted at a cost of about £210, half of which was received from the Commissioner for Special Areas Ambulance Halls' Grant and the balance was raised in less than twelve months larg ely throug h the In1t1atl\' e of Ir. W. J. Thomas, founder .of the Division, \,"hose present state of health debars him from assuming any more acti\"e office than that of Honorary Treasurer.

The Principal Secretary and Commissioner for \'(Tales (The Hon. John H. Bruce), speakin O' at a subsequent meeting, paid glowing tribute fo the progress made by the Division durin O' the short period of two years. The Hon. 11r. \\ 11. Jones: detailed the actiyities of the Cui t: ar: d the Capt. T. E. Richards, added his appreCIatIOn. Lady Count" Officer 11rs. Hamilton Ingledew announced that a 1 ursina Di\T i ion would be formed shortly at Pontygwaith. b

BRIGADE

FINALS

The Brigade Finals were held on the 13th of this month at the Great Central Hotel, and, once more, aave evidence of the enthusiasm and keenness which teams bring to this yearly competition.

Before the Challenge Shields and prizes were presented by H.R.H the Duchess of Gloucester, Dame Grand Cross of the Order of St. John and D eputy Commandant-in-Chief of Nursing Corps and Divisions, the Sub-Prior, the Earl of Scarbrough, K.G., paid tribute to the constant of of the Royal Family, who were working, day 1n and day out, in the public service.

He paid tribute to the work of the B rigade in cause of suffering humanity, and quoted the effective numbers of the Brigade and Nursing Divisions last year-84,ooO men and women

The Sub-Prior discussed the work done in the field of Air Raid Precautions since the time when, in 1935, the Home Office asked the Order to co-operate in this work, and, in conclusion, thanked Mr. John Maxwell and Mrs. John Maxwell for their continued generosity ift supplying the stage settings, Mr. Clarence Elder and Mr Joe Grossman for theIr supervision in the making and erecting of the set pieces. He also thanked the Surgeon-in-Chief and his helpers and all those responsible for the successful conduct of the competitions.

After H.R.H. the Duchess of Gloucester had replied in a charming little speech, the Chief Commissioner, Maj or-General Sir John Duncan, read out the results of the Competitions, which were received with applause.

Major Darvil Smith, the Brigade Secretary,. Mr. H. A. J. Wrigglesworth, the Competltlon Secretary, are to be congratulated on the organisation of the Competitions and the new arrangements which enabled a much larger publIc to assemble easily and to be comfortably seated.

THE COMPETING

.A1.fllULAN CE. Dis- Team trict. Letter. Division.

3 4 g

K Cr cklewood

A Wolverton

J Birming ham (City Gas)

E Crewe"A"

D Bentinck Colliery

C Hetton-Ie-Hole

7 F Hereford

8 I Herne Bay

9 B Red ruth

NURSING.

C Hampstead Lady Supt. D. E. Raynel

E Bournemouth (Meyrick) Lady Supt. E Jones

G Loughborough Amb. Sister A. Goodbum

4 J Blackpool Lady Amb. O fficer B. Hal!

5 G Spalding Amb. Sister E. Molson

6 D Stockton and Lady Amb. Officer E. Kirk

1 K Oswestry Lady Amb. O fficer E. M Pugh

8 A Hastings Lady Amb. Officer L. Inkpen

9 F Weymouth Amb. Sister L. Capie

10 Ipswich (Air Duties) Lady Amb. Officer G. :N Allin Wales B Builth Wells Lady Supt. D. M. Price

WI NERS OF TROPHIES.

" DEWAR" CHALLENGE SHIELD.-Highest marks; Crewe, Team E, District NO.4.

"SYMONS ECCLEs " CHALLENGE Cup -Second highest IDlI.rks Redruth, Team B, District NO.9.

" TRIMBLE" TROPHy.-Highest marks In Individual and Dual Practicals: Crewe, Tc.!am E, District No.

" ELLIS" Cup.-Officer or Leader of Team gaining highest mark in Practicals ; Crewe, Team E, District 1\:0. 4

NURSING COMPETITJO!-.:S.

" PERROIT" CHALLENGE SHlELD. - Highest marks; Weymouth Team F, District NO.9.

" CORB ET-FLETCHER" TRoPHY. - Second highest marks; Hampstead, Team C, District No I.

" CHALMERS" TROPHy.-Highest marks in Individual and Dual Practicals; Weymouth, Team F, District -0. 9.

" l\fOUNTGARRET" Cup.-Highest marks in Bedmaking Test. Sisters Nos. and 3 ; Ipswich (Air Duties), Team I, District No. 10.

" ELLIS" C{')"P.-Officer or Leader of Team gaining highest mark-. in Practicals and Team Tests; Weymouth, Team F, District NO 9

" DEWAR " .'\"<0" PERROTT " CHALLENGE SHIELD CoMPBTITION

" PERROTT."

Serg t. L. Stirk

Amb Officer S. A. Webber

Supt. W. H Robinson

Supt. A. V. Gibson

Supt. F. Shelley

Cpl. J. Gilliland

10 G March Wales H Clydach and District Leader of Team.

Amb. Officer W. J. Scrivens

Amb Officer H. J. Hogbin

Sergt. J. Olson

Sergt. N. Sproston

Sergt A Lewis

" DEWAR. "

Maximum marks all Te ts 527 Practical 2+9 Officer 50

Posi- Dis- },Iarks

tion. Division. trier. obtd. Trophy \'\ on.

t Crewe + +6+ " Dewar."

2 Redruth 9 +33 " Symons Eccles"

Hetron-Ie-Hole Challenge Cup.

3 6 43 1.5 + Hereford 7 +31.2

5 Birmingham (City Gas) +26

6 \'V'olverton 2 --1-23-7

7 Cricklewood 1 +23·+

8 Bentinck Collier) 5 4 16

9 Clydach and District \X-ales P4

TO March 10 +10

II Heme Bay 8 387

THE DE\\'.-\R -, CHALLENGE SHIELD TEST.

Time Limit 20 minutes. \X arning at 15 minutes.

INTRODUCTION TO TEST.-You are on your way by car to Jonsgatc, where you are to take part this afternoon in the Dewar Preliminary Competition of your District. When you are two miles from that town you are stopped just outside the village of Firsted, fifty yards away from a wayside house; and you are told that a boy, climbing a tree, has been caught in the branches. '.

You know that there is a hospital in J onsgate and that an ambulance can be obtained therefrom. Act as you see fit.

ACTION OF TEST.-Off the ,§et the members of the team w ll be seated in their car and then handed their card of " Introduction to Test." When they approach the set, the boy's father will clamber out of the window and call out-Hold on, Somlie, tili 1 cOllie o )'0111' help. He will t-hen leap, miss the tree and fall to the ground on his back. Prior to these mishaps father and son had arranged to han tea on the lawn.

STAGL"<G OF TEST.-Mrange set as country house with opel' window and with gardeq in which stands a large tree. Exhibit on house notices-Tea and Light Refreshments and Public Telepholle.

In front of set arrange a table actually laid out with tea, jug of recently boiled water and light refreshments, and on one side of set an ambulance which arrives six minutes after call. Also place stretcher, haversack and blankets in the team s motor car.

Additional to the two patients, assistants are required as car driy c r and waitress.

Represent on boy a bruise of forehead and an abrasion of the right palm; and on man signs of shock, a simple fracture of femur in middle of shaft and an incised wound of left palm \\'lth arterial bleeding. The man is instructed to keep his right foot full y everted until limb has been controlled by splints and bandages.

DETAILS OF TEST

hL'ffiDlATE

Officer promptly tells Bearers I and 3

To remain and to collect equipment

While he goes with Bearers 2 and 4 to house \fa x \Lark s

Call to boy to hold firmly to tree 2

Mode of approach on both patients

Bearers going to boy and to father.

Ask if any further source of danger. ( \ 0) 2

Take action forthwith to rescue boy 4

Efficiency of method of removal from tree. 6

On arrival Bearers and 3 prepare stretcher

Stand at attention and await further orders

Ask waitress if doctor lives in Firsted. ( L \ O)

Later when injuries have been diagnosed

Officer telephones the hospital in Jonsgate

Reports cases and asks for ambulance. (Si x lIJ nutes )

EXA..\HNATION OF Boy.

Soothing words to boy. (Replies prollJptl] )

Ask colour of face and how breathing. ( "Vorma! )

Test pulse at wrist. (Rapid btlt strong)

Quickly note abrasion and bruising

Wound of Palm.

Examine hand: ask colour of blood. (Red)

How flowing. (Oozing from all parts) 2

If wound dirty. (Yes); if foreign bodics. (1 0)

Promptly apply temporary dressing to palm I52

Bruise of Forehead.

Examine bruise: ask if swclling bcneath_ (}'u)

Test for signs of fractured skull. (iVOI/,)

Ask boy if any pain elsewhere. (No)

Method of excluding injuries elsewhere

Head, trunk, pelvis and all limb ( 0111')

EX.UIINATION OF FATHER.

Soothing words to father. (Replies prlllJlptly)

\sk colour of face. (Pale); how breathing. ( \ hal/oll ')

Test pulse at wrist. crr"eak); skin. (Cold )

Ask if in pain. thigb aIJd left palm)

Quickly note brisk bleeding from palm

And marked eversion of man's left foot

W olltui of PallJl.

Examine palm: confirm bright red blood. ( Hal)

Ask if spurting. O es); kind of wound. (fnci red)

If dirty. (Yes); if any foreign bodies. (\ '0)

Tcst for signs of fracture of hand ( \ 0 11< )

Bearer promptly controls arteries at \\"rist

I\nd covers wound with temporar! dresslIl .t:

Fractflre of Fell/til'. .

ext examine the right lower limb

-1.sk fa[her if able [Q lift heel from gruund

If visible shortening of limb. (Tw o illcbl.l')

Locate marked irregularity. ("'i;d-ji'lIIl1r ) _

Feel if clothing damp or bloodsmined.

Exclude funher injury to limb. (. lIl1 )

Decide to treat for implc Fracturc Femur

Promptly dctail Bearer to correct po ition. _ \nd to hold on to foo t continuoush

\Iethod of excluding injuries elsewhe rL

Head, trunk, peb-is and other imh" ( \ (11;< OF Boy.

Seat boy : loosen clothe s : keep " arm

Give drink of [ea in sips from tea tahle

II ofmd o Pallll.

Take ju CT of warm water trom tea tahk· -\nd boiled 'water 0\ er wound

Iodine fingers, wound and slun arounJ

\llow dry: clean dry dressing: fi rm

Suppon the limb in a larg e arm -slin g

Brfllse of Forehead.

if spirit or ice a nilablL' (.\ 0) \ppl y cold water dressing to bruise

Re·apply dressing at frequent in ter\ a l.,

TREADfENT OF FATHER.

Leave on back, head ami shuulders 10\\

Head to side: loosen clOthes' keep warm

rl"oltlld of Pallll.

One Bearer compresses arteries a[ wci s t

\\' hile another takes jug of water from rabk

-\nd pours boiled water over the wound

Then iodine fingers, wound and skin arounJ

Allow it to dry applies clean dl) dressing

Then asks man to grip firm pad firml y

ext places back of hand on centce

Of triangular bandage, base 'which Is turned upwards for four inches

FoLds point forward and as ks paticm

To pull firmly on the point of handag t:

Passes ends round wrist: ties firmly

Pulls point downwards: pin s in positio n

Raises forearm: applie5 St. John sling

Ask rcsuh. (, 0 bleedill/!, Ireatll/eJI/ corre,' )

Fracture of Femur.

Bearer has kt:pt right lower limh

By holding ankle and foot continuoush-

Now uies gently [() drawn down the foot

Into line with its fcllow and ties firmly

Without cxposing fracture at any time

He then passes seVUl bandages under patient

Starting at ches[ juS[ helow armpit

Pelvis in line with the hip joint

Both legs: broad bandage to bOth knees

Places splint along injurcd side of man

From armpit to just beyond the foot

Fixcs splint by tying bandages in same ordcr

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TRANSPORT OF PATlE TS.

Ask if any change in condition of patients. (No)

Tactfully explain need for remonl to hospital

Father on stretcher; boy seated in ambulance

Method of loading stretcher: care of injuries

Method of carrying and of lowering stretcher

Method of loading the ambulance, and of.

Assisting boy afterwards to ambulance

Two Bearers proceed in ambulance

While others follow in their own motor car

Careful observation of both patients in transit

Proper use of serrices of car driver and waitress

Value of report given to House-surgeon

Competency of Officer-in-charge of team

Gross total

Deduct penalties, if any

Net Total

REGULATlO PENALTIES.

Use of Brigade uniform as covering

Unnecessary ,erbal explanation

Redundant question to the Judge

Undue p articipation by the Officer

Other penalties (if any)

THE " PERROTT" CHALLENGE SHIELD.

Nl' RS I'-:G TEST (FIRST Am PORTION).

Time limit 20 minutes. \'V'arning at 15 minutes.

lNTRODUCTIO"J TO TE T.-YOU are spending the day your Team Leader s country cottage. You know that this is hve miles from Jonsgate where there is a hospital and two miles from the village of Firsted where the doctor resides. You know also that the telephone is out of order and that the car will not return from Jonsgate for at least four hours.

On this sunny afternoon you are on the lawn receiving instruction ih gas mask drill for your A.R.P. re-examination. If anything untoward happens, act as seems best to you.

ACTION OF T EST.-During her insttuction the Officer places a gas mask in position on the young gardener. Her husband is standing on a ladder at work on the greenhouse. He turns round and is so surprised at seeing the gardener wearing a gas mask that he loses his balance and crashes through the framework on to the floor of the g reenhouse. On the lawn lies a surgical haversack. Five minutcs after the test starts, a carman walks up to the cottage and delivers a parcel. If not detained he will walk off set.

Sv GING OF TEsT.- Arrange cottage with greenhouse attached, tbe lower half of which can be exposed to the view of the spectators.

Against the g reenhouse place the gardener's push cycle and also a ladder on which the husband stands, hard at work, when the team arrives.

In the greenbouse place 3 or 4 poles and 3 or 4- sticks-of which 2 poles and 2 sticks are suitable for improvisation as stretcher.

Arrange bedroom in cottage with removable front, thou g h entry must be throug h doorway. Bedroom is in state of disorder

Reproduce on husband, who is fully conscious, an incised wound (with arterial bleeding) in upper third and outer side of right leg (with staining of trousers), a simple fracture of right humerus in middle of shaft and a sprain of left ankle. Place respirator on gardener.

DETAILS OF TEST.

IMMEDIATE ACTION.

Max. Marks.

Mode of readin g card and of approach 2

Ask if risk of further fall of glass. (No) 4

Instruct g ardener to take off respirator 4

Tactful and kind words to patient 2

Ask if patient replies. (Clearly and distinctly) 2

Ask where pain. (RIght ar", and leg, left ankle) 2

Quickly discover bloodstained trouser 4

And forthwith expose wound fully. 2

Ask character. (Incised); if dirty. (No)

Colour of blood. (Bright red); if spurting. (Yes)

If glass in wound. (No); if fracture below. (No )

Detail Sister to apply digital

To femoral artery in groin without delay

Cover wound with temporary

Send

ExAMINATION OF PATIENT.

Ask

Commencing with

Rght Arm.

Ask if right arm shorter than left.

Note no deformity; feel clothing.

Ask if can move arm at aU. (No)

Feel for swelling and irregularity.

Decide Simple Fracture of Arm O'u) (Dry) (Marked)

Left Ankle.

Feel sock. (DT)>); note no deformity

Feel for irregularity. (No); for swelling. (Yes)

Ask if can move joint. (Yes, bllt paifl ,z-orse)

Decide Sprain of left Ankle joint

And do not remove shoe and sock

Efficiency of methods of examination of

Head, trunk, spine and rest of limbs

TREATMENT OF PATIENT.

Decide complete treatment on spot

Loosen clothes at neck, chest and waist

Cover warmly: use encouraging words

WOUlld of Leg.

While Sister keeps up pressure on femoral

Iodine to wound, skin and parts around "

Allow dry: apply clean dry dressing

Pad of cOtton '.vool: bandage firmly

Completing reef knot over wound

Rela.x pressure: ask if still bleeding. (\ 0)

Fractllred Right Ann.

Place forearm at right angle to arm

Support wrist in small arm-sling

Splints on front , back and outer side

Fix with bandages above and below fracture

Sprail1ed Allkle.

Support foOt in comfortable position

Apply banda ge tightly over boot

\'V'itb centre on sole under instep

Cross it in front of ankle joint

Carrv round ankle where tic firmly

Ask -if change in face, pulse, brcathin.>! 1 \ '0)

Procure and give patient hot drink

Decide to remove to bed in cottage

Send two Sisters to make preparation

TRANSPORT OF PATIENT.

Accuracy of instructions to yokels

How best prepare improvised stretchcl

Efficiency of stretcher when prepared

Use of two sticks as tra\ erse bars

Accuracy of instructions to yokels

How best place patient on stretcher

And remove him to bedroom of cottage

Superintend and control his removal

This done, send yokel on push cycle

To Firsted with written detailed note

Asking doctor to come quickly to cottagl

And suggesting need of calling ambulann

TREATMENT OF ANKLE IN BEDROOM.

Expose left ankle with great care. :

Support limb in comfortable posltlon

Apply cold water dressings to joint

Ask patient if these give relief. (Ye.r)

Renew cold dressings at frequent

Watch carefully till doctor arrives

Competency of Officer-in-charge of team

penalties, if any

Use of Brigade uniform as covering

Unnecessary verbal explanation

Redundant questions to Judges

Undue participation of Officer

Other penalties (if any)

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Hygienic Measures and Hospital Organisation of the Italian Expeditionary Forces during the Ethiopian War, 1935-1936

(Continued from page 14 3)

Several months before hostilities commenced, the head of the Italian Government created the post of High Consultant and Inspector-General of all the medical units in East Africa and the Red Sea (Army Medical Service, ]v1ilitia Medical Service, Naval Medical Service, Air Force Medical Service, Colonial :Medical Service and Red Cross organisations) to direct generally and to co-ordinate their activities. I had the honour of being called to fill this post. SLIDES.

This, then, was, briefly, the health organisation. Let us study the results, which at least in part, can be ascribed to it, especially in regard to the prevalence of diseases that commonly afflict armies in colonial warfare.

Malaria.-In many colonial and non-colonial wars of the past, malaria has been the scourge that greatly interfered with war operations.

For example, in the Great War, the real cause that paralysed for so long the advancre of the Allied armies in :Macedonia, was malaria. Who does not remember the Struma Valley? I have seen battalions with 95 per cent. of the soldiers and officers stricken with malaria a month after arrival. In 19 I 6, in the Macedonian Expeditionary Force with a strength of 123,394 men and officers, there were 32,018 admissions to hospital for malaria, with 287 deaths. In 1917 the strength of the force rose to 182,583 men (including officers); there were 71 A 12 admissions to hospital for malaria, with 228 deaths and, in addition, there were forty-three cases of blackwater fever, with twelve deaths. The bulk of the cases, namely, 60,977, occurred during the period of seven months, May-November, which, is, in the Balkans, the malaria season. In the Tropics, the malaria season may be said to extend to the whole year.

In 1918, with a force amounting to 128,747 men and officers, there were 59,087 admissions to hospital for malaria, with 272 deaths, and to this number should be added 133 cases of blackwater fever, with twenty-eight deaths. Very heavy losses from malaria were sustained also b y the French and Italian forces.

In the East African Expeditionary Force in 1916, with an averag e strength of 58,114 men and officers, there were during the period of seven months, JuneDecember, 5°,768 admissions to hospi tal for malaria, with 263 deaths In 1917, the avera g e ration strength of the expeditionary force was 50,702 men and officers; there were 72,141 admissions to hospital for malaria, with 499 deaths.

In the recent war in Ethiopia, malaria did not give very serious concern, although it should pe noted that, on the northern front, a number of zones such 15 6

as the Mareb region, were badly malarial, and on the southern front, all the zones were terribly malanal. the disease being absolutely general among the indigenous Somali population. Naturally, there were a certain number of cases among the Italian troops, and an occasional pernicious one, but the total numbe r and the mortality were infinitely lower than had bee n expected.

With a white army approximating half a million men, there were 1,241 cases of primary malana • admitted to hospital and 1,093 admissions for relapse s, with twenty-three deaths from pernicious form '>, including blackwater fever, which was extremely rarl:

Judging by the German East Africa Campaign during the Great War, we should have expected an enormous number of admissions to hospital for malaria-well over 3°0,000, and over 2,500 death .· from it.

What were the prophylactic measures taken?

With the troops continuously on the move and th e .lrea of operations being enormously extended, mechanical prophylaxis, such as mosquito nets and :mtilarval measures, was often impossible. From th e beginning we insisted on quinine prophylaxis: ever y soldier received three tablets a day of quinine sulphate or bihydrochloride-each tablet containing 0.2 g m. (3 gr.)-and took them, a good example was giv en to the ranks by those in authorit y ; at every meal, the Commander-in-Chief in Somaliland, Genenil Graziani, and all his staff officers took quinine regularly General Achille Starace, on the northern front idolised by the Black Shirts- took quinine regularly, and this helped me greatly in the quinine prophylaxIS among troops of the National Militia. In Somaliland, I once found a group of Black Shirts who were n O l ver y enthusiastic about quinine prophylaxis ; in fact, one non-commissioned officer, who had bee n a long time in Brazil, was strongly of the opinio n that the best method of preventing malaria was to drink daily a large quantit y of red wine. The more malarial the district, according to him, the more red wine should be imbibed. When he heard th at General Starace took quinine, he changed his opinion or, to be more correct, he added the quinine t o his own method of prophylaxis. It must be rememb ere d, however, that the" prophylactic " in which h e had real confidence was obtainable only in small quanti tI es , and then only in the evening.

The men also knew that we could find out wh et her they had taken quinine or not. They were frequ ently paraded, and one in every ten or twenty men was made to pass urine. This was tested with Tanre t's

\!rue Jlobn

OFFICIAL GAS CHARTS

No. I Chart shows gas derivations.

No. 2 is a full and complete educational chart of &I Typical War Gases."

Everyone taking an "A.R.P." Course should be in possession of these charts which are now available . for general issue to all St. John organisations at a nominal fee.

(Each Set comprises one each of Chart No. I and No 2.) postage ORDER FORM

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Please send set(s) of the St. John Ambulance Gazette Official Gas Charts. for which I enclose remittance for. in accordance with the above price list.

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reagent: on adding a few drops of this reagent, if quinine has been taken, the urine becomes turbid; if quinine has not been taken, the urine remains clear.

In: Somaliland, a special anti-malaria service was instituted, with officers whose sole duty it was to prevent and fight malaria. The results were excellent.

Dysentery.-Dysentery has always been one of the worst scourges of the armies in wartime. In ancient times, generals feared the "bloody flux " more than they did enemy.

Dysentery was rampant in the Middle Ages, during the Crusades. In 1270, during the Seventh Crusade, at Tunis and Carthagena, an enormous number of Christian soldiers died from the disease, amo.ng them Louis IX of France, and his son, Tristan.

In modern times it is sufficient to remember the heavy losses from dysentery suffered by the French, in their wars in Algeria and Tunisia, in the Tonkin War, and in the expedition to 1Yfadagascar.

In the Boer War, too, dysentery was rampant and caused very heavy losses. During the Great War, the British Expeditionary Force in Gallipoli, consisting of I12,677 men and 4,161 officers, had during the campaign which lasted from April 24, 1915, to January 8, 1916, 29,728 cases of dysentery, with 8I1 deaths; more than a quarter of the whole force contracted the disease. If we add the 10,383 cases of diarrhrea admitted to hospital, we see that a prodigious number, more than a third of the army suffered with severe intestinal trouble requiring hospital admission.

In the Macedonian Expeditionary Force, whose strength in 1918 was 128,747 men and officers, there were during that year, 24,245 admissions to hospital for dysentery, with 480 deaths.

In the East African Expeditionary Force in 19 16 , in the seven months June-December, with a strength of 58,1 14 men and officers, there were 8,902 admissions to hospitals for dysentery, with 306 deaths. In 19 17, with a strength of 50,702 men and officers, there were 14,045 admissions for dysentery, with 42.9 deaths.

During the Italo-Ethiopian War, there was a total of 453 hospital cases of dysentery, with no death. One death occurred from a complication (pneumonia) some days after the termination of the war. It may, therefore, be said that during the war in Ethiopia there was not a single case of death from dysentery. The great majority of cases were amrebic; in fact, all the cases were diagnosed as amrebic in the official hospital returns. It is possible that some mistake may have been made at times in the diagnosis, and that some few cases may have been in reality bacterial, but what is of importance from a practical point of view and for comparison purposes, is the total number of cases of clinical dysentery. From experience of certain other colonial wars, there should have been

between at least 80,000 and 100,000 cases of dysentery, with 3,000 or 4,000 deaths.

What prophylactic measures were taken?

(a) Every effort was made to give the officers and men pure drinking water. Practically all officers drank mineral waters- such as S. Pellegnno and Fiuaai- bottled in Italy and shipped to Africa in quantity. I do not think there has been any war previously in which mineral waters have been used on so large a scale. For the troops, and at times, of course, for officers too, local water, obtained from rivers and wells, was used, being always purified by boiling or by some method of chlorination. Distilling plants were erected in several places in Somaliland and in Eritrea. Officers and men ill warships and in hospital ships drank the noted Serino water, imported by cistern-boats from Naples, it is the normal city supply. The sources of Set1?-o water are in the mountains: a big acqueduct carnes it to Naples. Serino water is one the ?est waters in the world, very light and bacterlOloglcally pure. The first troops which landed in SomaWand, when ?-ear harbour, received also Serino water, as we were gIven to understand that water was extremely scarce. We soon found out, however, that we could always get water by drilling wells deep enough. It was, of course, as already mentioned, always boiled or chlorinated. A method of chlorination we found extremely useful for troops on the. march and duri.ng the campaign was the use of a faIrly stable chlonne preparation in tablet form called "Steridrol," put on the market by Moltemi & Company at Florence: one tablet to a litre of water.

(b) The second prophylatic measure was this. The men were recommended to get into the habit of washing or disinfecting their hands a 2 per solution of lysol or lysoform after vISltlng latr-,?e, and before having their meals. The lysol dismfectlon of the hands was strictly enforced on cooks and others working in the kitchens. In Somaliland in many latrines and outside every kitchen was found a receptacle, fixed to a post, containing a 2. per cent. solution of lysol or lysoform. The receptacle usually a discarded petrol tin, with a small tapenng metal tube at the bottom, or a short rubber tube in which a glass pipette was inserted, from which the liquid would fall constantly drop by drop. In some cases, discarded mineral water bottles were used, making a hole in the cork and inserting in it a small metal or glass tube. The soldier exposes the palms of his hands to the dripping fluid and after receiving four or five drops he rubs the hands together and lets them dry nan:raliy without the help of cloth or paper. There 1S no harm in his handling or touching food immediately after even if the hands are still moist; the amount of 1isol that could thus be transferred to food being too small to do the slightest harm.

/ (To be continued)

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NEW service is offered to " Gazette" readers whicb will be of great help in their famil y lives and will be of value to all parents. It is the introduction of a special Child Psychology Section in NEW HEALTH (Consulting Editor, Sir W. Arbuthnot Lane, Bt., C.B ). This Section is under the direction of a European psychiatrist of repute and gives detailed guidance on the many problems of psychology with which all parents arefaced. This feature was introduced in the January, 1937 issue, and bas proved an outstanding success. Adviceis being sought by readers all over the country.

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CONTENTS.

Ed torial H ygienIC \ [casures

Ai r Raid Precaution Brigade News

A. R P Rhymes of the Times

Colonel Sleeman's (1938) Tour First Aid in Canadian Industry Interesting Case Reports

Q ues tions an d Answe rs Railway News Priory for Wales PAGB

C HANCE R Y OF THE ORDE R S T J OHN'S G ATE , C LE R KENWE L L, LOND ON, E .C. I.

A Record Year

The annu a l report on the w ork of the St. John Ambula n ce Brig ade for 19 37 sh ows t ha t d uring that

year the Brigade expanded by no less than 15 I divisions, representing a personnel of 2,38 I. Over 8 50 of these new members were boys and girls joining the cadet corps

Increased membership has meant increased activity. The cases dealt with numbered 688,823-over 74,000 more than the year before.

T he busiest day of the year was Coronation Day. O n that day 7,500 men, women and cadets were on duty in London and dealt with over 9,500 accidents.

R eferring to this famous occasion, Her Majesty the Queen wrote: "I would also ask you to convey to all the memb ers who were on duty my admiration of their sp lendid services on Coronation D ay."

The Brigade h as also b een busy on the roads. There are 2 I 6 roadside huts and I, I 48 first-aid posts.

T his is also a record. The presence of these huts and Erst-aid pos t s make for safer roads as they act as a warning to d rivers and ped estrians.

Ambulan ces h ave had a b usy year. The total mileage was 1,4 1,5 37 or 59 time s round the world. T he cars were used for 123,359 cases11,000 more than in 1936. Apart from their usual work, the am b u lances \vere called to 22,300 road accidents and covered 190,000 miles in this connection.

These Egur e s n eed no comment from us. They speak fo r t h emse lves!

1 *

Hygienic Measures and Hospital Organisation

of the Italian Expeditionary Forces during the Ethiopian 1935-1936

A Paper read before the Royal Society of Arts on March 30. Sir Humphrey Rolleston, Bt., C.C V.D., K.C.B., M.A., M.D., presided.

By

Sir AId o Castellani, K .C. M.G., D. S.C., M.D. , F.R.C.P. , Count of Kisymiao, Inspector-Gemral of the Italian Army and Navy Medical Services during the {Far.

( Continued)

(c) Vaccine and drug propf?ylaxis.- The dysentery in the regions where the war was fought being mostly amrebic, no vaccines were used. We did not use the vaccines also for the reason that such vaccines, when containing the Shiga-Kruse bacillus, give a severe reaction, even when prepared according to modern methods. With regard to dysentery oral vaccines, although my associates and myself have worked on the subject for several years, I have not been able to convince myself that they are really efficacious. One of my assistants, one of my technicians and myself, in 1935, took daily for two months a liquid formalised vaccine. It did not cause any discomfort, but our blood never showed presence of agglutinins and not a trace of immune bodies could be put in evidence using Pfeffer} s phenomenon. In the lower animals (monkeys), slightly better results have been obtained, and the preparation of a dysentery vaccine for oral use is certainly worth further investigation. With regard to the use of a bacteriophage as a prophylactic, too little research had been made to lead to any definite conclusion. As to therapeutic or chemical prophylaxis, a few officers, knowing that the dysentery in East Mrica was usually amcebic, took one or two pills of yatren daily, but the number of individuals doing this was too small to justify any conclusion.

(d) Abdominal belt.-A grandmotherly precaution was adopted. Each soldier was provided with and had to wear a flannel abdominal belt, or "cholera belt." I had the impression that this was a useful measure; it tended to prevent abdominal chills, thereby rendering the soldier less liable to develop dysentery, even if he was a carrier. It served the purpose of cleanliness, too. A small drawback was that in many cases the area of skin protected by the belt became covered with severe prickly heat.

Typhoid and paratyphoid.-Cases of typhoid and paratyphoid infection have been very extensive in past colonial wars. In the French wars in Tunisia, in 1881, among the French troops numbering 20,000 men, there were 4,200 cases of typhoid, with 1,039 deaths. In the Boer War there were 59,750 cases

of typhoid and 8,2Z7 deaths in an army of about ZOO,OOO men (according to some authorities much smaller). In the Spanish-American War (1898) the Americans sent an expedition of 107,973 men to Cuba; in a little more than seven months, there were 20,73 8 cases of typhoid.

In Somaliland, this group of diseases was almost completely absent. In Eritrea, there was a small number of cases, but the total was much less than that encountered during the same period of time and among the same number of troops in Italy.

In Somaliland and in Eritrea, we had a total of 458 cases, with 161 deaths (the small outbreaks of typhoid-paratyphoid in the Tropics always have a high mortality). According to certain previous colonial wars, there might have been in Abyssinia over 50,000 cases, with several thousand deaths.

Among the precautions taken, one of the most important was vaccination with mixed vaccines, great care being taken in the preparation of the vaccine, both in the laboratories of the Institute of Public Health and in private laboratories. The vaccine used was the Tetra vaccine: Typhoid + Para A + Para B + Cholera, as introduced by me in the Great War and previously in Ceylon. It was adopted during the World War by the American Red Cross Mission in Macedonia at the head of which was Colonel Strong. Typhtts.- This is one of the most important diseases to which armies are exposed during wartime. Suffice it to remember the terrible epidemic in Macedonia when a quarter of the Serbian army was wiped out by typhus. In the recent war, the Abyssinian troops, according to reports given me by foreign doctors in Addis Ababa, had thousands of cases of typhus: at least 20,000. In the Italian army there was not a single case. What was the reason? Rigorous cleanliness among the troops. It was most to find a soldier infested with lice, while louse infestation was common among the Abyssinians. Relapsing fever.- Where there is typhus there js usually relapsing fever. Among the Italian troops. the disease was rare; seventeen cases being reported

with no case of death . The Abyssinians had many thousands of cases; the total is believed to be between ZO,OOO and 30,000.

StlJallpox.-There were a great number of cases among the Abyssinians. During the first few days of the occupation of Addis Ababa, I myself saw several cases walking about the public market place; immediate steps were taken to isolate them. There was only one case among the Italian troops and he recovered.

Heat-stroke.- There were reports in a section of the lay Press that thousands of cases of heat-stroke occurred among the Italian troops. THE FACT IS, HOWEVER, THAT HEAT-STROKE WAS ALMOST COMPLETELY ABSENT AMONG TROOPS, BOTH IN ERITREA AND SOMALILAND; there was a total of thirty cases, with seven deaths. It may be remembered that during the Great War the Expeditionary Force in Mesopotamia in 1917 had 6,242 cases, with 524 deaths.

The principal precautions taken were the following:

(I) The use of the sun helmet by every soldier.

(2) No alcoholic drinks, not even a glass of wine, except after sunset.

(3) Whenever possible marching was avoided and the troops were driven in motor lorries.

Avitamil1oses-Beri-beri.-In several previous wars in tropical and subtropical areas, there have been epidemics of beri-beri, as, for example, in the campaign in rabia during the Great War. As is well known, the disease is due to a deficiency in the diet of vitamin B. The patient feels tired, get out of breath easily, :finds difficulty in marching; then the whole body swells and becomes cedematous. In the last stage the cedema disappears, the muscles become atrophied and the patient resembles a skeleton, having been reduced to skin and bones.

F rom reports I received in Addis Ababa, there were a number of cases among the Abyssinian troops, and we saw several among the prisoners; not a single case was reported among the Italian troop. One case developed after the termination of the war, and was treated in the Hospital for Tropical Diseases, in Rome.

Pella,r;ra.- \Y/e sa"v several cases among the prisoners.

Scttr1y. ince ancient times, scurvy, too, has often been a scourge of the armies in wartime. As is well known, the disease is due to the diet being deficient in vitamin C. The patient feels tired, has pains in the joints, the gums swell and bleed. Later, the skin becomes covered with petechire and hremorrhages occur. The soldier can no longer march and is useless.

Scurvy was rampant in the ... \.byssinian army on the Somaliland front. From reports of foreign doctors in the Ethiopian Red Cross, they had ov r 30,000 cases. There were no cases in the Italian army. What was the reason? A small precaution: every soldier was given a lemon a day.

Prophylaxis of avitaminoses.-The prophylactic measure consisted, of course, 1n glVL?-g the soldier a fairly well-balanced ration. ratton of an Italian soldier in Africa was very similar to the ration he has in Italy, which he likes. In my opinion, it is a mistake to alter radically or too suddenly the ration to which a soldier is accustomed. We added to the ordinary ration a lemon a day. The following was the soldier}s ration in Africa :Bread Grams 800 (later diminished to grams 650), daily.

and spaghetti

and potatOes

(fresh)

six times a week. I80 once a week. 300 (later diminished to grams 250) daily. 60 (beans) or 120 (potatoes) daily.

banana or a few dates when obtainable, daily·

when obtainable (very seldom obtainable in Mrica).

S (later diminished to grams 10) daily. 15 (later diminished to grams 10) dail).

20 daily. 20 daily.

25 daily (grams 50 in the mountainous regions of Ethiopia). daily (grams 30 in the mountainous regions of Ethiopia). (Later grams I8 daily in all regions.)

250 c.c. daily when obtainable.

30 c.c. in the higher regions.

20 C.C. in the lower regions of Eritrea and Somallland once a ,veek.

Tobacco Grams 20 once a week (increased later to grams 35).

HellJlinthiases.-Filariasis.-No cases.

AflcylostolJliasiJ-.-In the \l,Thite troops, no case of this infestation occurred.

Tapet1Jorllls.- Tape"\l,Torm infestation, usually due to trenia saginata, is extremely common a.mong the natives of Abyssinia, practically every suffe:s from it some time or other, the reason bemg theIr habit of eating raw meat. ome of the better-class natives take regularly on a fLxed day, once three months, an infusion of kousso flowers, which is a powelful vermicide. This is, I repeat, on a fi.xed day, and is called the " kousso flower day." There is also a " diplomatic kousso flower day." Suppose a small chief calls on a big chief and the latter for any reason does not \yant to see him, but wants to be' polite, the chief. "\yill send, through a secretary or serv·ant the ±OllO\\TlflCY message: I deeply regret I am unable to-day to you as it is my " kousso flower day.'

.l \mong the Italian trOOps, tapeworm infestation was extremely rare; only t\VO cases seem to ha"l;e been recorded, both of T. saginata.

(ContilJ/led 011 page 188)

Air Raid Precautions •

Que s tions and rY A nst,vers

Q.- I s the drop of Mustard Gas in the eye intensely painful immediately?

A.-Yes.

Q.- Would it be practical to arrange a pocket on the protective clothing fastened by a zip fastener and containing a pad for removal of gas from the eye?

A.-No, because a zip fastener is corroded by Mustard Gas and might jam.

Q.-Is the hearing badly impaired by the protective hood?

A.-No.

Q.- What happens to liquid gas washed down the drain when it arrives at the other end?

A.-It depends what the scheme of drainage IS, planned by the Authorities.

Q. - How do you make bleach paste?

A.-Add bleach power to water to required consistency .

Q.-Can Mu"stard Gas actually permanently destroy eyesight?

A.-Yes.

Q.- Which is the more injurious to the general public, Mustard Gas or Lewisite?

A.-Mustard Gas.

G.-Could you describe the shape of the blisters: i.e., Mustard Gas, i.e ., Lewisite?

A.-Mustard Gas Blister-flattish. Lewisitelike an apple on a stalk, in an extreme case.

Q.-What is the effect on cattle?

A.-Same as on humans.

Q. - How high does the vapour from Mustard Gas rise from street, would it penetrate to a second floor flat?

A.-It depends on temperature and wind at the time.

Q .-Does the gas persist for any time after all liquid has evaporated?

A.-Depends on effect of wind, weather and topographical conditions

Q.-Ap art from arsenical poisoning, does Lewisite have same internal effects as Mustard Gas?

A.-Very similar but less severe

Q.-Is it possible to detect Mustard Gas without personal injury?

A.-Yes, by a chemical detector .

Q.-How are you as a First Aider to know whether a person is suffering frbm Mustard or Lewisi t e blister?

A.-As a Firs t Aider, a blister is never seen b ecause it takes eight or more hours to develop .

Q

.-How is one to smell gas if respira tor i$ worn ?

A.-You do not.

Q.-Should the blister of Mustard Gas be b urst?

A -Emphatically NO.

Q.-Liquid in eyes: Is irritation felt immediately with both IYfustard and Lewisite?

A -Yes.

Q. - If exposed to vapour only without. other protection than respirator would a man be blistered from his neck to his feet?

A.-Yes, if no preventive or first aid treatment were adopted and the concentration were sufficient.

Q .-How can one explain the .term 10 connection with the decontanunatlOn of Lew1s1te r

A.-Hydrolysis means the . ma1.cin g- u p of a substance by water. Lew1site IS hydrolised by water .

Q.-Would you advise a First A.id post in a factor} ?

A.-Yes, some London firms are fixing such

Q -Does respirator (Government) give protection against nitrous fumes?

A. - Yes.

Q._ What existing buildings are considered most suitable for conversion for first-aid posts?

A.----':Schools, public baths, golf clubs.

G - Will concrete floors beneath the showers to be regularly treated with "wat erglass" or wi ll one dressing suffice?

A -They will want daily treatment

G .-Whose duty is it to provi de a First Aid Post?

A.-T he Local Authorities through the Medical O fficer of Health.

G.-I s a trench a good A.R.P. measure?

A -Yes, against High Explosives.

Q .-Has seawater any different effect on thes e gases to ordinary water?

A -Very little, if any. B ut a swi m o ut t o sea in a g as attack is not a bad idea !

Y. C. B .

Surgeons' Week-End Conference

The Surgeons' Week-end Confere n ce will take p lace at the Great Hot.e l on O ct?b er 5 an d I6 Further information wll1 be p ubli shed ln d ue cou rse

The St. John Ambulance Brigade News

No. (PRINCE OF WALES'S) DISTRICT. MARYLEBoNE.

The first annual dinner and dance of the St Marylebone Nursing Division was a most succe<;sful function

Lady Superintendent Mrs. Hathaway was the hostess, and welcomed the guests on arrival. The chair was taken by the 1ayor of St. Marylebone (Alderman R. Stiles Allen, D.L., J.P.), who was accompanied by the Mayoress, and amongst those present were Assistant Commissioner Captain 11. A. Fenton, Lady District Superintendent 1iss Walker, Lady District Officer 1iss :Masson, Dr. Charles Porter (Medical Officer of Health), Dr. H. A. Bulman (Assistant Medical Officer) and members of the Brigade.

The first toast was" The St. larylebone ursing Division," proposed by Captain H. A. Fenton, who said the Division was, of course, really a new one and had not, as yet, established its tr'aditions, but so far as it had gone he thought it "vas going to have very sound traditions and be a successful division.

Their uperintendent was bring ing sound experience to their aid. They had a Lady Ambulance Officer (Mrs. Waters), a ursing Officer ( Ir. R. Coye-Smith), a Divisional Treasurer (':\frs. Loveridge), and a Divisional Secretary ( riss Attwooll), all of whom would help the Division a great deal.

Lady Superintendent Mrs. Hatha\vay said she "vas sure they all felt greatly encouraged by what Captain Fenton had said, and expressed her grateful thanks to the officers present that evening, including Captain Fenton, fiss Walker and 1fiss Mas:,on. The Division was only six months old and in that time they had eight new members, and some more were cominoalong. She wished to mention their" bio- brother f; the St. Marylebone Division, and Allen, and them. for all their help. They were very fortunate 1n haVing the support of the municipality behind them, which meant a great deal, and she need hardly say how very much they appreciated the interest taken by the 11ayor

Officer Mrs Cove-Smith proposed the toast of" The Visitors," coupling with it the name of Miss Walker, and in reply the Lady District uperintendent said the new D ivision had made an excellent start, and there was not the slightest doubt they wou ld make successful progress in the future.

Following the dinner, dan cing took place, the J67

mUSIC being provided by the St. Dunstan's Dance Band.

An important event in Sidcup was the operung of the new Ambulance Hut at Kemnal Corner by Mr. E. V. Mills, J.P. (Chairman of Chislehurst-Sidcup Council).

Assistant Commissioner Captain A. C. \Vhite Knox, M.C., M.B., was in command of a guard of honour of members and cadets from Eltham Division, and the new Sidcup Division and nurses from Lewisham, to welcome Mr. Mills and the Mayor of \"X'oolwich (Councillor P. H. Rance) was also present with frs. Rance.

Captain \"X'hite Knox spoke of his pleasure at being present - at the ceremony and congratulated :Mr. WI. F. Herwegh, founder of the Sidcup Division, on the progress he had made. The hut was for St. John \mbulance work, to succour those injured or ill in any circumstances, and he hoped it would be the means of alleviating some of the suffenng that might arise in the area. Ivlembers of the two divisions would staff the hut and would that the service was of the very best.

He then presented a key to 11r. 11i11 s. fro :\1ills aid it was a great pleasure to him to be concerned in the establishment of St. John Ambulance w o rk in the district, and he too cong ratulated :Mr. Herwegh on his ,,\ ork in connection with an enterprise that would be a great asset to the district.

They could every confidence of recei"Ting expert treatment should an accident occur and, as Chairman of the Council, he was glad to have the Brigade in the district.

The 1Iayor of \\Toolwich, moving a vote of thanks, recalled how greatly the work of the St. John Ambulance movement was needed at the time of its formation. How much greater was the need to -da y! He was sure the service would be a godsend to people travelling on the roads and welcomed it equally warmly as an example of the amazing energy of voluntary helpers in all departments of life.

Mr. T. G. Galbraith (Vice-Chairman of the Council) seconded the vote of thanks and paid another tti bute to the willingness of Sidcup and Eltham members to serye.

1\mong those present at the ceremony were .:\!rs. Harbottle (representing Superintendent H. R. llarbottle, of Eltham Division), 1iss Pearce (Lady Superintendent, Lewisham), 11r. F. W. Judd (Ambulance Officer, Eltham), Dr. . 11cClements (Divisional

Surgeon, Eltham), Dr. C. E. Gallagher (Instructing Surgeon, Sidcup), and Dr. Eva Gallagher.

The annual distribution of awards gained by members of the Post Office Ambulance Centre (including members of Nos. 28N and 58 Divisions of the St.].A.B.) took place again in the Hall of the Goldsmiths' Company on May 19.

The distribution was preceded by an inspection of members by Assistant Commissioner Captain H. A. Fenton and then by Sir Walter Womersley, the Assistant Postmaster-General, who was accompanied by Lady Womersley. Sir Walter appeared thoroughly to enjoy his " afternoon off" from his parliamentary duties.

Mter the inspection, there was a march past, Sir Walter taking the salute. The procession made a really good display as it marched the short distance from the General Post Office to the Goldsmiths' Hall.

The Chairman at the meeting was the President of the Centre, Dr. H. H. Bashford (Chief Medical Officer to the Post Office), who welcomed Sir Walter and Lady Womersley. After the introduction the awards gained by the women were presented by Lady W omersley and the men received theirs from Sir Walter.

A Tote of thanks to Sir Walter and Lady Womersley was then proposed by Lieut.-Col. Lidbury (Regional Director, London Postal Region) and seconded by Miss Morshead (Lady Superintendent of the Nursing Division).

In reply, Sir Walter said that he was glad that he could leave the House with an easy conscience to attend an official function of that sort. He expressed his admiration of the work done by the members and hoped that next year they would all be in uniform.

In his concluding remarks, Dr. Bashford stated that the Challenge Shield competed for by men's teams was now filled. He mentioned that an exhibition of gold arid silver ware would shortly be held at the Goldsmiths' Hall and that Sir Thomas Gardiner (Director-General of the General Post Office) had kindly promised to purchase a cup from the exhibition and present it to the P.O.A.C. to take the place of the challenge shield.

Amongst the visitors were several chief officials of the Post Office departments, many of whom take a keen interest in the work of the Centre. Also present were Lady District Superintendent Miss Walker, the first Lady Divisional Superintendent of No. 28 Nursing Division, and her successor, Miss Masson, now Lady District Officer, Central Area.

The selection of music given in the Hall by the Orpheus Orchestra before the proceedings started was very much appreciated by the audience.

WANDSWORTH AND P UTNEY.

The Wandsworth and Putney Divisions held a Cburch Parade on Sunday, May 22, to St. Michael's

168

Church, Southfields, at the invitation of the Vicar, the Rev. E. C. Campbell, M.A., H.C.F., Assistant Chaplain of the Order of St. John. The parade assembled near the Municipal Buildings and marched to the church headed by the No. District Band.

Among those who attended the service were: His Worship the Mayor of Wandsworth (Ald. G. F. Morris, J.P.), Assistant Commissioner S. J. Warren (Western Area), Lady District Officer Viscountess Mountgarret, O.B.E., District Staff Officer W. Roust, Corps Superintendent W. G. Warren (A.R.P. Officer, Northern Area), Divisional Superintendent Sharpe (Kingston Division), Divisional Superintendent Denning (Wandsworth Gas Company Division), Ambulance Officer Begg (Horseferry Division). The lessons were read by His \Vorship the Mayor and Lady Mountgarret. The preacher was the Venerable the Archdeacon Howson (Chaplain of the Order). During the service the Choir Memorial Chapel was dedicated and the choir rendered the anthem, "The Lord is my Shepherd" (Schubert).

After the service, the I'vIayor inspected the parade, and the officers were presented to him. In a short speech the Mayor thanked members of the Brigade for the great voluntary work which they performed, and complimented them on their smartness and efficiency. The parade was organised by Ambulance Officer ' J. G. Horton and Lady Divisional Superintendent Miss Tucker, the officers-in-charge of the local divisions, and was in the charge of District Officer F. E. Stratton (Western Area).

No. 3 (WESTERN) DISTRICT.

To celebrate the formation of a new Division of the St. John Ambulance Brigade in Halesowen last November, the Mayor (Alderman J. B. Downing) and Captain Frank Somers, O.B.E., recently entertained the officers, members and friends to a dinner in the Council House, Halesowen. The Mayor presided.

In proposing a toast to "The St. John Ambulance Brigade," Alderman Chapman said he had rather anticipated that a Division would come very short! y, and hoped that the members would all gain longservice medals, which meant 15 years' hard work and the giving up of many hours of pleasure and home life; but that was worth while, for it turned men into good citizens.

The President presented certificates of special appointments to Dr. J. T. Daly (Divisional Surgeon), Mr. F. Price (Divisional Superintendent), and Mr. E. Lea (Ambulance Officer). Medallions and vouchers were also presented to several members of the Brigade.

NORTH WORCESTERSHIRE.

The annual church parade organised by the North Worcestershire Corps of the St. John Ambulance Brigade took place recently. The parade to the

Rowley Regis Parish Church was headed by the Excelsior Works Band under Bandmaster Harris.

The Rev. H. Card, vicar of Rowle y Regis, conducted the service, which was attended by a large gathering, including officers and men from six divisions.

No. 3 (EASTERN) DISTRICT.

WbLLINGBOROUGII.

On Sunday, May 15, the Annual Territorial Church Parade and Drumhead Service was held in the grounds of Wellingborough School.

Wellingborough Corps, t. John \mbulance Bri-

gade, under Corps uperintendent J. .Marshall Bailey, was strongly represented.

The Commissioner for Northamptonshire (Dr. L. W. Dryland, D.L.) was also present.

Lieut.-Col. H. N. Scott Robson (Commanding Officer of the 50th (The Northamptonshire Regt.)

A.A. Battalion, R.E., T.A.) took the salute at the march past after the service.

o. 4 DI TRICT.

(COUNTlE OF WEST\IORLA D AND CUMBERLA D.)

The Annual Competition for the Collinson Bowl and the Edith Cockill Cup was held at I"':'endal on

Saturday, May 2I, at the St. John Headquarters, and was open to teams of four from any Nursing Division in Cumberland, Westmorland and Furness, the Bowl being awarded for Team work and the Cup for Individual Practical proficiency.

Cumberland had entered three teams from Carlisle and one from Keswick, Westmorland one team each from Ambleside and Kendal, and Furness one team from Ulverston.

The examination consisted of, and was judged by, the following:- •

First Aid Teams: Divisional urgeon W. H. Mylechreest.

Fir Individual Questi ons: ssistant County Commissioner J. Lamberton.

First l \id Individual Practical: Divisional Surgeon J. H. Patterson.

:\fursing Individual Questions: N. H. Brady.

ursing Individual Practical: County Commissioner W. B. Cockill.

,\t the conclusion of the Competitions, the County Commissioner said how pleased he was to see 0 many entries, and especially welcomed the repre-

sentative team from the Furness area which appeared for the first time.

The results were as follows :-

Collinson Bowl to Ulverston, who had obtained 206 parks, winning by 4 marks over Kendal; Keswick was third with 186 marks. The Ulverston team consisted of Ambulance Sisters M. Kellett, A. Harry, M. Wilkinson and H. Herrington.

Cockill Cup was won jointly by Ambulance Sisters H. H. Raven and 1. Mattinson, both from Keswick, and they will each retain the cup for a period of six months.

The trophies were presented by Mrs. W. H. Somervell.

Lady Ambulance Officer Miss A. Gibson was responsible for the organisation of the Competition.

WHALEY BRIDGE.

After forty-one years of meritorious service, Mr. J. H. Widdop (Superintendent of Whaley Bridge Ambulance Division) has recently retired from active service.

Twenty-seven years ago he was admitted as Hon. Serving Brother to the Order of St. John of Jerusalem and last year was decorated by the King with the insignia of Officer Brother. His long-service medal has no fewer than five bars.

Though Mr. Widdop will doubtless appreciate the release from official responsibility, his many friends will be glad to learn he is to remain on the reserve.

No. 4 (LANCASHIRE) DISTRICT.

PRESTON.

The Annual Dewar Preliminary Competition was held at Preston on April 9, six teams competed, and after a close contest Crewe were declared the winners, with Nelson a close second.

The prizes were presented to the winning teams by Assistant Commissioner W. H. Gastall, in the absence of the Commissioner through illness, who thanked the organise1;s for the excellent arrangements made. The adjudicators were: Corps Surgeon S. Simons (Blackpool), Team Test, and Divisional Surgeon Blackburn (Preston), Individual -r:est. examiners expressed themselves very satIsfied WIth the work performed by the teams.

LIVERPOOL.

The second Annual "Home Nursing" Competition took place on Saturday, April 30, at the St John Ambulance Brigade Headquarters, 22, Upper Duke Street, LiverpooL The candidates were nurses from the various Divisions of the (( Brigade "-Liverpool Corps.

The award was the silver cup presented by Charles Porter, Esq. (Serving Brother of the Order of St. John) and President of the Liverpool South Division. Each candidate was tested in the administration of medicines, care of and the keeping of patients,

170

bandaging, bedmaking, clinical thermometry, and charting, also the after care of operation cases, fevers and instruments.

The competition was in charge of Dr. W. Murray Cairns (County Surgeon). The judges were Dr. Helen M. Duval (Divisional Surgeon of the Sefton Nursing Division), Miss Evans Moss (Walton Hospital), and Miss Dams (Junior Sister Tutor, Royal Infirmary).

Mr. Charles Porter, on presenting the cup to the winners, remarked on the comprehensiveness and the great value to the community of the Nurse's work, which was of a national character.

Nine teams competed.

Result.-Cup winners, Liverpool Nursing Division (Miss A. Nickson and Miss 11. N. V. Page), 134 marks; second place, Exchange Nursing Division (Miss E. Lythgoe and Miss D. Corica), 129 marks.

BLACKBURN.

The Annual Blackburn Fair was held from April 16 to 20, on the Market Gtound, Blackburn.

As in former years, the Corps had a dressing station in the Corporation Clinic, Victoria Street.

During the Fair-from 8 a.m. to midnight dailythe Ambulance Station and Fair Ground were adequately staffed to meet all cases of accident or emergency, 70 Ambulance men and 50 Ambulance sisters working in relays.

The motor-ambulance arrangements were under t?e direction of the Corps Transport Officer.

Forty-three cases were treated.

No. 5 DISTRICT.

DONCASTER.

At a recent party given in her honour by the Cadets of the Doncaster Corps of the St. J obo Ambulance Brigade, Divisional Superintendent Mrs. Elsie Cox, who is to leave the district, received farewell gifts from the Cadets and the Nursing Division.

Mrs. Cox has been with the Corps for ten years, and has trained the Cadets since their section was formed nearly four years ago.

Corps Superintendent D. Macaskill described the Cadets' progress under Mrs. Cox's tuition as a splendid achievement, and said he hoped that though she was leaving Doncaster, her ability would not be lost to the St. John Ambulance movement.

No.6 DISTRICT.

HULL AND DISTRICT.

St. John Ambulance enthusiasts attended the Hull Technical College on Saturday, April 30, to witness the Competition for the" Coronation Cup" presented by Mr. W. E. Twinham.

Ten teams from all parts of the East Riding and Hull District competed.

The cup was won by New lIolland Ferry team, with a total of 265 points, with Dock Engineers, No.2 Hull, 18 points behind.

The team test was derived from an imaginary motor collision, in which one person was dead and five injured.

Amongst the spectators were noticed Captain S. W. Nicholas, O.B.E., and Mr. G. Edwards (County Secretary), St.J.A.B.; Mr. S. Cooper, Centre Secretary, N.E. Area, L. & N.E. Railway Centre, York; Superintendent C. Cooke and Serg eant Jackson, E R. Police; Mr. N. Lord, Bridling ton, and Mr. A. Batty, Bilton, former officers of the Hull Corp s, St.J.A.B.

J. WI. Evans, J.P., HessIe; i\f r. and Ir s H.

The funeral service was held at Christ Church, Eaton, and conducted by the Rev. H. T. Hall. The service was followed by cremation at Norwjch Crema tori urn.

YORTHER IRELAND DISTRICT DOWN A:\TD ARMAGH AREA.

B A NBRIDGl:..

On the first Sunday in May, Banbridg e Ambulance and Nursing Divisions held their Annual Church Parade to Bannside Presb yterian Church, Banb ridge , the sp ecial preacher being the Rev. J T. And e rso n, B.A.

The uperior and Senior Officers of the Briga d e

Hudson, L.N.E.R. Dock En g ineers ' Accountant, Hull.

Ten teams from all parts of the East Riding and Hull Districts attended the recent competition for the "Coronation Cup" which was presented by Mr. W. E. Twinham.

No. 10 DISTRICT.

NORWICH.

We regret to announce the death, at the early age of 32, of Dr. F. G. Maitland, Hon. Surgeon to the Norwich Lads' Club Division and St. John Ambulance Brigade.

This sudden ending to a promising career came as a great shock to a wide circle of friends.

17 T in Korthe rn Ire land w er e represented b y Assist ant Commis loners A. \YJ. 11ann and J. Harris Rea, County Officers W. \YJilton and J. Kennedy, an d Divisional Surg eons by Dr. Eileen 11. Gibson.

Over twO hundred and fifty membe r s of the Brigade were on parade, including representatives from th e followin g Divisions :-Nursing : \"\ est Belfast, Ba nbridge, outh Belfast, Central Belfast, Lurgan , Ho]ywood and Banbridg e Nursin g Cadets lance: London Midland & Scottish Railway, Banbridge, Belfast Central, Lurgan and Banbrid g c. Ambulance Cadets. St. John Ambulance Association Classes were ,yell represented from Dromore, Rathfriland and Waringstown.

A.R.P. Rhymes of the Times

By Ambulance Sister S. J. Bury NU'I"s i n g D ivisi o n )

PHOSGENE.

Phosgene has no colour, but a smell of musty hay, It causes tears and coughing, but the action may delay. It acts upon the lungs (which get inflamed and then will flood),

And so prevents the oxygen from getting to the blood.

CHLORINE

Chlorine has a suffocating smell, When undiluted it is greeny yellow, It burns the eyes and nose and throat like !

Bronchitis and pneumonia then may follow.

LEWISITE

Lewisite is spotted quick

For it contains some arsenic, Eyes and nose will tell the tale, As "geraniums" you inhale.

D.A. (DIPHENYLCHLOROARSINE).

D.A. consists of particles

Invisible to the eye, Nose and throat are the articles That suffer in passing by.

At first irritation

Then burning sensation

In the chest while the Head, teeth and gums Ache, Oh Fie!

LUNG IRRITANTS.

When the lungs are affected the patient must rest,

A cough and a spasm then pain in the chest.

The face may be blue and the pulse may be quick, And later the patient may also be sick.

NOSE IRRITANTS (TREATMENT).

A nasal douche to ease the pains" Soda Bi-carb" one pint ten grains. Then if the patient should be sick,

Copious draughts will do the trick. Warn him that he may feel worse

Because this gas is so perverse.

Particles to the clothes adhere,

So you should shake them in the air I

DECONTAMINATION OF CLOTHING.

If you hang in the air for a day and a night

Vapour will probably go.

For washable things soap and water is right

For fifteen minutes or so.

But if it is liquid that's causing distress

A steam disinfector has powers.

Boil for an hour any washable dress,

Bleach the boots and then boil for two hours!

DECONTA HNATION OF PROTECTIVE CLOTHING

Protective clothing should hang in the air

For a couple of hours, not less;

If liquid is there you must hose and beware, Then boil half-an-hour, no less!

Brigade and V.A.D. Camp for Nursing Perso nnel

As already announced, the Brigade camp for nursing personnel will be held again this year at Rossall School, Fleetwood, from July 30th to August 6th both days inclusive.

Officers and members are reminded that applications on the proper forms to attend the camp should reach the office of the Lady Superintendent-in-Chief at St. John's Gate by the end of June. Later applications will not be refused if there are still vacancies.

At the camp instruction will be given in A.R.P., cookery and various special subjects in addition to First Aid and Home Nursing.

Free time will be given in the afternooni and various entertainments will be arranged for the evenings.

For further particulars regarding the camp members are referred to the Officer in charge of the Division to which they belong, to whom a full notice was sent early in the year. A copy of this notice was also published in the February issue of the GAZETTE.

to the Inj UI'ed"

The Assistant-Surgeon-in-Chief's final article on the "Revised (39th) Edition" will appear in our July issue.

Colonel (1938) Tour

Colonel Sleeman, Chief Commissioner, St. John Ambulance Brigade Overseas, sailed in the R.M.S. Cormorin at 8 p.m. on New Year's Eve, Friday, December 3 I, 1937, and arrived at Gibraltar on January 4. He was met on arrival by the Colonial Secretary, Lieutenant-Colonel A. E. Beattie, CM.G., CB.E., M.C, O.St.J., who is the President and Chairman of the Association in Gibraltar, and immediately called on H.E. the Governor and Commander-in-Chief, General Sir Charles Harington, G.CB., G.B.E., D.S.O., K.St.J., who again showed his deep interest in the work of the Order.

Colonel Sleeman found that Brigade activities still require more impetus in Gibraltar, not from lack of appreciation, but because the population, only 18,000, is composed of many elements, British, Spanish, Jew, Moor and Indian, making co-ordinated effort difficult.

Since his last visit in 1936, however, definite progress has been made. One Nursing Division is ready for registration; another is to be formed, and an Ambulance Division will shortly be organised.

During 1937, 28 First Aid Certificates, three Vouchers and one Medallion have been awarded, and a class of 25 ladies is now in course of instruction. Many members have attended local A.R.P. lectures and classes held by the Government.

The position as regards the Civil Police in Gibraltar is very satisfactory. Over 90 per cent. are in possession of St. John First Aid Certificates, and, as is invariably the case, this has strengthened the popularity of its members with the general public. The ChIef of the Police, Captain D. Gowing, who is the Honorary Secretary of the Gibraltar Centre, has made a First Aid Certi1icate compulsory for Police promotion. There is no reason to doubt that Ambulance Service in Gibraltar will soon be all that could be desired. The problem of the different races will probably be solved by forming special Divisions, each composed of a different nationality.

Colonel Sleeman had the interesting experience of driving across the frontier into Spain, and seeing something of present conditions, when Spain is plunged in civil war. He found on all the roads many well-guarded control posts, at which the party were interrogated and closely scrutinized, the roads themselves were thronged with soldiers of General Franco's forces, and the countryside was alive with manceuvring infantry and lecture squads. This fine Youth, destined for the butchery of modern war, was indeed a sad sight. Having inadvertently become involved in the centre of a sham fight, the party extricated itself, and eventually returned safely to Gibraltar and re-embarked.

173

The sea, however, proved equally lively, for the Cormorin had a stormy and bitterly cold voyage from Gibraltar to Malta; it was the time last January when the great blizzard was sweeping across Europe, bringing record low temperatures. On arrival at Malta about midnight, Colonel Sleeman was met by the St. John Commissioner for the Island, Lieutenant-Colonel A. J. Gatt, O.B.E., M.C, CSt.J., and several members of the Order, a fine testimonial both to the kindly hospitality of the Maltese people and also to their keenness in St. John Service.

Colonel Sleeman spent next day making a round of calls, commencing with H.E. the Governor, and Commander-in-Chief, General Sir Charles BonhamCarter, K.CB., CM.G., D.S.O., LL.D., K.St.]., and His Honour the Lieutenant-Governor Sir Harry Luke, Kt., CM.G., K.St.]., both of whom are keenly interested in the work of the Order. Among other people he made the acquaintance of Commander Price, who is the Island Commissioner of the Boy Scouts, and who is introducing £lrst-aid training among his scouts, a step which should prove of the utmost value to the local St. John Ambulance Brigade in the future.

An At Home in the afternoon gave him an opportunity of meeting the important people of the Island, and the day finished with a visit to the Headquarters of the Brigade in the Auberge de Castille, an ancient and beautiful Langue of the Order, where he had an opportunity of addressing a large nursing class in process of instruction.

Colonel Sleeman next day was fortunate in being accompanied by Chevalier H. P. Scic1una, M.B.E., CSt.]., a Knight of Grace of the Sovereign Order, and perhaps the best known historian of the Order of St. John. Malta has been described as cc The Smallest Nation with the longest History in the world." The length of its history is witnessed by Neolithic temples and buildings some 5,000 years old, and by the famous Char Dalam, or Cave of Darkness, where lies a thick deposit of elephant and hippopotamus bones, dating back to the Pleistocene period, when Malta was a causeway, connecting Europe with Mrica, and when the cave stood on the banks of a foaming river. The perfection of the temples fashioned long before metal tools had been invented, shows the remarkable skill and the high state of civilisation reached by the people of Malta when the rest of Europe was uncivilised, while the later buildings erected by the Order, veritable history in stone, stand in most cases to-day as strong and good as when they were built. Indeed, 1\lalta offers a wonderful vista of history.

To everyone interested in the activities of the Order, the Hospital of St. John, the Sacred Infirmary of the Order, constitutes a veritable inspiration from the Past, both by its vastness and by the fact that when erected it was the foremost of its kind in the world. The principal ward of this ancient hospital is 520 feet in length, below it is a similar ward for lunatics, and below that again a third ward for the galley slaves. When constructed it was the last word in hospital construction, containing as it did two radical departures from the customary hospital usage of that time-recesses or closets for each bed, and, where poorer patients were concerned, only one patient in each bed instead of the customary two to four! This vast building, in. which even the floor joists are of fashioned stone, stands as solid and good as ever, and is now the headquarters of the Malta Police.

Mter. an At Home attended by H.E. the Governor, at which Colonel Sleeman again had the opportunity to meet those who are interested in the work of the Order he visited various Ambulance units and villages 'where it is hoped shortly to start St. John activities, and afterwards the Boy Scout Headquarters, where he saw a very fine display of first aid. The day ended with a gala performance in the Capitol Theatre at Valletta, in aid of the funds of the St. John Centre, at which the Lieut.-Governor, Sir Harry Luke, CM.G., K.St.J., and Colonel Sleeman himself, addressed the meeting.

One of the difficulties experienced in the Brigade work in Malta is the provision of uniform, because of th.e lack of money. The difficulty has been partly met by Government assistance, and in the case C?f Cadet Divisions by allowing members to wear thelr Boy Scout or Girl Guide uniforms. In Malta, in these dangerous days, the St. John Brigade must be an exceedingly important organisation in the eyes of the Government.

On visiting the Admiral Superintendent of the Dockyard, Vice-Admiral W. T. R. Ford, CB., Colonel Sleeman found the same stress laid on first aid, ambulance and A.R.P. among the dockyard hands; he inspected the really admirable arrangements made for ambulance and first aid, so complete as to leave nothing to be desired. Malta is not only well provided with air-raid shelters by Nature, but in addition the buildings of the Knights of St. John effectively supplement the work of Nature.

The historic fort of St. Angelo is now known as H.M.S. St. Angleo, being classified as a permanent warship in the Royal Navy. It is one of the forts that held out against the Turks in the historic siege of Malta in I 565. One of the recent finds in the fort is an oubliette, which is bottle-shaped, and was apparently used for the incarceration of any of the Knights who had misbehaved, which shows that Order maintained discipline with no uncertalIl sound!

Coats of arms and other devices carved on the rock sides of the dungeon testify to the many dreary

hours spent there; they ate of special interest to us, for it is said that the English Knights, owing to their high spirits, were more frequently in trouble than the other tongues, and presumably did more than their share of the carving.

The Grand Masters' Chapel on the summit of the fort emphasises the religious basis of the Order, and his house, wherein most beautiful frescoes of past Grand Masters' coats of arms have lately been exposed, testifies to its wealth and dignity. The English " Tongue" (as the grouping of the Knights by race was called) is not forgotten. The Auberge-de-Baviere, once the headquarters of the English Knights, still stands, and the English Curtain, which the Knights of England defended, still bears their name. In the Grand Master's Palace-now the Governor's residence-Colonel Sleeman saw the original Papal Bull, dated A.D. I z, authorising the first formation of the Order of St. John, and the act of Donation to the Order of the Island of Malta by Emperor Charles V, during the reign of Henry VIII. Indeed, Malta is saturated in the history of the Order of St. John, and many members of the Sovereign Order are still to be found there, from many of whom Colonel Sleeman received a very warm welcome.

In the centre of the island lies Citta Vecchia, the old fortified capital, and there is to be seen a beautiful example of a ' Norman house belonging to a member of the Order of St. John in the British RealmChevalier O. F. Gollcher, O.B.E., K.St.J.-which has been wonderfully restored, and is filled with art treasures of great historical interest to the Order. This charming and dignified home-remarkable even among the many beautiful and costly buildings in the island-is of special interest to us, because the present owner, with understanding generosity, has arranged for it ultimately to become the property of our Order.

Colonel Sleeman was very much impressed by the gracious reception he received from His Grace :Monsignor Dom Mauras Caruana, K.B.E., O.S.B., the Archbishop-Bishop of Malta, a Knight Grand Cross of Magistral Grace of the Sovereign Order. His Grace was very interested in hearing of the ambulance activities of the Order throughout the Empire, and particularly of the undenominational nature of the Brigade overseas and at home.

During the numberless visits and inspections with which Colonel Sleeman's time was filled, he was continually being reminded of the serious spirit in which first aid is being taken up in Malta both by the Government and the public.

He attended a conference of Government officials and of members of the Brigade, and was assured that financial help would be forthcoming for the uniform and equipment of county and village units; he notes that the efficiency attained by some fifty members of the Valletta Division during the past anxious two years was quite remarkable, and, indeed, on all sides was evidence of serious purpose.

(To be continued)

First Aid • In I Canadia n

First Aid among the civilian population was first taught in England in 1872. During the FrancoPrussian War in 1870 the British National Aid Society sent detachments to the Medical Departments of each of the belligerents to help in caring for the wounded.

The war, as is well known, was of short duration, but it continued long enough to demonstrate the fact that men, to be of much use in time of a national emergency, must be trained beforehand. It was at this time also that the number of accidents among workmen due to the great industrial activity of the Victorian era, impressed those most interested that some scheme of First Aid training was necessary.

From 1872 until 1877, when the St. John Ambulance Association was formed, there \vas a certain amount of First Aid training among the miners and pottery workers, but anything of a serious nature was not attempted until the formation of the Association.

In Canada, the first classes were held in Halifax by a :Medical Officer on duty with the British Garrison there. It was, however, not until 1895, when the first local centre was established in Toronto, that an organised attempt was made to train the civilian population in First \id methods. As other provinces became active, the headquarters of the Association were moved to Ottawa in 1905, and the work was continued on a Federal basis.

During the last thirty years, First Aid teaching has increased to such an extent that, last year, there were 25,3 73 certificates and 1)igher awards issued.

In all there have been nearly 400,000 people in Canada trained in First Aid, or approximately one in twenty-five of our population. It is the aim of those most interested that one of every ten should have knowledge of First Aid, sufficient to render skilled assistance in an emergency when medical aid is not immediately available. Of this great number of people who have taken instruction and who have obtained the certificate of the St. John Ambulance Association, it is not contended that all are skilled First Aiders. It requires further study and practice to retain what

has been taught, but we do feel certain that anyone who has taken a First Aid course will continue to have sufficient knowledge to enable him at least to stop bleeding, perform artificial respiration to resuscitate the apparently drowned, and to cleanse and dress a wound properly, thus minimising suffering, reducing the length of time disabled, and perhaps saving life. The greater the number of such individuals in any community, the greater will be the asset to that community.

SCOPE OF FIRST AID TRAINING.

The regular First Aid course extends from six to eight weeks, one period of two hours each week. At the end of the course a doctor examines all members individually. 1fay we express our very great appreciation of the whole-hearted co-operation of the medical profession, the members of which are giving so generously of their service in lecturing to and examining classes. Without this help, the spread of First Aid knowledge could not possibly be achieved.

The text-book is that of St. John Ambulance Association which is in general use throughout the Empire, and the certificate issued is accepted in all British countries. At the present time, First Aid is being taught in Canada to people in all walks of life, to the employees of industrial, public utility, railway and transportation companies; the police, federal, provincial and civic; firemen; militia; in the schools, public, high and normal; boy scouts; girl guides; undergraduate and graduate nurses; and even students in the junior years in medical schools. A know ledge of First id is generally recog nised as something to be desired and, under certain conditions, very necessary. By those who live in cities and towns, with doctors in the immediate neighbourhood, it may be thought that First Aid is not very necessary, but how often does it seem hours before a doctor comes in a case of emergency J It is then that perhaps a good First Aider may be the means by which a life is saved, much suffering alleviated, or further damage to the injury prevented. ' A First Aider's duty is to

fill the gap between the accident and the arrival of the doctor, who must be called at once.

It is not general First Aid training that it is wished to consider in this article, but rather what is being done in industry to-day in Canada. To see that those in charge of our industrial plants, public utility and mining companies, believe in First Aid as a great help in reducing accidents and their severity, as well as in saving compensation charges, we have only to look at the records of a few companies. It is not contended that First Aid has been the only factor by which these results have been obtained, but when combined with safety first methods and accident prevention education, there can be no doubt but that much has been accomplished. A man with a First Aid training beccmes accident-conscious, is therefore a more careful worker, and is one who understands the necessity of reporting even minor injuries, thus preventing infection or other complications which would delay recovery and prolong the period off work. There are those who state that, from actual experience, the ratio of accidents among men who have trained in First Aid is as one to four among men who have not been so trained. Let us now look at the records of some of the companies who have gone in extensively for First Aid training.

A NOTABLE EXA11PLE.

The management of the Bell Telephone Company has for years been a believer in First Aid trainin cr b' and has aimed at one hundred per cent. of its outside workers taking the St. John Ambulance certificate . This standard has been pretty much maintained. The employees in other departments are also trained, but no special effort is made to reach the one hundred per cent. objective. It was in 1922 that First Aid was started by the employees themselves requesting courses so that they might be able to render assistance to their fellow-workers in an emergency. This preliminary training gave such good results that in 1925 a definite accident prevention campaign was coupled with First Aid training, and t1J.e following figures show the benefit to the company and employees alike:

In 1925, among 4,080 employees, there were 302 accidents, 7.38 to one hundred employees. For the next five years there was a gradual decrease, until 19 29 when among 7>392 employees there were 463 accidents, or 6.26 per hundred men. From 1929 to 1936 there was a marked reduction, and last year, 1936, among 3,788 employees there were only 78 accidents, or 2.06 per hundred men. In this twelveyear period, therefore, the reduction in the number of accidents in this company was 70 per cent., while the cost was reduced 86.6 per cent. It is to be noted

that, while. there was a marked reduction in the number of accidents, there was a still greater reduction in the cost entailed. The difference must surely be attributed to intelligent First Aid rendered, thus reducing severity of the inj uries, and the ti me lost from work. The experience of the Bell Telephone Company must convince even the most sceptical that First Aid is worth while not only from the humanitarian standpoio.t, but also as a matter of good business. Not only this, but the good results obtained by this Company bas so impressed Insurance Companies, that outside workers, such as linemen, splicers, etc., can now obtain the same rates of insurance as are given to the "office staff. This was not the case previous to the campaign.

TIlE :M1NI 'G 1 DU'TRY.

In Northern Ontario and Quebec, the mlIllng industry has made First Aid Training part of its safety campaign, and practically all mines have their employees take the course, in some cases to a greater extent than in others. One of the largest, the Hollinger, a year or two ago made Fir t Aid compulsory for all its underground workers. Again it is hard to say just how much this training had to do with the reduction in the number of accidents in thi company, and also the cost pertaining thereto. For five years previous to 1935, the average accident frequency was .91 lost-time accidents for one thousand shifts worked; in 1935 this dropped to .56 lost-time accidents per one thousand shifts worked; in 1936 it was .24, and so far this year up to July is .12 10sttime accidents per thousand shifts. A lost-time accident is one where a man is injured and loses one or more days other than the one on which he was injured. In all, the Hollinger Mine has 2,277 men trained in First Aid, and to this and to an intensive accident prevention and safety campaign must be credited the great reduction in accidents and costs incidental to such accidents.

The Consolidated Smelting Company of British Columbia has been for many years an advocate of the First Aid training for its employees, in conjunction with an active safety and accident prevention campaign. Both at the Smelter in Trail and at the Sullivan Mine and Concentration in Kimberley, a marked reduction in the number of accidents and compensation has been accomplished. In the Sullivan Mine, 91.93 per cent. of all employees hoJd the St. John Ambulance certificate, and in the Concentrator about 80 per cent. In this mine there was a reduction of 78,3 pfr cent. in 1936 over 1929 in lost-time shifts per thousand worked, also the average compensation received by employees for non-fatal accidents was

reduced from 61.80 dols. in 1929 to 18.20 dols. in 193 6 Again the reduction in severity of accidents, thus reducing the average cost of compensation, must at least be credited to First Aid training. The Trail Smelter and the Concentrator at Kimberley both show equally good results. The former in the last twelve to fifteen years shows a reduction of 80 per cent. in shifts lost per thousand worked, and about the 'arne percentage in compensation payments.

EXPERIENCE 11': UNITED STATES.

While we have been considering First Aid training in industry in Canada, it may be of interest to see what has been done in the United States, where large industrial companies and particularly mines, in many cases, have had one hundred per cent. of all employees given a First Aid course. The information is taken from a paper by Mr. J. J. Forbes, Supervising Engineer, Safety Division, Bureau of 1hnes, Washington, and read at the Coal Mining Institute of America Convention, December 7, 1933, in Pittsburg. After giving many instances where First Aid had saved life, he refers to a large California petroleum company which trained A 5 men in First Aid. The Safety Engineer of this company gives the following interesting facts: " It has resulted in a fifty per cent. reduction in the number of infection cases, 98.5 per cent. reduction in days lost-time from infections, and 95.2 per cent. reduction in compensation and medical cost from lllfections. This gives a gross saving of approximately 73,740 dols. a year by reducing infection cases through complete First Aid training." He states further that "the secondary effect from such training has been quite apparent in reducing both the number and the severity of accidents, with the result that additional large financial savings have been made."

The Superintendent of a large plant in Pennsylvania, which operates a coal mine employing 50 men, writes as follows:

" It is our opinion that this (100 per cent. First Aid) training has had its effect in making our men more careful, as we have completed six successive months without a lost-time injury in our mine." Many uch reports from this most interesting paper by 11r. Forbes might be cited, but from all there is the same story that one hundred per cent. First Aid training, in

conjunction with safety methods, has produced remarkable results in the reduction and severity of accidents. Mr. Forbes goes on to say that in the light of the information they have, First Aid training, in addition to being an emergency measure, becomes a means of accident prevention as well. This is one of the reasons why the Bureau of Mines has so strongly and consistently advocated complete training of all employees.

OF FIRST AID TRAL"'ING.

In conclusion, we might summarise the results from the experience of industries both in this country and in the United States, and the advantages that may be experienced from First Aid training, particularly the one hundred per cent. standard. We specially mention one hundred per cent., because if First Aid training is beneficial to a few employees in a mine or plant, it should he beneficial to ali, and the benefits to be derived will be proportionate to the number of person taking the course. Moreover, the maximum results would be obtained in later years, when employers and employees alike see what is being accomplished and put forward great effort in such a worthy and humane endeavour.

First Aid training, therefore, may be said to result in the following advantages:

J. The employee is trained to administer aid to himself and to others at work, at home, on the high\vay, or elsewhere.

2. He is taught that even the most trivial injunes are potential sources of danger, and therefore he takes fewer chances in allowing wounds to become infected.

3. Due regard for fellow-employees, both a to their safety and the proper care of injuries they may receive, is stimulated.

4. The First Aid trained employee is less likely to become injured than the employee who has not been trained.

5. First Aid training promotes improved industrial relations, and a stronger feeling of co-operation between the employer and employee ge.oerally result.

Interesting Case Reports

CASE REpORT No. I40.-The Officer-in-Charge of No. V District S.J.A.B. reports the efficient attention given to a patient by Ambulance Officer J. C. Longstaff of the Nottingham Corps in the following unusual circumstances :-

On April 22 a woman was ordered into the Nottingham Infirmary by her doctor who asked that the journey from Kinoulton to Nottingham should be {:overed as quickly as possible, because she was in an advanced state of pregnancy. Ambulance-Officer Longstaff was bringing the woman by ambulance to the Infirmary when she unexpectedly gave birth to a child. No female asistance was available because the event took place while the car was out of reach of any village and indeed of any habitation. Without any hesitation, however, Ambulance-Officer Longstaff proceeded to act. First, he asked a passing pedestrian to telephone as soon as possible for a doctor and was fortunate in obtaining the seryices of a doctor who had to travel five miles from Colston Bassett to the place of the emergency. In the meantime he successfully attended to mother and child, using blankets and wool material to keep both his patients warm and comfortable. The doctor, on his arrival, found everything quite satisfactory, and ordered that the ambulance should proceed to the Infirmary. Later he sent to Brigade Headquarters in Nottingham a letter in which he expressed his admiration of the work done by Ambulance-Officer Longstaff and his pleasure in finding that the efficiency of the Brigade continued to be, as it always was, excellent.

CoMMENT.-It is strange that, quickly on Case Report No. 130, )iJhich was described as "fortunately very rare," there should be received an account of another and exactlY similar emergency, treated this time by an OlJicer of an Ambulance unit. While Ambulance-OlJicer Longstaff has our sympatf?y in that no woman was available to accompa1!J his patient in the ambulance, he has earned our cordial congratulations on the skill with which he acted in dilJicult circumstances and also on the letter of praise which he afterwards received from the doctor in immediate attmdance on the patient.-N. F. C.

Questions and Answers

FIRST AID IN MATERNITY EMERGENCIES

S. R. (Lambeth).-Recently the newspapers have published reports of St. John Ambulance men rendering first aid in emergency cases of childbirth. I notice that these cases are becoming more frequent and consider that it would only be right and proper for all members of the St. John Ambulance Brigade to receive some elementary instruction in this subject. Could we have your observations, please?

You raise a fllOst difjicult point. Previous to 191 I, 1vhen the Nursing Divisions of the 'Brigade cOlJJmenced training in hospital nursing in London and the Provinces, the Association used to arrange reglllar CONrses of training in midwifelY at certain recognised imtihdions and to issue certificates to those successful in examination .

CirCtllJlstallCeS, however, have materialfy altered since those earlY days, and legislation ilt the United Kingdom has gradually tended to prohibit the practice of all professions except by fully qualified exponents to place each in charge of its ojjicial Board of COlltro/. In !/lore recellt times, laws have bem passed 7vith reference to midwifery. In these circumstances, YOll 1707]) see that if the Association were directly to re-i/lstitute or indirecify to recognise a lJlidwifery COllrse, it 1voltld at ol1ce be takm to task for defying the 100V 1])hich has led to the disappearance of the old-time so-called" JIIatemity IlIlrse/' imlJlortalised itt exaggerated fashion as " Sarah GOlllp. JJ

Nevertheless 1 have several tillles heard of courses being conducted q,lite tmolJicially b Divisional Stlrge'DJ1s and dealing with suiject on the lines SIIggested Iry you. S flOW you know the only possible solution to your problem.-

N. C. F.

HANDSEAT BY HUMAN STRETCHER.

J. B. (Spennymore).-In the Revised Edition of the Textbook there is no reference to the transport of patients by the hands eat which was known as "the human stretcher." Please tell me if this method of carrying patients is now discarded.

Yes. The fact, however, that the h,-tmal1 stretcher is no longer taught in the Textbook does not prohibit you from using this very usefid method of transport if Yotl should meet lvith conditions in which, in YOHr opiniol1, it seems to bl indicated. 1 cannot tell ]OH why it has been discarded. -

N. C. F.

NEW METHOD OF ARTIFICIAL RESPIRATION

B. J. (Durham).-In the Revised Edition of the Textbook I notice marked changes in the description of Schafer's Method of Artificial Respiration. Are we to take it that this is a new method? Your kind help in this matter will be much appreciated.

Yes. The method n02V taught was approved Iry Professor Schafer in 193 I and differs itl many particulars from that originally initiated by him in 1903. You 1vill find these fullY described in the May issue of THE GAZETTE in I'Iry Notes on the Revised Textbook.-N. C. F.

TREATMENT OF GREENSTICK FRACTURE.

J. P. the treatment of greenstick fracture, OWing to a risk of tissues being caught between the partly broken ends of the bone, would not the attempt to place the limb in as natural a position as possible cause additional pain to the child? If so, would it be correct treatment for the splints, by means of adequate padding suitably

applied, to be adapted to any unnatural position of the bone?

U7ith a greenstick fracture the bone is partly bent and partly broken. ConsequentlY there would be very little risk of the tissues being caught in the broken portion of the bone.

With all fractures the Textbook (p. 66) tells YOII to place the limb in as natllral a position "with great care )) and" without using force." In other 1vords, if arty pain is caused during your manipulations, you must at once desist, became the onset (or aggravation) of pain indicates fhat.you are, in fact, usingforce.-N. C. F.

TREATMENT OF FRACTURED FOREARM.

J. P. (Hounslow).-With reference to the descriptlOn of the treatment of fractured forearm, a query was raised at Divisional Practice as to whether or no it was possible (keeping strictly to the wording given in the textbook) to "Place the forearm at a right angle to the arm, across the chest." Would" body" instead of " chest" be more accurate? Y OUf kind ruling is eagerly awaited.

Strictly speaking, you are right, because the chest is defined as " the part of the body between the neck and the abd8lllcl1." Practirall)" hOJ1/ever, what reallY matters is that the forearm JIlt/st be placed at right angles fo the arm, as the Textbook states. PersonallY, I would have preferred the term" trunk I, instead of" chest."-N. C. F.

TREATMfu'\[T OF PorSOKING.

• J. P. (Hounslow).-Permanganate of potash in its crystalline state is an irritant. In these circumstances should it not be diluted (as is Condy's Fluid) when given as an antidote for Opium Poisoning?

You direct attentIon 10 all error ill punc/Hatioll because it is clear that the Textbook on p. 174 ;/ltC11ded to teach thaI tm l!,rains of perlllanganate of potash or t,VO tablespoonfuls of Condy's Fluid shollid be given ill a pillt of warm water. If, therefore, you cross' Of{! the semi-colon in )lotlr copy of the Textbook, your dilJictllties will disappear. It would certainly be most 1Inwise to give per7llanganate of potash in its cry'stallim forJll.-N. C. F.

HANDSEAT FOR FRACTURED LEG A D SHOCK.

J. S. (Sandgate).-Now that the human stretcher is no longer described in the Textbook, please tell me how two Bearers are to remove to shelter a patient who is suffering from a fractured leg accompanied by severe shock, there being no stretcher available.

If the patient reqJtires transport for a fe1v yards onlY, Y01l can use the Mines and Narrow CllttillgS lJ1ethod described on p. 220 of the Textbook, provided that YOII support the patient)s head by tying the ends of a triangular bandage together and slipping this round the necks of the patient and Bearer No.2.

If the distance be more than a fe1v yards and the patient is fight in weight,you can modify the Three Bearer Method detailed on p. 2 8 by omitting the part played by Bearer No. 3 and b selecting the stronger of the two Bearers for No.2.

Ifyou know the Human Stretcher Method you can stili use it.

Lastly, if these suggestions avail nothing, then in the absence of an orthodox stretcher, you must hunt rouJld for means of improvising a stretcher.-N. C. F.

TREATME T OF SHOCK.

T. S. (Brighton).-Please tell us (1), if the detailed treatment of Shock as set out in the Revised Textbook applies only to cases in which the depression of the nervous system is severe or if it is intended to apply to every case.

The instruction about "the prevention of aggravation of injuries by temporary measures" presents difficulties to us with regard to fractures. So please tell us (2) if in such cases, in which efficient temporary treatment is possible and shelter is near, the detailed treatment of the fractured bone (namely, splints, bandages, etc.) should be delayed until after the patient has been removed to shelter.

(1) The Textbook preset1ts a schedule which is applicable to all cases of shock, whether mild or severe. If, therefore, you proceed 011 the lines suggested, you are not likelY to go wrong. YON 7vould, of course, JIlodify your treatlJlent as soon as there was evidence that the effects of shock 7J'ere passing.

(2) In the case of fractures the instructions on p. 44 of the Textbook re shock must be combil1td with those OJI p. 66 re fractllres, especial(y RIde 1. Consequently, if it be at all possible to complete the treatment on the spot, YOII wOllld do so. If, hOJvever, cirCtllllstances compelled YOII to remove the patient to shelter before so doing, ),011 would Pllt into action the "other means of restraint" of Rule I, sllch as bandaging lorn!" to upper jaw, seCllring upper limb to trllnk, and tying 1011'er limbs firmlY together.N. C. F.

DEWAR TEST.

M. N. (Chelsea).-I wonder if the detailed marking sheet of the team test used in the recent Dewar Shield Competition and published on p. 152 of the May issue of THE GAZETTE, is as was used in the actual competition? If it was, the marks for three bandages are omitted under the section dealing with " Fracture of Femur."

iVo. At the last moment if 7) 'aS found that a jinc"rollnd both ankles / above and belOJV fractllre "-had beet! omitted ill the printing of the marking sheet. This 7)Jas dub inserted ;n the markiJlg sheet by the judue Of] tht day of the cOIJJpetitiolJ.-N. C. F.

RAILWAY

Inter-Railway First

RAILWAYS CO:tvfPETING

Great Western Railway (PUlling) do. do (Westbury). Aid

London Midland & Scottish Railway (Wolverton) do. do do. (Crewe Works).

London & North-Eastern Railway (King's Cross Loco.).

London & North-Eastern Railway (Bishopsgate " B ").

G.

Metropolitan Line, L.P.T.B.

Competition, 1938

INTER-RAILWAY

COMPETITION

Sir Josiah Stamp presenting the Challenge Shield to Crewe Works (L.M.S.) team, the winners

H. Southern Railway (Horsham).

1. do. do. (Exmouth Junction).

(The letter indicating the team competing will be exhibited.)

PART A.-TEAM TEST.

Judges.' Team and NO.5, A. C. WHITE KNox, M.e., M.B.

Individual Tests (Nos. I, 2, 3, and 4), M. M. SCOTI, M.R.e.S.

CARD HANDED TO Nos. I, 2, 3 AND 4.

You are on the platform of a Railway Station discussing the advantages of a knowledge of First Aid, and how quickly assistance can be given in an emergency, especially when you know that stations have up-to-date first-aid kit available. A train is jUiit pulling in to the platform where you are standing, and there is a bystander near by. Act when the necessity arises.

Time allowed: 20 minutes, beginning when you receive this card.

Slaging.-Platform, engine, showing section of cab and backcloth of carriages, Driver and Fireman in cab. A curtain covers the scene in front and the team will hear the noises of engine 180

Rapid approach to patient , Immediately dispatch member for First Aid material

Call out to Fireman to try to stop steam escape

C!J asked Fireman throws sack over water gauge)

Qwckly remove lumps ,of coal from Driver

Gently draw his head away from firebox

Immediately cover obvious burn on forehead

Realising danger to patient and shortage of room "

Quickly legs together and, placing arms in coat

Carefully lift Driver, carry him on to platform and lay him down gently

Is there any obvious hremorrhage? (Judge: No)

Cover him with coats

Detain Fireman for examination

Keep back any crowd and ask for be

Send messenger to telephone for Doctor and ambulance.

(Judge: Thry will be here shortly)

Speak t? patient. Does he respond? (Judge: He calls 0111 In pam)

Reassure him and tell him you are First Aiders and will look

Max. Marks Examine thighs and legs for signs of injury.

Marks (Judge: Pain after him 2

Ask position of pain? (Judge: He says he has diJlicIIlty in lalking,- he indicates head, right shoulder, and left leg) 3

Detail men to these parts to steady them 6

Dispatch bystander to Refreshment Room for baking soda, basins, hot and cold water, etc.

Investigate difficulty in talking; find irregularity right side lower jaw 4

Diagnose fracture of lower jaw

Support it with hand until arrival of First Aid kit. (!-irst Aid kit, basins, so'/a, hot and cold water arrive)

Make solution baking soda and water 98.4 deg. (One desscrtrpoonJIIi 10 a pint oj )J-'arllJ water) 4

Apply lim soaked in this to burn on forehead 2

Cover with cOtton wool and bandage lightly 2

Carefully examine rest of bead for injury. (Judge: AOlle except Jaw) 4

Centre of narrOw bandage under chin and tie above forehead

Centre of narrow bandage in front of chin and tie at back of neck

Tie ends of bandages together

Docs patient feel sick or want to vomit? (Judge: /\0)

Examine right shoulder and shoulder-blade. (Judge: } ·011 find pain and irregulartty OIJer right shoulder-blade) 4

Diagnose fracture of right shoulder-blade

Are there any signs of a wound? (Judge: No)

Carefully examine for any sign of fracture of ribs. (Judge: None) 4

Apply centre of broad bandage in right armpit, cross over uninjured shoulder 4

And tie under that armpit

Carefully examine both arms for signs of injury. (Judge: You fitld paill and irngularilJ' ill the middle shaft oj th e right hllmerus) 4

Are there any signs of a wound? (Judge: VO) 2

Do nOt apply Sr. John sling to right arm 4

Steady right arm into natural position

Place forearm at a right angle to upper arm 2

Support wrist in small arm sling 4

Apply splints front, back and outer side of arm 4

Bandages above and below fracture 4ote redness on palms bOth hands. Steam scalds? (Judge: Yes) 4

Bathe both hands in warm baking powder solution 4

Dress with lint soaked in solution

Cover with cotton wool and bandage lightly 4

and irregularity oj left fibula)

Diagnose fracture of fibula

Are there any signs of a wound? (J udge: No)

Gently draw left foot into natural position and hold there

Apply correct length splints outer and inner side of leg

Secure splints by bandages above and below fracture

Immediately above knee and round both ankles

A broad bandage round both knees

Correct tension of all fracture bandages

Keep patient continuously well covered

State of pulse? (Judge: Rapid and weak)

State of breathing? (Judge: Quick, sighing, and irregular )

State of skin? (Judge: Cold and cfammy)

Colour of face? (Judge: Pale)

Examine for further injuries. (Judge:

Send for hot tea and hot bottles

Cover and apply hot bottles to pit of stomach and o\'

Loosen jaw bandages and give sips of hot

bandages

Keep head low

Apply smelling salts to nostrils after testing

Order stretcher to be prepared, covered with blankets and tested

Interrogate Fireman. (Judge: Shows no 111)1IT] ) ote name and address fo both men and repon (Judge, at " 5 minutes to go" : Doctor and Ambulance

AL YSIS OF MARKS GAINED I THE FINAL COMPETITION. HELD IN Lo DON ON MAY 2.6, 1938. Judges: DR. A. C. \'('HITE KNox (Team and No. 5 Individual) and DR. M. M. SCOTT (Individual Tests Nos. I, 2., 3 and 4)·

Priory for Wales

Headquarters: Priory House, 4 Cathedral Rd., Cardiff

GEN ERAL INTEREST

OBITUARY.

The death occurred on :May 23 of Captain Sir Henry E. E. Philipps, Bart., J.P., D.L., of Picton Castle, Haverfordwest, a Commander (Brother) of the Order and Executive Officer of the Priory for Wales.

Sir Henry Philipps had lived a life of great activity in which he rendered distinguished services to West Wales. Notwithstanding his numerous public offices, however, he took an active part in the development of the work of the Order in Pembrokeshire of recent years. As President of the Pembrokeshire Centre, Sir Henry had identified himself with every First Aid and Home Nursing Class held in the county ; and his personal visits were greatly appreciated by the class members, while the Association and Brigade personnel in the county had been accustomed to meeting at Picton Castle for annual centre functions.

As holder of the executive office of Commander of Slebech, Sir Henry Philipps occupied a seat on the Priory Chapter and frequently attended meetings of the Council; and through his good offices, his son-in-law, the Baron de Hutzen, the Assistant Commander of Slebech, has kindly allowed the Priory the use on ceremonial occasions of the doublehanded sword which is believed to have been used at the inauguration ceremony of Knights of the Order, and was dug up on the site of the Slebech Commandery of the Order now owned by the Baron.

All phases of public life were represented at the funeral, which took place at Llandilo on May 26. A floral tribute in the form of the eight-pointed cross was sent from the Chapter of the Priory; and Mr. Daniel Daniel, Commissioner for Pembrokeshire, represented the Priory and its Pembrokeshire Centre, and Commissioner E. D. Jones, Carmarthenshire, the St. John Ambulance Brigade.

ROAD TRANSPORT AMBULANCE COMPETITION.

The annual competition for the "Cornelius Griffiths " Bowl was held at the Memorial Hall, Aberdare, on Wednesday, May 18. It had been feared that the contest would have fallen through, a number of the smaller Road Transport undertakings having failed to encourage their staffs to pursue the study of ambulance work; and the contest at Aberdare was made possible through the public-spirited interest and generosity of the Western Welsh Omnibus

182

Company, Ltd., and the Aberdare Urban District Council.

Four teams competed, and the following Brigade Surgeons gave their services as judges :-Dr. Edgar Llewellyn (Cardiff), Dr. H. B. Pierce (Mountain Ash), Dr. J. P. Davies (Hengoed), and Dr. E. J. Ree" (Blaengarw).

The teams ORDER OF MERIT. were placed in the following order :NA}'fE OF TEAM. TOT.\L

1St Aberdare (\Vestern Welsh Omnibus Co.) Team 227

2nd Cardiff Transport Department 2 13

3rd Newport Transport Department 207 4th Aberdare U.D.C. Omnibus Dept. 193

The Competition was organised by County Officer Davies, with Mr. F. E. Winniatt as CompctltlOn Secretary; and among a gatherin a of nearh b. 200 entertamed to tea were the Commissioner for Aberdare (Dr. J. M. Wilson), 1fr. Forbes

M.Inst.T., General Manager, Cardiff Transport Department ; 1\1r. M. J . Young, M.B.E., General Manager, Borough of Newport Transport Department, and the Principal Secretary (The Hon. John H. Bruce, J.P., D.L.).

CENTRE REPORTS

BRECKNOCKSHIRE CENTRE.

In addressing a parade of Brigade members numbering over 740 at Brecon on Saturday, !vIay 21, the Commissioner for Wales (The Hon. John H. Bruce) paid fine tribute to the Centre Commissioner, Colonel C. G. Cole-Hamilton, eM.G., D.S.O., on the wonderful growth of the movement in Brecknockshire since his assumption of office in 193 I, when the total membership of the Brigade was under 200. The) had built up a bigger strength in proportion to population than any other county in Wales; and had carried their competitive efficiency to a point whereby they had gained three blue ribands of Ambulance Competition work within the Brigade in Wales. In the Welsh Brigade Finals on April 9, the Clydach and District Ambulance team had won the "Llandinam" Shield and the Builth Wells Nursing team the "Arthur Griffiths Memorial" Shield, while CI ydach Cadet team had become the first winners of the "Twiston Davies" cup in the Welsh Cadet Finals inaugurated this year.

The Commissioner for Wales was assisted by Lady Lewis, O.B.E. (Assistant Lady Superintendentin-Chief for Wales), Major A. W. Anderson, M.B., Ch.B. (Assistant Surgeon-in-Chief for Wales), the Commissioner for Brecknockshire, Captain W. J. Canton, LL.B., Commissioner for Merthyr Tydfil; Assistant Commissioners G. Roblings and A. H. Coppage and Lady County Superintendent Mrs. M. L. Paskin. Lady Lewis also addressed the parade, which was watched by a large assembly.

attended that function with very mixed feelings as, while she was pleased to have the opportunity of making a presentation in recognition of all the excellent work carried out, they all shared a sense of loss in anticipating her removal from their midst. Mrs. Stephens acknowledged the expressions and token of gratitude and said she was extremely sorry to leave those with whom she had been happy to work.

It is hoped that Brecknockshire's loss may prove

SUCCESSFlJL RHO DD -\. -\..R.P.

CLA S

To :-'[r. J. H. Thorne, , \.R.P. Qfl1cer,.Rhon.dda, belongs the distinction of hav ing instructed the first \.R.P. class for Grade I ct.:rtthcates In whlch every student , as successful in obtaining hat valued qualification. In the group above :'I[r Thorne, who is Superintendent of the 2\Iines Smtion at Dinas Porth. is photogmphed with six of the eight students ",·ho sat fo r an examination on the 28th m'ember, viz.: Left to right, back ro v, Div. Sec. G. II. P o mero \", Di, upt. W. F. Setter, Di\,. Supt. \\ J. Morgan, CorpI. H. ]. RO\\ sell; front row, Amb. O tficer \,\ McTiffin i\lr. J. 1L Thorne, J\mb. Officer T. 110pkin. The two Officers who ,,'ere successful on the occasion though not included In the above group are Div. SUPf. William John i\Iorgan and Ambulance Officer David C. C Chown

Departure of B/(ilth W'ell.r Officer.-l\1embers of the Builth Wells Nursing Division met at the King's Head Hotel to make a presentation to 1\1. 1\. Stephens, Lady Corps Superintendent, W/ye Valley Corps, on her departure for Cardiff. Captain R. J. Owen, who presided, expressed the appreciation felt by everyone present of Mrs. Stephens'S services ±1rst as Superintendent of the Builth Wells Nursing Division, which she helped to establish, later in the office of Lady Corps Superintendent, and also Commandant of the Builth \Vells Voluntary Aid Detachrnent.

Lady County Superintendent :Mrs. Paskin said she

to be Cardiff s gain as a lead in V.A.D. work which will be particularly yaluable in a Centre which has not raised one V.A. Detachment.

DE" BIGHSlIIRE CE-"l'TRE.

A definite step fo!\\'ard in the development of ambulance work in Denbighshire "Yas taken at a public meeting com ned b" .i\1ajor R. C. Roberts S.ecretary of the 'Denbighshire Centre otthe PrIory tor " ales, ,vith a view to the formation of a. Co.mmittee to be responsible for the admlnstratlOn ot the activities of the Priory in the county, held at the County Hall, Denbigh, on Saturday, May 7.

The President of the Centre, Colonel R. W. H. Watkin Williams-Wynn (Lord-Lieutenant of the County) and other officials were accorded a civic welcome by the 1fayor (Alderman Goronwy Griffith) ; and the meeting was addressed by the Hon. John N. Bruce, Principal Secretary and Commissioner for Wales, who gave an outline of the work the Priory had in view.

It was agreed to form a central committee; and Major A. E. Priddle proposed that the Committee consist of fifteen members, and that three should be three sub-committees, consisting of twelve members each, these to nominate five of their number to be the central committee. It was pointed out that those supporting the present movement had no wish whatever to interfere with the work of the Red Cross Society in the county, which had rendered valuable services.

The following were appointed to represent the respective areas :-

Wrexham-Colonel Fenwick-Palmer, Captain Evans (Llay Main Collier y), Mr. Edward Williams (Secretary, Gresford Disaster Fund), Superintendent P. R. Kent, Wrexham Division, and Mr. R. J. Hill, Haford.

Denbigh- Mr. J. Roberts, Denbigh; Colonel Goronwy Griffiths, Mr. J. W. Jones, Cerrig; Major J. Rice Jones, Ruthin ; Mr. T. J. Roberts, Ruthin.

Colwyn Bay-Mr. Williams Williams, Llanrwst; Mr. Marshal Hughes, Llanrwst ; Mr. Sutcliffe, Colwyn Bay; Alderman Purdy, Colwyn Bay, and Mr. Hargreaves, Abergele.

It is expected that the Association and Brigade work will be considerably extended as a result of the new Committees. At present there are seven Ambulance and four Cadet Ambulance Divisions with a total membership of 195 men and 85 boys; and the Wrexham Division, which maintains two ambulances, dealt with 1,211 removals during 1937·

FLINTS HIRE CENTRE.

Ambulance Units in the Flintshire Centre were inspected at Mostyn Park on Sunday, May 8, by the Hon. J. H. Bruce, who was accompanied by the President of the Centre, Lord Mostyn, Colonel H. C. L. Howard, C.M.G., D.S.O., J.p., D.L., Commissioner and Mr. R. Yarnell Davies, O.B.E., Chief Constable and Assistant Commissioner.

The Lord Gladstone of Hawarden Cup was presented by the Lord-Lieutenant of Flintshire, Admiral Rowley-Conwy, to the Flint Division, which had been successful in the competition held a few days in advance at the Flint Central School, when the teams were placed in the following order :- 1st, Flint; 2nd, Shotton; 3rd, Bagillt; and 4th, Buckley. Flint Division was warmly congratulated on winning the cup from the Buckley team, which had been suc-

cessful on each occasion previously since the mauguration of the competition four years ago.

During the afternoon an impressive Drumhead Service was held, during which the Bishop of St. Asaph (Dr. W. T. Havard) gave a survey of the history of the Order; and an accompaniment for the service was provided by the Band of the 5th Batt. R.W.F.

At the close of the service, members taking part in the inspection were congratulated by the Commissioner for Wales on their efficient turn-out. He complimented Colonel Howard, as Commissioner, on the increase in numbers and thanked Lord Mostyn for providing accommodation for the Inspection, and Mr. Cecil Rhodes, County Secretary, for carrying out the secretarial duties in connection with the function. All present were entertained to tea by Lord Mostyn; and a short talk on Air Raid Precautions was given by the Chief Constable, Mr. Yarnell Davies.

GLAMORGAN Cou TY CEJ\ TRE.

G(yncornvg Hall Opel1ing. - 1fr. D. M. Eva.osBevan, J.P., the County Commissioner, opened the new Ambulance Hall erected at a cost of £550, with the aid of a 50 per cent. grant from the Special Areas Fund and voluntary labour on the part of Brigade members. Mr. Morgan Rees, President of the Division, presided; and Mr. Evans-Bevan said he was proud to be associated with ambulance work in the industrial areas of South Wales. The deeds were handed by Police-Sergeant T. E. Humber to the Hon. John H. Bruce, who outlined the difficulties experienced by the Division in fulfilling thei r commendable object.

Presentation at Ystrad i l1ynach. - Mr. A. T. Mlnhinnick, M.E., Hon. Divisional President, presided at a meeting held at the Church Hall on May 7, when he referred to the acheivements of the Penallta Collieries Division of the Lindsay Corps in the past twelve months, during which they had dealt with 242. accidents. Lady County Officer Mrs. S. B. Turner announced the opening of the Medical Comforts Depot at Y strad M ynach, of which Nurse Lloyd would be in charge, and emphasised the great need for the public to study Air Raid Precautions. The awards were presented by Mrs. Turner, the Rev. W. H. Hill, Nurse Lloyd and the Chairman.

MONMOUTHSH1RE CENTRE.

Tribute to Commissioner's Services. - Mr. C. H. Tait, District Goods and Passenger Superintendent for

Where service must

be lasting ... UNFAILING

I N ordinary motoring, brilliant but uneven performance is a poor substitute for lasting d ependability. In ambulance work , it is no substitute at all. In other words, a car should be a sound investment- but an ambulance must be. The 18 h p. and 20 h.p. Austin Ambulances give, year-in year-out, unfailing senrice: hence their popularity with large hospitals and municipalities. Running-costs and maintenance-costs are exceptionally !O".v: hence their popularity with nursin g -homes and small hospitals And they have been designed and impro\'ed in collaboration \\ ith doctors and hospital boards: hence their up-to-date equipment, ventilation, suspension, arrangements for easy loading and easy cleaning, etc \V rite for catalogue and prices, or ask us for a demonstration.

'10TE THESE SPECIAL FEATURES: Body of best EngLish ash (ind oak, aluminium-panelled for durability and easy cleaning. Semi-elliptic zinc-interleaved springs on non-lubricated shackles, for the patients' utmost comfort. Wide, doorway for quick entry and exit of stretchers. Triplex toughened glass throughout for safety. Ample ventilation. Full and officially-approved interior equipment. Special fittings a.s Tequired.

THE AUSTiN MOTOR COMPANY LIMITED, LONGBRIDGE,

South Wales, L.M. & S. Rly., speaking at a presentation of awards to L.1f.S. Ambulance Class members at Tredegar, paid high tribute to the services of Capt. S. T. Beard, O.B.E., for his services to the Ambulance 1fovement, particularly as District Secretary of the Railway Ambulance Centre, a position he was then about to relinquish. He pointed out that as a Commander of the Order and Commissioner for Monmouthshire, Captain Beard had reached the highest position in the Ambulance Movement attained by any other railwayman; and that his services would be an inspiration to his successor as District Secretary, Mr. E. O. Williams, and others.

Everyone who knows Captain Beard is well aware of his strong attachment to ambulance work. He is the first Brigade Officer in Wales to be in possession of a fourth Bar to the Service Medal, signifying thirtyfive years' efficiency in the Brigade; and, having been relieved of the duties of District Secretary under the L.M. & S. Rly., is looking forward to having time to devote himself even more unsparingly to the Order's work in Monmouthshire.

Usk Division's Services.-It was reported at the annual general meeting of the Usk Division, at which lvIrs. E. Cowburn presided, that the Usk Ambulance for which the Division was responsible had conveyed 3 2 patients to hospital during the past year, in addition to which First Aid duty had been rendered on fifteen while 60 cases treated had been reported.

DIVISIonal Superintendent E. C. Brown referred to the ingratitude of some who had benefited by the use of the car but refused to pay any hire charge. Nevertheless, the members were prepared to turn out at any time of the day or night and their services were entirely voluntary. He expressed appreciation of the services of the lecturer, Dr. J. c. H. Bird, and of. the assistance of Lady Divisional Superintendent Miss Rachel James, in giving instruction in Air Raid Lady Raglan was re-elected Honorary PreSIdent of the Nursing Division, and Major Berrington was nominated to succeed Mr. J. 1. Storrer in the office of Honorary President of the Ambulance Division.

BOROUGH OF NEWPORT CENTRE.

Officers and members of the Newport (Mon.) Corps met at their new Headquarters on Sunday, May 22, when a number of newly-appointed Officers received their warrants of office Mr. A. G. E. J. Fudge, Assistant Commissioner for Wales, inspected the Units on parade and presented a third bar to the Service Medal to County Officer George John Row-

lands, and a Warrant of Appointment to Major S. E. Tyrwhitt as County Officer; he congratulated the former on having earned the distinction of being the first member of the Newport (Mon.) Corps to hold the third bar.

The Honorary Corps President, Mr. W. J. T. Collins, had pleasure in handing to Dr. Nathan Rocyn Jones his Warrant as Surgeon of the Newport Town Division, remarking that all ambulance workers would welcome this indication that he intended to follow in the steps of his father in the work of the Order of St. John. Dr. Sylvia John was congratulated on her appointment as Surgeon of the Newport Nursing Division.

lvIr. W. E. Barnes, handing to Corps A.R.P. Officer T. J. Raines his Warrant of Office, referred to the splendid services 1ft. Raines was giving in connection with Railway A.R.P. Schemes and the Newport Corps.

NE WS IN BRIEF.

To the end of April, 1937, the Priory had trained 408 Grade I and 179 Grade 2 A.R.P. Instructors.

The Sub-Prior, the Earl of Plymouth, P.c., WIll preside at the annual meetings of Chapter and General Assembly at Cardiff on Monday, July 4·

Annual Festival of the Order

The Annual Festival of the Order will be held on Friday, June 24, 1938.

At 8,30 a.m. on this day Holy Communion will be celebrated in the crypt of the Grand Priory Church.

At 2.30 p.m. the Annual Commemoration ServIce will take place in this church. The Anniversary Sermon will be preached by the Right Rev. the Bishop of Lincoln, Sub-Prelate of the Order.. The alms will be devoted to the charitable work of the Order and to the maintenance of the Grand Priory Church.

At the conclusion of this service members and associates who desire to attend the General Assembly should proceed at once to St. John's Gate and take their places in the Chapter Hall.

At 4 p.m. the General Assembly will be held in the Chapter Hall, St. John's Gate.

After the General Assembly the Grand Priory Church will be open for inspection by members, associates, and their friends. The Crypt and some portions of the Choir are all that remain of the ancient church, which was destroyed at the Reformation.

186

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Hygienic Measures and Hospital Organisation of the Italian Expeditionary Forces during the Ethiopian War, 1935-1936

(Colltinlled frolJl page 165)

Lepro.ry.-Some Abyssinian prisoners were found to be affected with leprosy, which is very common in Ethiopia. There were no cases among the Italian troops.

Tetanus.-Five cases with four deaths.

Gas gangrene.-No cases.

Cerebrospinal meningijis.-No cases.

Plague.-No cases.

Cholera.-In certain lay papers it was stated of two years ago that the Italian soldiers were decimated by cholera. THE FACT IS THAT THERE WAS NOT A SINGLE CASE OF THE DISEASE DURING THE WAR BEFORE THE WAR, OR AFTER THE WAR.

Surgical.-It is not my purpose to enter here into any detail as to surgical arrangements. The surgical organisation as already stated was good. Each field and base hospital had excellent surgical wards; in addition, there were thirteen "surgical units" or "special surgical hospitals" staffed by surgeons of great experience, in which only surgical cases were admitted and treated. As a rule, surgeons had not much to do and certainly they were never overworked. Septic complications were not frequent. Gas gangrene was absent. I may say here a few words on wounds inflicted by enemy weapons. A rather large number of wounds caused by bullets were of considerable dimensions, and showed great destruction of tissue. These wounds were caused by explosive bullets. The most terrible wounds, however, were those inflicted with native swords and knives.

Wounds from wild beasts and poisonous snake-bites.In some regions of SomaWand wild beasts abound, and the two large rivers, Giuba and Shebeli, are rich in crocodiles. In various parts of the country there are poisonous snakes. The Italian troops suffered very little damage from these causes. There was one case of death due to attacks by wild animals, and no death from snake-bites. Occasionally, a soldier falling into the river was a prey to the crocodiles.

Scorpion bites.- We had several cases, none fatal, of scorpion bites, especially in Somaliland. The bite was often extremely painful, so that injections of cocaine and morphia had to be given. No serum was used; only a I in 200 solution of potassium permanganate, which was applied freely to the parts and also injected near the bite.

Minor diseases.-As the so-called major diseases were very scanty in their incidence, we paid a great deal of attention to the "minor diseases," which, although they do not cause death and do not usually incapacitate the soldier, are a source of annoyance.

188

There are numerous minor diseases which afflict the soldier in tropical wars: the commonest in East Africa were prickly heat, jiggers, dhobie itch and cheilitis crustosa, but no soldier had to be put at rest or in hospital for any of these.

PricklY heat (lichm tropicalis).-Prickly heat, as is well known, is a generalized eruption composed of small red papules, with terrible pruritus and with hyperhydrosis. In Somaliland, at Assab, Massawa, and in the low regions of Eritrea, prickly heat was very common, but the 90ldiers affected were able to remain on duty. Special prophylactic measures were not necessary. As a curative measure, we used to a great extent the menthol-alcoholic lotion, the formula of which I have given in many previous publications.

Jiggers.-The patient complains of severe p.ruri.tus in a toe or some other part of the foot. Exarrunation shows at first, a small black spot surrounded by a red halo; later there is a white bleb. The black spot is the parasite; the white bleb is the parasite full of ova. There were several cases in Somaliland, especially in the environs of Mogadiscio, bu t all the soldiers were able to carryon their duties.

Personal prophylaxis is the most useful and the da.ily inspection of the feet and removal with a sterile blunt needle of the small parasite. In semipermanent and permanent camps, the most efficacious measure is to cement the floors so that they can be. washed daily with disinfectants.

The so-called bamber oil-as modified by mecontains kerosene oil, cocoanut oil, carbolic acid and menthol-was supplied to some units. It is applied to the toes and feet in the morning and seems to be slightly repellent to the jiggers.

Dhobie itch (epidermopf:!Jtosis inguinali.r).- The patient complains of severe pruritus in the inguinal and scrotal regions. Examination shows red festooned patches. Microscopical examination of reveals segments and filaments of fungus: eptdermophyton cruris or trichophyton . The nUJ?ber of soldiers thus affected was fauly h1gh tn Somaliland and in certain regions of Eritrea, but none of the soldiers was laid up. This disease was fairly common in some of the ships at Massawa, and some small epidemics occurred, but were not of much importance, because none of the sailors was obliged to go off duty on account of it.

As a preventive measure,. p.owdering parts with boracic acid or some slmtlar preparation was used. As a curative measure a salicylic' carbolic ointment gave good results. In some cases, my fuchsin paint was used.

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· Chelitis Crustosa.-\Y1e had a rather large number of cases of this condition, but no soldier affected with it had to go into the hospital or give up his work.

The patient complains at first of a slight itching or discomfort, or pain in his lips, generally the lower lip, on which a slight oozing may be noticed. Usually the lower lip only is affected, occasionally both lips. The oozing rapidly increases and the exudate dries up in thick yellow crusts, which may at times take a rupioid appearance. In bad cases, the patient may find great difficulty in speaking, eating and drinking. The condition lasts usually for two or three weeks, but in some cases the course may be much more prolonged.

The cause is to be found in the ordinary pyrogenic coed multiplying in the tissues, which have been irritated by constant exposure to the heavy dust present in so many regions where the war was fought. This dust was caused by the loose and sandy soil being continuously churned up by heavy army motor trucks, innumerable mules and camels, marching troops, etc.

The treatment is as follows :-In mild cases simply touch the lips with rectified alcohol-it burns a bit, but the burning soon disappears-then apply plain glycerine or boric vaseline. In severe cases, hot boric fomentations should be applied several times daily, to remove the crusts, and then apply an ointment consisting of salicylic acid (5 gr.), vaseline (I oz.), or salicylic (5 gr.), carbolic acid (5 gr.), vaseline (I oz.), or white precipitate (5 gr.), carbolic acid (3 minims), vaseline (I oz.).

Prevention would consist, of course, in avoiding the dust, which, however, is impossible in practice. A good measure is to apply regularly to the lips, .a. little pure glycerine, or better still, cocoa-butter is useful.

Some soldiers when marching used to protect their lips with a handkerchief which was made into a knot at the back of the neck. It is interesting to note that similar procedure is followed b y the cowboys in the dusty desert regions of Texas and Arizona.

Resume.-The state of health of the troops during -the war (and I may add before and after the war period) was always excellent. In fact-and this is almost incredible-the mortality and morbidity of the army in Africa were somewhat less than the mortality and morbidity of the army in Italy during the same period. In all previous colonial wars in the Tropics in which white troops have been employed on a large scale, the mortality from disease has been appalling.

In the Italian-Ethiopian war, the number of deaths from disease was much lower than the number of killed in battle and deaths from wounds; and considering that the number of killed in battle and deaths from wounds-thanks chiefly to the strategy of FieldMarshals Badoglio, Graziani and de Bono-was relatively very small, the are remarkable.

The following table shows the losses sustained by the national white troops during the war, which numbered approximately 500,000 men :-

DEATH S DURING THE hALO-ETHIOPIAN WAR.

October 3, I935-May 10, 193 6

On the field or died Deaths from disease. from 11/o1mds.

Officers 19 Men 980

It must be noted that in the official reports, the column " Deaths from diseases " includes also deaths from any injury not caused directly by the enemy, e.g., deaths from motor accidents, from drowning, etc The exact number of deaths from disease (officers and men) was 516.

It must be noted also, that the figures given in the table are based on fortnightly statistics and cover the period October I, 1935, to May 10, 1936; therefore, the mortality during the war period given n the table is, in all probability, slightly higher than the actual one.

According to the experience of previous colonial wars in tropical countries in which white troops were chiefly employed, deaths from disease in the Italian army should have been more than 20,000.

I may be allowed to quote, slightly abbreviated, the statements made by Mr. James L. Rohrbaugh, Correspondent of the United Press of America, an eye-witness, in a correspondence from Addis Ababa (United Press Red Letter, New York, July II, 1936):-

"In the Abyssinian army, diseases were very numerous; more than half the cases were dysentery. Scurvy destroyed the army on the southern front; smallpox decimated the army of Mulughieta on the northern front. At Dessie, pneumonia was raging. The terrible disease typhus was passing from one camp to another, killing the victims in a few days. Malaria and relapsing fever were common. Women and children in thousands accompanied the soldiers to the front, but only a very few returned, the others being killed by disease.

"The Red Cross doctors tried in vain to help the soldiers: they were only able to carry out their work in small zones. The army was destroyed to a great extent by disease and hunger."

Mr. Rohrbaugh ends his article by saying: "It is obviously no exaggeration to say that one of the prime reasons for Italian success was the continued health of its armies, due to the efficiency of their :.:1edical service. It also might be observed that medical science made it possible for white people to live in unhealthy climates under adverse conditions, and to remain in better health than natives acclimatised by hundreds of years of continuous abode."

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A

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:Jobn

OFFICIAL GAS CHARTS

No. I Chart shows gas derivations.

No. 2 is a full and complete educational chart of "Typical War Gases."

Everyone taking an "A.R.P." Course should be in possession of these charts which are now available for general issue to all St. John organisations at a nominal fee.

THE JOURNAL OF THE VENERAB L E ORDER OF T HE

OF ST . JOHN OF

Edited by

V 01. 11. No. 7

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CONTENTS.

Editorial

F irs -A Id and t he Railwaymen

Colo nel Slee man's (1938) Tour P romotions and Appointments

Ann ual Festiva l of he Order

B riga d e cws

Air Ra id Precaucions

Interesting Case Report:.

Q uestions and FirM Aid w t he I nJured Priory for Wales

Ra il wa} News

Nort hern I rela nd D istrict

To a ll Comm ssioners and Co un ty Commissioner:;

CHA NCE RY O F T H E ORDE R, ST. JOHN'S G AT E CLERKENWELL, LONDON, E .C.1.

A.R.P. Lessons from Barcelona

This bookle t, b y M ajo r N. d e P MacR o be rt s, i a mo s t valuable contribution to o ur pract ica l k n o w le d ge of a subject so largely theoretical.

His carefully g a rnered experience in B arcelona du ring th e present Spanish Civil War is full of useful and practical info rmation. :Mos t encouraging is it to r ead: C( If again the object 1vas the para(ysiltg of industl), and the complete breakdowlI of the essmtla/ public services of transport , lvater , electric If..ght and gas , 110 sltcceSJ' was gained

In an other sectio n he knocks down the bogey of s t arvation res ulting from aerial attacks on food supplies; he says : "ivl ore riotJ- al/d general panic call be started by !lIlIddling, and cOl/sequent breakdollJJl in food stlpplies than by atry air-raid."

A goo d deal of sp ace is given t o the subject of d a m age b y high e:s:p losiYes , and in many conclu i\-e a rg uments he definitely show that a simp le trench, seven feet d eep , i better than any co tly and ela b orately construc ted shelter.

I m p o rtance is a tt ache d to the value of training in all the likelr a ttack of modern aerial warfare, and it is o bvio us that his experience during the recem bombi n g of B arcelona shows that when a sound organisation of passive defence for the protect ion of the civil popu la t ion is allied to active de fence, w e may well \' iew che future with chat calmness \vhich has ne\'er foresaken llS in the pasc, and a final summary of his report and ad\'ice is well summed u p i n his words -

" A tho usand years scarce sen-es to form a state,

A n hou r ca n lar it in t h e d ust ."

fr. C . B . 1 *

First-Aid and the Railwaym.en

By Colonel Gilbert S. Szlumper, C.B.E., T.D.

the course of a year through the country were known the would prove to be an astounding one, and there IS no means measuring the pain and suffering that have been avoIded by the attentions of a qualified first-aid man.

We hear a lot about safety first, and far be it from me to suggest that this movement is not renderinoeffective service, but we have to face the fact will continue to occur (they cannot be avoIded) and all we can do is to be quite sure that every effort is exercised to provide for fully qualified ambulance men to be available should the necessity for their services arise.

strenuous work--:in for the most part intensely hot Sleeman succeeded in wedging In two short bIg game safans, for the photographin 0of wild animal life. Although these totalled but weeks of his four months of labour in the interests of .the Order, he was beyond the average, seelllg no less than 8 z lions (17 lions, 4 lionesses, and the rest cubs) four rhinoceros, a pack of wild dogs and hundreds of elephants. His most dangerous encounter, however, was with a wounded buffalo. At Dar-es-Salaarr:, too, he had a very narrow escape from an aggressIve snake, missing its attack when but a few inches away.

:Mishaps wlll unfortunately occur-even on Ra ilways-and it is a source of extreme satisfaction to the Directors and Officers of the Railway Companies to realise that when these accidents occur the services

As General 1'.:[anager of the Southern Railway I am naturally very proud of the fact that representative teams of our employees have secured the InterRailway Ambulance Challenge Shield on no less than twelve occasions since 192I. The high standard required in the Inter-Railway competitions is well all grades and all companies in this great Ambulance Movement.

SCOTL/\1 D v. ' D CR\LLE GE SHIELD CO\lPETlTIO.0: C. i\L Jenkin Jones presents the Directors Shield to [he \\Inm:rs [he Porwbcllo Tcam

known, and our successes are an index to the efficiency of our "first-aiders." This efficiency, however, is not, so far as the Railways generally are concerned, confined to a few selected men who have succeeded .in securing the right to represent their Company in this important national competition.

I am glad to have the opportunity of paying tribute to the whole-hearted enthusiasm; the high standard of skill which naturally follows such enthusiasm, and the sacrifices made not only in time but often in money by members of the Railway staff of

of qualified ambulance men are available to render skilled assistance to those who have suffered injury.

It is not only on the occasion of serious accidents that the Railway first-aider proves his worth. There are the day-by-day illnesses and accidents to our customers, the travelling public; the injuries which perhaps in far too great a number are associated with industry, which have to be and are so efficiently handled by the Railway Ambulance men on the track, in the workshops, and at the ports. If the number of cases of first-aid rendered by Railwaymen during

In this c.onnection the Railway management afford every possIble encouragement to their staff to make themselves proficient first-aiders-to the extent of the cost of training, granting special faCIlitIes to those who pass annual examinations and offering valuable trophies for competition. '

I am bound to confess that I find it difficult to realise why eyery Raihvayman is not a qualified firstaider.

knowledge a man in a position of beIng able to render serVIce to mankind and to ui\"e help when help is needed-and indeed hmv often d?es necessity. for a practic_al knowledge of firstaid mamfest Itself 1n the case ot one's own famih".

" The que tion r:1ay be asked by some What are '.'-Te gOlng to get out of it if we join the . reply that is materially, nothing, but there wIll be a JOY of seryicc '.\Thich has to be experienced to be appreciated. No matter in what industry a man is emplo\"cd, there IS abundant proof of the value of a knmdedo-e of .fir.st-aid; whil t part the movement plays in bul1dlOg up accepted without question.

I know that the actlvltle of the .Ambulance }.fO\Tement are followed with enthu iasm by the Directors, and members of staff of all Railways, and I s1ncerely hope that this knowledge will afford a very real encouragement to all associated with it.

Colonel Sleeman's (1938) Tour

The inspectional tour of the Chief Commis.ioner Overseas, Colonel ]. L. leeman, CB., CM.G., c;.B.E., 1.V.O., has Gibraltar, Kenya, Uganda, TanganYika, Zanzibar and the coastal towns and cities of outh Africa. The tour has included visits to practically every important centre ?f the places named; whilst Colonel Sleeman has lDspected all ambulance formations which exi t there

In addition he has been fortunate enouo-h to f?rmed Association Committees and to ha\"e established ambul.ance in several important centres of TanganY1ka, lllcludlng 11wanza, Dar-e - alaam an.d This is most fortunate, for until his visit this terrItory has not had any form of ambulance service. Durin g the four months of intensive and

In addition to other interesting experiences, Colonel Sleeman that of addressing members of Buganda Parliament and of being officiallv receIved by the Prime lv1inister at Kampala addressing the assembled house upon th; work of Order. In addition he had the great honour of bemg granted. an audience by His Highness the Sultan of ZanZIbar, who showed great interest in our while he met several African Princes during his tour, all of whom were anxious to further the interests of ambulance seryice In East Africa.

The Kenya Police and Raihva\"s and Harbours were in ambulance during this tour, both In regard to first aid and ordinarv ambulance seryice, as '.vell as that of A.R.P. wo;k. The establishment of St. John's 'work in Tangany"ika by Colonel Sleeman was an historic achievement in that this was the first occasion in which senTice had ever been introduced into this terrimry. At St. Helena, also, the same applies, for he was equally successful in getting an Association Centre formed there and ambulance seryice commenced for the first occasion in its historv.

A visit. to Gozo, the neighbouring Island, was Included I? Colonel. Sleeman's engagements. As is the case wlth It is steeped in the history of the Order.. had the privilege of visiting His the BIshop of Gozo, :Monsignor 1-1ichael GO?gl, I?D., ].Cam.B., ].CD., a Knight of 1IaJestenai Grace ot the Sovereio-n Order who showed the same interest in the 'work band character of the Order as the Archbishop of Malta, and having been shown some lately uncovered frescoes in the Law Court representing scenes in the histonT of the Order he Goyernment Hospital. Built by' the anCIent of the Order, it still serves the purpose for whICh It '.: as originally designed, and is constructed on the same lines as the old hospital at 1falta. Sleeman had the ?pportunity of addressing Pnests and Nuns, the medical staff, Ciyil Police Boy Scouts and Girl Guides, who had assembled fro'm all parts of the island, on the immediate and increasing necessity for a knowledae of first aid and home b nursIng, and feels confident that the work will soon be flourishing in Gozo.

(To be continued)

The Grand Priory in the British Realm of the Venerable Order of the Hospital of St. John of Jerusalem

HIs ?llajesty the King has been graciollsl\' pleased to t hl' follO\\lllg promotions in and appointments to tbe Venerablt! Ord of th Hospital of St. John of Jerusalem:-

FOR TO THE GRADE. OF h:\IGHr.

Colonel E"eram Walter Goldswortby (from Commander).

FOR THE GRADE OF

H.E. Sir Tbomas Shenton Whitelegge Thomas. O.B.E.

R.E. Sir Harold Alfred h:.C.M.G., D. -.0.

FOR PROMOTIO:\ TO THE GR,mE OF )'1rs. Beatrice Elliott Cook (from Commander).

FOR PROM01J0:\ TO THE GRADE OF COm!.-I.:\DER (BROTHFR).

Sir William Hannah McLean, KB.E. (from Officer).

George Hally (from Officer).

]'fOR ADMISSIO_ IK THE GRADE OF CmI:llAXDER {SISTER}.

Maude de Quincey ).[ary, Lady Denham.

FOR PROMOTION TO THE GRA.DE OF OFFICER (BROTHE.H).

Joseph Patrick );[acNamara (from en'ing Brother) (on appointment as Personal Esquire to Sir Jobn Lumsden).

john Buckley (from Serving Brother).

Alfred Sidney Beesley (from Sening Brother).

William Traill Thomson, L.R.C.P. (from Sening Brother).

FOR .-I..DMISSIOX I:\ THE GRADE OF OFFICER (BROTHFR).

Sir Charles james Hugh :\IcRea.

Colonel John Livingston Hamilton T.D .•

Colin Keppel Davidson, C.I.E., O.B.E.

Kenneth Samuel Maurice-Smith, :\I.R.C.S L.R.c.I'.

Orlando Cecil Power.

Major-General V,rLlliam Huskisson, Lieut.-Colonel Cuthbert Lindsay Dunn, C.T.E., I.:\I.S. (Rtd.)

George Patrick Pirie-Gordon (on appointment as Per,;onal E,quire to :\Ir 1-1. Pint"Gordon).

The Viscount Knebworth (on appointment as Per'Onal Esquire to the E"rl of Lytton)

The Viscount Duncannon and Robin Windham Baring (on appointment as Per"On" EsqUIres to the Farl of Bessborough).

Charles English Hyde Yilliers and The Hon. '.'lilliam Somers Laurence Hyde \ 'i lliers (on appointment a, Personal Esquires to the Earl of Clarendon).

james Knowles Milligan, ?oI.R.C.S., L.R.C.P. (on appoIntment as Personal to the Earl of Onslow).

William Philip Sidney and Clive Henry Critchett Upjohn (on appointmelll '" Personal Esquires to the Lord Plender).

Alexander Taylor ;\IcKay, :\LD., (on ;Ippointmt'nt a;; Personal EsqUIre to Sir ohn Lumsden).

Sir John FitzGerald ]\foylan, C.B., C.B.E.

Colonel the Hon. )1aurice Charles Andrew Drummond, l.:\I.G., D.S.t>.

FOR TO THE GRADE OF OFFICER (SISTF[<).

lIlrs. Ellen Rose Andrews (from Sen ing Sister)

Miss Doris Cecil Hayes (from Sen'iug Sister).

FOR ADJrlISSIO:\ IX THE GRADE OF OJ'FIC?:R {SIST1.lq.

The Lady Serena Mary Barbara James.

Miss Frederica Mary Cory.

FOR ADMISSroX

:lliss Xettie Strathern. :llrs. Ellen Louisa Dyke. ?olrs. Edith Lilian Williams Hannah Bailey. )1rs. Annie Powell. :lIiss jean \[acLean :\-lartm.

PRIORY FOR \\ ALE:-.

TO THE GRAD!::.

FOR PROllIOTIO:-' TO THF GRADE OF DAM!:..

The Lady Howard de \Valden and Seaford. ( B.E. (from Commander ].

FOR PRO:\IOTIO:\ TO THE GRADE OF (BROTHE1<)

S,r Godfrey john \'LgTloles Bt., K.C 8.. Kl \. () (S.l (from (Hille,'r)

Sir Da,id Richard Llewellyn, Bt. (from Ott;'-d lhri'topher Armstrong, (from Officer)

1'01< AD:\llSSWl\ THE GR.-I..DE OJ' (BROTHER).

Colonel Sir Rob rt William Herbert WatkIn \\ Ilhams Wnln K.C B 11.S.0

FOR TO THE. GR,-\DE OJ' OF1IUR (BROTHFRl. Ceorge Harr\' ::-;elrru; (Irom Serving Brotber).

Thomas James Evans (from Serving Broth(·r)

Da\'id Caredig Williams (from Serving Brother Comer Lloyd Davies (from Sen'ing Brother).

FOR ADl\1ISSlO). 1::-; THE GI<ADE 01' OI'TICEI< (BROTHER).

Owen Picton Davie,. Evan Lewys-Lloyd, C.S .• L.R.c.P., I).P H.

Sir WilUe Reardon-Smith, Bt.

FOR PROlllOTIOX TO THE GRADJ.. 01 OIFI loR (SlSTU<.), :\[ia Lucas, M.B.E. (from Serving Sister).

FOR ADMISSI01\ 1), THE GRADL OF OFFILFR (SlSTLR) rhe lountess of Lisburne. :lfrs. Eleanor Etna Audle\' Foley,Philipp,;.

FOR AD:lIISSIO). 1:-- (,[{-I.DE (!l '>1.1<\ I:--l, BI{OlHI'.l<., \'v'illiaru Henry :\dams. Samuel Bowen. Thomas Tvor Evans. Thomas David Enright. Albert James Elkllls Gordon Edwards.

Joseph Jones. Enoch Jones. John Samuel Jones. Rhys Llewellyn. William joseph Frank joseph 1>lay John )'Iorgan. Alfred Thomas )\organ. Richard Frank White, Da,-id Ree, Percy Williams. FOR IN THE GRADE 01' .-\:-O;SOCIATh ::.1, Rn;-.;(, I:lI<O'[ I-H RS Abraham Hauser.

H)f{ ADMISSIO'\ 1:-' THE (,RADE 01' SER\'I:--t, !'>ISTEI{. \[rs. Ingledew. )[rs. Eva Rosalie Ceinwen Mrs. 'vJolla Fountaine Lombe Pasklll. '.rrs Florence WillIams.

CO)I;\IA:\DERY Ii' 1\1 W ZI· ALA\D.

FOR TO THE GRAD!:. OF OFl-lCEI{ (BIWTHI'I<' Thomas Frederick Stewart Rudd (from ervlllg Brother) FOR AD;\IfSSrO:\ IN THE GR.-\OL OF SER\ 1:\" BROTHFI{ Edward Browse Gilberd, J ames Dickson. Claude Walter Gooderha1Jl. Eric Georgt' Gray.

FOR AD:'vlISSIO:\ IN THE GRADE OF SE1{\'I:\C S]SI'I·,\{. :'>lrs. 'vlarion Cordy. :'I1rs. Minnie Fletcher. Eva Mildred Buller.

FOR ADMISSION 11\ THh GRADE OF OFFICI' R ([:HWTHER), Colin Campbell Garbett, e.S.!" C.M.C., C.l.E., rc.s.

MALIA FOR PRO;\lOTlON TO THh (,HADE OF Kl'\IGH 1. Hanrubal Publius Sciclllna, M B E, (from CllmmandC'r).

FOR ADMISSION THE (;RADI' OF CO"[MA'\'DER (S]STlm) Jovce Evelyn, il<ly Luke. FOR ADM[SS[Q'\' THI' GRADI, 01, OFI'IC'hR (BIWTHER). VICC Admiral Wilhraham Tennvsol1 Ford C n. The Hon. Peter Paul Dchono. \I.D, F l<.CS.• f)'P.H Professor Ellul, Captam Albert Victor La f"ri ,1 () B h., U n Commander Edward Joseph l'ranris i'nn ', j) S l.. [{:\ (Rtd.) FOR ADMISSIO'\' ['\ TilE (,lnnl 0[' ,>11{\T\r, BR(iTHI,l{. Caplain Vmeent AbC'I-J. Alfred John Craig, \1 D. Lieut. Colon!'1 , 'ictor Cbarles \fi, ;dld O.H.I·. Francis XavIer !\tilli. Captalll Brian Wob,'ley W!'uh·l;,rt(·r. f'OR 1'\ THI, CI{A!J1. OF 1:--(; Carnltnc Ethl'! Yahsley. \{n-. Ethel (;prmall M,ss \IOIN Anne Briffa.

GIBRAlTAR

FOR AD:'IITSSIO:\ 1:--: THE GRADE Of' OHICER (BROTHbR). Captain Dnclley Savers Cowmg, FOR ADMISSIO:\ THE GRADI, OF SHRVI::-;G BROTHEl.:. Henrv Balloqni Thornton.

FOR AD:lHS 10'\ l'\ THE GRADE OF SERV])'G SISTI,R. 1.41 "" Ellz:! Adelaide Carbom.

7\LW SOUTH WALES FOR PROMOTIOX TO [HE GRADE OF Co\DIASDE.R (SISTER/, Mr' -I.nnic Gr"C'nw,lY '\Ilddows (from Officrr).

FOR TO THF "K-I.DL OF OFF1('l,R (BROTHLR,. Idward Ernest Brooks from St.n·lng Brothr·r).

Clement Armour \'er('(), \LB. (from Brother). W.uter Guy Shellshear, \LB. (from Broth,·r).

Oscar Charles (from Sen'mg Brother)

William H(·nry hl ards (from 5<'n il11-: Brothpr)

FOR \D\IlSS[O'\ IX THF GR"[)E OF OFFIUm (BROTHER Edwarrl Il n}'d J),'n'npnrt Parry •.\I.B. Charles Orion "ldDr Leggn John .Jam<" l.awton 'lcC-lll Brigadipr John HardlL'. 'hjor Charh's WIlliam Hpnry Coulter. nr. Athol Walter

FOR PRO,\WTIO:-l TO THI' GR.-I.!>E OF OFFH [<'I{ ;o.:l'lIit:' Ida \[mr ;from St-nmg SlStrr)

FOR AD\[(SSIO:\ 1:-': THI , (,RAlll, (IF SEH\·I).(, HHOTHER. Theodore Daniel :\f.B. Dr. Wallis Mervyn Alfred Fletcher. Arthur Fit1fwrald janes \I.B John J. Jolmstoll(,. Arthur Lambkmt:. nr. Havlllond hhpr ;llIlton Dr. Arthur Hill. Hobert P"rn' LI,·welll'll. Rotx-rt Gra\; _ colt. "rthur Jamps Wing,HI'. \\'Illiam T. -'hrtm. John Thomas Hodgson. Dr Fr.lncis Alcxandt'r Dr \Iherto CharlC's flu!>tal. Harrill Carisford Edmond nOI1(l\';l1l. M B Dr 1 sea '\[orris HlIlllphE'ry Dr. Derpk Campb<'11 Scoh,,.. Dr. John ).IOlkolm. ],:rlward .Io;;<'ph Crawlc'v. Llarenc(' \ ictor Herht.·rt Rra"", d 1. ;llichac'l Patn ck I.ot h Percy BIsmark Char'les Ro\' \'C'lgC'l Franci5 Henry William ThOlil<lS 'laker. J)r. Harry GII'IUlie Dr. }:r('drnck WIlliam Dean CollIer. HC'nr\' J ame Dra "ton. William GC'orgc Comber. Dr. George !>10ncneIJ Barron. .J ack Mc KenZIe Woods, B. lharles Sallnders RenWIck, J\OI.B (;orrlon 110wl(' I)r Regillald Palmer Spcnccr John Micldlcn11Ss. Hubert john Bear Albert Vincent BucklcY. Frank Lawry Firkm, ;i1.B. William 1\.('alo. Palll Dlldley Bracldon, :'I[ B., F, R.C:;. FOI{ ADMfSSlO"" ['\ TilE t.RADI 01' !'>l.l{\·l:--'C SbrER. Evelyn Paget Evans.

Mr,.;. Lorna Blacbford Lord, Mr" JC's"ca Frederica PaullllC' Sawvt'r. \lr•. l{utb FaIrfax. Mr, Edlth FiddL'n. Mrs. Amanda Wilson. M,D.

Miss Ada Wilkinson Swan.

Mn>. Edytha Jean Stephen<nn. Mrs. Ellsabelh Mellish. Mrs. Margaret Brook. Grace DunwoodiC'.

The Annual Festival of the Order

The Grand Priory in the Bntish Realm of the Venerable Order of the Hospital of St. John of Jerusalem held its Annual Festival on Friday, June 24,

The members of the Chapter-General, preceded by the Choir of His .Majesty's Chapels Royal and the Chaplains, walked in procession from the Chancery at St. John'S Gate to the Grand Priory Church.

The anniversary service was conducted by the Rev. E. J. Percival, Sub-Dean of His Majesty's Chapels Royal, and the sermon was preached by the Bishop of Lincoln, a Sub-Prelate of the Order, to a crowded congregation.

During the service the Earl of Clarendon was Installed as Chancellor of the Order, in succession Lieutenant-General Sir Aylmer Hunter-Watson, who recently resigned from that office.

After the service the General Assembly of the Orde r held in the Chapter Hall at St. John's Gate, :Major-General the Earl of Scarbrough, the ub-Prior, presiding.

A letter ,,'as read from H R.H. The Duke of Connaught, the Grand Prior, regretting hi Inability to be present,

{ajar-General Sir Percival Wilkinson, SecretaryGeneral and Director of the Ambulance Department; Colonel J. T. W/, Perowne, Chairman of the Order's Hospital at Jerusalem; Colonel E. J. King, the Librarian; Major-General Sir John Duncan, Chief Commissioner, t. John Ambulance Brigade at Home; and Colonel J. L. Sleeman, Chief Cc;)Uunissioner, St. John Ambulance Brigade Overseas; reported on the \vork of their respective departments during the year.

The Sub-Prior in replying to a vote of dlanks for presiding said the absence of H.R.H. The Grand Prior \,'as greatly regretted by all present. He was very glad to hear such favourable reports of the work of the Order during the past year. He heartily congratulated the heads of the yarious departments concerned.

The St. John Ambulance Brigade News i

No. (PRINCE OF WALES'S)

By the time this issue o.f tJ:e 1S published, every member of the DIstrIct wIll have learned of the honour the Commissioner (Capt. W. Goodley) has received by the conferment upon him of the O.B.E. in the Birthday Honours.

We are sure that members of the District will wish to add their own congratulations to the number which Capt. Goodley has already The Commissioner requests us to convey hIS warm thanks, and to say that he looks upon th.e honour, not for himself alone, but as one that he deSIres to share"on parade," with everyone under his command, C< off parade" with every single member, whom he looks upon as his personal friends.

The Annual Inspection of the Prince of Wales's District took place on the Guards' Parade Ground, Hyde Park, on Saturday, June I I. Invariably 0e Inspection is favoured with good weather, and this year was no exception, although towards the end a chilly wind blew across the Park.

The Commissioner (Capt. W. Goodley, O.B.E., 1-Le., K.St.J.) was in command, and some five thousand officers, surgeons, N.e.O.'s, ambulance men, sisters and cadets assembled.

Field-Marshal Sir Pbilip W. Chetwode, Bt.,. who was to carry out the inspection, was absent due to illness, and at the last moment the Chief Commissioner (Major-General Sir John Duncan) took his place.

The five ambulance battalions were commanded, respectively, by Assistant Commissioner Capt. A. White Knox, M.e., M.B., Ch.B. (Southern Area), ASSIStant Commissioner Capt. H. A. Fenton, L.M.S.S.A. (Central Area), Assistant Commissioner Capt. E. Bendix, L.R.e.P., M.R.e.S. (Eastern Area), ASSIstant Commissioner Sydney ]. Warren (Western Area) and Assistant Commissioner Capt. A. Rees, L.R.e.S., L.R.e.P. (Northern Area), while the three Nursing Battalions, under Lady District Superintendent Miss A. M Walker, were commanded by Lady District Officer Robinia Viscoun,tess 1:10untgarret, O.B.E., Lady District Officer and Lady District Officer Mrs. MorrIsh. DIStrIct Officer T. E. Walsby was in charge of the Cadets.

Promptly at 4.45 p.m. the Chief Commissioner came on to the parade ground, being received by Col. W. F. J. Perowne (Hospitaller of the Order), Col. G. A. Moore (Deputy Chief Commissioner) and Dr. N. Corbet Fletcher (Surgeon-in-Chief). Following the general salute and the playing of the National Anthem by the band of H.M. Welsh Guards, who were present, the inspection took place.

200

Then followed the March Past, at which Sir John Duncan took the salute.

At the close, the Chief Commissioner expressed to Capt. Goodley his entire satisfacti?n with all he had seen, and gave his congratulatIOns upon the smartness and efficiency of all members.

There was an excellent company of Members of the Order and their friends in the enclosures, prominent amongst them being Sir Percival (Secretary General of the Order) and Lady WIlkinson, Mr. Fincham (Librarian of the Order), CoL e. J. King, Col. e. B. Palmer, Lt.-Col. E . .J. Trevor Cory, Brigadier W. J. Barne of the Ord.er), 1-1r. G. Abbiss (Assistant COmnllSSlOner, :Metropolitan Police), General and Mrs. Bruce Hay, and General Sir Frank Connor, D.S.O. (late ASSIstant Commissioner of the Brigade in India.)

A large crowd of spectators lined the parade around to watch one of the most successful events its kind which the No. District has known.

Following the Annual Inspection, an informal dinner was held at the Shaftesbury Hotel, when District Staff Officer Capt. Franks, in a short speech, congratulated Capt. Goodley upon his O.B.E.

Replying, the Commissioner said that was not the occasion for speeches, but after the klnd of Capt. Franks, he felt he would. be ungrateful If he did not say how much he apprec1ated the remarks that had been made. He wanted to say, also, how very much he had appreciated all the kind messages of congratulation he had had, not only members of the Brigade, but from many others w1th whom, as a District, they were connected. He was naturally proud to be included in the Birthday Honours, but he took that honour not only for himself, but also for the District and the Brigade to which he had the honour to belong.

Continuing, Capt. Goodley said that, although he was the figurehead of the District, he was not one of those people who forgot all the mer:1bers who had helped to get him there and keep hIm there. He was glad to feel that the comradeship exiMing in No. I District was so strong; that members were so loyal. He liked discipline and smartness, never "swank," and that when they were off parade they were all, of whatever rank, personal friends.

Capt. Goodley then referred to the sad illness of ' Mrs. McFadden, who had wired good wishes, and said how much he hoped she would soon be well again and back to help in the work of the District.

Assistant Commissioners Warren and Capt. Bendix made brief speeches expressing their congratulations,

the function closed with thanks by District Officer Osborn to Capt. Franks for the successful arrangements made that evening.

On Thursday, June 23, at District Headquarters, the Cqmmissioner presented sixty-one Service Medals to officers and members, and forty-five bars to Service Medals. Sergt. W. A. Gray, of St. Marks Division, received his fifth bar; District Staff Officer L. L. Franks, of Headquarters Staff, his fourth bar, and Superintendent J. E. Barker, Vauxhall Divi slOD, Superintendent H. J. Laindon and District

Division, I Sergt. R. W. Wrig ht, \X' embley and Harlesden Division, and Sergt. e. E. Bourne, East Ham Division, their third bars.

Since its foundation by Mr. R. W. tone in 19 1 3, No. 70 (Kensington) Division has treated 17,5 80 cases, performed 16,737 public duties, attained 4 1 ,662 attendances at public duties and 38,273 attendances at drill, and held 2,513 drllls.

This remarkable record was disclosed at the Division's Silver Jubilee Celebration Dinner and Dance at Slater's Restaurant, .Kensington. The chair was taken by Divisional uperintendent \Y:/ A. Sie1', who was accompanied by Mrs. Sier. Amon g the

200 guests were the founder of the Division (Mr. R. W. Stone), Mr. S. J. Warren (Assistant Commissioner, Western Area) and Mrs. Warren, Mr. F. Claridge (District Officer, Western Area), Lady Divisional Superintendent Miss R. Thomson (Kensington Nursing Division), Lad y Ambulance Officer Miss Graham, Mr. H. Day (Secretary to the Mayor of K.ensington) and Mrs. Day, Mr. H. R. Stanley (Divisional Superintendent, Wemble y Division) and Mrs Stanley, Mr. E. Hartles (Hon. Divisio nal J\uditor, No. 70 Di vision), A mbulance Officer J. Owens (No. 70 Divi sion ) and 1-1rs Owens,

"\.mbulance Officer R. Edg comb (N o 7 0 and 11rs. Edgcomb, taff- erg t. F. W'ickens (No 70 Di\Tisi on ) and 1frs. W ' ickens.

After the t o ast to « The .King , oy er eig n Head of Our Order," bv the Chairman, the toast of "The Western Area n - was proposed by Ambulance Officer R. Ed g comb.

The following a\,yards were pre ented by J. \X'arren :-

Charlotte Cup (best knowledge of drill, open to .e.O.' only)- ergt. mith (.Kilburn).

The response to the toast \1,T as made b y ssistant Commissioner J. \\ arren, \1, ho congratulated the members of the Division on being able to celebrate their twenty-hfth anniversar y 201

Oppenheimer Cup (best knowledge of first aid, open to privates only)-Private Cootes (Kensington).

Stone Efficiency Cup (highest percentage of marks obtained in the following: first aid, attendance at drill and duties-open to all ranks )-Cpl. Seymour (Kilburn).

Deane Cup (N.e.O. with scratch squad treating a supposed 'injured person and conveying him on stretcher)-Sergt. Barber, Privates Hiley, Levy, Curwood (Kensington).

Inter-Sectional Shield (best squad treating a supposed injured person and conveying him on stretcherPrivates Wilkie, Yule, Levy, E, Whiddett (Kensington).

Squad Competition (best squad treating a supposed injured person and conveying him on stretcher)Privates Wilkie, Yule, Levy, E. Whiddett (Kensington).

Bett's Cup (open to members of Kilburn Section only)-Privates Evans, Worsley, Vickers, Dunbar , Fewell Cup (best knowledge of first aid open to privates of Kilburn Section only)-Private Evans.

Individual First-Aid Tests-First prize, Pte. Cootes ; second, Pte. Orchard; third, Pte. Evans.

A.R.P. Certificate (Grade I)-Sergt. Barber (Kensington).

An inspection of the Ambulance, Nursing and Cadet Divisions of East London was held on June 2. 1 at the Free School, Middlesex Street, E. 1.

The parade was in charge of Superintendent D. Stitcher, the No. 30 Division being under Ambulance Officer A. E. Shinegold, No. 76 Nursing and No. CN22 Nursing Cadet Divisions in charge of Lady Divisional Superintendent F. A. Minot, the No. C23 Ambulance Cadet in charge of Cadet Superintendent A. Goldstein, assisted by Cadet Officer W. Goldberg, and the British Legion Maccabean Section in charge of Sgt. B. Stitcher.

On parade also were Divisional Surgeons Drs. M. B. Jay, M. N. Oster, N. Pines, and J. M. Rafalowsky.

The Inspecting Officer, Assistant Commissioner Capt. H. A. Fenton, was accompanied by District Officer T. McBride and Lady District Officer Miss M. M. Masson.

At the Eltham Division church parade over 70 members and cadets attended a service at the Methodist Church. Assembly was at Courtyard, the parade being headed by the Headquarters band, under Bandmaster Willerby. Those who attended were from Eltham, Bexley Heath, Welling, Woolwich and Lewisham. Corps Superintendent Wickens was in charge, and arrangements were made by Ambulance Officer F. W. Judd, Divisional Secretary.

Others who attended included Councillor Captain F., W. Beech, J.P., L.e.e. (Vice-President), Mrs. Beech, Dr. S. McClements (Divisional Surgeon) and Mr. C. Lawrence (Hon. Treasurer). The congregation was a large one.

After the service the parade marched to the Circus, Rochester-way, where they were dismissed.

No. 2. DISTRICT.

COUNTY OF BRISTOL.

The Annual Inspection of the County of Bristol St. John Ambulance Brigade was held on Thursday, June 16.

The Inspecting Officer, Major Norman Burgess, M.D., the County Commissioner, was accompanied by the Lord Mayor (Alderman J. J. Milton) and the Sheriff (Alderman Sidney Cox); 780 officers and members were on parade.

An interesting innovation this year was the airraid precautions demonstration which was loudly applauded by the large crowd who watched the inspection.

Perhaps the most striking part of the proceedings was the march past, when the 27 divisions led by their band, filed in front of the County Commissioner and the Lord Mayor, who took the salute.

Major Burgess addressed the members of the Brigade and said that as the representative of the Chief Commissioner, he was glad to see that the traditions of the Brigade were being so well maintained in Bristol. He also congratulated the officers and members most heartily upon their smart appearance, good discipline and steadine'ss on parade.

The Lord Mayor also complimented the divisions, and added: "I thank you on behalf of the City of Bristol for the very noble service you are rendering to your fellow citizens, to your city and to your country.

BANBURY.

The annual meeting of the Banbury Division of the St. John Ambulance Brigade was held recently under the chairmanship of Colonel Norris, the President.

The Honorary Secretary (Sergt. K. G. Franklin) presented the annual report :

The year, he said, had been most progressive in many ways. (C We commenced the year with 48 officers and men, and during the past twelve months 14 men were enrolled, six had to leave the district, making our strength at the end of the year 56, an increase of eight.

"During July it was decided to form a band, and we were again successful."

With regard to Air Raid Precautions; the members are maintaining their efficiency.

On Sunday, May 29, the Banbury Divisions of the

St John Ambulance Brigade attended S Mary's Pansh church. t.

After the service the Rev ALE Willi' V f . . " ams lcar o Banbury and Chaplain of the Divisions dedicated the drums a,nd bugles of tlle recently-formed band at an open-aIr service in the Horse Fair.

Among those present at the impressive ceremony were.: J. Butler (Mayor of Banbury), Colonel Norns and Dr. C. Gardiner Hill (County Dr. Bevan (County Surgeon, Oxford) D;vlsl onal Bagley, Dr. J. C. Surgeon) and Mrs. G. Barrett (l\iurslllg DtvIslOnal Superintendent).

GOSPORT.

No. 2 DISTRICT (HANTS)

LEE-ON-SOLENT.

On Sunday, May the official opening of the St. John Ambulance Bngade's new First Aid Stati o n and Medical ComfC;)fts Depot at Lee was performed by Lt. Glen, ASSistant Count y Commissi one r for the Eastern Area of Hampshire.

A large gathering of officers, ambulance sisters and men from the Corps at Gosport had assembled with the general public to witness the ceremon y

The .Re,,:,. D, E. Hunter, Vicar of Lee, co nducted the dedicatlOn service.

_" A really splendid demonstration" was the verdjct ot the Mayor of Gosport Alderman C FOG h , ra am, Smith), who made the jn spection, congratulated concerned upon the efficiency of the work, and saId he hoped that the demonstration given b y them would have the effect of bringing forward the volunteers who were most urgentl y needed.

J after witnessing the recent annual Inspectlon ot the Gosp,ort, Corps of the St. John .l\mbulance Brigade, which 1 d d tnc u e a mo t realistic portrayal of A.R.P. methods under war-time conditions.

Assisted by three. machines from the Royal Air Force, Gosport the members of the Corps put up a splendId show which was watched by a huge assembly in Walpole Park.

The. result of the first" raid" was a series of bomb and. a cloud, of gas. Stretcher parties :vea:,lng clo thing and respirators, brought casualitles, a decontamination squad cleansed the roa? The Fire Brigade dealt with an outbreak of fire WIth chemical apparatus.

A second" raid" enabled the audience to witness the proper method of dealing with incendiary bombs.

The County Commissioner (Major A. Tennyson

1 O. , DISTRICT ( WESTERN).

BRIERLEY HILL.

The first inspection by the corps officers of the Cadet Division of the Brierlev Hill DlvlslOn of the St. John Ambulance Brigade held recently at the Bent Street Schools.

The ,inspecting officers were Corps Superintendent A. Corps Officers E. Lakin and J. A Harns, Corps A.R.P. Officer e. Ollis and ActinoCorps Sergeant-Major Jones. b the inspection various drill mm-ements were carned out by Sergeant Hill and ad' f fi ' ' emonstrtlon o rst-rud bandagIng was given by the Cadets.

Corps Super0tendent Winbow said he was verr agreeably surpnsed by the smartness of the boys and he the hope that they would remain men;bers untIl they were old enough to join the adult di,-ision.

No. 4 (LANCASHIRE) DISTRICT)

TOTTINGTON.

High tributes to the scryices rendered by Lady Superintendent Miss M. Bentley during her thirtyeight years' membership of the Tottington Division of the St. John Ambulance Brigade, and to the esteem in which she is held were paid when a presentation was made to her on June 4.

Among those present were: Mrs. Harold Hardman, Lady President of the Division, who presided; Lady District Superintendent Mrs. Tweedale, C.B.E., A.R.R.C.; Ambulance Officer !iss B. Booth, and District Officer F.

o. 5 DISTRICT.

SOCTH- WESTERN AREA W ' .R. YORKSHIRE.

The Area Inspection of the S. W. Area of W.R. Yorks was held at Huddersfield on June 18 by S. W. Malken, Esq., Commissioner No. 5 District, assisted by Lady District Superintendent Mrs. Birkwho inspected the Nursing Divisions.

After the inspection the Commissioner took the salute at a march past of the Nursing Divisions and men.

A thrilling and realistic display of A.R.P. was given. Aeroplanes from the No. Air Communication Group " raided" the parade ground, where a cricket match was in progress between some of the members of the S. W. Area. High explosive "bombs" were dropped and" casualties" were treated by ambulance men. A second "raid" followed a few minutes later: "Gas bombs," as well as high explosive were dropped by the "enemy " aircraft.

Rescue squads in gas-proof clothing hurried to the scene and the " badly injured" were quickly removed to the Casualty Clearing Station. Gas cases were treated according to the type of " gas" inhaled.

The display was watched by more than 5,000 spectators, some of whom took the opportunity of entering a Home Office Van to test a gas mask in tear gas.

The proceedings concluded with an address from the Commissioner, who said he was delighted with the efficiency shown by the Area. He also congratulated the Assistant Commissioner on the arrangements which had been made both for the inspection and the display.

No. 5 (-ORTH-EASTERN)

DISTRICT. NOTTINGHAM

In conjunction with every branch of the A.R .P. scheme in the city, the St. John Ambulance Brigade were called upon to act a very important part in a display which took place on Sunday, May 15.

For over an hour 15,000 clt1zens were thrilled by events which would occur in actual warfare during a bombing attack.

: \ squadron of bombers set fire to two old J.:1ouses, and dropped mustard gas bombs. They also " machine gunned" a number of spectators.

Street Wardens gave the alum, callcd the Aiders," and summoned the Fire Brigade. Rattles sounded the gas alarm. Decontamination squads cleared off the mustard gas. The medical services attended to ten casualties on the spot and superintended their removal to a First id Post. Special Constables guarded the public. \uxiliary Firemen dealt with " fired houses." Bells sounded the " All clear" from gas.

A letter of congratulation was later received from \Ving-Comandcr Hodsoll, Chief A.R.P. Department of the Home Office, thanking the Corps Superintendent " for a really first-class show."

The annual Competition for the "Spaight Cup" open to teams from the Ambulance Divisions of the Nottingham Corps, S.J.A.B., was held recently at Nottingham.

Six teams competed. Team tests were judged by Mr. F. Crooks, Divisional Surgeon, Central Division, Nottingham.

Individual Tests by Dr. A. A. Denham, Divisional Surgeon, Sneinton Division.

The result of the Competition was as follows :-

1. Cinderhill Division 163 points

2. City " 15 6

3· Sneinton " 15 6

4· Bulwell "

The City Division was awarded the second place after a deciding test with Sneinton Division in consequence of the tie between them.

After the competition, the "Spaight Cup" was presented to Cinderhill Division, with tankards to the individual members of the team, and the City Division received cases of fruit servers. The award's were presented by Mrs. F. Wilson Moulds, wife of Corps Superintendent F. Wilson Moulds, Nottingham Corps.

COUNTY OF LINCOLN

The Final Competition for the " Lambert Shield" was held at Lincoln recently. The following teams competed: Spalding, Scunthorpe and Cleethorpes.

Dr. M. C. Lavin, Assistant Commissioner, North Lines, judged the team work, Captain G. B. Armstrong, Assistant Commissioner, South Lines, the uniforms, and Doctors Hadley and Walters, of Lincoln, the individual tests.

Final placings were as follows: Cleethorpe 296 Spalding 290 Scunthorpe 272

The result of the individual test was won by Spalding with 27 marks, Scunthorpe being second with 23 and Cleethorpes third with 22.

Lieut.-Colonel F. S. Lambert presented the shield and prizes to the winners and congratulated all the teams on their work.

of the North Lines Area attended the funeral of District Officer H. H. 1cIntosh, of Scunthorpe, who, we regret to report, passed away on May I9 at the age of 74.

Mr. McIntosh had a distinguished career of valuable public service, and was in his for the St. John movement, jOllllllg as a pnvate in 1901. He was an Officer of the Order of St. John. During the Great War he served in the R.A.M.C., retiring with the rank of honorary lieutenant.

BAR LEY.

The following members have recently recen'ed \..R.P. Certificates: :Messrs. W. Brown, J. \Y./. Griffiths, B. Gelder, Gi)l, A. Hirst, H. Crossland, J. Mason, H. Maw, F. Platts, G. Platts, J. WI. Savage, E. edgewick, J. F. WThittlestone. Grade Instrucmrs' Certificates \.vere awarded to: H. E. (Divisional urgeon), Mr. J. (\cting upcrintendent), J. Littlewood (Hon. Secretary).

The sixth annual competition for Barnsley British Co-operative ociety's Shield was held on Saturday, ray 2 I. Twenty-two teams competed.

Out of a possible 182 marks, Pontefract came first with 172, Barnboro second \.\.'ith 166, \'( 'a th third with 144.

The shield and prizes were presented to the winners bv Mr. Caudwell, President of the Barnsley British Co-operative Society.

No. 6 DISTRICT.

HULL.

About 250 Ambulance and 150 Nur ing member: of the Brigade paraded for the Annual In pection of the Hull Corps, which took place on Thursday, June 23.

The Inspecting Officer was ir L\.rthur l \tkinson, J.P., President of the Hull Centre of the Association.

ir Arthur's party included the Lord I\Iayor and Lady Mayoress (Alderman F. E. and Irs. \'(Too dlifh.:) , Lady Atkinson, R.R.C. (Lady County Superintendent), Colonel H. A. Capes, O.B.E., York (Count)' Controller, V.A.D.), County Commissioner \'( T T. Atkinson, and County urge on Norman Jennings.

To the accompaniment of the King's IIall band,

members of the Brigade marched past in fours and the salute was taken by Sir Arthur.

After an exhibition of bandaging, first aid work and A.R.P., Sir Arthur, addressing the Corps, briefly referred to the death of Her Majesty the Queen's mother, and in respect to the Queen, who is Lady Commandant of the St. John Ambulance Brigade, the Corps stood in silence

Sir Arthur congratulated the Corps upon its smartness, and commended the work of the Hull Corps in connection w.ith Air Raid Precaution work. He then presented Ambulance Officer Eric Edwards and Private]. Hudson with the Order's medal for fifteen years' faithful sen'ice.

On Sunday, June 26, the officers and members of the Hull Corps attended Di'i.-ine Service at Princes Avenue 11emorial Church, where the Reverend J. Welham Clarke gave an address.

No. 8 (DCKE OF COi\ AUGHT'S) DISTRICT HASTINGS.

At the request of the Reigate Corps of the St. John Brigade, the Hastings Band Division under Ambulance Officer IX! . D. Crossett visited Reigate on Sunday, June 12, to take part in the dedication of Reigate's new Ambulance.

The Band headed the parade to the Parish Church, \.vhere the service was conducted b\, the Vicar, the Reverend R. Talbot, before a large congregation, among whom \vere seen Sir Jeremiah Colman, Bt., the President of the Reigate Corps, Assistant Commissioner and I\Irs. Hamer Rus ell, Lt.-Col. Dr. C. James, Corps Superintendent and County Surgeon, The layor and :Mayoress of Reigate, and the Chief Constable of Reigate.

At the conclusion of the sen'ice Assistant Commissioner Hamer Russell presented the ambulance to Sir Jeremiah Colman on behalf of the Brigade, who accepted it and handed it over to Lt.-Colonel Dr. C. James.

The Vicar then proceeded with the dedication ceremony, and aftenvards gave a short address in the Parish Church.

No. 9 DI TRICT. REDRL'TH.

For the htst time in the hi,ton of the Redruth a team represented in the Brigade Finals and were a,,'arded second prize.

The team- ergeant J. Olson, PriYate W . Dunstan, T. \ltree, H. Seymour and H. :Moyle-accompanied by uperintendent C. C. Pellowe, \\-ere giYen an enthusia. tic welcome on their return to Redruth, where a civic reception had been arrangeci in their honour.

This wa al '0 the hrst time that a Cornish team ha:, won a trophy in the Bri gade Finals, and there is no doubt that the recent succt:'s will [ i'OYC a .timl1lant to ambulance v.-ork in the Duch\-.

Air Raid Precautions

- Especially for

To ALL COMMISSIO ERS AND COUl\:TY C011.MISSIO ERS. lnstmctiOJl to 'the General Public il1 Air Raid Precautions.

Experience gained in visiting the majority of our Districts and Counties proves the need of some definite co-operation in the matter of instruction to the general public in air raid precautions, and the Chief Commissioner wishes me to give you the following instructions as to procedure in this matter.

I.-The V.A. Course as provided by the Home Office, and as detailed in our latest Brigade Order, is the one most usually to be adopted, consisting of ten lectures of one hour each, two of which are to be utilised for the lecture and demonstration of the respirators.

2.-The ten lectures should be given by a panel of lecturers. By this is meant that as far as possible specialists in every subject should be selected from your Grade I Instructors, e.g., Doctors for the symptoms and treatment of the gases, laymen such as builders- or architects where possible for such subjects as refuge rooms and first aid posts, and those who are accustomed to drill and instruct in such subjects as respirator drill or protective clothing. This procedure accomplishes several objects, each lecturer becomes increasingly specialised on his subject, it maintains continued interest and variety, prevents possible criticism of one individual receiving all the fees for expenses, and each lecturer taps a different circle of the public, which widens interest.

3·-You are not limited to the Grade I Instructors in your own area, but are to feel at liberty to ask for help from your neighbouring conn ties, so that you are never limited by the demands made on you by your immediate county being short of Grade I Instructors. The 3,000 Instructors of our organisation are at your disposal, and when produced from neighbouring areas expenses are covered by the charge of one guinea for expenses, which the Home Office has authorised (see A.R.P. Memorandum No. 5 on Anti-Gas Training).

4·-With regard to fees, in the Memorandum above mentioned the maximum charge of one guinea a lecture is authorised by the Home Office to cover all expenses involved, and should be paid by the local authority or organisation which asks you for the instruction, and such authority should provide the necessary accommodation unless your own Headquarters are available.

5·-Clerical procedure in all places should be definitely along the lines laid down in the latest Brigade Order, and the forms therein referred to must in all cases be used for the conduct of the classes, application for examinations, etc.

Surgeons

By W. C. BENTALL, O.B.E., F.R.C.S., L.R.C.P., Air Raid Precautions Staff Office.' to

the Chief COJnmissioner

6.-Copy of memorandum that is issued from time to time to A.R.P. Officers and others interested in the formation of classes is enclosed for your information.

The Chief Commissioner particularly wishes that in this matter of educating the general public you should render all possible co-operation with local authorities, especially the Medical Officer of Health and the A.R.P. local Officer, to whom you should take an early opportunity to pass on the information of this note.

Preparation and Follow-up Jor a Public Meeting.

Experience has shown that a public meeting for propaganda and recruitment for A.R.P. fails in its purpose unless adequate preparation and follow-up plans are carefully worked out.

The following procedure has pro\ cd ver) sLlccessful 1n many cases :-

I.-At an A.R.P. 11:unicipal Committee, 'V/hen it is first decided to hold a public meeting, the '- t. ] ohn and the Red Cross representatives shouJd be asked to provide a course of ten lectures for the public, subsequent to the suggested meeting, and the day and place definitely fixed for the first lecture.

2.-Then the St. John or Red Cro ss representatives should proceed to form a panel of Jecturers by first asking the Chairman if the 11 unicipality has two or three C.A.G.S. Instructors, who would take two or three of the lectures on a subject which they speciaLse in, such as " Decontamination" or " First Aid Then each of the representatives hould ascertain how many Red Cross and St. John hold C.A.G.S. or Grade I Instructors, Certificates, and as far as possible select doctors for gas and treatment lectures, architects or builders for Refuge Rooms, First Aid Posts, etc.-each man a specialist as far as possible, This widens interest for the classes, and prevents criticism of anyone organisation.

3.-Fix the date and place for the first meeting and have a slip printed: "I promise to attend the first of a course of lectures on Gas Warfare, with the option of continuing with the remaining nine lectures,. to be held on day date at. Hall. Signed Address "

These slips should be handed out to people going into the hall or placed on the seats. The Chairman of the public meeting should make a suitable reference to them, and they should be signed and collected by stewards during the time of questions at the close of the address.

4.-The public meeting should be well advertised. The Lord Mayor or Mayor should preside, and should be supported on the platform by the Chairman of the A.R.P. Committee, and as many of its members as possible- this will include the officials such as the Town Clerk, Chief Constable, Medical Officer of Health and representatives of St. John and Red Cross. The speaker should be carefully selected, as being known to adopt a popular style and capable of dealing with all kinds of questions and objections which may be put up, either from the Home Office or one of the Voluntary Organisations' Headquarters in London. One speaker is better than two, unless they carefully arrange not to overlap. The prime object is to create a lively interest and keen enthusiasm, and one man with strong personality is more likely to achieve this.

5.-In the subsequent ten lectures, all lecturers should always take it for granted that members will sit for the examination at the end, and volunteer for any department of A.R.P. work they may choose. And in the closing lecture on " General Organisation as Relative to the Government Scheme," emphasis should be laid on the A.R.P. Auxiliary Reserve of the St. John and Red Cross, and the advantages of such in relation to further training in first aid work.

Air Raid Precautions Questions and Ans'wers

(Selected jrotll Questions asked at W'eek-end Courses.)

I.-Q.-Does Mustard Gas affect the ear in any way?

A. - Only the external ear might possibly be bl.istered if exposed, no effect on the hearing 'would result.

z.-Q.-How can you know when the patient has a drop of Mustard Gas in the eye, instead of just vapour ?

A.-By the immediate pain experienced. No other form of Mustard Gas infection produces immediate symptoms.

,.-Q.-Would it be a First Aider's duty to open the blister of Lewisite in the absence of Doctor?

A.-Yes, if he was a trained First Aider, and understood the meaning of opening a blister with aseptic precautions.

4.-Q.-Did I understand the lecturer to say that Bleaching Powder is effectual against Lewisite as against the book saying that it is not?

A.-The position is that bleaching powder IS essential for the decontamination of the effect of Mustard Gas, but for Lewisite it is quite unnecessary as plain water destroys the effect of Lewisite.

5.- Q. - When you state that Ivlustard Gas is cumulative in effect what intervals are safe? Would doses separated by, say, four weeks be cumulative?

A.-A patient who received a dose of Mustard Gas having had one four weeks before would probably react more quickly and more severely to the second dose than to the first, though this is not so serious as it would be were the interval only a few days.

6.-Q.-On chart (column 8) C.A.P. marked asLachrymator Skin Irritant. Is latter correct?

A.-Yes, but very slightly so, and only in high concentrations.

7·-Q.-If the effect of Phosgene is similar to drowning do you promote circulation by rubbing limbs to heart?

A.-The similarity of Phosgene poisoning to drowning was made in the description of the symptoms produced known as "water-logging" in the lungs, but under treatment great emphasis was made on the need of rest, not even risking artificial respiration because of the liability of the heart to collapse. Rubbing the limbs for the same reason should be abolutely avoided.

8.-Q.-At what height and over is spraying from machine non-effective, that is, absorbed in

A.-It depends entirely on the amount of wind, the pace of the flying machine, and the temperature of the atmosphere, and other factors also.

9· - Q· - Would sneezing gases set up injury to the throat or the nose through excessive strain ?

A.-No such cases known to be recorded.

Io.-Q. - Has Phosgene delayed action?

A.-In some cases, yes.

lI.-Q.-If the tear gas has already taken effect, how can the respirator be put on ?

A.-Why not? It would prevent continued weeping and lessen the time that the redness continues, and gives immediate relief.

l2.-Q. - Is there any kind of sizing material that one may paint over porous material like bricks, to keep out Mustard Gas?

A.- Waterglass might be temporarily effective; no definite paint has so far been announced as effective.

13 .-Q.- Would you cause contaminated areas in towns to be railed off and "danger" notices displayed?

A.-Yes, but this will come under the control of the decontamination squads.

I4.-Q.-Would not the heat generated by internal combustion engine help to decontaminate the metal parts of engine?

A.-Yes, in those parts that were sufficiently heated for sufficient time, but don't forget it would increase the vapour danger, and not knowing whether the heat had been sufficient would not justify omitting decontamination as taught.

15 .-Q.-Why not a valve in wall of protective room, similar to respirator canister, to allow purified air to enter?

A. - Because of the great expense; this can be done and is done in making large protected rooms for big numbers of people.

16.- Q. - Can we use front door as an entrance to air lock although it does not slope. Will curtain which overlaps be sufficient?

A.-Yes, if you can keep the curtain in close contact with the door, which the slope makes easier.

I Interesting Case Reports II

CASE REpORT No. 14I.-The Officer-in-Charge of the Plymouth S. W D evon and E. Cornwall D istrict S. ].A.B reports the efficient performance of first aid by a member of the Saltash Division in the following difficult circumstances :-

On April 29, as Donald Black, a native of Glasgow, was at work in the Dockyard on a crane 150 ft. above ground level and 60 ft out from the standard, he received serious injuries and was not able to move.

S/Sgt. Dwelly immediately went to his assistance, though to reach him, he had to traverse the long arm of the crane along planks "\",hich were roughly a foot wide and eight feet long and which had to be moved as the patient was slowly and carefully carried to safety. After first aid had been rendered, the man was loaded on a stretcher. Both were then placed in a box and lowered to the ground by a rope through a pulley block. By the time that the patient was safely on firm ground, a doctor had arrived and took charge.

COMMENT.-To render first aid on a narrow ledge 150 ft. above the ground and then to arrange transport on narrow plank.f a distance of 60 ft. to a on which first aid could be rendered constitutes an actioll which will rank high a//lidst the glorious records of the Brigade.

To S/Sgt. Dwel!)" therefore, lve tender cordial CO/1gratulations on the resotlrcefirlness and dexterity with which he handled a dijjiCtllt emergent]' and also on the wery in which the patient's descmtfrom the crane 1vas completedon a stretcher in a box I-N. C. F.

lb STRENGTH OF TINCTURE OF IODINE

B R. (Sale).-As a regular reader of THE GAZETTE, I would like to know how many different strengths of Tincture of Iodine are obtainable and how these should be applied. As I have recently received a severe burn through the application of Iodine to a wound, I am anxiou'S to have your advice, because I have no wish that this accident should happen to any patient treated by me.

There are two strengths-mild and strong-of Tincture of I odine. The former used to be recommended in Textbook for the treatment of wounds; and-to avozd burning of the part-it shotdd be painted once over Jhe wound and surrounding skin an!l allowed to dry before a dressing is applied Most of the burnIng accidents co.nnected with the use of Tincture of Iodme are due to tts too free use and more especially t o the application of cotton wool or lint saturated therewith and left in contact with the 1vound -N. e. F.

208

WIlEN D UTY CALLS

W. G. (Cr awley).-I b eg to submi t the followin g sto r y for yo ur consi deration as b eing n o tew o rthy, no t so much from the point of view o f assis t an ce r en dered (tha t goes without saying), but as co incidence-it is unlikely ever to happen again !

On Friday morning, April 22, about 9 a. m., an o rder was received for the Crawley Ambula n ce to convey a patient from Crawley to London; and the usua l driver and two bearers were detai led for the work. Nothing unusual took place until the ambulance reached the new Imperial Airways Building near Victoria Station, where a crane had collapsed, injuring five persons.

The rest of the story is best told in the words of one of our men: "We stopped at once and two of us ran across to see if we could be of any assistance. There was no need to ask. \Y/e just got busy until the arrival of an L.e.e. Ambulance. Three of the patients were conveyed in the L.ee. Ambulance to St. George's Hospital and the remaining two in the Crawley Ambulance So far so good-but the Crawley patient was still in the Ambulance! Howeyer, we finally arrived at our destination, and a few words of explanation soon put the matter in order.

" On the return journey we had reached Mitcham when once more we were witnes. es of an accident. An old man of 84 years was knocked down by a cyclist, sustaining severe bruising and suffering badly from shock. We treated him, ascertained his name and address, and conveyed him home in our Ambulance.

" Once more we started off, wondering if anything. else was going to happen. It did! For on reaching Crawley we found an urgent message waiting, ordering the Ambulance to convey another patient to Brighton. So off we went once more, reaching Brighton without incident, and finally got back to Crawley at 6 p.m. ! "

J ust one word more-two of these men were on night work. Consequently they had no sleep on the night before and would not get any on the night after our day of coincidences . However, they took it all cheerfully and merely as part of a day's work for the Brigade.

Truth is stranger than fiction! Your day of coincidences will live long in the memories ofYOHr colleagues andyourself, to each of 2vhOlJl we tender cordial c011gratulations on good 1vork cheerfullY undertaken and lvel/ done .

Incidel1tal(y,yottr story reminds me of a cllriotls coincidence which happened 2vhen we 1vere on public LOllgyears ago I ,vas in the Divisional Ambulance which, on a Bank Holiday, was convrying a patimt froll1 Ilampstead J-Ieath to hospital. As 2ve proceeded, 1ve callle across a crowd gathered round a patient. Telling ot/r driver to pttll up, I beckoned to the police oflicer 1vho 1Vas in charge, and 1vho, in response to my offer of assistance, replied that he 1vanted

no help because the patient was onlY drunk L eaning for ward, 1 lvhispered in t he ear o f t he officer : "S o is my patient , but he i s f or hospital and not for police-station! I) - N e. F

TREATMENT OF CARBOLIC

ACID POISONING.

P B. (Hollingworth) -A t a recen t exami n ati on in fi r st aid a question was asked relative to the treatment of Carbolic Acid Poisoning. The answer was given according to the special treatment and general rules as set out in the 38th edition of the Textbook. Therein we are taught that olive or salad oil should be given in cases of Corrosive Poisons: but the examiner would not listen to this, and gave his opinion that in a case of Carbolic Poisoning oil should not be given. lIe failed to give any reasons for his view.

For the benefit of the members of our Division I should be pleased if you could give your views on this matter in an early issue of THE GAZETTE.

1 know that as members of the Brigade we should all adhere to the ruling of the Textbook; but when differences of opinion such as this crop up it is interesting to know the reasons upon which such opposite views may be based.

if your statement of facts i.r correct, YOHr examiner exceeded his attthorft)', 1l1hen he refused to accept the ans]ver that oils are to be admillistered in cases of Carbolic Acid Poisoning. He 1VOllld have bem more discriminatiJlg if he had told YOII for YOHr private illformation that Carbolic Acid i.r freely soluble il1 oil, alld that for this reason he disagreed Jvith the teaching of the Textbook. In spite 0) this fact, hOJJ.'ever, all the //lallllalJ at lily disposal agree ll ith the Textbook ill reco/JI/J/elJding the adlllinistratiolJ of oil ;n the.re cases.-N. C. F.

SLI G FOR R\ DAGED ELBOW.

I. H. (Lancs.).-As a Divisional Surgeon, I should be obliged if you would be good enough to give a ruling on a point which has recently been under discussion among officers in this area.

On page 59 of the Textbook, the bandage for the elbow is described; but no mention is made of the correct sling to be used with it. A large arm sling was generally approved, though it was' claimed that it may cause pain by pressure on the injured part. A small arm sling would avoid this possibility and would keep the elbow at rest.

So '-?Y deduction it follows that for all other i'!Juries (wounds, burns, dislocation or sprains of joints, etc.) of the upper limb the large arm-sling is indicated. In short, having dressed and bandaged an injured elbow (other than a fracture of httmerus involving the elbow), first aiders should place the limb in a large arm-sling which gives better support to the whole limb. Of course, should increased pain remit from pressure on the zi'!Jured part, and should this be avoidable '-?Y the substitution of a small arfJJsling, thry 1vould so act.

LIABILITY FOR CE CHARGES.

H. H. (Woodstock).-Further to your interesting statement which in the March issue of THE GAZETTE dealt with the vexatious problem of liability for the doctor's fee, I now relate how my Division has fared in the matter of the very moderate charges for hire of our ambulance.

At the annual meeting of the Woodstock Division in February last, I reported that since 1934 the am?ulance turned out on 33 occasions to people who, mvolved In road accidents, forgot to pay the charges, a total of over £2 3s.

The matter has been reported to the Home Office Ambulance Committee, the officials of which are doing all they can to help in this difficulty. There i nothing in the Road Traffic Act to ensure that our road charges shall be paid, but there is no doubt that when these people send their claims to their Insurance Companies they put down enough to pay these little sums.

.Men turned out, often in the middle of the night, and when the bill was sent in for the bare transport charges they either got abused, told to apply to the man who sent for the ambulance, or ignored alto gether."

Our County urgeon, who presided, said that the great difficulty of recovering the money was that it was a question of responsibility for sel1ding for the ambulance and that the person who sent for the ambulance was legally responsible for paying the cost.

In t,l1ese I wonder if it will be possible b y uruted acUon on the part of all interested Divisions to obtain the same treatment as is allo\yed to doctors under the Road Traffic .Act. If this were done, the Insurance Companies might be persuaded to pay the costs of ambulance hire direct to the Briaade units instead of to the victims of accidents. b

The non-paylllellt of just and lal1ftd fees and charges a problem 1} hich cannot be J'olved even by Acts of PariIalJlent.- e. F

For special reasons the Textbookgives specific itJstmctiolls 1}1ith reference to the small arm-sling (fractflres of hUlllertls-pp 82, 83 and 84), to the St. John arm-sling (fractures 0)' clavicle and scapula-pp. 8 and 82, and bleeding frotl1 the palmar m·ches-p. I 23), and to the large arm-sling (fracture of rib.r p. 79) · It also nallles the s1l/all arm-slillg as p art of t he dressing bandage fo r the s houlde r (p 56) and t he large arm-sling as necessary with the dressing bandage for hand

"First Aid to the Injured"" I '---------------------------------------------------------No. 6

(ContiJ1uedjrotJl page 132, Mqy issue).

Chapter XII (The Nervous System).

This Chapter is practically unaltered. The description of the Cerebro-Spinal System is much improved by reference to the "sensory and motor fibres» of the nerve. Consequently the common mistake that there are sensory nerves and also motor nerves can no longer be attributed to the wording of the Textbook. It is a pity, therefore, that in the following paragraph the text reverts to the old bad terminology-sensory nerves and motor nerves !

Chapter XIII (Insensibility).

This Chapter is improved by the introduction of a definition as to what constitutes the unconscious state. Otherwise, the opening paragraphs are as in the previous Edition.

The General Rules for Treatment are amended to include Asphyxia, the first Rule now reading: "If breathing is absent, perform artificial respiration." Apart from this, the remaining Rules are practically unaltered:

Next follow the causes and treatment of Asphyxia, which are almost identical with those in the 38th Edition, except that, in the re-arrangement, the General Rules for Treatment of Asphyxia are necessarily deleted.

Under the Additional Treatment in Special Cases the instructions are much the same, except in the following particulars. Thus, with Choking, the advice to turn a child upside down is withdrawn. Further, the treatment for Suffocation by Smoke or Gas is now correctly detailed in two separate sections, with the result that Erst aiders will now realise that the handkerchief is of limited use as a protection against Suffocation by Smoke and that in cases of poisonous gases it must be replaced by a suitable gas-mask.

The section which deals with Electric Shock has been partially re-written and is more lucid, especially in connection with the need to persevere with artificial respiration "for a long time," which, being translated, signifies four hours!

Next follow the Causes of Insensibility accompanied by Convulsions, with notes on the special treatment required for each. These show little change, though with Hysteria the mustard leaf and cold water douche are no longer advocated and

with Infantile Fits the child is to be stripped before being placed in a hot bath. With the latter the child is now to be immersed "up to the neck" in place of the previous instruction-" so that water reaches the armpits." Personally I prefer the old instruction, because, to keep the child in this position, the first aider automatically placed his hands in the armpits whereby he prevented the struggling, slippery child from total submersion.

Next to be discussed are the Causes of Insensibility without Convulsions, which group covers head injuries-Concussion and Compression of brain. The description of these conditions is unchanged except that Concussion is now stated to be "a disturbance of the functions of the brain," instead of, as previously, "a shaking of the brain resulting in a disturbance of its functions," which to me is the better. Further, in the treatment of both conditions cold is to be applied continuously to the head, which, as far as Concussion is concerned, seems to be a contradiction to the further instruction which has now been added, namely, that the patient is to be kept absolutely quiet in a darkened room.

The Chapter closes with a description of Other Causes. No material change is made with reference to the signs, symptoms and treatment of Syncope in connection with which "may fall" would be a more truthful statement than "falls." Likewise, Apoplexy and Sunstroke are described and are to be treated as in the 38th Edition, the only changes being that with the former the vague sentence (which has reference to the head) is now presented as " signs of injury are not necessarily present," and with the latter Epsom Salts are to be administered and followed up by drinks of cold water.

Chapter XIV (Poisons).

The definition of a poison is unchanged, but the classification of poisons is now limited to two groups -those which burn and those which do not burn the lips and mouth. The latter now include Irritants, Hypnotics (which term replaces the previous" Narcotics "), Deliriants and Convulsants. The description of all these is mainly as in the 38th Edition, except that the hypnotics now include Opium and its preparations and also pain-reducing and sleepinducing tablets and preparations.

Except for some re-arangement the General Rules of Treatment are in the main unaltered. The Textbook,

however, does make it clear that" one of the following" antidotes js now to be administered, and so candidates in examination ought not in future to suggest a full meal of all the possible antidotes, as they so often did in the past.

The Poisons requiring Special Treaflllent show certain changes. Thus, Phosphorus is now included amongst them, Epsom or Glaubers Salts being named as the antidote. With Corrosive Sublimate and Iodine Poisoning the antidote is now to be given before the emetic. On the other hand it is now laid down that with Poisoning by Opium and its preparations the antidote is only to be administered after the emetic acts.

This difference in action is, of course, consequent or the possible corrosive action of the two former poisons on the walls of the stomach, though personally I. would have preferred the advice to administer the antidote before the emetic and again after the emetic had acted.

Cnder Opium and its preparation s it is to be noted that a semicolon has inadvertently been placed in the middle of Rule z. If readers of THE GAZETTE will forthwith delete the semicolon, the instructions of the Textbook will be clarified, and no further queries will arise as to ,vhether or no permanganate of potash is to be administered in crrstalline form!

The description of Poisoning is altered in that thi s cond ition is discu ss ed in its earll( and late stages and also in that to its treatment there i now added an instruction to (, ensure rest and shelter. "

Chapter .Yr " (JUi.fCf' llane o/fS It!jlfries}

To the description of Burn and calds is now added the warning that " e, ery care must be taken of the s lightest burn or scald." Treatmen t has been radically altered, and is now dependent on whether medical aid or hospital is or is not « readily ayailable."

In the former case the part is to be covered \vith cotton wool and bandged lightly. In the latter case treatment is on the same lines as those taught in the 38th Edition except (I) that the dressing now suggested are strips of lint soaked in warm solution of bicarbonate of soda (which are to be kept moist) and of warm strong tea (which are allowed to dry), and (z) a new Rule requires the administration of fluids freely.

The instructions with reference to the treatment of a person with Clothing on Fire have been shortened by the deletion of the former explanation of the need to place the patient on back or face according to the site (front or back) of the flames.

The instructions concerning treatment of Burn by Corrosive Alkalies are identical with those in the previous Edition except that the reference to quicklime now figures as a pecial Rule.

Z II

Stings of Plants and Insects show two minor changes. Thus, the sting is to be extracted, preferably with a sterilised needle and two of the remedies which were suggested in the 38th Edition- namely, tincture of iodine and a paste of baking soda and sal volatilehave been removed.

The instructions for treatment of Fish-Hook embedded in skin have been improved by a warning to paint hook and skin with an antiseptic before forcing the point through the skin

The instructions with reference to Hernia are now included in this Chapter and are amplified b y the addition of a new Rule which forbid s any attempt to reduce the swelling.

With Foreign Bod y in E ye a match is now to be used for eversion of the upper lid in place of the previous "knitting needle, match, or bodkin." Further, for some curious reason (is it another printer s error ?), the numeral which in the 38th Edition marked Rule 4, has been removed, the result being that foreign body under eyelid, for eig n body embedded in e yeball, corrosive acid in e ye and corrosive alkali in eye are all discussed under one secti o n . In my copy of the Tex tbook .r hav e replaced the numeral because the last three of the ite ms JUSt named deal with injurie s to the e yeball i tself.

Further, with Foreign Body in Eyeball medicmal paraffin now replaces olive oil as a soothing ag ent. Also, the parag raph which deal \\;ith Quicklime has been altered and read s, "\vhen qu i cklime or other corrosive alkali ."; and the instruction t o brush away as much quicklime fr o m the e ye as possible has been removed. Further, the e ve is t o be bathed with cold (instead of warm) vineg ar and water and , \vhen 'Vjnegar is not available, with cold ",vater. imilarly, the ection which deals with oil of vitriol in the eve now reads -" \X' hen oil of vitriol or other corrosi';e acid ."; and here again cold ,,;ater is to be used.

\X'ith Forei g n Bod y in Ear, the old word" pas age" gives way to "channel," the instructions bein g identical with those in the 38th Edition.

\X7ith Foreign Body in ose, the dangero us intructions to make the patient sneeze , iolently and to induce oeezing by pepper or snuff have at la t disappeared from the Textbook. In place of actions which would tend to dra,v the foreign body more deeply within the nose, the patient is to be warned to breathe through his mouth and t o be taken forthwith to the doctor.

Finally, Foreign Body in tomach now find a place in the Textbook with a warning that with pins and other sharp objects nothin g is to be given by the mouth and the patient i , to be removed at once to the doctor.

(To be con tinued)

Priory for Wales

Headquarters: Priory House, 4 Cathedral Rd., Cardiff

GENERAL INTEREST

LIFE-SAYING A W.\RD.

A Certificate of Honour has been awarded by His Royal Highness the Grand Prior to .Private Millard, Newport High Street RaIlway of the Brigade, in recognition of gallant conduct 1n rescuing at great personal risk a small boy who ran in front of a motor car at Newport on July 14, 1937·

The document has been forwarded to the Commissioner for Newport, Dr. S. M. Cormac, who was responsible for bringing the to the no.tice of the Priory, to arrange for swtable

The following are the details of case Millard was 0n duty on the occaSlOn of the VISIt of Their Majesties the King and Queen to Newport on July 14, 1937, on the Cardiff Road, where a large crowd were waiting. The approach of a car caused a wave of excitement and a young child ran out in front of the car. It appeared at the instant that the child would be unavoidably knocked down, but Private Millard dashed from the other side of the road across the front of the oncoming car and just managed to snatch up the boy and get clear. It was a commendable example of pluck and of on the part of a Brigade member which :lid not fall to arouse the admiration of those who witnessed the occurrence.

CENTRE REPORTS

CAERNARVONSH1RE CENTRE.

Centre Meeting.- The Centre President (Lo.rd Penrhyn, presided at a meeting of the Caer?arvonshire Centre Committee held at Bangor, at which a report was rendered by the Secretary, Mr. W: T. on the progress made in regard to Air RaId Precautions.

Arrangements for the annual flag were left in the hands of the Assistant COmmlSSlOner, Mr. Edward Williams, Chief Constable, whom the Chairman congratulated on the successful result of last year's appeal, which realised a total of £ z8 7

It was decided to hold the annual competition for the Penrhyn Cup at Vaynol Park, by invitation of the Commissioner, Sir ?viichael Duff-AsshetonSmith, Bart.

Police Ambulance COJllpetition.- The Caernarvonshire Constabulary Inter-Divisional Ambulance Com212

petition for the "Duncan Elliott Alves Challenge Cup" was held at the Drill Hall, Bangor, on June 15.

The Assistant Commissioner, Edward Williams (Chief Constable), in the course of his opening remarks, wlecomed Lord Penrhyn, whose presence was an encouragement and referred to the keen interest taken in ambulance work in the county. As far as the police in the county were concerned, the r were 100 per cent. efficient in ambulance work.

Three Divisions competed for the cup, namely, Pwliheli, Caernarvon and Conway, which resulted as follows :-Maximum marks, zoo. I, Pwllheli, individual test 100, team test 84, total 184; 2, Caernarvon, individual test 96, team test 84, total 18o; 3, Conway, individual test 92, team test 80, total 172. Lord Penrhyn presented the cup to the Captain of the Pwllheli Team.

The Chief Constable proposed a vote of thanks to Dr. HeJsby for conducting the competition and paid tribute to the interest taken by him in ambulance work.

GLAMORGAN COUNTY CENTRE.

Neath County Area 1I1spection.-Heavy rain curtailed the programme at the annual inspection of Units in the Neath County Area which was held at Cwmgwrach.

Headed by the Glynneath and Resolven Silver Bands, the procession formed up at the chain road junction and marched to Cwmgwrach Welfare Football Ground, where the inspection was carried out by County Commissioner D. M. Evans-Bevan, J.P.

The Nurses and Girl Cadets were inspected by the Lady President (1\1rs. Evans-Bevan), accompanied by the Assistant Commissioner (Dr. C. Armstrong, J.p.), Crynant. Detachments of seniors, with the male members leading followed by the boy cadets, nurses and girl cadets in the procession numbered nearly 1,000 members of all ranks.

In attendance on the Commissioners was County Officer J. Richards and Corps Secretary D. J. Down was in attendance on the County Officer Adjutant, Corps Sergeant-Major G. R. Williams.

Mrs. Evans-Bevan presented to the Glynneath Girl Cadets the Mrs. McClure Cup won recently by them at Crynant in inter-brigade contests.

V AUXHALL HAS E\7ery Ambulance Essential PLUS ECONOMY

Vauxhall 25 "S" Type Ambulance. Modern streamlined appearance, domed roof and swept panels. Price £673.

For c01njort

INDEPENDENT SPRINGING ADJUSTABLE SHOCK ABSORBERS LOW PRESSURE TYRES

For safety

LOCKHEED HYDRAULIC BRAKES STEADY, ACCURATE STEERING SAFETY GLASS ALL ROUND

For speed

25 H.P. 6-CYL. O.H.V. ENGINE ALL SYNCHROMESH GEARBOX ADVANCED CARBURATION RAPID-ACCELERATION PUMP

DESIRABLE in a private car, e,·er.desirable in an ambulance, the smooth, ghdtng nde of Independent springing is a feature of both" S" and" F" type Vauxhall Ambulances. The Andre Telecontrol shock absorbers to the supple rear springs are adjustable from the driver's seat, to suit road and load conditions. In addition to other speed and safety factors, economy of running and maintenance is prominent. On this account both Vauxhall and Bedford Ambulances enjoy the widest popularity amongst hospitals, municipal authorities and independent organisations. r _ll.'XllALL JIOTORS LTD LUTOJ..Y. TrILL REA DILl" SGPPLl' and DEJIOXSTRATE.

PRICES OF VAUXHALL & BEDFORD AMBULANCES.

MOl\.1},IOUTHSHIRE CENTRE.

The Commissioner for Wales (The Hon. John H. Bruce) took the salute at the annual parade and inspection of Trevethin County Area, Monmouthshire Centre, at Pontnewydd, on June 25. He was accompanied by Lady Lewis, O.B.E. (Assistant Lady Superintendent-in-Chief for Wales), The Hon. Mrs. J. B. Bruce (Lady Staff Officer for Wales), :Major A. W. Anderson, M.B., Ch.B. (Assistant Surgeon-inChief for Wales), Lieut.-Colonel J. Powell Jenkins

of the Ambulance Nlovement m the Aberdare Valley.

Inspection at lv/ollntain Ash.-Nearly 600 members of the Ambulance, Nursing and Cadet Divisions of the Cynon Valley Corps attended the annual parade and inspection on June 18.

The parade assembled at the Gwernifor Grounds, and headed by the Mountain Ash Hibernian Brass Band (Conductor, Mr. Daniel Bryant) paraded

ROAD TRANSPORT AMBULANCE CO \IPETITION

The Newport (Mon) Team at work in the competition for rhe Mrs. Cornelius Griffirhs Cup, which was won ar Aberdare on the 18th May by the Aberdare Western Welsh Team. IncluJed in rhe group are the High Constable of lvIiskin Higher (Dr. J. M. Wilson) The Hon. J. H. Bruce, J.P., D.L., Mr. William Forbes, General Manager, Cardiff Corporation Transport Department, Mr. N. J. Young, M.B.E., General Manager, ewport Corporation Elecrriciry Department and one of the judges, Dr. ]. P. Davies

(County Surgeon and A.R.P. Officer), Assistant Commissioner G. H. County Officer Tuckwell.

Reference was made to the progress in regard to A.R.P., Monmouthshire Centre having certificated 68 Grade I and 27 Grade 2 Instructors.

ABERDARE CENTRE.

Civic Honour for Brigade Surgeons. - Dr. Gwilym Pierce, County Surgeon, Aberdare, has been elected High Constable of the Hundred of Miskin Higher by the Aberdare Magistrates. In his devotion to the Order of St. John, Dr. Pierce is carrying on a family tradition, as his father and uncles were both pioneers

through the town to the Recreation Ground, where the inspection was held.

A pleasing feature was the Abercynon Cadet Fife Band, who played for the March Past, wh.ich took place on the Recreation Ground. The Inspection was carried out by the Commissioner for Wales, who was accompanied by the Centre Commissioner (Dr. J. M. Wilson), Assistant Commissioner Gomer L. Davies, Centre Surgeon Gwilym L. Pierce, J. P., County Officers Emrys James and Glyn Davies, Corps Secretary R. C. Morgan, Centre Chairman E. J. Jones, Vice-Presidents Mrs. A. L. Pugh and Mr. W. J. Burgess, F.R.B.A.

CONTAINS:

Never before has it been possible to 'produce an outfit that is complete enough for any emergency, which can be constantly carried in the hippocket or the hand bag, unobtrusively and conveniently. Enthusiastic first-aiders everywhere are acclaiming this as the" perfect pocket first-aid outfit."

Wherever the first-aider travels he can be prepared for anything, an d so uphold the highest traditions of the" order ."

It is deSigned by a S.J.A.B. man and is the result of many years experimenting and practical experience. The leather case will last for years, the patented design ensures that it is always available for immediate action. Everything fits snugly into place, and even after use the contents are still firmly held in pOSition. There is no rattling, no fumbling. and every component is replaceable.

A / O. H. E. C., of Walworth, writes: ... IT IS

SATISFIES

In his address the Inspecting O fficer congratulate d the parade on its smartness and referred to the 3,600 duties carried out voluntarily during 1937. He was pleased to announce that 24 Grade 1 and 27 Grade 2

A.R.P. Certificates had been gained in the Aberdare Centre, while 124 A.R.P. Certificates had been gained by members of the Brigade and 128 members of the general public had qualified in A.R.P.

Presentations were made by the Commissioner for Wales, who referred to the high honour conferred on the County Surgeon, who had just succeeded the Commissioner, Dr. J. M. Wilson, as High Constable.

The proceedings were closed with a demonstration of various types of respirator drill in a mock air raid.

OPEN COMPETITIONS.

In connection with the Aberdare Flower Show and Eisteddfod on Tuesday and Wednesday, August 2 and 3, there will be open competitions for teams of men, women, boys and girls for trophies and prizes. full details of which can be obtained from the Secretary, Mr. J. Eynon, 30, Cardiff Street, Aberdare. Entries must be received by July 27·

NEWS IN BRIEF.

Brigade Units in Cardiff had a very busy time while on duty in connection with the Corpus Christi Festival on Sunday, June 19. The 75 members who volunteered were none too many for the large number of cases requiring attention, which included two patients who were conveyed to hospital.

Correspondence

To the Editor, ST JOHN AMBULANCE GAZETTE.

DEAR SIR,-I am pleased to say I have been a reader of THE GAZETTE for a number of years, and find it very helpful in my work as Divisional Superintendent. Our Division takes one dozen copies every month, and our President is a regular reader.

I would advise every' Divisional Superintendent to take the GAZETTE each month and use the Test Cases in his Division on drill nights. I often make up Test Cases from the reports of "Interesting Cases ." I wish you every success.

Sincerely yours, S J. COYDE, Div. Supt.

l Thank you, Mr. Cqyde 1]

Southern Railway

AMBULA CE CENTRE COMMITTEE.

A meeting of the Ambulance Centre Committee was held at Waterloo on June 21 and \vas attended by the General Manager. The Centre Committee were much encouraged by the fact that the General Manager broke away from his duties so that he might personally make known his real interest in the Ambulance movement throughout the Line and that he might assure them of his earnest desire that no effort should be spared to further the principles and practices of First Aid amongst the staff.

He took the opportunity of per onaHy handing to Mr. Charles B. Howard (Guard, Havant), a member of this Committee, the Gold fedal for having satisf1ed the of the examiner on 21 consecutive occaSIOns.

REDBRIDGE CIIALLfu"l"GE CUP CmrPETITIO

The above will be held on ovember 12 next at the Coliseum, Southampton .

HOVE.

The awards gained by the members of the staff in the Sussex District were presented at the Ralli Hall, Hove, recently, when no less than 180 Railwajmen received certificates, etc., etc" this being the first occasion on which a concert and ceremonial presentation of the awards had been arranged.

The chair was taken by Mr, \V Geo, Pape (Indoor Assistant to the General Manager), the prizes being presented by Mr. E. A, Richards (\Velfare Assistant, Waterloo). •

The staff concerned are attached to No. 4a District, which includes all stations from Redhill to Brighton and Worthing. The district hold the Sir Herbert Walker Shield presented by the late General Manager for the district making the most progress in ambulance work throughout the whole of the Southern Railway.

NEW HAVEN ,

The awards gained by the successful members of the Newhaven Ambulance Class were presented at a concert arranged for the purpose, Mr. R. J. Cardy (D ivisional Marine Manager) presided and was supported by many interested in the Movement.

Mr. Cardy said that there were 52 candidates at the re'cent first aid examinations, all of whom qualifieda wonderful tribute to the spirit and efficiency of the men as a whole. A 100 per cent. efficiency could not be obtained without real enthusiasm among the men, hard work by the Secretary (Mr: H. W. Ince), and the real assistance given by the lecturer.

New Type ANTISEPTIC rapidly replacing Iodine

S.J.A.B. Divisions find that T.e.p. Antiseptic exactly fulfils new Text Book requirements.

I N all parts of the country DiVIsions of the St. John Ambulance Brigade are now adopting T.C.P. as their standard antiseptic-m place of tincture of Iodine.

They are doing thIS for three reasons :-

I. Because T.C.P. completely fulfils the requirements for an antIseptic laid down in the ne\y S.J.A.A Text Book. Though It IS a powerful, penetrat1l1g germicide, T,C P. is absolutely SAFE. It is nonpoisonous, it cannot" stam. burn or irritate, and is actually beneficial to the tIssues.

2. T.C.P. has a marked power of relieving PAI);"-a aluable property in treatinO' cases of II shock."

3. T.C.P. promotes unusually clean and rapid HEALIXG of Cuts, Bums and Wounds.

In the First \id Departments of many of the cuuntry's bIggest finns , T.C.P. has already been in can ·tant use for some years past. Reports sho\\' that when all injuries, ho\\'e\cr small, are treated at once with T .C. P., cases of septic poisoning are practically cLllninated. There are all-round sayings, too fewer dressings needed per ca 'e-men are back at work sooner-First \Ld costs go downefficiency goes up That is why more and more First Aid Departments and Ambulance Organisations are now changing to T.e p.

If you are a member of the St. John Ambulance Brigade, or in charge of a \\'orks First Aid Department, write us to-cia}; for a copy of the T.C.P. First Aid Book and a small tnal sample \\ 'r ite to :-British Alkaloids, Ltd., Dashwood House , Old Broad Street, London,

THE REALLY SAFE ANTISEPTIC

Supersedes Iodine , Boracic and Carbolic Ointments, Carron Oil and Picric Acid for First Aid and Welfare Work

London Midland & Scottish Railway WOLVERTON.

1Iembers of the \X'olverton Oass celebrated their winning of the L.:M S Men's Final Ambulance Competition and championship trophy on June 2, when a large gathering assembled under the chairmanship of Mr J. Purves, who paid a warm tribute to the services given by Dr. p. W . A . Bull, :M.D., J.P., and said that everyone woul d regret to hear . that he had now been forced to give up the position

The staging for the team test consis t ed of an Office and Ambulance Room separated b y short stairs. The patient, a cleaner, was lying on her face at the bottom of the stairs. Injuries had been caLlsed when the patient, after cleaning the stairs, was carrying her bucket down and slipped on a piece of soap which she had left on one of the lower steps. In endeavouring to regain her balance she broke her knee-cap by mLlscular violence and in falling forward struck her head on the ground, causing a depressed fracture in the temporal region, with slight ha::m0 rrhage, dirty wound, concussion and later compression

The pre senta tio n ceremony had been opened by 1fr. G. L. D arbyshire , who sai d tha t there were now 277 ai d s in the service who had passed one or other b of the exami nations, and added that it was qUIte an ach ievement to ge t into this competition at all.

CREWE.

The importance of Ambulance work from a nationa l poin t of view has been emphasised as never before, as a result of the efforts of the Government to establish a complete defence against the consequences of air-raids. It is, there.fore, gra tifying to be able to record a senes of outstandtng successes in Ambulance Competitons by the Crewe Works Machine Shop Team.

Following their excellent performance in the F ina l of the L.M.S. Competition, in which they were placed second to Wo lverton, the Crewe team qualified to compete for the Dewar Shield of the St . John Ambulance Brigade, the most coveted trophy in the ambulance world, and this they carried off with a margin of 3 I points over their nearest rivals The trophy was presented to them by H.R.H. The Duchess of Gloucester, and the team commanded to gi\re a special demonstration before the Duchess. This was theif second command performance, their first being two years ago, when they gave a performance I before the Queen, who was then Duchess of York The" Trimble" trophy for the highest individual ,. aggregate and the "Ellis» Trophy for the best Jeader (Supt. A. V. Gibson) were also won by The team had twice previously held the hleld, 11i:'(. in 1932 and 1934, and had been runners-up 1n 1 935 and 1936.

L.M.S. I TERNATIO -AL AMBULANCE CO\[PETITION England and Wales were represented by \\'olverton, Crewe -'lachine Shop and Saltley (Traffic) teams, and Scotland by :'.Iotherwell, Dundee W es( a.nu :\lrs. wife of 1fr. E. B. Fielden, Deputy Chainnan of (he London, Midland and Scottish Ratlway Company, presenting the to the \\ olverton Team

of Class Instructor owing to ill-health. Best wishes were extended to Dr. Bull for a speedy recovery and Mr. Purves announced that Dr. Fildes had kindly consented to take over the position. -

WOMEN'S FINAL COMPETITION.

The finalists in the Women's Ambulance Competition, together with the points scored by each, were as follows :-lndiTea/J/ vidual Viva Test It!ju1Jl Voce Total.

London " C" 124 93l 78

Glasgow Loco. Accts. 113 9 2 78 28 3

Glasgow" B " 117 86 73 276

London " A " 107 82 79 268 ZI8

Each of the teams carried out [he test with credit and were complimented by Dr. :\![egaw, who judged this portion of the competition, \"hich he described as catchy, yet straightforward.

Dr. Stuart Holden, who was responsible for the individual examinations said that many competitors were looking for snags that were not there, for the tests which he had set were simplicity itself.

The prizes were presented by Sir William \'(7ood: who spoke of his pleasure in attending and said that the Women's Section of the Ambulance Movement had passed from the stage_of a novelty and had now become a really permanent part of our work on the Ambulance side. Sir William commented on the narrowness of the margins between the scores and congra tulated the teams on what they had done.

\ few day after registering these successes 111 the Dewar Competition the team competed in the Inter-Railway Competition and once more demonstrated their superiority by securing for the L.1LS. the "blue riband" of the Railway Ambulance World for the first time since 1925 In this contest Crewe had a margin of points over Horsham of the Southern Railwar the \"'V'olverton L.M.S. team finishing fourth.,

Altogether the team has secured ten trophies in competi tlOns this year.

I

ROYAL BUCKINGHAMSHIRE HOSPITAL, AYLESBURY

115 BEDS TRAINING SCHOOL

Owing to extensions, there are several vacancies for pupils aged 18-30, desirous of taking a three years' course of training as Nurses.

A new prcliminaryeourse will commence on the I st September. 1938.

A recognised Training School. a reSIdent Sister-Tutor coaches for State Examinations. and courses of lectures are given by members I of the Medical staffs.

A number of prizes are offered each year. including a grant to I assIst candidates (0 take their midwifery training. I

Each nurse has own room in modern urses' Home and n dietiCIan supervises CAtering.

Salary: £20 , £28 and £36 per annum. with all ul1lform provided.

The Hospita l is conveniently situated to London and is thoroughly up to date and"well equipped.

Further de t ai s may be obtained on application to Matron.

HUMANJANATOMY, OSTEOLOGY, -------------------ETC . Articulated SKELETONS and Disarticulated HALF-SKELETONS.

Articulated & Disarticulated SKULLS.

PELVES, FOETAL SKULLS. CL HANDS and FEET.

Loose Human Bones 0 of Eve r y Descripti on ";11'",*0 • <fI.O 9,e··") Pr ice lis t on Appl icati o n ... JC. .(0 ft r "to' »1(.0 CO <",<, r <" <,0 lO ""e(\

Anatomical Models & Wall Charts, e tc.

Largest Selection in the Co unt ry. Ins pecti on invite d Telephone: MUSEUM 2703.

Ireland District

Craigavon Presents

The annual competitions promoted by the St. John Ambulance Brigade, Northern Ireland District, were held recently in the presence of a large number of members and friends.

Mr. Ian Fraser, F.R.C.S.(Eng.), Commissioner of the St. John Ambulance Brigade in Northern Ireland, was in charge.

Thirty-eight teams competed, compared with 23 last year, and the judges' criticisms of technique and detail were favourable.

Mr. Ian Fraser, extending a welcome to Lord

a fine thing to have in the community members of their Brigade who were willing to devote so much of their time and their skill and knowledge in equipping the community to meet an emergency.

A cordial vote of thanks was passed to Lord Craigavon and to the Chairman.

THE AWARDS.

. Lord Craigavon presented the awards as follows:

Senior Men (Belfast Challenge CUp)-I, Broadstone, G.S. Railway, Team D (93 per cent.); z, City of Dublin Division, Team A (86 l).

lltbe Jobn §mbulanct

OFFICIAL GAS CHARTS

No. Chart shows gas derivations.

No. 2 is a full and complete educational chart of U Typical War Gases."

Everyone taking an "A.R.P." Course should be in possession of these charts which are now available for general issue to all St. John organisations at a nominal fee.

PREi\1T E R OF ORTHER lREL\ D \ D THE BRIGAD E

Craigavon, said the Prime Minister was one of themselves, having been made a Knight of the Order at Buckingham Palace last year: he was the one permanent Knight of the Order in their midst. They appreciated the Prime Minister's interest in their work and his presence there to present the awards.

The Prime Minister said he was delighted to accept the invitation to be there and to present the awards. He was fully conscious of the great work being carried on by the Brigade, and wished heartily to congratulate all upon the spirit in which they entered into their work.

He complimented the Brigade upon what it was doing in the matter of arousing interest in the work of air raid precautions, and, while he hoped they would never be called upon to do anything serious, it was

220

Senior Cup- Women (Whitaker Memorial Cup)-

Harcourt Nursing Division, Team B (89)·

Novice-Men (Lord Mayor's CUp)-I, Belfast Central Division, Team A (94); 2, City of Du bEn Division, Team B (89)· Novice-Women (The Nursing CUp)-I, West Belfast Nursing, Team B (8Z5); z, Belfast Central Division, Team C (78).

St. John A.B. Cadets-closed (District Surgeon's CUp)-I, Banbridge Cadets, Team 4 (73 D; z, Banbridge Cadets, Team 8 (64D. Cadets- Boys (open cup) Coronation CUp-I, 37th Belfast Boy Scouts, Team I (91 D; 2, 8th Dublin Boys Brigade, Team 7 (7 8).

S.J.A.B. Cadets (girls)-Banbridge Cadets, Team 6 C7 t)·

6/6 10/(Each Set comprises one each of Chart No. I and No.2.)

To The Publisher, THE ST. JOHN AMBULANCE GAZETTE, 19, Cursltor Street, London, E.CA. Date 19

Please send set(s) of the St. John Ambulance Gazette Official Gas Charts, for which 1 enclose remittance for In accordance with the above price list.

- To all Commissioners & County Commissioners

We are requested by the Chief Commissioner to :report that H.R.H. The Grand Prior has approved of the following recommendations :-

THAT Statutes and Regulations 1936, Appendix 8, Section H, Sub-Section 4, be amplified so that it may read as follows :-

4 (a) Decorations (i.e. Insignia and Medals) WOJ'fJ on the breast 01 Brothers of the Order, or by men members of the St. John Ambulance Association, or by men members of the St. John Ambulance Brigade, both :at Home and Overseas, must be suspended from a single bar or brooch so mounted that neither the bar nor the brooch can be seen.

4 (b) Decorations worn on the breast by Sisters of the Order, or by women members of the St. John Ambulance Association, or by women members of the St. John Ambulance Brigade, both at Home and Overseas, when not 1vearing uniform may be disposed on the

corsage of their dress as they may think best·

When wearing IInijorJ?l, their Decorations should be worn in the same position and in the same man ner as is laid down for Brother members of the Order.

4 (c) Decorations iss/led UJilh a bow should be worn with that bow when worn separately. When worn on a bar with other Decorations, bows should not be worn.

THAT the age of Cadets joining the St. John Ambulance Brigade at Home be reduced from eighteen to seventeen years.

THAT N.C.O.'s, Privates and Ambulance Sisters, who hold the A.R.P. Rank and File Certificates of the St. John Ambulance Brigade, be permitted to wear the letters "A.R.P." on the right forearm, the badge to take the form of the letters in the centre of the A.R.P. Auxiliary Reserve Arm Badge and to be yellow in colour.

Surgeons' Annual Week-end Conference

WE are asked to advise all surgeons, including those on the executive staff in Districts Counties, or Areas, that arrangements are now being made for the Annual Week,end 'Conference of Surgeons, and Dinner, and that these will take place on Saturday and Sunday, October 15 and 16 , at the Great Central Hotel.

The cost (including sleeping accommodation, meals and dinner) will not exceed that of last year, namely 30s., whilst those who can attend only part of the Conference will be called upon to pay only for meals as required.

Also please note that the Conference General Conference on Sunday. of District -and County Surgeons will follow the

As the Surgeon,in,Chief is anxious to vary last year's programme he will be grateful for suggestions, (1) of topics which can be made the subject of discussion and (2) of items which can be submitted afterwards as resolutions to the Chief Commissioner

You will be pleased to}now that a noteworthy feature of this year's Brigade Final Competitions was the large number of surgeons of all ranks who were present among the spectators Thus far nothing but praise has been heard for the tests and for the manner in which these were Judged

In a letter received by the Surgeon,in,Chief from the Chief Commissioner, Sir John Duncan expresses his thanks for the loyal support given by the surgeons generally and says that without this large body of medical men in our organisation the Brigade could never have reached its present high standard of efficiency. 222

MANUALS OF FIRST-AID, &C.

By N. DORBET FLETCHER, M.B., B.C.,

M.A. (Cantab.). M.R.C.S.

AIDS TO FIRST-AID.

Seventh Edition Price 1L net, poet free, h. 2d. firat-Aid Simplified and Tabulated, with Aids to Memory weol. Sir J a"us CantU, contributes an .nlrod14clion and we endMse }us rood api,uc" 0/ III, book "-LANcltT.

AIDS TO HOME-NURSING.

Third Edition. Price 11. net, post free 11. 2d. Hemt-Nurainc Simplified and Tabulated, with Aid, to Memory. u r booll fIIOntUrjufly simpliMS a complex subject and should be read by aU "MIk""." -L. & N.W. RLY. GAZETTX. EFFICIENCY IN FIRST-AID.

Third Edition. Price 1s.. net, pos t free, 1 3d. 'r.lent, In Study, Treatment and Examination IOlved for Stnior Stud ta. H tioulrllile book will be 0/ creaJ senne. Ihe Ira,,,;ng 0/ those /()f' .--. U II Iksigtted."-BRITISH MXDICAL JOURNAL. COMMON ERRORS IN FIRST-AID. Price 1 net; post free 1L 2d. Emlra in Firat-Aid Detailed and Elplaintd. 1· book gilles a cUarer .nstglll ittlo 1M methods and difficuU s 01 by laymen than Ihe offic.al Textbook .ueJ/. "-LA NC ItT. AMBULANCE COMPETITION TESTS.

(Stretcher Individual and Question-Silt Folders.) Price 6d each net, post ltd. aacb Folder contams special article on Competition -No. 1, Trainmg of Com· petition Teams; No.2, Conduct of Team ID Competit on Room; No 3, Co[llil)()ll Rm>nI in Competition; No " Further in Treatment ; No 6, ill.tCKy ot Competition Tests; No.6, Preparation of Tests WHY AND WHEREFORE IN FIRST-AID.

Fifth Edition. Price 11. net, post free 1s. 2d. Dltllcultl•• in Study aad Tr••tment IOlved by Queation and Anawer. W, com_nd Ihis book 10 Lecturers and Students who unll find it 0/ ,rllli ,ntnU." -FIRST AID HINTS FOR HOSPITAL ORDERLIES.

Price 6d. net, post free ad. Orlltrly Duti Simplified and Tabulated, with Aids to Memory. I'd mo# compact brochure contams much uselul ••••

JOHN BALE, SONS & CURNOW, Ltd. 83-91, Grea[ Tltchfield Street. London, W.l

The St. John Ambulance Association. Itl Hlltory aod its Part in the Ambulance Movement. By N. CORBET FLETCHER, M.A., M B., M.R.C.S. booll. /rOM tov.., 10 toveY, II /ull 01 i"/()f'1Mt«m of greaten <rtt.,SI 01'" /XX/MtU 10 ""I>fy<me 'n th. MOllmutlt "St. Jobn BmbulallC( maJette Price 8 8 Poetage ed. stone Dept. 8 T. 01 0 H N 8 QAT E LON DON. •• C. •

CLASSIFIED ADVERTISEMENTS.

Atkerll.ffmenls with remittance should be sen/to the SI. John AmbuiofU' Gazelle, 19. CursiJor Slreet, E C.4. ld. per word. minimum 3s

SCENT CARDS AND SACHETS , printed with your announcements, are splendid money raisers and show 300% profit. Samples free on request.-AIREDALE PRESS, Bradford

PENCILS OF SUPERIOR QUALITY, printed with your Corps Name and announcement ell easily Sample free.AIREDALE PRESS, Bradford.

SCENT-CARDS (printed) -144 3/9, 500 10 -, 1,000 16/9. Tickets, handbills. Samples free.-" S" TICES, 11, Oaklands Grove, London, W.12.

MORRIS TO AMB U LANCE \pprox nllieage 14 ,000. Additi onal tip -up s t.r e t ch er carri e r , en close d wa sh b asin, many other extra s Exc ellent m ec hanical condition a nd a ppearance. £60 .- KING STa N IllLL \YORKS, LT D., Surrey. phone Kingston

EVERYTHING FOR SAFETY EVERYWHERE 'NOVOX' and 'NOVITA' Oxygen + COs or Oxygen RESUSCITATING APPARATUS for the apparently asphyxiated or drowned.

SMOKE HELMETS of all Patterns.

• PROTO' & 'SALVUS' OXYGEN BREATHING APPARATUS 'PURETHA' GAS MASKS for Naval, Military and Industrial purposes and for Civilian use. DUST and SPRAY and all other Safety and Protective SIEBE, GORMAN

HOBSON & SONS

THE ST. J OHN AMB ULAN CE GAZETTE is p ublis hed on the 15th of each month. Th e annual subscription is F. 6d., post f ree ; single copies 3d Brigade Report s and Phot ograp hs should be addressed 10 the Editor, at 32, Sho e Lane, E.C·4· R eports and photographs should reach hi m as earlY in t he month as possible.

Subscriptions and adv ertise men ts s hould be forwa rde d to the Pub lis her : lrf essrs. British P eri odicals , Ltd., 19, 19a, C urs itor Street, London, E C·4 ·

CO NTENTS. PAGB

EditOIlal

Plymouth Association cws Down Elstrcc '\ ay Brigade ' ews Colonel Sleeman's Tour Interesting Case Reports Questions and Answers Review

First Aid to the Injured Priory for Wales Railway cws Transport of Spinal Fmctures Artificial Respiration

ESTIMATES AND SAMPLES ON REQUEST All enquiries to154 - J 64, TOOLEY STREET BRIDGE, S. E. 1 . LONDON Telephone-Hop 2476 (4 lines) Telegrams-" Hobson, Boroh, London " North of En,land Office:-22, YORK PLACE, LEEDS. Telepbone : 28884. Leeda Teleanm.: Trier., Leeda "

and Infant Welfare Exhibition organised by the Parsi Ambulance and Parsi Nursing Divisions of Bombay, was declared open by Lady Wiles, wife of Sir Gilbert Wiles, K.C.LE., C.S.I., LC.S., Assistant Commissioner, No. 3 D istrict, St . John Ambulance Brigad e Overseas, on Saturday, :May I4, 193 8 .

In declaring the exhibition open by Lady Wiles, Sir Gilbert, in a short speech on her behalf stated :cc It is no part of my duty to detain you here by talking when my wife is about to open the Exhibition. I am going to say only a few words on her behalf and on my own before we go downstairs. We both thank Dr. Edal Behram and the Nursing Division for doing us the honour of asking my wife to open the Exhibition.

2'1.7 228

CHANCERY OF THE ORDER, ST. JOHN'S GATE , CLERKENWELL, LONDON, E. C.

The Brigade in India

In comm emoration of the Silver Jubilee of the Par si Nu rsin g Divis ion of the St. John Amb u lance Brig ade O verseas, Bo mbay, a Health, Mater n it y

"As Commissioner of the St. John Ambulance Brigade, I congratulate the Division on attaining their Jubilee. The history which Dr. Edal Behram has just given us illustrates most forcibly '\vhat justification there is for many 1 ursing DiYlsions in this great city. The St. John Ambulance Association is turning out many hundreds of young men and ",.romen trained in first aid every is yerv excellent-but unless that is kept up, it will disappear like other knowledge laboriously acquired. The organisation of the Brigade not only enables the members to practise what they haye learnt, but to place their services at the disposal of their fellow men and ,,'\ omen in a wav which would otherwise be impossible, both in the placid times of peace and in the turbid conditions of riots and civil commotion that have too often fallen upon us in Bombay.

"The women of the Parsi community have set an example to all their sisters in Bombay. Long may they continue to do so. But I must not make you complacent. There are some things left undone which you ought to have done and still do. D r. Beh ram has referred to the dearth of nurses in

India. That is a true bill. Some of you responded to my appeal to undergo some training in hospitals. It has been found necessary to abandon the V.A.D. system in India for lack of volunteers. But you can do a great deal to fit yourselves and to keep yourselves tit to help the trained nurses who \vill be heavily ovef\\Torked in a time of emergency-. I would like those words to reach not only yourselves, but the women of other communities whom we have begun to enrol and should like to enrol under the peaceful banner of St. John.

"I can imagine no more suitable manner of celebrating your ] ubilee than by this Exhibition-a studied effort to bring into the homes of the city some knowledge of the condition necessary for the healthy rearing of children and the general maintenance of health. I wish the Exhibition great success. "

The Exhibition was open to the public with free admission for nine days from 1Iay 14 to 22, and \vas visited by more than fifty thousand citizens of Bombay and Two da}:s were specially set apart fo'r ladies, when also a great overcrowding occurred.

Owing to hea\7 rush of visitors every da", three performances on realistic First Aid and Horn"e :0Jursing, Stove Danger, Fire Rescue, were given and cinema Elms on Fly Danger, Rat lvIenace, Two \Vays of Living, Social Hygiene (the latter for those above 14 years), Curse of Ignorance, Dental Hygiene, Fairies of Health, Road Safety, Safety on Water, Tuberculosis, etc., were screened to satisf\- the surging crowds of people, who were much in them.

Stalls on Safety First, Red Cross, Embriology, Juhu Life Saving Scheme, :Milk, Plague, 1falaria, Cholera, Small Pox, Infant Welfare, Social Hygiene, Venereal Diseases, Snakes and Snake Poisoning, Rats, etc., were put up by the kindness of the local Institutions concerned, and trained members of both the Divisions explained them to the visitors, who appreciated them very much.

The proceedings of the Exhibition were extensively reported by the Press and leading articles were written about the same emphasising the need of elementary nursing knowledge among the women of India.

A Health Volume in connection with this Exhibition was published, and it contained interesting articles by well-known persons on health, tuberculosis foods, Physical Culture, Venereal Disease Problem, Oil Stove Tragedies, Purdah and Health, Progress with Safety, etc.

The Exhibition was a great success, and proved an excellent medium for propaganda. 228

Plymouth Association News

The new St. John Ambulance for Plymouth and District, which was dedicated by the Lord Bishop of Plymouth in the City Guildhall Square, after it had been "unveiled" by the Lady Mayoress of Plymouth, on July 2 I, is one of the Enest of its type in the British Isles. The engine and other machinery are the manufacture of a leading British motor engineering firm renowned for the reliability of its products and one which has made a speciality of its ambulances. The horse-power (as per R..L \.c. rating) is 23.5.

To obtain ma:cimum travelling comfort for patients it is necessary to keep the centre of gravity of an ambulance as low as possible, but by the principle of the " offset" rear a."'de, it is remarkable how this has been achieved in the new Plymouth yehicle.

For countering road shocks th(:r(: arc ingenious shock absorbers which, in addition to their automatic action, can be so controlled by the cI ri\Ter as to make the ambulance particularly' adaptable according to. the road conditions being encountered, or the load carried. Furthermore, a new type of springing has been introduced incorporating special prO\ ision for lubrication of the leaves comprising the springs.

A further effort to ensure ma.-.,;:imul11 ricling comfort is by extra large tyres, these being 900 X 16. In the event of a quick \vheel-change being necessary, there are hydraulic jacks for raising the ambulance, all four being controlled from the driver's cabin.

There are powerful Seryo brakes, assisted by means of a device for maintaining the necessary yacuum in an emergency with a motive power.

In addition to the horn there is an alarm gong for warning the traffic when proceeding to urgent accident calls or to outbreaks of fire. \t night there is an illuminated sign.

A'fBUL:\. CE BODY

The ambulance body incorporates several very important advantages for patients. \mongst these are windows of a special glass which enables those inside the car to look out whilst being obscured from public gaze. Although such efforts have been made in the chassis design to lessen road shocks, the patient will have the additional advantage of lying on a " float-on-air " bed composed of inflated rubber tubes. " Dunlopillow" rubber seats arc provided for the comfort of sitting cases or of relatives journeying with a patient.

Extra light and air space have been obtained by a ventilated clerestory roof such as is not often found on an ambulance. ' Fresh air can also be obtained through two tunnel ventilators leading from the front of the vehicle. Of exceptional advantage during

cold weather or at night, and particularly when accident victims are suffering from shock, is a system of hot water pIpes radiating heat almost the full length of the stretcher bed. Lockers are incorporated for the storage of ambulance and nursing utenSIls, lI1cluding a supply of drinking water.

1 ormally, the ambulance will be for the transport of one patient at a time, but by means of a remarkably effective device by a well-known firm of jD\'aljd appliance speciaEsts, in a few seconds provision is made for a second stretcher case, powerful springs bnnging the gear into action.

Por ease of approach when loading the ambulance, and to minimise the exertion of walking cases, there

New Zealand

WAIKATO

At the annual parade of the South Auckland District members of the St. John Ambulance Brigade, which was held some weeks ago, the service was conducted by the Bishop of Waikato, the Right Rev. C. A. Cherrington, who referred, in his to the unselfish and humanitarian work carned out by members of the Brigade in all parts of the world. The competitions which followed were well contested and were conducted by Corps-Superintendent l\.farshall and Corps-Officer Hague. The results were as follows :Ha,f!,IIc Ctlp (all

is an enclosed rear step embodted in the floor of the vehicle. This step is illuminated at night, a great b oon when receivin lT nio"ht accidents on dark roads. b b AJR R \ID PREe \UTIO_ '5

Certain highly important changes ha\'e taken place with the internal design of this ambulance in case it should ever, unfortunately, have to be used for air-raid casualties. The floor has been made specially impervious in case the car had to pass through a o-as cloud' man,- of the fittings have been con- o 'J I.. structed of steel for ease of decontaminating and the design incorporated methods which \vould permit the rapid removal of all the internal fittings for special treatment should the) be contaminated by mustard gas.

.LYIIl'.rillg): I, PriYate E. L. Hunt (Frankton DIVislO?-) ; 2, .L \mbulance ister )'Iiss E. ands (Rotorua urs1l1g Di\'i ion).

Colt 11!w/orial Clip ((or tea/J/J of ftlJe): I, Huntly Divi ion (Private B·urton, :Moody, lIen and Carter, and Corporal \\-ilkin, on); 2, Te A wamutu Division.

Cadet,,' E/jii:iellO' Shield (all illdiz'idlfol test for CadefJ) : I, Cadet J. \Yhitmore (Paeroa); 2, Cadet A. Carter (Tauranga).

Dr. H. Deem, Lady Di\'i ional urgeon, Hamilton Di\'ision, arranged the final of the. J:Iague Cup Competition and complimented the for the efficient manner in \\'hich the dulls \verc: carried out.

DOWN ELSTREE

the Editor

The Gates of Elstree-the gates of hope and despair. Thousands upon thousands of peoplethe majority of whom are seeking fame on the silver screen-write the most pleading, plausible, pitiable letters begging for a film chance or even a glimpse inside the hallowed portals of the film studios.

Needless to say, it is absolutely impossible to accede to their requests, although every precaution is taken to ensure that any possible discovery of value to the industry should not be Thousands of letters of regret are sent out by the studios; although this is an expensive routine item, it is rigidly adhered to as a courtesy towards the disappointed minions.

There is one class of letter, however, that always receives a very sympathetic and favourable answer, and that is when the writer is a member of either the Association or Brigade. The reason for this is not far to seek-it is Joe Grossman showing, in his own particular way, recognition of all the workers in the cause of suffering humanity banded together under the flag of St. John.

Such visitors come from all parts of the British Empire, and nothing gives " Joe" greater pleasure than to conduct round this great home of theatrical and cinematographic make-believe real men and women who spend every possible hour attending the sick and suffering in our far-flung Empire.

Let us go behind the scenes with Joe: If you have not had the pleasure of meeting him personally, you will be frankly amazed when you do so. You may imagine that you are going to meet a pompous, important, officious-looking cigar-smoking film studio executive, but you will be entirely deceived. Instead you will find a kindly, jovial, dynamic personality, treating every person he comes in contact with, from the least important down-and-out to the most important film celebrity, with the same friendliness of manner-the same amount of interest as he

Behind the Scenes with Joe Grossman

jokingly recounts some humorous incident concerning an important film star.

As we roam through the y ast studios and the grounds, we induce Joe to tell us how our A.R.P. films are made.

He will preface it with a remark that all film stast are not professional actors-that one of the finers film subjects in the Kingdom is none other than our Sub-Prior the Earl of Scarbrough, but that the Earl has two runners-up in the Secretary-General Sl r Percival Wilkinson and the Chief Commissioner, Sir John Duncan. They have all undergone the C( ordeal" of being filmed in the cause of the Order's work. Not only are the Sub-Prior, the Secretary- · General and Chief Commissioner good screen personalities, but Joe is at pains to point out that they are first-class film critics!

If you are particularly good, Joe will sneak you into one of the studio theatres and with great pride will instruct the operator to show you the opening sequences of the Order's film, "Our Cavalcade."

One of the most emotional and inspiring addresses ever given from the screen comes before you. It is superbly delivered by Lord Scarbrough, wearing the mantle of Sub-Prior of the Order.

You have heard, no doubt, how actors have to repeat their speeches in scenes a great number of times-that hours and hours of re-takes and excessive expenditure of film are necessary before perfection is attained, but in the case of the Sub-Prior's performance, Joe tells with great enthusiasm that the whole scene of over 150 ft., including long shot, semi close-up and close-up, was completed one Saturday morning and with but two takes of each section!

" If only we could get the same results from some of our highly-paid film stars," was joe's sad comment.

Now to get back to our A.R.P. films. Their origin can rightly be described as a highlight in the annals of cinematographic propaganda. They have IIndottbtedly been the /lIost successfttl propaganda films ever issued.

Thousands of our readers will recollect the St. John Ambulance Brigade films which have from time to time been produced depicting the work of the Ambulance and Nursing Divisions. It was during the making of one of these that the Sub-Prior suggested it might be of great value to introduce some of the then new A.R.P. work. The SecretaryGeneral felt that the time was opportune and Joe Grossman seized upon the Sub-Prior's idea like a shot.

Within a week a rough scenario of No. I St. John A.R.P. propaganda film had been completed, and this was then placed before the Sub-Prior, the Secretary-General and the Chief Commissioner for their comments and eventual approval. Alterations and additions were made and finally the idea was approved and the film was ready to be put into production.

There was, however, a very important point which the Sub-Prior and the Secretary-General had to deal with before actual production That was to obtain the full co-operation of the Air Raid D epartment of the Home Office.

The Home Office authorities were officially approached, and Wing-Commander E. J. Hodsoll, the chief of the Department, "\\,1th the late :Major Blackmore-at the time his chief medical adviserconsidered the proposal, and w.ithin a very few hours not only had expressed their extreme gratitude to the Order of St. John [or thjs new departure, but they had offered every possible Home Office facility to ensure the necessary assistance and perfor the film to be proceeded with.

The next all important step was to decide who should be the commentator-in other words whose voice should be used to describe the scenes and deliver the instructions.

By a coincidence the Sub-Prior, Secretary-General and the Chief Commissioner all possess voices that are splendid for recording purposes, but it was obvious that with their multitudinous responsibilities they could not be expected to put in the great number of hours at the studios which would be required for the recordings to be completed.

It was therefore necessary to look farther afield for a commentator, and tests were made of a number of people, amongst whom was Dr. W. C. the Brigade's chief Air Raid Precautions Officer. J?s voice was perfect, and he also had a very fme screen presence-thus this technical difficulty was solved.

Then came the question of the settings which had to be built in the studios for the descriptive scenes to be enacted in. Those who saw No. I 23 1

St. John Brigade A.R.P. Elm· little knew of the disaster that married its progress. Four sets were built in Studio D.

(I) The replica of a refuge room.

(z) The air lock made up of a front of a house and hallway combined.

(3) A section of a house showing the windows.

(4) A replica of the interior of a house that has been demolished by bombs.

These sets which had taken five days to erect and furnish, ;ere completei y ready by Saturday night, February 8, 1936. The actual scene shooting was to commence on Monday, February 10.

All arrangements had been made for the teams of St. John Ambulance men and Nursing Sisters who were taking part-Dr. Bentall had been warnedthe technical crews, including the camera crews, the electrical staff and the recording staff had all been detailed to begin shooting No. St . John A.R.P. film at 9 a.m. on the l\fonday morning-but this an..'\iou sly-looked-for start of our A.R.P. films was not to be.

At 2 a.lII. on th e /JJoming o f SlIJldqy, the 9th , fire siren.s a1voke the neighbottrhood-the most disastrous .film. s tudIO fire in British film history had broke!l out, and It s mne-hour fllry had swep t awqy six big film-prodtlcing s tages , among st which was Stage D containing the sets for St. Jo hn A.R.P. film.

However, Joes was undaunted, and w i thin a week similar sets had been rebuilt in one of the other Ma..'{well studios at Elstree, and on the :0.fonday week following the fire the cameras started turning on our first A.R.P. film.

Joe had just begun to tell us of t;he progress of the production when one of the studi? messenger boys approached him: "Beg pardon, SIr, they want you in the theatre." "Cheerio," said Joe, "I've got to run. I'll continue my story another day."

(TO BE CO TINUED)

L.C.C. Help A.R.P.

The t. John Ambulance Association has informed by the Clerk of the London County CounCIl, The County Hall, Westminster S.E. I, that the Council has decided to place, tree ot cost, the use of accommodation in its schools at the disposal of the St. John Ambulance Association,. Red Cross Society, and similar voluntary SOCIetieS, of school hours, for the purpose of on aIr raId precautions. Such instruction may lllclude lectures on first aid, provided the lectures are. definitely given in connection with air raid precautions work, e.g: to Borough Council first aid parties. Any applications for the use of such accommodation should be addressed to the Council's Education Officer at the County Hall.

The St. John Ambulance Brigade News

No. I (PRINCE OF \X'ALES) DISTRICT

The sixteenth Annual Church Parade of the Central Area was held at St. Clement Danes Church, Strand, by kind permission of the Rector, the Rev. Pennington Bickford, Chaplain of the Order.

The Parade assembled in Lincoln's Inn Fields under the command of the Assistant Commissioner (Capt. H. A. Fenton) and, headed by drum and fife and brass bands, marched to the church.

During the seryice the lessons were read by Col. J. T. Woolrych Perowne, Hospitaller of the Order, and Col. G. A. j\.foore, e.M.G., D S.O , M.D., the Assistant Chief Commissioner. An inspiring sermon was preached by the Rey. Canon J. A. Douglas, B.D., Chaplain of the Order.

Following the sen'ice the parade formed up in the Judges' Quadrangle of the Law Courts and was inspected by the :Mayor of Westminster, who also took the salute on the march back to Lincoln's Inn Fields. The Mayor of St. lv1arylebone, Lady District Superintendent Miss Walker, District Staff Officer W. Roust, Lady District Officer Mrs. 1orrish, and many friends also attended.

The We stminster (137) Division, the formation of which was forecast in the March issue of the GAZETTE, was registered on June 9 and has already reached a strength of 32 members. They were to welcome the Mayor of \\lestminster on June 22 and to receive from him First Aid and Air-Raid Precautions certificates gained at recent examinations.

The :Mayor, who "\vas introduced by Assistant Commissioner Capt. H. A Fenton, gaye an encouraging ad,dre ss , in the course of which he wished the Division success and as sured them of the support of the City Council. Major Rogers, Chairman of the A.R.P. Committee, endorsed the Mayor's remarks, and expressed the hope that continued co-operation between the Council and the Bri g ade would further the neces sary work of Air-Raid Precautions alread\T so well in Westminster. Dr. (Medical Officer of Health), Dr. Thompson, and Mr. 1icholson (Deputy Town Clerk) were also present.

The Brigade was well represented, in addition to Capt. Fenton, by District Officer McBride, Corps Officer Cameron, Mr. Milburn, of Headquarters Staff, and Mrs Milburn, Mr. Stallard, and others. Dr. Bearn and Dr. Donelan, lecturer and examiner respectively to recent first-aid classes, were also welcome visitors.

The second birthday supper and dance of the Fairlop (13 I) Division, was an unqualified success.

Mr. John e. Lockwood (President) presided, accompanied by Mrs . Lockwood, and was supported by the County Surgeon, Dr. J . A . Dawson and Mrs. Dawson, mbulance Officer 1\. T Bandy (Officer-inCharge and Commandant V A.D.) and Mr. Harry E. Haslam, O.B E , and 11iss Haslam.

Before the supper started, 1\1r. Lockwood presented 11r. Haslam with the silver badge of a Vice-President.

Ir. J. I-.:.eeble, proposing "The President," thanked 11t. Lockwood for the interest he had taken in the Division and the kindness and consideration he had shown them during the two years of their existence. <.

"I do realise the magnificent work that YOLI are doing," said 1Ir. Lockwood, in reply. "I think you set a glowing example of public service, and I hope those people for whom you labour appreciate what you are doing." Continuing, he said he v;Tas glad to know of the 'l. ork that was being done by the St. John Ambulance Brigade in connection with Air-Raid Precautions- a thing of great importance.

Ambulance-Officer Bandv \velcomed the guests and Dr. J. J\. Dawson, replying, said he agreed that the St. John Ambulance Brigade should do all in their power to further , \.R.P., but it was most essential in dealing \\'ith that matter that thc\ did not 10. e sight of original duties. There' \1;as no other first-aid organisation like theirs in England, and whatever happened they should maintain thei r efficiency in first aid.

1ft. Harry Haslam proposed a toas t to the [. John \mbulance Brigade and wi hed the Di, isi o n "Many happy returns .of the Day." The Brigade, he said, was a voluntary organisation they could not do without. I Ie had passed the First-.l\id Hut in Eastern A venue several times and had envied them their work.

1Ir. F. l"':"eeble and \fr. F. Potter replied, and both expressed the wi sh that the Brigade would enjo y future prosperity.

]\fany novelty dances and gamcs v;' ere enjoyed until midnight. ]\1r. F. Potter was M.e. * *

Sir Richard Sennett, Commander of the Order of St. John, has consented to become a Vicc-President of the Wimbledon and Merton Division. He has been very interested in the work of the local Division for some time.

In order to commemorate this appointment, Sir Richard Sennett has decided to present a silver cup for competition for first aid, and many members have expressed their wish to be the first holder.

Sergeant A. R. Street has been admitted to the

Order of St. John in recognition of the many valuable services he has given as class Secretary of the Great Western Railway Class at South Lambeth. * *

The annual inspection of the Bromley (2 I) Division was made by Assistant Commissioner Capt. A. e. \Vhite Knox, I.e., M.B., Ch.B. Capt. White Knox congratulated the members on their smart appearance, and said he was very pleased indeed to see and know that progress was being made in the right direction.

.J \mbulance Officer G. Brown, in thanking members for their work during the past year, said that the tandard had been obtained by the co-operation of all. lIe had a \ cf) pleasant duty to perform in presenting a clock to Pri\' ate Cambridge, as a wedding

No.

2 DISTRICT OF SOMERSET)

Warm tributes to the efficiency of the Wellington Division of the St. John Ambulance Brigade were paid at the annual inspection which took place a short time ago.

After the Team Tests, whkh were keenly contested, the inspecting officer, Assistant County Commissioner Capt. Hugh Powell, address ed the members of the Brigade and said it had g iven him great pleasure to ha,' e seen their work. He regretted the absence of the County Commissioner, but it had gi,' en him the pleasure of meeting them. He was g raduall y getting to know the various Bri g ades in the county and had been struck by the hig h mark of efficiency

pn.sent from the members of the \mbulance and ' ursing Divisions.

The annual inspection of the Enfield ursing Division, :Middlesex V. , \.D. 60, was held in the Drill I !all, Enfield.

The occasion was the \,\Tar Office inspection by Major J. C. Gilroy, R.A.l[.e., and by Lady District OR-icer Viscountess Mountg arret, County Controller for Middlesex of the V. \.D., who \\ ere accompanied by Lady Diyisional urgeon ]\1rs. Agnew, and Lady uperintcndcnt Peabody.

\hjor Gilroy and Lady l-.1ountgarret both spoke apprcciatiYel y of the keenness and efficiency of the members. .. \11 arc fully qualified in A.R.P. work.

Lady District Officer Iiss Cherry conducted the annual c+Ecicncy test. -

that they and other Bri g ad es had attained. He cong ratulated them on then turn out and the w o rk the\Thad done.

Continuing, Capt. Powell SaId he ,,,Tas particularly g lad to see the Kursing Diyision. They were to be congratulated on their smart appearance and he hoped they would grow in strength.

O. 2 DI TRICT (COUl TY OF HA:.\1P HIRE NEW :;\IrLfO,",

':\Irs. Hayes, Lady County o p ened the Garden Fete held at .0;e\\ Milton a few week ago The f etc, organised to help to rai e fund for a ne,\: ambulance for this Di,rision, was a great success, and a proht of about £ 70 "Ta made, despite the counter attraction of the Lymin g ton Hospital..:illnual Ca rni, a1 "h ieh was held on the sa me da\.

Miss Collier, Lady Divisional Superintendent, who has increased the strength of her Division by over two hundred per cent. since taking charge two years ago, was presented with a fitted attache case by Mrs. Walker, Nursing Sister, on behalf of the members of the New Milton Nursing Division.

No. 3 (EASTERN) DISTRICT

LEICESTER

On leaving Leicester recently, to take up an appointment with a firm in Gravs, Essex, Mr. L. Gibbs, Divisional Superintendent of the Leicester Cooperative Ambulance Division for the past eight years, was presented with an enlarged photograph of the members as a momento of the happy hours spent with them during his reign of office.

NORTHAMPTOX

The annual inspection of the Northampton Corps was taken by his Worship the Mayor of Northampton, County Officer W. H. Percival.

Mter the inspection of members and equipment, the Inspecting Officer watched a demonstration of the New Stretcher Bearer formation, under Divisional Superintendent H. 1. Edwards, and afterwards expressed himself well pleased with the work done and with the general efficiency of the Corps.

At the conclusion of the proceedings the Mayor and Mayoress entertained the members on parade to tea.

WELLINGBOROUGH

Forty-seven people received attention from the Wellingborough Ambulance and Nursing Divisions on the occasion of the annual Hospitals Carnival Parade-" the busiest day since Jubilee Day," it was stated.

WOLLASTOK

The annual inspection of the Wellingbor-ough Corps was carried out by the County Commissioner, Dr. L. W. Dryland, D.L., 11.R.C.S., L.R.C.P., D.Ph., who complimented the Corps on their appearance and for the way in which they had carried out their duties.

He also stressed the importance of the Air Raid Precautions work that was being undertaken by the Brigade.

No. 3 (WESTERN) DISTRICT

DUDLEY

Three hundred and sixty-nine of all ranks were on parade for the combined inspection of me North W orcestershire and the Dudley and District Corps by Major J. Orton, M.D., M.R.C.S. (Warwick), Commissioner for the No. 3 (Western) District, which took place a few weeks ago.

After the inspection Major Orton took the salute at the march past of the Divisions.

Following demonstrations of hand-seat drill and 234

various company drills the parade formed up near the saluting base for an address by Major Orton, who said that it had been a pleasure to attend to conduct their annual inspection. He congratulated them on the excellence of the turn-out and on the work done. He was particularly pleased with the cadets, and urged them to do all they could to encourage the cadet movement in the district. In his own county (\Varwickshire) there were more cadets than adults.

Referring to A.R.P. work, he said the boys could be trained to act as runners. He hoped they would do all they could in this direction, for as yet they were only on the threshold. Alluding to the presence of the 1tIayor of Dudley, he said they were always pleased when the civic authorities recognised they were doing useful work, and concluding, he expressed satisfaction with all he had seen.

KINVER

The annual Church Parade of the Dudley and District Corps of the St. John Ambulance Brigade took place a few weeks ago in the village of Kinver, when an address was given by the Rev. J. A. Mercer.

The occasion was honoured by the presence of Staffordshire County Officer Morris Christopher (Wolverhampton), a foundation member of the Dudley Division, which was established in 1892 and, Worcestersrure County Officer P. H. Schofield (Lye), both of whom are recuperating from recent illness.

The parade, under the command of Corps Superintendent A. Winbow (Dudley), was a record one.

No. 4 DISTRICT

WORKINGTON

On July 16 Lt.-Colonel W. B. Cockill, T.D., M.D., County Commissioner, inspected West Cumberland Ambulance Divisions from Arlecdon and Frizington, Cleator Moor, Flimby, Maryport, Whitehaven and Workington. The Nursing Division and Cadets from Whitehaven were also on parade.

After a combined march past and demonstrations of Foot Drill, Hand Seat Drill, Stretcher Exercises and First Aid were given, the County Commissioner addressed the parade, and said how glad he was to see so many present. He emphasised the importance of aiming at the best work possible and added that he was very pleased with all that he had seen.

He warned his listeners against being put off first aid work by-that of the A.R.P., and that it was necessary that they should be well trained in both these branches, but that it was a mistake to think they should run their own schemes for the instruction of the public.

He pointed out that the Government had certain men to put A.R.P. work before the public, and for St. John Units to try and make themselves responsible for private instruction of the public could only confuse the issue.

No. 4 (LANCASHIRE) DISTRICT

LrrTTAM ST. ANNES

The annual inspection of the Lytham St. Annes Divisions was held a short time ago by Assistant Commissioner W. H. Gastall, who was accompanied by the County Surgeon, Dr. J. Mackenzie.

Among those present were the Deputy Mayor of Lytham St. Annes, Councillor C. H. Riley, J.P.) who represented the Mayor, Councillor Lady Edge, and the Medical Officer of Health (Dr. J. P. Little).

A Service 11edal was presented to Lady Ambulance Officer Miss Dixon, and an inscribed silver cigarette case to the County Surgeon as a mark of esteem on his promotion to the District Staff after long service with the St. Annes unit.

Fylde Units, which was made by Assistant Commissioner W. H. Gastall, on Sunday, July 17.

The march past, one of the most attractive features of the inspection, was cancelled, ow.ing to the inclement weather, but the Divisions gave a very interesting display of bandaging, stretcher and A.R.P. work.

At the conclusion of the inspection, Mrs. Elletson presented a Service Medal to Sergt. Gardner, of Fleetwood. Mr. Gastall laid a wreath on the Preesall War Memorial.

POULTO -LE-FYLDE

The annual inspection of the Ambulance and Nursing Divisions of Poulton was held on Sunday, July 24 by Assistant Commissioner W. H. Gas tall,

COLNC

\t the annual drumhead service of the Colne Corps which was held a short time ago, an inspection of the Divisions was carried out by Col. C. J. Trimble, C.B., C.M.G., who was accompanied by the Commissioner, Mr. W. G. Smith, O.B.E., Assistant Commissioner Dr. R. Clegg, and Corps Surgeon Aitken. The service was conducted by the Rev. T. A. Jones.

PRESTON AND THE FYLDE

The following promotions are announced in No. 6 Area: Divisional Surgeon James Mackenzie to be County Surgeon, and Divisional Surgeon George B. Horrocks to be District Officer.

PREE ALL

Rain spoiled the annual inspection of the North

235

accompanied by County Surgeon J. .Mackell2ie and Officer G. B. Horrocks. The display, mcluding the march past, was verr effective, and through the kind co-operation of the Chief Officer of the Blackpool Fire Brigade, 1-1r. T. A. Varley, and his staff, who loaned the necessary equipment, including a hut and air lock, open at one side, the A.R.P. demonstration was most instructive and entertaining. 1\ running commentary was broadcast by It. Varley.

W'e are proud to inform our readers that Ambulance Officer John Henshaw, of the \V'igan Division, has again been the donor of a blood transfusion at the \Vigan Infirmary. He now equal his Pte. Platt, in the number of transfusions O"ivenb each having been called upon and responded six

times. Some of the men have been brought out of bed to assist dangerous cases, but, from a humane standpoint, the authorities concerned should see that the donors are conveyed safely home. On every occasion the members have been sent for either by the police car or other means conveyance, but after giving the required quantIty of blood have been allowed to walk home. On one occasion this happened to one of the members in tile early hours of the morning. They do not expect monetary consideration, but it is only right they should be com'eyed from the hospital to their homes.

TO. 5 ( iO RTH-EASTER ) DISTRICT NOTTINGHA1I

On Tuesday, July 19, the Chief Commi sioner, Sir John Duncan, K.C.B., C.M.G., C.V.O., D.S.O., opened the headquarters of the A.R.P., St. John Ambulance Brigade, at Eastcroft.

Preceding the opening ceremony the senio.r ?fficers of the area and City S.J.A.B. met the Chid Commissioner at luncheon.

Alderman Bowles, in proposing the toast of Sir John Duncan, emphasised the value to the city of the St. John Ambulance Bngade, and of the efficiency in all departments of A.R.P. SIr John, replying, said he was very to know of the very friendly spirit which eXisted between the two first-aid organisations; loral co-operatior: between the B.R.C.S. and St. J.A.B. could only end In greater efficiency. He congratulated ottingham on the fine premises he had seen that morning and the Corps on the wonderful achievement.

Mter lunch the whole party travelled to Eastcroft. Declaring the headquarters open, Sir John once again spoke of the high state of efficiency of the organisation, and wished all the best of luck.

On Sunday, July 19, the Home Secretary, SIr Samuel Hoare, Bt., inspected a parade of all departments A.R .P. .'

Speaking at a luncheon given by the CIty ties prior to the parade, Sir Samuel told of the Immense lead ottingham was giving to the whole country in A.R.P. He spoke of the inestimable value to the city of trained members of such an as A.R.P., and said he was very pleased WIth the manner the medical services were supported.

About 3,500 members of the A.R.P. organisations lined up to receive Sir Samuel, who, in the presence of some 10,000 spectators, viewed the pfLrade.

The following letter was received by the Corps Superintendent, Mr. Wilson Moulds, from the Chief Co-ordinating Officer, Capt. Popkess :-

Dear Mr. Wilson Moulds,

I write without loss of time to express my gratitude to the ojjicers and other ranks of your unit for Sunday's parade. Without your whole-hearted and valuable. help the demonstration could not have been the success It undotlbtedlY 1vas. I am expresslY cOlJl/JIanded by the Secretary

of State both to thallk 'y01t 011 the fille bearing oj all yO/l!, uflit, and to thank YOIl s;lIcere!J' on hLr behalf I am alsf) to sa)' that he i17tmd.r expreJJillg very freeb' ill Londoll, his satisfaction alld gratitude for all he JaJV here.

Agaill thaJlkillgyolI fOI']Of{1' splendid sholl'ing, OIll S S illcere!y, 1\. POPKES;;;.

NEW HOLLA-D

The annual inspection of tile Cleethorpes, Grimsby, ew Holland and Louth Divisions wa held at New Holland a few weeks ago.

Some 350 members and cadets paraded and were inspected by Assistant Commissioner 1. C. Lavin and the County Surgeon 1\. H. Deighton.

After the inspection and march past a miniature gas attack was provided by the Cleethorpes and Grimsby Divisions, and a demonstration in roller bandaging was given by the New Holland Nurses.

At the conclusion, the Assistant Commissioner commended the parade on their work, and presented Service redal to Private G. Briscoe and Medal Bar to Officer W. H. Jackson and Sergeant F. \X'right, Grimsby Division.

He also complimented the Cleethorpes Division on winning the "Lambert" Shield, and the Cleethorpes Cadets on winning the" Plumtree" Shield.

No. 5 DISTRICT

LEEDS

At the annual inspection of the Leeds Corps, which took place a short time ago, about five hundred members were on parade under the command of Corps Superintendent M. B. Fenton and Lady Corps Superintendent 1vIrs. Renton.

The inspection was carried out by .t \..ssistant Commissioner W. West- \Vatson, M.D., accompanied by District Officers Captain T. L\llen and R. H. Baker and Lady District Officer Mrs. Geldard.

After congratulating the Corps on their year's work and commending them for their general smartness on parade, Dr. West-Watson spoke of Mr. Baker's invaluable work and exemplary efficiency as Superintendent of the Leeds Corps, in which he has served for twenty-eight years, and, on behalf of the Corps, presented Mr. Baker with a gold wristlet watch to mark the occasion of his promotion to Di strict Officer.

Mrs. Geldard presented Mrs. Baker with a cut glass bowl from the officers and members of the Corps, in appreciation of her long interest in the Brigade and in gratitude to her for sparing her husband for so many evenings in his work for the Leeds Corps.

SHEFFIELD

High praise was given to members of Sheffield and Firth Park sections of the V.A.D. by BrigadierGeneral W. Sandys, County Controller, and Colonel R. B. Price, of the War Office, at a recent inspection.

General Sandys said he was particularly impressed

by the large number of mobile section members, and Colonel Price said great credit was due to both the instructors and the instructed.

The nurses staged an air raid dressing station and • decontaminated imaginary victims of gas attacks.

The inspection was attended by Miss Gertrude Ashberry (V.A.D., Assistant County Controller for the West Riding), l\frs. Stanley Else (Vice-President V.A.D., West Ridin g), Mrs. J. Windle (Commandant V.A.D., Sheffield, 108), and \1rs. E. Pole (Commandant V.A.D., Firth Park).

BR-\DFORD

OYer 300 officers and members of the Bradford Corps of the St. John \mbulance Brigade were on parade for the annual inspection which took place recentJy under the command of Corps Superintendent S. Firth.

The in pecting officers were Captain T. J. Allen (Shipley), l\1r. R. H. Baker (Leed ) and .Mrs. Geldard (Ilkley) who 'were accompanied by the Lord :\fayor and Lady .i\Iayoress of Bradford.

The _ \mbulance Di'lsions were examined in foot, stretcher and hand-seat drill, and the urs1Dg Divi sion gave a disI,lav of first-aid bandacring and "- ) b L hospital uuties.

_ \t the conclusion of the march past \vhich follo\ved the inspection, Captain \llen expres ed satisfaction ,vith the smart appearance of the Corps and their work.

The Mayor also thanked members of the Brio'ade for their great work of rendenng first-aid in of aCCIdent and sudden illness in the city.

0.70. 6 DI TRICT CARBOROlJG H

The annual inspection of the carborough Di"lsion of the t. John l\mbulance Brigade took place recentlv and \vas conducted b, Count'" Commis ioner F. P. \x/i]son. "-

Demonstrations of squad drill, stretcher work and treatment of first aid and \...R. P. cases were gi,"en by the men's section. The women's nursing ga,'e demonstrations of first-aid and home nursino' bandaging. Following the inspection and march past, the County Commissioner addressed the parade and congratulated tile members on their o'ood anu efficient <work. b

Perhaps the most pleasin(T thino' of all he said was to see the number of nc\;-' in the'Di, ision: He stressed the importance of 1 \.R.P. work and said that he thought the authOl ities would comc to the conclusion that, as important as .\ .R.P. work was, first-aid came first.

First-aid certificates \vere presented to Pri\ ates Storey, Cox, Cooper, Parker, \'\ hitworth, Turner, Ta}lor, and Welpton. During the afternoon a number of J\.R.P. certi6cates were also presented to members of the Di\ ision and others.

The King's :Medal in recogrutlOn of fifteen years' service was presented to Ambulance Officer Atkinson. Sergt. Barton and Pte. Button, and the second bat was presented to AmbLllance Officer mith, "vho has completed twenty-five years' sen"ice.

imaginary air raid was the "high-spot" at the annual inspection of the ;\shington Coal Company Corps of the St. John Ambulance Brigade, held at Ashington a short time ago by County Commis sioner Stanlev Embleton.

three hundred ambulance men and member of the women's nursing division paraded under the direction of Corps Superintendent D. Hindson, and the proceedings were watched bv a large number of the public.

.L \.fter the inspection a demonstration of rescue work under "aIr raid" conditions was given. The blast of a whistle ga,Te warning of the approach of an imaginary enemy air squadron A few moments later the ambulance was racing to field dressing stations to report "casualties," and stretcher teams were proceeding quickly to the assistance of " victims," who were conveyed to the dressing stations. Those " seriously injured" were taken by ambulance to a marquee" hospital."

The demonstration was in the hands of Captain T. E. Peart, _-\.R.P. organiser for Northumberland Count\' Council.

Following an exhibition of general first-aid ,,-ork by the Carl, Duke, Bathal, Woodhorn, Ellington, Lynemouth and Linton Divisions, the whole Corps took part in a march past, when the salute ,,"a. taken by the Inspecting Officer.

Later, addressing the parade, the Count," Commissioner expressed the view that the ,,'ork of the St. John Ambulance Brigade, especially- in connection \"ith deserved more publicin" tilat it recei,,"e d, and that there was a real shortacre o'f Tolunb teers on the. side of the scheme at present, but that thl condmon not onh" obtained in the North but in other parts of the as well.

ReferrinlS to the parade and demonstrat.ion, the County Commis complimented the Corps on the smartnes ot theIr turn-out and their bcreneral effiCiency. He also stressed the importance of ha"in2; an effi::ient member hip and empha ised the bility of cutting off the membership lists all " 'ho not making reasonable efforts tQ become prohClent, and urged members to act contlnualh" recruitIng agents in the interests of their Corps .. ::\0. 8 DI

1. lxo \.RD->

lcmbers of the Ha. tings Corp: of the Sr. John Brigade attended Di, ine .=';lTice at St. Y:'thclb:ll'g's Church on Hospital Sunday, ,,"he 1 an 111terestlng ermon wa b, the Vicar, th: Re\. \. r. Kirkland" '

JERSEY

Members of the Jersey Division of the St.. John Ambulance Brigade assisted in a demonstratl0r: of " first-aid" and decontamination for" gas casualtles " held a short while ago at Fort Regent under the auspices of the Jersey A.R.P. Committee.

li-\.STINGS

In homage to Colonial .members of the Empire who gave their lives dunng the Great War,. the Rev. C. B. Harvis, of )ohn's Chur.ch, conducted a special Dorruruon Day servlce at Heroes Corner. C di

Among the contingents on parade were: ana an Ex-Service Men's Association, Hastings branches of the British Legion and Women s SectIOn of the Hastings Branch, South African 'War Veterans' Association Old Contemptibles, Royal Naval Old Comrades' Association, and Cinque Ports Old Comrades' Association.

At the conclusion of the servIce the NatlOnal Anthems of Canada and England were played and wreaths were placed on the memorial.

CHERTSEY AND ADDLESTo E

The annual inspection of the Chertsey and A.ddlestone Division of the St. John Ambulance Bngade took place recently.

The parade, which. included of the Nursing Division, was illspected by ASSIstant. Commissioner J. P. Flavin, who was by Dr. W. Harmens (president of the DIVISIOn) and Dr. ]. D. Vaile ".

After the inspectlon, the ASSIstant COmm1SSIOnel addressed the parade, and said he was. only to have had the opportur:ity again Inspectlng the Division, but to see that, In spIte <;>f the fact that a Division had recently been formed ill Walton and Weybridge, their members had not suffered. He hoped they would continue to progress get recruits and that everyone connected with the would give all the service they could to the work.

No. 9 DISTRICT

LISKEARD

Mr. F. Temple Roberts, Pre,sident, speaking at the recent dedication of Llskeard. s new motor ambulance by the Bishop of Truro, Said that the Division was now one of the most up-to-date in the country.

Work, he said, was increasing annually. It was being done by men and women who gave up spare time when others were amusing themselves, and would like to express public admiration for their unselfish devotion. But, he added, there was an urgent need for recruits and he hoped young of the district wOl1ld come forward and offer theu services.

RED RUTH CAMBORNE AND ST. IYES

Lieut.-Col. W. Blackwood, County Commissioner,

has received the following from the Secretary of the Order of St. J oh.n :-

" A vote of thanks on vellum has been awarded by the Chapter-General of the Order to the St. Ives, Camborne, and Redruth Divisions of the St. John Ambulance Brigade."

This is in recognition of the services rendered at the wreck at St. Ives in January last, when St. Ives lifeboat overturned and was destroyed on the rocks.

LAUNCESTON

Seven hundred members of the St. John Ambulance Brigade and Nursing Divisions attended the Annual County Rally at Launceston a few weeks ago.

After a parade and inspecti<;>n. of the. vanous Divisions by the County C0mm1SSI0ner W. Blackwood, Camborne), a service was held In St. Mary'S Church, conducted by the Vicar (Canon W. H. Rigg).

ST. IYES

Mr. Joshua Daniel of the. St. }ves Division) presided at the offinal presentatIon ot the new County Standard (given by Mr. and ]. S. Atherton in memory of the late Dr. ]. NIcholls), which took place in the presence ot about 300 Ambulance men, Nursing Divisions and a large number of the public.

After Colonel Blackwood (County Commissioner) had accepted the a dedication ceremony was held in St. Ives Pansh Church by the Lord Bishop of Truro (Dr. J. W. Hunkin).

MADRON

The 602nd anniversary of the consecration of Madron Parish Church, which was built by the Knights Hospitaller of St. John, was celebrated at a special service recently.

Among those present were: Assistant COU?ty Commissioner W. W. Johnston (Truro), Sister (Mrs.) A. 1-1. Blackwood (Camborne), MISS H._ Grylls, Redruth (Lady Count;:- Superintendent ot Nursing Divisions),. R. Jory (Illogan), R. H. QUlck and SmIth (Penzance), exCadet Superintendent htthews (Penzance<, members from various Ambulance and N ursmg Divisions in West CornwalL

The service was conducted by Canon H. R. Jennings (Vicar) and Senior Sub-Chaplain of the Order of St. John.

Canon Jennings said that he had receIved a letter from the Secretary-General of the Order at Clerkenwell expressing the pleasure of headquarters that that service had been arranged.

After the service, the parade was Ipspected by Mr. Alec Beechman, M.P., who remarked that he was more and more impressed every week by the amount of real, self-sacrificing service which he found ill West Cornwall.

Colonel Sleeman!Js (1938) Tour

(Continued)

The population of Malta and Gozo is continually increasing, but the islands are small, and consequently there is a continual flow away from them to distant parts, where knowledge of first aid and home nursing should prove most valuable. This fact was stressed by Colonel Sleeman in his various addresses, and was warmly appreciated by his audiences. Incidentally it is a consideration which should equally influence the people of Great Britain, for a large percentage of them go abroad to the less civilised parts of the world, as do the Maltese.

The inspection of the Malta Brigade was carried out in the famous Fort St. Elmo, the fort that was heroically defended during the great siege, but was eventually stormed and captured by the Turks. When it was obvious that the end was near, the wounded fought lying or sitting in the breach; in the subsequent fighting every knight or soldier in the fort was killed, the last knight most gallantly sallying out alone to meet his enemies.

On the parade ground in the interior of the fort five Nursing Divisions and four Ambulance First Aid Posts had been established, well separated from each other, while part of the parade ground was planned to represent a hospital ward for cases after evacuation from the first aid posts. On Colonel Sleeman's arrival a chain of " casualties" was started, as if coming from the scene of some unexpected tragedy, designed to represent every sort of injury and to bring in every kind of improvised means of transport. It was a most interesting and well-arranged parade. It finished with a very striking feature. The parade ground is surrounded by barrack-rooms, with verandahs, which were crowded with soldiers looking on.

From one of these a soldier suddenly lost his balance, to the consternation of his comrades, and fell headlong to the ground from a considerable height. A car " happened" to be passing when this occurred, and naturally stopped, thus affording an opportunity to substitute a real soldier for the dummy that had fallen. None of the spectators therefore knew if it· was a real accident or not, and as the patient was dealt with and finally disappeared in a car lying on a stretcher en route for a supposed h.ospital, perhaps some of them still think it was real.

One of the sights of Malta is the small Chapel in the Fort St. Elmo, where the Knights of St. John received the last sacrament during what they knew would be their last night on earth, that early dawn preceding the last storming of the fort.

The coat of arms of each knight now adorn the chapel, the story and atmosphere of which must make

the most thoughtless pause and make those who belong to the Order very proud.

It is not generally realised in this country what a long history the people of Malta possess. Their civilisation and culture is considerably older than that of Europe, and many of the important families of the island bear names which are historic in the annals of the Order of St. John, which for many centuries was the most renowned bulwark of Christianity in the world. Colonel Sleeman, during his visit, was always intensely conscious of the historic setting in which the present work in :Malta is being done.

Mention must be made of the ancient co-cathedral of St. John in Malta, the floor of which is composed of four hundred exquisitely designed inlaid marble slabs, each bearing the armorial bearing of a Knight of the Order of an illustrious family, drawn from the many countries in Europe. A special mass was held for members of our Association and Brigade which Colonel Sleeman attended, a service in which not a single detail was altered from that held when the Order first went to Malta. After this ceremonY, Colonel Sleeman headed a procession of the lance members to the War 1femorial, on which he laid a wreath bearing the Cross of the Order in white flowers.

It will be obvious that the island of Malta is of surpassing interest to anyone connected with the Order, and to some the Royal1falta Library will be the most interesting of all. It was completed in 1796, the last building completed by the Order before their expulsion by Napoleon. Here are to be found the archives of the Order, more than 7,000 volumes, under the care of the Librarian, Chevalier H. P. Scicluna, M.B.E., C.St.]., Knight of Grace of the Sovereign Orderan expert in the history of the Order of St. John. Here can be seen correspondence from the various Courts of Europe, and from the Ambassadors of the Order attached to the Courts of France and Rome; numerous letters from most of the monarchs of Europe and from the Holy See, including the charter of Henry VIII, constituting himself the Protector of the Order, and laying down the conditions for its work in England.

Colonel Sleeman's visit came to an end on January 19, 193 8 , when, having paid the necessary farewell visits to His Excellency the Governor, he embarked in the S.S .A1anfola for East Africa, being seen off by a large number of members of the Order, the Association and the Brigade. So finished a nine-day visit of surpassing interest and of great value to the work of our Order.

Interesting Case Reports II

CA E REpORT No. 142.-The Officer-in-Charge of No. I (Prince of \Vales's) District S.J.A.B. reports the efficient performance of first aid by a member of the Wandsworth and Putney Division in the following difficult circumstances:-

At 8 a.m. on 1hy 23, Sergt. F T. Brown was enterino- his place of employment when he \vas called fo an accident which had just happened in the factory . On proceeding to the place of .the emergency, he found that a youth (eet. 17. had had his lower limb torn a\,-ay at the hlp-jOl11t bv a su o-ar crusher there bein2" a fair amount of b C) flesh still remaining at the groin. Sergt. Brown immediately picked up a piece of clean rope which was nearb,T and usin 0- this as an improvised ligature, b secured the ends of the flesh as tightly as possible, whereby he stopped all further bleeding. He then dressed the wound with pieces of a man's shirt and covered the patient warmly by means of coats. This done, the patient \vas immediately removed to hospital in the ambulance, \\Thich had by this time arrived, and he is reported to be doing as well as can be expected in the circumstances.

is said that a patient n,hose femoral artel]' is tom wllal!;' dies ]pithin three lllillutes. This fact called for immediate actioll a!ld jllStified Selgt. Brown's decisioJl !lot to wait for the factol]' fir.rt-aid box, bllt rather to act u ithout a mOll/ent's dela)'. COJ7seqlleJlt!J', he II/erits ollr cordial cOllgrat1llatioJ1s iJl that 0' so doillg he success/dry carried out the fint oiject of first aid cmd saved his patient's life.-N. C. F.

Questions and Answers

OF PHOSPHORUS

E. P. (Camberwell).-I note that in the Treatment of Poisoning, Rule 5, on p. 17 2 of the Textbook tells us in all cases to give milk, raw eggs beaten up with milk or water, cream or flour beaten up together or strong tea. In the treatment of Phosphorus Poisoning, however, the Textbook on p. 174 warns us not to give oil or fat in any form.

As milk and cream contain fat, I consider that the treatment of p. 172 contradicts that on p. 174, and I shall be grateful for your comments on this point. Oils, fats and eggs are withheld becatfse thry act as solvents and facilitate the absorption of phosphorus. It is not fair, however, to sqy that 071 this point the Textbook contradicts itself. Rather it first lays down a general rule and then specifies the exception to this general rule; and llloreover it eJJlphasise.r the latter i?y adding the 1vords " in a11J1 form JJ /-- T. C. F.

TRAXSPORT OF PATIEJ:-.iT

J. B. (Ashington).-In view of the fact that Stretcher Exercise o. I has been revised in the new Textbook,

members of our D ivision are anxious to know (I) Which number of the team now supplies the stretcher, and (2) how many men now form a team for competition purposes. Your answers to these two quenes will be much appreciated.

(I) .iVo 3-as at present. As far a,1 lJIy inforlllation aoes, there is to be 170 change Oil this poillt ill the instmctiot:s the revised Drill l'rlatltlal, 1vhich 1vill be published m dlle course.

(2) The actual !lulJIber still depends Oil the rides and regulatiolls cOlltrollillg the cOlllpetitioll.-N. C. F.

FEEDI G PATIE T

'\l,T. L. (11uswell Hill).-The photograph which appeared on the front of 0e ) une issue of THE G_\ZETTE shows the patlent bel11g ted, apparently with some liquid.

The Home- ursing Textbook (p. 117) reads as follows :-" In raising a patient to drink, pass the forearm belund the pillow to support both the head and shoulders "

The .Ambulance Sister in the photograph does not seem to ha\'e her forearm under the pillow. Did the test call for this omission?

The photograph ll'tl.1 take!! a/ttl' the Perrott COlJlpetitioJl had fillished; alld the te.rtJ- were all lJIarked strict!;' ill accordance with the illstmctioll.f of the HOIIIf-l.VJlrsillg Textbook. III this respect, therefore, the _ 11l1!Jlllallce Sister ill the photograph 1}'as fortuJlate /- - C. F.

HI);,T FOR DRIYFRS

J. C. (.\lverstoke).-As a. Surgeon I venture to pass a hint to all dnvers ot motor ambulances that on arrival at the place of the emergency they should stop their engines.

1y reason f01; subnutting this point i.s that I was attending to a \"oman who had famted dunng the Inspection of Brigade Units in Hampshrre, the other day, the motor ambulance drew up with its. exhaust pouring gas straight on the patient. The result was that, before I could act, the gas had caused the patient to faint again. ...\s I have seen this happen on several occasions in street accidents, I feel strongly that all drivers of motor ambulances be instructed to stop their engines on arriving at the place of emergency and not re-start them until their ambulances have been loaded.

Thank you for your practical hint,/or lJ)hich all driver.' of motor ambulances should be grateflll and act Oil ]vithout further imtruclioJ1S.-N. C. F.

TREAnlENT OF CUCIP)'1 C\'RDIDE PorO,\,ING

A. H. (Herne Hill).- When taking a class of Rovers in preparation for their examination in first aid I was asked to state what is the first aid treatment for'a person who had eaten a piece of Calcium Carbide. I would, therefore, be glad if you will give the answer. Little is kJlO1vl1 abotlf the treatlJlent of Calcilflll Carbide Poisoning, which may prove fatal iJl Ihree or foltr hOllrJ, except that treatment llIuSt be ilJllllediale and prevmt the

production of acetylene gas. The subject has been tinder frequent discussion in ambulance circles during the past ten years, and Illy dijjicttlty has been to make contact 1vith a'!Y doctor 2vho has had to treat such a case. III 193 I, hOJvever, Dr. J. TV'. Loos, of the University of Leiden, a keen first-aider, 1V/'ote to me describin!, h01v he treated an actHal case 1vith complete success. In hi.r leiter he emphasised Ihat the only ]vay 10 prevent the production of acetylene gas is to remove the 1vater frolll the stomach try /l,iviJlg some antidote lvhich combims with water and renders it i!lactive-such as grycerim or alcohol. I-le sllggested, therefore, that first aiders should adlllinister gljlcerille or alcohol p'eery aJ1d relllove thiJ from the stomach withollt lIsi!l,g JlJater. Jr'ith slfch a patient, lJ)hile ]vailing for the glycerine or alcohol al1d after its adllJinistration, 1 JlI(JII!d tickle the child's throat ]J)ith 1lly t]VO fingers (if 1 had flOt a stomach pump) and hope that thereby I2votl/d II/ake hilJl vomit.

TP"heJl this qllel]' lJlaS last raised iJ] this COlttllJ!l ill 1934, a Brigade .rHl:f!,eoJl ot!jected to allY firs I-aider givill,g alcohol, 7l'hich he called a POiSOll, al/d said that he ]vollld prefer hilll 10/!,lz'e aJl emetic rather than alcohol. To these oijectioJls 1 replied that free admillistratioll oj brallrfy or Jl'hislg collid be jwtiJipd 011 the ill r/metioll.r of the Textbook JI'ith r(/frellCe to PmJ'.ric Acid PoiJonilll!' (p. 176) and that {'.'\:pel'imce ha.!' taught me Ihat f01l1' tllmbler.sjul 0/ tepid 1J 1aler and IlI!u/ard are ItsllCllfy sll'ClIIOJJ'ed before a poisoned patiellt caJl be made to l'Olllit.. C. F.

DErL OF « FIT"

P. (Cardiff).-Reccntly a diSCUSSIOn arose as to what IS meant b\ the term « fit." \.S we could not agree among ourseh es, \l, c decided to refer the point for vour kind ruhno-. ihe root meaJlillg a "fit" is "a sudden attack of ClJ!ything, .weh as lal(f!,hter.)· Applied to fin-t aid, it iJ takeJJ to si..f!,JliJ;' " a sllddm seiZllre in v'hich thert' is partial or complete loss cOll.reioIlJll fJ'.r, with or witl}ollt C01ll'lIlJioJls. "

1 he term is /lJ1 ,eientijic aJld iJ- Imd ehiefiJl 1!J1 people l1'ho caIlJlO/ rli.,criJlJillate bel7l'eeJl il.l' l'ariollS (Clllses; alld if .rholl!d IIOt be IIsed withollt a q/(aliJ)il(f!, arfjectiz'e, for example: I-!Jsterical fit, apoplectic fit, epilpptic jit, alld so 011.- C. F.

IG,\;\1>.,D Y\IPTmI.., OF EPILEP'Y :'\L O. (Carstair ).-During a recent di cussion it was stated that com:ulsions do not ah,"an occur in an epileptic fit. 1 \.S the statement is borne out by the Textbook description of Epilep y, I shall much appreciate your ruling as to whether it is true or nol. l\fcaJ1\vhile accept my thanks in advance. The descriptioJ/ of Epilep{)1 ill the Tex/book iJ /lot a olle. The diJeCTJe /11c7J' ocmr iJl !iJ'O f0I'lIIJ-lIIild (flld sez)ere.

III llIild .rIIddm, eOllIplele alld II/OIlIN/tal]' 10.f f of cOllsciOIl.fJleSJ IS oftm the Oil!)' D'/llptOIIl. IJI .m'ere Epilepsy, hOJJ'el'er, Ihere are three defiJlite staJ!l.i': (I) Suddell alld (omplete 10SJ 0/ COJl.fCiOIlSJJeJJ·" (2) COlll'll/fioJU ]]lhiC/) cOluiJt of reglliar rapid& pCIJJiJJg to irreglliar 1/101'{'I/JelltS dlle to paSIII of all the volllJi/tlI)' lIImcles of the borf), ,.

2 .p

and (3) Automati( or sleep stage during which the patient mqJ act lvithott! conscio!4s knowledge.

The biting of the tongue and the epileptic scream (2J)hich may herald the second stage) are evidence of the spaslllodic contraction of the muscles controllilll, the jaw and the breathjng.-l:'.. C. F.

Revi ew

FIRST

Am IN EMERGEJ:-.iCIES. By Eldridge L. Eliason, \'.B., 1\1:. D., Sc.D. Philadelphia and London: J. B. Lippincott Co. Price 7s. 6d. net.

This is the ninth edition of a book which has attained much popularity in the United States of America, since it was first published in 1915. Its author is Professor of Surgery of the University of Pennsylvania. It is well written, well illustrated and well equipped with a good general index and also with a thumb index, both of which facilitate ready reference to its pages in an emergency.

It is noteworthy that the book far exceeds the limits which on this side of the l \.tlantic we place on first aid. E-::identlv this is Intentional because the author definitely in his preface that he writes for, among others, explorers and hunters who may have to treat patients "far remoyed from medical aid." Apart from this contingency, however, the author emphasises the need for first aiders to procure the help of a doctor quicily.

Among the instructions which are set out in the book and which we regard as beyond the scope of first aid are the strapping of injured joints and muscles and of fractured ribs, the reduction of certain dislocated joints and the stitching of wounds.

Another peculiar feature is the absence of a description of the rudiments of anatomy and physiology with which our manuals preface their instructions for treating cases in emergency. first aiders in America are presumed to be familiar 'U-ith the bones of the skeleton and with the main arteries, of which the points of pressure for the carotid, subclavian, brachail and femoral onl,· are described. To remedy this, flexion is more strongly recommended than in our Textbook.

Again certain striking (and to us undesirable) differences in treatment are noted. Thus, oils and oily substances are the first choice of dressings for burns, \yhile the application of a hot-'U-ater bottle is recommended to a suddenly del.-eloped hernia before gentle compression is made to reduce the swelling and replace it \\-ithin the abdomen! !

Lastly, Silyester's Method of artificial respiration is described more fullv than that of chafer, the former - occupying tl.YO and a half pages and the latter half a page, though the author doe state that method ,( js generally consjdered to be the best."

Further, neither method is de cribed as practised in this country.

0;. C. F.

THE REVISED (39th) EDITION

"First Aid to the Injured':J

J-----------------------------------------------------------lVo. 7

(Continued from page 2II, July issue)

Chapter XVI (Rot/tine Examination of Patient), •

From being a section which the Revision Committee introduced into the Chapter on Insensibility in the 38th Edition, the routine examination of a patient has been amplified and promoted to a separate Chapter. This is certainly a commendable feature of the Revised Textbook; and further, the subject is treated in two main sections-approach and examination.

The scheme adopted is excellent and strongly reminiscent of the modern detailed marking sheet which has been evolved down the years and now receives official recognition, whereby the work of future test preparers will be lightened.

Thus, the Method of Approach covers all the various steps which are usually included under "Immediate Action." One most important step, however, has been omitted, namely enquiry as to the proximity of medical assistance, absence of which alone justifies the practice of first aid. This should surely have been mentioned here, despite the final paragraph of Chapter II. Further, the sequence of the six Rules is spoiled by the interposition of Rule 5 (controlling crowd, etc.) between Rule 4 (speaking to patient, etc.) and Rule 6 (enquiring as to history, site of pain, etc.).

Next, the Method of Examination is sub-divided, and in a series of nine Rules, sets out the action necessary with patients who are either totally unconscious or mentally confused with those who are fully conscious.

With an unconscious patient Rules and 2 require the first aider at the outset to ascertain if the patient is bleeding and breathing. It is strange, however, that he is not warned to note if there is any deformity of the limbs suggestive of fractures and dislocations, although he is so advised when he has to examine a patient who is fully conscious I I The remaining seven Rules describe fully the other tests (which should be made) on lines similar to those which figured in the 38th Edition. These, however, have been re-written and re-arranged.

If the patient is fully conscious, the Textbook rules that this detailed examination may be curtailed and emphasises that first attention must be given to any painful parts.

Chapter XVI (Reception of Accidents).

This Chapter, which deals with the preparation for Reception of Accidents, is unaltered, except that Rule 5 now reads, "Guard against Collapse" in place of "Prepare for Collapse."

Chapter XVIII (Transport of b!Jured Persons).

The opening pages of this Chapter are identical with those in the 3rd Edition. Incidentally, the list of available methods, with which the Chapter opens, again omits the Fore-and-Mt Method, which (as is stated on page 202) is only to be used" when space does not permit of a handseat ! I

New photographs replace those which have served many editions, and a pleasing feature of this Chapter is the addition of annotations to those diagrams which previously lacked such explanations.

Certain changes are noted in the lIfethods of Carry;i'!,. Thus, the Cradle is now stated to be suitable only with children and light patients. The Human Crutch now lays it down that the bearers must stand on the patient's injured side, while the Pick-a-Back is only to be used if the patient is conscious and able to hold on to the bearer.

The Hand-Seats are described in reversed sequence. With all forms the Textbook again fails to be "explicit," since its instructions refer loosely to "using one or both arms" when it really means "using one or both upper limbs," and so on. Similarly, the Four-Handed Seat is stated to be formed by " grasping the wrists" (which is anatomically impossible I), whereas "grasping the forearms at the wrist" would be perfectly correct. Rule 2 is amplified and reads-" The patient is instructed to place one arm round the neck of each bearer so that he may raise himself to sit on their hands and steady himself during transport."

With the Three-Handed Seat Rule has been altered from " grasps his own left wrist" to "grasps the lower end of his own forearm " This ininstruction would have been more explicit had it read" grasps his forearmjust above the wrist." Rule 2. has been amplified and is identical with the same Rule for the Four-Handed Seat.

The Two Handed-Seat is now stated to be mostlY used to carry a patient who is unable to assist the bearers by using his arms, the additions to the previous instruction being here italicised. To Rule a warning

js added that the bearers must" stoop (not kneel) " b eside the patient. The modification, 'known as the Human Stretcher, has been omitted from the Revised Textbook.

Next comes a new and general warning that in all cases of carrying by Hand-Seats the bearers must walk with cross-over step and not by side paces.

To the Fore-and-Aft Method, which follows, and is unchanged, there is added a warning that the bearers should walk in step.

The description of the Furley Stretchers is practically unaltered, the chief difference being that the comparison with the Police Stretcher is withdrawn.

The Stretcher Exercises in the Revised Textbook are based mainly on the R.A M.C. Training Manual, 1935 Incidentally, it is a strange coincidence that the names of two outstanding St. John pioneer stalwarts figured for the last time in the 38th Edition.

As we have seen, the name of the late Sir James Cantlie, to whom we are indebted for the conversion of first aid into a science has given place to a St. John Cross on the back of the Revised Textbook. Similarly from this Chapter now disappears the name of the late Sir John Furley who, among other first aid appliances, invented the first civilian stretcher and also drew up the first Stretcher Exercises for first aiders.

In Exercise No. I for Four Bearers, No. I now becomes the leader and the drill is altered accordingly. On the command "Stand to Stretcher," Nos. 2 and 4 place themselves on the left and Nos. I and 3 on the right of the stretcher, these being now their " permanent" positions. Under" Prepare Stretcher/' Nos. 2, 3 and 4 take post on left of stretcher," unless otherwise directed by No. I," these positions being liable to alteration as is laid down in a special footnote which reads: "The position of the stretcher and of the bearers will be modified at the discretion of No. I, who will be governed by the nature of the patient's injury or the surroundings." The new and correct method of folding two blankets is shown in Figs. 91, 92 and 93 and results in the patient being laid on four thicknesses and covered by two thicknesses of blanket when he is ready to be removed on the stretcher. The only other alteration is that Rule (" March ") now reads" Advance."

Exercise No. II for Three Bearers has undergone some re-arrangement which renders its instructions more definite and at the same time more easily understood.

Exercise No. III for use in .Mines is unaltered, except that an instruction has been added to fold the arms of an wlconscious patient across his chest.

No change has been made in the instructions for Improvised Stretchers or in those for Carriage of Stretchers.

For Crossing a Ditch and Crossing a Wall the instructions are as in the 38th Edition, except where

these are modified consequent on the change ln the " permanent " positions of the beaters. Incidentally, it is amusing to note in this, as in the previous Edition, the varying instructions with reference to the placing of the stretcher with these operations. Thus, with Crossing a Ditch" the stretcher should be lowered," with Crossing a Wall" the stretcher is lowered, and with Loading of Ambulance "the stretcher will be lowered."

For Loading an Ambulance the stretcher is now to be lowered with its foot or head one pace from the end of the ambulance, "accordi!'!, to the patient's desire to travel feet or head first"; and the instructions have been abbreviated, the long second paragraph of the previous Edition being shortened to "The bearers will stand to stretcher."

For Unloading an Ambulance the are as before except that the bearers may now please themselves as to how they split up into the two pairs necessary for this task.

For Lifting into Bed the instructions have been slightly shortened by the omission of certain unnecessary detail. Otherwise they are as in the 38th Edition.

Questions.

Finally, the Questions which in previous Editions used to figure at the end of each Chapter are now consolidated and form what is really the last Chapter of the Textbook proper. These cover 35 pages, and are, as before, referenced in such a manner that the accuracy of the answers may be quickly verified by turning to the appropriate pages. This is a pleasing feature of the Re\'ised Textbook and will prove of infinite help to the earnest and self-catechising student of first aid.

N. C. F.

Review

1.1ajor Hammer' Catechislll of Air Raid Precautions has the great advantage to the student of approaching the subject from a different angle to an ordinary textbook with even more detail of information.

It also covers the complete subject from the gas first aid point of view in one small volume. The many tabular presentations of the answers given are clear and concise, and most helpful to the careful student. The author has carefully insured that the dominant note of the book is " protection and safety," and that to secure this the practice of a regularised procedure is much wiser than individual action and ideas. No careful student of the subject should omit the study of this " Catechism."- W·. C. B.

Obituary

ROTIIERILUf :UR DrnSI00..

We very much regret to record the death of Ambulance Sister Beatrice \X'aters on July r3, 193 8.

243

Priory for Wales

Headquarters: Priory House, 4 Cathedral Rd., Cardiff

GENERAL INTEREST

ANNUAL MEETD;TG OF CHAPTER AND Gfu'l"ER_-\L ASSfu\1BLY

The Rt. Hon. the Earl of Plymouth, P.c., Sub-Prior of the Priory for Wales, at the annual meeting of the Chapter, which was held in the Court, I ational Museum of Wales, on :Monday, July 4, and read the following message from the Prior, H.R H. the Duke of Kent:-

" I much regret that I am unable to be present at the meeting of the Chapter which is being held to-day.

"I have heard with great pleasure the report of the activities of the Priory since I was able to visit Cardiff last year. I very much hope that this fine work may be continued during the coming year.

" I wish you all success in your deliberations."

Chapter was opened and closed with prayers read by the Chaplain, the Rev. Canon J. A. Lewis, and the attendance included the Sub-Prior, The Hon. John H. Bruce, J.p., D.L., D. M. Evans-Bevan, Esq., J.P., Col. E. J Trevor Cory, O.B.E , Professor George Knox, M.I.M.E., F.G.S., Sir John W. Beynon, Bart., C.B E., J.P., A. G. E. J Fudge, Esq., Norman 1.1. Ingledew, Esq., T. Edgar Smith, Esq., L.R.I.B.A., Dr. D. Rocyn Jones, C.B.E., J.P., Captain T. E. Richards, JP., M.E., R. Wilson Bartlett, Esq , J.P., F S A.A., Evan David Jones, Esq., Major A. W. Anderson, M.B., Ch B., Major W Owen Evans, M.B.E., JP , M.B., Dr Urban Marks, Lemuel Jones, Esq., F.A L.P.A., C. T. Hurry Riches, Esq., Dr. S. McCormac, Captain S T. Beard, O.B.E., Dr. Edgar Llewellyn, Hugh Sydney Cann, Esq., Theodore Gibbins, Esq., JP , Sir Robert J. Webber, JP., D.L., Daniel Daniel, Esq., J.P., Alderman Sir William Jenkins, M P., J.P., Oliver Harris, Esq., Alderman W. H. Pethybridge, JP., Captain \Y/. J Canton, LL.B., and Captain L. Twiston Davies, O.B.E., JP ., D.L., F.S.A.

A statement on the financial position, presented by the Treasurer (Mr. D. M. Evans-Bevan, J.P.) revealed that the bank overdraft. had been reduced to £3,632, as a result of special donations and the proceeds of the Priory Ball, the success of which was ensured by the attendance of T.R.H. the Duke and Duchess of Kent. In the special reserve account

244

for the replacement of ambulance cars there was a credit balance of £7,000; and the Treasurer stressed the importance of continuing the past years' improvement as the Priory had undertaken to advance loans to Units of the Brigade to enable them to earn the 50 per cent. grant from the £5,000 allocated to the Priory by the Commissioner of Special Areas for erection of Ambulance Halls

1.1r. Rhys Llewellyn was appointed a Trustee of the Priory, in place of the late 1.1r. Charles II. Keen, who rendered substantial support during his lamentably brief tenure of office.

In the absence of Mr. Edmund L. I-hnn, the report of the R egistrar was submitted by Mr. E. D. Jones, Assistant Registrar.

General assembly met later in the Reardon Smith Lecture Theatre, where the Lord Mavor of Cardiff, Alderman O. C. Purnell, JP., extended civic welcome to members present and said the city was very conscious of the good work that was being done in every district by the Priory for Wales.

The Sub-Prior thanked the Lord Mayor for his encouraging remarks and assured him that he could rely upon the readiest response from the Association and Brigade in co-operation with the many other categories of A.R.P. workers upon whom the Corporation had to call for protecting the city.

Lord Plymouth extended greetings to members of the Order and other representatives of the Priory's activities While emphasising the importance of A.R.P. training, his Lordship said there was no intention of allowing normal activities to be crowded out; rather was it to be expected to reinforce interest in first aid. In referring to the dedication and unveiling of a memorial which was to take place later at the Parish Church of St. John, Cardiff, erected to the honour of the late Honorary Solicitor, Mr. Hugh M. Ingledew, Lord Plymouth paid tribute to the memory of a Knight of Justice who was a devoted servant of the Order and legal architect of the first establishment of the Order.

The Sub-Prior introduced Colonel J. T. Woolrych Perowne, V.D., T.D., the Hospitaller of the Order, who gave an interesting and informative account of the work of the Order's hospital in Jerusalem.

Colonel E. J Trevor Cory, O.B E., M.D., as Hospitaller of Bridgend, reported that the ground at the rear of the ancient property of the Order now

in possession of the Priory known as the Bridgend Hospice, had become the scene of great activity as an Ambulance Hall was in course of erection by means of voluntary labour on the part of local Brigade members, with the aid of a grant from the Commissioner's Fund. Thus was the old and traditional being linked up with the ne\,v and practical manifestations of the cause.

Professor George Knox, M.I M E., F.G.S., as Director of Ambulance, gave an account of the activities of 1937, when 15,337 students qualified for awards in first aid or home nursing at classes held in Wales under the Priory, while the strength of the Brigade had reached the total of 12,3 86. Over 72,000 cases of accident or sickness had been treated \, oluntarily by Brigade members. The scheme for Air Raid Precautions had imposed an additional burden upon the Brigade, whose personnel are becoming trained and a large number qualifying as instructors to lecture outside classes.

\ progressiyc account of the Priory's J.\fotor .l\mbulance Transport erVice was given by Mr. OliYer I Jarris, \ssistant Director of Ambulance (in the absence of the Director of Transport, fr. James Griffiths, :M.P.). During 1937 the cars carried 18,2 .p cases, covering a total mileag e of 302,240, \\-hile reductions in the charges had been effected.

\ short address b) the Hon. John H. Bruce, JP., D.L., Principal ecretary and Commissioner for \\Tales , brought General A embly to a conclu ion.

h:\10RIAL TO L\TE 1IR. HLGH L I"GLEDE\\

The esteem with which the late 11r. Hugh .i.\1. Inglede\v was regarded in all parts of outh \Y/ales and \Ionmouthshire \va s demonstrated by the large number of persons who attended the dedication and unveiling of an altar screen to his memory at t. John'S Church, Cardiff, on Jul:' -+. .Mr. Ingledew, a member of one of the mo s t prominent Cardiff families and a leading solicitor in the city, died in February last year. His interests touched almost every side of the social and intellectual life of outh \'{/ales, but to none did he pay more sincere attention than the Prion for \Vales of which he had been honorary solicitor 'since it s inception.

The screen is a handsome example of the woodworker's art in ligbt ..L \ustrian oak finished plain direct from the chisel. The \vidth of the altar is left open and the main p tllars are surmounted by figurcs of the Knights of the Ordcr in their armour of siker and red cloaks, adorned with the Cross of the Order, while the tracery work that spans each section of the screen is embellished with the emblems of the Order, of which 11r. I lugh Ingledew was. a knight of Justice. _\mong the bosses which adorn the scn:: en is .J.\Ir. Ing-ledew's own coat-oF-arms; and anc'>ther, which must be unique in such a connection, is a representation of a Football-the: 0 ball of the Rugb) code,

recalling the fact that Hugh Ingledew played for Wales in the days of his young manhood. In unveiling the screen, the Earl of Plymouth said: "On behalf of many friends we offer and present this memorial screen to be dedicated to the glory of God and in grateful memory of Hugh Murray Ingledew, a man much wise counsellor, good sportsman, loyal friend, a Knight of Justice of the Venerable Order of St. John of Jerusalem."

The Bishop of Llandaff read the dedication service, and the Hon. John H. Bruce read the lesson.

CENTRE REPORTS

AKGLESEY CEKTRE

The annual competition and inspection took place by permission of Sir Henry Grayson, Bart., K..B.E., the Commissioner, and Lady Grayson, at Ravenspoint, Trearddur Bay, on Saturday, i\fay 28.

The Commissioner for \Vales, the Hon. John H. Bruce, inspected the Brig ade and complimented officers and members on the smartness of the parade, which was drawn up in charge of County Officer C. R. Hollyoake, and the appearance for the first time of a Nursing section. He was accompanied by the Commissioner for Anglesey, Admiral Sir Perc y Grant, K..C.V.O., C.B. (Centre Chairman), Deputy Chief Constable W. E. Jones (acting for the Chief Constable, Assistant Commissioner 1ft. R. H. Prothero) , and Dr. G. Pari Huws, Old Cohvyn.

A severe test \\"as imposed on the competinoteams for the shield and a challenge cup presented by Lady Grarson. In announcing the result, Dr. Huws congratulated the competitors upon their display. The Angleser Police team won the shield, and the Holyhead team the cup fo r Indi,-idual Oral test.

ir Henry Grayson, in his report, said that a o- reat _ v deal ot work had been achieyed b,- the motor ambulance in the transport of sick and injured persons, I 12 cases having been attended by Brigade members last year, of ,,,hich fifty-eight were conveyed to hospital or home, entailing a distance of 1,965 miles, while considerable as istance had been rendered to those injured during Channel crossing to Holyhead.

TO THE Ex nII:\!I:\!G TAFF

The .l \mbulance Committee of the Prior\" on July 26 appointed three Doctors in Ang lese"\" who ha,-e been connected for some rear \'vith lid and Home 1 ur ing Class es, member of the examining Dr. G. P. \"\'illiams (surgeon, DIYiSlOn) , Dr. J. R. Pr)Ttherch (Llangefni ) , and Dr. Thornas Jones (.I.\mlwch)

COCXTY

Brid!!.md CO/llJI] ' .L4rM -4\n .R.P. displ ::nwas given by members of the Llynfi Valley Corp at faestcg. umerou methods were adopted t o create the impression of an attack from the ai r ,

with realistic effects; and" patients" supposed to be overcome by the liberation of coloured smokes representing war gases received treatment at the hands of ambulance men trained in A.R.P. Mr. D. M. J ones, Superintendent of the :Mines Rescue Station and A.R.P. Officer for the Corps, described the display as it was in progress. On the same day the annual competition for the Vernon Hartshorn Shield for senior teams and cup and medal presented by County Officer W. M. Llewellyn for Individual Cadet Competition took place. The Judges were Corps Surgeon Dr. J. McCausland and Divisional Surgeon Dr. H. R. Kidd; and of the five senior teams who participated, highest marks were awarded to the Kenfig Hill team, 'whose Captain (R. Verrall) received the shield and monetary prize of £3 at the hands of Mrs. K. A. Llewellyn, J.P. There were eight entrants for the individual cup and medal, which were presented by the donor to Cadet Stewart R. Boyes, Llangynwyd, who thus gained the distinction of being the most efficient cadet in the Llynfi Valley Corps for 1938.

Mr. A. G. E. J. Fudge (Assistant Commissioner for Wales) conducted the annual inspection of the two Corps within the Bridgend County Area on July 9, when an imposing parade was drawn up on the Common and attracted considerable notice from the crowds of holiday-makers in Porthcawl. Mr. Fudge was assisted by Major A. W. Anderson, M.B., Ch.B., Assistant Surgeon-in-Chief for Wales; and officers present included County Officers Morgan Weeks, D. C. Williams and W. M. Llewellyn, Corps Officers E. G. Howells, T. J. Jones, D. M. Jones, Mrs. M. Waters and Dr. J. H. Rees.

CaerphillY County Area.-The Glamorgan 256 Voluntary Aid Detachment, of which Assistant Controller and County Officer Mrs. S. B. Turner is Commandant, was inspected at Bargoed by Captain Wilson and the County Controller, Colonel A. W. Sheen, C.B.E., T.D., M.S. The members were tested in nursing and cookery, first aid and A.R.P. work, after which the Inspecting Officers congratulated the officers and members on the high standard of the work in all branches. Amongst the visitors who attended the ifispection were Lady (Herbert) Lewis, O.B.E., Major A. W. Anderson, M.B., Ch.B. (Assistant Surgeon-in-Chief for Wales and Assistant County Controller for Glamorgan), Captain S. T. Beard, O.B.E., Captain S. B. Turner, M.R.C.S., L.R.C.P., Assistant Commissioner, Caerphilly County Area, Mrs. Pas kin, Lady County Superintendent, Brecknockshire, Miss Watts and Miss Price (County Officers, Brecknockshire), Mrs. Hirst and Mrs. Scott (president and Vice-President of the Bargoed Nursing Division), and C. M. Kitto and W. J. Skyrme (County Officers).

At the annual meeting of the Deri Division, at which Mr. W. H. Knibbs, M.E., presided, Mr. W. J. Skyrme received a leather week-end case as an appreciation of his work as of the Deri Division.

County Officer C. 1-1. Kitto, M.E., reviewed the excellent work done by Mr. Skyrme in A.R.P., first aid and organisation, and congratulated the officers and members of the Division for their excellent report for the year. Mr. Skyrme received also a large electric coffee perculator from the officials of the Ogilvie Colliery on the occasion of his promotion to head office.

MONMOUTIISlIIRE CENTRE

Ambulance Hall for PontJJe1J!)mydd.-A fine example of self help was set by members of the Pontnewynydd Ambulance Division in undertaking the task of clearing by voluntary labour 400 tons of debris from the site acquired for the erection of an ambulance hall, which effected a saving of £150 in the cost.

A grant of half the total cost of £ 550 was made from the Commissioner for Special Areas Fund, and this enterprising Unit which has met in various" homes" since its establishment in 924, now has a permanent headquarters, which will house the Medical Comforts Depots recently augmented by the Special Areas Grant for the purpose. The hall was formally opened on July 2 by Councillor C. H. Newman and dedicated by the Rev. T. Emlyn Jones. 1fr. A. G. E. J. Fudge (Assistant Commissioner for Wales) represented the Priory.

PEMBROKESHlRE CENTRE

Centre COlllmittee Meeting.-A.t a meetlng of the Pembrokeshire Centre Committee of the Priory held at Ffynone, Boncath, by invitation of the Commissioner (Mr. Daniel Daniel, J.P., on Saturday, July 9, it was announced that Sir Evan Jones, Bart., Lord Lieutenant of the County, had accepted the position of President in succession to the late Sir Henry E. E. Philipps, Bart., to whose memory members stood in silent tribute.

In the course of his report Mr. Daniel said that good progress had been made in I937, when four new Divisions were formed. Twenty-eight classes had been functioning in the county, attended by 501 students, of whom 376 qualified for awards of the St. John Ambulance Association. Air Raid Precautions had taken up a lot of time and the very satisfactory results reflected great credit upon the Assistant Commissioner.

An informative address was given by the Hon. John H. Bruce, who paid tribute to the great strides made by Pembrokeshire. Expressing the appreciation of the meeting of the Principal Secretary's address, Sir Evan Jones said that Pembrokeshire could be relied on to give all the assistance possible.

Annual CotJlpetitions.-For more than four hours on Saturday afternoon and evening, July 9, upwards of 500 people in the lovely grounds of Ffynone had demonstrated to them the capabilities of ambulance teams in the county. Tea for all present was provided by the Commissioner, Mr. Daniel Daniel. The arrangements were in the capable hands of

Inspector R. J. Jones, M.I.M.E. (Competition Secretary), and everything ran smoothly and strictly to schedule. The stewards were in charge of the Rev. D. S. Williams, B.A., B.D., Camrose, and Mr. G. W. John, B.A., Camrose South School; and the following carried out the adjudication: Doctors G. S. Budd (Newcastle Emlyn), J. Penry (Newcastle Emlyn), P. Gibbin (Whitland), Dorothy Rees (Narberth), Morfudd (Evans Boncath), Selby Clare (Cardigan), T. J. Jenkins (Henllan) and E. C. Davies (Llandyssul).

The Pembrokeshire Police A.R.P. Squad gave an interesting display of decontamination, and also staged a thnlling " rescue" following the bursting of a smoke bomb, the " victim" being brought from the cloud most expeditiously.

The competition winners were as follows:Ambulance League Competition: Haverfordwest; Elliott Alves Cup: Milford Police; Sir Hughes Thomas Shield: Neyland G. W.R.; Daniel Daniel Cup: Fishguard and Goodwick No.2; Bickerton Edwards Cup: Milford Haven No. I ; Foley Philipps Cup: Milford Haven NO.2.

Cr r y OF CARDIFF CEKTRE

The Ambulance Committee of the Priory on July 26 recorded its keen appreciation of the services of the Commissioner for Cardiff, Dr. Edgar Llewellyn, in connection with the adequate First Aid provisions made at the Royal Agricultural Show in Cardiff from July 5 to 9. Continuous day and night duty was carried out voluntarily during the whole period b, the personnel of the CIty of Cardiff Centre, which was supplemented by volunteers from the Pontypridd County Area and Nursing members of the Glamorgan Branch, British Red Cross Society. Dr. Llewellyn was assisted in his duties as Hon. Surgeon by Divi':iional Surgeons C. A. Bence and W. G. Williams. t\ total of 234 cases were treated, of which 13 were removed in the Prior) ambulance stationed in the ground.

.-'\ pleasing duty fell to the lot of Lady Corps Superintendent Miss V. W. Rees and Ambulance Sister :Miss r. \Y/ oodward, who had the privilege of being in attendance at the laying of the foundation stone for the new Cardiff Central Boys' Club and Hostel, in Cardiff on July 6. Fortunately there were no cases requiring assistance.

BOROUGH OF MERTHYR TYDF1L CENTRE

Display at iVert0'r.-A.R.P. demonstrations are becoming a regular feature of the annual inspection; and a spectacular display iri connection with the inspection of units in the Merthyr Centre was watched by a large crowd assembled at Gellifaelog Football Ground, on Saturday, July 2.

The Commissioner for Wales, a.ccompanied by Lady (Herbert) Lewis, O.B.E. (Assistant Lady Superintendent-in-Chief for Wales), the Hon. Mrs.

J. H. Bruce (Lady Staff Officer for Wales) and the Centre Commissioner (Captain W. J. Canton, LL.B.) inspected the parade of over 300 members of the two Corps. Assistant Commissioner W. H. Jones was subsequently presented with the third bar to his service medal, denoting thirty years' service, by Councillor Lewis Jones, who presented also a number of service medals and service medal bars.

Forthcoming Competitions.-Entries are invited by Mr. Albert Hunt, Bank House, Treharris, for the open competitions to be held at the Ambulance Hall, Treharris, on Saturday, September 17. The Dr. Leigh Challenge Cup (with monetary prizes of £4, £2 lOS. and £1 lOS.) will be competed for by teams of five men holding first aid certificates of any recognised society, while teams of five boys between the ages of II and 18 may compete for the W. D. Glee Cup. Entrance fees of 5S. (senior) and 2S. 6d. (junior) are payable.

Cel1tre Competition Resttlts.-1I..r. Joseph Jones (Chief Constable of Glamorgan), whose valued support of ambulance work has been recognised recently by admission to the Order in the grade of Serving Brother, presided at the annual centre competitions held at Y strad on July 9.

In the premier competition for the Sir Charles Warren Shield, the winning team was Naval Collieries and Penygraig, whose captain (Sergeant W. Newbury) also won the Pryce Evans Rose Bowl awarded to the best captain. Four nursing teams entered for the 11iskin 1-1anor Shield, which "vas secured by Ferndale Nursing Team; and the Lady Lewis Cadet Team won the J. H. Davies Cup. The Commissioner, Captain T. E. Richards, J.P., .i\1.E., welcomed the presence of the Chief Constable.

Il1ter-Colliety CO!JlpetitiollJ.- even teams competed in the twentieth annual competition for employees of the Powell Duifryn Associated Collieries, Ltd. (Rhondda group) held at Penygraig on June 18. 11r. D. Lloyd-Jones, r.LE., presided, and the judges were Dr. J. 11. Wilson and Dr. Edgar Llewellyn. The first team in order of merit was Lewis 11erthyr, who received the Peter Haig Thomas Shield and a wristlet watch for each member, ""hile the 11aerdy team, with the next highest marks, received the George Oliver Cup and a barometer each. The teams and guests were entertained to tea by the Chairman and directors of the Collieries.

NE \VS IN BRIEF

During the first months of I938 the anlbulances operated by the Priory for Wales carried 9,493 cases, involving a total mileage of I 57, 156.

The Association Department at Priory House arranged a total of 746 examinations and re-examinations during the half-year ended June 30, 1938.

247

RAILWAY NEWS

Southern Railway

FIRST AID TE.'\:TBOOK-39TH EDITIOl II

Contributed by E. A. RICHARDS

:tYIembers of the staff will be pleased to know that arrangements are being made for special lectures on the various alterations to the First Aid Text Book to be given by Dr. R. B. Duncan and Dr. A. C. White Knox as under :-

Dr. Dmlcal1-

District 5 Tuesday, September 20 Thursday, September 22 Friday, September 23

3a Tuesday, September 27

3b Friday, September 30

Dr. A. C. lf7hite-Knox-

ourhampton Croydon \\'oking -\shford, Kent Chatham

District -t \\ 'ednesday, eptember 28. Hm'e

Further information may be obtained from the District Secretary, to whom applications for travel facilities should be made.

NE\Y ApPOI::-\T.},fE."'TS

Consequent upon the appointment of 1Ir. F. ...\.. Trott to the position of Welfare and A.R.P. Inspector, attached to the General :Manager's office, it has been necessary for him to resign from the position of District Secretary, Ko. 4a District.

The position thus vacated will be filled by Ir. A. Goddard, Stores Dept., C.:rvI.E. Works, Lancing, to whom all communications should be addressed as from August I, 1938.

This opportunity is taken of thanking 1fr. Trott for the work he has done during his period of office

His successor may be assured of the whole-hearted support of all those who are interested in the movement throughout the District. STATISTICS

The following figures give particulars of the successes gained by members of the staff during the past twelve months, as compared with 1937 :-

etc A very enjoyable evening was spent and concluded with an excellent musical programme.

Mr. Jakeman spoke of his many years' experience in the first aid movement, and urged the younger members of the staff to take up the work. At the close of the proceedings }.tIr. T. W. Bank thanked all those who attended.

\VATERLOO HE.\DQUARTER' STAFF

As a result of the special canvass instituted during the latter part of 1937, large classes were formed at Waterloo for members of the male and female staff.

A wards were presented to 44 ladies by the General 1Ianager at a meeting held in the No. Conference Room recently, and 71 awards were presented to the men's class by 1Ir. G. ElIson, Chief Engineer, in the Staff Dining Club, Waterloo.

In his remarks to the gathering after the presentation of awards, 1ir. Ellson said how pleased he was to know that so many of his own staff had responded to the appeal which was made for recruits. lIe \vas glad to note that out of the 7 I examined no less than 39 were members of the Engineers' Dept. Continuing, he said that those pre,ent did not need any words from him to realise that there never was a time when a knowledge of first aid ,,'as so essential, and he sincerely hoped that those \l;ho qualified at the examinations held last .:\farcJl \\ ould present themselves again for examination next year. 1'.11'. ElIson recalled the time when a team consisting of member'.) of the Headquarters staff had represented the company in the Inter-Raihvay CompetitIOn, and he hoped the time would not be far dIstant when this ,nmld again be possible.

London Midland & Scottish Railway

Contributed by GILBERT S. HILL

A social evening and supper was held on July 15, in connection with the presentation of awards. Seven certificates, one vOLlcher, one medallion and 15 labels were distributed bv 11r. Tavlor, and the function was presided oyer by' Burridge.

IRVTh'E

It is very pleasing to be able to record that the number of awards issued during the past session constitutes a record.

PRESENTATIONS

Dorchester.-The ambulance awards gained during the past year were presented by the Mayor of Dorchester, Mr. W. H. Jewell, at a dinner and smoking concert held at Dorchester recently.

Among those present were Mr. Nicholson (Loco Foreman), Mr. Jakeman (Station Master, Weymouth), Mr. W. Butt (District Ambulance Secretary), etc.,

Mr. Jas. eil, Secretary of the Section, has been awarded first prize in the annual Ambulance Essay Competition, open to all L.1LS. Ambulance Sections in Scotland. The arbiter this year was Dr. James /\. Stephen, and the subject " Tutrition and Physical Fitness, or How to Secure Good Bones, Teeth and Muscles."

DERBY

Among awards distributed on June 22 to members of the Chief Civil Engineer's Class was a long service gold medal and bar to \1r. F. Stevens, who also

obtained a label. The examinations were conducted by Dr. G. E. Kidman and Dr. J. B. Schofield and Mrs. Everard, wife of Mr. H. B. Everard (Derby South District Engineer) distributed the following awards :-I4 certificates, two vouchers, one medallion and 29 labels.

Team Test

Time limit, 18 minutes.

C \RD OF IssTRuCTro".

You five arc taking a short cut across a field to do duty at a Pointto-Point and are now passing an old railway coach used as a camping hut, whcn shouts and screams are heard coming from the hut. The weather is tine and warm. A.ct as you would in real circumstances.

\ our clJuipmem for the duty is already at the Point-to-Point Race ambulance tent z miles further on, and therefore you have no equipment with you.

ST\GING.

Freet or improvise a railwa\' coach, with grass in front and creepers over the coach. This is to be placed diagonally and to one side of competition floor, so that spectators may see both sides. The team is to be led on to gra s.

Team guide to rake surgical hayersack away from team before entering team test room.

Then! be an abundance of gear usually to be found 10 amateur camps-\\'ood from bnxes, towels, dusters, saucepans, kettles, cups, spoons, tea: and should include iodine, sticking plaster, " crubbs" ammonia. \ kettle may be on a Primus stove, cotton won I stuck in spout to represent steam-boiling water; a lar!.!:e can of cold water: large roll cotton wool. The inside of the hut may ha\'e a couple of forms to represent a settee, and a bed and a table: also blankets, pillO\\'s llnd hot water bottles.

A board (A.A. telephone 1 mile) and a bicycle (or offer of one) if asked for, for bearer to ride to telephone. Sign pOSt: Slocum mile, Highton 3 miles.

U-:Jl·RIES

One patient has attempted to strangulate the other with a scarf. Therefore congeste.d and bruising of neck under scarf. In struggle this patient thre,,- a tumbler lU his assailant, inMicting a large facial g'lsh on this second parient. Broken rumbler nn Moor.

Details of Test.

I. Determin ed knock on doOl'. (Xn r"ply)

_. OpL.n the door and enter

3. Discover occupants. and note blcedin fro 11 '\.,n. 2 pcuient

4 ote also 0.0. 1 Idng un the floor

5 1\\'0 bc:uers detailed to each p.uicllt

6. Ask colour of face and lips. (C.m!!,d/l'd.)

7. Character of breathing. (Almolt abJ Iii.) '\1ax. :"\larks

8. \ny attempt at breathing visibLc. (1./ ).. .::

9. Search for cause of lack of breathintr. (f ,lid .rcar!: b,ddl'lJ tllJder shirl, round neck) 2

10. Remove scarf..

I!. Is breathing restOred. (Yes.) 2

12. Encouraging words.. 2

13. Examine neck for further injury

14. Find evidence of bruising. (,\larked.) 2

15. Ask patient what happened. (Star), vf qWl1'rt'i alldfi.ght gillen) 2

16. Why were you attacked? (\ a repl), p.ireJI.) 2

17. Do not persist in qutstionmg

18. i\pply cold water dressing- to neck

19. Examination for further injuries. (Method.)

20. Ask if pain anywhere else. (No.)

21. Ask if any headache. (No )

22. Note black eye

23. Examine both eyes. (No/hing abnormal found.)

24. Apply cold water dressing to eye

Z5. Feel pulse. (Full and rather rapid.)

z6. ote odour of breath. (Smells of whisk;}·.)

27. Temperature of skin. (Normal.)

28. Lift by human stretcher. (Method.)

29. And place on settee

30. Cover warmly and apply hot water bottles; tested

31. Watch carefully for signs of collapse

0. 2 (who is sitting holding a dirty rag to his face and is rather quarrelsome).

32. Very tactful approach. ("He/hod.)

33. Gently remove patient's hand from his face 2

34. Observe bleeding gash

One bearer places broken tumbler in

place 36. Ask character of bleeding. (Bright red. )

If spurting. (Yes.)

Lie patient down 39. Imm&:liate pressure on facial pressure poine 40. Is ha:morrhage controlled. (Yes, if proper!; applied.)

41. Exclude foreign bodies. (1Yone.)

4Z. Ask if any iodine in but. (Yes.)

43. Apply to fingers, wound and skin round

44. Ask for clean handkerchief; produced 2

Exclude pain elsewhere

Confirm by rapid examination for further injuries. 453. Tactful enquiry as to the cause of quarrel. (l\-one foulld.)

TR.""'1SPoRT.

54. Ask patient if he knows where the nearest doCtor liYes. (III !'iI/age about mile aJJ·a)'.)

55. Ask if he has key for A. \. box. (Yes.)

56. for loan of it

57. Ask doctor's name. (Dr. Ollr-Smith.)

58. Bearer goes out and gets cycle

59. Exit to A. phone. (AI"a)' 4 mint/tes.)

60. At -\'.A. box note ambulance 8 miles away

61. Decide not to summon it

6z. Discover doctor's number in phone book (667)

63. Tell nature of accident fully

6+. }\sk him if he will come

65. Say that hut is between Slocum and A.A. box

66. On road Slocum to Highron

6'1. One mile from Slocum

68. Dodor sa)'s (if lIature of 1L'otllld has bem adequotely described) .' " Get rt'ady some u·i/I be along in a couple of minfltes to selv liP the face J1

69' Bearer is re-admitted to team and reports to leader message from doctor J.Yofe.-Dorfor an'h'es -t minlftes ofter bearer.

70. Place clean tablecloth on card table in hut

71. Find large and smail basins

72. Use Qoiling water to sterilise one basin

73. Cover with clean cloth

74. Refill kettle and boil again

75. Get soap and nail bmsh

76. Towels, cotton wool, pail for dirty dre sings

77. Iodine and methylated spirit ready Judge sa)'s .' " Patient Ao. SWIIJ to feel faint."

78. Pour some ammonia and water in tumbler and give him to smell. (Testrd.)

79. Enquire after patient No.2. (All right.)

80. Feel his pulse and enquire. (Good.)

81. Has hxmorrhage recurred. (lVo.) .•

82. Doctor arrives. Offer further assistance

83. Efficiency of team

84. Efficiency of leader

Tr,ansport of Spinal Fractures

(Hammock Cases)

By CAPTAIN HENTON WHITE, M.D., F.R.C.S.E.

Having given several courses of lectures and conducted examinations on the basis of the new textbook, I regret that my experience of the manner in which a full-grown patient with a fracture of the dorsal or lumbar spine is placed on a stretcher has, up to the present, been unfavourable to the new method.

Even old ambulance hands bungle badly, and if I had a fracture of such a nature I should hesitate before allowing myself to be moved by the text-book method.

In the A mer ican Journal of Surgery for June, 1938, a method is described by Edwin E. Siris, and the procedure here advocated is based on his article.

With the patient lying on the back, rolled blankets, as described in the text-book, are placed close to him on a level with the shoulders and pelvis.

With all the help available gently and uniformly roll the patient so that he lies face downwards with the rolls under the shoulders and pelvis.

Bearer No. 1 separates the patient's lower limbs and stands between the thighs, facing the patient's head. He stoops down and clasps the thighs close to the hips getting the forearms well underneath.

Bearer No. 2 stands at the head of the patient facing No.!. The patient's upper limbs are moved away from the body and No. 2 places his hands under the armpits at the same time raising and supporting the patient's head, which is somewhat bent backwards against the bearer's body.

Both bearers now gently lift the patient, the weight of the body keeping the spine extended. The blanket rolls are left on the floor when lifting.

Bearer No. 1 directs No. 2 Bearer to move sideways or as required to get over the stretcher.

Other bearers place the blanket rolls on the stretcher, already prepared as in Fig. 93 of our text-book, and the patient is lowered so that the shoulders and pelvis rest on the rolls.

Extension of the spine is thus maintained during transport.

Overseas Please Note

CHRISTMAS IS C01fING!

The Order's Christmas Card for 1938 will be printed in three different designs and readers will be able to choose from cards issued during the last five years.

The first of these was issued in 1933, showing a naval engagement by the Order's ancient" Navy" .in the Mediterranean.

Last year the interior of the St. John'S Church at Valetta, Malta, was reproduced in colour. On the back of this card is shown a reproduction of the Holy Sepulchre photographed from a model in the :Mllseum at St. John's Gate.

The price of the cards is ten shillings and sixpence per dozen, or they are sold singly at one shilling each. For the information of many readers who like to ha\ e their names and addresses printed on the cards, the additional cost is 2S. 9d. for twelve cards; 3S. for twenty-five cards and 3S. 6d. for fift y card s

Further enquiries should be addressed to the Stores Department, St. John'S Gate.

Western Australia-

GERALD TON

Three years ago Councillor Nancarrow, a Corrushman from Penzance, successfully carried a man with a broken neck for fifty miles through flooded country in his ambulance.

A few weeks ago he undertook the difficult task of transporting an injured passenger from Geraldton to Perth-a distance of 320 miles- by ambulance van. The journey was accomplished over rou g h country, in nine hours, and the patient is now recovering in hospital.

Congratulations I -and Minehead

On Saturday, August 6, members of 11inehead, Somerset, St. John Ambulance Brigade struggled through a mile-long valley a foot deep in mud and water to the rescue of Alfred Stannard, of the Deptford troop of Boy Scouts, who had injured his spine.

Congratulations !

Found in Blackpool

Medallion. Name, Richard Carr, No. 4792. This can be obtained from Ambulance Officer W. W. Briggs, 87, Adelaide Street, Blackpool.

THE CHOICE OF AN AMBULANCE MAY BE a matter of Life and

Death

Choosing an ambulance is a big responsibility. In a case of emergency mechanical failure may prove fatal. An ambulance must never let you down. Absolute reliability and lasting service under all conditions are essential. In the circumstances your choice is easy - your ambulance must be an Austin. Hundreds of hospitals will endorse your decision. The Austin ambulance is safe, fast, comfortable. It is easy to load and unload, easy to clean. Every detail of fitting and equipment has been planned with a thorough knowledge of modern hospital requirements. The Austin ambulance is a first-class ;obdepend upon it.

Every year the number of fatalities resulting from drowning, electric shock and gas poisoning reaches a surprising limit. In the United States it has been estimated from figures compiled by insurance companies that over I2,000 people die annually from such causes. There is little doubt that many of them might have been revived if proper methods of resuscitation had been applied.

It is the purpose of this Paper to bring together the various important manual methods and mechanical devices used in performing artificial respiration, especially in the field. The principles of each will be discussed, and the more important methods will be dealt with in detail.

APPLICATION.

Artificial respiration is applied in all cases where normal breathing has ceased. Some' of the more important cases are drowning, electric shock, asphyxia from poisonous gases, obstruction of air passages, and obstruction of respiratory movements owing to excessive weight on the chest.

In drowning cases, surprisingly little water is found in the lungs. The air in these organs prevents the water reaching any further than the main air passages. This water is readily removed by lifting the patient up under the abdomen and giving him a few smart shakes. The lack of oxygen entering the lungs while the victim is submerged in the water allows an excess of carbon dioxide to accumulate in his blood, and this state of affairs renders him unconscious.

Electric shock cannot be classed as a true asphyxiation. If the electric shock is weak, the person is rendered unconscious, but the breathing is not stopped; if the shock is strong, however, the person is not only rendered unconscious but his breathing ceases as well, due to inhibition of the respiratory centre in the medulla. Exposure to strong electric currents causes instant death from fibrillation ot- the ventricles of the heart. In all cases of electric shock, if the slightest hope of a spark of life remains, artificial respiration should be instantly applied and continued perseveringly for at least four hours. Cases have been revived after nine hours of uninterrupted application of the Schafer method of artificial respiration.

In an atmosphere excessively high in carbon dioxide, gaseous exchange in the lungs is interfered with. The cells of the respiratory centre of the

brain are the first to be seriously affected by this condition of carbon dioxide excess and oxygen lack. The action of the centre is first stimulated but is soon inhibited, and breathing ceases.

Smoke has its destructive effect on respiration in two important ways: (I) The smoky air is nch in carbon monoxide and low in oxygen content.

Exposure to such a medium for e\ en a short time is fataL (2) The smoke contains many minute particles, which are exceedingly irritating to the mucous membrane of the air passages, and stimulate excessive coughing which soon becomes so violent that air is unable to reach the terminal ah coli of the lun gs to produce aeration. This latter effect, coupled ' \\ ith the low oxygen content of a smok y atmosphere, soon brings about asphyxiation of the "\ ictim.

Petroleum vapours bring about asphyxiation in very peculiar ways. Inhalation of these vapours causes headache, dizziness, intoxication, anxsthc: ia, and finally death. In some special cases, the \apours are actually absorbed by the blood and asph:-xiation is due to resulting nervous disorders.

The other important poisonous g ases encountered in industry are hydrogen sulphide and the oxides of nitrogen. Ammonia and sulphur dioxide fumes have serious irritating effects on the mucous membrane, and cause violent coughing which pr e\ ents aeration of the vital sections of the lungs. Such gases as chlorine, bromide, acid and miscellaneous chemical vapours, phosgene gas, hydrochloric acid gas and carbon tetrachloride vapours have an irritating as well as a corrosive action on the walls of the air passages, and greatly reduce the essential aerating areas of the lungs.

The lodging of large pieces of food, false teeth, and the like in the air passages, as well as excessive swelling of the tissues of the throat, as ·in the case of corrosive poisoning, readily bring about asphyxia. Workers in trenches and tunnels are frequently trapped by large weights falling upon their chests hindering their respiratory movements. The respiratory centre is soon seriously affected and breathing stopped.

HISTORICAL SKETCH.

The history of the methods of artificial respiration shows a very interesting development.

In the Old Testament (I Kings, xvii, 17), it is recorded that Elijah restored the breath in a boy.

Uniform by Garrould

Officers and Members buying Uniform will do well to remember that Garroulds haY e been official outfitters _ to the St. John Ambu lance Brigade for nearly thIrty years, and all orders are executed with instant despatch by a "ery up-to-date mail order department.

ffi black crepe-de-chine Ties - l / ll!

ffi white lawn Blouses (O.S. 1 - extra) ivory lap extra)- 5/ 11 12 silk - 12 11 2/-

ffi black patent leather Belt

ffi white or grey fabric Gloves -

ffi black all wool mercerised lisle Stockings - 2f ll!

ffi black Serge Motor Cap 7 9 black gabardine 10/9

ffi four-fold white linen Collars Stiff 2} ins. 9td. Ii ins. 7td. Soft Sizes from I3§ to 18 ins. (over IS} ins. Id. extra)

ffi four-fold linen Belts 1/Sizes 25 to 42 ins.

ffi four-fold linen Cuffs per pair - 10td.

ffi linen finished Sleeves per pair 1/cambric Sleeves per pair 1/ 6

All articles of uniform obtained from Garroulds are bought at original sources-and all garments ate cut and made up under personal , upervision in their own workrooms.

W.2 FOR CUTS, WOUNDS, STRAINS, SCALDS, BRUISES, BURNS.

Price Lists on application. F01' all supplies write: THE UNIVERSAL BUTTON CO., 13,16.17, Surat St. Bethnal Green,E.2 Telephone: Telegrams: Advance 2254 Unibutco, Beth, London. OSTEOLOGY, WALL CHARTS AND ANATOMICAL MODELS FOR LECTURE PURPOSES

BOOKS ON AMBULANCE WORK FIRST AID AND NURSING ' H.

LEWIS f:I Co.

MedicaL PubLishers and BookseLLers

One of the earliest manual methods of which we have record is the Flogellation Method. The victim was laid on his back and the abdomen was struck repeatedly with a long flaiL Around 1773 the popular means of resuscitation from drowning was to place the unfortunate one over a barrel and to roll him back and forth by grasping him around the ankles. At the beginning of the nineteenth century the Trotting Horse Method was in vogue. The apparently drowned was thrown over the back of a horse, which was then made to trot. The rhythmical jarring was supposed to bring about the desired effect. A few years later this odd method was replaced by the Dalrymple Method. The patient was rocked rhythmically from side to side by a long belt, which passed around his chest; the ends of the belt were grasped by two operators who stood on opposite sides of the body. The use of the Flexion technique was adopted towards the middle of the century; the body was alternatively flexed and extended with attempts to imitate expiration and inspiration.

Towards the close of the last century great advances were made in resuscitation technique. The Sylvester Method showed marked improvement over any previous one used. The Marshall Hall and the Howard methods were also developed. The Royal Medico-Chirurgical Society in 1897 appointed a committee, with Professor Schafer at its head, to determine the efficiency of the various methods then in use. It was found that all these methods had the disadvantage that the patient was laid on his back. This position makes difficult the escape of mucus and water from the air passages in the case of drowning and also permits the tongue to fall back and block the throat. Pressure on the lower part of thv chest is likely to cause rupture of the liver which, in the case of asphyxia, is greatly congested. A " prone-pressure" method called the Schafer Method was recommended to replace the former ones.

The latest manual method to be introduced is the Holger Nielson Method, devised by a Danish sports inspector. Like the Schafer Method, the patient here is also in the prone position.

Such mechanical positive pressure devices as the lungmotor and the pulmotor were introduced, and widely advertised throughout the country. On account of the many deaths that resulted from their use, however, they were soon condemned.

Many of the recent advances in artificial respiration are to be attributed to the valuable researches carried out by Drs. Yandell Henderson and Howard W. Haggard, of Yale University. They recommended the administration of mixtures of oxygen and carbon dioxide in proper proportions. The H-H Inhalator was consequently developed and has proved of great value in resuscitation work.

SCHAFER METHOD.

The Schafer Method is the one which is in the greatest use at the present time. Regardless of the cause of the asphyxia, the essential technique is followed in every case. As soon as the patient is brought to safety, prepare him immediately for artificial respiration.

(I) Clear air passages by quickly placing the finger in the mouth and throat of patient to remove foreign bodies, such as food, false teeth, tobacco and gum. If unable to open mouth, pay no attention to it until later-immediately begin artificial respiration. Do not stop to loosen clothes; every moment of delay is serious.

(2) Lay patient face downwards with both arms extended above the head. (Prone position.) Protect his nose and mouth from dust or sand by turning his head to one side, and rest it on his forearm. No pad is placed under the patient as this is liable to cause rupture of the congested liver.

(3) Kneel, straddling patient's hips, or if this is impracticable, place the knees on either side of one thigh, thus holding the patient firmly between the knees. Place hands over lower ribs; fingers are held slightly open and pointed toward shoulders, with tips at lower angles of the scapulre: the thumbs are placed nearly parallel and close to the spine.

(4) Arms must be kept straight and rigid while your body is swung slowly forwards, so that weight is gradually brought to bear straight downwards upon the lower part of the patient's chest. This forces the viscera of the abdomen upwards against the diaphragm, pushing air out of the lungs as in expiration. The above movement is done to the counts 1-2. Violent pressure must be avoided in fear of damaging internal organs.

(5) On the count three quickly relax pressure on the chest, but do not remove hands. Swing back on counts 4-5, and rest on your heels. The elasticity of the ribs allows the chest to expand to its former size. The viscera descend into the abdomen, allowing the diaphragm to descend and air to be drawn into the lungs. Inspiration is thus simulated.

(6) These movements are repeated 12-15 times per minute by a rhythmical swaying forwards and backwards of the body from the knee joints. The body should be relaxed and energy reserved in case artificial respiration must be kept up for several hours. Movements may be timed in accordance with your own deep breathing. The greatest danger is in making movements too rapid. Aim at 14 movements per minute and a good rate will be attained.

(To be continued)

MANUALS OF FIRST-AID, &c.

By N. CORBET FLETCHER, M.B., B.C., M.A. (Cantab.), M.R.C.S.

AIDS TO FIRST-AID.

Seventh Eclition. Price 1L net, post free, h. 2d. First-Aid Simplified and Tabulated, with Aid. to Memory. Col. SIr ] ames Ca'lllie cons,ibutes an ,nt,oductJon and we endorse Ius tood op''''''' of the book. "-LANCIlT.

AIDS TO HOME-NURSING.

Third Edition. Price h. net, post free 11. 2d. Homt-Nunin, Simplified and Tabulated, with Aids to Memory. Tills book U1OtId.eI'fully simplifies a complex subjecl and should be ,ead by all ,t"tU""." -L. & N.W. RLY. GAZETTE. EFFICIENCY IN FIRST-AID.

Third Eclition. Price 11. net, post free, h. 3d. Probleml In Study, Tnatment and Examination aolnd ror Senior lltud ta. "Wultotoi doubt the book will be of great servu;e 'n the t,a,n,ng of IMse for ...,Mm u" dengned."-BRITISH MEDICAL JOURNAL. COMMON ERRORS IN FJRST-AID.

Price 11. net; post free 11. 2d. Erron in Firat-Aid Dltailed and Explained. Til" booll f'ves II ,nsight ,'110 the methods and dIfficultIes of emerten&)' trlfUmM4 by laymen than the officIal Textbook itself."-LANCET.

AMBULANCE COMPETITION TESTS.

(Stretcher, Individual and Question-Six Folders.) Price 6d. each net, post lid. Each. Folder contains special article on Competition :-No. I, Traming of Com· petition Teams; No. 2, of Team In Competition Room; No.3, Commoo Erron 10 Competition; No.4, Further Errors 10 TreatmeDt ; No.6, History 01 Competition Tests; No.6, Preparation of Tests.

WHY AND WHEREFORE IN FIRST-AID. Filth Edition. Pnce 11. net, post free 11. 2d. Dllftc:ultiel In Study and Treatment solyed by Question and Anlwer "W. ccmmen.J til.lS book 10 Lecturers a,u:/ Students who will find .t of groat so",," " -FIRST AID HINTS FOR HOSPITAL ORDERLIES.

Price 6d. net, post free Bd. Orderly Duties Simplified and Tabulated, with Aids to Memory. "if moSI compact brochure consaulS ,,,uch useful Itl/ormat.on."-PRESCIIIIEI.

JOHN BALE, SONS & CURNOW. Ltd. 83-91. Great Titchfield Street, London, W.l

The St. John Ambulance Association.

It. Hi.tory and its Part io the Ambulance Movement. By N. CORBET FLETCHER, M.A., M.B., M R.C.S.

Tit., booA, from COIiet' to COli", IS fuU 0/ '''/Of'mah01l of gre4lul .,.., pm-141fU 10 Wet-YOM ,,.,114 Amb"lar.u MOIJemnU"St. Jobn Bmbu[lIllCe Ga3ettC. Price 3 16 Postage lid. Dwpt. 8 T. J 0 H N • 8 QAT E LON DON, a. C. 1

CLASSIFIED ADVERTISEMENTS.

.AiJjJerli.remmt.r with remittance .rhou!d be .setlllo Ihe SI. John Ambu/aMe Gazelle, 19, Cur.riior Slreet. E.C.4. zd. per word. minimum ;&.

SCENT CARDS AND SACHETS, pnnted with your announce· ments, are splendid money raisers and show 300% profit. Samples free on request.-AIREDALE PRESS. Bradford P ENCILS OF SUPERIOR QUALITY, printed with your Corp! Name and announcement ,;ell easily Sample free.AIREDALE PRESS, Bradford.

SCENT.CARDS (printed).-144 3/9, 500 10/-, 1,000 16/9. Tickets, handbills. Samples free.-" S" TIeEs, 1 I, Oaklands Grove, London, W.12.

A MBULANCES in good condition suitable for cottage hospital or A.R.P. instruction One \ustin another on Delage chassis; both carefully maintain cd £65 and. {..J.O respectively. Write for particulars, COOlllBE BRIDGE SERVICE STATION, KINGSTON By,PASS, S.\\,.20.

MORRIS ONE·TON AMBULANCE. Approx.mileage 14,000. AddItional tip-up stretcher carrier. Enclosed wash basin. Many other extras. Excellent mechanical condition and appearance {60.-KINGSTON HH. L ;\IOTOR \\'ORKS, LTD., Surrey 'Phone: Kingston 335].

EVERYTHING FOR SAFETY EVERYWHERE

• NOVOX' and 'NOVITA' Oxygen + CO, or Oxygen RESUSCITATI NG APPARATUS for the apparently asphyxiated or drowned. SMOKE HELMETS of all Patterns.

• PROTO' & 'SALVUS' OXYGEN BREATHING APPARATUS

'PURETHA' GAS MASKS for Naval, Military and Industrial purposes and for Civilian use.

DUST and SPRAY MASKS and all other and Protective Devices.

SIEBE, GORMAN & 187, WESTMINSTER BRIDGE

mbe iilt. Jobn

OFFICIAL GAS CHARTS

No. Chart shows gas derivations.

No. 2 is a full and complete educational chart of "Typical War Gases."

Everyone taking an "A.R.P." Course should be in possession of these charts which are now available for general issue to all St. John organisations at a nominal fee.

THE JOURNAL OF THE VENERABLE ORDER OF THE

&SONS

THE ST. JOHN AMBULANCE GAZETTE is published 0'1 the 15th of each month. The annual subscription is 31. 6d., post free; single copies 3d Brigade Reports and Photographs should be addressed 10 tbt Editor, at 32, Shoe Lane, E.C.4· Reports and pbotographs should reach him as earlY ;n the month as possible.

Subscriptions and advertisements sbould be fOrJJ/arded to the Publisher: Alesst's. Britisb Periodicals, Ltd., 19, 19a, Ctlrsitor S freet, LondotJ, E.C.4·

indicate that the C( Camp" idea is a popular one and li!-ely to become more so.

There are good reasons for this. Kot only do Brigade Camps allow members of the Brigade to get together and to understand and appreciate each other in an atmosphere which is conducive to good fellowship and good humour but they also enable " headquarters" to make contacts with members who previously have been known to them only by correspondence.

North of England Office:-22. YORK PLACE, LEEDS. Telepbone : 208' Leed.. TelC4rnml : Trien. Leeda "

Editorial

\h' \ isit to \den "-<0. 5 District Camp Down Elstree \Vav I ndiyidual Practicai Test Rossall Camp New Zealand CONTENTS.

Promotion and Appointments

Brigade ews Interesting Case Reports

Questions and Answers

Priory for Wales

Railway News

Cadet News

Annals of the l\mbulance Dcpartmcnt \nother Step FOr\vard \funcial Respiration

CHANCERY OF THE ORDER,

ST. JOHN'S GATE, CLERKENWELL, LONDON, E.Cl.

Brigade Calnps

On another page we publish reports of No. 5 District Camp and Rossall Camp. These reports

A correspondent writes of the Ko. 5 District Camp at Bridlington: "It ,-vas both amusing and heartening to see the Camp at play after the Inspection by 1hjor P. G. Dan-iI-Smith, who was, I belie,-e, delio-hted ,vith e,Terything he saw. Amongst other b 'h amusements there was dancing on the green wit orchestral accompaniment supplied by bandsmen who had donned 'comedy make-ups' for the occasion varying from pyjamas to coats turned inside out. It was obvious to the most casual onlooker that the members of the camp 'were enjoying themselves to the full, and I know that they are already looking fOf\vard to the next one."

Camps, hmvever, do not organise themseh-es. 1Iuch thought and trouble are entailed in their preparation, and in the hundred and one which must be considered and put into effect It the camp is to be a success. The organisers of both the To. 5 District Camp and the Rossall Camp are to be cono-ratulated on the success of th ir efforts which, besides giving a fillip to camp organisation in have provided their members with the best kind ot holiday.

l-.Iore po\.yer to their elbows!

MY VISIT TO ADEN.

Aden was reached on Januar y 29, when the zealous Hon. Secretary and Treasurer of our Association (A. Bhatt, Esq., B.A., A.S.B.St.].) and Lt.-Col. ]. C R. Buchanan, D.S.O., 1LD., the S.}\.1.0.

This was my third official visit to Aden within the past three years, the last having been paid but eight months before, as a result of which an Association Centre had been reconstituted, and it had been decided to re-establish our Brigade there, a decision which I was now to End had already borne good fruit and showed great promise for the future.

My first duty was to call upon H.E. the ActingGovernor, and afterwards upon Mrs. Lawrence, wife of the Chief Justice, who has done much valuable work in regard to our teaching in a community composed of many different nationalities, and where the rules of Purdah make public duty difficult. Fortunately I was able to represent the success which has been achieved in that direction in South Africa and India, where many efficient Moslem Ambulance and Nursing Divisions exist.

I had the pleasure of dining with my friends Mr. and Mrs. Besse, who had but recently returned from Abyssinia, and had, in consequence, much of interest to tell me.

The most stimulative knowledge gleaned during this short visit was that the British lady residents in Aden were now taking up our work seriously, for once such an example is set experience shows that those of other nationalities can be expected to follow suit. One could scarcely expect otherwise in a British Colony, in the work of an Order of which His Majesty the King is the Sovereign Head, and Her Majesty the Queen Commandant-in-Chief of its Nursing Divisions.

I found that the Jew and the Indian are also taking interest in our work and giving useful service, and the "Mixed Class" (i.e. English-speaking nationalities) is showing distinct promise, while the fact that the Arab class alone had a membership of 1 50 indicates the recognition by the Arab of the need for our teaching. Unfortunately we do not yet possess a text-book in Arabic, but one is now in process of translation at Aden which will overcome this difficulty, and be useful also in East Africa. Aden is a free port, and as a consequence possesses

By Colonel J. L. Sleeman, CB., CM.G., CB.E., M.V.O. Chief Commissioner Brigade Overseas

an enormous percentage of motor-cars to it population of 50,000. A a direct result the accident rate is high, and with its great heat and important strategical position there can be few places in which a widespread knowledge of first-aid and home nursing would be of greater value.

The history of our work in Aden is briefly as follows :-A local Branch of the Association was opened there in April, 1926, a Committee being formed, A. Bhatt, Esq., B.A., A .S.B.St.]. , being appointed Hon. Secretary. The ultimate collapse of this effort was unquestionably due to his going to London for his law examinations- a classic illustration of how the enthusiasm, or the apathy, of an individual can make or mar a great humanitarian cause. On my way to India in 1936 I had approached H.E. the Governor of Aden regarding the possibiEty

of re-establishing our work there. As a consequence H.E. most kindly called a meeting at Government House on March 19, 1937, which he presided over, and suggested that the Aden Branch be re-established. This was unanimously agreed to, and an Executive Committee formed to which H.E. the Governor, Lt.-Colonel Sir Bernard R Reill y, K.CM.G., CLE., O.B.E., honoured the Order by becoming President and Chairman, and A. Bhatt, Esq., B.A., A.S.B.St.]., Hon. Secretarv.

On my return visit to Aden on my way back from Hong Kong on April 21, 1937, admirable arrangements were made by H.E. the Governor for me to meet a representative meeting at Government House, at which I gave an address and stressed the essential need for ambulance service. As a result of the efforts of all concerned, no less than 368 persons applied for enrolment in our classes: 145 Englishspeaking, 145 Arabs, 55 Indian (Gujarati) and 23 Indian ( rdu). Later five other classes for first-aid were formed (two English, one , \rabic, one G ujarati, and one Urdu), and a further two classes (one English and the other Arabic) at Tawahi. 1\11 those members of the medical profession who helped with the instruction most generously refused to accept any fee for this valuable service.

ince then the names of 2+ English-speaking ladie have been registered for a course of first-aid and home nurslng.

The impression made by this, my third official visit to Aden, was that there is an a wakening interes t in ambulance service, and that those who help appreciate the value to humanity in general of such teaching. This is fortunate, for Aden is a vital strategic point of Empire, and its adequate protection against aerial bombardment must include a widespread knowledge of first-aid teaching amon g its population.

At midnight our ship left Aden for East Africa.

The Grand Priory Church of the Venerable Order of St. John of Jerusalem

October 2. Eve of the Festival of The Blessed Gerard. (Sunday) Southern Area Brigade Church Parade, 3.3 0 p.m. Preacher: Rev. B. S. Lombard, Sub-Chaplain of the Order.

October 3. Holy Communion at 8,30 a.m. (Monday)

No. 5 District Camp

Friday, August 5, was the da y fixed for the Inspection of the No 5 District personnel attending the Annual Brigade Camp at Bridlington, but unfortunately a heavy thunderstorm necessitated its postponement until the following morning.

Major P. G. Darvil-Smith, CB.E., the Brigade Secretary, accompanied by [vIr. H. J. Wrigglesworth (Assistant Secretary), took the Inspection at 10 a.n;l. on Saturday, August 6. Prior to taking the salute, he witnessed a very impressive and well carried out ceremony of the parading of the Brigade Standard.

The parade consisted of some 500 officers, N.CO.s and privates under the command of Assistant Commissioner H. C. Else. It was formed in line and presented an extremely smart appearance. Two Brigade bands were in attendance.

The parade marched past in column of and the way in which they kept their formatlOn was excellent. On reaching a given point they formed into column of route and, headed by the bands, marched into the town under the command of Assistant Commissioner G. Armstrong. On their return they were formed up on the parade ground and addressed by the In specting Officer and the Camp Commandant.

:Major P. G. Darvil-Smith says: cc The greatej't credit ref/ects upon the Calllp COll/lllandant and his Staff on the admirable 1C1)I-out of the Camp and arrangements for its variom services. The cookiJ/g arrangemel1ts n'ere excellent and the rations iSJl(ed l"ood and generous. The sanitaJY arrangeJ)JeJ1ts ]J Je re llelY .rotisfactor),- The Camp kitchen merits praiJ'e-it l1'a.r u'e// .1 Tanged and eqttipped and the food well cooked. The abllltion arrangements lJJere provided for in a marquee tellt n'ith JJ'ater supply laid 011 and proper soakaulays. The l'OriollS establishments, e g. , OfJicers' and J.\ "-.C .O. s' Jlesses, Store Tellt, Canteen, Order/.)' RoolII , Hospital Tmt, Caard Tent, etc., lliere well arranged and e.f!icient!J1 rim. The discipline on parade and OJ] dllty }lias most marked, and a spirit of Iqyalty and good fellowship existed throlfghollt the Camp."

The following constituted the Camp Staff:Camp Commissioner H. C Else. econd in Command.-A sistam Commissioner G. Armstrong.

Principal 1.fedical Officer.- Di trict urge on T. A. C Sweetnam.

Adjutaot.-District Officer G. E. Hardy. Quartermaster.- Di,' isional uperintendent 1Iargen son

\.ide-de-Camp.-As istant Commissioner 1(. H. Beverley.

Officer-In-Charge 1Ie .-District Officer W. Sullo

Officer-In-Charge Canteen.-District Officer C. W. Jenkinson.

Officer-in-Charge Record .-Am bulance Officer Buxton.

-

DOWN WAY

Behind the Scenes with Joe Cross man

Associate C01lJmander of The Order of St. john: District Staff Officer, 1\"'0. I (Prince of rr'a/es) Di.rtrict SI.J._i.B.

By t h e E d i tor

(Continued)

(C Now, I had begun to tell you that the cameras turned on the morning of Monday, February 10, 1936, on our first A.R.P. film," said Joe, continuing his story.

The first scene to be played was the Refuge Room, and the chief players were District Officer Charlie Bowers, his wife and daughter. District Officer Bowers was in uniform, of course, and his part of the proceedings was to describe the composition of the room and what it should contain. He also had to demonstrate the sealing of the windows and the covering of the window-panes by brown paper being pasted upon them.

This part of the scene went off like clockwork, but suddenly there appeared a snag, because, after the room had been described, it was desired to show a family-mother, father and little girl-seated therein. The mother occupied the child's attention by reading to her out of a book while they both sat on a settee, and the father was to be seen playing a game of patience with a pack of cards on a little table. But, alas I-no father had been provided! Emergency measures were brought into play at once, and Joe called for one of the electricians (who happened to be in excess of the number required at the moment) to play this part.

The electrician sat down and Joe went behind the camera to survey the scene through the lens. He gave one ejaculation, which, interpreted, really was an advertisement for anybody's soap: "You should have seen the colour of that fellow's hands! " said Joe.

\XTell, anyhow, by the time joe's final comments had passed into history, much soap had been procured, and, although it was entirely against regulations, our electrician "actor" proceeded to endeavour to remove the dirt from his hands with the aid of the water in a fire bucket. This should have passed off unnoticed, but the eagle eye of Charlie, the fireman, caught sight of the act of vandalism and then there was another hold-up.

" You see," said Joe, "even small-part actors get temperamental! "

After this little episode, the electrician returned to the set. As I have already said, his job was to sit at a table playing a game of patience with a pack of

cards. The scene was eventuallv taken most successfully, and the playing cards the only sufferers they were well and truly ruined I

Now came the change-over, which, in film parlance, really means moving from one set to another, and the next scene to be taken was a short continuity shot showing an Ambulance team lined up preparatory, to donning protective clothing and gas-masks.

The team was a very smart one which had been provided by Charlie Bowers, and, having been in the studio for a considerable time that morning, they had somewhat contracted the disease known as "camera hogging," which to the uninitiated could mean anything, but to Joe it meant that each member of the team had decided that he was not going to allow the camera to miss him!

However, Joe thought discretion the better part of valour and started to carryon with the scene. What he wanted the team to do was to carry out tht: movements of donning protective clothing and gasmasks as if they were on parade and there was no camera in front of them, but with all the good will in the world, some of them could not help looking at the camera.

Mter a number of efforts, however, they eventually got a very good scene, and then the team of Ambulance men made way for two Ambulance Sisters who, in a similar way, were going to demonstrate putting on protective clothing. "Strange as it may seem," says Joe, "the girls did not look into the camera. They fixed their gaze on me! This I encouraged them to do because, between you and me, they were a couple of very good-lookers! They were also chosen by Charlie Bowers, and, in my opinion, 1f ever Charlie was called upon to adjudicate at a beauty contest, he would prove a very capable judge! "

The shot of the two Ambulance Sisters was excellent, and then came the all-important scene or f1lming the making of an air-lock. For this purpose, a section of a house showing the front door, part of the downstairs front room and the passage-way had been specially erected, so that when the front dOOI' was opened it led into a rather spacious hallway Of passage identically the same as that required for the making of an air-lock. At the far end it had a door. One of the Nursing Sisters was instructed to walk

from the front door through the passage and open the door at the end. This movement was to give the audience the sense of depth.

This part of the film safely " in the can," the next two actors in this important scene were called. They were a Corporal and a Private of one of the Divisions of No. I District. They looked very smart, and in their spick and span uniforms they reflected much credit on their Division.

"Now," said Joe, "I want you, Corporal, to get hold of that pair of steps over there and place them near the door so that you can mount them and fix this roll of blanket to the front door. The Private will hand it up to you."

Now, all this seemed yery concise and simple, but 10 and behold, the Corporal walked across the studio floor to perform his task of carrying the steps, and in his anxiety to do this in the quickest space of time, he unfortunately failed to notice a pair of brand new steps which were there and seized upon the first pair that came into his path. They happened to be a pair of old studio steps that had done service on many paint slap-dashing occasions, but such experiences as this pair of steps had been through meant nothing to our immaculately dressed Corporal! He seized the steps and came forward wi th them. He placed them in position, and as he turned round, a loud but sad wail came from Joe-the Corporal's uniform had received its baptism of studio dust and grime!

This was only part of the comedy because, by this time, the Private had picked up the roll of blanket (\vhich was in reality noi e-resisting felt) and had succeeded in smothering himself with the brown fluff for which this class of felt is famous.

"However," continued Joe, "we all had a jolly good laugh, the property men got to work with brushes and a little turpentine, and once again our Corporal and Private were the spick and span men of the Brigade. A new pair of steps and also some proper blanket material were provided, and the making of the air-lock scene proceeded on its way calm and peaceful."

The remaining scene of o. I were taken without af1Y incident to mar them. "But of course," Joe went on, " I have still to tell you about our famous commentator-the .L\ssistant urgeon-in-Chief, Dr. Bentall.

" You will recollect that in between each scene we had to ( mix' to Dr. Bentall in order to allow him to address a number of main points of instruction to the audience direct. This necessitated not only having to record his voice but also to photograph him."

Dr. Bentall spent many hours at the studios for this. purpose, his presence being required on a number ot different days.

Despite the fact that he is one of the busiest OfI1cers of the Brigade, he arranged to go to Elstree whenever Joe wanted him, and on morning sessions, Dr. Bentall had to leave his home by 6 a.m. in order to be at the studio at 9.30.

(To be cOIl/inued.)

Individual Practical T est

Time limit, 15 minutes. Warning at 10 minutes. OFFICER OR :'\[E\rBER-I:-.i-CHARGE. TO TEST.

This afternoon you have an appointment with your dentist, who is also a doctor and your Divisional Surgeon. \V'hen you call on him, you arc told by -the page that St. is out and that he asks you to wait as he will be back In a few mmutes. \t this moment you arc sitting in thc waiting-room and hear thl: page whistling in the surgery. If you hear a cry or any peculIar sound, act as you sec fit.

ACTIO"'! OF Tr:ST.

The competitor is instructed to knock at the front The page promptly opens it, apologises "'fr. St. Jom: IS out for a few minutes and conducts the compemor to the waltLng-room, where the card of" Introduction to Test" is gh en to the competitor. The boy then goes into the surgery, where he keeps on whistling. Sitting down in the dental chair, he picks up the mask of the gas apparatus and places it on his face. Then he gives a groan; and, when he sees the competitor approach, he goes off into a of convulsions, during which he strikes his right forearm vlOlently on (and leayes it in contact with) the gas apparatus.

When the competitor reaches the chair the page still, closes his eyes and holds his breath as long as he can m of being asphyxiated. The boy, if properly treated, recO'l""ers In three minutes.

STAGING OF TEST.

Arrange set as house '\vith dental surgery and waiting-room and with front door, on which place name-" 11r. John St. John, L.D ."' Dental Surgeon." A surgical hayersack and blanket are placed In corner of surgery.

The page (who should be young. and slight) has ?is forearm (at junction of middle and lower thirds) strapped With pieces of cork to represent simple fracture of both bones. o one else is in house. Eight minutes after test starts, howe,"er, the dentist's mechanic comes in for lunch; and just before the test ends, the dentist arrives to receive the report and take charge of the patient.

Details of Test

hnrEDIATE ACTIO".

Forthwith remO\"e gas mask from face .\nd turn off tap of gas apparatus ..' \sk colour of face (Bluish); if breathing 0.) Test if conscious by speech and touch: ( \0. )

Test pulse at wrist. (T-cr)' weak.) Skin. " (Co/d.)

Quickly examine .for of blood. ("\ 0111'.) •• >\.nd notice peculiar posmon of forearm ext examine forearm: do not expose \nd di cover Simple Fracture of Forearm

Forthwith decide on artificial respiration \nd postpone treatment of fracrured forearm

Call loudly for help. ( Yo rupOIm.) Repeat

OF \RTIFICI \L RESPIRATIO".

\fethod of remo'''ing boy from dental chair

\X ith special attention to right forearm

\nd of placing face do,,"o\'\-ards on floot

Head ro side, upper 11mb- fullY extended

Do not wait to loosen boy's clothing

Kneel at side O[ across the patient

Place hands O\"cr patient's lower

Thumbs nearly parallel, and close to. SplnC

Fingers slightly ?pcn and. tOwards houlder,;

Keeping upper hmbs and ngld

Lean forward, slo\dy applYing pressure

DO"'nwards on lower pan of che

Draw back somewhat more rapidly

But do not \\ ithdraw hands from body "\Jtcmatc mo\ement 12 to 15 per minu[c

Rhythmic swaying for,\'ard and backward

FURTHER CTTO"! WITH Boy.

Encouraging \\"ords \vhen boy consciou\,'arn him to lie perfcctly quiet

\X hile equipment is being disconred \sk bo\' if in pain. (Ri i!.hi jon'arm ollb'·) \nd if -he is liable to fits. (c"rtaill{J' lI ot.)

2. 2. Z

Keeping control of fractUred forearm

Now assist boy to roll on his back

Loosen elothes; quickly wrap in blanket

:Method of examination. For injurie elsewhere.

FURTHER TREAT'lIE 'T OF Boy.

\Vithout removing patient's coat

Place forearm at right-angle to arm

Thumb upwards and palm to\vard body

Two splints on inner and outer side

From elbow to fingers: protect hand

Apply bandage round both splints

One immediately above fracture: (he other

As figure-8 round wrist and hand

Support limb in lat'ge ann sling

GiYe sips of water: ask if comfortable

Proper' use of ser"ices of mechanic

Yalue of report given to dentist

QtTESTIO:-; TO OFFICER.

l\-alJlc thi' possible effects of a Srald.

Effects rna, be mere reddening of skin

Blisters may be fonned; or (he deeper (issues

Of bod\' may be charred and blackened

The clothing may adhere to the burnt skin

And its removal may be impossible

\'{ ithout further detriment to

The great dangers are shock and epsis

On Saturday, the 27th ultimo, the Officers' Fraternal held the first Summer Meeting arranged by the Fraternal since its formation about nine years ago.

The meeting, which was attended by 80 officers and friends, took the form of a motor coach excursion to Alnwick and, by the kind permission of His Grace the Duke of Northumberland, included a conducted tour of the Castle and gardens,

A pleasing feature of the meeting was the presence of a number of local officers of the British Red Cross Society who had been invited to join the party as guests of the Fraternal.

Those present included: County Officer G. R. Curry (representing the County Commissioner, Mr. Stanley Embleton); Lady County Officer Miss Whitford; Corps Superintendent R. W. Copeland, Corps Superintendent T. R. Midgley, and Corps Officer Wm. Nixon, respectively Chairman, Honorary Secretary and Honorary Treasurer of the Fraternal; and Mr. R. H. C. Coates, Assistant County Director British Red Cross Society.

Rossall Camp

By MRS. E., A. TWEEDALE, C.B.E., A.R.R.C., J.P.

The Camp of Instruction held at Rossall School, Fleetwood, under the auspices of The Order of St. John for officers and members of the Brigade and V.A.D., was held from July 30 to August 6

The tion of this and previous camps entails much work which is carried out, some months beforehand, by the Lady Superintendent-in-Chief.

There were 166 in camp, including four district officers, five trained nurses and 65 officers of various ranks from D istricts I, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9 and Ireland.

Lady Perrott, R.R.C., the Lady Superintendent-inChief, honoured the camp by her presence from Saturday until Monday.

The Camp Commandant was Mrs. Tweedale, C. B .E ., A .R.R. C., with Miss Blandford (Ireland), Miss Mawby, M. B .E. (Northampton), and Miss Harvey (Spalding) as assistants; Mrs. Petter Bayley, Q A.I.N.S., as matron, assisted by Sister White in the hospital wards; Miss Sutcliffe, A.R.R. " as Adjutant, assisted by Mrs. Beverley, who was in charge of swimming parties; Captain Newsome, R .A.1-LC., attended each day to lecture on Military Sanitation; Miss Brophy (T ,ondon University) gave the cookery lectures.

On Sunday over 100 attended the Holy Communion service at 8 a.m. in the beautiful school chapel, the celebrant being the Bishop of Lancaster. In the afternoon a Drumhead Service was held on the foreshore at Fleetwood. The Nurses were conveyed to Fleetwood by three special trams; here they were joined by members from Fleetwood, Blackpool, Thornton and Preston. Headed by the Fleetwood British Legion Band, they marched to the Foreshore. The service was taken by the Vicar of Fleetwood, the Rev. G. Stanton. The collection for the St. John Ophthalmic Hospitalin Jerusalem amounted to £2.0.

Monday morning the work began. Lectures in the hospital wards and operating theatre on Nursing, etc.; in the school on Air Raid Precautions, Military Sanitation and Cookery, with practical demonstrations in the up-to-date kitchens of the schooL

In the evenings whist drives, concerts and a fancy dress dance were all thoroughly enj oyed. We were fortunate in having lovely weather all the week, and the camp was a very happy one.

The announcement that permission had been given to hold the camp at Rossall again next year was received with cheers.

Friday morning the camp was inspected by Col. C. J. Trimble, C.B., C.M.G ., accompanied by the Deputy Mayor of Fleetwood, Col. Trist, D 0., Major Bampfield, Captain Petters Bayley, R.A.M.C., Captain S. Newsome, R.A.M.C., Captain Rawlings, R.A.M.C., and Mrs. Rawlings, the Rev. G. Stanton, W . H. Gastale, Esq., B.Sc., Superintendent Dyer and Miss Cuff

Thirty-two passed for Cookery, 49 for Military Sanitation and 64 sat for the various grades of Air Raid Precautions.

The concessions granted by the Mayor and Town Council at Fleetwood allowing our members at halfprice to all the foreshore amenities was much appreciated.

264

NEW ZEALAND Esk "Talley Floods

Report from District Officer R. S. Munro, Wellington District, New Zealand, Brigade Overseas.

Herewith my report on the work of the St. John Ambulance units following the disastrous flooding of the Esk Valley during the week-end, April 23 to 25.

On Friday, 29th, as soon as the water had subsided sufficiently, Miss K. Matthews, a member of the Napier Nursing Division, conceived the idea of broadcasting an appeal for assistance from the citizens of Napier and the surrounding areas to go into the Esk Valley on the Saturday and Sunday to dig the silt out of the houses and thus enable the settlers to retrieve some of their household goods.

Unfortunately she worked out her plan and broadcast without having first established some local committee. Personally I had no knowledge of the scheme until 9.30 p.m. on the Friday night, when she called on me for assistance from the Napier Division, both for shovel work and also to provide First Aid attention for the working parties, and such residents of Esk Valley who asked for our assistance.

The general response to the appeal was o\'crwhelming, and with a little organisation the work was started. Miss Matthews deserves great credit for her work and enthusiasm, for even when a Citizens' Committee was formed and took over the work, she was still to the fore in the organisation.

From Saturday, April 30, to Saturday, May 14, the Napier Division provided men and the necessary equipment for First Aid attention to both working parties and settlers. Ambulance Headquarters were established in the Eskdale School, and on the Saturday afternoons and all day Sundays patrols were sent out with all the working parties. The whole Division did wonderful work, and although their work was done sometimes in rain and always in slush and mud, I never heard one man complain. The prestiae of St. John in the community has been adyanced by the efforts they put forth.

On Wednesday, May 4, an aeroplane carrying food to the settlers in the Pakuratahi Valley crashed, and an appeal was broadcast by the police for assistance in bringing the men out. I immediately offered stores, stretchers and men to the Inspector of Police Napier. I was referred to the doctor who ,-va' undertaking the trip and was informed bv him that he would take only one man and the' necessary dressings, but no stretchers, as he proposed to improvise stretchers on the ground. \X'hen I went back to Divisional Headquarters there were many

" long faces," and I was compelled to draw the name of one out of a hat so that there should be no dispute as to who was to go. It occurred to me however that the doctor might change his mind in'the night: so I had two stretchers prepared, besides the necessary dressings, and the following men were to be at the ?octor's residence at 6 a.m. the following morning 10 case of need: Corporals C. West, B. Blair and Privates W. Whitley and C. Munro. At 11.30 p.m. on Wednesday night the doctor rang me and told me that he had changed his mind, and I was glad to be able to tell him that both men and equipment would be waiting for him in the morning.

After a long and arduous journey of nine miles over rough and boggy country they their and, with the assistance of settlers, got the Injured men back to the Napier Hospital. They set out at 6 a.m. and did not return until 4.30 p.m. Unfortunately Private Whitley has suffered since the trip with a very bad septic hand and arm as a result of scratches received on the trip.

I was very gratified when the doctor rang me up and thanked me, on behalf of the Division for the great job the members of the party had

My own time was occupied during the period under review by the organising and oversight of the Ambulance Headquarters and patrols, and also, at the request of the 1-fayor of Napier, I undertook, in company with .Major Searle, of the Salvation Army the visiting ?f every house in u:e flood area, investig;ting the requuements of the reSIdents as to food, clothina and bedding. It was impos ible for any vehicle to work in the area affected, and we w'alked miles through mud, water and slush often up to our knees.

While the ..£\mbulance Di\Tision \va actiYe in the field, the Nursing Division, under 1-frs. Corne, did wonderful work in collecting and sorting clothing, and other comforts for sufferers, and I want to testify to the good work they did in this connection.

In conclusion, I want to place on record the loyal and active support of all rank , and the • prompt and efficient way in which all call' for were attended to. A' deep impression has been created in the public mind a, to the value of the t. John Ambulance Brigad and I hope that in the future we will be able to count on a larger mea ure of support than has been ours in the past.

The Grand Priory in the British Realm of the Venerable Order of the Hospital of St. John of Jerusalem

His Majesty The King has been graciously pleased to sanction the following Promotions in, and Appointments to, the Venerable Order of the Hospital of St. John of Jerusalem.

FOR PROiIIOTION TO THE GRADE OF BAILIFF GRAND CROSS.

The Earl of Plymouth, P.C. (from Knight of Justice).

FOR PROMOTION TO THE GRADE OF DAME GRAND CROSS.

The Countess of Onslow, CB.E., A.RRC. (from Dame of Justice).

FOR PRmlOTION TO THE GRADE OF KNIGHT.

Leslie Winter Dryland, M.R.C.S., LRC.P., D.P.R. (from Commander).

FOR PROMOTIO]'l; TO THE GRADE OF DAME.

Cicely Mary, Lady Wilkinson (from Officer).

FOR ADMISSION IN THE GRADE OF CHAPLAI:-:1 A."'D AS SUB-PRELATE.

The Rt. Rev. John Russell Darbyshire, Archibishop of Cape Town.

FOR PROMOTION TO THE GRADE OF COMMANDER (BROTHER).

Alfred Gelsthorpe Osborn, M.B. (from Officer) (since deceased).

Colonel George Charles Edward Simpson, O.RE., T.D., F.R.C.S. (from Serving Brother).

FOR TO THE GRADE OF OFFICER (BROTHER).

Brigadier William Bradley Gosset Barne, C.RE., D.S.O. (from Serving Brother)

FOR ADMISSION IN THE GRADE OF OFFICER (BROTHER).

Ernest Asthury.

Frank Bilton.

Ernest Kumar Rosher and Henry Wendon (on appointment as Personal Esquires to Mr. F. E. Rosher).

Harry Mark Palmer, M.RC.S., L.RCP. (on appomtment as Personal E,;qULre to Lieut.-Colonel C. B. Palmer).

The Hon. Philip William Bryce Lever (on appointment as Personal Esquire to Lord DavidLeverhulme) McAdam Eccles (on appointment as Personal Esquire to The Viscount Dawson of Peon). Captain Robert Davis.

FOR ADMISSION IN THE GRADE OF OFFICER (SISTER).

Mrs. Genevieve Gbislaine Marthe King. Mrs. Emma Jane Bilton. Mrs. Edith Alice Darlington.

FOR ADMISSION H\ THE GRADE OF SERVING BROTHER.

Corfield, M.D.

Walter jubb, LR.CP. & S.

Beaumont.

FOR ADMISSIOX THE GRADE OF SER\'IXG SISTER. Miss Florence Emma Gregory.

Agnes Elizabeth Unthank, M.RE.

:VIrs. Esther Ann Sugden. Mrs. Jessie Windle.

?1m. Victoria Laverty. :lliss Josephine Emily Beaumont. Alice Marian Benham, M.D.

COMMANDERY IN SOUTHERN AFRICA.

FOR ADMISSION IN THE GRADE OF COMMAt-.DER (SISTEK).

Anne Elizabeth, Lady Clark.

FOR ADl'IlISSlON IN THE GRADE OF OFFICER (BROfHEH).

Major Laurence Holbech, O.B.E., D.S.O., M.C.

COMMANDERY IN NEW ZEALAND.

FOR ADMISSlON THE GRADE OF OFFICER (BROTHER)

Donald Eadie Brown, II1.B.E., M.B.

FOR AD1\lISSlOX IN THE GRADE OF SERVING BROTHER.

Richard Alexander Wall. ruchard ruder Wakely.

INDIA. FOR PROMOTIOX TO THE GRADE OF COMMANDER (SISTEk).

Miss Norah Hill, A.R.R.C. (from Officer).

FOR ADMISSION IN THE GRADE OF OFFICER (BROTHER)

Lieut.·Colonel William Ross Stewart, C.I.E., M.D., F.R.C.s., 1.M.S.

Colonel Hugh Stott, O.RE., M.D., F.R.C.P., D.P.H., 1.M.S.

KENYA.

FOR PROMOTION TO THE GRADE OF COMMANDER (BROTHER).

Richard Charles Alexander Cavendish (from Officer).

FOR ADMISSION IN THE GRADE OF COMMANDER (ISTEk).

Opal Mary, Lady Brooke-Popham.

FOR PROMOTION TO THE GRADE OF (BROTHER)

john Grant Leslie (from Serving Brother). john Ambrose Carman, M.D. (from Serving Brother)

FOR ADMISSIOX IX THE GRADE OF OFFICER (BROTHER).

Brigadier.General Sir Godfrey Dean Rhodes, C.B.E., D.S.O., R.E. (Rtd.).

Arthur Mortimer Champion, C.M.G.

FOR ADM1SSIOX I!'. THE GRADE OF OFFICER

Mrs. Margaret Barbara Duncan Ca\,cnd.i,h.

FOR ADMISSIOX It, THE GRADE OF SERVI:,\G BROTHER.

Charles Augustus Christian.

Captain Ernest Knightly Catchpole.

Francis William Vinl, M.D.

Captain Robert Pairman Comlack, M.R, D.P.H

David Hicks Genower, M.B.E.

FOR ADMISSIO:'\ 1:,\ THE GRADE OF SISTER :1m. Agnes josephine Brown.

Mrs. Mary Sproul Leslie.

Miss Mina lsabella Rhind.

L'GANDA.

FOR PROMOTIOl\ TO THE GRADE OF COMMANDER (BROTHER).

The Hon William Henry Kauntze, CM.G., lYLB.E., M.D. (from Officer).

FOR ADMISSION It-.' THE GRADE OF SERVINGWROTHER

joshua Mukasa Naluma.

Maliko Lwanga.

Lauraeston Sharp.

TANGANYIKA.

FOR ADMISSlO]'I; IN THE loRADE OF SER\ [:-IG BROTHER.

Major Frederick Alan Benson Nicoll, O.B.E.

NEW SOUTH WALES.

FOR PROMOTION TO THE GRADE OF OFFICER (BROTHER).

John Araluen Kennedy, M.B. (from Serving Brother).

FOR ADMISSION IN THE GRADE OF OFFICER (BROTHER). Professor Harvey Sutton.

FOR PROMOTION TO THE GRADE OF OFFICER (SISTEH).

Miss Sibyl Caridwen Bevan, M.B. (froIU Serving Sister).

Miss Susallnah Hennessy O'Reilly, M.B. (from Serving Sister).

FOR ADMISSION THE OF SERVINC, BROTHEI{.

james !\1urpby.

Dr. Clarellce Archibald Mitchf'll Francis Liddell, 1\1.B. William Hall. joseph Hughes.

Dr. William Brodie Grant.

Dr. Salvatore Umberto Gentile.

Dr. Leonard May.

Dr. William Wood.

Dr. Charles Firth Pettinger.

FOR ADMISSION IN THE CR \OE OF SERVING SISTER.

Mrs. Grace Emily Munro.

The St. John Ambulance

Brigade News

No. (PRINCE OF WALES) DISTRICT

Hendon Parish Church was the scene of an interesting ceremony when the vicar and rural dean of Hendon (the Rev. N. R. Boyd) conducted the inauguration and dedication service of the Hendon (89) Nursing Division.

The nurses occupied the front pews with their Mrs. E. Thwaites.

. Among those present were Lady District Superintendent Miss Walker, District Staff Officer G. C. Green, Lady District Officer Miss Cherry, District Officer Hart, Corps Superintendent Jackson, Lady uperintendent Mrs. Jackson, Lady Superintendent Mrs. Higgins, Lady Superintendent Mrs. Sutton, Lady Ambulance Officers :Miss Workman, 1iss \X'erner and 1iss Raymond, 1iss Courtney, Dr. and .Mrs. R. Lovell, .Mr. 1.\. J. Thwaites.

The Rural Dean based his in piring address on the parable of the Good Samantan, and especially on the phrase « Go thou and do likewise." There were, he said, special yocations to which God did call men; among them the medical profession and the nursing profession. There was a great lack of r:urses and he hoped more and more people would teel a call to thi work.

After the address the nurses left their seats and walked two by two to the chancel steps, where the\" knelt while the Rural Dean performed the of inauguration and dedication.

At the close of the service, refreshments were in the chool Hall. I,ady District SuperIntendent fiss \'X'alker gave a most interesting address on the aims and work of the Order of t. John.

lvIr. Thwaites presented to the an efficiency cup to be competed for among the members. Thwaites responded and thanked the various officers for the help they had given, and all who had assisted in the arrangements.

Irs. Evans ga,-e a short speech on behalf of the members, saying how much they appreciated all that had been done and how their Member-in-Charge had endeared herself to all of them.

_It is announced that the new headquarters building ot the Tottenham and Edmonton Division at Claremont Street, Edmonton, will be opened on October 15 by the Chief Commissioner of the Brigade Overseas (Colonel J. L. Sleeman).

* .f;: ;I:

We deeply regret to have to record the sudden death of Superintendent E. J. W. Dexter, of the Staines Division.

One of the best knO\vn and respected residents of the town, Superintendent Dexter ,vas associated with

many local organisations. For 3 years he was a member of the Staines Fire Brigade; had been on the Management Committee of Staines Hospital, was a member of the Methodist Church, to name only a few of the many interests in which he exerted valuable and influence for good. On the evening before his death he attended an A.R.P. instructional meeting.

Superintendent Dexter's work for the Brigade over a number of years was widely appreciated and he will be greatly missed.

The funeral was attended by representatives of every organisation in the town, the Brigade beIng represented by the Commissioner (Captain W. Goodley, O.B.E., 11. C.), District Staff Officer W. Roust, District Officer Claridge, District Officer F. E. Stratton, and officers and members of Divisions in the Western Area.

Sergeants 'X'. Watson, C. Tavlor and E. and Corporal A. Hodder, of Staines Division, acted as bearers. On the way to and from the church the cortege passed a guard of honour formed by members of the Staines, Feltham, Surbiton, Twickenham and Richmond Divisions, and fifty Brigade members followed the mourners.

The interment was preceded by a senrl.ce at the .0.-Iethodist Church, the Rev. John Bowles and Dr. W. H. Flecker (Vicar of St. Peter's) officiating.

Amongst the of floral tributes were a number from various units of the Brigade includinob one from the Prince of \Vales's District.

No. 2 DISTRICT OF OXFORD) WOOD TaCK DIY! IO:K'

The question of the liability for charges in accidents where ambulances are required has been satisfactorilv settled bv the Count" Council of recently.

At a conference held between the Standino- Committee and representatives of several t. John b Ambu _ lance Divisions, two Urban Councils and two Ambulance Committees, it ,vas agreed that:

(0) Ambulance authorities will send their ambulances to any part of the County.

(b) The Standing Joint Co;nm.ittee will make a contribution to any Ambulance uthority who prmrcs that work has been done in connection with road accidents and that every effort has been made to collect charges but that' a 10, ha' been sustained.

1 IrNEIIL \.D

The Annual Flag Day of the ..\Iinehead Division was held recently and resulted in the record sum of

£14 2 being collected. This amount was £14 more than the previous year, which was also a record.

The organisation was again in the capable hands of Mrs. G. H. Hawkins, wife of the Divisional Transport Officer and Treasurer, and its success speaks well for her ability.

The population of the district covered is normally about 25,000, and the gratifying result of the Flag Day indicates how much the public appreciate the voluntary services given by the Division.

The Committee are very grateful to Mrs. Hawkins and her helpers for their hard work, and congratulate them on the success of their efforts.

No. 2 DISTRICT (COUNTY OF HAMPSHIRE) FARNBOROUGH

The Annual Inspection of the Ambulance Division took place Farnborough on Saturday,

No. 4 (LANCASHIRE) DISTRICT

The annual review and inspection of No. I Area, No. IV (Lancs.) District took place in the Park at Barrowford, Saturday, August 20. The inspecting officer was Col. C. J. Trimble, CB., C.M.G., Inspecting Officer on the Staff of the Chief Commissioner. The parade, which numbered nearly 600, was commanded by Assistant Commissioner Dr. Clegg, with Assistant Commissioner Major McKenzie in charge of the Nursing units, and Divisional Superintendent J. Holt as Adjutant. Mrs. Tweedale, CB.E., A.R.R.C., Lady District Superintendent, inspected the Nursing personnel.

Among those accompanying the Inspecting Officer were Col. W. B. Cockhill, Commissioner for Cumberland and Westmorland; Lieut.-Colonel W. Chaloner, Commissioner for Cheshire; Assistant Commissioner W. G. Pape, Staff Officer to the Chief Commissioner;

August 6, on the Royal Aircraft Establishment Sports Ground, kindly loaned to the Division for the occasion.

The Inspecting Officer was Lieut.-Colonel C L. Dunn (Assistant Commissioner for the Northern Area of Hampshire). With him were Corps Superintendent J. W. Clifford and Corps Officer A. R. Morley (Hon. Secretary to the Northern Area).

The number of members on parade was nineteen, consisting of the Division Surgeon (Dr. G. Seeker Walker), Divisional Superintendent L. Clifford, and seventeen N.C.O.s and men.

After the Inspection and March Past two teams were set practical first-aid work, which they carried out in a highly efficient and expeditious manner.

Lieut.-Colonel C. L. Dunn then addressed the members of the Division and said that he was very pleased to see such an excellent turn out, and that their work had been even more efficiently performed than at the previous Inspection.

2.68

Assistant Commissioner W. H. Gastall, taff Officer to the Inspecting Officer; the Hon. Rachel KayShuttleworth; Miss Clegg; Mr. S. Holden, President of the Barrowford Division, and Councillor J. Duckworth, President of the CoIne Corps. After the inspection, competitions were held which resulted as follows :-Men: I, Brierfield; 2, Crawshawbooth; 3, Nelson. Women: I, Rawtenstall; 2, Burnley " A "; 3, Accrington. The staff and guests were kindly entertained to tea by Mr. Holden, and among those present were several founder members of the Barrowford Division.

LIVERPOOL.

The Liverpool Corps Officers' less annual dinner will take place at the Bears Paw Restaurant, Lord Street, Liverpool, on Saturday, October 22, 1938. Reception 6.30 p.m. Dinner 7 p.m. prompt, followed by an informal dance until 11.45 p.m. Application for tickets to be made on or before October 15 to

Superintendent T. Armitage, Honorary Secretary, 19, Meadowside, :Moreton, \X1irral.

ROCllE (ROCHD \LE)

About fifty members of the Roche (Rochdale) Division and their friends attended a dinner at the Tudor Cafe recently, at which the Divisional Surgeon (Dr. J. Gilchrist, M.B., Ch.B.) presented a five-year bar and a blood transfusion certificate to Superintendent R. Dixon, and a five-year bar to Superintendent W. C Denyer (Reserve List), in addition to

have been successful in gaining First-Aid Certificates. This excellent result must be gratifying to Dr. R. R. M. Porter, who held the lectures, and to the Lady Corps Superintendent (Miss G. Webster Brown), who, ably assisted by the officers and members of both "A" and "B» 1 ursing Divisions, gave practical instruction.

Classes for the Home ursing Certificate are now being held by Dr. Helen W. Duncan and Dr. Sybil Richards, and a further course of instruction in antlgas will be given in St. John Hall in the autumn.

A.sist. Comm \\'. George Pape, Licur.-Colonel \\'. Chaloner. tanding: Di,"isional Superintendent i \. Hoh, District Officer Gastell, :\liss Clegg, Lady Distric[ up£.;\ (rs. Twcedale, the Hon. Rachel :Kay-Shuttleworth, J.P., Councillor Duckwonh and Supt. \'.;'. Heap

10 Home Nut ing, I I First Aid and five A.R.P. certificates to other members.

Later, Lady District Officer 1rs. WI. Tweedale, C.B .E., J.P., spoke words of encouragement to the members of the Division, and gave a brief resume of the commencement of the Order of t. John.

The remainder of the evening was spent in dancing, and at the conclusion a vote of thanks was extended to Mr. Leach, the Divisional Secretary, for organi ' ing the function.

SOUTlIPORT

In connection with the A.R.P. Au..xiliary Reserve, St. John Ambulance Corps, outhport, 92. volunteers

In the two l\ur ing Divisions four A.R.P. Grade Certificates and t\velve Grade 2. Certificates ha\-e alread,' been a"warded; the re t of the members hold the • Certificate.

The scheme which i in hand for a new ambulance i receiving generous support from the people of outhport, who much appreciate the work which the Corps i , doing.

PLEETWOOD

The Fleetwood Fish j\[erchants' hield and Competition for Boy Cadet will be held on aturda\October 29. Entry forms and particular can obtained from Ambulance Officer J. P. Tho!1llson, J. P., 80, Milton treet, FIe twood, Lanes.

No. 5 DISTRICT (\VEST RIDING OF YORKSHIRE) (SOUTHERN AREA)

POKTEFRACT

Two hundred and eighty senior members and 74 Cadets of the Pontefract Corps of the St. John Ambulance Brigade attended the traditional drumhead service held by their Chaplain, the Rev. A. E. Duckett (Rector of Hemsworth), in the Castle grounds, Pontefract, a few weeks ago.

Corps Superintendent T. C Amery, who had charge of the parade, gratefully acknowledged the help which, he said, the Mayor (Councillor G. Wright, J.P.) and the Corporation of Pontefract always gave to ambulance work.

'XTelcoming the visiting Corps, the Mayor said he thought Pontefract a fitting place for the event, for the town, by reason of its staple industry, and the large amount of traffic passing by, was always in need of the services of the Brigade. The neverending work of ambulance men had come to be looked upon as one of the essential services of the country; few peoole realised that it was rendered without material gain or reward. The voluntary services in this country were responsible for our being one of the foremost nations of the world, and ambulance men did their share, irrespective of personal sacrifice. There was no nobler work than the relief of suffering. Ambulance men now had a new duty in connection with Air-Raid Precautions work, and the Mayor new the energy they were devoting to their task, although it was to be hoped that their services would never be needed. The Corporation, concluded the Mayor, were always willing to give what help they could to ambulance work.

Before the service closed, District Surgeon Sweetnam presented to Sergeant \\- H. Dixon, of Pontefract, the Royal Naval Sick Berth Auxiliary medal, for 12 years' efficient service; and a Brigade medal for 15 years' efficient service.

o. 8 (DUKE OF CONNAUGHT'S) DISTRICT

DEAL AND WALMER

The first inspection of the newly formed Cadet Division of the Deal and Walmer Nursing Division was held a few weeks ago. The Inspecting Officer (Lady District Officer Miss H. May) expressed her satisfaction with the Cadets and their work, and said she hoped they would eventually transfer to the adult Nursing Division.

Ambulance Sister Mrs. M. Thwaites and Ambulance Sister Miss M. Windsor passed their examinations

270

recently for appointment of Lady Cadet Superintendent and Lady Cadet Officer respectively.

AYLESHAl\f

The new headquarters of the Snowden Colliery Division were opened recently by County Surgeon Captain J. R. Hammerton, R.A.M.C (T.), M.B.B.S., M.R.CS., in the Colliery Welfare Ground, Aylesham.

The Rev. A. E. O. Anderson, B.A., A.K.C, of St. Peter's, conducted the dedication service, which was followed by the presentation of the 1938 awards in the Jubilee Hall.

No. 9 DISTRICT EXETER

On Sunday, July 24, the Chief Commissioner (Major-General Sir John Duncan, K.CB., eM.G., ev.o., D.S.O.) paid his first official visit to Devon, when he and Lady Perrott (Lady Superintendent-inChief) inspected the Ambulance, Nursing and Cadet Divisions of the County at Exeter.

Among those present at the inspection were the Right Worshipful the :Mayor of Exeter and the Mayoress (Mr. and Mrs. E. J. Rew), who attended in their official capacity, Mrs. Orchard (the wife of the City Sheriff), the Mayor'S Chaplain, the Sheriff's Chaplain and the Town Clerk. J\pologies for absence were received from the Sheriff, Lord Fortescue, Lord Mildmay of Flete, the Bishop of Exeter and Lord Mamhead.

About 1,200 members of the Brigade were on parade under the command of the County Commissioner (Mr. H. J. Vick). A special feature was, the Surgeon's Division under Dr. forton Palmer the A.R.P. Staff Officer for the County.

The Inspection was preceded by a short service conducted by the Mayor'S Chaplain, the Rev. J. H. Freemen, assisted by the Sheriff's Chaplain (Canon E. F. Hall).

While the Chief Commissioner was inspecting the Ambulance Divisions, Lady Perrott, accompanied by her Staff Officer, Mrs. J.eonard, inspected the Nursing and Cadet Divisions.

At the conclusion of the Inspection, Major-General Sir John Duncan and Lady Perrott took the salute at the march past of the parade.

In his address which followed, the Chief Commissioner described the parade as " a heartening sight indeed."

That the " for the good of humanity," he said, was not mere empty words was shown by the fact that last year the Brigade dealt with 688,000 cases of accident and sudden illness. When he

became Chief Commissioner six years ago the figure was something over 400,000, and he felt someone must have added a nought-the total seemed too big to be true.

Speaking of the work of the Brigade, Sir John said that it was carried out in such a quiet way that he felt the public did not always realise the scope of that work or the self-sacrifice that it entailed. To join the Brigade and undertake the work of first aid was to shoulder a big responsibility, for unless first aid was efficiently rendered it might do more harm than good. From what he had heard and seen he was confident that the Brigade as a whole was thoroughly efficient and justified the trust reposed in it by the public.

After commenting on the further responsibilities assumed by the Brigade in connection with A.R.P., Sir John concluded his address by thanking the units for their splendid service and for their example to other countries. "I am proud," he said, "to have such efficient units under my control."

REDRUTH

Members of the Redruth Ambulance, Nursing and Cadet Divisions were on duty during the Redruth Carnival week, when the streets were thronged with

thousands of visitors. Ambulance men who lined the route of the procession treated several minor casualties in a highly efficient manner, and their presence and assistance were greatly appreciated by the public.

We are pleased to record the appointment of Private K. R. Whittaker as Cadet Superintendent in succession to Cadet Superintendent C V. Holland, who has been placed on the Reserve, and to note that the Redruth Cadet Division is proving a worthy " nursery" to the senior Division.

We congratulate Privates F. Goldsworthy and A. Tippett-two of the youngest members of the Redruth Division-on their heroism in going to the rescue of a drowning man at Porthdown beach (a seaside resort near Redruth) recently.

After great difficulty they succeeded in bringing the victim ashore, where artificial respiration was immediately applied. After an hour and a quarter the bather regained consciousness and was removed to the hospital in the Redruth Ambulance car.

The rescue by these two members of the Redruth Division is particularly meritorious because their transfer from the Cadets to the senior Division took place only a short while ago.

Surgeons' Dinner & Week-end Coderence

THE Annual Dinner and Week-end Conference of Surgeons of all ranks (including those holding executive posts) in the Brigade in England, Wales and Ireland will be held on October 15 and 16 at the Great Central Hotel, London. The cost of tickets for the Dinner and for meals and sleeping accommodation throughout the Conference will be 30s., or for the Dinner only lOs. 6d. per person.

Final arrangements have not yet been made, but we are able to announce that the Address of Welcome will be given by the Chief Commissioner at 2 p.m. on the Saturday afternoon, and that this will be followed by the Report of the Surgeon-in-Chief and by talks on some aspects of Air Raid Precautions.

The Dinner will commence at 7 p.m., the Reception being at 6.30 p.m., and a special welcome awaits personal friends, both ladies and gentlemen. A number of influential guests are being invited.

Should any Surgeons and their guests so desire, an opportunity will be given for a Tour of Inspection of St. John's Gate after tea on Saturday afternoon.

The Conference will be continued next day with morning and afternoon sessions. Subjects to be discussed include the Revised Textbook, Aids to Teaching, Competitions from various aspects, A.R.P. in relation to Borough and County Councils, etc. At about 4 p.m., the District and County Surgeons will hold their annual meeting.

The Surgeon-in-Chief desires again to emphasise that Surgeons , unable to attend the whole Conference, will be welcomed at any session or part thereof, as opportunity allows and that these will be called upon to pay only for meals as required. He does, however, ask that all Surgeons should endeavour to be present at the Annual Dinner.

Further details may be obtamed from the County Surgeons, or, failing this, from the Surgeon-in-Chief, at St. John's Gate.

Interesting Case Reports

CASE REpORT No. 143 .-In addition to certificates and awards for first aid work the L.N .E.R. has a special meritorious award which is only given in exceptional cases and is the highest honour that any employee of the company can win for ambulance work During the year ended September 30, 1937, only one case had been adjudged worthy of this award, and it was handed over to the two men concerned by Mr. T. O. Mein (the company's representative on St. John Ambulance Association) at a special ceremony in the Board Room at Liverpool Street Station, London, on March 10 last The recipients were Frederick Albert Wootton and James Wesley Hancock, both of Hitchin.

The service which has won for them this exceptional award occurred on December II, 1936, when the steam crane in use on a trader's private siding ran off the track into a deep hole and its driver was trapped under the boiler. Whilst he was being released Messrs. Wootton and Hancock, both employed in the Company's Locomotive Department at Hitchin, descended into the hole, which was full of escaping steam and scalding water from the boiler of the crane, and at great risk to themselves diverted the steam and water from the body of the unfortunate crane driver. Under the directions of a medical man who was quickly in attendance they administered chloroform to the trapped man and remained in a very precarious position in the pit until the man was released. In a report on the incident the medical officer said, " I feel that the assistance given was most brave under dreadful circumstances.» In view of the exceptional circumstances the. L.N .E.R. Ambulance Committee decided that this special meritorious award be given to each of these two men.

COMMENT.-To render ejJicient first aid in safe surroundings requires knowledge and experience, but to render it in circumstances associated with graver risks of personal if!jury demands also pluck and perseverance. We, therefore, would tender cordial congratulations to Messrs. Wootton and Hancock not onl)' on the success which attended their efforts in a serious emergenry but also on the fact that their action won for them the meritorious award of the L.N.E. Railway.

Questions and Answers

A CASE FOR DIAGNOSIS

E. R. (Willesden).-May I trespass on your time and space to ask your opinion of the following incident? While out walking the other day I heard a shout from a passer-by and looked round to see

27 2

a young woman lying on her back with her arms outstretched in the middle of the pavement. I went to her and found her pulse quick but quite strong. There was so much artificial colouring on her cheeks and lips that I could not tell how pale she was, but I did not get any idea of real pallor from the rest of her face I tried to look at her eyes but they were so tightly closed that without force I could not have seen the pupils (I did not force them). Then I tried to raise her head a little but her neck was so rigid that I could not do so without more force. I loosened some moderately tight clothes and bathed her face, but could get no response from her. I saw her swallow but otherwise she remained quite motionless and stiff. Presently a policeman arrived and after forcing her eyes open pronounced it to be a " fit " and declaimed against the foolish people who had not sent for an ambulance sooner. However the ambulance which had been phoned for soon arrived; and the ambulance attendants looked at her and said " Heat stroke.» By this time her still tightly shut eyes had quivered a bit and the policeman got her on to a chair. Her head dropped forward and it was then impossible to raise it that way on account of the ter sion. My own private opinion was that there was an element of hysteria about it, but I do wonder if the policeman or the ambulance attendant were right and I wrong.

Further, I wonder if the policeman was correct in his remarks about" Idiots who had not sent for the ambulance at once." When I first saw her I did not get an impression of any serious condition which would last so long (about 25 minutes). I rather expected her to get up and go on her way any minute. Should one send for an ambulance at once in similar circumstances and could I have done anything more effective than I did? I thank you in anticipation of your kind ruling and advice.

On )'our statement offacts, 1 am persuaded that )'0/1,suspicions were fulfy justified,. and in vie1v of the strong pttlse, the rigid back and neck muscles, the tight(y closed eyelids and (to some extent) the prolongation of the attack:.

I am of the opinion that the condition was in reality a fit. In these circumstances you are fitlfy justified in delaying the summoning of the ambulance and il1 leaving the decision to the policeman lvho, as the representative of the law, takes charge of the emergenry. Incidentalfy 1 am puzzled to kn01v the policeman placed the patient Oil a chair I- N. C. F.

TIIE VALUE OF C01-1PETITIO S

D. S. (Minehead). The value of Competitions IS well illustrated by the following ;-

The Card of instruction for the Minehead Division's. competition for the Luttrell Cup in 1937 read as follows: "You are on duty at your Ambulance

Station at I p.m. on a daJ"k night when you receive a call to proceed to a lonely spot on Exmoor where a young lad meets you and conducts you across fields by the light of a flash lamp to where his brother has met with an accident." One of the supposed injuries was a fractured spine

On Friday, August 5, at 10 p.m., a telephone message was received by the Transport Officer of the Minehead Division stating that a Rover Scout from Deptford who was camping in the vicinity had met with a spinal injury near Tarr Steps, a loneiy spot on Exmoor, in the BarIe Valley Four members of the Division immediately set off in one of the ?-viotor Ambulances with splint boards and full equipment and proceeded to Tarr Steps, a distance of 18 miles. Here they were met by some Scouts with hurricane lanterns who directed them to the scene of the accident about a mile away. The bearers had to travel over a rough track along the River Barle, which was in flood, there having been a severe thunderstorm that day, the track lay through mud, water, and rocks, and was very slippery, the members frequently getting " bogged" owing to the darkness and insufficient light.

On arrival at the camp the members found a Rover cout had slipped on a rock, falling on his spine, and lid into the water from which his pals had pulled him out.

The Ambulance men immediately applied first-aid treatment and loaded the patient on the stretcher in the prone position, strapping him on with bandages; they then commenced the long trek back to the motor ambulance with lanterns to guide them. Owing to the slippery nature of the ground the bearers had to proceed very slowly, especially across Tarr Steps, which are very narrow and slippery, and a missed foothold may have plunged them all into the flooded river. The stretcher party with patient returned safely to the motor ambulance soon after midnight, when the patient was speedily transported to the Minehead Hospital, arriving at I a.m.

The test case might almost have been a rehearsal for the actual occurrence.

It is not the first (and it ll iIllJot be the last) time thai a carefulfy planned cOlI/petitioll test has anticipated, ill i t s essential detaiLr, an actual em ergency. Trtlth to tell, sllch tests are most valllable 11Jhm thry reproduce a cOlI/billatioll of probable cirClflJlstmlce.r and are based ot! factJ. For this reason doctors find it easier to Ivork liP tests 011 cases actuallY treated fry thelllselveJ- than to give play to their imaginatiom as to ,vhat llIf.ght cOflceivab{y happel/. 111 other lvordr, the old ClY for realiJIII in competitions applies 170t onfy to the realistic stagillg of the tests but also to the realistic presentation of the fact.r connect ed 11/t'th the place of the emergency, the patient (or patients) aJJd the iljl/red

parts. In the present instance it onlY remains for us to tender cordial congratulations to these members of the lvlinehead Division on yet another splendid piece of work done in exceptionallY difficult circumstances.-N. C. F. TREATMENT OF CALCIUM CARBIDE POISONING H. W. (Birmingham).-Your reply to the question as to the treatment of a person who has ingested some Calcium Carbide, in THE GAZETTE for August, 1938, is rather difficult to follow. You mention the administration of alcohol or glycerine as substances which will enable the Calcium Carbide to be removed from the stomach without its being given an opportunity to evolve acetylene, and further on you state that the free administration of brandy or whisky can be justified on the instructions of the Textbook with reference to Prussic Acid Poisoning.

I take it that you cannot mean that the first-aider is justified in administering these liquids in cases of ingestion of Calcium Carbide; and I would point out that the evolution of acetylene which occurs when either brandy or whisky comes in contact with Calcium Carbide is just as profuse as it would be if water were poured on Calcium Carbide. The amount of water in whisky or brandy is quite enou g h to combine fully with considerable quantities of Calcium Carbide. I assume that when you mentioned " alcohol" you meant absolute alcohol. The amount of water in absolute alcohol is very small indeed, and not only that but it is so strongly chemically combined with the alcohol that it cannot exert its usual affinit y for Calcium Carbide, and therefore there is no evolution of acetylene when absolute alcohol and Calcium Carbide are brought into contact.

In the case of a pure glycerine also there is no evolution of acetylene when it is poured on Calcium Carbide; there is, however, a very slight and very slow evolution of acetylene when a cheap crude glycerine is used, this being because a lot of these crude specimens contain some free water. In actual practice this would not matter, the gas is given off with such extreme slowness that it is hardly obvious, and moreover the bubbles which are evolved are trapped in the viscous glycerine and consequently take a very long time to become free.

It is interesting to note that a piece of Calcium Carbide which has been soaked in glycerine and is afterwards immersed in water is only very slowly attacked by the water, and that there is no sudden evolution of gas such as occurs when untreated Calcium Carbide is dropped into water, bur only a very slow bubbling with most of the bubbles remaining adherent to the Carbide. this feeble attempt at bubbling does not occur immediately but only after a latent period of minutes This observation rather suggests that in dealing with an individual \\ ho had ingested Calcium Carbide, \yater might safely be used for washing out the stomach content via an evacuating tube after preliminary (Cofltilllied 01/ page 276 )

273

Priory for Wales

Headquarters: Priory House, 4 Cathedral Rd. , Cardiff

GENERAL INTEREST

AMBULANCE COMPETITIONS AT R OYAL NATIONAL EISTEDDFOD

There were record entries for the Ambulance Competitions which featured. in the programme of the National Eisteddfod which attracted thousands of people to Cardiff during August Bank Holiday week. The contests took place during the first three days and the following are the results :-

Monday, August

Lady Lewis Cup (open to. male teams) won by Brecknockshire Police, followed by Pontypool and Kenfig Hill.

Lady Bute Cup (open to female teams) won by Ffaldau Institute and Garw, followed by Llanelly Nursing and Abergele (B.R.C.S.).

The Cardiff City (S. J .A.B .) team was in the A R P. Competition, with the Kenng Hill (S.J.A.B.) and Glam 70 (B.R C.S.) secon d and third respectively.

The trophies and prizes were. presented by Lady (Herbert) Lewis, O. B .E. Lady Superintendent-in-Chief for Wales), and S1r J ohn Rowlands, C. B

Tuesday, August 2

Trevethin Shield (open to male teams In Wales and Mon ) won by Glamorgan Police, followed .by Monmouthshire Police and Swansea Borough Police respectively.

Silurian Shield (open to female teams 1n Wales and Mon.) won by Ogmore Vale, followed by Llanelly and Ffaldau Institute and Garw.

The trophies and prizes were presented by the Lord Sempill, J.P., D.L.

Wednesday, August 3 _.

Gwent Shield (open to teams ot guls In Wales and Mon ) won by Briton Ferry (S.J.A.B.), followed by Duffryn Aman and Kenfig Hill S.J.A.B. Cadet teams.

Isca Shield (open to teams of boys in Wales and Mon.) won by Duffryn Aman, followed by T.reharris and Kenfig Hill (all S.J.A.B. teams) respectively .

The Lord Mayor of Cardiff (Alderman O. C. Purnell, J.P.) presented the Gwent Shield and Mrs. Edgar Llewellyn the medals? while the Duffryn Aman team received the Isca ShIeld at the hands of the donor, Mr. R. Wilson Bartlett, J.P., F S.A.A., whose wife presented the medals.

The work of adjudication was carried out by

Major A. W. Anderson, I\LB , Ch.B. (Ogmore Vale), D r. S. McCormac (Newport), Dr. S. B. Turner (Bargoed), Dr. Tudor Williams (Cilfynydd), Dr. E. Lewys-Lloyd (Dolgelley), Dr. G. Pari Huws (Old Colwyn), Dr. A. M. Robertson Dr. J. Prosser Davies (Hengoed), Dr. G. S. Phillips (Gwauncae-Gurwen), D r. W. G. Williams (Cardiff), I?r. c. A. Bence (Cardiff), Dr. E. D. Owen (Neath), Miss M. D avies (Matron, Cardiff Royal Infirmary), Dr. T. Wallace (Cardiff) and D r. S. G. Budd (Newcastle Emlyn).

Credit is due to the Chairman of the Ambulance Committee, Dr. Edgar Llewellyn (Commissioner for Cardiff), for the successful working of the arrangements.

The First Aid Hut in the grounds was staffed during the whole period by personnel of the Brigade and Nursing members of the B.R.C.S. The Surgeonin-Chief for Wales (Dr. D. Rocyn Jones, C.B.E.) visited the station on several occasions; and 71 cases received treatment during the course of the week.

BRIGADE CAMPS AT BARRY ISLAND

The Priory's application for the use of the Glamorgan T.A. Association. Hutments at Point, Barry Island, for a Holiday and Instn;ctlOn.al Camp for V.A.D. and Nursing members was agaIn favourably considered; and it is a matter for regret that a greater number did not take advar:tage of the facilities kindly afforded. The follOWIng report, however, contributed by the Camp Secretary (Lady Divisional Superintendent Miss E. Harries) indicates that the Camp was a great success :-

" A very happy time was spent by 27 members of Nursing Divisions and 31 Cadets at Barry Island from July 30 to August 6. Except for occasional thunderstorms, the weather was kind, and everyone was able to bathe daily.

"Each morning the Nursing members received invaluable instruction in Practical Nursing from Lady County Officer Miss E. A. (Matron of Gelligaer Hospital), who devoted her holiday from hospital to act as Assistant Commandant and Matron of the Camp. She gave excellent lectures and demonstrations in bed-making for special diseases; taking and charting of temperatures; of ear, nose, throat and eye; Thomas s splint; padding of splints; injections, etc. Competitions in several of the above were held at the end of the week. Sixteen Nurses entered for the bed-making

competition, thirteen for padding of splints and ten for charting of temperatures in specific diseases. Revisionary lectures in A.R.P. were given by Miss Evelyn Harries, the Camp Secretary.

"The Cadets received swimming instruction each day and a series of lessons in 'Knowledge of the Order' from Miss Harries, while Sergeant-Major Sherwin gave them a course of Physical Training. At subsequent tests held in both subjects, 14 Cadets gained certificates in physical training and 10 in 'Knowledge of the Order,' both certificates contribu6ng towards their Grand Prior's Badge.

"The evenings were spent in various waysimpromptu concerts revealing distinct talent; and a fancy dress parade produced astonishing results.

Lady Lewis, O.B.E., the Assistant Lady Superintendent-in-Chief for Wales, kindly joined the Camp for dinner on Sunday, and other visitors included the Principal Secretary, the Hon. John H. Bruce, and Miss V. Lovett. A Uniform Inspection of Nurses and Cadets was held on Friday.

"The outstanding success of the Camp was due to the very capable leadership of the Commandant (Mrs. S. B. Turner), who worked assiduously for the good of ali, and who was ably assisted by the ;\ssistant Commandant (Miss Gravenor.)"

CE NTRE RE P ORTS

Vaynol, the seat of Sir :Michael Assheton-Smith, Bart., Commissioner for Caernarvonshire, was the attractive venue for the annual inspection by the Commissioner for Wales (the Hon. John H. Bruce) and the Centre Competition for the Lord Penrhyn Cup for which four teams competed from Portdinorwic, Penrhyn Quarry, Cynfi (Deiniolen) and Caernarvonshire Police team (Pwllheli Division).

The Judges were Dr. \\!iJliams, of Harlech, who Judged the oral; Dr. G. P. \\1illiams, of Holyhead, the individual practical; and Dr. Pari Huws, of Old Colwyn, the team test.

The Caernarvonshire Police (PwlJheli Division), captained by onstable \\'. J. Edwards, won thc cup with 336 points. Portdinorwic were second with 301, Cynfi third with 255} and Penrhyn Quarry fourth with 223}.

In the absence of the Lady President (Lady Pc nrhyn) , the cup ,va presented by Princes!:> Kazamjit ingh of Kapurthala, who with her husband, tbe Princc, was a guest at Vaynol.

The lIon. J. II. Bruce was accompanied in his inspection by the Commissioner, Mr. Edward WiJliams (Chief Constable of Caernan' onshire), \ssistant County Commissioner; Captain II. \'\ E. DIckey, County Officer, who was in command; M1'. WI. T. Davies, ] Ion. Centre ecretary; lnspector G. Roberts, Hon. Treasurer; Dr. Parry Pritchard (County I\fedical OfEcer of llealth) and Major Jackson. The parade included Caernan on, Comvay, Llandudno, UanduclJ1() Junction, Llysfean, Penrnaenmawr, Penrhyn Quarry and Vaynol Brigade Divisions and Nursing Units from Llanberis and

Llanrug. The CynE Band played during the afternoon.

In announcing the results, the Hon. J. H. Bruce complimented the Centre on the progress made since the Inspection last year.

C.-\RMARTHENSHIRE CENTRE

County Commissioner E. D. Jones and Lady County Superintendent Mrs. Llewelyn carried out the annual inspection of the Amman Valley Corps at Garnant School on July 23. Divisions represented were those from Llandebie, Tycroes, Ammanford, Glanamman, Garnant and Brynamman; and the salute was taken by Mrs. Llewelyn, who was accompanied by Dr. Herbert (Ammanford).

Addressing the assembly, Commissioner E. D. J ones stressed the necessity on the part of First Aid workers to respond to the appeal for Casualty Volunteers under the A.R.P. Scheme.

After the Inspection the visitors were entertained to tea by members of the Garnant Division and a number of presentations were made.

The presentation to the Colwyn Bay Di,-ision of a mobile miniature hospital by a local lady and gentleman ,"vhose names have not been disclosed took place on July 21 in the grounds of the Town Hall, where the newly established Division paraded for the Erst time in their new uniforms for inspection by the Chief Constable of Denbighshire (1fr. G. T. Guest), who is Assistant Commissioner for the County. The Chief Constable referred to the presence of the Hon. Kathleen mith (Commandant of the Denbigh 12 (Cohvyn Bay) V.A.D.) and of Alderman Thomas E. Purdy (Chairman of the local Voluntary Ambulance Corps) as symbolic of the good feeling existing behveen the three Ambulance Vnits in the town.

The Mayor (Alderman Robert Howard), to whom the mobile unit, which had been built locallv to the design of Divisional Superintendent P. \XT 'Lumley, had preyiously been handed by the anonymous donors, thanked them for their generosity on behalf of the town and, after opening the hospital, handed the key to the Chief Constable as representing the Priory for \V'ales. There follo\\-eci an impressive dedication seryice by the 11ayor's chaplain (the Jenkyn Jones), after which the Chief Constable gave the custody of the key to Dr. G. Pari Hm'l,-s (Diyi ional Surgeon) and Superintendent P. Lumle,-. Dr. Pari Huws said the unit \vould be im-aluable' for the treatment of people ,,-hose illnesses or injuries were not serious enough to require hospital treatment.

A dinner followed at the Central Hotel, where it wa announced that the Division was to ha,re Alderman T. E. Purdy, "who presided, as its hIst Pr sident, "Messrs. F. HO\vard utcliffe and r. \\'. Tippett as Vice-Presidents, and the Rev. jenb-n J ones as Chaplain. The Divisional p.lt. F. \x: 1Iorrell) submitted a report on the strength and efficiency awards in Fir t ..< \id and the number of public duties carried out. Dr. Pari Huws said the \vork accomplished during the year

had been to his entire satisfaction. The men were keen and they gave of their time, ability and money ungrudgingly. Superintendent Lumley referred to the aims of the Division and praised the men on the big part they had played in the success achieved in the first year of its history. He thanked the British Legion Club for the free use of rooms as headquarters.

COUNTY CENTRE

Lieut.-Colonel C G. Cole-Hamilton, CM.G., D.S.O., conducted the annual inspection of the Pontardulais and District Corps, Gower County Area, at Pontardulais Park, on Saturday, August 20. He was accompanied by Assistant Commissioner A. H. Coppage and Lady County Superintendent Mrs. M. Paskin, with Dr. Selwyn Williams and Corps Superintendent W. J. Mainwaring. The parade was in charge of Divisional Superintendent Ben Davies. In the course of his remarks, the Inspecting Officer stressed the importance of A.R.P. training; and the presentations made subsequently included a number of A.R.P. awards, while Service Medals were presented to Divisional Superintendent David Richards and Corps Secretary E. Peters.

MONMOUTHSHlRE CENTRE

The splendid services which have been rendered by the Abergavenny Division since its formation 34 years ago have received a wonderful stimulus by the acquisition of a fine ambulance hall which will provide ample accommodation for drills, lectures and social functions.

The building was officially opened on July 9 by Mrs. Arthur Whitehead, whose generosity in finding most of the purchase money is commemorated by a suitably inscribed plaque affixed on one of the walls in the hall. Grateful references were made to the assistance received from the Priory Architect (Mr. T. E. Smith) and Mr. J. E. Jones, previous owner of the hall, while the Commissioner (Captain S. T. Beard, O.B.E.) congratulated the Abergavenny Division on this realisation of their long-cherished aim. Tributes were paid also by Lady Mather-Jackson, O.B.E., JP. (Lady President, Monmouthshire Centre), the Chairman of the Monmouthshire Centre (Mr. R. Wilson Bartlett, JP., F.S.A.A.), the Mayor of Abergavenny (Councillor E. J. Shapley), Divisional Surgeon Dr. G. W. Parry and Brigadier-General J B. G. Tulloch, CB., CM.G. The Assistant Commissioner for Monmouthshire (Captain L. Twiston Davies, O.B.E., J.P., D.L., F.S.A.), appealed for the development of the Nursing Division, whose membership should be considerably increased in view of the splendid facilities available.

RHONDDA CENTRE

An effective demonstration of Air Raid Precautions was given in connection with the annual inspection of Rhondda ambulance workers on July 23. The demonstration, conducted by Mr. Eric Wilson, of Cardiff, assisted by Mr. J. H . Thorne and Mr. Baden Adams (A.R.P. Officers for the Rhondda), indicated how thermite incendiary bombs can penetrate three sheets and that electron metal filings or fragments

from the bombs cannot be extinguished by water pumps or fire extinguishers.

Nearly 700 ambulance men, nurses and cadets attended the inspection; and the Commissioner (Captain T. E. Richards) may well be proud of the fact that despite industrial transference, Rhondda ambulance workers constitute one-twelfth of the total strength of the St. John Ambulance Brigade in Wales.

The Inspecting Officer was Dr. D. T. Rocyn Jones, CB.E. (Surgeon-in-Chief for Wales), who was accompanied on his tour of inspection by Sir Rhys Williams, Bart., D.S.O. (Rhondda President), the Commissioner and Assistant Commissioner J. H. Davies.

Dr. Rocyn Jones presented a cheque to Dr. M. C O. Hurly, Ynyshir (Centre Surgeon and Treasurer), to mark his retirement after 29 years' service with the Brigade, and presented Brigade honours to I9 members of the Ambulance movement.

NE WS IN BRIEF

After the conclusion of the last meeting of the Council of the Priory, a portrait in crayon of the Principal Secretary (the Hon. John H. Bruce, J.P., D.L.) was presented by Captain L. Twiston Davies, O.B.E., JP., D.L., F.S.A., to the Chairman for acceptance, on behalf of the Priory, as a mark of appreciation of his services.

Qu e stion and Answer s

(Continued from page 273)

treatment with glycerine which would render the Calcium Carbide at least temporarily innocuous.

It is obvious that glycerine is definitely the antidote of choice in a case where Calcium Carbide has been ingested; it is probably no more effective than absolute alcohol, but it is much more easily obtainable and infinitely safer to administer. The stomach, however, should be evacuated as soon as possible after treatment with either of these substances.

Acetylene itself is anresthetic, but in addition to acetylene other poisonous substances such as phosphine and sulphuretted hydrogen are evolved when water and Calcium Carbide interact.

If you look again at my replY in the August issue, YOH will appreciate that the third paragraph is a postscript re-telling an amusing criticism Jvhich was once made in this connection. Nevertheless it is good that the difliculty arose because it has resulted in your most interesting and instructive letter

What puzzles me is the fact that periodicallY during the past ten years this query has cropped up from different parts of the country, although the textbooks are silent about poisoning I:ry Calcium Carbide, and no one seems to have met with such a case.

In these circumstances 1 am grateful to you for your letter and 1 hope that SOJJJe other Brigade surgeon m'll take a hand in the solution of a difficult probICfIl.-N. C. F.

RAILWAY NEWS

Southern Railway

Contributed by E. A. RICHARDS

No. 4B DISTRICT

Mr. G. T. Johnson, who has been District Secretary for the above District for a number of years, has found it necessary, owing to ill-health, to resign the position. His place has been taken by Mr. C. Milton, Carriage Examiner, Hastings, and all communications relating to the work of the District should be sent to Mr. Milton as from September I, 193 8

eLA 1938-9

The is rapidly_ approaching when arrangements WIll be made tor the forthcoming season's ambulance classes. It is hoped that these will be started generally during the first week in October. It is hardly necessary to mention the fact that all classes will in future be instructed on the 39th edition of the textbook, "First Aid to the Injured."

It will, of course, be of great assistance to students if they can arrange to attend the special lectures detailed but naturally it will be impossible in ?ne everun.g to compass all the new directions given III th: reVIsed textbook, and it is earnestly hoped, therdore, that those members of the staff who have already qualified and obtained an award- whether it be certificate, voucher, medallion or label-will do their best to attend the forthcoming classes regularly so that they may not be found wanting when the class examination is held at the end of the course.

FIRST Am TEXTBOOK, 39TH EDITION

Arrangements are now well in hand for special lectures on "Alterations to the First Aid Textbook" to be given as under :-

7· 30 p.m., Ttlesdq)l, September 20.-Lamb Memorial Hall, Dorset Street, Southampton.

7 p.m., Thursday, September H.-Fairfield, Southern Railway Social Club, East Croydon.

7 p.m., Friday, September 23 . - Railwaymen's Club, Goldsworth Road, Woking.

.7 p.m., Tuesday, September 27·- Co-operative Hall, HIgh Street, Ashford, Kent.

7 p.m., rred1Jesdq)l, September 28.-Union Church Institute, Queen's Square, Brighton.

Ambulance men desiring to attend should make early application to their Class Secretary for the necessary travel facilities. .

SOUTHAMPTO DocK.

Southampton Docks District of the Southern Railway Centre held their annual concert and presenta-

tion of awards in the Chantry Hall, Southampton, recently.

Mr. H. A. Short (Assistant Docks and Marine Manager) presided, supported by Mrs. Short, Dr. and Mrs. Attwood, Commander W. A. Graham (Me.chanical Engineer), Mr. E. A. Richards (Welfare Asslstant) and Mrs. Richards. A letter was read fr.om M.r. R. P. in which the latter expressed disappOlntment III not being able to attend the function.

The awards presented by Mrs. Richards, amon.g ?elllg the gold medal for passing 2 exanunatlOns III succession, gained bv Mr. B. F. Samson, and the meritorious award presented to Mr. E. C. Arney.

Miss P. Baker presented a bouquet to ';'\lrs Richards, and Dr. Attwood proposed a yote of thanks to the latter.

.i\fr. Richards, replying On behalf of 11rs Richards referred to the remarkably rapid of Movement In the Docks. Since I932, he said, 98 ; awards had been gained by members of the Docks staff, the number :vho qualified annually had doubled III the same penod. He paid tribute to the C?f labour devoted by members of the medical protesslO-?, and by the staff generally, in the cause of first aId to the injured.

Commander Graham proposed a vote of thanks to lv1r. Short and said now that :Mr. Short had made his debut he hoped he would be present at man,· more ambulance functions.

. Short, replying, said that the Docks had had thelt most successful year since the first classes were .22 members of the staff had passed the exarrunatlOn, an increase of over Go over last year. In 19 26 only 59 successes were recorded and in I2 years the class increased by nearly 300 per cent.a wonderful achievement, due, he considered, to their Hon. Secretary (lvIr. L. B. Petty) and his instructors Committee, and Drs. H. Attwood, W. L. ,;,\1. Blgby, J Clayre and J. B. A. Reynolds. 11r. artistes "\vho had so generglyen thelr SerYICes.

London Midl and & Sc ottish R ailway

DERBY Contributed by GILBERT HILL

In annual Locomotive Inter-shop Competition tile BOller S_hop " A " team proved winners with .aggregate ot 222 marks. The Sir Henry Fowler Cup

for the indivi d ual test was awar ded to W. Stewart (Erecting Shop), the runner-up being W. Farley (Boiler Shop). J. Harper (Erecting Shop) won the junior trophy.

:Major G. S. Bellamy, who distributed the prizes, thanked Dr. Thrift and Dr. Bell for judging the competition.

BUXTON

At a dinner held on July 21, Mr. C. Pass distributed one long-service gold medal, I I labels, two medallions and seven certificates. Mr. Pass congratulated Mr. E. Bramwell (Class Instructor) on being the recipient of the long-service medal and wished him a speedy recovery from his illness.

!vIr. Bramwell presented a case of pipes from the members to Dr. R. W. Stewart in appreciation of his services.

SPRINGS BRA1"lCH

.i\1r. J. T. Bould recently distributed awards to 28 members of the Class. Mr. L. Cunningham received a gold medallion (15 years) and a gold label (2 5 years) was handed to 1fr. R. Hart. Councillor T. Cobley presided over an excellent entertainment.

CADET NEWS

EDITED BY MRS. TWEEDALE, C.B.E., A.R.R.C., J.P.

The Ambulance Cadet Units of the Manchester Corps were in camp under canvas on the sandhil1s near South Shore, Blackpool, from July 24 to 3I. Seventy-one boys and 10 officers were in camp. The bell tents and large marquees for dining and stores, etc., made a very fine picture, with the Brigade flag flying from a flagpole at the entrance. The weather was fairly good and there was no sickness in camp. Wednesday night was rather windy, and though it blew down the large marquee and the officers were up .?-ll night, the bell tents were intact, and the youngsters slept through it all.

Examinations were held at the end of the week in Cookery and Handicraft, and the Rawlings Cup was presented for the best and neatest tent. Bathing, games and" sing-songs" made a very enjoyable and happy camp, which is becoming very popular. Superintendent Powell (Ardwick Division) and Cadet Superintendent Charlesworth, along with all the other officers, are to be congratulated.

It is very fine work and the loyalty and devotion of the boys to their officers well repays them for their self-sacrificing labours. Mrs. Tweedale, C.B.E. (Lady District Superintendent), visited the camp on the Friday and found everybody very happy and cheerful. When the cook appeared on the scene there were rousing cheers.

Tottenham and Edmonton

NEW DIVISIONAL HEADQUARTERS

The Divisional Headquarters of the Tottenham and Edmonton Divisions are to be opened on Saturday, October 15, by the Chief Commissioner Overseas (Col. J. L. Sleeman, C.B., C..i\LG., C.B.E., M.V.O.). The dedication of the headquarters by the Rev. W. E. West, B.A., which are in Claremont Street, Edmonton, N.18, will be at 3 p.m.

The members of the Tottenham and Edmonton Divisions, men and nurses, will form a guard of honour, and members of the Divisions in the Northern Area will be invited to line Claremont Street on this occasion . .i\lembers of the Brigade outside the Northern Area, however, will be welcomed if they care to come along -

All uniformed members are asked to fall in at Edmonton Boundary at 2 30 when, headed by the Edmonton Borough Band, they will march to Claremont Street. The approximate number of member. who hope to be present would be welcomed by the Hon. Building Secretary, Private Frank Keefe, 6, Queen's Road, Edmonton, N'9, so that adequate arrangements can be made for supplying tea after the ceremony.

On Sunday, October 16, a Thanksgiving Service will be held at St. James's Church, Upper Edmonton, at 3 p.m. It is hoped that the support of the Divisions will again be forthcoming. The" fall in" will be outside the Headquarters at 2.30. [I

Correspondence

CADET CAMPS

To the Editor of THE ST. JOHN GAZETTE

DEAR SIR,-In the matter of Cadet Camps, England is far behind Wales. Both boy and girl camps havL been held this month at Barry Island for Welsh Cadets. If Wales can do this, why not England?

I am sure that all Cadet Divisions in the countrr would do their part towards making this I have found that it is a very expensive job to purchase equipment necessary to take the members of our newly formed Cadet Division (boys) to camp, and I am sure that this difficulty could be overcome by all Cadet Divisions in the country doing their share towards the establishment of a national camp.

If this is not possible, surely it would be a bencht to Cadet Divisions if all those in an Ambulance district were to bear the cost of a camp for all the Cadets in their district between them? In addition to reducing the cost to separate divisions, this would engender the spirit of comradeship between all Cadets.

Yours faithfully, J. H. WATKINS, Divisional StlperintendeJlt, Brier(y J-lill DivisiolJ.

Annals of the Ambulance Department (1928-1938)

It has been suggested that I should continue my HISTORY OF THE ST. JOHN (\,,"D BRIGADE) which was published in 193 I. and has proved interesting to many St. John enthUSIasts, and that I should summarise the principal events during the 10 years which have lapsed since The Order instituted its own official journal. As pre,iously, I propose, as far as possible, to include outstanding dates and facts connected with other and organisations at home and abroad so that I may present a vivid picture of the progress of the Modern Ambulance Movement.

1928

A1ay I.-The Venerable Order of St. John this day publIshed the first issue of its own monthly journal (under the editorship of Mr. Peter who still controls its destiny) and formally termInated its connection with FIRST Am which from June, 1924, had acted in this capacity.

Termed at the outset CHIVALRY, the journal in January, 1929, was renamed THE ST. JOHN . AMBUL.lliCE GAZETTE and is devoted to advancmg the objects and interests of The Order and its several Departmen ts.

The latter title had been given to the inset which from April, 1916, to May, 1924, the proprietors of the national journal FIRST AID had placed at the disposal of The Order and ltS Departments. It would seem, however, to have been originally used by the New South Wales (l\ustralia) Cer:tre of the Association as the name of a monthly Journal \vhich it first brought out in April, 19°2, to help on the work of the Association and Brigade within its authority and which is known to have been published regularly for at least two years.

J1Ine 25.-At the Annual General Assembly this day H.R.H. Duke of Connaught, Grand Prior of The Order, accepted TI IE BOOK OF REMEMBRA CE containing the names of members of the Ven. of St. John and its Departments who gave thelr lives during the European War, and ordained that it should be preserved III its casket ot ebony and silver in the Chapter Hall at St. John's Gate where all could see it.

Shortly before this Assembly the portrait of H.M. King George V, Sovereign Head of The Order, recently completed by Mr. C. E. Dingli, had been placed in position in the Chapter HalL

in- C hiej

September 30.-The Association in Annual Report this day recorded that, the. ReVISion. Committee having completed its task, It this ye.ar published the 38th Edition (loth RevlsIOn) of its

FIRST Am TO THE INJURED;

That Major F. R. Humphreys had prepared a textbook entitled PROTECTION OF THE CIVIL I CHEMICAL WARFARE, copies of which had been circulated to all Centres of the Association and Units of the Brigade; and

That permission had been. given .to translate revised First Aid Textbook mto Chinese for use 1ll China where the Hong-Kong Centre of the Association and District of the Brigade were flourishing.

October Io.-Registration this day of the ChulXh Lads' Brigade as a Centre of the Association on the same lines as the Railway Companies at home and overseas. This was done with a view to establish a closer relationship between The Order of St. John and the Church Lads' Brigade, and for the advancement of first-aid work in that organisation.

In the following year it was reported that the formation of Divisions of the Brigade was being actively undertaken among ex-C.L.B. members (termed Old Comrades' Association) in Belfast, and Birmingham.

October 27.-Start of Ambulance Crusade to Australia and New Zealand. In response to repeated requests from Australia a delegation appointed by the Ven. Order of St. John and consisting of Sir John Hewett (Bailiff of Egle), 11rs. Lorna Atkinson (Dame of Grace), :Major Colin MacRae (Knight of Justice), and Ladr Margaret MacRae (Dame of Justice) set sail this day. The delegation was authorised to hold Investitures and to conduct a tour of investigation and encouragement through Association Centre and Brigade Districts in Gibraltar, Ceylon, and the Dominions of Australia and Ne"\.\' and it completed its task in the last-named Dominion on January 3I, 19 2 9.

1 oveJ)/ber. - A second film, depicting the activities of the Ven. Order of St. John and its Departments was this month presented to The Order free of cost by Mr. John .i\1axwell and .i\Ir. Joseph Grossman. Decelllber 3 r.-H.R.H. The Grand Prior's .\ppeal for the St. John Ophthalmic Hospital in Jerusalem, which was issued in 1927, resulted at this date in the receipt of £12,947·

Decelllber 31.-The Home Service Ambulance Committee of the Joint Council reported that it had established at this date 356 ambulances, including 69 affiliated to its service;

That during the past year 20 cars had been replaced by new ones and 14 stations equipped; and

That it now possesses a mobile X-Ray Service, primarily designed for (but not necessarily restricted to) London and surrounding districts; and that man y small hospitals with limited incomes preferred to take advantage of this service rather than use the smaller type X-Ray apparatus, the use of which in the main is unsatisfactory.

D ecember 31 .-In France the Union Nationale des Associations de Tourisme this month decided to extend the advantages of first aid on the road and notified the Touring Club de France that it was establishing a special service under the title Road Relish with permanent first-aid posts placed at known dang er spots and staffed by qualified persons.

1929

Fe brumJl 9. - H.M. King George this day requisitioned the services of a stretcher squad from No. I District of the Brigade to remove him from his bedroom in Buckingham Palace and subsequently from the ambulance to his bedroom at Craigwell House, Bognor, where he was to reside during convalescence from his critical illness. He afterwards conveyed his thanks to Superintendent T. G. Appleton, Sergeants J. W. Claridge and E. Howard, and Corporal W. T. Puddifoot, and presented a pair of gold sleeve links (bearing the Royal monogram) to each member of the squad.

March I. - Consequent on the death of its founder, Mr. Camp bell Johnston, the London Light and Electric (afterwards called St. John) Clinic in Pimlico this day passed into the charge of The Order of St. John. The Clinic is fully equipped with the most up-to-date apparatus for treatment with various forms of light and electricity; and it has a capacity of 1,000 treatments per diem, being founded to give people in poor circumstances the benefit of the latest discoveries in medical science.

Mcry 31.-The Inter-Railway Competition, which took place this day, was noteworthy because the Association accepted and allocated as second prize in this and subsequent competitions a handsome silver cup which was presented by Dr. N. Corbet Fletcher" in re m embrance of 2 happy years of work with Railwcry F i rst Aid el's- 1908 to 1929."

S eptem ber 7.-The Schneider Trophy Contest held this day in the Sol{tnt afforded yet another outstanding test for the Brigade. The Chief Commissioner (Sir Percival Wilkinson) undertook the whole organisa-

280

tion of ambulance arrangements at the request of the Royal Aero Club, the City of Portsmouth Police and o ther authorities; and Nos. I, 2 and 8 Di s trict, provided the necessary equipment and personnels. which totalled 866 men and women and I...j. cadets supported by 14 motor ambulances and many surgeons.

This duty was unique in the history of the Brig ade, since in addition to maintaining Ambulance Stations along the course of the race, road patrols had to be posted from Westminster Bridge to Portsmouth and also at Alton, Basingstoke, Bournemouth and Southampton to deal with road emergencies along the approaches to Portsmouth. Fortunately accidents. were few and far between; and none was serious.

September 30.-The Association reported that the revision of its CATECHISM, PROBLEM AN D PR ELI;'II _ ARY COURSE OF FIRST Am, necessitated by the rev ision of its First Aid Textbook, had been completed durin g the year;

That sanction had been given to the Ce ntral Council for South Africa to translate into the :Kaffir language its textbooks for the Preliminary Co ur es of First Aid and Home Nursing- these book s b eing similarly translated into Welsh in 1930 at the r equ est of the Priory for Wales;

That it had this day issued its Jl lVEN1LE MA VA L which was primarily intended fo r the use of Cadets of the Brigade and on which si nce early in 19 26 a Committee of seven lay men and women, under the chairmanship of Commissioner Hedley V. Miller, had been at work; and

That, in accordance with the time-h on o ured custom since its inception, it was arrang ing with th e Metropolitan Police for ambulance material to be available in the Police Telephone Kio sk s which were now being erected in the London area.

Septemb er 30. - The Swiss Touring Club thi s. month organised, by means of motor-cycles with sidecar attachments, a service of help on the main roads of Switzerland in case of breakdown or accident. (To be continued. )

Friern Barnet Lectures

A course of lectures to men (over sixteen) on " First Aid to the Injured" will be g iven by]. W_ Poole, M.B., B.S. (Divisional Surg eon) , at Holly Park School Clinic, Friern Barnet, N. I I, commencing Wednesday, September 28, 1938, at 8 p.m. 3S• 6d. (including examination). Particulars from. Ambulance Officer F. W. C. Dines, 46, Tw yford Avenue, N.2, or A. C. McWaters, 139, Pembrok e Road, N.1O. Having noted the date please pa s on to any friend who may be interested.

Where Smoothness is as essential as Speed and Safety

INDEPENDENT SPRINGING IS INDISPENSABLE

The Vauxhall 25 h.p. H F" Type Ambulance here illustrated costs £585. It differs mainly in external appearance from the "S" Type, which has a domed roof and swept panels- Price £693.

For comfort

INDEPENDENT SPRINGING

ADJUSTABLE SHOCK ABSORBERS LOW PRESSURE TYRES

For safety

LOCKHEED HYDRAULIC BRAKES STEADY, ACCURATE STEERING SAFETY GLASS ALL ROUND

For speed

25 H.P. 6-CYl. O.H.V. ENGINE ALL SYNCHROMESH GEARBOX ADVANCED CARBURATION RAPID-ACCELERATION PUMP

Of the 12 optional interiors on both "S" and "F" Type Vauxhall Ambulances , one costs {, I 0 more, another £ 10 less

V A LJ X H.-\ LL independent front \"heel found read.Y acceptance ",ith the medical ser\'lces. In Importance, It may e\-en rate higher than speed, e peciaUy in the mO\'ing of and other" intemal" case.

Tndependent pringing is a feature of both'" F" and" S " type \ auxhall -\.mb u Jances, and together with -\lld r e Telecontrol rear absorbe r s (adj u stable by t he dri " er) ensure stability, and a s mooth, gl idi n g ride under all road conditions. T he silent »ix-cvlinder engine and q u iet all-sync h romesh transmis ion are e'sential qualities embodied in Y auxhall .-\.mbulances.

The "F" Type A m bulance ShO\\"11 abo \'e is operated by the \Yatlington Di\'isio n of the t. John .-\mbulance Bricrade-just one of the ma ny independent organisations, ho pitals and municipal authorit ies that choose Y a u xhalls.

Demon trations ,,,ill gladly be arranged by -auxhall Ltd L uton. \\' ho \\i ll also s u pply literatu re.

& Bedford Ambulance Pr ices

Another Step

Reporf Oil the ./YVlth illternational Red CroJs held in London froJII june 2O- Z 4, 1938

About 300 delegates from 56 National Red Cross Societies, as well as many Government delegates and representatives from other international organisations, attended the XVIth International Red Cross Conference which opened at St. James's Palace, London, on June zoo The Indian Red Cross Society delegation was to have been led by the Honourable Sir Firoz Khan Noon (High Commissioner for India in London), but unfortunately he was kept in Geneva at the International Labour Conference, so our delegation' was led by Major-General Bradfield (Director-General of Indian Medical Service and Chairman of the Society), who was on leave in London. Mr. U. N. Sen did not reach London in time and Dr. A. M. Pennel was unable to attend owing to illness, so the remaining Indian delegates were as follows ;-

Miss Norah Hill, A.R.R.C., representing Headquarters.

Major-General Buckley, representing Bombay Provincial.

Mr. and Mrs. Cuthbert King, representing Punjab Branch.

Kunwar Sir Maharaj Singh, representing United Provinces Provincial Branch.

Mr. and Mrs. Armstrong, representing Madras Provincial Branch, and Dr. Naidu, of Mysore, attended as " Observer."

The opening session was presided over by H.R.H. the Duke of Gloucester (Chairman of the Council of the British Red Cross Society), and in his speech he appealed to the conference to try to bring Red Cross influence to bear to protect women and children from the horrors of modern warfare. He also delivered a gracious message from Her :Majesty the the Queen, who, as President of the British Red Cross Society, our hosts, welcomed the delegates. :LvI. Huber (president of the International Red Cross Committee) later made a powerful appeal for greater financial support for the international activities of the Red Cross in Spain and China, and pointed out that at least half the societies had not made any response to the appeals. India had a clear conscience in this respect, but I should like to remind our members nevertheless that Red Cross work is still continuing both in Spain and China, and that the needs increase daily instead of dimil1jShing as time goes on, while funds are extremely low.

The Conference then split up for working purposes into four Commissions, the General, the Legal, the Relief and the Educational, on each of which India

By NORAH IDLL, A.R.R.C.

was represented. General Bradfield and I attendeJ_ the General Commission, and I had the honour ot being chosen as "rapporteur" to present its report to the Plenary Session. General Buckley and Ir. King attended the Legal Commission, Sir. 1aharaJ Singh and Mrs. Cuthbert King the Rebef mission, and Mr. and Mrs. Armstrong and Dr. Naldu the Educational Commission. All our Indian delegates were regular in attendance se:reral interesting contributions to the dlSCUSSlOns. It I may be permitted to generalise, I may say t?at I was struck at this Conference by the comparative youth and enthusiasm of the delegates of Eastern countrie . , while the West was represented by age and experience. The Eastern countries certainly gave a good account of themselves and I shall not be surprised at future Conferences if some of the initiative which has for long remained in the hands of the older societies does not pass to the younger ones. Another interesting point about this Conference was the. complete neutrality of the Red Cross was admuably Illustrated by the presence in the same room of delegates from Governmental and Nationalist Spain and from Japan and China.

The next three days we worked hard in our Commissions hammering out resolutions, trying to be patient with the usual talkers, who have their o\\' n voices, and trying to understand those delegates who, being neither French nor English, were yet forced to choose one of these languages. Then came the last Plenary Session when all the resolutions wer,c presented and passed. It is impossible to detaIl them here. I can only mention a few of the most important. Our Commission (General) dealt with finance among other subjects. In its to increase the funds available for thc very ImportanL international work now being carried on, it requested the delegates of Governments and national Red Cross Societies to approach their respective Governments asking them to examine the possibility of maki?g a contribution to the Trust Fund of the Internatlonal Red Cross Committee. It also asked the International Committee and the League to consult together with a view to raising the necessary funds to carryon both bodies, as both are necessary to the National Societies. A question was brought up by the Chilean Red Cross about delegates of foreign Red Cross Societies working on national territory, and it was resolved that no Red Cross delegation could be established in foreign territory without thc consent of the he'adquarters of the Society concerned, Finally the Conference was asked to appcal in tbe

name of humanity to the authorities in all countries to prevent or restrict bombing from the air so as to safeguard the lives of helpless women and children and aged civilians.

The Second Commission (Legal) perhaps did the most valuable work of the Conference for it dealt with the Red Cross Conventions. One resolution relates to the application of the Geneva Convention to naval warfare, another referred to the proposed establishment of " hospital towns and hospital areas" during a war and asked Governments to try to reach some agreement pending the drafting of a convention, and third referred to the role of the Red Cross in time of civil war. These are all questions which, properly handled, may result in the lessening of human suffering in futurc wars.

The Third Commission dealt with relief problems. O_ne its resolutions refers to the great importance ot trammg arr,d organising personnel for emergency relief work In advance. Another advocates the development of a standard First Aid scheme for highways and suggest that] unior Red Cross members be taught accident prevention. 1\ third deals WIth the use of aeroplanes for disaster relief work and the training of Red Cross personnel for aerial t.ransport of the sick.

The Fourth Commission dcalt with education. Its first resolution referred to the efforts made bv the Polish Red Cross to secure for the Leaaue of Red Cross Societies the I obel Peace Prize in of the value of the Junior Red Cross as an element in the establishment of friendly relations between nations, and reminded those present that this year the Rc? Cross celebrates its 75th anniversary. One congratulated the International Red Cross on its new "Children's History of the Red Cross" ( not yet translated into English) , and asked National ocieties to distribute it. Finally the Commission to the League's report on " The Red Cross EducatlOnal Programme" and reaffirmed its belief in t?e Cross as a spiritual force uniting its members 1D and generosity.

The meetings of Commissions were held at the .iVfedical Association building, a very fine settmg, but the Closing Session again took place at t. James's Palace, with Sir Stanley in the Chair. \t this meetina the invitation a-'iven bv th e Swedish Red Cross fo hold the ncxt in in 1942 was warmly accepted, and the Egyptlan Red Crescent delegates announced their intention of inviting the Conference to Cairo in 1946 0 of the Conference would be complete wtthout mcntlOn of the wonderful ho. pitality enjo,-ed all. the delegates. His :Majesty's Government cntertamed us most hospitably at Lancaster Hou e on a beautiful warm evening (the whole week the weather was perfect), when we were able to stroll about the garden and listen to the band. The Lord Mayor and citizens of London received us at the C uildhall with all their accustomed pomp and

Healed

ceremony and lavish hospitality. This was a memorable eYening, the beautiful setting, the time-honoured ceremonial, the mixture of solemnity and lighthearted enjoyment (a concert and dancing were arranged for our entertainment) and the evident determination of the City to do honour to its foreign guests. Then came the afternoon party at Buckingham Palace. Early in the day Her Majesty the Queen's mother died and we expected that the party would be cancelled, but with the usual thoughtfulness of the Royal Family, His Majesty the King decided not to disappoint the delegates and himself received us with Queen Mary at his side. What private citizen would have done as much on a day of family mourning?

The climax of the whole Conference was the Thanksgiving Service for the work of the Red Cross held at St. Paul's on the late afternoon.. Over five thousand British Voluntary Aid Detachment members in uniforms attended and it was a moving scene when the Red Cross Bag was solemnly placed on the altar. Afterwards delegates were presented to the Princess Royal (Commander-in-Chief of Voluntary Aid Detachments), who was herself in uniform. The Air Raid Precautions courses are arousing keen interest all over Great Britain, and the presence of such vast numbers of trained women, entirely filling the cathedral, showed that the girls of to-day are joining the Red Cross even as their sisters did in the Great War. Their pretty and smart uniforms added greatly to the impressiveness of the scene, and their discipline was quite remarkable. The address was given .by the Archbishop of Canterbury who dwelt on the value of the Red Cross movement as strengthening the forces of peace and neutrality in a world torn by confucts.

Artificial Respiration

BY W. BUTT.

By Courtesy of" Canadian Fi"'st Aid"

( Continued)

(7) Assistants may loosen tight clothing from the patient's neck, chest and waist. Blankets and hotwater bottles should be placed around the patient, but on no account must any of these extra measures impede the operator's movements.

(8) The rhythm must be maintained throughout. While one operator is in action, assistants called " reliefs" should be resting, ready to relieve him. To change operators, the following procedure is a good one to follow: The relief kneels on the right side of the patient, opposite the hips, and places his right hand over the same hand of the operator and his left hand on the operator's right shoulder. In this position, he picks up the rhythm by going down 1-2, back 3-4-5, down again 1-2, then on the count of 3 the operator lifts his right knee and swings

over to the left of the patient, leaving his hands in position. The relief places his left knee over to the patient's left side and brings his left hand into position over that of the operator on the counts 4-5' Both go down on counts 1-2 again, and on count 3 the operator disengages, leaving the relief to carry on with the rhythm unbroken.

(9) Artificial respiration should be continued for at least four hours without interruption, if natural breathing has not been restored in the meantime. Upon the return of natural breathing, carefully watch the patient to see that respirations do not again fail. If breathing stops, immediately begin the Schafer Method again. Promote circulation by rubbing the limbs energetically towards body. In doing this, the hands should be cupped and applied to the medial side of the limbs. No liquid whatever must be given by the mouth until the patient is fully conscious. Upon return to consciousness, a teaspoonful of aromatic spirits of ammonia in a glass of water may be given slowly. Hot tea, hot coffee or water is also stimulating. Avoid all types of alcoholic stimulants in such cases. Always test the ability to swallow by inserting a teaspoonful of fluid between the cheek and the gums.

(10) During the resuscitation the crowd must be kept well back. Th presence of a noisy, tightly packed crowd has serious effects on the newly revived patient. On po account must the patient be allowed to resume the upright position until several hours after he has been revived. He should be kept in the recumbent position warmly wrapped and in a quiet place to permit of a thorough rest.

SYLVESTER METHOD.

In contrast to the Schafer Method, the patient in the Sylvester Method is placed on his back. Since, with the body in this position, the tongue would fall back into the throat and block the trachea, it must be held out. It should be grasped in a dry cloth or with a pair of pincers. If two operators are available, one should hold the tongue while the other performs the active movements. If you are working alone, however, hold the tongue out by a bandage or rubber band over the tongue and under the jaw. A rolled-up coat is placed under the shoulders to help straighten out the trachea.

The operator kneels immediately above the victim's head and grasps both of the arms at the wrists. The first movement consists of drawing the arms outward and upward gently and steadily, and holding them as far as they will go above the head. This operation, which requires about two seconds, expands the chest to the greatest possible extent. The pectoral muscles are here used to help raise the thorax. The enlargement of the chest causes air to rush into the lungs.

The arms are then brought down until the elbows press against the chest, arms crossed. With a little pressure on the arms, the elastic cage is reduced as much as possible. By this means air is expelled

(Continued on page 286)

mbe iPt. Jobn

OFFICIAL GAS CHARTS

No. I Chart shows gas derivations.

No. 2 is a full and complete educational chart of "Typical War Gases."

Everyone taking an "A.R.P." Course should be in possession of these charts which are now available for general issue to all St. John organisations at a nom i nal fee.

PRICE LIST

3td. Including postage 2 sees 6d.

ad.

.. 1(2

.. 2/- " 2<f .. 3/6 .. 50 .. 6/6 100 .. or more (per 100) 10/-

(Each Set comprises one each of Chart No. I and No.2.)

ORDER FORM

To The Publisher, THE ST. JOHN AMBULANCE GAZETIE, 19. Cursltor Street, London. E.CA.

Dote .................. 19

Please send set(s) of the St. John Ambulance Gazette Official Gas Charts, for which I enclose remittance for In accordance with the above price list.

ADDRESS LABEL

from the lungs This second movement al so req uires about two seconds. The above two movements are continued rhythmically for about 15 times per minute.

The Sylvester Method was often used in conjunction with the Schafer Method in cases where signs of congestion appeared in the face The Sylvester Method was continued for ten minutes, during which time the congestion disappeared, then the operator reverted to the Schafer Method until congestion again appeared, upon which the Sylvester Method was again applied for another ten minutes.

LABORDE'S METHOD

Laborde's Method is used when for any cause the Sylvester or Schafer 1Iethod cannot be applied. It

is chiefly used in cases of suffocated children or when the ribs are badly crushed.

The patient is placed on his back or on one side.

Air passages are cleared and the tongue secured in a piece of dry cloth The lower jaw is depressed to permit unhampered movements of the tongue. The essential movements consist in pulling the tongue forward and holding it out for two seconds, then allowing it to recede into the mouth for two seconds. These movements, repeated 15 times per minute, cause reflex stimulation of the respiratory centre.

NIELSEN METHOD.

This recently developed method has met the approval of many physiologists, including Professor Krogh, of Copenhagen. It has also been adopted

286

b y the Danish R ed Cross So ciety and found to b e ver y efficient Nielsen claime d tha t deeper b reaths wer e re q uired for proper cleans ing of the lungs

T he patient i s placed in the prone position, clothing around the shoulders is removed, tongue pulled forwar d s, and air passages cleared of any obstruction .

The operator kneels astride the patient's head and exerts the pressure of his hands on the patient'S shou lder b lades The operator swings his body forwards, throwing his weight, but no muscular force , on to the patient's shoulders. This is done gradually, so that the pressure is progressive. The pressure movement is continued until the operator's arms are vertical and the count 4 has been reached. The operator now swings back to release weight, grasping the middle of the patient's upper arms as he does so, and pulls them backwards just enough to lift them slightly, without disturbing the position of the patient's head or torso. This second movement is held until the count is continued up to eight.

The operator then assumes his original position and repeats the routine. The entire procedure is repeated 7-8 times per minute, without break in the rhythm. The lifting of the patient's chest permits a much deeper inspiration, and hence a greater lungcleansing action. The Nielsen Method is more difficult to master than the Schafer Method, and has not, as yet, become ,-ery popular in this country.

POSITIVE PRESSl'RE.

The pulmotor is a German device that was introduced into America about 1908. This machine actually pumps a highly oxygenated air mixture into the lungs under positive pressure and sucks it out under negative pressure. The action is automatic. The lungmotor was designed about the same time as the pulmotor, which it closely resembles. It differs from the latter device, however, in that its action is accomplished by hand. A pump resembling an automobile pump is employed.

Both the pulmotor and the lungmotor have been condemned for use in administering artificial respiration. The positive pressure devices do not conform to natural breathing. The excessive pressure and suction cause rupture of the delicate lung tissue, and if the victim is fortunate enough to be revived from the asphyxia, he inevitably dies of lung disease.

TIlE H-H INHALATOR.

It has been found that pure oxygen alone tends to retard whereas oxygen containing small amounts of carbon dioxide stimulates breathing.

Drs. Yandell Henderson and W. Haggard, of Yale University, carried out extensive experiments to prove the stimulating action of carbon dioxide. They found that a 93.7 per cent. mixture of oxygen and carbon dioxide was best for resuscitation, especially in cases of carbon monoxide poisoning and ether or alcohol intoxication.

( To be continued)

MANUALS OF FIRST-AID, &C.

By N. CORBET FLETCHER, M.B., B C., M.A (Cantab. ) M.R.C.8.

In Study Treatment and Exam ination solved for Sinior Stud.nt.. doubt tlu book will be of greal servICe w the trawwg of liUJse fo, 110M " " des.gntd."-BRITISH MRDICAL JOURNAL.

COMMON ERRORS IN FIRST-AID Pnce 11. nct; post lL 2d Errora n Firat- A d D.tailed a nd Expla inld 1'1113 book g"ltl a cleMre, .nslght .nto the met hods and dlfficuUles oj "'U",Jt&y I,,.,,,.,,, by laymen lha" the offic.al Tutbook IIseIJ."-LANCI!T. AMBULANCE COMPETITION TESTS.

(Stretcher. Individual and Questton-Six Folders) rice 6d. each post lid· Racb Folder contaLOS special article on Competltton -No. 1, TralOlOg of Corn· petition Teams; No.2, Conduct of Team \D Competition Room; No 3, Common Errors in Competition No.4, Further Errors In Treatment ; No.5, Histocy 01 Competition Tests; No.6, Preparatlon of Tests. WHY AND WHEREFORE IN FIRST-AID. Fifth Edibon Price 1 net, post free U 24. Dlfllcultil' in Study a nd Treatm nt solved by Quest on a nd AnlWe W. CfmOm,nd Ihu book 10 Lecturers and Siudents wiUJ w.1I find .1 of g,eal I ' . -FIRST AID. HINTS FOR HOSPITAL ORDERLIES

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This book f,om coVlr 10 cOVn' is JuU oj information of c"al,n ,nt",", and 10 OV"', cme ." the St. rObll Bmbulance ala.;Ettf. Pnce 3/ 6 Postage 6d. Stores D<,pt.: ST J 0 H N S GAT E LON DON E C • 1 •

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NEW service is offered to " Gazette" readers which will be of great help in thei.r family lives and will be of value to all parents. It is the introduction of a special Child Psychology Section in NEW HEALTH (Consulting Editor, Sir W. Arbuthnot Lane, Bt., C.B.). This Section is under the direction of a European psychiatrist of repute and gives detailed guidance on the many problems of psychology with which all parents are faced.- This feature was introduced in the January, 1937 issue, and has proved an outstanding success. Advice is being sought by readers all over the country.

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CONTENTS. Editorial My Tour in Kenya Catholic Church Parade Artificial Respiration Rossall Nursing Camp Brigade News Overseas News Railway News.

Interesting Case Reports Questions and Answers Review "Priory for Wales

Annals of Ambulance Department

Home ServIce Ambulance Committee Team Test Stocktaking

CHANCERY OF THE ORDER, ST. JOHN'S GATE, CLERKENWELL, LONDON, E.C.!.

Sister on Safari

Motoring safaris are becoming increasingly popular with holiday-makers in the Transvaal.

::Miss Edith G. Slade, Lady District Superintendent of the Transvaal Province Di strict, had the honour of going as C( first-aider" on the pioneer trip which returned to Johannesburg on July 3 I, after covering some three thousand five hundred miles in 28 days.

Among places of interest visited were Pretoria, Beit Bridge, Bulawayo, Victoria Falls, Livingstone, Fort Jameson, Nyasa and Fort Victoria.

The safari ""vas almost free from accidents. The only serious casualty being a broken arm sustained by a native.

Another native fell off his bicycle, and was treated for bruises Later he returned with a chicken as a " prize " for the " doctor" !

Numerous minor cases were dealt with, and during the journey between Nyimba and Fort Jameson members of the safari \vere dosed with quinine each evening as a prophylactic for malaria.

The most difficult task of the Ambulance Sister was to keep members of the safari from going uncovered in the heat of the day! Her watchful eye prevented many casualties from sunstroke.

All these tours, which mar be from four day upwards, according to distance and objective, are to be accompanied by a St. John Ambulance Sister. It is, perhaps, needless to add they are a very popillar " duty." 1*

MY TOUR IN KENYA

My arrival at Mombassa established the first official visit to Kenya from our Order and was, therefore, an historic I was met by our District Superintendent and Commissioner of Police, R. C A. Cavendish, Esq., O. St.]., to whom the Order owes a great measure of the success of ambulance service in Kenya, Captain E. K. Catchpole, Ambulance Officer, and]. G. Leslie, Esq., S.B. St.J., whose fine team won second place in the Centenary Competitions of 1931.

My first duty was to address a large public meeting, attended by the principal British officers and many Arab, Indian and Goan, whose attention had been directed towards the growing importance of ambulance service by recent happenings in Abyssinia. Later I inspected and addressed the Kenya and Uganda Railways and Harbours Certificate holders of our Association.

The journey to airobi was filled with interest, for the vast Athi Plain through which the train passes abounds in wild animal life, indeed it can be described both as a natural Zoo, and a tribute to the humanity and vision of those responsible for such effective game preservation.

At Nairobi I was met by those other pioneers of our ambulance work in East Africa, Captain G. Pritchard Brown, O. St.]., and Dr. ]. A. Carmen, S.B. St.]., and K. C Strachan, Esq., S.B. St.]. Here I had the honour to be the guest of H .E. the Governor and Commander-in-Chief, Air Chief Marshal Sir Robert Brooke-Popham, G.CV.O., K.CB., CM.C., D.S.O., A.F.C, K. St.]., and Lady Brooke-Popham.

The Kenya Police Ambulance Division was formed in 1928 and now stands at a strength of over 15 0 members, the racial composition being 87 Europeans, 18 Asiatics and the remainder African.

When registered in 1928 no African possessed a First Aid Certificate. At the end of 1937 forty-one Africans had secured this qualification. In no other part of the Empire had such immense difficulties to be overcome in regard to ambulance instruction. That those concerned should have succeeded at all is sufficiently praiseworthy; that they have in several cases achieved a high standard of first aid efficiency in the African personnel is really wonderful.

This ambulance training proved invaluable in the incursion into Kenya of Abyssinians during the ItaloAbyssinian war of 1937; of whom 8,000 struggled to safety of the 14,000 who started.

But for the fortunate fact that members of the Kenya Police trained in first aid awaited their arrival on the frontier hundreds more must have perished.

By Colonel J. L. Sl eeman, CE., CM.G., CB.E., M.V.O. Chief COlJJmissioner Brigade Overseas

1uch of the credit for this belongs to Mr. 1'-. I " . CJeland, an Assistant Superintendent of the Kenya Police and an officer of its Ambulance Division, who was then stationed at 1hrsabit, a station several hundreds of miles from medical facilities. Early in July this intrepid officer was unexpectedly with the problem of dealing with and providing for these disease infested and distracted fugitives from Ethiopia.

These poor terrified and undisciplined people, unfortunate yictims of the awful situation which has arisen in their own country, sought sanctuary by entering I,-enya through the inhospitable territory east of Lake Rudolf. This is an arid expanse of barren lava rock and desert, which is not only devoid of communications, but where water is only available in most limited quantities at scattered water holes spaced far apart. They were, in other words, but the remnant of those who had started: the few survivors of awful tragedy.

Upon hearing of this incursion, [r. Cleland proceeded to the scene and located parties of survi\ ors scattered oyer a large area; unfortunate wounded, injured and diseased men, women and children struggling blindly over the lava rocks or staggering through deep sand in the last stages of exhaustion.

Through Yast effort and great humanity many of tho e who had fallen by the way were eventually collected and broug ht to safety. In addition, although there was an acute shortage of food he succeeded in obtaining supplies and in distributing them. In other words, in face of great difficulties and conditions of an almost unbelievably unpleasant nature, he evolved order out of chaos and brought sympathetic succour to those whose sufferings and privations had reduced to a state of pathetic and helpless despair. Care of the sick was of major importance, for cases of confluent smallpox were numerous, whilst many of the remainder were suffering from typhu, typhoid, dysentery and relapsing fever. It was here that our first aid teaching came in.

There was no grass and only the scantiest of tiny thorn bushes around which family groups camped seeking protecti on from the burning su n. That was not all, for the terrible conditions had resulted .in the weak and sick getting little or no water; for both sympathy and the ordinary feelings of humanity amongst the refugees were conspicuously absent.

But for Mr. Cleland, ably assisted by his few African Police, who found, concentrated and treated the sick and gave them water and dressed their putrefying and terrible sores-a duty performed unceasingly until

assistance arrived some time later-the great maJonty ?f wretched refugees must have died lnSpuatlOn of the Sub Prior I was privileged to ViSit the camps established at 1s1010' the one for the surviving 7,500 (:dd Ethiopean and the other for the 500 EthlOpean deserters from the Italian These camps are remarkably well found; the hospital treatment offered and the steps have been taken to rebuild the physical reSIstance of adults and children will ever stand as a to the humanity of the Kenya Government. I some fourteen hospital wards, where the patlents were receiying the best and kindest of attentlOn, the where I saw some 500 children at phYSICal dnll. Each child in camp recei\'es half a

I?lilt of milk. per ?a), although it rnust be brought trom forty 1111les dIstant. Eyernvhere I was recei\:e d \vith the utmost courles), the \b\"s inian pLl nctiliously particular about \veering off hat in a form of Georgian salute, accompanied by a O'raceful bo.w. Those in camp are controlled by' th61' own chIefs, three in number. I had intenTie,,;s with two: Fitaurai and FitaLlrai Zaude /\yeJla, who loud 111 thelr praises for the magnificent humanitanan work of thc Kcnya Police members of our Brigade.

En. route to distant Isiolo we passed :Mount 1:.enya, stand.mg snow-topped Equator in its stately loveliness. Here 1il pa smg 1t IS amusing to add that 1 eros sed the Equator no less than thirteen times during this tour.

Later I had the pleasure of lunching with that great confrere of our Order, and Chief Scout of the

world, Lord Baden-Powell, and Lady Baden-Powell at Nye.ri, where the "Chief}) intends to spend the remalillng wlilters of his glorious days. There is something curiously fitting in that this " Father" of millions of boys scattered throughout the world should have elected to reside in the heart of that great continent in which he first established his great name.

My inspecti.on at Nairobi was that of the Kenya and Uganda RaIlways and Harbours Certificate of our Association, where I inspected three splendId teams, two r"': uropean and one Asian, and saw an outstanding display of first aid. Then followed a public meeting attended by H.E. the Go\'ernor, and a large number of officials, Indians and Africans,

",?ere I gave an address upon the historr and work ot Oll r Order.

came an important conference, in that it was .111'st to be held_ in 1:.enya ,,-ith the object of establtshlilg a Centre tor the ambulance service for the population. ThL had been found necessarr O.WlOg to the interec t awakened in regard to first ald and A..R.P., the result of the meetino- of the previous. haying caused for InformatlOn lO regard to the formation of first aid and home nursing classe .

It is not .as easy in : \'frica ac it pro\res in more temperate clllnates to hnd men and women to take on y.arious duties inseparable from the efficient orgal1lSatlOn which our ancient Order rightly insists upon.

It was unanimously agreed to ask H.E. the Goyernor to be the Patron of the Ambulance Committee which

it was agreed should be formed without further delay. It was also decided that the Commissioner of Police, Mr. R. C A. Cavendish, O.St.]., should be the President, while that most popular personality in Kenya, Mr. A. 1rL Champion, CM.G., be asked to be Chairman. It was further decided to approach Mr. D. Genower, M.B.E., to fill the important appointments ofHon. Secretary and Hon. Treasurer; two gentlemen who possess the respect and confidence of all in Nairobi.

Next came the inspection of the Kenya Police-as smart an ambulance division as I have ever seen. Higher praise I cannot give, seeing that in my tour of Empire, I have seen many police divisions of a high standard. But it meant far more than this to for it was this same police division which has, for so many years, so well sustained the traditions of the Order in Kenya, and been almost entirely its representative. What was particularly encouraging was the number of Africans present upon parade, namely 26, which reflects the highest possible credit upon all concerned, and not least upon the Africans themselves. For it must be borne in mind that the Guest type of Mrican recruit for police service must often be obtained from what may almost be described as the primitive savage. And that such material can be moulded into well-disciplined, smart and wellconducted police within a short period of recruit training testifies to the high credit of both: that the African can be, moreover, taught to regard the sanctity of human life and to learn first aid is equally creditable. No praise could indeed be too great for those responsible for bringing about this miracle of enlightenment and who have succeeded in making these Mrican police so proud of engaging in our work. In my address I complimented all present upon their fine record of ambulance service and congratulated all present on behalf of H.R.H. the Grand Prior, for the brilliant example which they had set to all Kenya.

Afterwards came an admirable display of first aid and ambulance transport, in which British, Indian and African police teams gave displays of a high order, while exhibiting the several methods of evacuating injured people. Among these was an ingenious stretcher-chair made from canvas capes, puttees and rifles, by means of which injured people were conveyed with comfort; one most suitable for forces armed with rifles. This display was followed by a veritable masterpiece of ambulance effort; a well-staged demonstration of A.R.P. ambulance defence. Erected upon the parade ground were a series of six rooms, complete in all respects, with the exception that the wall facing the onlookers had no existence. This represented a " First Aid Post" and decontaminating centre, equipped in every way for dealing with gassed cases. Inside were the attendants, clothed in oilskin uniform and well-trained in their duties by Capt. G. Pritchard Brown and Mr. G. R. Gribble, who had both passed through the anti-gas training school at FaJfield, Gloucester, and

Asst. Inspector \V. Godfrey, the holder of our A.R.P. Instnlctor's certificate Grade 1. Nothing was left to the imagination, the proceedings starting with an aerial bomb exploding close by and forming a viscouslooking cloud of yellow-greenish smoke which, as it evapot:ated, disclosed a victim of its deadliness. From thence onwards this" patient" (who proved so in every sense of the word) was passed through the many stages requisite before he could be evacuated.

(To be continued)

Catholic Church Parad e

The third annual Church Parade of Catholic members of the St. ] ohn Ambulance Brigade took place at the Church of SS. Peter and Edward, Palace Street, Westminster, on Sunday, September 25.

Those present marched from Victoria Station to the Church, where they were met by Colonel ]. L. Sleeman, CB., CM.G., CB.E., M.V.O., M.A., Chief Commissioner for Brigade Overseas. After Benediction, at which an address was given by Rev. W. Higgs, the parade proceeded to the Westminster Cathedral precincts, where, by kind permission of Mgnr. Canon Howlett, D.D. (Administrator) the Divisions were inspected by Colonel Sleeman, who spoke in glowing terms of the work which is being carried out by members of the Brigade. He said what an honour it was for him to be able to inspect the Catholic representatives of an undenominational army of peace represented by the St. John Ambulance Brigade.

He pointed out that they were privileged to form part of that mighty army for the saving of human life and the relief of pain and suffering, which to-day totals over IOO,OOO uniformed, disciplined and efficient men and women instantly ready and available for any emergency; an organisation, moreover, true to Christian teaching and British tradition, the members of which give entirely voluntary service.

Concluding his address, the Chief Commissioner said: "You at least, come what may, can at least possess the comforting knowledge that by such preparations you have done your utmost both to prevent war, or-should it come-to treat those who will fall victims to its ravages. For modern war means the torture and anticipated panic of people, men, women and children, and ambulance service such as is offered by the St. ] ohn Ambulance Brigade forms a most important part of National Defence.

"May I, therefore, through you, send to every member of that Brigade, whether in the United Kingdom or overseas, my deepest congratulations upon being completely prepared in this time of anxiety, and the grateful thanks of the Order of St. ] ohn in the British Realm for the spirit in which you always meet every emergency when it arises.

" And you and those others whom you represent will ever have the satisfaction of remembering that such preparations contributed much towards the fashioning of the bulwark of peace."

Artificial RespiraJion

(Continued)

The H-H Inhalator was designed in I920 by the Mine Safety Appliances Company, of Pittsburg, Pa., to conform with the principles of oxygen-carbon dioxide administration as set forth by Henderson and Haggard. This device consists essentially of a steel cylinder containing 93.7 per cent. mixture of compressed oxygen and carbon dioxide (called carbogen). From the cylinders, the gas mixture is conducted through a reducing valve and a low-pressure regulating valve into a breathing bag. From the bag, the mixture passes through a flexible rubber tube directly to a face mask fitted with inhalation, exhalation and fresh-air valves.

The operation of the H-H Inhalator is governed entirely by the respiratory action of the patient himself. It is consequently used in conjunction with a manual method of artificial respiration. The stimulating mixture of gases is drawn in and forced out of the lungs during the inspiratory and expiratory moyements of respiration. When the patient breathes, the carbon dioxide supplied increases the tension of this gas in the lungs. Consequently the percentage of carbon dioxide in the blood increases, which has a direct effect on stimulation of the respiratory centre of the medulla. The number and depth of the inspirations increase, and a greater volume of the mixture is required. By regulating the feed valve to the breathing bag, the operator can limit this increase. When the volume is set at fifteen quarts per minute, the patient's respiration is quickly stimulated by the carbon dioxide intake.

If the bag is emptied before the act of inspiration is completed, the fresh-air valve in the mask automatically opens and allows air to enter from the outside atmosphere. During expiration, the bag again fills with carbogen, ready for the next inspiration.

In contrast to the use of positive pressure mechanisms, the H-H Inhalator can be operated by a person who has had very little experience with such devices, without danger to the most delicate patient. The Inhalator is packed in a portable case ready to be transported to the scene of the accident. At least three extra carbogen tanks should always be kept on hand. These should be tested regularly to be sure of adequate pressure. Again,

it is to be noted that the H-H Inhalator is not used in place oj a manual method of artificial respiration but in co;yunction with the manual method.

OTHER MECHANICAL DEVICES.

A few years ago a mechanical respirator was introduced from France. The patient's chest is placed upon a slightly inclined rest, the legs extended behind. A head rest is provided and the arms are held up by side saddles. A wide strap attached to the movable side bars is buckled over the lower ribs. By pushing down a long handle, the side rods are lowered, which lowers the shoulders and puts tension on the strap, which compresses the small of the back, thus bringing about expiration. Upon release of the pressure on the handle it springs up and allows the ribs to recoil. The shoulders are also lifted up, permitting full expansion of the lungs. The movements of the handle are timed with one's own deep breathing. The H-H Inhalator may be used in connection with the device.

The Drinker Apparatus is a large cabinet in which the whole body of the patient except the head and neck is enclosed. By reducing the pressure within the chamber, the chest is allowed to dilate owing to air under atmospheric pressure rushing into the lungs through the mouth and nose. Compression of the chest is brought about by natural recoil of the lungs themselves or a forced expiration may be induced by raising the internal pressure of the chamber by means of a pump. The pump for reducing and restoring the internal pressure of the chamber is operated mechanically. This apparatus is used in large institutions, and many patients, especially children, have been ventilated in this way for long periods of time.

THE CARBON 11oNOXIDE HAzARD.

The hazard of carbon monoxide has grown to be of nation-wide importance and deserves special mention here. Carbon monoxide is the product of incomplete combustion, and with the present extensive use of gasoline engines for automobiles and trucks, great quantities of this deadly gas are produced. The deadliness of the gas is enhanced by the fact that it has no odour, taste or colour, and it does not give any warning by irritating the mucous membranes of the respiratory passages.

Car b on mo n oxi d e acts b y u n itin g chemi call y wi th the hremoglo bin of the blood. The hrem?g lo b in at least three hundred times more affin1ty for th Is gas than for oxygen. Hence, within a. few minu tes' exposure to the gas, the oxygen-carrymg P?wer of the blood is substantially reduced. UnconsclOusness results when the blood is about 50 per cent. saturated with carbon monoxide, and death occurs at about 65 per cent saturation. A few of .air , containing 2 per cent of carbo.n ?'lonoxld.e WIll cause unconsciousness and death WIthin 3-4 mmutes. The averao-e carbon monoxide content- of black smoke from burnino- buildino- is about 0 I per cent. This b b ., percentage is dangerous, particularly VlgOrouS exertion when the volume of breathIng IS greatly increased, permitting more rapid saturation of blood with this gas.

If the patient has been exposed f?r a long time to a comparatiyely low concentratlOn of carbon monoxide the blood becomes more thoroughly saturated 'and a much longer time is required for resuscitation than is the case of patients exposed for shorter periods of time to higher concentrations of the gas. The gas, if not qui:kly ren:oved, has a destructive effect on the cells ot the bram.

In resuscitation of patients asphyxiated with carbon monoxide gas, the administration of a 93·7 per cent. oxygen-carbon d!oxide. mixture by. means of an inhalator is essentlal. SInce the Un10n of carbon monoxide and hremoglobin is reversible, by mass action of oxygen, the carbon monoxide may be readily displaced. dioXlde of the inhaled mixture has a stimulatIng effect on the respiratory movements to of. greater oxygen intake. Leave the inhalator 1n actlOn for at least twenty minutes after normal respirations have been re-established to permit thorough replacement of the carbon monoxide from the blood.

TR .-\ INI N G ARTIFICIAL

Since artificial respiration, to be effective, must be applied immediately the patient is brought to safety, it is obvious that the laymen as well .as the medical men must be thoroughly traIned III the manual methods of artificial respiration. Time lost in awaitin g the arrival of a physician before resuscitation efforts is fatal. It is clearly eVldent that men women and children of all walks of life should trained in some simple, effective method of reviving the asphyxiated.

In Canada, the St. John Ambulance Associatic:n and the Royal Life Saving Society offer courses In this important life-preserving work .to the general public. Employees of such comparues as the Bell T elephone Company, the Provincial Gas Company, as well as the many electrical and chemical companies, are required to have a thorough prac tical knowledge of artificial respiration .

I n m an y to wns , th e p o li ce depa rt me nt, the fire d epartmen t, an d the .p u blic utili ties n o t o nl y trai n their men In of res u scltatlO n but pr ovi d e rescue trucks w1th an d vartous t ypes of apparatus to b e used 1n answenng calls Many new-born babies are saved b y the q wck response of these emp loyees to the emergency ca ll of a doc tor. Since the efficient performance of artificial respiration is d eveloped only persistent practice, it is the duty of Ind1vldual, and especially the physician, to hims.elf ready at all times to render this vital serVICe to h1s fellowmen.

CO CLUSIO I

To -day the use of the Schafer r-v1ethod, al?ng with the administration of a 93.7 per cent. ml::<ture of oxygen and carbon the. most effiClent way of applying artificial m field need for further research In thIS VItal question IS only too apparent Those who take part applying artificial respiration are ask.ed to keel? detaIled reports of the condition of the pat1ent, reactlOn to method of resuscitation, length of time inhalator used, etc., and to send them to such workers as Drs. Henderson and Haggard, of Yale University, in order that in present methods may be detected and more effiCient methods developed.

BIBLIOG RAPHY.

I. "Resuscitation." Dr. Charles A. Lauffer.

2. "Practical Aspects of Resuscitation." Edward Steidle.

3 "First Aid to the Injured." St. John Ambulance Association.

4. "Handbook of Instruction." The Royal Life Saving Society.

The DniversilJl of Toronto iUedical jom:nal, March, 1937·

Revi e w

THE Ho PIT \L C( mI'. London: Tbe l\clyisory Hospital Committee, 30, Lancaster Gate, \'\ 2. Price 3d. lI et.

This is the fourth edition of a most useful and reliable book of reference for tho se interested in the 145 voluntary hospitals within the boundaries .of Greater London and kindred matters It shows with what enterprise and foresi g ht the hospitals meeting the difficult conditions of to-day and the widespreacl service which they are rendering to us all. Consequently, it will app'eal to heads and individual members of families, to employers and employed, and to potential patients, especially .a: and wom.en with personal and famIly .must realJse that the best time for them to gam a nght unde rstanding of hospital affairs is when they are in good health.

Colonel Trimble Reports on ROSSALL NURSING CAMP

Colonel Trimble, as Inspecting Officer on the staff of the Chief Commissioner, has forwarded the following report to Sir John Duncan:-

"I have the honour to submit a short report of my visit of inspection on Friday, August 5, to the training camp held at Rossall College, near Fleetwood, from July 30 to August 6. This was open to all nursing members of the Brigade, and, as will be learned, was well attended, some of those assembbng coming from long di tances.

" The time for the inspection was fixed for I I a.m., and at this hour I was received with a General alute and proceeded to inspect the parade. The r-vfarch Past was dis6nctly of a very creditable character; having for the pa t five years carried out this inspection I am in a position to judge as to the quality of this movement; it was far and away more correctly and smartly done than ever before, the parade marching past to the "Brigade Tune" sung by a number of the officers, who formed, "\vhat one might term, a choir or band. This in itself was very interesting and somewhat similar to the music supplied last year.

" The whole turn-out "\vas smart; in fact, one might say, more than smart; well dressed and evidently imbued with great enthusiasm. It was a pleasant moment for me to go round the ranks; a number of the officers and members I had met before, but it was very agreeable to renew these acquaintances. It may be interesting to state here that the total number in camp was 166, of which 73 were officers of various ranks. The largest camp ever formed.

"I saw a very excellent example of a gas attack, together with the treatment of a gas patient from the time of her being poisoned by gas until she \vas discharged after having treatment in a first aid po t. I watched all the different stages from the time of contamination, washing, re-clothing and eventual discharge. I also saw the hospital, \-,'hich occupied two or three dormitories. This was conducted on military lines, and the following cases were under treatment :-Bronchiti ; phosgene poisoning; septicxmia; rheumatic fever; fractured femur, which \-vas very exceHently treated by means of a Thoma's splint; and gastric ulcer involving an operation.

" It m Ll st be understood that when dealing with the air raid all tho e assisting were fully equipped to meet the demands of resisting a gas attack.

" There was a model first aid and decontamination centre constructed by 1-1rs. Tweedale and exhibited for the information of all concerned; this is a very wonderful structure and conveyed a yery accurate impression of what should be required in such a building.

" I was struck with the efficiency and organisation of the hospital where a patient was being dealt with after an operation; everything I saw redounded to the credit of the matron in charge of the hospital and those assisting her. \XTith regard to the cases undergoing the care of this institution, the Sisters. and Tur es in charge had a very accurate and extensive knowledge of their ",'ork.

":i\irs. Tweedale very kindly gaye me an opportunity of inspec6ng the dormitories; many of the officers were fortunate enough to have independent cubicles or rooms, the conditions under which the dormitories were run was perfectly satisfactory. ome of these looked out upon the sea, and must have been a pleasant change to many of those undergoing training .

" Attending the inspection was the Deputy .;\layor of Fleet\\' ood, Alderman J. Cardwell; the assistant to the Headma ter, Colonel G. Trist, D.S.O. ; .Major L. A. Bampfield, Bursar; Captain and Mrs. Rawlings; Captain Pitter Bayley; Assistant Commissioner \Y/. H. Gastall, D.C 1., B c.; and uperintendent A. Dyer. All these guests had the pleasure of lunching with Mrs. Tweedale after the inspection and also had the opportunity of witnessing the air raid.

" frs. E. Tweedale, CB.E., .1 \.R.R.C, J.P., was in command of the camp, and her Assistant Commandants were :i\Iiss Blandford, Lady District Superintendent, ire; liss Hanrev, Lad,· District Officer o. 5 District; and lis Lady Todmorden was the and r-vlr. White was the ister. Lectures were given by the undermentioned:Dome tic Science (Cookery) : :Miss Brophy (London niversity). lilitary Sanitation: Captain S. Tew_ som, F.R.CS , R.A. I.C (T.). .;\lr5. Beyerley ,]\'0. 5 District, was in charge of s\vimming and bathing, and :t-.1iss 1. utcliffe, A.R.C ., acted as Adjutant.

"The following Di trict were presented os. I, 2, 3,4, ),6,7,8,9, and the Irish Free State. The following towns sent officers or members: London, orth Shields, hre\v bury, Bristol, Sunderland,

Harrow, Dorset, Dublin, Rotherham, Spalding, Worsborough, Leeds, Leamington, Sheffield, Malvern, Chester, Warrington, Bournemouth, etc.

"On Sunday, August 3I, a Drumhead Service was held on the Foreshore at Fleetwood. It was a very successful parade. The Vicar of Fleetw.o.od conducted the service, and the Fleetwood Bntlsh Leo-ion Band rendered the music. A sum of £20 collected and has been sent to to assist the funds of the Ophthalffilc HospItal at Jerusalem.

" The entire week was occupied by special courses of instruction. I find that, associated with the cookery class, 3 2 took the examination, the examlOer

being Miss Scarr, London The sanitation class produced 5° candidates for exaffilnation; Captain Pitter was. the examiner. For the examinatIOn 10 au raId I?recautlOns of various grades there were 68. the examiners being Assistant COffiffilssIOner W'. H. Gastall D.C.M., B.Sc., Captain N. W. Rawlings, L.M.S.S.A., Mrs. Bayley and JYfiss Cuff.

" One rather forms the impression that a wee.k is scarcely sufficient to enable a.full ber:efit to be denved from such a training as this; an amount of useful work was pushed into the perlOd. over to the camp. Full information is contamed 1n Standing Orders by the Com:nandant, which are printed and issued to all attendin&. These are very comprehensive and meet all requuements.

" I was more than amazed at the wonderful spirit and enthusiasm, cheerfulness and happiness that was evident amongst those attending the camp, and views were expressed to me by many. The .evenlOgs for those who were not engaged l.n studYlllg were very pleasantly spent, and I feel.certalO that will return home grateful haVing taken the and sorry at having to return home. The gratItude expressed on all sides to 1Yirs. Tweedale for. she had done was profuse, and there is no questlonmg the wide usefulness of the Brigade Camp at Rossall. I trust it will continue for many years.

" I must not fail to record the very valuable service rendered by one of the members who attended the

II The St. John Ambulance Brigade News I

No. (PRINCE OF WALES) DISTRICT.

Hendon Cadet Division held their annual summer camp in Jersey this year. Thirty members, under Cadet Superintendent F. H. Hurford, spent a most enjoyable time.

On arrival at the island the Division was received by District Officer Aubin, District Superintendent Lynn, Cadet Officer Irving, the Divisional Secretary, and many other members.

The camp site, which was a very beautiful one, provided an ideal centre for touring.

A visit was paid to the Jersey Brigade Headquarters, and a very interesting evening was spent there, great interest being taken in the A.R.P. section, where a store of equipment was examined, including the latest type of respirator and protective suit for every member of the Division.

The Jersey Cadet Division were invited to tea one day, and in the evening the seniors came along to supper and camp fire. Dr. JYIaitland, Divisional Surgeon, complimented the Cadets on their splendid cooking. District Officer Aubin, on behalf of the members, thanked the Cadets for the reception his members had been given. He also paid a tribute to the splendid camp, which he had visited many times, and the perfect cooking he had experienced among the Cadets.

In reply, Cadet Superintendent Hurford thanked the Jersey members for their very great assistance whenever called upon during the camp, which could only have been the success it was through their generosity and unlimited assistance, especially by District Officer Aubin, \vho had made all the arrangements for their visit. He also thanked Dr. :i\faitland for the interest he had taken in them.

No. 3 DISTRICT (WESTERN). NUNEATOK.

regards the earnmgs of Cer6ficates, but on a seven years' basis they are up 29.

The financial position of the Centre has improved, and shows an excess of income over expenditure for the year of £17 0

It is with regret that the Committee record the " passing on " of three of their friends and co-workers. Mr. Harry P. Bee, 15 years Hon. Auditor, following his father, Mr. Thomas Bee, who had given his services in the same capacity for nine years; and Dr. Edmund Eccles, who was created a hon. life member of the Association for his valuable services as Class Surgeon Instructor at Longridge.

Air Raid Precautions have demanded much time and training. Organised courses of instruction have been held by all divisions, and two-thirds of the whole membership have qualified after examination and hold certificates granted by the Brigade.

Congratulations are due this year to our team, which gained the first place and the Trimble Shield for the No. 4 District in the Dewar Competition, preliminary round, and represented the District in the All- England Competition in London.

Members of the Corps and Nursing Divisions attended the Coronation duties in London, and we had a good representation at the Royal Review by Her :ivlajesty Queen Elizabeth, held in Hyde Park" London.

We express our sincere thanks to Corps Officer J as. Hodgkinson, who has given a Challenge Cup to the Ambulance Division for annual competition. The trophy will be a,varded to the most efficient member each year.

The Nursing Divisions continue to maintain a high standard of efficiency, and all meetings, practices, drills and special lectures have been well attended.

camp .Miss Woodhouse, who happened to be at when a man was rescued the sea. He was in a parlous condition and Woodhouse undertook the supervising of artificLal respiration and other means necessary. to restore those suffering from the effects of drowrung. Much credit is due to 1vliss Woodhouse for the part she played in this rather desperate case..

" One could go on for quite a long tln:-e of the interesting points brought notlCe this inspection, but I think I have suffiCIent to demonstrate the importance of the training "I would like to congratulate Tweedalc and those assisting her on the conclusIOn of a week of the highest instructional value."

Out of I09 candidates, 105 members who attended the Nuneaton Division St. John Ambulance Brigade A.R.P. classes successfully passed the examination.

No. 4 (LANCASHIRE) DISTRICT. ANNUAL REpORT.

PRESTON CORP

In presenting its annual report, the Committee state that the work of the Centre continues with unabated interest, but the increase of public duties makes it difficult at times to provide the personnel in sufficient numbers to meet the demand. 110re young men and women are needed to qualify and o-ive their b serVlCes.

The awards ' gained are not quite up to 193 6 as

The "Pickles" Cup, kindly presented by the family of the late Lady Corps Officer 11rs. 1\. E. Pickles, is greatly appreciated. This cup is for competition in team "'ork amongst the Nursing Divisions of the Corps.

The annual inspection of the Cadet Nursing Division was well attended, and the Cadets were complimented on their efficiency and smart appearance. During the year classes in Preliminary Hygiene and Knowledge of the Order were held, but it wa not possible to arrange for an examination in either of these subjects in 1937.

Our President, Dr. Hugh gave an awa rd for the best essay on " How to Increase 1Iembership of the Corps." This has been won by Lady Ambulance Officer 11i s ..:\. Duxbury.

The steady progress maintained by all Divisions

during 1937 reflects much member.s the Preston Corps, and is most gratlfymg to Dlv1sIO.nal Officers whose indefatiaable efforts for the promotIOn of are worth/)of the highest commendation.

No. 7 DISTRICT (COUNTY

OF HEREFORD).

:Members of the Kington Ambulance and Nursing Divisions held their annual Field Day on Sunday, September 10, among the on the borders of Herefordshire and Radnorshire.

The Divisions were under the command of Divi sional Superintendent Dr. Logan Jack, Transport Officer Wheeldon and Lady Superintendent :Mrs. Dryland. Among those present were Dr. and Mrs. e. D. Edwards (Huntingdon), the Rev. and :Mrs R. D. R. Greene (Kington), County Officer G. N. Bulloc.k (Hereford), and Ambulance Officer H. J. Harns (A.R.P. Staff, Hereford).

Durina the first part of the exercises" casualties" were over the hillside. Owing to the almost inaccessible of the ground the ingenuity of First Aiders was severely tested, especially as all material had to be improvised.

A display of A.R.P. work under the direction of Ambulance Officer Harns.

Kington, though the youngest Div.ision in the County, has always taken a part the A:R .P. ·organisation. l-.Iuch of the credit fOt its effiClency is due to the tireless efforts of Dr. Logan Jack.

The Divisional inspection was carried out by the County Officer, accompanied Dr. Edwards. In _complimenting members on theIr smart .turn-out and efficiency, the County Officer apologlsed the unavoidable absence of the County ComIDlssIOner (Dr. 1. W. MacGregor).

'HEREFORD.

On September 15 a party of Boy Cadets, in charge of Ambulance Officer H. J. Harris, visited St. John's Gate and the ancient church. Under the guidance of Mr. T. Veevers-7hompson an interesting and instructive tour of Brigade Headquarters was made. Later the party was welcomed by Major P. G. DarvilSmith, e.B.E.

After leaving the "Gate," the went on a sight-seeing tour of London, returnrng to Hereford some hours later, tired out but happy.

No. 8 DUKE OF CONNAUGHT'S DISTRICT. JERSEY.

The St. John Ambulance Association and Brigade presentation of prizes was held at the Town Hall on Saturday, September 3·

Dr. Shone referred to the grow th of the Cadet movement, and spoke of the continue.d and efficiency of the Brigade and the ursmg DlvlsIOn.

The Brigade, unfortunately, had been. hampered by the illness of Dr. Hanna, for whom he WIshed a speedy recovery. His work had been taken over by Dr. :Maitland, to whom they "vere very grateful.

• After lr. A. 1. Coutanche had presented the awards he told his audience that he fully realised the great work the Centre was doing in the island,. and felt it a areat honour when asked to become PresIdent of the bBriaade . "It giyes me," he said, "the greatest to tell you of the gratitude I feel for the work done during the last twelve months. Chairman and colleagues, I thank you."

The Annual Inspection of the Jersey Gnits was held some weeks ago at Springfield by l\ss.ista.nt Commissioner H. J. Wrigglesworth and Lady Dl tnct Superintendent :Mrs. c. Falwasser.

Among those present were: Lieut.-Colonel H. ?\L Vatcher, te., E.D. (O.e. R. 1.1.J.) and Irs. Vatcher, Captain J. M. Smyth ( djutant, R:M.I.J) and Mrs. Smyth, :Major W. Stew:art, Major \X;. Crawford Morrison and Mrs. Morflson, Mr. C. J. Cuming (Constable of St. Helier), lr. S. G. Crill (Constable of St. Clement) and Mrs. Crill, Dr. and Mrs. J. J. \Y/. Evans, Dr. J. H. P. Fraser, Elizabeth Lady Knott, Lieut.-Colonel.and 11:rs. V. e. Gauntlett, IvIr. F. J. i\hier (Vice-Presldent, Jersey Centre), Mr. Ph. Le Masurier (Hon. Secretary, Jersey Centre), Mr. W. P. Nicolle (Vice-President, Jersey Centre) and Mrs. Nicolle, Mr. Harry Morris, 11rs. Wrigglesworth, Mr. and Mrs. W. S. How, Dr. F. E. Sexton and Mr. J. Remphry (Hon. Vice-President, Jersey Ambulance Division).

The parade, which numbered I II, was in charge of Mr. O. L. Aubin (District Officer for Jersey).

Dr. H. J. Shone, President of the Centre, was in the chair. Among others present were Mr. A. M. Coutanche, Bailiff, Lieut.-Colonel H. H. D.S.O., Government Secretary, Mr. Ph. Le Masuner, Mrs. H. J. Wrigglesworth, Mrs. e. (Lady District Commissioner), Mr. F. J. Ahier (V1ce-Presldent of the Centre), Mr. O. L. Aubin (District Officer for Jersey), Mr. H. J. Wrigglesworth (Assistant Commissioner), and Dr. J. II. P. Fraser. \Xfe lcomin a the Bailiff, Dr. Shone said: "It is not necessary fo: me to introduce the for any organisation appertaining to. the well-being of the inhabitants of the island has his whole-hearted support and sympathy. He is, in fact, one of us in that he is our President."

County Surgeon, Dr. Hanna, he said, was not with them, unfortunately, but he had sent a telegram "Best wishes to you all.-Hanna."

Assistant Commissioner Wrigglesworth said that he had been to the island on four previous occasions for their inspection. Hitherto he had to play second flddle,but owing to the hea,'Y work on the mainland there was no one senior to him able to come. He said he was delighted with all he had seen. Their tum-out was exceedingly good. In fact, he had only 0r:e grouse, so that they were 99 per cent. good. He pOlnted out that all their success was made possible, not by one indiyidual, but by good team work.

the entrance and tied around the newly weds in a true lovers' knot.

The service was conducted by the Rev. T. Varteg Evans.

No. 9 DISTRICT. HAYLE.

The opening of the new headquarters of the Harle Ambulance Division took place recently, in the presence of a large gathering. Among those present were: ; \ssistant County Commissioner W. WI. Johnston (Truro), County Surgeon Dr. R. H. Hadfield (St. Just), Countr Transport Officer C. Tresidder (Truro), ex-County Commissioner Edgar Trounson

After the inspection and march past, a display of First Aid was given.

Mr. A. M. Coutanche (Deputy Governor) told the assembled units that it had been interesting to be there with the inspecting officers and local to see the practical side of the work they were domg and to know how hard they worked. Mr. Coutanchc:. concluded his address by saying: " I want, on behalt of the Island of Jersey, to tender you and the great institution you represent a very sincere' thank you'."

Later Dr. Maitland said he had to introduce the inspecting officers. That was the first time he had the pleasure of meeting them,. and he congratulate.d the wives on turning out theIr men so well. The! r

l-.1rs. Falwasser said it was a very great pleasure to see them all again, and she had enjoyed the , -isit very much. She congratulated the nurses and cadets on their marching, which \vas excellent and as good as she had seen elsewhere.

At the recent wedding of Ir. Alex 11cFayden, a member of the Jersey Ambulance Division, and fiss Dorothy Nicolle, of the Nursing Division, uniformed members of the Jersey Division made an arch,vav of splints and triangular bandages.

Among those present were District Officer O. L. Aubin, Ambulance Officer H. L. Bohea, Lad, Divisional Superintendent of the ursina Division: b and representatives of the Ambulance, Nursina and Cadet Divis ions b

As the happy couple walked out of the Church two triangular bandages, joined together, were held across

301

Colonel J. Ellis, Mr. e. V. Wills (Chairman ot t. 1tchael's Hospital contributory scheme), lr. and e. (repre enting t. :Michael's Hospltal), Mr. J. I...::. Blackmore and members of variou .1 \mbulance and Nursing' Di,-isions.

The was performed by the Lord-Lieutenant ot Cornwall (Lieut.-Colonel E. H. W. Bolitho) , who \vas presented with a key b'iT l-.Ir. ewton. Colonel Bolitho heartily congratulated the resident of I rayle and district upon "vhat had been accomplished for the t. J oiln Ambulance l-.Iovement.

The Headquarters ",-as dedicated "to the selTice of God and for the relief of human sufferina " by the Bishop of Truro. <::>

The building was accepted on behalf of the t. John Ambulance Headquarter by Lieut.-Colo!lel Dr. \"'( '. Black\\Tood, D . .0. (Count)" Commis ioner),

who was accompanied by Mrs. Blackwood, President of the Camborne Division. Dr. Blackwood added his congratulations to Hayle on the, success[ul culmination of a verv fine effort, and sa1d that smce the Diyision was seven years ago, their record had been one of splendid progress.

_10. 10 DISTRICT. IpSWICH.

The annual inspection of members of the St. John Ambulance Brigade in Ipswich was held on Saturday, September 17

The parade, under the command of Lieut.-Colonel M. MacEwan, D.F.C., T.D., marched from the Ambulance Hall to Christchurch Park accompanied

No. 6 DISTRICT. ASHINGTON COAL COY. CORPS County Commissioner S. Embleton, with Officers of the Corps

by the Brigade's Bugle Band and their new Sil,ver Band, which, under Bandmaster Lydford, was makmg its first public appearance.

The Inspecting Officer, Colonel C. M. Ellis, C.M.G., T.D., M.D., C.M., A.M.S., was received by the County Commissioner (Colonel A. Cloudesley Smith), supported by the Mayor of Ipswich (11:r. G. Underwood), Mayoress, and Dr. Hunter (Medical Officer of Health). Mter the review Colonel Ellis presented medals and parchments to various members.

Demonstrations in First Aid and A.R.P. were also given. Those responsible for the different sections included Corps Officer F. E. Goddard (First Aid), Lady Corps Superintendent B. Hossack (Nursing), Dr. R. Philpott, and Corps Officer W. C. Mayhew (A.R.P.).

At the conclusion of the proceedings the parade marched· to the Central Schools, where they were entertained to tea and to a concert given by the Silver Band.

OVERSEAS NEWS

INDIA

The Hon. :Mrs. Copland-Griffiths, a Commander of the Order and Assistant Lady Superintendent-inChief of the Nursing Divisions of the Brigade Overseas, is leaving in November for an extensive official tour of the Empire of India. Mrs. Copland-G riffiths will inspect Nursing Divisions throughout India, will endeavour to encourage the formation of new Divisions and will generally act as the Representative of the Lady Superintendent-in-Chief in all matters connected with Nursing Divisions of the Brigade Overseas.

This will be the 6th Overseas tour made from Headquarters in the last three years, the others being ;

The visit of the Chief Commissioner Overseas (Colonel James L. Sleeman, C.B., C.M.G., C.B.E., M.V.O., M.A.), to South Africa, Rhodesia, Australia and New Zealand in 1935-1936. To Gibraltar, 11:alta, Aden, India, Burma, Ceylon, Singapore, Penang and Hong Kong in 1936-1937, and to Gibraltar, Malta, Aden, Kenya, Uganda, Tanganyika, Zanzibar, the South African Ports and St. Helena in 1937-1938. The visit of the Lady Superintendent-in-Chief Oyerseas, Mrs. Lancelot Dent, A.R.R.C., to the Indies in 1938, and that of the Hon. J\,frs. Griffiths to Ceylon, Burma and the Malay States 1n 193 8 .

RANGOON RIOT;;

Following the tours to Burma of the Chief Commissioner of the St. John Ambulance Brigade Overseas-Colonel J. L. Sleeman, c.B., C.M.G., C.B.E.and the Assistant .Lady Superintendent-in-Chief of Nursing Divisions of the Brigade Overseas-the Hon. Mrs. Copland-Griffiths-great efforts have been made in that country to extend the scope and activities of the Brigade. A fair measure of success has rewarded these efforts and there are now 5 Ambulance Divisions, I Cadet Ambulance Division and 4 Nursing Divisions, all of which with one exception have been registered during the year 1938. These ne,v Divisions have had an early opportunity of proving their value to the community for early in August this year riots broke out in Rangoon and during the two days they lasted members of the Brigade were called upon to perform rescue and first aid work to the injured. These duties were carried out in circumstances of great difficulty and often in great danger.

Our congratulations are offered to these new Divisions in Rangoon on the splendid way in which they have maintained the traditions of the Brigade in this first serious call on their resources and our best wishes extended for their future success in the great humanitarian work in which all sections of the Order of St. John is engaged.

II RAILWAY NEWS II

Southern Railway

Contributed by E. A. RICHARDS.

REORG.L IS1\1'10 OF DISTRICTS.

On and from October I, District No. 6 will be rearranged as under:-

District No. 6a.

All Stations and Branches \Vilton to Pinhoe inclusive.

Mr. W. Rooks, clerk, Station Master's office, Exeter Central, will be the District Secretary for this area.

Dis/ric! No. 6b.

j

\.l1 Stations and Branches west of Exeter inclusive.

1\1r. F. J. Hancock, trains inspector, Exeter Central, will continue to take charge of this area.

Preliminary arrangements have been made for next year's Divisional Competitions. It is anticipated that these will take place early in 1[arch. The places of competition will be announced later.

CLASS \ D CmIPETITIo:r-.. ARRA -GEME TS.

The pamphlet giving particulars as to the provision of ambLllance equipment at stations and depots, the arrangements for the formation and conduct of ambulance classes, and the conditions for next year's competitions will be reissued shortly. Copies may be obtained from the j\.mbulance District Secretaries or from the Welfare Assistant.

REDBRIDGE CHA.LLEKGE Cup CmfPETITIO

As previously announced, the above competition will take place at Southampton on Saturday, November 12.

This competition, which has come to be one of the largest in the South of England, will be eagerly looked forward to by competitors and visitors alike, and there is every reason to believe that this year's event will be quite as successful as its predecessors.

s.

ISLEWORTH.-Medals for 21 years' and 14 years' service were among the awards presented to members of the Houhslow and Isleworth class recently.

Mr. W/. E. Lawrence, tation :l\1aster, Hounslow, presided. Ile apologised for the absence of the Class Lecturer and Surgeon, Dr. C. \Y!. Cameron, of Barnes, who was away on ummer \' acation, and introduced the doctor's sister, 1fiss Cameron, who had kindly consented to present the awards. They greatly appreciated 11i s Cameron's visit, he said, because the success of the class was undoubtedly due to the untiring efforts of Dr. Cameron.

Mr. Lawrence read an appeal from the London \Vest Divisional Superintendent to the staff at all stations to increase the membership of the ambulance classes.

Mr. A. Brazier, the Class Secretary, reported upon the increase made in the movement during the past session and asked those present to take a course in the Company's A.R.P. movement, so fitting themselves should need arise.

The awards were then presented by Miss Cameron, who complimented the successful members, and declared that Dr. Cameron was more than proud to be the instructor of a class with such a £ine record.

Mr. Brazier, seconded by Mr. G. Renow, proposed a vote of thanks to both Miss Cameron and J\1r. Lawrence, and the Secretary, and thanked his assistant, Mr. C. Tarry, for the fine way he had always worked with both the class and himself.

NINE ELMS.-The members of the above class held their annual concert and presentation of awards recently at the Brunswick House, Vauxhall.

The event was presided over by Mr. 11arshaU, who was supported by other local officers of the Company.

Mr. \Y!. H. Sims tendered the thanks of the members of the class to 1ft. and Mrs. Marshall for attending, and said how pleased they all were to have them among them that evening.

Mr. Barrow, District Secretary, addressed the gathering, and in his address remarked upon the certificate of merit which had been awarded to Mr. G. Arming at the early part of the year, and wJ:llch was presented to him that eyening. Following this gold medals were presented to:Messrs. Remington, Sims and Smith, these being the oldest active members of the Nine Elms Class.

Mrs. Marshall was presented with a bouquet by Miss Eileen Batten.

Mr. :Marshall e}"-pressed his thanks for the manner in which both .NIrs. j\[arshall and himself had been received, and said how pleased he was with the progress of the class. He brought to notice the special appeal which was being launched by the Company for more employees to attend First Aid lectures, and hoped that a \vorthy response would be forthcominofrom the staff at 1 ine Elms. He stated that he would ensure that every member would be o-iven the necessary facilities to attend the lectures thaf were arranged. At the conclusion of his speech the Chairman was accorded musical honours, after which the company enjoyed an excellent musical programme arranged by 1fiss 11ansell.

London Midland & Scottish Railway

Contributed by GILBERT HILL. RCGELEY.

On September I] a representatiye o-atherino- of local railwaymen assembled for the b of presenting a,vards gained during the past year.

11r. F. Sear (chairman) introduced Ir. J. Jones, (Colllil1t1ed 011 page 306)

r

Interesting Case Reports II

CASE REPORT No. 144.-The Officer-in-Charge of the Plymouth S W. Devon and E. Cornwall S.] .A.B. reports the efficient performance of first by members of the Tavistock Division in the folloWIng difficult circumstances :-

At 6 p.m. on July 13 members of the Tavistock Di vision received a call to go to the help of a lady who had fallen over the steps at Lydford Gorge severely injured her leg. On arrival the men expenenced great difficulty in getting down to the of the Goro-e with the stretcher; but, after wrapplfig bandages rgund their boots, they were able to proceed over the slippery rocks. \'\Then they. the patient, they discovered that it was to carry the stretcher up through the narrow turrungs and had to find another way up the Gorge. Consequently, six men (including the village constable) set to work to carry the patient through the woods to the ambulance which operation took them m,ore than one and a half hours. This done, the pauent was conveyed to Tavistock Hospital where she was detained and subsequently made a complete recovery.

Cmu-1ENT. This report illustrates the importallce of " resourcefulness" to members of the Brigade. It, therefore, remains for us to tender cordial to members of the Tavistock Dit)ision in the u/try m whIch they exer;ised this qualification of good first aiders in d(lficult circulJlstances.- . C.

F.

Questions and Answers

PL1\1 TS OF AN OVERSEA CmlPETITOR

C. S. (South Africa).-Recently a competition was held among Nursing Divisions in the to eliminate the team to represent the Transvaal 1n the South African Competition in October. One of the Superintendents inadvertently omitted to submit her entry on the closing date (a Saturday). So she posted her form to reach the office at its opening the following week.

Two Superintendents who had entered teams sent direct to the office a joint letter of protest agaInst the acceptance of this late entry and threatening to withdraw their teams if this team were allowed to compete.

I would like your opinion on the following points :

(1) Should Superintendents in a position to know what entnes besIdes their own have been received and whether they were received after the closing date or not?

(2) Are Superintendents in order jf they send such a protest? Is it not the. Commissioner's duty to decide whether late entnes be accepted or not?

(3) Should such protests, if in order, not be through the correct channels in accordance B rigade Regulations, i.e., to the Corps Supenntendent, to be passed on to the ,Superintendent, for submission to the ComffilsslOner ?

I will not for your opinion of the sportsmanlike behaviour of the two Divisional Superintendents. As I do not knOlv the lWles and Regulat;om lvhich control the South African Competition I tim. if!, a position to form (much less to express) al!y opmlOns zvzth to 'y01lr three qlleries! evell though -l0tlr letter does suggest sOlJle irregularity ill procedure. .5 0 I venture to hope that the best team may rvin !-N. C. F. FRACTURES OF RIB A D

F. E. (Birmingham).-Please tell me how we should treat a patient suffering frorr: a of the accompanied by severe bleedmg, a complIcated fracture of the rlght rJ bs and a compound fracture of the right femur.

With tbis combination of injuries tbere 1}JOII/d be a grrt/ {' degree of shock. COllsequentlY patient 1VOld4 reqllire reJlloval Oil a stretcher. In the clrClflllstance, havmg takell steps to keep the patient as Ivarlll as po.r.rible, 'y Olt 2l'Oll/rl COJllmence actioN by treating the 1Z Olmd of the neck and cOlltrolling the arterial bleedillg. Then /Olt lJIould dren tbe IVOUl1d of thigh alld prevent agRravatlol1 the fractured felJ.lur fry the limbs at the knees, and feet as best -"Of( Jlla)" bem,g careful to aVOId extension to the limb. This done, ),Otl 1VOII/d can]' Ollt tbe instmctions of the T extbook (p. 8o) 1vith reference to .the fractured rib.f, except that, bJ',reasoll of the thl.f,h, 'you would not incline the the lIlj tlre 4SIde. Finally, Y01l 1vottld procure medIcal aId for YOHr patlellt at the first possible IJIOIJmlt.- C. F. TRA -SPORT OF P:\.

W. G. (Hove).-In our Division is some understanding about the Stretcher Dnllm the ReVIsed Textbook. In the previous edition it clearly stated that Bearer No. 3 of the squad is to supply the stretcher but the new book gives no such order. I am told that in the August jssne of THE GAZETTE you stated that the old instruction still holds good.

In these circumstances I venture to tell you how we carry out this movement. stre.tchers are .laid out three paces apart and the DIvlslOn IS formed mto stretcher squads. We then get the order to stand to stretcher which means that we get to our posts on the Nos. 2 and 4 on the left and Bearers Nos. I and 3 on the right. This to me seems a very slovenly way of carryin g c:>ut the order,because each man gets to his post as qUIckly as POSSl ble, the result being a jumble of men round the stretcher!

I have always been pleased with your replies queries in THE GAZETTE, and so I hope that you wIll enlighten me on this matter.

Tf7ith regret I have nothing to add to J/(} repb ,vhic/J 1vas published in the August iSSHe 0/ TIIE. " and, as I then stated, 1ve can 017(y l1)atf lmtd the rel'ued

edition o[ the Manual of Drill and Camping is is.rued.N. C. F QUERIES ON REVISED TEXTBOOK

]. T. (Finchley).-I have read with pleasure the review and analysis in THE GAZETTE by the Surgeonin-Chief of the 39th Edition of Text Book, and have noted points; and I now ask if before closing the survey he would express an opinion on some of the illustrations, or alternatively repl y to a few problems of mine.

I agree that many of the new illustrations are a gain, though in the older editions one did somehow realise that the engravings were diagrammatic. The introduction of photographs, however, suggests that illustrations give examples of applications as they should appear, or else as faked photographs they are misleading, matters being somewhat complicated in one instance by the introduction of a patient wearing the somewhat unusual high neck or polo sweater. I believe, moreover, that illustrations in Surgical Text Books approach the real and not the ideal.

(I) Dealing with Figs. 40 and 41, is the sweater outer or second garment? Principle II on page 25 read C< Cncover the patient as little as possible since exposure increases shock," while on page 81, Rule I tells us to " Remove the coat and as much more of the clothing as is expedient." If the sweater is the outer garment it has not been removed in Fig. 41, which leaves in Fjg. 40 no indication whether bandages hould go mTer or under a lounge jacket.

(2) Fig. 45, « bandage above fracture" on page 68 under" for the limbs" I read" pass the bandage twice round the limb, and tie the ends over the outer splint." fuch more noticeable to the eye is Fig. 45-to have encircled forearm sufficient to finish with knots so near ends with a regulation narrow bandage of near 60 inches taking 12 inches each turn means five times round, and noticeable is the same effect in Fig, 46 and possibly 43, and to use up a bandage in treatment of fracture of humerus, Fig. 43, with forearm in sling means ten times round. I raise this point because many beginners in F.A. classes and recruit to the Brigade attempt this, till checked, as it is easier to copy illustrations than to read the text. Though the demonstrator may have illustrated correctly, when moved for practice candidates have not remembered all and lay the Textbook open and try to COP) the illustrations.

The second bandage illustrated in Fig. 45 makec one wonder who put tbat on for the photo, for even jf one gets the sequence the angles would not be the same, as numbers of us including Divi ianal Ufgeons have tried.

Then look at Fig. 46. W'hy, when the treatment is for removal to surgery or hospital, take ort coat and turn up the sleeye when injury is alreadv exposed, (4) Next with reference to hremorrhage, the instruction in Rule 3, page 108, reads: "Expose the wound, removing only whatever clothing be necessary.

The first aider is seldom wamng for the accident to occur, and with even a few minutes lapsing before their arrival at the scene of accident, most first aiders do not know how long it takes to lose sufficient blood to be fatal! In the August issue of THE GAZETTE the Surgeon-in-Chief quotes three minutes for a torn femoral artery. In these circumstances would it be advisable as Fig. 60 suggests to wait to remove coat and vest, and open the shirt before applying digital pressure?

(5) Again with Fig. 65 (arterial hemorrhage calling for pressure on subclavian) would it not be sufficient to rip off collar and apply pressure? A suggestion would be welcome as to what kind of injury would suggest arrest of hremorrhage from axillary artery as shown in Fig. 66 if Fig. 65 is right.

(6) Fig. 67 seems to need a note that for students and for practice purposes this operation could be tried, as urely with hremorrhage below the biceps muscle, one would not wait to take off the shirt before applying digital pressure at brachial pressure point, and in that case would not be able to feel pulse at wrist.

I may be told that discrimination is one of the of first aiders. Yes, in treatment of injury but not to discriminate whether to accept \vhat his Textbo ok says once and illustrates differently several times.

That illustrations can approach the real is shov,;n by Figs. 34, 24, 25, 27, etc.

\'X 'ith thanks for much help gained from the re\ iew and replies to queries, and asking forbearance if it is my density that raises the problems.

YOI!!' letter sllggests that )'011 hazle fallen into the error, ]})hich, as YOlt .rtate, is lJIade ry " beginners in first aid alld recmits to the Brigade," alld that ]011, if! YOHr tum, are re(yil1 u 011 the diagralJls for the illc/JlJion of fttll and detailed illstmetioll, lvithott! reference to the context! III theJe cirC/IIJJJ-tallces I re-affz'/'l/; opillion that the photoJ!,raphic reprodlfctions are emphatica!IJ' all ilJlprovemellt 011 the old diagrams al1d that, being tme (and 110t faked) iI/mtrat;om, thry shO]]1 liS real pictllreJ. Ir' dh regard to )'0/11' specific qtlerieJ :-

(I) In //1)' reviell' I condemned the polo sweater of 41 and 42. I did this 011 the grolllldJ- that the garmellt 1110.) prel'eJ1t tht' pad being wei! and tm!)' illJerfed into the axilla. COIl.fequellt!J' it lJIatters 1I0t a jot ll'hether it be « an otlter 01' .'econd garlllfllt." RUII/ollr has it that the Rellisioli COli/lllittee selerted a 1II0dei J)'ith dark S}J'eater for artistic reasolls and to get a contrast of black and white in thnf illlIStratiotls.

(2) YOll haN' /lot made ),0111' difjiadty dear 011 thi.r point alJd ji'alJk!J' 1 do kJlO]} , hOJJ I),011 get fiu alld even tell 0/ balJda,,,f!,tJ'. the iJltrodlfction (ill the last editioll 0/ the Te:-..:tbook) of a figure of {'i(Jbt ballda u{' to do the }}'OI'k t7l'0 bal/dagfJ, the bandages splil/t.. })'fi'e applied "twire rOlfnd the limb" so that the hlOtJ ]J'ere placed e.,\·lel'l1al{j' or , ill other words, ill mch a pOJitioll Ihat (Colltinlfed on page 307)

Railway News (Co11timled from page 303)

the No. 9 District Secretary, who presented the awards, among which were gold medals (15 years) to }.tlessrs. H. F. Di.'{, E. G. Lane and G. S. Willis croft ; eight bars, three medallions and two vouchers.

Tribute was paid to the untiring work of Drs. C. V. Devlin and L. D. Roberts. Hearty votes of thanks were passed to IvIt. G. T. Morris, Hon. Secretary. MANCHESTER.

On September 6 Nir. Humphreys presented the 2nd Division Championship Shield to the Hunt's Bank team, who were successful at the last District Competition.

Mr. Allen thanked him on behalf of the team and class. 1tlr. Humphreys gave Mr. Player, the class instructor, a pair of gold cuff links' on behalf of the class.

BARROW-TN-FUR rnss.

In recognition of Mr. G. Dickinson's 12 years' service as District Secretary (No. 23), a supper was held on August 31 and presided over by 11r. Hoggarth. Mr. W. Thursfield, who made the presentation on behalf of the Barrow Motive Power members, paid a tribute to Mr. Dickinson's work, and his remarks were endorsed by Dr. Stewart, Class Lecturer. Mr. Dickinson expressed his thanks for the table cigarette lighter and box, and drew attention to the valuable assistance he had received from }.tIr. R. Snape, Class Secretary, afterwards distributing the ambulance awards, which included 25 years' gold bar to Mr. Thursfield and a 15 years' gold medal to Mr. Snape. EDGE HILL.

On August 30 Mr. E. Crossley presided over a large gathering of ambulance men and friends, and Mrs. Crossley presented awards.

The main feature was the presentation of the cup to Mr. J. Carline, who, although a first-year man, won the annual handicap competition in connection with the Loco Depatrment. R. Black (voucher) was second and W. Gleeson third. Each man received a prize, and Mr. Carline the additional prize kindly given annually by Mr. Crossley.Mr. Crossley was accompanied by Messrs. W. Hazeldine, J. Lunt (District Secretary), J. S. Jones and J. H. Wileman (Class Secretary), who was responsible for an excellent variety programme. GLOUCESTER.

The annual competition for the Dr. Gee Cup and prizes contested by the combined ambulance corps of the city was held recently. Mr. A. E. Walker presided, and Mr. H. Leslie Boyce, M.P., and Mrs. Boyce distributed the prizes.

The results were :-ISt, "E" Team (G. Hughes T. Worrall, A C. Oakey, W. W. Watts (Capt.», 153 marks; 2nd, " C" Team (F. Pocketts, F. Brooking, L. Rust, E. V. Freeman (Capt.», 151 marks; 3rd, "D " Team (T. Oswell, W. Meek, A. J. Allison, Junr., T. D. Silvery (Capt.», 150 marks.

Maximum marks were :- Team test, 100: Individual, 80.

First and second individual prizes were won by L. Rust and H. Lowe.

President's prize for first year men was won by L. A. Spencer.

London & North EasternRailway

Contributed by S. COOPER. D ARLINGTON.

The Darlington District Engineers' Class held their annual social evening and presentation of awards at the Co-operative Hall, Priestgate, Darlington, on September 14, when there was an attendance of about 300.

J. Works Superintendent and Class PresIdent, mtroduced Mr. J. H. McIlvenna District Engineer, who presided, Mrs. !vlcIlv;nna prethe awards, COnSISting of 14 Certificates, rune Vouchers, three Medallions and 35 Labels; also the Bygate and Wade Cup and :Medals.

The Engineers' team won the District Shield and took second place in the Wharton Shield Competition and thus gained the Hornsby Cup.

Votes of thanks were proposed by Mr. F. Wilson, Class Chairman, seconded by Councillor A. Trees and supported by Mr. J. H. Scarr, Class Secretary. Among those present were Mr. S. Cooper, Centre Secretary; Mr. S. P. Thompson, District Secretary; and lvlr. J. R. Mowatt, District Chairman.

A co?cert given the Darlington Accordion mcluding vocal Items followed by dancing, which concluded at 2 a.m., the music being provided by Windale's Band.

PERCY MAIN.

On August 14 the members of the Percy :Main Class an? their lady friends travelled by motor coach to Wallington Hall, Cambo, the seat of Sir Charles Trevelyan, and on arrival the party congregated on the lawn, where they were welcomed by Sir Charles and i.n very pleasing manner he presented the awards: conslstmg of V one Medallion and 13 Labels, after which he kindly invited the party to look over the hall and gardens.

The Mr. S. Cooper, gave a report of the actIVIties the North Eastern Area during the 1937- 38 seSSlOn, and presented a long service gold medal to Mr. R. S. Buston.

After spending a very enjoyable afternoon the party journeyed to Hexham, where tea was Mr. P. Gracen, Class Secretary, is to be congratulated on the splendid arrangements made.

KIRKBY STEPHEN.

The annual supper and presentation of awards in connection with the Kirkby Stephen Class took place at the . Pennine Hotel on September 15, when Mr. A. H, Earley, Station Master, presided over a

large attendance, and was supported by Mr. T. B. Hare, District Superintendent and President; Mr. S. Cooper, Centre Secretary; Mr. S. P. Thompson, District Secretary; and Mr. J. R. Mowatt, District Chairman.

Mr. Cooper gave a resume of the area activities during the last session, and said there had been 174 classes formed and 3,598 students had successfully passed the necessary examination, a figure that had not been achieved since the Centre was formed in 1895.

Mr. Cooper presented Long Service Gold Medals to Messrs. R. Alderson and R. Buckle, of Kirkby Stephen, and T. Buckle, of Ravenstonedale.

11r. Hare presented the awards, consisting of two Vouchers, four Medallions and 23 Labels, and said he was particularly glad to attend ambulance functions, as he considered the ambulance movement such a sane and sensible social service, and appealed to the members of the class to act as missionaries for the good cause and obtain new members.

The arrangements were ably carried out by Mr. !v!. J. Aisbitt (Class Secretary).

Questions and Answers

(ContinNed frolll page 305)

the.;' could easilY and quickf} be loosened. This 1vas done o placing the cmtre of the llarrOJv bandage 011 the external splint j folding it rOllnd the limb and splints and tyillf!, off Oil the external splint.

The lise of this bandage has bem extended ill the Revised Textbook, and itJ application is effected by cOllllJlCllcing lvi/h a Vety short end (and NOT nlith the centre) of the bandage. 1f),011 realise this difference, JIOf/ 1vill find it possible to reproduce the second (and IOJver) bandage as illmtrated in Fi,...f!,s. 45 alld 4 6 ([racfllre of forearm and crtlshed hand) alld as deJcribed in Rille 3 011 p, 84 (fracture of arm or forearm itJvobJiJl,(J e!boJjI joil1t) (3) }':'o significance is intellded ill Fig. 46 by the fac! that the coat has been remo1'ed alld the sleet)e rolled "p at the elb01v.

(4) To me )'01/ seem to be labollring this point " and the fact relllains that ulhat the Te.'\:tbook is teaching iJ that no one, be he doctor or first aider, can treat a wOlllld IIllless (alld until) he has fit/(y exposed it.

(5) 1 Tere agaill yO!! do 110/ make )'0"" d!fficIIII]' rlear: and I callnot ilJla<-f!,ilJe what )'o/! lIleall 1Jlhm ),011 a.rk " Tr 'hat killd of il!!"') 1J'Ollid S!(f!,geJt arrest . .. .J!

You cat! cOli/press the subclavian artel] 0/ a clothed patient and ]vit/;ollt the lIeed to " rip o/f the collar," prolJided that ),011 place him and his upper limb il1 the correct position rZS laid dOll '11 ill tbe Textbook. Further, if ),011 loosen the rlothillg rOlllld the !leck then the test becomes slil/ more ea-D'.

(6) J-j ere a<.f!,ail1 ),011 seem to me to labo/lr this point, and here a,gain yo/! can easi!J cOlllpreSJ the brachial arteIJI of a clolhed patiellt. Clearty, the RelJisiotl COlJllilittee stripped their IIIOd:/ ilz this instawe so that st/ldmtJ lIIight see the poillt of presslire ill the dia.gralJl-betlJ'efl1 the biceps (abOl'£') dna the biceps ml/Jc/e (/J eI01J 1).-N.C. F.

II Reviews II

COMMON ERRORS I::\, FIRST AID. By N. Corbet Fletcher, M.B., B.Chir., M.A.Cantab" 11.R.C.S., L.R.C.P., Lond.

I have read with interest the third edition of Common Errors in r,:rst Aid by Dr. N. Corbet Fletcher, and realise how interesting this little book must be to those who really take an interest in First Aid and want to know something of why they do certain things in a certain manner.

Tegative teaching is often very valuable. If you have your attention drawn to common errors, you are less likely to commit them.

A few variations of accepted practice have crept into the book, to which, I feel sure, the writer will not mind attention being citawn, as I think they may mislead some of the readers. -

The bandage round the body in fracture clavicle brings the two ends more nearly together, not the St. John sling.

Only the wrist and hand bandages for fracture forearm starts with a short end round the wrist other two start in the ordinary way round the ru:.nd. The pad in fracture patella serves to keep the heel from pressing on the back splint.

I am surprised to see severe bleeding from electric burns.

I have frequently used electric cautery to cut through yessels and stop them bleeding, so saving ligature.

11y reaction to wounds and antiseptics is too well known to criticise the suggestions in chapter five. A healthy difference of opinion is good for the advancement of the technique of First Aid.

I \yould like to see the fundamental difference of arrest of circulation and promotion of bleeding in "Snake Bite" and "Bite bv Rabid Animal" emphasised. .

I note the difference in rotation of emetic and tarch in "Iodine Poisoning."

Apart from these few instance I li ke the book immensely and feel sure that it fulfills a \,'ant in the First \id world.

I can \vholeheartedly recomm.end it to all who ::tre thirsting for further knowledge in our common cause.

A. C. WHITF K:---.o,.

Priory for Wales

Headquarters: Priory House, 4 Cathedral Rd. , Cardiff

GEN ERAL INTEREST

ApPOI OF EXEC 'TIVE OFFICER

The Sub-Prior, the Earl of Plymouth, P.C, has appointed Daniel Daniel, Esq , J.P., to succeed the late Sir Henry Philipps, Bart ., in the office of Commander of Slebech.

Mr. Daniel, who is Commissioner for the Pembrokeshire County Centre of the PriorY, has had a lon a connection' with Ambulance \Vork, having ser';ed for many years on the Chapter and Standing Committees, while he is one of the three representatives of the Priory on Chapter-G eneral.

The title of" Commander of Slebecb," which ranks eighth in the order of precedence of executive offices, is reminiscent of the importance of the former Commandery of Slebech, which is reputed to have ranked next to the Commandery in Clerkenwell in the early history of the Order.

The duties of this office are defined in the Priory Regulations as follows :-

" The Commander of Slebech shall be regarded as the Officer whose duty it is to preserve the continuity of the history of the Order in Wales by acting as modern representative of the ancient Commandery of that name thereby utilizing the old and traditional in the service of the present. He shall be representative of the Priory at the Service held on the site of the Commandery ruins at Slebech, if and when held,"

The Baron de Rutzen, owner of Slebech Park, is the Assistant Commander of Slebech; and in that cap acity is prepared to assist in connection with the holding of a Service in the ancient Chapel of Slebech.

AMBULANCE TRANSPORT DEVELOPME -T

The co-ordinated chain of Ambulances maintained and operated by the Priory in the South Wales coalfield has been extended by the opening of a new Station at Clydach-on-Tawe. The majority of the Colliery Companies and workmen in the area are already contributing and, with the increased support it is hoped to obtain, there is every prospect of this Station becoming self-supporting.

Another recent development is the purchase of an Ambulance service of two cars formerly operated by a commercial undertaking in the Garnant area; and the question of the opening of a new Station to serve subscribers in the immediate vicinity is due for consideration at the next meeting of the Priory Trans30 8

port Sub-Committee. Meanwhile service is being rendered from the nine ambulances in Carmarthenshire and \Vest Glamorgan. During the first six: months of 1938, the twenty-one cars carried a total of 9,193 cases involving 157,166 miles, an increase of 443 cases and 9,920 miles on 1937, when the number of calls averaged fifty per day for the whole year.

BRIGADE SURGEO -s' CONFERE CE

Dr. D. Rocyn Jones, CB.E., J.P., Surgeon-inChief for Wales, presided over a Conference of Surgeons held at the City Hall on unday morning, September 18, when he was supported by Major A. W. Anderson, lvLB., Ch.B., Assistant Surgeon-inChief for Wales, and Captain S. B. Turner, lvLR.C ., L.R.CP., A.R.P. Staff Officer for \X;'ales; and the Surgeons of County and higher rank included Dr. lv1cCormac (Commissioner for Newport), Dr. Edgar Llewellyn (Commissioner for Cardiff), and County Surgeons Dr. E. Lewys-Lloyd (11erionethshire), D;. E. J. Herington Budge (Barry), Dr. G. L. Pierce (Aberdare), Dr. C G. fackay (1-Ionmouthshire), amI Colonel J. P. J. Jenkins, l.R.CS., L.R.CP. (Monmouthshire)

Considerable discussion centred round the debatable question of the type of antiseptic to be carried in the Brigade member's haversack in view of the fact that " Iodine" is not specifically recommended in the new 39th edition of FirJ"t Aid to tbe l'!iured; and it has since been ascertained that " Surgical Spirit" is now substituted for" Iodine" in the haversacks and official pouches.

Dr. Lewys-Lloyd remarked on a disturbing lack of skill shown by ambulance competitors at the National Eisteddfod and other important events in the subject of " Shock"; and while it was appreciated that in a minimum of six lectures it was not possible to devote one entirely to this subject, the Principal Secretary was requested to advise Lecturers in sending out the new Class Regulations that the minimum number of lectures should be supplemented whenever possible, particularly with a view to dealing adequately with the subject of " Shock."

The position of the A.R.P. Casualty Service was considered in relation to the Brigade, and Dr. S. B. Turner announced demils of the Week-end Courses arranged in London by the Chief Commissioner.

Colonel J. P. Jenkins was warmly congratulated on his achievement in qualifying for a C.A.G.S . Special

Certificate at Falfield, where he attended a course as one of B rigade nominees from Wales on August Z9 to September 10.

RE ULT OF CARDIFF ApPEAL

Fine weather favoured tbe " St. John Ambulance Day" appeal made by the Priory to citizens of Cardiff under the auspices of the Lady Mayoress (11rs. O. C Purnell), on aturday, September 3. The date allotted by the Watch Committee being so near the holiday season deprived the Priory of a number of helpers; and a shortage of workers accounted no doubt for the drop in the proceeds from over £zoo in 1937 to a total of £ 183 on September 3 this year.

The Deputy Lady Mayoress, lY1rs. Robert Beven, presided over a meeting held at the City Hall on September 30, at which the result was announced; and preented a number of rri7eS, kindly gh' en by Cardiff business houses, to the collectors of the highest amounts. The Principal ecretary (The Hon. John H. Bruce, J.P., D.L.) thanked all who had contributed to the result and referred to the Priory actiyities within its Cardiff Centre. Lady (1Ierbert) Lewis, O.B.E., appealed for recru its for the important peace work of the Brigade.

CENTRE REPORTS

GL -\\[ORG \ COl"'\' TY C} '" TRl PotJtypridd COJfJ1lj' Area - \[r. \. G. E. J. Fudge, AssL tant Commissioner for \'\ 'alcs, conducted the annual inspection of over Z50 members of the Pontypridd Corps on undar, eptember 25, Nursing Units being inspected by the \ssistant Lady upt.in-Chief for Wales, Lady (Herbert) Lewis, O.B.E. Mr. Fudge complimented the \sslstant Commissioner, Dr. Tudor Williams, on the smartness and efficiency of the parade, which was in charge of County Officer R. Hewer and Corps Supt. H. Clift, with Lady County Officer Mrs. Tudor \Villiams and Lady Corps Officer Mrs. F. J. Robinson in charge of the Nursing Units.

Mrs. Williams has just received notification of the comments of Lieut-Col. R. M. Davies, R.A.1LC, who was detailed by the \Var Office to conduct the Annual Inspection of the Voluntary Aid Detachment, Glam. 260, of which she is Commandant, and it is satisfactory to know that he has recommended the Detachment for continuance of official recognition and commented generally as under :-

cc An efficient Detachment with a good proportion of Mobile lvfembers. They had taken the trouble to obtain Service Gas Masks for all members and they knew how to use them. The fedical Officer and Commandant were very enthu iastic and provided their own children as patients." The Commandant is well qualified to give the instruction in Anti-Gas, which i so important in V.A.D. work, as she attended the week's Course for V. J\.D. Officers at the Anti-

Gas Wing of the Small Arms School at Winterbourne Gunner in 1936.

The Pontypridd County Area is fortunate also in having a Commissioner who has qualified as a Special CA.G.S. Instructor at Falfield in 1937.

Mo 110UTHSHIRE

Ambulance Half new Ambulance Hall erected at Beaufort with the aid of a 5° per cent. grant from Special Areas Fund was opened on October 20 by County Councillor Jack Games. Captain S. T. Beard, O.B.E., Commissioner for Monmouthshire, presided, supported by the Assistant Commissioner, Capt. L. Twiston Davies, O.B.E., J.P., D.L., F.S.A., Dr. and Mrs. G. Rocyn Jones and a large gathering of ambulance supporters and friends who were afterwards entertained at the Wesleyan Church Schoolroom, where :0.1r. Games presented a number of ambulance awards. In the course of his remarks he complimented the Division on its achieyement; and said the assistance received from the Special Areas Fund and the g rant of furniture from the liners' \Velfare Fund were indications of the value of the services being rendered in Beaufort. A vote of thanks to the Joint Committee for :Monmouthshire and South \\7ales, finers' \Velfare Fund, was afterwards moved by County Councillor \V. Cox and seconded by Councillor Aneurin Davies.

Di,risional Superintendent J. Arrowsmith thanked the speakers for their encouraging remarks on the occasion of the fulfilment of an aim for which all the members had worked together since the formation of the Division.

Corps Supt. H. J. Lewis, D.C1L, :LvL1I., the hope that with the acquisition of such adequate accommodation the Division would endeavour to form a Nursing Division and Cadet Units at Beaufort.

CITY OF CARDIFF CE.:-iTRE

Dow/a;s rr-orks Division.-A pleasant evening following a coastal tour was spent by Officers and 1iembers of the Cardiff (Dowlais \Vorks) Division at the Queens Hotel, Cardiff, on the occasion of the annual presentation of awards on Saturday, September 10.

ir. Percy \Villiams, Works :i\1anager, presided, and received the insignia of a Serving Brother from Dr. Edgar Llewellyn, Commissioner, who eulogised 11r. Williams's many years of interest and practical support in the development of mbulance Work within the Dowlais Works. The senrices of fr. 10ses foses were recognised by a Yote of thanks awarded by H.R.H. the Prior and Chapter of the Priory, which was presented to :Mr. lvloses by 11r. WI. 1ab o n Abraham, Brigade Secretary.

fro G. \V. Jones, '\ ork Officer, stressed the importance of Air Raid Precautions and thanked Divisional Members for their ready a si tance and keen interest.

Divisional Superintendent J. Macdonald was responsible for the organisation of the event.

A.R.P. Activities.-The Commissioner, Dr. Edgar Llewellyn, is co-operating \vith the Medical Officer of Health in the provision of personnel for First Aid Parties and Posts in Cardiff; and in response to a circular addressed to members of Cardiff Divisions a personal undertaking to as required has been obtained from almost every officer and member of the Brigade in Cardiff. IYfembers of the A.R.P. Au.>ciliary Reserve are' being encouraged to take a Course of First Aid; and the classes for men and women now being started by the Cardiff Divisions will doubtless find a welcome influx of new members.

BOROUGH OF }'!lERTHYR TYDFIL CENTRE

Captain D. G. Richards, Corps A.R.P. Officer, presided at the annual competitions for the "Dr. Leigh" silver challenge cup for male teams and the " Jackson" Cup for Cadets on Saturday, September 17. Dr. Elton Foster, Divisional Surgeon, assisted by Brigade Officers, judged the contests, the results of which were as under:-

Dr. Leigh CUP.-I, Ffaldau Institute and Garw; 2, Abertillery; 3, Kenfig Hill; 4, Brecon Police; 5, Bargoed; and 6, Penygraig.

Jackson CUp.-I, Duffryn Aman Cadets; 2, Kenfig Hill Cadets; 3, Cilfynydd Cadets; and 4, Cross Hands Cadets.

Mr. Tom Andrews, J.P., presented the trophies, and Captain Richards handed medals for Individual Work to W. H. Newbury, Penygraig; C. Markinson, Ffaldau; and W. Withers, T. Price and F. Hurley, Abertillery.

BOROUGH OF CENTRE

An aeroplane that droned overhead for about ten minutes lent an air of reality to a demonstration on Newport Athletic Ground on Sunday, September 25, of the resources and work of men and women of the St. John Ambulance Brigade in the event of an air raid. Half a dozen "victims" who lay prone on the ground after the " raid» were smartly attended to by ambulance men and women, and were then conveyed to places of shelter on stretchers.

The demonstration, which was watched, among others, by Major C. A. Lidbury, Air Raid Precautions Officer for Newport, was part of the annual inspection of Newport (Mon.) Corps conducted by the Commissioner for Wales, the Hon. John H. Bruce, who was accompanied by Dr. D. Rocyn Jones, Surgeon-inChief for Wales, and, in his inspection of the nursing unit, by the Mayor of Newport, Alderman Mrs. H. J. Hart, J.P. In a short address Mr. Bruce said that they had assumed to-day one of the most important responsibilities ever undertaken in time of peace. The Brigade expects every man and woman, boy and girl cadet to interest themselves in the subject of A.R.P., he said, and though no one is compelled to take part he felt Newport members would not be laggards.

Among those present at the inspection and tea which followed in the gymnasium were Mr. WI. H. Robinson, the Chief Constable of Newport, Mr. H. S. Mr. A. Ernest Jones, 1:1r. W. J. T. Collins, J.P., PreSIdent the Corps, Mr. N. J. Young, M.B.E., :MaJor Lidbury, Dr. S. McCormac, Commissioner for Ne\vport, Corps Surgeon Dr. W. Verner Divisional Surgeon Dr. S. John,<"'Dr. Garraway Smith: County Officer S. E. Tynllhitt, :JYlr. G. Campbell Oliver, ex-Corps Superintendent J. Barber, Corps Superintendent J. Bellew, Corps Secretary H. C Worthy, Corps Officer T. J. Raines, County Officers and the Divisional Officers.

When the parade formed into a square in front of the grandstand the Mayor presented a Certificate of Honour awarded by the Grand Prior of the Order to Private Harold Millard for gallant conduct whilst on public duty on the occasion of the visit of the King and Queen to Newport in 1937.

The Mayor presented a vote of thanks on vellum " for distinguished services to the Priory for Wales" to Mr. N. J . Young, lvLB.E., and Mr. W. E. Baines Chairman of the Newport Centre, presented the Ernes; Jones Challenge Cup to the Alexandra Dock Team) this year's winners.

Other presentations were made by the :Mayor, Dr. Rocyn Jones and County Officer Tyrwhitt.

NE WS IN BRIEF

The Abertysswg Division are open to consider fixtures for table tennis with any other Division within a distance during the coming season. They WIll also welcome an opportunity of exchanging visits with other units for social evenings during the winter months. Divisions which the benefits of " a home of their own" are in a pos{tion to encourage a social side of Brio-ade activities but it is always understood that onlv functions nected with the fundamental work of the unit concerned can be financed from Brigade funds.

The Grand Priory Church of the Venerable Order of St. John of Jerusalem

The Chapter-General has decided that services shall be held in the Church as follows:-

Friday, December 9.-The Re-capturc of Jerusalem. Holy Communion at 8.30 a.m.

Sunday, December Ir. - Festival Service at 3.30 p.m. Preacher: Rev. F. S. Vaughan, Sub-Chaplain of the Order.

Brigade Officers of the London Area Church Parade.

The removal of the Festival Services to the Sunday Jvithin the Octave is to provide for the Bn;gade Chttrch Parades.

Annals of the Ambulance Department (1928-1938)

No.2

(Continued frol)) page 280, September isslIe)

The sidecars could be quickly converted into stretchers for the removal of patients lying down and were equipped with first-aid material.

At this period the Italian Red Cross Society had arranged for certain roads to be patrolled by small detachments of first-aiders on motor-cycles and was considering the establishment of first-aid shelters at various points. The latter were equipped with telephone and an ingenious arrangement of signalling by bell or light whereby help could be quickly summoned from shelter to shelter.

193°

IIth Febntary.-Considerable impetus was given to the work of the Association in Mining Areas as the result of regulations introduced this day by the Board of Trade under Sections 85 and 86 of the Coal :Mines Act, 1911. These provided for" adequate arrangelJJent,r . . . for rendering jint aid to any person in or about the mine 1J.'ho 1))(1)' be il!il/red or taken ill" ; and they required the establishment of a first-aid room, in charge of a competent person, in every mine in which the total number of employed persons exceeds 100 and other suitable shelter with adequate equipment for mines in which shifts of less than this number are employed. In addition, the regulations laid it down that no less than one out of every 50 men on duty in any mine or place should hold a certificate in first aid.

24th Jlft/e.-At the Annual General Assemblv of the Venerable Order of St. John held this da}, H.R.H. The Grand Prior announced that, \vith the sanction .of the Privy Council and of the Ecclesiastical \uthorities, St. John'S Church, Clerkenwell (consequent on the amalgamation of the Parishes of SS. John and JaInes), would now be appropriated as the private Chapel of The Order to which it originally belonged.

24th JllIle.-Chapter-General this day accepted the resignatlOn of Major-General Sir Havelock Charles, G.C.V.O., K.C.S.I., who since January, 1920, had rendered devoted service as Chief Commissioner of

Compiled

by

N. CORBET FLETCHER,

M.A., wI.B., lU.R.C.S., SU1'geon-in- C hie!

Brigade Overseas, and who died (eet. 76) on 27th October, 1934. On the same day it appointed as his successor Lt.-Colonel James Lewis Sleeman, C.11.G., C.B.E., 1LV.O.

At 31St December, 1930, the strength of Brigade Overseas was 281 Ambulance (8,868 men), 117 Nursing (2,657 women) and 32 Cadet (18 Ambulance with 487 boys and 141 ursing with 307 girls) Divisions -a total membership of 12,319.

2nd Ju(y.-History repeated itself this day when, as his illustrious grandfather had done on 23rd January, 1889, H.R.H. Edward, Prince of Wales, paid his first visit to 1.f.iddlesbrough, this occasion being the official opening of the Constantine College.

As part of the proceedings, H.R.H. was graciously pleased to inspect members of the Association from the works and mines in the Centre who were in the charge of Mr. John E. James, the County Chairman. There were 3 50 men on parade, including seven who were at the inspection at the Town Hall in 1889 when the late King Edward, then Prince of Wales, inspecterl the local ambulance men under the late Mr. Waynman Dixon, one of the first Knio-hts of b Grace of the Order.

18th Jub.-Consequent on its ever-increasing duties and personnel, which necessitated more office space, No. 1 (Prince of \'{'ales's) District this day moved its headquarters from St. John'S Gate to a warehouse at 10, Berkley (now Briset) Street. This, situated a few yards from St. John's Gate, afforded facilities in its basement for the District Stores Department, on its ground floor for the Commissioner and the General Office, on its first Boor for the Assistant Commissioners in charge of its five Areas and for other District officials, and on its top floor for a commodious lecture room.

4th October.-The first meeting of Chapter of the South African Commandery was held this day in the City Hall, Kimberley. Among other business, the Chapter appointed its Ambulance and StandinoCommittees with the same representation as that ;1 the Central Council which had dis olved itself on the previous day.

6th-IItb Ocfober.-The Fourteenth International Red Cross Conference held during these days in Brussels gave further consideration to the use of air transport for civilian patients. Though few National Red Cross Societies were in a position to afford air ambulances of their own, satisfactory arrangements had been made in certain countries between the Red Cross Society and the Government.

It was also stated that while Great Britain, through The Venerable Order of St. John and British Red Cross Society, was the first to organise road work systematically by the use of ambulances from war stock, special organisations for rendering first aid on the roads were now provided in Belgium, Denmark, Germany, Italy, South Africa, Switzerland and United States of America.

3rd November.-H.R.H. the Duke of Connaught Grand Prior of the Venerable Order, this day honoured the Brigade by granting permission to No. viii District (comprising Kent, Surrey and Sussex) to be called cc No. viii (The Duke of Connaught) District" and its members to wear H.R.H.'s monogram as a special collar badge. By his royal favour No. viii District was brought into line with No. I (Prince of Wales's) District.

193 1

1St January.- The Chief Commissioner of the Brigade At Home this day issued a further edition (9th Revision) of Brigade General Regulations, which was completely remodelled and replaced the edition of January, 1924. It is noteworthy that from this date Officers of Nursing Divisions had to pass examinations in elementary drill and Brigade Regulations, to be satisfactory in other respects and to prove themselves qualified to give instruction.

1St January.-From this day members of the British Red Cross Society, the St. Andrew l s Ambulance Association and other similar organisations became eligible for the Volu ntary Medical Service Medal. This, with the approval of H.M. King George V, was to be awarded to those with 15 years' active and efficient service to their credit and also for the Silver Clasp (bearing the Geneva or the St. Andrewls Cross on plain background) for each successive further five years' service. The conditions under which the Medal and Clasp were awarded were similar to those originally instituted in 1895 by The Order of St. John for its workers, who consequently were not eligible for these new awards.

Similarly from this day members of Voluntary Aid Detachments and Military Hospital Reserves were to be awarded a Silver Bar Brooch, surmounted by the Royal Crown, after 12 years' active and efficient service and of a Silver Clasp (with the Royal Crown on plain background) for each successive further six years' sel"Vice.

15 th Jamla/J'.-Appropriately in this the Centenary Year of the Venerable Order of St. John the A mbulance Committee this day published the first official history of the rise, progress and development of the Association and Brigade. The book was written in the form of an almanac; and it was compiled and presented to the Committee by Dr. N. Corbet Fletcher, who gave it the title of TlIE ST. JOHN A::-'fBVLA TCE A OCIATIO ITS HISTORY A D ITS PLACE THE fOVE)'fE T.

23Fd Jalllfary.-Death this day of ir Herbert Dayid William Lewis, K.B.E. (Cl't. 58), to whose enthusiasm and energy, extending over a period of thirty years, was largely due the advancement of hrst aid in Wales and the formation of the Priory for Wales. He was succeeded on 23rd February by the Hon. John Hamilton Bruce as Principal Secretary and Commissioner of the Brigade for Wales.

3rd FebrualJ'.-On this day occurred in Hawke Bay, North Island, New Zealand, the disastrous earthquake which devastated Napier, Hastings and other small towns, and elicited a magnificent response to duty on the part of members of Brigade Overseas, in co-operation with executive officers of the Association, in the devastated areas and in the neighbouring towns to which refugees were sent.

Naturally the Divisions in the Districts In orth Island, being nearer to the scenes of the disaster, were afforded the greater opportunities for service; but the Divisions in South Island warmly supplemented the work of their Northern confreres, more especially in ·assistance rendered to refugees tran sferred from North to South Island. In the earthquake zone, at the railway stations, in hospitals, refugee camps and dressing stations 402 Ambulance and 383 Nursing members (who first directed their efforts towards rescue work and afterwards were employed in diverse ways) put in 5,070 hours of duty and treated 1,7 I 3 cases in the earthquake arq. alone.

Nurses! do you I{DOW

-HOW TO INTERPRET RADIOGRAPHS?

-HOW TO TREAT HYPERTHYROIDISM?

-WHY SPENCER WELLS INVENTED FORCEPS?

-HOW TO CONTROL GASTRIC ASPIRATION?

-THE ANATOMICAL STRUCTURE OF THE EAR?

weel{ly

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Home Service Ambulance Committee I

" At the end of June, 1938, there were 133 of the Committee's ambulances in the country and 268 affiliated stations, making a total of 401," states the report of the Home Service Ambulance Committee.

"The number of patients carried during the quarter was 43,609, bringing the total number of cases carried to June 30, 1938, to 1,971,154. A comparative table of the work done in the respective counties is printed at the end of this report.

"Of the services to the public initiated by the Home Service Ambulance Committee that of providing help for the victims of road accidents takes a very prominent place. It has resulted in the minimisation of the consequences of accidents to very many thousands of persons. It is essentially work which calls for expert treatment; this eJ.rpert treatment is provided by voluntary personnel under circumstances of often great personal inconvenience.

The death roll from this class of accident, great as it is, would undoubtedly be much greater, but for the willing services of men and women of the Order and the Society who bring their skill and knowledge to the help of victims of a class of accident, the occurrence of which is not confined to ordinary working hours, but is as apt to happen by night as by day, and is not confined to the centres of population, but is as apt to happen in the depth of the country.

" It was in 1919 that the two First Aid organisations in England, the Order of St. John and the British Red Cross Society set up conj ointly a motor ambulance service with stations distributed throughout England and Wales to deal with accident cases as well as for the transport of the sick to hospital. This service for a few years met the need in regard to road accidents, but by 1926 it was found that the increasing number of these accidents called for special measures.

The Order and the Society in September of that year, again acting conjointly, instituted, on the proposition of the Home Service Ambulance Committee, a supplementary service under the name of the Road Service and instructed their units throughout the country to consider how best to meet the demand for rapidly bringing the administration of First Aid to the victims of this class of accident.

" The scheme was immediately taken up with the result that a number of roadside First Aid huts were constructed. These huts, staffed by trained members of the Order and the Society, are placed by the

roadside at points where accidents are most frequent and serve as stations for the administration of First .AJd pending the arrival of the ambulance.

"At other danger spots First Aid parties are posted. These parties operate mainly at week-ends and public holidays, patrolling stretches of road in their own area.

" In addition to roadside huts and First Aid parties a great number of First Aid boxes have been equipped and fixed at suitable points. From these boxes the public can readily obtain, free of charge, such First Aid material as bandages and splints.

" 5,958 persons were killed and 207,785 injured on the roads in England and Wales last year.

"The great motoring organisations, the Royal Automobile Club and the Automobile Association, as well as the police, have co-operated most cordially with the Order of St. John and the British Red Cross Society in their endeavours to minimise the consequence of these road accidents. The Order and the Society have approximately 400 motor ambulance stations distributed over the country. These ambulances carry personnel qualified in First Aid, and they are ready day and night to proceed to the scene of an accident and remove the casualties to hospital. Last year the ambulances of the Order and the Society carried 11,000 persons injured on the roads to hospital, and, in addition, many thousands of minor injuries were treated on the spot, obviating the necessity for the removal of the patients for hospital treatment.

" The number of road accident cases, for instance, attended by members of the St. John Ambulance Brigade in 1937 was between 30,000 and 40,000. Similar work was carried out by members of the British Red Cross Society.

" In addition to the work in connection with road accidents carried out by the Order and the Society, municipal ambulance services have now been set up in London and many of the larger towns, and these deal with accidents in their own areas. In London, where 57,694 persons were killed or injured in 1937, the work is carried out by the London County Council, whose ambulance staff are, of course, in First Aid.

" It is now ver:.Y generall] recognised by the public that unskilled handling of accident cases may lead to severe aggravation of the if!juries. It is, therefore, of importance to the victims oj accidents that there should be quicklY

I S THE VE RD ICT OF HUNDREDS

OF HOSPITALS

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A few special features of the Austin ambulance: Body of best English ash and oak, aluminium panelled for durability and easy cleaning. Semi-elliptic zinc-interleaved springs on non-lubricated shackles, for the patients' utmost comfort. Wide, unobstructed doorway for

quick entry and exit of stretchers. Triplex toughened glass throughout for safety. Ample ventilation. FuD and officially-approved interior equipment. Special fittings as required. May we send you a price list and specifications and, if you wish, arrange a demonstration for you?

available trained persolls to admillister First Aid and to supervise the transport of the patient to the hospital. This is the aim of the road service ill Ellgland. The service, however, also offers to members of First Aid organisations the opportllllil]l to cany Ottt in actual practice the precepts given to them in their cOflrses of illStruction.

"Every effort is made by the Goyernment and by voluntary associations to devise means for reducing the number of road accidents . To some extent these efforts are effectual. At the same time, however, the number of vehicles and the number of drivers on the roads increase every year. The number of accidents relative to the number of vehicles and the mileage coyered grow less, but the total number of accidents still tends to increase or show but a slight decline. The work of looking after the injured victims of these accidents does and will remain a heavy task, and it is difficult to see how the work can be carried out more effectively than by the voluntary services of the members of First Aid Associations who have devoted themselves to the study and practice of First Aid."

" Dewar" Challenge The Shield Competition

INDIVIDUAL PRACTICAL-

Time Limit, I5 minutes. Warning at 10 minutes. OFFICER OR TO TEST.

This afternoon you haye an appointment with your demi st, who is also a doctor and your Divisional Surgeon. When you call on him, you are told by the page that Mr. St. John is out and that he asks you to wait, as he will be back in a fe,v minutes.

At this moment you are sitting in the and hear the page whistling in the surgery. If you hear a cry or any peculiar sound, act as you see fit.

ACTION OF TEST.

The competitor is instructed (Q knock at the front door. The page promptly opens it, apologises because 1fr. St. John is out for a few minutes and conducts the competitor to the where the card of" Introduction to Test" is given to the competitOr.

The boy then goes back into the surgery, where he keeps on whistling. Sitting down in the dental chair, he picks up the mask of the gas apparatus and places it on his face. Then he gives a groan; and, when he sees the competitor approach, he goes off into a state of convulsions, during which he strikes his right forearm violently on (and leaves it in contact with) the gas apparatus.

\Vhen the competitor reaches the chair, the page becomes deadly still closes his eyes and holds his breath as long as he can in simulation of being asphyxiated. The boy, if properly treated, recovers in three minutes.

STAGING OF TEST.

Arrange set as house with dental surgery, and waiting-room with front door on which place name-" Mr. John St. John, L.D.S., Dental Surgeon." A surgical haversack and blanket are placed in corner of surgery.

The page (who should be young and slight) has his right forearm (at junction of middle and lower thirds) strapped with pieces of cork to represent simple fracture of both bones.

No one else is in house. Eight minutes after test starts, however,

the dentist's mechanic comes in for lunch and, just before the test ends, the dentist arriYes to receive the report and to take charge of the patient.

Details of Test.

hntEDIATE ACTIO '.

Forthwith remo\Te gas mask from face

And tum ofF tap of ga apparatu

Ask colour of face. (Bluish); if breathing. (.\0.)

Test if conscious by speech and touch. (1\ 0.)

Test pulse at wrist. (T ery Ji'Cak); skin. (Cold.)

Quickly examine for signs of blood. (1\ OIlP.)

And notice peculiar position of forearm

Next examine forearm; do not expose

And discover simple fracture of forearm

Forthwith decide on artificial l'espiration

And postpone treatment of fractured forearm

Call loudly for help. (No respollse): rcpeal

PERFOl\lIlA.NCE OF ARTIFICI.\L

Method of removing boy from dental chair

\'( ith special attention to right forearm

And of placing face downwards on floor

Head to ide, upper limbs fully extended

Do not wait to loosen boy's clothing

Kneel at side or across the patient

Place hands over patient's lo\yer ribs

Thumbs nearly parallel, and close to spine

Fingers slightly open and towards his shoulders

Keeping upper limbs straight and rigid

Lean forward, slowly applying pressure

Downwards on lo\\ er part of chest

Draw back somewhat more rapidly

But do not withdraw hands from body

Alternate movements I2. to I5 per minute

Rh) thmic swaying forward and backward

FURTHER WITH Boy.

Encouraging words when boy conscious

\'{ arn him to Jie perfectly quiet

\'{' hile equipment is being discoyered

Ask boy if in pain. (RighI forearm ol/b'.)

J\nd if he is liable to 11tS. (Certaill/;' 1101.)

Keeping control of fractured forearm "

'owas ist boy to roll on his back

Loosen clOthes; yuickly \\'rap in blanket

Methods of examination. For injuries cl e\\ hl:ll:. (YoJlr.)

FURTHER TRE T\IE.'\;T OF Boy.

Without remO\·ing patIent's coat

Place forearm at right angle to arm

Thumb upwards and palm towards body

Two splints on inner and OU ter sides

From elbow to fingers: protect hand

Apply bandage round borh sphnts

One immediately above fracture; the other

\s figure-8 round wrist and hand

Support limb in large arm sling

Give sips of water: ask if comfortable

Proper use of services of mechanic

Value of report given to dentist

QUESTION TO OFF ICER.

lVame the possible effects of a Scald.

Effects may be mere reddening of skin

Blisters be formed; or the deeper tissues

Of body may be charred and blackened

The clothing may adhere to lhe burnt skin

And its removal may be impossible

Without further detriment to injured part

The great dangers are shock and sepsis

Total

"fax. \larks

STOCKTAKING

An Address givC/l at Preston on September 24 at the Annual COl7fermce No. 4 District Assistant Commissioner W. Maxwell Reekie, O.B.E., J.P.

May I preface my remarks by expressing the particular pleasure it must be for everyone present to have been able to attend this Conference in this old town which has been for 60 years the home of our beloved old Commissioner, Colonel Trimble. Some 55 years ago Colonel Trimble, assisted by Dr. Pim, of elson, and Dr. Grant, of Padiham, began to form ambulance divisions here, several years before the was registered.

.As you know and have heard many times, 1099 is usually given as the official date of the beginning of the Order of St. John, and 1099 is also the date when I found the first historical mention of Preston. It was then called" Priests Town," but soon became Preston, and in 1099 \.va recorded as a " Fair Towne with one Church." I understand there is a stone in one of jts churchyards bearing an epitaph; obviously not a t. John man :-

I Iere lie Hezekiah. His insides was burnt.

I Ie thought some disinfectant was milk, But it \vasn't.

J\ged 73.

To those who do not li\T in or near Preston \ve perhaps know it best for three things. One, its pet name "Proud Pre . ton," given to it over 200 years ago account of the execs ive number of gentry who lived there-and letters still come by post addressed "Proud Preston." econdly," Preston Guild," which is a festival only 100 years younger than we are. This is a great gathering of folk held every 20 years since 1199, with many procession, balls, dinners, etc., and lasts a week to 14 dayS. During one of these Guilds half a million people came to it in one week. Thirdly, there is " Ribble Salmon." :Many of our great rivers claim to the best salmon, and the River Ribble certainly deserves its reputation.

It has many other claims to fame, but I will only mention that John Horrocks, the founder of what is known as Horrockses, Crewdson & Co., started his first power mill here 157 years ago, and it is not without interest to remember that the mot.ive power was one horse that pulled round the driving shaft. I expect that it was the only one horse power mill that was ever built. I might also add that a word

now in every day use was invented here-I refer to "Tee-Total." The word was made up in 1832, when a meeting of total abstainers signed the first set of total abstinence pledges that were ever signed and called themselves" tee-totlars "-the word" tee" then signifying a superlative of total. It is, perhaps, fitting that a Scotsman should now and then address a meeting in Preston, for the handsome mace of the Corporation regalia was presented to the town by a Scottish nobleman over 200 years ago on account of the kindness he received from the inhabitants.

So much by way of preamBle. To us here Lanoshire is either the county of our birth or the county of our adoption, and anything pertaining to its ancient history must be interesting to us.

When the Commissioner invited me to address you to-day I was rather bothered to decide on the subject. I had some stocktaking sheets on my desk when his letter came in, and I thought why not call it " Stocktaking» and work round that. At least in each year it is the practice of every regular bUSIness concern to take stock and there must be few here who have not taken some part in such a job at one time or another, walking round with a fellow employee who sucks his pencil while you count the pieces, and the excitement at the end to see if your counting agreed with the books in the office. Then again our birthdays, our annual holiday, our Wakes Week, or Whit-week, and now our annual conference, all lead to a kind of personal stocktaking. Another year has gone by with its successes and failures, its record of good work and bad. Those of us who have attained to what are known as years of discretion-I am afraid that I cannot claim to know exactly what those are, for I never seem to get any nearer to themit is only sense as one gets older to take stock of life's journey. When one was a lad you got a job of work to do and either did it or left it undone, and that was the end of it, but as you climb up the ladder you must be careful what stones you throw into the pond for the ripples caused by that stone spread very far, often much farther than one ever expected. Life is, or should be, a constant struggle to escape from the trammels of the commonplace. Personally, I frankly admit I have never lost, and hope I never shall lose, my spirit of adventure.

May we commence our stocktaking by describing what we have got on one side of the ledger-what are our assets? I do not propose to weary you with a lot of figures and dates; indeed, were it not for the fact that every year we have a large number of new members, I might omit figures and dates entirely, but a few are useful, and, in fact, essential. The Order of St. John came into existence during the Wars of the Crusades. The Crusaders were huge armies of men and women from all over the Continent who travelled across Europe (most of them on foot) to Palestine to free Jerusalem and its Holy Places from the bondage of the Turks. One of the older

historians has recorded that at one time there were six million men, women and children tramping to Palestine. Once in Jerusalem, the Knights of St. John, then mainly soldiers, built a little for the Christian pilgrims. One year these knights lrught be doctors and first-aiders and the following year soldiers, according to the needs of the day, and so it went on through the centuries-Palestine, Cyprus, Rhodes, 11alta, all had their share as homes of the Order.

It was founded in 1099, and, like" Charlie's Aunt," is still running. It is a section of the oldest of chivalry in the world. We have as our head HIS Majesty the King as Grand Prior, and Her the Queen, Commandant-in-Chief of the. NurSIng Corps and Divisions. The home strength IS 82,000. We have 2,500 surgeons, 213 road huts and 963 first aid posts, and if you multiply the days of the year -365 -by 2,000 you get approximately the of cases that we deal with annually. No orgarusatlOn could continue to expand annually as we do unless it was both necessary and successful in the work it was carrying out.

In the course of my duties as an Inspecting Officer I am very gratified to place on record that the standard of efficiency and smartness continues to increase, and I desire most particularly to thank our do.ctors. W.e owe them our very sincere thanks for WIthout self-sacrificing services in training and exaffilrung our members we could not possibly have reached our present standard of efficiency.

They are the backbone of the organisation.. Let each one ask himself where he would be WIthout them. It has been the privilege of No. 4 District to have been honoured with two visits from our Surgeon-in-Chief, Dr. Corbett Fletcher, during the past year, and he has certainly been an inspiration to all who have met him. His was no perfunctory inspection, no perfunctory address-it was but not unkind, he was helpful and not destructlvehe was encouraging and appreciative. After inspection I heard one of the file say to neighbour "It's been a real InSpectlOn, Fred, this time, and no mistake." The value of a keen surgeon is truly greater than rubies.

The strength of the Brigade rests on the happiness and prosperity of each Divisional unit, and the strength of the Division, in its turn, rests on the cordial co-operation between the surgeon and the superintendent, the former being the and the latter the executive head of the DIVISIOn. In short no Division can be truly happy and prosperous its surgeon and superintendent enter into a cordial and wholehearted co-operation, and, wherever this occurs, good results to the Division and to the whole Brigade.

(To be continued.)

By

MANUALS OF FIRST-AID, &c.

N. CORBET FLETCHER, M.B., B.C., M.A. (Cantab.). M.R.C.8.

AIDS TO FIRST·AID.

Seventh Edition. Price lL net, poet free. 11. 2d. Flrst·Aid Simplifttd and Tabulated. with Aida to Mlmory. Col Si, Jame, Canlli, conInbutes an ,nt,oductwn and we endorse }u, ,ood 01"""" 0/ the book."-LAI'ICItT. AIDS TO HOME·NURSING.

Third Edition. Pnce 1 net post free h. 211. Homt·Nunin!: Simplifitd and Tabulatld, with Aids to M.mory. nUl book wondM/ully Simplifies a complex subJect and slwuld be ,ead by all s,"dI,,;,." -L. & N.W. RLY. GAUTTR. EFFICIENCY IN FIRST.AID.

Third Edition. Price h. net, post free. lL 3d. Prebleml in study. Tr.atmlllt and EllIminatlOn .olred ror S.nlor 8tudl"ta. "Wilhoul doubt tht book Will b, 0/ greal servIa .n the tra ng o/those lor .wm ,'u deslgned."-BRlTISR MEDICAL JOURNAL. COMMON ERRORS IN FIRST-AID. Prioe 1L net; post free lL 2d. Emn in First-Aid D.talled and Explalnld.

1"1, book gwes a clear., slght snhJ tis, methods and dlfficllit1tS 0/ '/!'U",ftC)' I,MI_ try /a)'m41t than th, official Textbook ii$el/."-LANCItT. AMBULANCE COMPETITION TESTS.

(Stretcher. Individual and Question-Six Folders., Price 6d. each net. poet ltd. Each. Folder contains special article on CompetitIon :-No. 1. Training of Com. petition. Teams; No.2. Conduct of Team in Competition Room; No 8. Commoo En-on In CompetItion; No.4. Further Errors In Treatment; No.5. History 01 Competition Tests; No.6. Preparation nf Tests. WHY AND WHEREFORE IN FIRST-AID. Filth Edition Pnce 11. net. post free h. 2d.

Dlt'ftcultl 'n study and Treatment solYed by Question and Answer. "W, CQ1H/!'Und thIS book to Udu,ers and Students WM uxll find d 0/ grl4t IwWu.'· -FIRST Aro.

HINTS FOR HOSPITAL ORDERLIES.

Price 6d. net. post free ad. Orderly Dutie. Simplified and Tabullted, with Aids to Memory. If MOSt compact brochu,e COli/aIm much use/ul 'n/ormat,on."-PUSCRmIlR.

JOHN BALE, SONS & CURNOW, Ltd. 83-91, Great Tltcbfteld Street, London, W.l

The St. John Ambulance Association. It. HI.tory and ItK Pan in the Ambulance Movement. By N. CORBET FLETCHER. M.A., M.B., M.R.C.S. Til" boo /,(iM DOf)b to COfJ". II f'UU 0/ ,"/orMat"'" of trMlm c"u,_ .-.1 porl'lf.u to .".,,,01U '" l/u AmMllaIoel Movmuftl"St. Jobn :ambulance (l;a3ette. Price 8 / 8 PoetR8' lid. 8--. T. oJ 0 H N • 8 QAT E • LON DON, IE • C. •

CLASSIFIED ADVERTISEMENTS.

At/6erliltmmtl with remiJlaNe lhou!d be lent 10 Ihe SI. Joh" Al1IbllJilMe C.,zeJle. 19, Cllf'lilor Slreet, E.C.-4. 2d. per word, minimum 3S.

SCENT CARDS AND SACHETS. printed with your announoe. ments, are splendid money raisers and show 300% profit. Samples free on request.-AIRXDALB PRXSS. Bradford.

PENCILS OF SUPERIOR QUALITY. printed with your Corps Name and announcement .;ell easily. Sample free.AIJlltDALB !>RBSS, Bradford.

SCENT-CARDS (printed).-144 3/9. 500 10/-. ],000 16/9. Tickets, handbills. Samples free.-" S" TIcES, II, Oaklands Grove, London, W.12.

FOR SALE.-St. Johns Nurses uniform in excel1ent condition, to fit bust measurement 34 ins .• length 47 ins. Hat. coat, indoor uniform. 3 aprons. £2; sent on approval.-Box 91, ST. JOHN AMBULANCE GAZETTE. 19. Cursitor Street, London, RCA.

EVERYTHING FOR SAFETY EVERYWHERE , NOVOX' and 'NOVITA' Oxygen + COl or Oxygen RESUSCITATING APPARATUS for the apparently asphyxiated or drowned. SMOKE HELMETS of all Patterns.

'PROTO' & 'SALVUS' OXYGEN BREATHING APPARATUS

'PURETHA' GAS MASKS for Naval, Military and Industrial purposes and for Civilian use.

DUST and SPRAY MASKS and all other Safety and Protective Devices.

SIEBE, GORMAN & 187, WESTMINSTER BRIDGE

«be Jobn OFFICIAL GAS CHARTS

No. I Chart shows gas derivations.

No. 2 is a full and complete educational chart of "Typical War Gases."

Everyone taking an "A.R.P." Course should be in possession of these charts which are now available for general issue to all St. John organisations at a nominal fee.

HOBSON & SONS

Telephone-Hop 2476 (4 linea) Telegrams-" Hobson, Boroh, London North of England Office:-22, YORK PLACE, LEEDS. Telephone: 2SSS' Leeda Teleerama : Tnen. Leeda "

E JOURNAL OF THE VENERABLE ORDER OF THE

THE ST Jm-IN GAZETTE is published

011 the 15th oj each mOllth. The anmlal subscription is F· 6d., post free; single copies 3d. Brigade Reports and Pholographs should be addressed to the Editor, at 32, Shoe Lane, E,CA. Reports aJld photographs sholild reach him as early if! the month a.r possible.

Subscriptions and advertiJetllfllts .rhOllld be forJ1'arded to the pllblisher:

Me.rsl's. British Periodicals, Ltd., 19, I9 a, ClIl'sitor Street, LO/ldotl, E.C.4.

Editorial Brigade Orders

Surgeons' \\ eek-Lnd Confen.:nce Brigade .!'\cws

Air Raid Precautions

Interesting Case Reports Questions and Answers

Air Raid Precautions-Local \nti-Gas Training

My Tour in Kenya

Priory for \'1; ales

StOcktaking

CIIAJ\TCERY OF THE ORDER, P :'..GE ST JOB}';'S GATE, CLERKENWELL, LONDO T E.C. I.

The Brigade and the Crisis

The Chief Commissioner, Major-General Sir John Duncan, K.C.B., C..i\LG., C.V.O., D.S.O., writes : _ As the GAZETTE is the best means for my getting in touch with the officers and rank and file of the Brigade,

I would like to use its pages to give a brief account of the activities of the Brigade during the recent crisis. I must thank all members, from Commissioners to privates, for the loyal manner in which they met the situation. I will first refer to Air Raid Precautions, for during the crisis this was uppermost in the minds of the public. For the casualty service the Brigade was by far the most valuable body of first aid personnel available in the country. They were all fully trained, and what is more, practised in first aid; whilst the large majority had been through anti-gas training, which had been adopted as part of the voluntary training for the last three years. Public authorities throughout the country had commenced training volunteers in first aid, but in few cases were they fully trained, and therefore the public authorities had largely to depend on our trained personnel. In this connection I would like to mention that at once questions were raised as to the position of Voluntary Aid Detachments. The decision was that Voluntary Aid Detachments were available for A.R.P. until they were required by military hospital, but that when required the \"\7ar Office had the first call on their services.

In this connection, I am sure the following letter which I received from Sir Samuel Hoare, the Home Secretary, will interest all our members : _

"DEAR SIR JOB Du CAN,

"I should like to express to you my deep appreciation of the help that the St. John Ambulance gave us during the recent difficult \veeks.

"By putting your organisation and your personnel so freely at the disposal both of the Home Office and of the local authorities, you gave us a reassurance that, if the need had arisen, a first aid system would have been brought swiftly into existence.-Yours truly, (Signed) SAMUEL HOARE."

1*

As all of our members are aware, the Brigade provides on mobilisation 1,100 trained personnel for the Naval Sick Berth Reserve, and 1,890 for the Military Hospitals Reserve. On September 28, at noon, I received from the Admiralty instructions to call up 755 of the Naval Sick Berth Reserve and despatch them to their War Stations. The notices and warrants to each individual were despatched by 10 p.m. the same day, and the men duly reported at their stations. Meanwhile, all the machinery was ready to call up the remainder of the Nav-al Sick Berth Reserve and the :Military Hospitals Reserve, if they were required.

When the Munich agreement was signed the crisis was over, but a further demand was made on the services of the Brigade, which was to provide an Ambulance unit to accompany the British Legion to Czechoslovakia. The detachment had to be ready at two days' notice. As time was so short, I decided to call for volunteers from No. I District. A large number answered the call, and from these a detachment of 30 men were selected and placed under the command of Assistant Commissioner Captain A. C. White-Knox, M.C., whilst two other surgeons of the Brigade accompanied the detachment, which assembled at Olympia. The detachment embarked at Tilbury on October 12. Since then I had been approached to supply a detachment of nursing personnel to follow the British Legion, this detachment had been selected and would have been despatched if necessary.

It has been mentioned to me that we appear to be concentrating too much on Air Raid Precautions. I would like to disabuse all members of this idea. In peace our normal work is, and will always be, to render first aid to the injured and sick; but in the future, as war will not only be waged against the armed forces as in the past but also against the civil population, the Brigade should be available to render first aid to the civil population, should such a calamity ever arise.

Therefore, on mobilisation our primary work will be in connection with the casualty service of A.R.P., and may include the provision of personnel for first aid parties, first aid stations, or for the nursing services in hospitals. In any war which may be directed against this country this service will be of far greater importance in the future than in the past.

The result of the crisis has been to prove that the St. John Ambulance Brigade is in a position to provide most valuable trained assistance to the public authorities in dealing with the casualty services on mobilisation. As a voluntary organisation, the Brigade has been proved to be one of the essential services of the country. The great self-sacrifice of our workers has been justified, and all may well feel that the work which they have carried out has been worth while.

JOHN DUNCAN.

By

Brigade Orders

MAJOR-GENERAL SIR JOHN DUNCAN, K.C.B., C.M.G., C.V.O., D.S.O. (7on1nJissioner)

Headquarters, St. John'S Gate, Clerkenwell, London, E.C.I.

Septelllber 20, 19?8

B.O. 686. AIR RAID PRECAUTIONS.-ENROLMENT

In accordance with the recent decision of the Under Secretary of State, Home Office, the Local Authority (Borough or District Councils) is responsible for the individual enrolment of persons willing to serve in A.R.P. casualties services, including those persons who are already members of the First Aid Organisations.

The A.R.P. First Aid services will be under the control of the Medical Officer of Health. In these circumstances the Chief Commissioner desires that Officers and members of the Brigade who do not belong to Naval or Military Reserves should enrol individual!J as A.R.P. volunteers on forms supplied by Local Authorities through the Superintendent of their Division. When filling in the form they should state thereon that they are an Officer, N.C.O., Private or Ambulance Sister of the Division, S.J.A.B.

The Home Office letter gives the following instruction :-

"It is recognised that the first aid organisatlOns would prefer that those of their members who have volunteered and been individually enrolled with the local authority for A.R.P. services should be allowed to work together. It is thought that there should be no great difficulty in arranging this. For instance in a town where several first aid posts exist, one post might be manned by enrolled volunteers who are known to be members of the St. John Ambulance Brigade and another by persons similarly enrolled who are members of the B.R.C.S. This, however, will have to be decided in the light of local condition s by the Medical Officer of Health who must remain responsible for the individual allocation of volunteers to the Casualty Services."

Superintendents should approach the Medical Officer of Health with a view to volunteers from their Division working together at First Aid Posts or as a First Aid Party.

B.O. 699 CIRCULATED TO ALL U TITS CANCELS B.O. 685B.O. 687. COUNTY TITLES.

In Counties in England which do not form part of a District Organisation metal titles bearing the name of the County will be worn on the shoulder straps by warrant officers, non-commissioned officers, privates, ambulance sisters, and cadets; in the place of the District number and letters" S.J.A.B."

Counties which form part of a District Organisation, viz., No. I, NO.3 (Western), NO.4 (Lancashir e),

NO·5, and No. 8 Districts, will continue to wear the District number and letters S.J.A.B.

County titles are obtainable from the Stores Department, St. John's Gate, price IS. 2d. per pair.

B.O. 688. GORGET PATCH FOR DISTRICT OFFICERS OF CO\1MIS SIONER'S STAFF.

District Officers forming the Staff of a District Commissioner, i.e., those holding appointments of Public Duty Officer, A.R.P. Officer, Treasurer, Secretary, Storekeeper, or Special Appointment for a District as a whole, will wear a gorget patch as for Assistant Commissioner, but with one instead of two lines of silver braid down the centre.

B.O. 689. SURGEON'S SnOULDER STRAPS

Surgeons will be distinguished by shoulder straps edged with red piping in addition to the red piping round cap. This will not apply to members of the Profession who hold executive appointments, VIZ., Commissioners or Assistant Commissioners District or County Officers, Corps or Divisionai Superintendents.

B.O. 690' St. JOHN CROSS. NURSING DIVI SIONS

The St. John Cross, 5 inches square, will in future be outlined in black on the centre of the bib of apron.

Transfers of this Cross can be obtained from the Stores Department, price rd. each or Ioid. per dozen.

B.O. 69I. UNIFORM. NURSING DIVISIONS

Permission is granted for prospective members of Nursing Divisions to wear uniform WITHOUT BADGES until they have obtained both the first aid and home nursing certificates.

It should be understood that this applies only to those who sign Form B.F. I.N. as Probationers.

B.O. 692. W E.ARING OF DECORATIONS AND .i\1EDALS

H.R.H. The Grand Prior has approved of the following recommendations :-

T!-IAT Statutes and Regulations, 1936, Appendix 8, SectlOn H, Sub-Section 4, be amplified so that it may read as follows :-

4 (a) Decorations (i. e., Insignia and Medals) 1vom 011 the breast fry Brothers of the Order, or by men members of the St. John Ambulance Association, or by men members of the St. John Ambulance Brigade, both Home and Overseas, must be suspended from a s1ngle bar or brooch so mounted that neither the bar nor the brooch can be seen.

4 (b) Decorations wom 011 the breast by Sisters of the Order, or by women members of the St. John Ambulance Association, or by women members of the St. ] ohn Ambulance Brigade, both at Home and Overseas, ,vben Jlot 1vearing uniform may be disposed on the corsage of their dress as they may think best.

U/'hetJ 1JJcariflg uniform, their Decorations should be worn in the same position and in the same manner as is laid down for Brother members of the Order.

4 (c) Decorations issued Jvith a b01V should be worn with that bow, when worn separately. When worn on a bar with other Decorations, bows should not be worn.

B.O. 693. CADETS

Cadets in possession of the adult First Aid certificate and adult Nursing certificate in the case of girl cadets, may be transferred to the adult Division on reaching the age of seventeen years.

B.O. 694. MIXED CLASSES.

Classes of mixed sexes in First Aid are now p ermitted, provided that during the practical instru c tion of the class and the examination, the sexes are kept separate. For the purpose of calculating the fees payable in connection with the examination, male and female candidates will be regarded 'as one class.

Classes of mixed sexes in Home Nursing are n ot permitted in any circumstances.

B.O.

695. A.R.P. BADGE

A special Badg e has been approv ed for N.C.O.'s, Privates, and Ambulance Sisters who are in posses sion of the Brig ade A.R.P. certificate.

This Badg e will be worn between the elbow and bottom of sleeve on the right forearm of tunic and great coat by N.C.O.'s and Privates and on great coats only by Ambulance Sisters.

The Badges will be supplied from the Stores Department, price 3d. each, on the requisition of the Divisional Superintendent or officer in charge of a Division on official letter paper.

They must be issued only to those in possession of the A.R.P. Certificate issued by the St. John Ambulance Brigade.

B.O. 696. MANuAL OF DRILL AND CA.'\IPING

The manual is under revision and when issued will embody the stretcher drill shown in the 39th Edition First Aid to the Injured. In the meantime, the stretcher drill in the 39th Edition First Aid t o the Injured should be adopted for Brigade Training.

B.O. 697. TREAT:ME..'.n OF WOUNDS

In future the use of iodine will be discontinued and its place taken by surgical spirit.

For pouch equipment the three ampoules of i o dine will be replaced by surgical spirit contained in a one ounce glass stoppered bottle.

B.O. 698. DI TRIBUTION OF BRIGADE ORDERS

Four copies of Brigade Orders will be circulated to Officers in charge of Units distributed as follows :-

(a) Surgeon.

(b) Superintendent.

(c) Secretary.

(d) For use at Divisional Headquarters.

Further copies may be had on appltcation t o the Brigade Secretary By Order, P. G.

S ecreta/J

',,

The Second Week-End Conference of Brigade Surgeons took place at the Great Central Hotel, London, on October 15 and 16, and proved from all points of view an even greater success than that convened last year. In spite of the political crisis it attracted, during its several sessions, no less than 148 surgeons of all ranks-technical and executiveof the Brigade; and it was once again a great personal tribute to Dr. Corbet Fletcher, the Surgeon-in-Chief, who must have been proud to welcome his colleagues from all parts of England, from the Priory for Wales and from Eire. At the conclusion of the Conference the enthusiasm was such that all present passed a unanimous resolution that this gathering of surgeons should take its place as an annual fixture in the Brigade calendar.

Saturday, October 15

On Saturday the proceedings were opened at 2 p.m. by the reading of a Letter of Welcome and Appreciation from the Chief Commissioner who, owing to absence from London, was unable to be present in person, much to everyone's regret.

At 2.15 p.m. the Surgeon-in-Chief made his annual report to the Conference. Mter explaining certain details in procedure and in the working of the Brigade, he thanked the surgeons for the manner in which they were performing their duties and so enabling the rank and file to carry out their self-imposed and voluntary efforts for the help of sick and injured. He stressed the usefulness of the Conference in bringing the surgeons into personal contact and urged that similar gatherings should be held at least once a year in every District, County and Area of the Brigade.

At 2-40 p.m. Corps-Surgeon C Russell Corfield, of Sunderland, spoke on "Some Aspects of Competition Work," and illustrated his lecture with specially prepared and very dever models of possible emergencies complete in all details. Recalling some of his earlier experiences, he traced the development of competitions down to the present day and claimed that" realism in competition" could only be obtained by a close co-operation between the surgeoh-judges and the lay organising staff. This interesting and instructive lecture was followed by an animated discussion in which several surgeons took part.

At 3-45 p.m. tea was served in the Winter Garden, and afterwards, while many remained for a chat, a party of 64 surgeons and their friends left the hotel in charge of Colonel C H. S. Redmond, M.B., who volunteered to act as guide for the visit to St. John's Gate. Upon arrival the party was welcomed by Mr. W. H. Finchan, who demonstrated the glories 32 6

of the Gate and Church, and thereby stimulated the surgeons to further efforts on behalf of the Order and the Bri aade This visit concluded, the surgeons b scattered to meet again at the Dlllner.

Sunday, October 16

On Sunday the Conference resumed its discussions at 9.30 a.m., when the Assistant Surgeon-in-Chief and A.R.P. Staff Officer, Dr. \Y!. C Bentall, gave an inspiring address on " A.R.P. and the Local AfJtiGas Certificate." He afterwards replied to the many questions which were put to him, and so cleared up difficult points.

At 10 a.m. Assistant-Commissioner Dr. WhiteKnox (who almost went to Czechoslovakia in charge of the ambulance unit of the Brigade) in an interesting and instructive talk addressed the Conference on the changes in the Textbook. As a member of the Revision Committee, he spoke of the difficulties encountered and explained why certain alterations were made. He then invited his audience to proceed to the Winter Garden, where he demonstrated the loading of a stretcher with patient face-down, the new squad drill and other practical points in bandaging. This he did with the help of three stretcher squads drawn from the New Cross Ambulance Division, the members of which earned high praise by reason of their smartness and efficiency and subsequently received from the Surgeon-in-Chief a letter of grateful thanks for their preparations and attendance.

At 11. I 5 a.m. half-an-hour was devoted to the discussion of several topics which had been put forward by various members. These included diabetes as a cause of insensibility, the delayed issue of certificates, the need for ambulance men to practise roller bandaging, a plea for the adoption of elastic plaster dressings, a protest against re-dressing of injuries by individuals who, not beillg members of the Brigade, did not re-qualify annually and so on. Many interesting points were raised in the discussions which followed each item.

At 11.45 a.m. County Surgeon N. W. Hammer, of London, opened his address on « The BrIgade .and the Councils in A.R .P. " He drove home his POlllts skilfully and forcibly; and, by rea.son of. his cO.nnection with the Home Office as Its Acting Chief Medical Officer, he was able to clear away many difficulties. Afterwards he replied to various questions with commendable clearness.

After lunch County Surgeon F. A. Bevan, of Oxford, proposed to the Conference that there should

be a time-limit for County Surgeons and supported his proposal with reasons.

Then at 2.15 p.m. Corps Surgeon B. Hart, of Doncaster, gave a very interesting address on (( VisNal Aids in Teaching. n He produced homeprepared diagrams by means of which he emphasised his variousyoints; and he caused a roar of laughter v.:hen he. attention to the lines which" sigmfied gIddiness (or thick head) after a Brigade dinner." He then demonstrated some instructive anatomical specimens and ended his instructive talk with a Kodak film on the circulation.

At 3 p.m. Assistant-Commissioner Colonel C H. S. Redmond, 1.B., of Manchester, spoke on « Methods of the of Divisions," and emphasised the POlllts on which an Inspecting Officer was likely to concentrate. He produced a mathematical table by means of which he was able to balance the scales of justice. fairly between units with large or small membershIp. He gave a most instructive lecture' and, after several members had Sf't forth their on the Surgeon-in-Chief explained that this subject had been chosen in order that Divisional Surgeons might realise that they could help an Officer both by taking part in the preparatIOns beforehand and also by their attendance at the Inspection.

During thi afternoon session a round-robin letter of greeting to Inspecting Officer Colonel Charles Trimble, CB., who is the senior surgeon of the BrIgade and. has sen ed for 54-years, was passed round and SIgned by all the surgeons. This was forwarded to "The G.O.1L of the BrIgade" and elicited from him an appreciative acknow ledgmen t.

At ,.5 0 p.m. County urgeon F. H. Edwards of Shrewsbury, proposed a heart\' ",' ote of to Surgeon-in-Chief, not onl)' for calling the Conierence, but for all the preparations which had been made for the instruction and creature comforts of the visitors. This was carried bv acclamation. Dr. Corbet Fletcher in his reply empl;a ised that the resu.lts were the outcome of good team work and paId trIbute to the devoted seryices of his Officer E. T. nIiller, who had organised both Conference and Dinner to Major P. G. Daryil Smith, the Briaade and 1\1r. Wrigglesworth, the /\ssistant Secretary; and last but not least, to nIt. George Craft, who had acted as Registrar to the Conference.

\t 4 p.m. the Surgeon-in-Chief met the District and County urgeons in their Third l\nnual Conference several important problems, thIS meetIng also closed and it members }o!ned colleagues in the Winter Garden, where fnendshlps .made at this Conference were cemented over a partIng cup of tea.

SURGEONS' ANNUAL DrKNER

On Saturday evening, October 15, at 6.45 p.m., all the members of the Conference, their wives and their friends, forgathered at the Great Central Hotel and were received by the Surgeon-in-Chief and Mrs. Corbet Fletcher. After an excellent repast the loyal toasts of "The King, Sovereign Head and Patron of the Order," and « The Queen, Commandant-inChief of Nursing Divisions of the Brigade, and other Members of the Royal Family," were duly honoured.

The toast of " The Venerable Order of St. John " was proposed by Sir Herbert Creedy, G.CB., K.CV.O., Permanent Under-Secretary of State for War, who referred enthusiastically to the work of the Or,der and .its several Departments, especially the Bngade which, through its Military Hospital and Naval Sick Berth Reserves, had always been at the service of the State. In the unavoidable absence through illness, of the Earl of Onslow, Almoner of the Order, Mr. W. H. Finchan, Assistant Librarian of the Order, made a graceful and appreciative response.

In proposing the toast of "The Brigade," Mr. W. E. C Larenby, of the L.M Railwav recorded his pleasure that so many railway members sooner or later joined the Brigade and so helped that orga?isatio? in the performance of its ever-increasing public duties. He hoped that the Brigade would contlnue to flourish and in due course celebrate its centenary. Colonel G. A. :Moore, the Assistant Chief Commissioner, C1f.G., :M.D , responded in his own inimitable style and thanked the proposer for his appreciation of and good wishes for the Brigade.

The toast of "Our Friends" was proposed by r\ssistant Commissioner Dr. R. Clegg, of _ Telson , who paid tribute to the self-sacrifice of the \vive , husbands and sweethearts in releasin a the sur a eons b b for ambulance duties and referred to the gro\.vth and deyelopment of the Brigade. Dr. G. Clarke Trotter, the nIedical Officer of Health of Islinaton suitably b' responded and ,vas supported by Assistant Commissioner H. C Else, of Sheffield, w'ho said that he was pleased to represent the lay executive section of the Brigade.

At this point the Chairman was called upon to drink wine with' TO. II Di trict, which had sent the greatest number of surgeons to this Conference" and "\.vith the Count" Commi ioner of Bucks."

To this toast \fajor P. G. Daryil- mith, CB.E., re ponded and told 'what the Brigade had done during the recent crisis, directing attention especially to the ambulance and nutsin a units which had stood-b\ b ready to accompany the British Legion to Cz echoslovakia and to staff a small t. John Ho pital in Prague, if their services had been required.

The toast of "The Chairman" was moved b\District Surgeon Ella \\1ebb of Dublin who "'Toiced the devotion and loyalty the urgeons of all

327

Districts to the Surgeon-in-Chief, and hoped that he would be long spared to direct the medical work of the Brigade. Dr. Rocyn Jones, Surgeon-in-Chief for the Priory for Wales, also spoke in support of this toast and reminded his hearers that their Chief in his youth was a Cambridge Blue and Rugby International, honours which three out of his (the speaker'S) four sons had attained. He added that the surgeons within the Priory were proud and happy to serve under their present Chief. In his reply the Chairman thanked the speakers for their good wishes and expressed his great appreciation of the large attendance at this Conference, which was serving the useful purpose of bringing them together and of forming personal friendships. He expressed his desire to do his job properly and was confident that the great majority of Brigade surgeons were actuated by the same purpose.

In the intervals between the various speeches Miss Dorothy Thomas (soprano), Mr. Stewart Hine (baritone) and Mr. Reginald Brigden (pianist) provided a delightful and much-appreciated entertainment of songs and duets.

Northern Ireland

ULSTER

The first inspection by the War Office of the V oluntary Aid Detachments of the St. John Ambulance Brigade Nursing Divisions, was held in the Ulster Hall on Tuesday, October 18. Lieut.-Col. T. S. Eves, D.S.O., from the NIilitary Hospital, Holywood, the Inspecting Office, was accompanied by Assistant County Controllers, Mr. Ian Fraser, F.R.C.S. (Eng.) and Miss R. Sinclair.

After the Inspection there were tests in theory and practical work, the examiners being Major e. L. Emmerson, R.A.M.e., Dr. R. W. M. Strain, District Surgeon N. 1., Dr. McNeill, Divisional Surgeon South Belfast Nursing Division, Dr. M. Fraser, Divisional Surgeon West Belfast Nursing Division. Amongst those present were: Assistant Commissioners D. Parker, A. W. Mann, W. Allen, District Officer W. Wilton (Belfast), District Officer E. Millburn (London), Major H. C. Randall (Secretary, Co. Antrim Territorial Army), Miss Kinehan, and Miss Orr (Hon. Secretaries to Co. Controller.)

There were five units on parade, four from Belfast as V.A.D. 8, Commandants Mrs. Williams; V.A.D. 10, Miss Irvine; V.A.D. 18, Mrs. Moreton; V.A.D. 38, Mrs. Laverty; and one from Antrim, V.A.D. 2, Mrs. Kirkpatrick.

31. 8

The St. John Ambulance Brigad e News

No. I (PRINCE OF WALES) DISTRICT

The Western Area Church Parade was held at the Hammersmith Parish Church on Sunday morning, October 9, by invitation of the Rural Dean and Vicar, the Rev. H. H. M. Bevan.

The parade assembled at Brook Green, Hammersmith, and, led by the Hammersmith Silver Prize Band, marched via Shepherds Bush Road to the church.

Among those present were the Mayor of Hammersmith (Alderman W. H. Church, J.P., L.c.c.), with a number of Councillors, Assistant Commissioner S. J. Warren and his staff, Lady District Superintendent Miss Walker, and District Officers Green, Burton and Walsby.

The lessons were read by Sir Marshall Hay, and the Assistant Commissioner.

After the service the parade reassembled in the open space in front of the Gaumont Cinema, by permission of the manager, where they were inspected by the Mayor. His Worship, asking permission to address the parade, said he wished, on behalf of the people of Hammersmith, to thank members for the very great work which was being done in Hammersmith and in:'London generally. He referred especially to the value of the Brigade's work in times of emergency.

As the parade marched away the Mayor took the salute.

The Assistant Commissioner tenders his thanks for the support of so many Divisions in the Area, some arriving by motor-coach from the distant parts of the Area. In spite of the rain beforehandwhich ceased during the parade-this was the largest parade of its kind in the Area.

The new Headquarters of the Tottenham and Edmonton Division were opened with impressive ceremony on Saturday, October 15.

Erected on a site in Claremont Street presented to the Division by its President (Mr. R. J. Bradley), the building, from an architectural point of view, is most attractive. The front is finished in white faience with a black plinth and black bands, and over main entrance is the cross of the Brigade in faience

Members of the Tottenham and Edmonton j\mbulance and Nursing Divisions and Cadets, with representatives of other Divisions, formed up at the Tottenham boundary, and, led by Edmonton Borough band, marched to CJaremont Street.

Captain W. A. Rees, Assistant Commissioner for the Northern Area, was in charge of the parade, and among other Officers present were Lady District Officer Lady Mountgarret, O.B.E., Lady District Superintendent Miss Walker, Lady District Officer Miss Cherry, Mr. R. J. Bradley (President of the Tottenham and Edmonton Division), Superintendent F. J. Middleton, Lady Superintendent Miss Parish, Dr. A. Wilson, O.B.E., M.e., and Dr. J. J. S. West (Hon. Surgeons) and Distdct Officer Osborne.

Among the visitors was the Deputy-Mayor and Mayoress of Edmonton (Councillor and Mrs. G. T. Tott), and several other members of the Borough Council, County Councillor G. M. Sparrow, J P., and Miss M. P. K. Menon (Secretary of Edmonton Queen's Nursing Association).

The proceedings took place on the lawns in front of the buildings. After inspecting the Guard of Honour, Colonel Sleeman, who performed the opening ceremony, was escorted to the main entrance where he was introduced to the crowd by 1fr. Bradley.

Colonel Sleeman began his address by emphasising the need for an efficient ambulance service. They had, he said, just passed through one of the most critical periods ir the history of the Empire, and they of the St. J oht; Ambulance Brigade were proud to remember that that great crisis found them completely prepared in every part of the Empire.

There were, he said, over 100,000 efficient, disciplined and well-equipped Nursing Sisters and ambulance men ready to take their part in the defence of London, England and every part of the Empire. It was highly gratifying to know that there were over 100,000 men and women ready in times of normality and peace to do their duty to humanity and civilisation, by training themselves for any emergency.

He congratulated the Division on having a buildinO' which would be an example to all Divisions of headquarters should be.

There in Edmonton, which, during the war learned what enemy bombardment from the air meant, stood a building where public-spirited men and women would be trained to help their fellow-creatures in times of need.

With a souvenir key handed to him by Mr. Bradley, Colonel Sleeman then unlocked the front door of the building. As he did so the Brigade flag was broken out on the flagstaff in front of the building.

Expressing his thanks, :Mr. Bradley said how much he appreciated being the head of a family which did such useful work. I Ie hoped the new headquarters would be the means of increasing the membership of the Divisions and bringing about even greater efficiency in their work.

The Deputy-Mayor said the Divisions were fortunate in having such a President as Mr. Bradley.

Superintendent 1vIiddleton and Lady Superintendent Miss Parish thanked the members of the Divisions and all who had helped that day, and in making their new headquarters possible.

The ceremony was followed by a service of dedication.

11embers of the :r:vIanagement Committee of the new building, including Superintendent Middleton Miss Parish, Dr. Wilson, Dr. West, Alderman ;: Reid, Ambulance Officer Jarvis, Mr. L. A. Rees

(Appeals Secretary), and Mr. F. D. Keefe (Building Secretary), were presented to Colonel Sleeman, and with him, inspected the building.

The premises comprise a spacious hall. with a platform fitted with sliding so that It can be partitioned off for use as a comffilttee At 0 e rear is the kitchen and a stores room, while flanking the main entrance are the offices and cloak room. Outside is a cycle shed.

Mr. G. W. Newman was the hon. architect and the building was erected by James Stewart & Sons (Tottenham), Ltd.

Tea was served in St. James's Hall after the ceremony, and in the evening a social and dance was held in the new headquarters. Awards won by members in examinations during the past twelve months were distributed by the Deputy-Mayoress, who also, on behalf of the members, presented Mr. Bradley with a book entitled" The History of the Order of St. John."

In an appeal for support t:he it is stated that the cost of the bUllding, WIth furrushing and equipment, is £2,500. Towards this the bers of the Division, by their own efforts, have raised £3 00

On Thursday evening, October 20, at District Headquarters, the Commissioner presented to members who had been awarded them, 50 Service Medals and 25 Bars to Service Medals.

Before the actual presentation, Captain Goodley traced the history and explained the significance of the medal. He congratulated the recipients, and thanked them for their services to the ' Brigade and their fellow-men, which the awards were officially recognising.

Fourth Bars were presented to Superintendent G. A. Burgess, of Paddington Borough Divisi(:)il.' Superintendent D. Stitcher, of East London DIVISlOn. Third Bars were presented to Ambulance Officer A. E. Shinegold, East London Division; J E. Price, York Road L.N.E.R. DlvlslOn; StaffSergeant w. Woodward, Division and Private S. Walters, Shoreditch DIVISIon. , O. 2 DISTRICT MI JEHEAD

The Annual Inspection of the Minehead Division, St. John Ambulance Brigade, was held at Headquarters on Monday, October 3 I. The Inspecting Officer was the County Commissioner, Dr. D. L. Beath, O.B.E., assisted by County Officers S. J. Bailey and W. J Tottle. Forty members paraded, including the Divisional Surgeons.

After the inspection demonstrations given of squad and stretcher drill, transport of various sUPl?osed lr:l unes , mcluding fractures of spine (cerv:Ical. reglOn and region), in which the patIent IS In the prone position, the" patient" for this case beIng Dr.

W. Bain (Divisional Surgeon), who expressed his approval of the improvement in transport on the old method.

Another squad gave a demonstration of Drill (General Service) under Sergt. L. W. Harnson, L.A.G.S.

The Commissioner presented the awards to members gained in the recent re-examination.

Dr. Beath, addressing the parade, said he was very pleased to see such a good muste.r. He complimented them on the smartness of theIr appearance and work, their drill, splinting and bandaglllg had been all correct and he was unable to find a fault anywhere. Whenever he came to Minehead he always learnt something fresh and it was the time in his experience that he had seen a doctor actmg as a patient; this was all to the good as a surgeon was able to get first-hand experience of treatment as laid down in the Text-book. As long as they followed Dr. Bain, they would continue to be one of the finest Divisions in the Brigade.

Dr. Beath spoke of the Respirator Drill as being the smartest he had seen, the time for adjusting the respirators from the alert position being from five to seven seconds.

The Commissioner said he was very pleased with the way the records and accounts were kept; it would be impossible to improve on the system, and the Division had an excellent treasurer and secretary.

Private W. E. Pring successfully passed the Drill Text for an N.C.O.

Dr. W. Bain, on behalf of the Division, thanked the Commissioner for attending personally to conduct the inspection. Dr. Beath had travelled a long distance, a matter which the Division fully appreciated, and they hoped to be honoured with his presence in future years.

Dr. Beath, in reply, said he always enjoyed hi visits to Minehead and he was pleased to hear the Division were holding First Aid classes in various parts of West Somerset with a view to strengthening the Brigade in the district.

BOUR EMOUTH

The Compton Cup Competition, open to all Nursing Divisions of the S.JA.B. in Hampshire, took place at the Bournemouth Headquarters recently. For the first time the "Ellison Bowl" was included as one of the prizes. This trophy- a magnificent silver rose bowl-was recently presented by .Mr. and Mrs. R. T. Ellison to the Southbourne Nursing Division for the team gaining highest marks in the Home Nursing Tests.

The following teams competed;Portsmouth North End.. Leader: Amb. Sister Mrs. Marshall.

Meyrick (Bournemouth)

Southbourne

The judges were:Leader: Div. Supt. Miss Jones. Leader: Amb. Officer Miss Hooper.

Dr. F. C. Bottomley, O.B.E., County SurgeonTeam Test.

Sister Bellamy-Team Test (bcd-making).

Dr. Mary lvIitchell-Individual First Aid Tests.

Sister Landsell and Sister Gadsden-Individual Home Nursing Tests.

Meyrick Team won both the Compton Cup and Ellison BowL

outhbourne Team, runners-up, received individual

gifts given by Miss Sowton, former Lady Divisional Superintendent.

Aftcr thc Competition, visitors, judges and competitors were entertained to tea by the Southbourne Nursing Division. Among tho e present were;nIts. Hayes, Lady County uperintendent; 11:iss Hayes, Lady County Officer; Colonel 11arshall, Officer, ]\rea ; Miss .Aish, Lady Corps Supenntendent; lvl1 s Gardiner and Mrs. Wilson, Lady Corps Officers; l\fiss Sowton, and R. T. Ellison, Esq.

No. 2 DISTRICT (COUNTY OF H l \ [PSHIRE) Cos HAM

The inaugural function for the recently formed Cosham Nursing Division-youoO'est of the Portsb mouth CIty Corps-was held on Tuesday, October 25.

The Division paraded at full strength and were lnspected by Lady Corps Superintendent Mrs. Fulljames, M.B.E.

Lady Divisional Superintendent Mrs. Brister told the guests of the difficulties with which they had been faced in forming the Division, and said she hoped that the enthusiasm and friendly spirit, already evident among members of the Division, would always prevail.

The President, Mrs. Fullick, was presented with her badge of office, and also received a warm tribute for the help she had so generous ly given.

After awarding Home 1 ursing Certificates to successful candidates, Lieut.-Colonel H. D. White, Chairman of the St. John Ambulance . \sso-

ciation, Reser:re Commissioner of the St. John Ambulance Bngade and Chief Air Warden for the City, spoke of the work of the Venerable Order of St. John of Jerusalem, and appealed for more members, especially women, to volunteer for A.R.P. service.

Ir Dunn, Acting econd Officer secondinO' the vote to the visitors, propos:d by Dr. Cope, the DlVl lOnal Surgeon, said she hoped the Di,rision, so happily launched on the sea of service, would have a good and succ ssful voyage. he also thanked the President and the Lady Divisional uperintendent for so kindly prmri ding refreshment, and the cinema management for allowing the use of the room.

Other visitors present included County Officer Lieut.-Colonel P. H. 1far hall, O.B.E., Area ecretar),

lYliss A. Agar, Lady Corps Officer Miss Reading, Corps Superintendent Mr. Mockford, and Corps Officer Mr. F. B. Fleming, and several Officers and members of other Divisions in the city.

No. 2 DISTRICT (COUNTY OF BERKSHIRE)

MAIDENHEAD

The 74th Berkshire V.A.D. attached to Maidenhead Nursing Division, was recently inspected by Colonel S. G. Walker, Assistant Director of Medical Services, 3rd Division, Tidwotw, accompanied by Sir Archibald Campbell, K.C.r.E., C.SJ., C.B.E., V.D., and Miss Amy Waltham, O.B.E.

An exhibition of unloading stretchers, giving different methods of hand seats, was given. Treatment for patients suffering from various gas poisoning was also demonstrated, one case requiring artificial respiration.

Samples of food for patients and staff were tested and pronounced " excellent."

The concluding item of the inspection was Respirator Drill, taken by Assistant Commandant Miss Haig. Other qfficers to assist Miss Haig were Commandant Mrs. Full, Section Leader Mrs. Blick, and A.R.P. Instructor Mr. Fuller.

Coionel Walker congratulated the Detachment on their work and said he would be proud to have them in any hospital under his controL

After proposing a vote of thanks to Colonel Walker, Sir Archibald Campbell said that as A.R.P. Controller of Berks, he wished to express his appreciation of the efficiency of the A.R.P. work he had witnessed.

The vote of thanks was seconded by Commandant Mrs. Fuller, who also thanked Sir Archibald Campbell and Miss Waltham for their kindness in attending.

No. 3 (EASTERN) DISTRICT

WELLINGBOROUGH

The report for the last quarter of the transport work carried out by the Wellingborough Division of the St. John Ambulance Brigade shows that the service continues to fulfil a great need in the life of the town, and the number of patients was the highest ever carried in one quarter.

Each year, for some time, has broken the record in this respect made by the previous one, and it is now established that this year will completely eclipse all others.

The number of patients carried from July to September was I 2 I, bringing the total for the nine months of this year to 334, exactly the same number as for the whole of I937. The mileage for the quarter was 1,875, bringitlg the year's figures up to 5,520. Last year 6,885 miles were covered.

The numbers for the quarter consisted of 93 medical patients, 16 injured in accidents and 12 inj ured in road accidents. On occasions the motor ambulances

had answered calls to road accidents and found that their services had not been required to convey patients and they were able to resume in the ordinary way after being attended by the men accompanying the motors.

It is now twelve months since the new motor ambulance was put into commission and during that time it has travelled 6,800 miles. The second motor has also taken its share of the service, and the men of Headquarters and sisters of the two Nursing Divisions are always ready to give their services.

We are happy to record the marriage between Mr. A. E. Plowman, of the Wellingborough Headquarters Division, and Miss Eva Timpson, Ambulance Sister, Victoria Nursing Division, which took place on Saturday, October I, at the High Street Congregational Church. Mr. A. F. Wood, another member of the Headquarters Division, was best man. The service was conducted by the Rev. F. Stafford.

No. 4 (LANCASHIRE) DISTRICT

LIVERPOOL

Accommodation at the Liverpool South Ambulance Divisional Headquarters was severely strained when Divisional Surgeon H. MacWilliams Daniel gave a lecture on the 39th Edition of the First Aid Text Book a few weeks ago.

The President, Mr. Charles Porter, after presenting A.R.P. and First Aid Certiflcates, handed the Divisional Surgeon his warrant of appointment.

Ambulance Officer Dickerson also received a Service 11edal, which was presented by Corps Officer

T. W. James.

BACUP

Owing to 18 members of the R.N.A.S.B.R. having been called up on service, the numbers present on parade were fewer than usual when the inspection of the Bacup Corps was held recently. The Inspecting Officer was the Commissioner, 11r. W. G. Smith, O.B.E., and the occasion was the first individual competition for the " Taylor" Trophy, presented by Mrs. Taylor in memory of her late husband, District Officer Dr. A. R. Taylor. The competition for the trophy will take place each year at Bacup and is to be alternatively for Ambulance Sisters and Men in the No. 2 Area. This year the Nurses competed, and out of 14 competitors, Ambulance Sister Miss Mary Auty proved the winner.

The units on parade were the Bacup Ambulance and Nursing Divisions, the Bacup Police Division, and the Ambulance and Nursing Cadet Divisions.

The Mayor and Mayoress (Coun. W. J. Hartley, J.P., and Miss Hartley), Mrs. A. R. Taylor, and the Chief Constable, Mr. R. W. Priest, supported the Commissioner, and numerous apologies were received from those unable to attend.

The competition judges were Dr. Madeleine Archibald, of Rawtenstall; Dr. R. Davidson, of Burnley, and Nurse Annie Hartley, Nelson.

the conclusion of the inspection Proficiency Certlficates were presented to Boy- and Girl Cadets, and the trophy, personal mementoes and certificates to Ambulance Sister Auty (Ist), Ambulance Sister Noblet (2n?),. and Ambulance Sister Law (3rd), by the CommISSIoner, who remarked that it was the most beautiful trophy he had seen in the Brigade, and expressed the great debt of gratitude owing to Mrs. Taylor for her generosity.

The trophy, a miniature flgure of a Knight of the Order of St. John of Jerusalem, is believed to be a correct representation, thanks to the efforts of Assistant Commissioner Maxwell Reekie, who obtained details from Malta.

Thanks were expressed to the Commissioner, Mrs. Taylor, and the Mayor and Mayoress for their attendance, and the gathering broke up with three hearty cheers for the Inspecting Officer and donor of the trophy.

BURY

Britain's haste in its A.R.P. measures has been caused by the nation being so far behind other nations in preparedness against aerial attack. Nor was A.R.P. work a stunt, for A.R.P. had come to stay.

This was the declaration of Mrs. Walter Tweedale of Rochdale, Lady District Superintendent, when addressed members of Bury Nursing Division recently. She was speaking at the presentation of Bars to go with the Long Service 1Yiedals of three members of the Division. The three who received Bars were Dr. F. B. G. Holmes, Joint Divisional Surgeon, with Dr. E. Smalley, :Miss K. Lamb, Lady Divisional Superintendent, and :Miss Bertha Holt, a Lady Ambulance Officer since 1932. Cadet Bertha Marsden received the Grand Prior Badge awarded for obtaining certificates in 12 subjects.

The Bars and the Badge were presented by the Mayor, who was accompanied by the Mayoress. Others present were: 1ft. S. Knott, Officer in Charge of the Bury Ambulance Division; 11rs. A. J. Kerr, and Mrs. E. Smalley. The Chairman was Dr. Smalley.

lYfrs. Kerr congratulated the Division and said that the Bars and the Badge were a splendid record of "something attempted, something done." The Badge awarded by Cadet Marsden showed the continued efficiency of the Cadet movement which had been inaugurated in Bury ten years ago.

Under the auspices of the Bury Nursing Division of the St. John Ambulance Brigade, thirty-six students have gained certificates in A.R.P., and one member, Miss E. Turner, gained a grade II instructor's certificate.

The certiflcates to the winners were presented by Mrs. Kerr, who congratulated them on their

Miss Sladin, one of the students, presented Miss K. Lamb, the Lady Superintendent, with a " Staybrite "

cake and marmalade jar, stating that it was due to the lnterest and co-operation of Miss Lamb that they had been successful.

Service chevrons were also presented to several members of the Nursing Division.

On behalf of Dr. Holmes (the Divisional Surgeon), the Officers, and of the Nursing Division, Mrs. !Zerr p:esented Miss Lamb with a " Staybrite " electnc reading lamp as a token of their love and esteem for her.

In returning thanks, Miss Lamb assured the members. of her appreciation, stating that she would contlnue do all she could for them, and especially for anything connected with the Order of St. John.

TOrrINGTON

The second annual competition for the "Mrs. Hardman Coronation C.up " took place on Saturday, October 22. The exarruner was Corps Superintendent W. E. Naylor, of the Manchester and Salford Corps. Others present were: Mrs. Hardman, the donor of the Cup; District Officer F. Lomax, C.B.E., and Dr. Leiper, the Division Surgeon.

Dr. Leiper presided at the presentation ceremony and said that during the past 12 months a good deal of work had been done by the Division, especially in the past few weeks of crisis.

The Cup was presented to the winner Nursing Sister 11iss 1iona Morgan, by :Mrs. Harchnan, who congratulated her upon her success.

District Officer Loma.'{, awarding A.R.P. Certificates and Grand Prior's Badges t o members who had recently passed the examinations, said that members of the St. John Ambulance Brigade throughout country had been called upon to play their part 1n the A.R.P. programme, and he sugo-ested that even now when the crisis was over more the general public should train themselves in First Aid and Anti-Gas measures.

At the conclusion of the proceedings, a vote of thanks was accorded to the examiner and the visitors by Lady Superintendent 1Iiss Bentley, and seconded by Lady Ambulance Officer 1Iiss Booth, and was supported by Cadet Superintendent S. Isherwood on behalf of the Ambulance Division.

No. 5 DISTRICT

PONTEFRACT Al D DISTRICT CoRPS

PONTEFRACT

The a.:mual inspection of the Pontefract Corps was earned out recently by Commissioner H. C. Else, of Sheffield, the Chief-of-Staff, No. 5 District, who was accompanied by Assistant Commissioner Dr. K. H: Beverley, of Worsbro, County Surgeon F. W. Sullivan, of Hemsworth; District Officer C. H. Forster, of Sheffield; Corps Surgeon W. Dyson, of Hemsworth; and Lady District Officer Miss G. Ashberry, of Sheffield.

The parade numbered 138 men, 35 and 94 cadets, including officers. Corps Supenntendent T. C. Amery, Officer of the of St. John, was in command; Corps Lady Supenntendent H. Robinson had charge of the Nursing DlvlslOn; Corps Officer A. Leyland led the Cadets; and Superintendent W. Swallow had charge of the Pontefract drum and fife band. The Divisions represented were Pontefract, Featherstone, Ackworth, Hemsworth Colliery, South Kirkby, Nun Monkton, Knottingley and Stanley.

After the inspection, the officers watched of stretcher and first-aid treatment, and evolutions by the parade. At the final march past, the Commissioner took the salute.

Addressing the assembled units aftenvards, the Commissioner said: "I have never seen the Pontefract Corps better than it is to-day; it is excellent."

Miss Ashberry also told him that the nurses gave her perfect satisfaction The young. girls well; they were progresslng, and taking a keen in the work. It was good to see them as they did. The Commissioner added that It was a great pleasure to see some of the Cadets in new Brigade uniforms. Those boys would grow up taking an interest in first-aid work, and later join the older ranks They seemed. to be t.aking a keen interest in their work, and theu marching was keen and very good. " You have got now in the Pontefract Corps the No. 5 District spirit. I want you to keep that, officers and men alike. I am very satisfied, and I congratulate every person here on the performance, behaviour and work."

On behalf of the Corps, Superintendent Amery thanked the Commissioner, and made an appeal to those with first-aid training to join the Brigade immediately, in case their services were required. " We hope they will not be needed, but we must be ready ." He assured the that the Corps would do its best to a high of efficiency, and to be of help In cases of necessity.

Instructors' certificates in first-aid for the tuition of ambulance recruits, and also of non-members under the A.R.P. regulations, were handed to Ambulance Officer A. J. Robertson and Privates Wood, J. Walker, G. E. Gowland, and H. Haigh.

LINCOLN

We regret to announce the death Everett Harvey Kirby, who had served With Llncoln Corps for seventeen years.

Mr. Kirby was made a corporal in 1933, and store-keeper for several years. A very .energetic member of the Brigade Band, he rose to. be Its leader, bringing it to such a degree. of he gained the Assistant CommisslOner s praIse at the last inspection. Much sympathy IS shown for the widow and her family by officers and comrades, many of whom paraded for the interment on October 12.

334

No.8 (DUK.E OF CONNAUGHT'S) DISTRICT EASTBOURNE

The annual inspection of the Eastbourne Division of the St. John Ambulance Brigade place a few weeks aO'o under the command of Supenntendent b A. J. Burnage.

The inspecting officer was Assistant Commissioner C. Heywood, accompanied by Dr. J. Fenton, County Surgeon. Among others present were Mrs. J. Fenton, 11rs. E. A. Sydney Smith and her daughter, Miss E. J. Sydney Smith.

Demonstration s of hand-seats, squad drill and stretcher work, also treatment of first aid and A.R.P. cases, were given.

Following the inspection the '\ssistant Commissioner addressed the parade and congratulated Superintendent Burnage on the smartness and efficiency of the Division.

At the of the parade, A.R.P. certificates were presented to members by Irs. E. Sydney Smith, O.St.]. About forty members qualified.

A gift of no less a sum than £1,000 has been made to the Eastbourne Division of the St. John Ambulance Brigade by Mrs. E. A. Sydney Smith, in the movement has earned her the title of faIry godmother of the Brigade.

Sentimental reasons prompted the gift, which has been made on what would, if Mrs. Smith's husband had lived to share it, have been their golden wedding anniversary. The money will be a godsend t? Brigade, since it is to be devoted to the BUilding Fund for the erection of suitable headquarters. Mrs. Smith's gifts to the fund now total £1,510.

Both Mrs. Smith and her daughter have been keen and loyal supporters of the Eastbourne division for many years and in recognition of the support 1\1rs. Smith was decorated with the Order of St. John.

It is hoped that this gift will be an incentive to others to respond to the appeal that has been circulated for funds to meet the cost of the new headquarters.

No. 9 DISTRICT

WEYMOUTH

Three teams of the Weymouth Nursing Divisions entered for the annual competition in team work held a few weeks ago.

Dr. Cooper, the Divisional surgeon, organised and judged the Fjrst Aid, and. Nurse Choules, the Nursing Officer, was responSIble for the Home Nursing.

The cup, given by the former Lady Superin.tendent of the Division, was won by the team captalned by Mrs. Scriven and trained by Mrs. Dowell. Mrs. Davison made the presentation.

Later the Lady County Officer, Mrs. Cooper, presented a clock to Mrs. King, a . member of the Division who had recently got marned.

Air Raid Precautions

The Chief Commissioner has made arrangements for week-end A .R. P. Instructors' Courses to be held at the Great Central Hotel, Marylebone Road, London, N. W., on the following week-ends (Saturday and Sunday). Those who attend will be eligible to sit an examination for the Grade I Certificate of the t. John Ambulance Brigade.

193 8 . November 26-27.

December 17-18.

The Time Table and yllabus for each course will be as follows :SATURDAY.

1.0 p.m. Lunch.

2.0 p.m. Introduction.

2. 15 p.m. Nature and properties of War Gases, Methods of attack from the air.

Effect of weather on gas.

3· 15 p.m.

4· 15 p.m.

5. 0 p.m.

6.0 p.m.

Classification and types of War Gases. Blister Gases Characteristics and injuries produced. Tea.

Blister Gases- Treatment. Protection of eyes, nose and lungs by respirators. Fitting .

7.15 p.m. Dinner.

SlP,D "'-Y.

8. 30 a.m. Breakfast.

9.30 a.m. Gas Vans.

1.0 a.m. Protection of the body by Protecti"e Clothing.

12. noon. lnten'a l.

12..30 p.m. Decontamination.

1.30 p.m. Lunch.

2..3 0 p.m. Protective Rooms and Air Locks.

3.30 p.m. Respirator Drill.

4.30 p.m. Tea.

5. 0 p.m. Poisonous substances not used a, offensive agents. First Aid Posts.

6.0 p.m. A.R.P. CasuaLties organisation.

7.0 p.m. Dinner.

The number attending these courses is limited, and therefore nominations must reach the Chief

335

Commissioner at St. John's Gate not tater than fijteen dcrys prior to the date oj the Course jor l}.Jhich enffy is made. The fee for each course will be 35S., P-\.YABLE WITH THE NOMINATION. This sum provides for lunch, tea and dinner on Saturday and Sunday, and sleeping accommodation on Saturday night and breakfast on Sunday morning. In addition, each student will be supplied with a satchel comprising Textbooks, notebook and pencil. Those requiring sleeping accommodation on Sunday night will be required to send an additional fee of 8s. 6d.

It is not essential for students to have sleeping accommodation at the hotel, especially if they desire to sleep out at relatives or friends. In such cases the fee will be 26s. 6d.

P. G. DARVIL-S:-..cITH, St. John Ambulance Brigade, Headquarters, St. John's Gate, E.C. 1. September 22, 1938.

Brigade Secretao',

Correction

The reproduction of the cover picture of our September issue was by courtesy of The UrTestem iVIoming iVel1's and NOT The Westem lJ:Iai! as stated.

A.R,PA Handbook No. 2

A correction has been made in the third edition of A.R.P. Handbook NO.2.

The strength of the sodium bicarbonate solution for use as a nasal douche is giyen on page 4 as 10 grains to one pint.

This should be amended to read as follows:"Nasal douching with warm ,veak sodium bicarbonate solution (60 grains to one pint) is sometimes helpfuL"

The Grand Priory Church of the Order

The Chapter-General ha decided that en-Ice shall be held in the Church as follows :Frida)" December 9.-The fe-capture of Jerusalem. Holy Communion at 8.30 a.m.

StllldC1) , DecelJlber I1.-Festival Seryice at 3.30 p.m.

Preacher: Rey. F. Vaughan, Sub-Chaplain of the Order.

Brigade Officers of the London Area Church Parade.

CASE REpORT No. I45.-The Officer-in-Charge of the County of Buckingham S.J.A.B. reports the efficient performance of first aid by Superintendent C. Day, of the Princes Risborough Division in the following difficult circumstances :-

At 12 midnight on July 4, a road accident took place at Saunderton as the result of a car coming into collision with a lorry and resulted in the four passengers in the car being badly injured. Indeed, one was already dead when Superintendent Day arrived at the place of the emergency .

First aid treatment was hampered by the facts that the only means of light was a policeman's torch, and that the wreckage inside the car and the way in which the passengers were thrown together made it impossible to get them released for upwards of half an hour.

The female passenger seemed to be the most seriously injured. She had evidently been thrown against the roof of the car, and had an almost complete avulsion of the scalp from the eyebrows to behind the ears, the scalp hanging back over the neck. In addition she had a fracture of the upper jaw, a fractured lower jaw, a fractured humerus, and injuries to both legs. was very severe. She was concussed, but recovered and was conscious until put to bed in hospital.

The car driver had very bad scalp wounds. The scalp was puckered up over the top of the head, and he also had several severe wounds of the face and hands. He was unconscious with stertor. The other male passenger had a fracture of the base of skull and injuries to one eye, and was unconscious with stertor.

In the case of the female passenger, from the lower edges of the scalp wound was controlled by a tight bandgage round the head. The scalp was returned as near as possible to its normal position and an ordinary head bandage applied. This was kept in position by the bandage which held up the lower jaw.

All the patients were treated on the roadside and covered up with coats and furniture wrappers secured from the lorry involved in the accident. The patients were then transported to hospital 6! miles away, where they arrived about 1.30 a.m.

Enquiry at the hospital a week later revealed that all three patients, whilst still critically ill, were progressing as well as could be expected.

COMMENT.-This report reflects great credit on Superintendent C. Dqy, to whom we tender our cordial congratulations on the ejjicimt manner in which he dealt with critical cases in diJIicult circumstances j and it will serve as an inspiration to the rest of us who serve in the Brigade.N.C.F.

SILVESTER'S METHOD

C. H. (Middlesbrough).- Would you please be good enough to answer the following so that we can be of one mind in our Division at least?

In Silvester's method of l\rtificial the Textbook on page 149 says: "Grasping his forearms just below his elbows, draw the arms upwards, and towards you, with a sweeping movement, making the elbows touch the ground."

Does that mean straight from the chest, take the arms towards the ground, along the ground to fo.11 extension?

Then on page 151 it says: "Bring the patient's flexed arms slowly forwards, downwards and inwards, press the arms and elbows firmly on the chest on each side of the breast-bone."

Does that mean that we must bring the ann ' back along the ground until they are at right angles ((, the shoulder, then lift them up on to the chest Or does it mean that we must bring the arm' back as per the dotted line on the diagram.

Thanking you in anticipation for past

To cany out Silvester's Afethod ),011 will find it eru ielto start as if )'ou 1vere jmt complelillg e.'\-Piralioll, hec"atue this position enables ),Otl to grasp the patimt's fore :11'1/I,r correct0' Then ),011 COllllJle11Ce a sweeping lI/01Iemenl, 1vhich ),Of{ cany the patient's tipper limbs (not "arms" as in Textbook /) upwards and outll'ards at firs t and thm imvards, and )'OU end b,y pressing the patietJt'J' elbolJ's firmlY on the ground above his head. If),011 do this prope,.o " )'OU Jvill put a conscious patient so JJJllch 011 the J'/r elch that he Will often raise himself on his heels. Yom' J'll,ggeJ-tio/l of " taking the arms along the ground JJ is incorrect and would not produce this stretching of the patient rllhich i r an essential step of the method. This done, yot! complete the movement in exactlY the reverse manner and so the patient's upper limbs back to their original pO Jiti oll on his chest.-N. C. F.

SURGICAL SPIRIT FOR WOUND S J. C. (Nottingham).- With reference to Order No. 697, I would be interested to know \I,.'hy surgical spirit was chosen in preference to pirit Meth. Indust. B.P.

I.-The former costs about per pint, whereas the latter costs about 5d. per pint.

2.-At present there are three approved formul:e for surgical spirit and all of these consist of Spt. Meth. Indust. with the addition of a small quantity of either castor oil and boric acid; castor oil, methd salicylate and ethyl phthallate-; or castor oil, naphtha and ethyl phthallate. It seems to me that the unadulterated industrial spirit would be more suj table, especially in view of the lavishness of most 111'st-

aiders. Spt. Meth. Indust. B P. is a mixture of 19 yolumes of alcohol (95 per cent.) with one volume of wood naphtha.

The decision to sl/bstitute surgical spirit for iodine in the trealtllel11 of 1volmds JJ'(IJ made by the Brigade SubCOlIJmittee, to 1vhich the District and County StIIgeons COllference, 1937, suggested a choice behveen the fJvo drugs named 0 you as " the idea! ellJeJgenry antiseptic.}}

EvidentlY prices vary, because a London firm of druggists tell me that their price for small quantities of either surgical .rpirit or industrial metf!Jlated spirit is IS. per pint and also that, owing to GovertJllIent restricttom, the latter is not available (orpllrchase 1ry members of the general public.-

CA.STOR OIL FOR Ern INJURIES

J. P. (Chiswick). - An A.R.P. textbook, in deanti-gas treatment for eye injuries resulting trom gas, says :- " Place a drop of olive oil or medICInal paraffin between the lids. Castor oil should not be used if these other oils are available as it tends t? become irritating after a while, but may be used In an emergency."

of cou.rs.c, states that, for ordinary eye InJUtleS, e1ther mediclnal paraffin or castor oil , may be used.

Is castor .oil, howe"er, to be regarded as an alternabve only In case of special need when medicinal paraffin-or, for that matter, olive oil-is unobtainable?

Thanking you in anticipation of your views.

The Textbook agrees 1J1ilh the allthor of the A.B.P. textbook, qlloted I?y YOII, ,rillce it )Jallles castor oil as the recolld choice of remedies (p. 184). The practical point is that, if you do have to lISe castor oil, ),011 should ensure that it has flOt deteriorated and challged CO/OHr as it does wheJl this happetls after long storage.- C. F. _

TREAT:\fENT OF FRACTURED THIGH

W. F. (Chute).-On page 88 of the Textbook in the treatment of fracture of the thigh, the first-aider IS tol_d to "steady the limb by holding the ankle t?ot draw down the foot, bringing it mto line WIth Its fellow " Do you not think such be left to be carried out by a surgeon and, If possIble, under an ana::sthetic?

You are 110t fair to the Textbook, becalfSe you hOlIe not toid the whole story and have quoted all instmction tom from the context. 111 PO/ilt of fact, the Textbook tells first aiders that thry may attempt extension of a fractllred 10]1'8" limb. b,y shortel1illg-( I) 1JJith g rea t (2) .,vlfho,(/ tlStIlg force, alld (3) 1}!ithol/t letting go l!!ltd the Izmb has been seCl/red iJ/ positioll I!y splillts (RItle 4, p.66).

With a fractured fell//lr, hOJ1/ever, the spasm of the Ihigh lII1/sc/es is 11S11alIY so severe that ellen a mrgeon lIMy be

337

unable to set the fracture unless and ulltil the pa / lm! has been deeplY anasthetised.-N. C. F.

THREE-BEARER HUMA"l STRETCHER

J. E. (Southampton).- Whilst recognising that there are good reasons against the continuing to teach the old method of Two-Bearer Human Stretcher I fe.el that this of transport has so many ObVlOUS advantages that It ought to be retained in one form or another. May I suggest a method which I showed at the recent Surgeons' Confere n ce :A Three-Bearer Human Stretcher?

Three men face each other, and 3 standing in line one pace apart, and 2 facing them opp o site the empty space. No. 2 extends both hands h is left to No. I and his to .No. 3; these men g rasp his WRISTS and he theirs) taking hold of the nake d wrists - OT the sleeves-(No. I left to No.2 left, N o 2 right to NO.3 right). Nos. I and 3 no\v have each one hand free to be. used for o f the o ve rhang ing parts of the The part of the patient be carned on the nght hands of the bearers, which are presumably the stronger. It will soo n be that this method lends itself readily (Q the carryIng of a patient-by side-steps-face up ,va r d s or face d?wnwards, and equally easily to lifting a prone pabent off the ground. The free hand of the bearer who is at the head end of the patient is able to give ample support for the head, face up or d o w n . I claim several advantages for this method as ag ainst the FOUR-Bearer Human Stretcher suggested b y o ur colleague from Lowestoft , which was sho wn Conference, and which is without doubt very mgeruous, namely: my method "comes naturalh-" to the. men, is of performance and readily used WIth the pabent standing or lying down \\Then collected. The Four-Bearer method on the other hand is too complicated in that it one man m o re bearer) and in forming the four-handed seat which is a part of it three men use their right hands and one his left-a manceuvre that is apt to become confUSing-and the cross-over of arms at the head end l' too difficult and, in my opinion, also confusing

YOllr interesting sJtgf!,estioll i s p"bJished f or ge neral mforJJlatlotJ. 1 agree With ),011 t hat t he Human S t r etcher /lIethod of transport may. katIe a defin i te field of /(j'eju/ ff eSJ' .and further I am of opm/olJ tha t the Two-Beare r Afet hod can still be wed n ith advalltage prow ded that t he are comparativelY strong and the patient a light-weighr.

As 11 ldl remember, th e COllJelUIiS of OP illioll lIt t he Smgeol1J' Co!iference 111as against the POIII'-B earer method mai/lIY a reCJIJJJbent could 110 t be ![fied off t he grotllJd wllhollt /IIt/ch stmgglmg. The il/gelll/it) 0/ this r ested 011 fact that fOIll' bear er s f ace each other til Pall'S and form m the centre 'be/}J) em t helll a fOllr -handed seat to the Illakill rT of 1})hich each cOlltri buted one il'rist This movement leai'eJ' fOllr free hands; and the halJdJeat i.r cOlllpleted Iry the opposing pairs c/a pilJg their f r ee hal/d,I .N. C. F.

Air Raid Precautions

Local Anti-Gas Training

Before the crisis it was realised that training for the public, and of Instructors to teach the pub li c, was one cause of apathy and the much-talked-of inefficiency. Both apathy and inefficiency are the natural result of ignorance due to lack of widespread teaching. In the St. John Ambulance Brigade we owe much to the statesmanship of our Chief Commissioner, who foresaw this fact. In July, 1935, when asked by the Home Office to allow the Brigade to help in this education· of the public with our 85,000 members already trained and efficient in first aid, he decided that the prime work was to train and produce for the authorities qualified Instructors all over the country, so that now for three years our Instructors have been trained, examined and certificated for this purpose, and the Government finding this being done, asked us to train and examine non-Brigade members (see Memorandum on AntiGas Training No. 5 (second edition), page 8), to increase the public education. To-day our monthly Instructors' Courses of about 2.00 are roughly half Brigade and half officers who require a Grade (External) Certificate.

Even so and with those trained in the Government Anti-Gas Schools, the amount of Instructors is not enough, and so the Local Anti-Gas Certificate (L.A.G.C.) Course has been evolved in the Government Memorandum No. 5 (second edition). The following is a brief outline of the Scheme :-

(I Y Instructors must be trained, examined and certificated, and to be called Instructors (L.A.G.C.).

(2.) These Instructors are available for the use of the Local Authorities for the purpose of teaching the public.

(I) lnstrtlctors (L.A .G.C.)

Memorandum No. 5 (second editon), para. 2., states: "The conditions imposed in the Appendix C must be strictly observed," and, " It will be noted that the training may be given only by an Instructor (C.A.G.S. Special) and that the examination must be conducted by another Instructor (C.A.G S. Special)."

A C.A G.S. Special is a person who has been to the Government Anti-Gas School at Falfield or Easingwold and has obtained not less than 80 per cent. in the examination. Under instruction from the Home Office the Brigade are recognised for training such Instructors with the foregoing strict conditions. The conditions have been scrupulously carried out in the twenty-five hours' instruction laid down.

Half of the twenty-five hours is " practical " with one Instructor (C.A.G S.) t o each ten students: Last

By W. C. BENT ALL , O.B.E., F.R.C.S. , L R.C P. , As s istant

week we had at our hrst Course in London of 100 studen ts from all parts of the country, and the practical training was carried out in separate rooms, and in the B orough Yard of the Marylebone Council, where drills, exercises, and all practical demonstrations were given according to the Government instructions . The 100 students finished their Course with the regula tion three hours' examination, consisting of: (a) w ritten, (b) oral, (c) drill examination, and the Government Certificate for Instructors issued to those who passed These Instructors (L.A.G.C.) return to the various parts of the country and are available for the Local Authorities to use for instructing the ge n e ral public.

(2) The Training of the Gmerai Public

This, of course, is the main aim of the whole scheme, and Instr uctors (L.A.G.C.) are available to perform the teaching under the request and arrangements of the Local Authorities. The definite meaning of these words is the Officer acting under the Councils in any special area. Originally the Medical Officer of Health of the County, Borough, Urban or Rural Council was the representative of the Local Authority for the instruction of the general public, and to him and him alone are all Instructors responsible, and from him necessary equipment for teaching the general public is available under Home Office arrangements.

Latterly some of the responsibilities of the Medical Officer of Health have been taken over by the Air Raid Precautions Officer, and where this has occurred we must recognise him as the Local Authority in this matter.

A variety of Courses are possible for the general public, and the 11.0.H. or the A .R.P.O. as the case may be, is responsible for advising which Course the people of his area are to be taught. The foHowing Courses are possible and their syllabus fully set out in Appendix G of Memorandum o. 5 (second edition)-

(a) A full course of about 2.0 hours.

(b) A full modified course of about 15 hours.

(c) A medical course of about 12. hours.

(d) A voluntary aid course of about 10 hours.

(e) A short course of about 5 hours.

(f) A short Decontamination course of about 2. to 3 hours.

For the general public (d) the voluntary aid course of abou t 10 hours is the one most widely used. It is of especial value, because the shorter Courses for sp ecial Officers such as D econtamination men, Wardens, Firemen, etc., can quite easily have their

two or three hours of special lectures for their job added on to the voluntary aid course of 10 hours which establishes a most excellent foundation for subject. Furthermore, practical experience shows that the short course of about 5 hours does not secure such full interest of the general public as the voluntary aid 10 hours' course, neither does the course make possible the granting of an A R.P. certdicate. For the giving of this instruction, A.R.P. No. 5 (second edition), page 10, states to give the voluntary aid course or the short course Instructors (C.A.G.S.), Instructors (L. l\.G.C.) and Grade Instructors A.R.P., including A.R.P. Instructors of the St. John Ambulance Brigade, the St. Andrew's Ambulance Association and the British Red Cross Society are available by the local authorities.

In the giving of instruction for these classes the side of work always be given pronunence, especIally the dnll with the respirators and all teaching, and in order that this practical slde of the work may be emphasised classes should not be too large, or It In bIg there should be qualified assistants to appOInted to assist in giving the practical demonstratIOns under the recognised Instructor's supervision. This relationship between the Instructor and his helpers is much emphasised in o. 5 (second edition) and must be stnctly adhered to. The above referred to gives full details of the svllabus of the various courses which may be held in iocal areas, and these details shou!d be very fully studied by intending Instructors, the lOc?mpleteness of doing this leads to a large prop?rtIOn ?f ineffectiveness amongst the general and IS apt to make opportunities for popular cr1tlCIsms and grumblings.

Experience over three years has very c1earlv shown that .the full instruction of the public, followed by an exanunation and the possession of a Certificate leads ultimately to the enrolment of volunteers at a much greater rate a mere application through Press or otherwise for recruits. The request of a person to recruit is usually resented, on the other hand a fully trained and certIficated member of the public will ask to be recruited and to take on the work his instruction has made interesting to him.

is always Instructors to take the opportunity of shOWing thelt class the co-relation of their own piece of work to the enormous and magnificent scheme known as "A.R.P." because its bianess is seldom and it is lack of by the. publIc that leads to popular criticism. It also aSSIsts all the people of the public classes to be points of informative propaganda to those amonast whom they live and work, and our prime object to make the of this country one hundred per cent. profiCient 1n the understanding ot the immensely valuuable A R.P. scheme.

Air Raid Precautions Questions and Answers

I. Q.-Is it possible to put on respirator when the eyes are already affected?

A.-Yes.

2.. Q. - At what height is spraying effective?

A.-Depends on speed of plane, amount of wind and temperature of air.

3· Q.-Can a plane spray an object five miles away effectively?

A. - Depends on weather, wind and skill of aviator.

4· Why we have instructions for oxygen treatment In book If not our job?

A.-For general information.

5· Q.-How long in high concentration IS the respirator efficient?

1·-Lon g for the purpose for they are deSIgned. ApprOXImatel y civilian respirators up to 6 hours, Civilian Duty respirators up to 30 hours, Service respirators up to 90 hours

6. Q.- What is the difference between Phosgene and Di-Phosgene?