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2.
THE JOURNAL OF THE VENERABLE ORDER OF THE HOSPITAL OF ST.
THE ST. JOHN AMBULANCE GAZETTE is published on the 15 th of each month The annual subscription is 4S., post free; single copies 3d Brigade Reports and Photographs should be addressed to the Editor, at 32, Shoe Lane, E.C.4. Reports and photographs should reach him not later than the 28th of the month preceding the date of issue. Subscriptions and Advertisements should be forwarded to the publishers: Messrs. British Periodicals , Ltd., 19, 19a, Cursitor Street, London E.C.4.
CONTENTS
Edi torial Home Nursing Page
War Services Bar for Brigade Nursing Personnel Promotions and Appointments. Pro Utilitate Hominum Obituary Hints for Firs· Aiders Priory for Wales Interesting Case Reports Questions and Answers .. . Reviews Blood Transfusion
Red Cross and St. John War Organisation Brigade News Overseas News
War Hospitals, Temporary Hospitals and V.A.D. Emergency Hospitals
CHANCERY OF THE ORDER,
ST. JOHN'S GATE, CLERKENWELL, LONDON, E.C.I.
_ A New Year's Message
At the request of Major-General Sir John Duncan, K.C.B., eM.G., C.V.O., D.S.O., Chief Commissioner of the St. John Ambulance Brigade at home, we publish the following message :-
" On the occasion of the New Year I wish to send my greetings to all members of the St. John Ambulance Brigade at home. I would like to take this
opportunity of thankin g them for the fine example of service which they have shown during the past difficult year, during which the demands on them have been so heavy.
"During the years of peace the members of the Brigade, by devoting their leisure to training and relieving the sick and injured, have prepared themselves for the stern duties of war. The outbreak of war has therefore found them ready to fulEl their part in the important duty of National Defence.
" When war broke out the many thousands of our men who had, in peace, joined the Royal Naval Auxiliary Sick Berth Reserye and Military Hospitals Reserve left their homes and answered the call for mobilisation to a man. Many have already fallen, especially in the Ro yal Navy. These men have given up a great deal to serve their country. They have left their homes and their emplo yment voluntarily, and have afforded a very valuable reinforcement to the Services.
" The vast majority of the Brigade have undertaken service in the Civil Defence either as whole-time or part-time workers, or in the hospitals as Civil Nursing Reserve. These members are now as much in the front line as those serving in the Army or Navy.
"I have received reports of numbers of cases of members having performed acts of great gallantry in assisting' the wounded during bombing attacks -many have lost their lives on duty-whilst the self-sacriEcing work of those assisting in the hospitals, shelters, first-aid posts, etc., has been the subject of highly complimentary reports from authorities under the Ministry of Health.
" The Brigade is performing a work of real national importance, and is doing so in a most efficient manner. Their self-sacrificing devotion to duty is worthy of all praise. Never in its long history has the St. John Ambulance Brigade occupied such a proud position or deserved so well of the country. It has indeed justified its proud motto, For the good of Humanity.' "
JOHN OP J ERU SAL E l\,f
Vol. 14. No. 1. JANUARY, I94I
DOME NURSING PAGE
" SHELTER." .
By ALICE M. O.B.E., B.Se., M.B., B.S.
What a number of different pictures that heading conjures up I
Tube stations, Anderson shelters, trench shelters, tunnels, railway. arches, basements in many houses, corridors, passages, protected rooms with special .atments reinforcement of windows and ceilings, or just any room in one's house or flat, or hotel, or club, or place of duty, where one takes cover under the stairs or the dining-room table I
At first we were all inclined to be jumpy and nervous. Some of us used to start just after midday dinner for our pet tube station or -basement in a " safe" neighbourhood; we were so anxious to get good places, because everyone else was feeling nervous too, and there was a rush and scramble for places, so sometimes the grown-ups sent children to keep their places till they themselves got back from work. (Before the war seats used to be "kept," in the same way, by messenger boys and others, but those were in theatre queues.) However, it was all so unusual and full of exciting possibilities, and felt like a kind of picnic.
And it was so fine to be in the front line, and know that the world was admiring our courage and pluck. We felt as proud and responsible as any soldier or sailor or airman.
And then gradually we got more and more used to the daily and frequent sirens, to · the noise of planes overhead, and to the guns giving us most reassuring barks of their vigilant defence which helped us to feel adequately protected and unafraid.
As the fear of our first" blitz" died down we found ourselves accepting the "alert" signal almost as calmly.as the" all cleat," and often we just turned over in bed if the guns were far off, and went to sleep with scarcely a thought of the other victims who would perhaps be having to bear the bombs.
After these months we have to ask ourselves have we learnt anything that will really help to build the brave new world we all desire to live in once we have got through this war, and have definitely shown Hitler that he cannot frighten us by his terrorist methods, or by destroying our churches, hospitals and homes. .
Freedom is fighting for ahd even dying for
- to preserve in our private and national life; and, indeed, without freedom life itself is hardly worth living. We mean to fight for freedom, to be loyal and true to whatever we believe in, in religion or politics or morals, that means freedom to worship God as we think best, to do homage to a Icing or a government that we choose to serve, and not to yield to compulsion to worship and serve any person or even the State at the bidding of any man or party.
This freedom must be won for all people, as we are all children of one loving Father, and have equal rights to live on this earth, to have our own languages, and our own faiths, to learn from other nations and find how best we can live in harmony without oppressing others, without that absurd conceit that makes people think their own race, their own way of life the only ones that mayor should exist.
However old, however young we are, if we know there is a war on, we should know that we are fighting to protect the weak, to free the oppressed, and to bring peace and love back into God's beautiful world.
You may ask what this has to do with the Order of St. John of Jerusalem, but if you think for a moment you will realise that the founding of this Order was the desire to help and heal and protect.
So we, too, can carryon the tradition by beginning (if we have not yet done so) to make these principles true in our lives. In our shelters, wherever they are, there are always opportunities for unselfish action. We can each of us decide on these, and can from now on determine to begin the grand work of building the new world of beauty and peace and harmony and love, by ceasing to grab things for ourselves-the best places in the shelter perhaps, or the most comfortable cushions; we can help the frail, ease the maimed and sick, perhaps offer to help a tired mother with her fractious babes.
We can be practical too, and see that the shelter we frequent is kept clean and free from infection, the people with colds and coughs separated from others, the noisy snorers or the crying babies collected away from the hard workers tired after the day's work. This will need tact and kindness, and will call into play all one's qualities of diplomacy and helpfulness, and, of cour,se, will mean that we ourselves must
g.ive up the best place or the best mattress. To establi sh this habit of unselfish thought for others is one of the first steps to take in this new life that has to be bwlt up from now. If you think things out for yourself you will realise that greed and selfishness, the desire to take for oneself what should belong to all, these things are at the very root of war, and so we of the Order of St. John of Jerusalem must set our faces against them, and the only way to begin is by acting in our own lives on the principles that we would like others, too, to live by.
May 1 suggest for a little practical exercise, this month, that you learn how to deal with cuts, burns and sprains. Learn how to stop bleeding , and how to bandage fingers, hands, feet, knees and heads. Practise these, also slings for arms and hands. There are new ways of dealing with burns; have you read up about these?
Remember how important cleanliness is in all these things. Keep your shelter clean, keep your own hands clean, always have clean handkerchiefs for use in emergencies, and keep cuts and burns clean, when you have to dress them.
Persuade the shelter authorities to use disinfectants on the ground, sprayed in the air, and used lavishly in the lavatories.
Keep your own corner scrupulously clean, and help the authorities to see that any kind of uncleanly habits or vermin-infested people or bedding are dealt with adequately.
But remember to be tactful as well as helpful, otherwise you w.ill defeat your own object, and the aim which all first-aiders, and especially the brigades of St. John should have, to promote the health of those you are helping as well as encouraging them to be hopeful and happy, brave and patient.
50 Years"> Service
On Sunday, December 14, Miss E. M. Hardy, 61, Spring Street, Hull, completed fifty years' active service with the St. John Ambulance Brigade. Throughout these years she served assiduously and faithfully and has also maintained her effic.iency every year. About two and a half years ago she had to go on the Reserve on account of age, but even so continued to attend the Division in which she had been Lady SUJ?erintendent. Less than two months ago she gave a full night's lecture to the Division . .
The Chief Commissioner has sent her a com- , plimentary message on her attaining this remarkable period of 50 years' valuable service in the Brigade for the good of humanity.
War Service Bar for Brigade Nursing
Officers and members of the St. John Ambulance Brigade Nursing Corps and Divisions who complete, or have completed, twelve months' war service (including any official leave up to four weeks and sick leave up to three weeks), are eligible for a War Service Bar.
Qualifying service may be one year's service in Naval, Military or Air Force Units; at Auxiliary Hospitals and Convalescent Homes; with the Civil Nursing Reserve; with A.R.P. formations; mobile units or ambulance trains; or other work recognised by the Chief Commissioner as War Service. Officers and members doing part-time work must complete 2,352 hours as the equivalent of twelve months' service. Originally, 2,400 hours was laid down as the minimum part-time period, but this has been reduced to 2,3 52 hours to be on a similar basis to other organisations.
The Bar will be awarded on the recommendation of the Lady District or County Superintendents and County Commissioners to the Lady Superintendentin-Chief. Applications are to be made by Lady Divisional Superintendents to their County Offices on Forms NS- WS-I (in duplicate), and each application must be accompanied by a report from the Officer Commanding the Unit, the Matron, or other responsible authority.
Holders of the Bar may wear on their jacket coat a 2t in. bar of red braid with white herringbone horizontally on the left forearm 2 in. from the bottom of the cuff. The Bar may not be worn on the overcoat. On indoor uniform the Bar is to be 4 in. of red braid with white herringbone to be worn 2 in. below the shoulder seam on the left sleeve.
For each successive year's war service a further bar may be worn i in. above the jacket bar, and an i in. below the indoor uniform bar.
g The St. John Ambulance Gazette g
'H extends to all St. John men and women H H in all parts of the British Empire good H :: h fi :: H wis es or a victorious and prosperous :: .. .. g New Year. g .. ..= w - u H H.. H We thank our many correspondents both at H .. .. ii .Home and Overseas for their voluntary co- ii .. .. H operation and support, and the Editors of H - ii ambulance and first-aid publications who have ii :: corresponded and exchanged features with us r:= d = :: urmg 1940 H .. .. .. ..
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 ADMISSION IN THE GRADE OF KNIGHT
H.E. Lieut.-Colonel The Hon. Sir, John Arthur Herbert, G.C.I.E., Governor of Bengal
H.E Sir Robert Niel Reid, K.C.S.I., K.C.I.E Governor of Assam.
H.E. Sir Thomas Alexander Stewart, K.C.S.!., K.C I.E., Governor of Bihar. Marshal of the Royal Air Force Sir Cyril Louis Norton Newall, G.C.B., O.M., C.M.G., C.B.E., A M., Governor-General Designate of New Zealand.
FOR PROMOTION TO THE GRADE OF DAME
Jessie Emmeline, Lady Peters, A.R R C. (from Commander).
FOR PROMOTION TO THE GRADE OF CHAPLAIN AND APPOINTMENT AS SUB-PRELATE
The Rt. Rev. Henry Colville Montgomery Campbell, Bishop of Willesden (from Officer).
FOR PROMOTION TO THE GRADE OF OFFICER (BROTHER)
William Steven, M B. (from Serving Brother).
Henry John Lewis (from Serving Brother).
Geol'ge Edwards (from Serving Brother).
Williaih George Randall (from Serving Brother).
John Ormerod (from Serving Brother).
FOR AJ')MISSION IN THE GRADE OF OFFICER (BROTHER)
Ean Claud Baillie (on appointment as Personal Esquire to Sir Vivian Gabriel).
Sir Cedric Stanton Hicks, M.D.
Victor William Tighe McGusty, O.B.E., M B.
Colonel Edward Gibbon, O.B.E.
Robert Barr MacGregor, M.B., M R.C P. (Edin.).
The Very Rev. Honel Edward Blackburne, Dean of Ely (Sub-Chaplain).
Charles Arthur Poole.
Peter Ambrose Cyprian Luke (on appointment as Penonal Esquire to Sir Harry Luke). Norman Jennings, M.B.
FOR ADMISSION IN THE GRADE OF SERVING BROTHER
Richard Cecil Sewell.
Dr. Robert Arthur Welsford Procter, M.C. Lieut.-Colonel John Robert Collins, M.C., T.D. Frederick Lye. George J ohn
FOR PROMOTION TO THE GRADE OF OFFICER (BROTHER) Edward Ricardo Laborda (from Serving Brother). FOR ADMI SSION IN THE GRADE OF OF F ICER (BROTHER)
Lieut.·Colonel Martin Melvin Cruickshank.
FOR ADMISSION IN THE GRADE OF ASSOCIATE OFFICE R (BROTHER)
P. Parthasarathy, L.R.C P., L.R.C.S ., D.P.H
Colonel P. B Bharucha, O.B.E., D S O., I.M.S
FOR ADMISSION IN THE OFFICER (SISTER)
Ellen Christine, Mrs. Djbdin O.B.E.
FOR ADMISSION IN THE GRADE OF SERVING SISTER
Hilda Mary Lazarus, M.B., F.R C.S.
Dora Miss Chadwi ck AUSTRALIA
Nlt w SOUTa WALKS
FOR ADMISSION IN THE GRADE OF SERVING BROTHER
Jesse Barratt Hicks TASMANIA
FOR PROMOTION TO THE GRADE OF
Jack Eric Hulbert (from Serving Brother).
FOR ADMISSION IN THE GRADE OF OFFICER (BROTHER)
Dr. John Adrian Newell.
FOR PROMOTIO N TO THE GRADE OF OFFICER (SISTER)
Eleanor May, Miss Hawkins (from Serving Sister).
FOR ADMISSION IN THE GRADE OF SERVING BROTHER
Robert Wallace.
John William Cummings
FOR ADMISSION IN THE GRADE OF SERVING SISTER
Olive Isabel, Mrs Joyce TANGANYIKA
FOR ADMISSLON IN THE GRADE OF SERVING BROTHER
Ralph Roylance Scott, C.M .G., M C., M.B.
Noel Chilton, M.D.
FOR ADMISSION IN THE GRADE OF ASSOCIATE SERVING BROTHER
Dinkerrai Mayashankar Anjaria
FOR ADMISSION IN THE GRADE-OF SERVING SISTER
PRO 'UTILIT ATE + ..
HOMINUM
The Mayor of Croydon in a letter to Private T Evans, Addiscomb e Division No.8 (Duke of Connaught's) District, states: '
" My attention has been drawn to the valuable work in public shelter at the Electricity Showrooms which you performed, and during the night of October 28 to the of calm courage by you, which, I am mfotmed, was an inspiratlOn to all and contributed greatly to the effiCIency In dealing with the casualties and restonng order and calmness after this tragic incident.
"May I take this opportunity of expressing to you my personal thanks and deep appreciation of your very commendable service."
units of that area of Hampshire have been severely tested. More than 160 members were constantly on .duty either as First Aid parties or in First Aid statlOns. The work was carried out in most difficult and dangerous circumstances whilst bombs were falling. A number of casualties were removed under fire to hospitals and First Aid posts-in the the work was extremely heavy. Members of the Bngade were on constant duty, often for a period of over 24 hours. Their work elicited the highest praise authorities. Members of the Nursing DIV1slOns outSIde the bombed area also carried out valuable services in looking after evacuees from the danger area. Reinforcements of the Brigade were from the surrounding district as far distant as Bournemouth and Poole in the West and Basingstoke in the north to assist in rescue work.
FOR PROMOTION TO THE GRADE OF COMMANDER (BROTHER)
Major General Norman Methvan Wil£on, C.I.E., O.B.E., M.R.C.S. (from ColonelOfficer).Hugh Stott, O.B E., M.D., F.R.C.P., D.P.H., I.M.S. (from Officer). 6
} Private A. S. Wright, of Luton Ambulance { , Division, S.J.A.B., as a part-time A.F.S. !
"t
J Section Officer, has been awarded the "George '1;. Medal" for conspicuous bravery and leader- j JI ship. "t
When several serious fires were caused {
JI by enemy action on oil depots, wharves, and , factories, the fire was eventually localised to '!
f two oil tanks which were ablaze furiously. "t
} Near these were a number of full tanks, one { , of which sprang a leak and f o rmed a pool of '!
I oil and water about 18 in. deep. A tank, "t , which was blazing furiously, burst and poured '!
:I out blazing oil. The only way to check this 'It '(, rush of fire was to turn a drencher branch j
{ pipe into the blazing pool. Wright, though 1t the fire was raging within 2 ft. of him, got a j
:I branch free and turned it over into the pond Jt
, round the tank, thus driving the fire back. j
J If this had not been done five more tanks, of \ a total capacity of about 20,000 tons of oil, { , would have become involved. J
During a severe night raid on an East Midlands CIty many of heroism were performed by the A.R.P. Services. The Mobile Unit received a call to a densely populated area. As bombs were falling all around, the St. John Lady Ambulance Officer and her helpers their equipment into a house there, attending casualties. The walls of the house and doors and debris fell on workers and patients. difficulty they extricated themselves from the rums and removed their patients to another shelter. At the time house collapsed, the Lady Ambulance Officer, heanng screams, dashed into the to see the Mobile Unit on fire, and, lying close to .It, a boy of 15. At danger to herself she dragged the child from the flames and to the comparative a nearby street where she quickly applied tourruquets t.o his severed arm and leg; the boy, was repeatedly thanking her as she tned save hIS With the help of a warden and a soldier she carned the boy on an improvised stretcher to the nearest First Aid Post. An hour or so later she was again working with the Medical Officer and staff of. the ill-fated Mobile Unit, who thought she had been killed.
Amongst deeds of hero ism was that performed a gal ambulance driver, of 18 years of age, whose trader. and herself were blown over by blast. -r:his gal calmly re-loaded her casualties into another trader and proceeded to the First Aid Post.
During recent air raids on Southampton the Brigade
The Swanscombe and Greenhithe Division reports that when bombs recently fell in their district sevtZral dwellings and a public-house were demolished. The which struck the public-house caused the bUllding to collapse, burying a number of the occupants beneath the debris. Members of the Division their two ambulances arrived on the scene very qUlckly and under the leadership of Superintendent S. Ackers and Ambulance Officer S. Wellard rendered valuable assistance. During these operations enemy planes were overhead and there was intense A.A. fire. The work of rescue continued throughout the night and during the next day.
. The following report has been received from the Brigade -:'-.R.P Officer at Bristol referring to the work of Supenntendent H. J. A. Croker, of the Bedminster Down Pivisior:-, during a night bombing raid. He very highly of the wonderful work being carned out by members of the Brigade, both men and women, under terrible conditions.
S?on the raid began Superintendent Croker lllformation that the large gas-holder adJOlrung Bedminster Action Depot was on fire, that a large of casualties was coming into the depot, and his help would be there. Mter reporting at the depot he proceeded to 1.farksbury Road, where casualties were in a flooded area due to burst mains. WJ:ilst searching for a drowning child Mr. Croker fell Into a flooded crater, and his subsequent work was done in this sodden condition. Superintendent Croker also searched four badly
Dombed and dangerous houses for casualties before returning to the depot, where, with help, he applied artificial respiration for one and a half hours on a child victim, who later was found to be dead. Instructions were then received from Dr. Fraser at Control for Superintendent Croker to go to Chesterfield Nursing H0me to investigate bomb damage. This meant driving through the now blazing city. Superintendent Croker reported to Dr. Fraser by telephone and then returned to Control, again running the gauntlet of Park Street. It was then decided that it would be necessary to move to the Reserve Control and Superintendent Croker proceeded there and stood by during the period of transfer. This meant another drive through Park Street, which was blazing furiously. During' these journeys Superintendent Croker had to drive with one hand and hold the car door open with the other to look out as smoke and sparks made other methods of vision impossible. During tbis last journey a crashed wall was encountered in the roadway and h 4 d to be driven over.
When Superintendent Croker arrived at Reserve Control he found it was already flooded by water. The telephones were out of order. Superintendent Croker stayed in this building literally surrounded by fire for one and a half hours before giving it up and r,eturning to Control. When released from duty, Superintendent Croker took Dr. Dalby home to the Downs and then retufned home to find that his parents had been bombed out and had to receive his help.
The admirable services rendered by this officer merits the highest praise.
On the night of the raid on Coventry Corps Superintendent MarE:h was in the control room at the Ambulance Statiop. Corps Officer Brooks was the officer in charge of the squads and nurses at the hospital. (It has been the duty of St. John men and nurses to take charge of the wards of the hospital for the benefit and comfort of patients as soon as an <Calert " has been sounded.)
Immediately after bombs began to drop the Ambulance Station was hit. The officer in charge, Lady Divisional Superintendent Dreghorn, Ambulance Sister Robinson, of the Hospital Division, and Private Schrieber, of the Standard Division, remained at their posts, even after light, water, gas and telephonic communications had gone. The men on transport duty, without exception, performed their duties magnificently, going out time after time to rescue people from burning buildings and to extricate them from , debris. After private lines from the Hospital, Fire Station and Main Control were destroyed, the men took their vehicles and operated from the Civil Control as long as their lines remained intact. Eventually, when no messages of any kind €ould be got through, they patrolled what streets they could near the centre of the city and picked up
casualties wherever they could :find them, carrying on as long as their vehicles were able to be operated. During this period the hospital received several direct hits. Those on duty did all that they possibly could to comfort patients and to remove them to other places of safety. Later a direct hit was made on the CasualtyMassage Department. Corporal Harrison, of the City of Coventry Division, managed to get a sister and nurse to safety, but in doing so received fatal injuries.
The authorities of the Coventry and Warwickshire Hospital have expressed their praise of the magnificent way the men and nurses of the Brigade carried out their duties at the hospital under such difficult conditions.
OBITUARY
The Chief Commissioner of the Brigade Overseas regrets to announce the death of the following members :-
Lady District Officer Miss F. L. Cooper, O.St.]., Canterbury and West Coast District, New Zealand, at Christchurch on July 31, 1940 .
Divisional Surgeon P. Testa, O.St.]., Valetta Division, Malta District, on April 17, 1940
Pte. B. Wilkie, Goulburn Division, New South Wales District, Australia, killed on active service with the Australian Air Force.
We regret to record the death of Surgeon RearAclmiral D. W. Hewitt, CB., CM.G., R.N. (Ret.), the Divisional Surgeon of Gosport Cadet Ambulance Division, at Moretonhampstead, Devonshire. He had been ailing for some time, but prior to the breakdown in his health took a very great interest not only in his Cadet Division, but also in the general welfare of the Divisions in Gosport and Alverstoke.
He was for a time a member of the County Joint A.R.P. Committee, Hampshire, and was of great service to that committee. He would have taken on further and more responsible positions in the Counts Brigade but for his failing health. His advice way always sound and useful, and the loss of such a distinguished surgeon from the County Brigade is greatly regretted.
Found MEDALLION No. 371073.
This will be forwarded if the owner, "Lillian Cavill," applies to Miss E. A. Wilkinson, Lady Divisional Superintendent, Radcliffe Nursing Division, 47, Rose tea Terrace, Higher Arnsworth Road, Radcliffe, near Manchester.
Hints for TOURNIQUETS
First Aiders -Especially for Cadets
By N. S. B. VINTER, M.B., B.S., Corps Surgeon, County of Bristol No. 2 Corps
There are several ways of catching sharks in tropical seas. It depends on the size of your boat which way you use. If it is a small dug-out canoe you kill the shark before you get it in-board, as it might upset the canoe with the lashing of its tail. But if you have a bigger boat, you may find it better to pull in the living shark into the boat, and kill it after you have got it out of the water. Both ways are effective in catching the shark, but accidents happen sometimes.
A fisherman who was used to catching sharks from a canoe and to killing them in the water was once brought to my hospital in the tropics because he had had an accident while working in a boat whose crew were used to killing their sharks in the boat. He had tried to use his knife to kill the shark which had been pulled in, but had slipped and fallen with his hand in the shark's mouth. The shark shut his mouth and bit the hand clean off at the wrist.
When a limb is torn off there is not a great deal of arterial bleeding, because the elastic arteries curl back, and so block themselves; but if a limb is cut off, as by a surgeon, or bitten off by a shark, the arteries are cut clean through and do not curl. So there may be very severe bleeding.
This happened in the case of my patient and he began to lose a good deal of blood. The boat was several miles out to sea, and his friends had never learnt anything about first aid. They did what they thought best, however, tied a piece of fishing line tight round the injured forearm, and sailed back to land as fast as they could.
When the patient reached the hospital he was still bleeding pretty badly, and was weak from loss of blood. The tight cord was cut off at once, and a proper tourniquet put on the arm above the elbow, which stopped the bleeding at once.
In time his arm healed and an artificial hand was bought for him from an instrument maker in England. It was, of course, a beautiful natural pink colour, which was unfortunate as the patient was coal black. But he soon got over this difficulty by polishin a the pink leather of his new arm with black boot
The point of this story is that it is no good to put a tourniquet on the forearm. The reason is that the arteries in the forearm run between ,the two bones, so that a tourniquet there only squeezes the bones together and does not press the artery against a bone. A tourniquet round the arm above the elbow,
however, wili press the artery against the bone of the arm, and so stop blood flowing along it. The same is true of the thigh and leg. A tourniquet above the knee will do its joq, while one below the knee will not.
A tourniquet below the knee or elbow is, indeed, worse than useless because it allows the blood to go on flowing along the artery into the limb, but it stops the return of blood along the vein. The result this is that the veins and capillaries below the tourniquet become over-filled with blood and bleed all the more.
So we have two rules for using a tourniquet. First, it must be put on above the knee or elbow. Second, it must be put on tight enough to block the artery as well as the veins.
There is a third and equally important rule for the application of a tourniquet. To see the reason fOl: it we must know what happens in a limb that has had its blood supply cut off. The blood carries to all parts of the body the things necessary for life. Oxygen, picked up from !he air in the lungs, is one of them; _ sugar and other foods picked up from the digestive system are others. Besides carrying these things to the tissues, the blood carries away from them the waste produced by their use. It takes these things to the organs which get rid of them from the system, especially the lungs, kidneys and skin.
If the blood supply is cut off by a tourniquet, the parts that have no circulation get neither food nor oxygen; nor can they get rid of the poisonous waste. These collect, and poison the tissues just when they are least able to help themselves owing to lack of oxygen. The same kind of thing happens to a fire if it is not stirred up from time to time. Ashes- collect around the coal and prevent oxygen getting to it, and so the fire goes out. In the same way a part of the body that is cut off from the circulation, dies.
The third rule, then, for the application of a tourniquet is, that it must be loosened every tWenty minutes to allow a flow of blood into the limb to keep it alive. If, when this is done, the bleeding does not start again, there is no need to tighten up the tourniquet, as the blood clot which has formed in the atteries is firm enough to block them. The tourniquet should be left loose round the limb, and the patient should be carefully watched, so that if bleeding should start it can be pulled up tight at once.
In the last month of 1940 the Priory sustained the loss of two eminent Officers, Sir D. R. Llewellyn, Bart., a Representative Commander on Chapter, and Major W. Owen Evans, M.B.E., J.P., L.R.C.P.E., a Knight of Grace of the Order and Assistant Commissioner for Pontardawe County Area.
The Priory has benefited by Sir D. R. Llewellyn's association as a member of Chapter since its inception, his influence as a leader of the Welsh Coal Industry having been of inestimable value in promoting Ambulance interests in the coalfield.
Major W. Owen Evans's active connection with the Order dates from his appointment as Honorary Life Member and Examiner of the St. John Ambulance Association in 1907. From the establishment of the Pontardawe County Area of the Glamorgan Centre in 1919, he held the office of Assistant Commissioner maintaining a regular attendance at meetings of Chapter, Council and Standing Committees of the Priory. Admitted to the Order in 1919, Major Owen Evans was promoted to sUGcessive grades of membership, attaining the dignity of a Knight in 1938.
ALMONRY COMMITTEE REVIEWS MEDICAL COMFORTS DEPOTS
'The Viscount Tredegar, in his capacity of Almoner at a meeting of the Almonry Committee, which Chapter had delegated the work of supervising the Medical Depots operating under the Priory, held at Priory House on December 2.
In. a survey of the 96 Depots, from which during the past year 1,4 52 articles of invalid equipment and surgical requisites were issued, the Hon. John H. Bruce (Principal Secretary and Commissioner for Wales) explained that the number of Depots was almost doubled in 1938 as the result of a grant from the Special Areas Fu.nd negotiated by the Health Services Committee of the South Wales and Monmouthshire Council of Social Service. It is therefore inrumbent upon the Priory to secure the proper administration and maintenance of for which purpose the Almonry Committee has co-opted repre-
sentatives of the centres and county areas concerned, who have been entrusted with a general supervision the staffing, maintenance and financial management, interfering with the autonomy and responSIbIlity of Depot Committees to whom high praise was given for the great amount of time and energy devoted to this work in the issue, cleansing and care of the equipment.
-:r:he Viscount Tredegar was appointed by the ASSIstant Almoner, Sir Robert Webber, J.P., D.L., and the Representatives tor Monmouthshire included Viscountess Tredegar, who was present in the uruform of a Lady County President.
CENTRE REPORTS
CAERNARVONSHIRE CENTRE
Lord Penrhyn (Lord Lieutenant) presided over a meeting of the Caernarvonshire Centre Committee on November 30.
The Secretary (Mr. W. T. Davies) said that the motor ambulance purchased by the Conway Division was dedicateD on :::lunday, September 8, when the Division was honoured by the presence of the President, and the cost of £400 had now been met.
Corps A.R.P. Officer Wm. Pritchard reported upon A.R.P. activities in the county, and said that Brigade members were co-operating fully in air-raid precaution duties. They formed the bulk of the first-aid parties -a service vital to the success and smooth working of the county casualties scheme-and assisted also in staffing the first-aid posts. The Officer reported having held classes for 420, having examined 130, and to about 800 members of the general public S1nce the previous meeting. The training of the county stretcher bearer parties, numbering about 300, had been entrusted to the Brigade.
GLAMORGAN CENTRE
Aberavon County Area.-Dr. Hubert Phillips has found it necessary to resign from the office of Assistant Commissioner on account of increasing claims upon his services; and the Priory has accepted his recommendatIOn to appoint County Officer David Thomas temporarily to the office for the duration of
the war or until Dr. Phillips can resume. This recognition of long and valued services to the Brigade in the County Area of Aberavon has been warmly welcomed. Mr. Thomas's participation in first-aid actlvltles dates back to 1893; and he was responsible for the establishment of the first Division at Bryn in 1913. After service with H.M. Forces, Mr. Thomas immediately resumed Brigade work in 1919, from which date he has continued to serve in successive ranks of the Brigade. His work was recognised in 1924 by admission to the Order in the grade of Serving Brother, promotion to Officer (Brother) following in 1939·
Bridgend County Area.-Saturday, December 14, was a memorable day in the ' history of the Blackmill Ambulance and Nursing Divisions, marking the visit of the Hon. John H. and Mrs. Bruce, Commissioner for Wales and Lady Staff Officer respectively, for the opening of the new Aml:mlance Hall, loaned to the Divisions by Mrs. J. Blandy Jenkins, President of the Division since its formation in 1933, and furnished by a grant from the Miners' Welfare Commission electric light having been installed by the of the Ogmore Valley Electric Light Co. Mrs. Blandy . Jenkins handed the key to the Hon. John H. Bruce, who formally opened the Ambulance Hall and, after the large gathering had enteled, gave an interesting address on the formation and objects of the Order of St. J and expressed grateful thanks to Mrs. Blandy Jenkins for her generous support. Responding to Mr. Bruce's expression of gratitude for her generous support, Mrs. Blandy Jenkins said she was most pleased to be able to help the Divisions.
Mr. Hugh J. Jones, District Organiser, Miners' Welfare Committee, referred to the assistance given to Ambulance Work from the Miners' Welfare Fund' and was very glad to see Blackmill Divisions pating in these benefits.
The Hon. Mrs. J. H. Bruce addressed the members of the Nursing Division provisionally formed at BlackmilI, drawing attention to the great scope for Nursing Units in the pres,ent conditions, and encouraging them to pursue their studies and maintain efficiency.
A. W. Anderson; M.B., Ch.B., Surgeon-inChief for Wales, who was accompanied by Mrs. Anderson, was thanked on the motion of Assistant Commissioner D. Mardy Jones for presiding and their generous support at all times.
Gower County Area.-The Gorseinon Division held its annual presentation of awards at the Gorseinon Instltute, where County Councillor William Evans presided.
In the absence of the Assistant Commissioner Dr. R. J. Isaac, Dr. I. P. G. Howells presented P. H. Richards, of the Gorseinon Division with the service medal for 15 years' service: and also the Priory vote of thanks.
Supt. Richards and Mr. D. Oswald Griffiths, the Divisional Secretary, were made the recipients of a fountain pen in appreciation of their services to the Division.
The certificates, medallions and labels gained during the year were distributed by Dr. Donovan.
MONMOUTHSIDRE CENTRE
Captain S. T Beard, O,B.E., Commissioner for Monmouthshire, recently visited Bedwas First-Aid Depot and inspected Bedwas Ambulance Division the Women's Nursing Division and the Cadets. expressed great satisfaction with the smart appearance of the men and the nurses, and with the splendid work ' they were doing at the Depot. He hoped they would continue to progress, and promised to do all he could to get improved equipment.
Mr. E. J. Lewis, J.P., President of the Division, who w.as accompanied by Mrs. Lewis, congratulated the contingent, and thanked Captain Beard for his encouraging visit.
Corps Secretary Walter Price and Superintendent George Davies also addressed the gathering. The local Officers in charge were: Superintendent, Mr. George Davies; Lady Superintendent, Mrs. Arthur Williams; and Lady Cadet Superintendent, Mrs. G. Axenderrie.
A further was made by the County Commissioner of Machen members of Bedwas Division and also of Machen Nursing Division, at the First-Aid Post.
<;:aptain Beard expressed his pleasure at the progress being made in this area, and spoke of the importance and necessity of training in first-aid work. In charge of the members present were Superintendent George Davies and Lady Ambulance Officer Mrs. J. Collins, Machen.
NEWS IN BRIEF
Of the 273 Ambulance Divisions in Wales, 173, with a total strength of 4,800 men, are in colliery districts, 23 of these units bearing the names of the collieries, and from which their memberships are exclusively recruited.
During the first eleven months of 1940 the Priory arranged 1,292 examinations and re-examinations in first-aid and home nursing.
The Priory Ambulances dealt with the removal of 1,746 cases involving a total mileage of 30,280 during the month of October.
II
II Interesting Case Reports
CASE REpORT No. 172.-The Officer-in-Charge of the County of Sussex S.J.A.B. reports the efficient performance of first aid by a member of the Henfield Ambulance Division in the circumstances :-
At 11.3° p.m. on Octobe-r 5 Private Harold W. Merritt was returning home alone along a winding country lane near Henfield when he heard a crash. Running to the scene, he found an overturned car with its three male -occupants badly injured and suffering from shock. One had several wounds of the face and was bleeding profusely from an incised one which involved the temporal artery, another was bleeding from wounds of the face and hands, and the third complained of severe pain in his back.
Concentrating on the patient with arterial bleeding, Private Merritt applied immediate digital compression to the pressure point, while he issued instructions to the others to keep quiet and to give him any clean handkerchiefs which were available. With these he had succeeded in dressing the various wouncis, when, ten minutes later, a man came along the lane and was promptly sent to fetch an ambulance which arri,:ed in twenty minutes. Operations were re1),dered difficult because the work had to be done with only a faint light owing to the fact that enemy planes were overhead. All the patients were quickly transferred to the ambulance and removed forthwith to hospital where they were detained.
COMMENT.-This report illustrates well the efficient manner in which members of the Brigade, on and off duty, deal with sudden emergencies. Private I-Iarold Merritt, therefore, merits cordial fOngratulations on good work well done in di:flicult circumstances.-N. C. F.
[ Questions and Answers
TREATMENT OF DIABETIC COMA
A. M. a Divisional Surgeon who is himself a diabetic. I agree with your reply published under the above heading in the November issue of THE GAZETTE that diabetic coma is too - difficult a subject for a first aider to treat specifically.
. Nevertheless, every wise diabetic now carries in .:. his National Identity Card a card bearing the following instructions :-" The bearer of this card is a diabetic and takes insulin. In the event of sudden faintness or unconsciqusness please give two tablespoonfuls of sugar in water and c0mmunicate with the nearest doctor." With ·sugar rationing difficulties glucose or syrup or honey may be for sugar.
As this card is addressed to any person who may find the diabetic in such a state (and as it has been
12
proved that sugar can do no harm whether the coma be due to deficie.l!1<CY or excess of sugar in the blood) I think that first aiders should know that if they find an unconscious person and cannot decide the cause they should look for the Identity Card and, if a diabetic's card is found, follow its instructions.
The first aider is then carrying out the wishes of the patient and will certainly expedite his recovery.
In rep!J to your interesting letter I am stronglY of the opinion that first aiders should not be mcauraged to put their hands into the pockets of unconscious patients. Such action exposes them to the grave risk of being accused of " helping themselves"; and, indeed, I heard recentfy of this charge actually being brought against some first aiders who rescued an unconscious woman from a bombed house. In these circumstances I think that first aiders should only search their patimts as a last resource and then on!J in the presence of one and preferab!J of two 11)itnesses who will be able to protect them from false accusations.
The diabetic card is weak because, of course, no efficient first aider would dream of giving anything-liquid or solidto an unconscious patient. Should, h01v ever, the diabetic patient-as often happens-be in a state of mental stupor on!J, he might perhaps be roused suJlicientfy to indicate to the first aider the cause of his condition and also to swallow the sugar solution. When this happens the task of the first aider is ·simplified. -N. C. F.
TRJMTMENT OF SHOCK
S. G. (Alresford).-I have recently been asked by a member of the British Red Cross Society the reason for the apparently completely contradictory treatments for Shock as given in our Textbook and the B.R.C.S. Manual in regard to the urgency of getting the patient to hospital.
In their book on page 2 I 2, part (a) of the treatment reads :-
Get a helper to do everything possible to accelerate medical assistance. (An ambulance,. doctor, or transference to hospital.)
Our book, however, on page 45 reads :-
Unless hremorrhage from an internal organ is present or suspected the removal of the patient to his home or to hospital may w.ith advantage be delayed until the condition has been effectively treated.
As this question is causing us some concern I should greatly appreciate your opinion on the matter.
While I cannot explain the difference in the instmctions on the treatment of shock as given in our Textbook and in the B.R. C.S. Manual, I firmlY convinced that those in the former book are more correct from the first aid standpoint. Experience shows that in many instances the shock is Ott(y transient and that often in serious cases a slight" delay in favouralile circumstanr;es whilst treatment is being administered is definitelY advantageous to the patient.
-N. C. F.
COMPLICATED FRACTURES OF RIBS
M. D. (Midlands).-In the course of examinations conducted for certificates and other awards of the
Association, I find that there is often some confusion with reference to the treatment of fractures of riJ:>s involving the lungs. The Textbook (p. 80) definItely states that bandages are not to be, applied r.ound the chest. Most doctors, however, do bandage lightly and probably state so in their lectures.
This is .the first occasion on which, in my experience, suggestzon has been ma.de that confusion is likefy to arise zn the treatment of compltcated fractures of the ribs. Personal!J I regard the application of bandages round the chest of a patient supposed to be suffering from this injury as a grave error; and-in accordance the instructions to examiners issued by the Association-I am more than likefy to rfject candidates who persist in this treatment, however well ma...Y have done in their other tests
Your final sentence seems to provide the solution to your problem. From rumours which have reached me, I have reason to that !oo many doctors give courses of lectu:es are based on their personal experience and m,edt.cal They forget that there is a definite fme of dlVtSton between first aid and its parent sciencessurgery; and that they should follozv strictfy the mstruct10ns of the Textbook in their lecttlres, if onlY because surgeon examiners will expect candidates to treat £upposed patients and to give anSl'))ers as laid down in the Textbook. For this reason it often happens that lay Instructors, who know the Textbook, mcry have to correct instructions given by surgeon-examiners. It 1vere better for concerned if all lecturers learned the Textbook before lecturzng and so help the Association to carry on its tradition of uniformity in instrtlction.-N C. F.
TRANSPORT OF SPINAL INJURY
J. B. (Cork).-Under transport of spinal injury in face-upwards position the Textbook on pp. 74 and 75 tells us to pass looped bandages under the head, shoulder-blades, buttocks, thi ghs and calves of the patient. Does this mean five bandages, please? We were working with five bandages until a Superintendent from Dublin told us that we were wrong and that we ought to use ten bandages. Of course, this gave us a much better improvised stretcher, but we would like to know if ten bandages are reall y
The Textbook intends .you to use five bandages which will provide a pel/ect!J satisJactor:y improvised stretcher
There is, therefore, 110 need to use ten bandages. Further, this involves a great 1vaste of bandages ,vhich in an incident may be urgmtfy required for the eJlicient treatment of other casualties.-N. C. F.
Reviews
FIRST AID AND HOME
NURSING REMEMBRANCER. By
J. M. Carvell, M.R.C.S., L.S.A. London: John Bale & Staples, Ltd. Price 6d. net.
This little book consists of three well-known folders-" First Aid in Few Words," "Home ,
Nursing in Few Words" and "Bandaging Diagrams "-which have enjoyed down the years a well-merited popularity, as is proven by the tens of thousands of copies already sold. These were compiled for the benefit of students by the late Dr. John Maclean Carvell, in his day a great authority on first .aid and allied subjects.
The first two folders were published during the G ,reat War of 1914,-18 and the last in 1922 when the need arose for a folder illustrating the correct application of the triangular, roller and other bandages as to. other folders. With the organisatlOn of the CIvil Defence Services many volunteers have become efficient in first aid and nursing, with the result that there has been a demand for all three folders to be available in one volume. The folders can, however, still be bought separately if desired.
N. C. F.
THE NURSE'S DICTIONARY. Revised by Florence Taylor, S.R.N., D.N. London: Faber & Faber. Price 3S. net.
This dictionary for nurses, which is now in its eighteenth edition, has again been thoroughly revised to ensure that its contents are both comprehensive and up-to-date and to maintain the great reputation which it has long enjoyed.
As an introduction there are four useful lists which c.omprise abbreviations of degrees, diplomas, institubonal and army medical-titles, abbreviations of terms used in prescriptions, comparison of weights and measures, and comparison of centigrade and fahrenheit thermometric scales.
The bulk of the book is, of course, taken up with the of :nedical terms and nursing treatments WIth phonetIC pronunciations. In this edition the most recent knowledge about vitamins and new drugs has been included, while new terms have been new theories regarding the course of certaIn diseases.
The book closes with a series of seven useful appendices which deal with urine testing, treatment of p.oisoning, dilution of lotions, dietary, recipes for slCk persons, first aid and lists of instruments for operations.
In brief, the dictionary, which is of pocket size, has proved (and will continue to prove) a veritable vade-mecum of k.nowledge to trained and auxiliary nurses, and espeCIally to those who are workino- in hospitals.
N. C.
ANATOMY AND PHYSIOLOGY FOR JUNIOR NURSES. By Norton. London: Faber & Faber. Price 3S. net.
This useful little book, which is now in its fifth edition, was originally compiled for the benefit of junior It sets out the essentials of anatomy and physlOlogy so that students Gan easily and quickly clear up the doubtful points.
(Continued ot' p. 15)
b1
T will frequently be found that when a patient is in a state of nervous tension, his digestion and powers of assimilation <l!e affected. In such cases the proVISIOn of some easily assimilated food, which meets every . metabolic need, will result " .in a definite of the patient's nervous conditIon.
For this purpose, both as an emergency measure and as a regular routine, nothing which rivals' Ovaltine.' tomc food beverage is a unique combmatIOn of malted barley, full cream milk and eggs from the world-famous 'Ovaltine' Farms. The manufacture is carried out by exclusive scientific processes, such .way that all the important dietetIc quahtIes are fully conserved.
The nutritive and energising constituents of , Ovaltine are rapidly assirr..ilated, every dietary essential, at the same hme exerting a helpful sedatIve effect on the nervous system.
, Ovaltine ' possesses many and its outstanding - usefulness recelves even greater emphasis in war-time pr<,!:ctice, both civil and military.
Now as in 1914-1918, 'Ovaltine' is widely used'in the war-time hospital service, both in England and overseas. SUJ:>plies available to hospitals and publIc serVIce organisations in special . packings and at special prices.
Write jar details to A. Wander, Ltd., 184, Queen's Gate, London, S.W.7.
14
Blood Transfusion
By SIR UPENDRANATH BRAHMACHARI, Kt., M.D., Ph.D.
(Continued from page 284, December issue)
Steps are being taken to enr<:>l 5,000 blood donors, chiefly women in stable occupatlOns, and made to increase the number to 100,000 lfi wartIme. In addition to the above, I learn that section an.d depot arrangements have been made for the metropolis and the home counties.
Great Britain's plans for a wartime blood transfusion service are believed to be in advance of those of any other country.
Considerable experience about blood trar:sfuslOn for casmilties had been gained from the Spalllsh war. Special experiments have been made in London recently to find the best way of transporting blood in large quantities and moulds had been prepared for pint bottles with special stoppers. could be manufactured in hundreds of thousands lD a few days if an emergency arose.
It is estimated that by means of an index of volunteers 100000 blood donors could be called up within a few
Under the scheme not only wounded soldiers at the front and in hospitals, but victit;ns of air raids in all parts of the country would receive blood supplies.
Let us hope that our "Blood Bank" may serve to be the centre of an organisation similar to the above. We shall be happy to lend our services to the Government if an emergency arises. We shall be prepared to extend our ,and hope that suitable persons of all In the will come forward to help us In our work by enlisting themselves as blood donors.
If funds permit we shall arrange to transport to large areas whenever it may be needed dunng a war or a disaster. Though our funds at the present moment -are much too limited to meet the demands of the civil populations during air raids as .well as of the military in wartime, yet we feel certalD that. all will co-operate with us to carryon. when h,me comes. To my mind a blood transfuslOn orgarusat.lOn is a most important function of the Red Cross SOCIety both in times of peace and war.
I conclude with these few lines:
" What better gift than blood can I bestow
From. my own veins another's to save.
What better knowledge have than Just to know, Another lives because of blood I gave! "
(Reproduced by kind permission (jf All-India Radio, Calcutta.) Journal of the Indian Red Cross Society.
Reviews (continued from p. 13)
The present edition has been thoroughly revised and includes results of recent research in physiology which continually reveal a new understanding of the human body. It contains twenty-seven simple and helpful diagrams, and it will be particularly useful to those who desire to increase the scope of their knowledge of anatomy and physiology beyond the limits laid down in the St. John textbooks of first aid and home nursing.
N. C. F.
THE NURSE'S POCKET ENCYCLOPJ.EDIA AND DIARY, 1941. Revised by Hilda M. Gration, S.R.N., D.N. London: Faber & Price 2S. 6d.
First published in 1906, this concise and accurate reference guide has been published year after year. It has proved its usefulness to trained nurses who can quickly look up in alphabetical sequence (and refresh their memories on) all matters connected with the art and practice of their profession.
Its purpose is facilitated by a complete and comprehensive index which enables readers rapidly to locate any item under consideration. In addition the book contains a directory of nursing institutions; and it ends with a diary for 1941, one page being allotted to each week. For the latter a pencil is provided and inserted at the back of the book.
N. C. F.
Correspondence
To the Editor, ST. JOHN AMBULANCE GAZETTE. DEAR SIR,-Being very interested in the St. John Ambulance movement, and a constant reader of your valuable paper, I sh6uld very much like to know if any of your readers can beat the " record" of one of the members of our corps-the Firbeck Main Ambulance Corps-who in fifteen years' service with the Brigade has risen from st year student to Divisional Superintendent.
This member passed his 1st year examination in 1927. As a result of his keenness and hard work he was made class secretary, His continued enthusiasm in the St. John Ambulance movement was largely responsible for the formation of a Division of which he became secretary in 1929. .
In 1930 he gave up secretarial work in favour of lecturing. He was promoted to the rank of sergeant.
During the next nine years he was one of the most prominent members of the Division and worked hard to bring it to its present strength. In 1939 he was promoted to ambulance officer.
When the Firbeck Main Ambulance Corps was formed last year he became its Divisional Superintendent.
I may add that the rapid promotion of this member, who will be 32 years of age this year, has been due solely to sheer hard work and study, and is a great credit to the corps to which he belongs.
, Yours, etc., A REGUt.AR READER.
(Continued from p. 282, December issue)
PERSONAL PARCELS
Once every three months the next-of-kin of a prisoner of war in enemy territory is allowed to send him a "personal" parcel. Each parcel must bear a special tie-on label. This label is sent periodically direct to the next-of-kin by the Prisoners of War Department. No postage is required on these parcels, but the Post Office will not accept them unless they bear the special label. The sender must fill in in ink the prisoner's rank and name on the label, which will then bear an address in the form on this page. The wording on the label must be copied in ink on the cover of the parcel. On the cover also the sender must write his name and address: but if he is serving in the Forces he must not write his own address, but should give that of a relative or friend who will let him know if an acknowledgment of the parcel is received.
The parcel must not weigh more than 10 lbs. A full list of articles which may not be enclosed in the parcel is given in the Post QffiGe Leaflet No. pzz80E. Among articles which are prohibited are food, tobacco and cigarettes (which are sent by the Prisoners of War Department), money, stamps, stationery, playing cards, and photographs. No letters or written messages may be put in a personal parcel. Letters must be sent separately. Full information as to letters and postcards fo'r prisoners of war is given in the leaflet pzz80E. The leaflet also contains a list of articles which may be included in " personal" parcels. A copy of this leaflet should be obtained from a Post Office, and it should be carefully read before a " personal " parcel is packed. A list of its contents should be put inside the 'parcel.
PRISONER OF WAR PERSONAL PARCEL
Prisoner of War: No.1Z3456. RaIlk: Private. Name: THOMAS ATKINS.
c/o BRITISH RED CROSS SOCIETY & ORDER OF ST. JOHN, 14, FINSBURY CIRCUS, LONDON, E.C.z.
When a personal parcel is received at the Prisoners of War Department it is opened and repacked under the supervision of a representative of the Censorship before it is sent on to the prisoner. At that time, prohibited articles are taken out of the parcel and are returned to the sender.
PURCHASE OF STORES
Over £106,000 has recently been expended on purchases by the Stores Department in a fortnight. During the same period, eighty-nine bales, ninety-five cases, and 234 packages of stores were dispatched to hospitals in this country. Work during one period , of three weeks received half -a -'" million yards of material and seven thousand pounds of wool.
RESERVE STORES
Many of the runety-seven reserve stores, now established throughout the country, particularly those in areas where air-raid casualties have been numerous, are operating as issuing centres. As it is important that stocks should be storekeepers have been urged to indent for additional supplies should their stocks fall below 75 per cent. of the original allotment as the result of these issues.
Beds, bedding, blankets, towels and bandages have been supplied to several emergency sick bays which have been set up in areas to which evacuees have been sent.
REQUESTS FOR FICTION
Books on a wide variety of subjects are supplied by the Library Department. The requests for books of fiction are no less varied. Included in the list are " Alice in Wonderland," "Stalky and Co.," "The Citadel," "Major Barbara," "The Story of San Michele." Romance, comedy, adventure and mystery figure in the long list of" special" books. "Sapper," Dornford Yates, Priestley, Jane Austen, and Arnold Bennett are among the authors whose works are in demand.
Polish grammars and dictionaries are still urgently needed, as are children's books for air-raid casualties and for rest centres. The Department also neceives numerous requests for Wild West stories, historical novels, and sea stories. Other books which-have been asked for include "The Fundamentals of Radio" (p. E. Terman), " Theory and Application of Electron Tubes" (Reich), and books on the same subjects by ]. H. Reynier. '
The Department appeals for gifts of books bn any of the subjects mentioned. They should be sent to the Library Headquarters at 48, Queen's Gardens, London, W.2.
GGld CGast -fishermen of the Fantee Tribe residing in Monrovia, Liberia, have sent a donation of £8 16s. to the War Organisation's "fund.
From Indianapolis, Indiana, U.S.A., has come a donation of £2,000 to the War Organisation from Mr. E. Lilly, Mr. J. K. Lilly, Senior, and Mr. J. K. Lilly, Jnr. They ask that the gift shall be allocated to some specific purpose-and a motor X -ray unit, is to be provided and will be inscribed with the names of the donors.
PRINCESS ROYAL AT BRADFORD
H.R.H. The Princess Royal has recently visited depots of the Central Hospital Supply Service in Bradford. Five depots in all were visited and, in addition, a call was made at the Rest House-a club for convalescent soldiers which is maintained by voluntary subscriptions from the C.H.S.S. depots. The Princess Royal met the heads of some ninety subdepots in Bradford and addressed them in a much appreciated speech.
SIXTY THOUSAND GIFTS
More than sixty thousand gifts were received by the Central Hospital Supply Service Department during the fortnight ended November 30. Of these, more than half came from overseas. Two consignments-one containing 7,742 articles and the other 5,075 -were sent from Sao Paulo in Brazil. Hong , Kong gave over five thousand garments. Gifts of hospital supplies from American sources arrived from New York, San Francisco, Florida and Norfolk , Virginia. St. Michael's School and the Victoria League, Bloemfontein, each sent more than a hundred gifts, while over fifty came from Accra on the Gold Coast. Other consignments were received from Singapore, Java, Tsingtao and Chefoo in China, Montevideo, Oporto, the Bahamas, and Hawkes Bay, New Zealand.
In the same period approximately forty-seven thousand articles made from C.H.S.S. material were returned to store.
REGIONAL VISIT
During her visit to the Northumberland, Durham and North Riding (NO.1) Region, Lady Falmouth discussed with heads of Depots in the North Riding various matters of importance connected with the distribution of hospital supplies and was able to arrange for additional supplies of women's and children's hospital garments to be sent to the Northumberland Joint County Committee to meet the recent heavy demands for these articles.
AMBULANCES
Since their attachment to Army Commands, War Organisation ambulances have covered almost 130,000 miles and have carried more than fifteen thousand patients. During the second fortnight of November, thirty-seven ambulances have been dispatched to Joint County Committees and other bodies.
WELCOME GIFTS
Relieving distress caused by air attacks in the City itself and in the adjoining Borough of Finsbury has been one duty undertaken by the staff of the City of London Branch, B.R.C.S., at the request of the City and County of London Joint Committee. Mattresses and blankets have been supplied to Rest Centres, and many hundreds of articles of clothing have been issued. To meet immediate distress, financial assistance has been given, and help in this form has been of great value. An important activity of the Branch Headquarters since the outbreak of the War has been the training of candidates in First Aid. Some thousands of men and women have been instructed by the County Director and the Deputy County Director.
Derbyshire County Clearing House, which is the County Headquarters of the Joint Committee and' of a number of other War Relief societies, has issued its report dated November. Its summaries of the services within the County with which the War Organisation is immediately concerned show considerable activity and preparation for emergencies. For instance, as to the help which can be given in air raids, First Aid equipment is being supplied to 250 Rest Centres and arrangements are being made to replenish it as required. In addition, on receipt of a message at the Clearing House, a motor van will leave the Clearing House at once stocked with mattresses, personal clothing, and bed clothing: and a book of vouchers drawn on local shops ,is supplied so that articles whicj1 have to be paid for can be obtained without delay. These arrangements are intended to cover the critical first forty-eight hours after an air attack.
Arrangements are well in hand for opening a number of convalescent homes or auxiliary hospitals within the county. A third of the Detachment members of the B.R.C.S. have offered their services to the Civil Nursing Reserve. Over 12,000 workers are enrolled in work parties in the county. A PhysioTherapy Cabinet has been presented to the Convalescent Hospital for Head Injuries for officers and men. The Hospital Liaison Officers meet relatives visiting men in hospitals, convey them free to the hospital, put them up without charge at suitable lodgings and see them off from the station on their return journey. By every post' enquiries are received as to sending letters and parcels to prisoners of war.
The amount received from Red Cross collecting boxes during November was £961 8s. 9d. ,
A knitting competition organised by Odham's Press, through their publication Woman, has resulted in a thousand pullovers and five hundred cardigans being given to the Comforts-Collections Department, and a further thousand knitted garments are expected from the same source. From a Work Party in Johannesburg has come a large parcel of knitted garments, and the Work Party is continuing to knit for the Red Cross. Many gifts in cash and in kind have from tirp.e to time been received from the Bahrein Island Work Party. Recently it contributed a sum of money which it desired to be used for the purchase of wireless sets for convalescent homes and elsewhere. The Musicians' Benevolent Association has promised eight violins, six wind instruments and a Dulcitone. Other gifts include two sewing machines and five bedroom suites.
The St. John Ambulance Brigade News
NO.1
(PRINCE OF WALES) DISTRICT EASTERN AREA
Members are reminded that to secure efficiency for this year it is necessary for :-
1. Members engaged in whole-time A.R.P. Service to pass the Annual Brigade examination.
2. Members engaged in part-time Service, including those enrolled in C.N.R., to attend six drills or practices, and pass the Brigade re-examination.
3. Members who are evacuated are allowed to count attendances with any registered Division of the Brigade, and may tak€ their re-examination there; and
4. Notify their Superintendent if they have done so.
-The Lady District Officer has tried .to speed up the delivery of C.N.R. badges in certain parts of the Area, and has now sent an urgent message direct to Chelmsford. An answer has been received that the matter shall receive instant attention. Please notify at once when badges are delivered in order that names may not be sent again.
For the period of the War it will be permissible for a candidate to be examined more than once in the same calendar year in the same subject, but the Medallion may not be gained in a shorter space of time than eight months, nor can more than one label or pendant be gained in the saUJ,e calendar year.
The F.A. or H.N. ' Certificate of the B.R.C.S., the L.c.e, or St. Andrews Ambulance Association will be accepted as the corresponding certificate of the S.].A.A., but at least two examinations, including the final for the medallion, must be taken under the S. J .A.A. In such cases the certificate in question must accompany the application for the voucher or medallion to the Association.
The Area Staff ask for a very early return of the annual fprms, also that great care should be taken . in filling in the various columns and "Remarks" column used for special information. Ambulance Divisions should send their forms to the Assistant . Commissioner,.. Mr. e ]. Fitch, 97, St. John Street, Clerkenwell, and Nursing Divisions to Lady District Officer Mrs. Morrish, 1,8, Clavering Road, E.1 2.
No. 2. DISTRICT
CHELTENHAM
The County Commissioner, Dr. A. Barrett Cardew, M.C., accompanied by the Assistant Commissioner, H. J. Lewis, and County Officer Colonel Stewart, recently inspected members of the Cheltenham Friendly Society Ambulance Division.
Dr. Barrett Cardew was particularly interested in the Cadets, and congratulated the leader upon their smart appe,arance and abilities. ,
After watchimg a. demonstration of first aid work
and stretcher drill the Commissioner address€d the Division:. He said that he found very little room for criticism, and a very great deal that was praiseworthy.
All recruits were well up to the standard set by the more experienced and older members and that never at any time was opportunity stronger than for th€ personnel to show their worth in practical work. He said also that he was pleased that he had received letters of appreciati-on and praise. from members of other organisations for the manner in which ambulance men and women did their jobs when called upon. Thanking the Commissioner for his remarks Divisional Superintendent L. M. Starr said that all members of the Division were engaged in staffing first aid posts and parties and that four of them were on the staff of the mobile hospital unit.
LEE-ON-SOLENT
The presentation of a mobile surgical unit by the
Divisions of and district, Gosport and Fareham.
No.. 3 (EASTERN) DISTRICT
MARKET HARBORo.UGH
The annual competition for the Barnsley Challenge Cup took place recently. Lady Divisional Superintendent, Miss F. Harris, was in charge.
Lady Zia Wernher, Lady County President, presented the awards to the winners.
Five individual cups were kindly given by Lady County Officer Mrs. Pelly.
Dr. Reuvid judged the competition and congratulated Miss Harris on the efficient work of the five teams that took part.
No.. 4 (LANCASHIRE) DISTRICT
Five members of Preston Nursing Division recently offered their services to the London A.R.P. first aid servICes to enable their colleagues in the Capital to
APPLIED HEAT A VITAL NECESSITY
Air raid casualties are .especially prone to secondary shock. To-day's problem, therefore, is how best to immediately combat loss of body heat when a number of casualties have to be dealt with simultaneously, following intensive aerial attack.
The Restor Shock cage is the most satisfactory solution as by i:ts successful use in the largest hospitals and fust-aId statwns throughout the United Kingdom. It is the most reliable, economical and hygienic method of using applied heat.
The Resto.r keeps the patient at a uniform temperature, thermostatIcally controlled. There is no electrical danger .
fuses are protected and the cages are "earthed." Operated by electrical power a multi-connector makes it possible to
up to thirty cages from One power point.
First cost is small, current consumption light and labour reduced to the turning of a switch.
THE MEDICAL SUPPLY ASSOCIATION '
FLAG
DAY
EMBLEMS,
BUTTONS & BADGES, CARNIVAL GOODS.
No. II DISTRICT (SIND). Karachi Nursing Divisions watching A.R.P. and First Aid demonstrations.
, local Wo.rking Men's - Club to Lee-on-Solent and District ambulance services took place recently. The unit, complete with up-to-date equipment, was handed into the care of Dr. J. Glen, Assistant County Commissioner of the S. J by Mr. E. King, one of the oldest members of the club.
Dr. Glen and thanked the club for their splendid enterprise, and accepting the gift described it as magnificent. He then asked Divisional Superintendent Captain S. Woodger to receive the , unit for the Lee ambulance services. .
Thanks were expressed also to those who had contributed towards the cost of the equipment of the ambulance.
Among o.thers present were the Mayor and Mayoress of Gosport (Alderman and Mrs. J. R. Gregson) and members of the Ambulance and Nursing
,have a much needed rest. Two of these membersLjAmb. Officer Miss K. T. Sellers and N/S Miss Gosselin went to London for a fortnight during November and December respectively. The other three members are eagerly awaiting orders to go.
No.. 5 DISTRICT CLEETHo.RPES
Units of the Cleethorpes, Waltham and Humberstone detachment were recently inspected by M. C. Lavin, Esq., Assistant Commissioner, North Lines., assisted by district officers, J. Paddison and W. Gott.
After the inspection the Assistant Commissioner commented upon the smartness of the members and urged them to continue the important · work they were doing. Sub-Controller Mr. F. E. Man, for Cleethorpes, also spoke highly of their efficiency.
Price Lists em applicaUon. F 01" aJl supplies rtJ1'iu: THE UNIVERSAL BUTTON CO., 13,15,17, SuratSt. Bethnal Green,E.2 TelepJwne: T,legrams: Advance 2254. UnilnUcQ. Beth. Lrnuion.
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No. I Chart shows gas derivations. No.2 is a full and complete educational Chart of "Typical War Gases."
Prices (including postage) I set 4d.; 2 sets 6d.; 3 sets 8d.; 6 sets 1/2; 12 sets 2/-; 24 sets 3/6; 50 sets 6/6; 100 sets (or more per 100) 10j-. Each set comprises one each of Chart No. I and No.).• Send romittance with order to The Publisher : ST. J 0 H N AM B U LAN C EGA Z E T T E 19, Cursitor Street, London, E.C.4
for the Prevention and treatment 0/SHELTER THROAT INFLUENZA RHEUMATISM and various other complaints
Iod ine has many uses in the prevention and treatment of war and winter complaints. Our new booklet "Health Hints for Wartime" describes these uses fully. Write for a free copy to-day.
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II OVERSEAS NEWS
WESTERN AUSTRALIA DISTRICT
The following is an from the annual report of the Commission for the year ended December 3I, 1939 :-
" I desire to express the regret of all members of the District Staff and "the Divisions at the retirement of Dr. H. G. Tymms, Knight of the Order, from the office of Commissioner. During his long service Dr. Tymms has seen the organisation grow from two Divisions in the Metropolis and f<Dur jn the Goldfields tQ a total ofA2 Divisions, and he has just qualified -for the third bar to the M edal, representing 27 years' service, a truly 'magnificent record of devotion to .thCl: great worJs:. of the Order: ,
"The year was an eventful one, as the outbreak of war.imposed greater responsibilities on all ranks, and in addition to building up their members iristruction was obtained by many Divisions in antigas precautions further to equip them for any national emergency. In the vulnerable parts of the State, Brigade members have been allotted for First Aid Posts under . the co-ordinated scheme- lor the protection of the ch;:il population ih event of air raids. .the in this District is ready and prepared to play its part in assisting the Empire against aggression.
" Since the inception of the Brigade in this D16trict 54 members have awarded the Service Medal; 17 have gained First Bars and nj.ne have gained Second Bars to their medals.
"The .cases attended while on public duty totalled i,894; 2,605 whilst not on public duty. Total strength of the Brigade in this District, including the District Staff, is 1,072.
"St. John's Day was celebrated through<i)Ut the District, church parades being held and addresses on the Order given by the officiating clergy."
EASTERN GOLDFiELDS SUB-DISTRICT
The Lady Divisional Superintendent of the Kalgoorlie Nursing Division reports that in her .Division and V.A. Detachment she has 35 V.A.D.s and several mQre Brigade members. This is the first V.A. Detachment to be registered in the Eastern Goldfields SubDistrict. The first military inspection was held in September, 1940, ami was a complete success.
Through the kindness and courtesy .of the Matron of the Government Hospital, the V.A.D.s are permitted to take duty at the hospital several days of each week. The sisters and staff in general are most courteous and helpful and the V.A.D.s have already acquired much valuable knowledge.
Brigade practices are held each Thursday. The V.A.D.s meet each Tuesday. The Lady Divisional Superintendent adds :-
" .our hearts go out in sympathy to England in her of trial. F:unds opened in all the ':!) -of.: " ,.'{".J j· r...--:, 20
capital cities of Australia for the purpose of helping the war victims in England. We feel quite confident over here in Australia that with the magnificent courage displayed by England's people ultimately England will be victorious."
CHINA
HONG KONG DISTRICT
Extract from the Association Report for year ending' September 30 1939
The report for 1939 shows a still further increase in all branches of Association work-instruction, examinations, ambulance service, relief work, etc.
For the first time since 1914 an Auxiliary Nursing Service was formed by Government, and this accou{lts for the increase in the number of candidates taking First Aid and Home Nursing.
With the view of augmenting the Hospital Staff in the Colony with Nursing personnel in the event of emergency, British subjects took and passed examinations in First Aid and Home Nursing, completed a practical ocurse in hospital, and gualified for the Auxiliary Nursing Service. ,
Hundreds of Chinese also attended First Aid lectures at the beginning of the year, and although many did not take the examination, numbers volunteered for the Chinese Red Cross, and are working in China.
The Air Raid Precautions Course was well attended, and proved very popular.
To the Honorary Surgeon Lecturers, Examiners, the Association once again owes a deep debt of gratitude.
Organising classes and recruiting for the Auxiliary Units and for First Aid Posts was particularly heavy during the first months of the year.
Total number of Association awards gained during the year was 2,513. Eighty-two First Aid classes and 17 Home Nursing classes were conducted.
One must not fail to mention the outstanding work performed by Mr. Morris, until recently Director of Ambulance.
To · him the Association owes the high place in which the local centre stands in the Empire for outstanding service.
The pioneer work in the New Territories, and the present resultant clinics, the work in Chinese territory, often at personal risk, his uptiring energy -his great aptitude for obtaining subscriptions not only locally, but from all parts of the Empire for relief work, has brought the work of the Order to great prominence.
His resignation is a great loss to the Association.
CORRECTION
Owing to a typographical error the news of the Burma nursing divisions published in the December issue, was titled "I!,ldia." The title should have read, " Burma." ,
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War Temporary and V.A.D. Emergency Hospitals
By Cqlonel C. 1. Ellis, C.M.G., T.D., M.D., etc.
Late Staff Officer for Voluntary Organisations, Southern Com mand, Salisbury,. late Surgeon-in-Chief, ,he St. John Ambulance Brtgade " late O.C. 46 C.C.S. and 41 Stationary Hospital, B.E.F.
(Colltinmd from pag6
10. Total Number of Beds in Hospital.-(a) Number of wards. (b) Beds in each ward: 3 feet between beds. (c) Isolation ward for infectious cases. (d) Surface area per bed (85 square feet is the minimum). Usual floor space should be 100 square feet to each bed, 144 fQr infectious cases. (e) Cubic space per bed (1,200 cubic feet). Do not calculate height above 12 feet. (f) Any open-air wards? (g) Number of air and water-beds, air cushions, etc.
11. Lighting.-(a) Natural-daylight. (b) Electric. This is healthiest because no oxygen is used up and no carbon dioxide or moisture is produced. (c) Oil. (Lamps should hang.) (d) Gas. (e) Secondary lighting if usual source fails?
z. Heating.-(a) Central heating; coal, gas or electric (note situation of plugs). (b) Open fires. (c). Closed stoves. (d) Electric radiators; electric " cradles" for shock; electric blankets and pads. (e) Gas fires. (j) Primus stoves.
13. Ventilation.-(a) Number of windows in each room. (b) Amount of open space available at eachwindow. Window area should not be less than 10 per cent. of floor space. (c) Situation of fireplace and door. (d) Is there cross-ventilation? (e) Artifidal means-Tobin's tubes, electric fans, etc.
14. Sanitary Arrangements.-(a) Number and nature of W.C.s. (b) Where placed; kinds of pans and seats. (c) Number of urinals; where placed, indoors and/or outdoors. (d) Proportion of W.C.s and urinals to beds. (e) What arrangements are there for disinfection and delousing of clothes and men?
15. Slop Sinks.-Facilities for scrubbing mackintoshes and cleaning urinals. .
16. Utensil Cupboard or Shelves.
17. Ablution Arrangements. - Number of Washhand basins and sinks.
18. Number and Nature of Baths.-(a) For staff. For patients. Is the hot-water supply from: (1) Independent coke boiler? (li) Boiler in kitchen range? (iii) Gas €:irculator or geyser? (iv) Electric circulator or geyser? (v) Oil geyser?
19. Water Suppfy.-(lJ) Source. (b) Contimaous or intermittent. (c) Munidpal or private.
, 20. Kitchen.-(a) Scullery, number of wash-up sinks for plates, cooking utensils, etc. Are there removable racks for drying plates? Is scullery separate from the
2}8, October isslle)
kitchen? (b) Domestic offices. (c) Cooking by: (i) coal range; (1i) gas stoves; (iii) electricity; (iv) oil stoves; (v) Primus stoves; (vi) pots and pans, knives and forks, dishes and plates.
21. Larder.-(a) Is it well ventilated and has it flyproof windows? (b) Aspect (north for preference) ; nature of walls and floor. (c) Meat store. (d) Dairy or milk store.
22. Coal and Wood Shed.
23. Dining Room.-Is it close to the kitchen? If not, are there any arrangements such as a hot plate for serving food warm?
24. Recreation Room.-Any wireless apparatus?
25. Packstore.-Money, medals, and valuables should be kept in a safe in the C.O.'s office. (See also A.B. r82, Check Book: Hospital Pack Store, and A.B. 42, Patients' Personal Equipment: Hospital Check Book) : Arrangements for drying clothes and boots
26. Linen Store.-(a) Arrangements for repair and upkeep of linen. (b) Ironing. (i) Irons heated on coal stove; (ii) irons heated on gas stove or gas irons; (iii) electric irons.
27. Laundry.-Arrangements and accommodation for sorting dirty linen (out of doors). (a) Is it put out to cottagers to do? (b) Is a local steam laundry handy? (c) Is that of staff and patients kept separate? (d) Is any done on the premises? If so, what accommodation for washing, drying, ironing, and airing? (e) Is there a steam steriliser or one in the neighbourhood?
28. Removal of Refuse.-(a) Is it kept in closed receptacles (sanitary dustbins)? (b) How often removed? (c) By whom removed?
29. Drainage.-(a) Is it water-borne sewage, or (b) dry earth? (c) If (b), how and when removed? (d). If (a), is there a recent sanitary certificate? (e) If a separate installation, will it deal with additional work?
30. Process of Cleaning adopted throughout the hospital.-(a) By hand labour alone; specially engaged charwomen. (b) Whirlwind vacuum sweepers and. mechanical (c) Electric sweepers and polishers.
Result of cleaning as evidenced by close inspection; kitchen utensils; dusty or clean under mats, etc. (To be continued)
St. John Ambulance Association.
rus book from cover to cover is full of i"formatio" of great"' ''''M,n •...s iMPortQ"Ct to II!M)lOru HI tile Ambulattee Moveme'" "-St. :tobn Rmbulance Clla3ette.
Price 3 / 6 Pottage Od. Sknlll Dept. 8 T. J 0 H N • 8 QAT I! LON DON. • C. • CLASSIFIED ADVERTISEMENTS
Advertisements with remittance should be sent to the SI. John Ambulance Gazette, 19, Cllrsitor Street, E.C+ 2d. per word, m.in.imum 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, sell easily Sample free.AIREDALE PRESS, Bradford.
URGEN TLY WANTED. - January, July, August, September and November, 1940, iSS1.leS of this J ournal.-Send with price to The Publisher , THE ST. JOHN AMBULANCE GAZETTE, 19, Cursitor Street, London, E. C+
W
ANTED.-BACK NUMBERS OF THIS JOURNAL, dated January, February, March, April, 1928. Please send with price to Box 94, ST. JOHN AMBULANCE GAZETTE, 19, Cursitor Street, London, E.C.4.
EVERYTHING FOR SAFETY EVERYWHERE
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'PROTO' & 'SALVUS' OXYGEN BREATHING APPARATUS
'PURETHA' GAS MASKS for Naval, Military and Industrial purposei and for Civilian use.
ALL A.R.P. EQUIPMENT
DUST and SPRAY MASKS and alt other Safety and Protective Devices.
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by N. CORBET FLETCHER,
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T HE JOURNAL OP THE VENERABLE ORDER OF THE
THE ST. JOHN AMBULANCE GAZETTE is published on the 15th of each month. The annual subscription is 4S., post free; single copies 3d Brigade Reports and Photographs should be addressed to the Editor, at 32, Shoe Lane, E.C.4. Reports and photographs should reach him not later than the 28th of the month preceding the date of issue. Subscriptions and Advertisements should be forwarded to the publishers: Messrs. British Periodicals, Ltd., 19, 19a, Cursitor Street, London, E.C.4. .
CONTENTS
HOBSON & SONS
TROUSERS. GREATCOATS, CAPS, BELTS, GLOVES, HA VERSACKS, WATERBOTTLES, ETC.
ESTIMATES AND SAMPLES ON REQUEST All enquiries to154 - 164, TOOLEY
Cross and St. John War Organ isati on Priory for Wales Obituary
CHANCERY OF THE ORDER,
ST. JOHN'S GATE, CLERKENWELL, LONDON, E.C. I.
The New Year List
It is with the greatest pleasure that we publish the following information regarding Captain A. N. Cahusac, O.B.E., M.C., the Chief Secretary of the St. John Amb ulance Associatio n; Miss E. K. Baddeley, M.B.E., Honorary Organiser of First Aid and Home Nursing classes for the Association in the London district; and Mrs. F. C. Hayes, M.B.E., Lady County Superintendent of the St. John Ambulance Brigade for the County of Hampshire.
Captain Cahusac was awarded the O.B.E. and Miss Baddeley and Mrs. Hayes the M.B.E. in the New Year Honour's List.
Captain Cahusac has been Chief Secretary of the St. John Ambulance Association since 1917 and Staff Officer to the Chief Commissioner of the St. John Ambulance Brigade Overseas since 1933.
Miss Baddeley has organised in an honorary capacity hundreds of classes for the Association in London. She began this work in the last war and throughout the four yea rs her classes were almost continuous. She has continued to organise them, when necessar y, since the last war, and directly there signs of a crisis in 193 8 she again organised classes in various parts of London, and has put in a vast amount of work for the Association.
Mrs. F. C. Hayes joined the St. John Ambulance Brigade in April, 19 I 4, and was appointed Commandant of Londonderry V oluntary Detachment No. 430. In 1921 she left Ulster and was attached to the Bournemouth Nursing Division; she was appointed Acting Lad y Divisional Superintendent to that Division in 1923, Lady Corps Superintendent in 1928, Lady County Officer in 1932, and Lad y County Superintendent in 1937.
Brigade Benevolent Fund
The Chief Commissioner has received for the Brigade the following sums :-
The Maple Leaf Fund, New York £ 12 3 15
The Alaska Committee, Order of St. J ohn, Anchorage, laska... £92 16
The Chief Commissioner has placed these sums to the credit of the Briga de Benevolent Fund to be earmarked for cases of need and suffering due to enemy action.
In thanking these organisations for their ge nerous gifts he has said how much the Brigade appreciates the kind thought which prompted the donors, and how heartening it is to feel that people so far removed from this grim struggle are thinking of us in our work for.humanity.
Vol. 14. NO.2.
DOME NURSING PAGE
FIRST CALLS ON AID
By ALICE M. PENNELL, O.B.E., B.Se., M.B., B.S.
It is very important to know whom to attend to first when confronted with several casualties at one time. The First Aider may be alone, or he (or she) may be in the responsible position of being the leader of a group less trained, and perhaps less disciplined than himself. Danger and responsibility together may, as often happens, brace the First and help him to show a measure of commonsense and initiative of which he did not know he was capable.
If so, well and good. For the basis of First Aid is Commonsense, and it will be seen that most problems can be made easier of solution if commonsense is brought to bear. But still a foundation of knowledge is essential. Without this one may make mistakes-alas! even fatal mistakes-and so it is advisable to have some rules firmly fixed in one's mind for such occasions.
Suppose, for example, that after the bombing and - destruction of an occupied building, the First Aider comes upon the scene, either as a casual passer-by, or as an uninjured victim. This may happen day after day, with the promiscuous bombing and machinegunning that Hitler calls legitimate war.
- The question immediately arises in the First Aider's mind, which victim needs help most urgently.
The first thing he should do is to take a quick look round to see if he can possibly decide which of the victims are alive and which not.Here his commonsense will tell him that those he can see must be dealt with before he tries to rescue people buried under debris.
He will set about organising spectators and others into a team and will despatch someone for the doctor and ambulances. The chances are that telephones will be out of order, so taxis or bicycles must be requisitioned to ensure spee"d.
One person can be detailed to examine those who are lying limp and silent, to see if they are alive. But the people who will need immediate attention are:-
(I) Anyone who is bleedzng prOfusely. Bright red spurting blood comes from an artery and ·must be as soon as possible. Commonsense and knowledge will help the First Aider here. He will have with him his First Aid" pack" of clean dressings and pads and bandages. Without wasting time in
trying to get water to wash the wound, he will satisfy as to actual site of the escaping blood and Will apply his pad to the spot. His knowledge will tell him which is the pressure point to control and he will instruct a helper to apply first his fingers, to this point, then a pad and bandage-and where possible, e.g., in the arm or leg-a pad and flexion, then a bandage.
(z) Victims suffering from injuries and SHOCK must be next to. They need :-
(a) Warmth. Coats, blankets, hot drinks, preferably tea, coffee, milk-NOT spirits. Later, hotbottles or hot bricks.
(b) To be kept lying d01vn comfortably.
(c) Quiet and enough air to breathe. Their clothes must be loosened at neck and waist. Mea.rnvhile, their injuries can be attended to.
(3) Victims who are groaning must be examined for major injuries.
,
The First Aider will have learnt that he must practice a certain routine in dealing with victims of these accidents. Having decided that the person to be helped is alive (see how this decision is arrived at, below), he quickly examines him from head to foot for cuts, lacerations, fractures. Beginning with the scalp and head, he passes to the eyes, ears, face. From the scalp and head, he passes to the eyes, ears, face. Bleeding from the ears (and nose) is very serious, and may mean fi :acture of the base of the skull. It is important to note this and report to the ' doctor if it is present, and in treating the patient, loose wads of cotton wool, but NO pressure, only retaining bandages, must be applied.
Cuts and fractures of the chest, limbs, abdomen must be recognised, and where there are open wounds they must be protected by being covered with clean dressings. But it is not wise to attempt any washing on the spot, if it is among the ruins of a building that First Aid is being applied.
The control of hce1norrhage (bleeding) and the relief of pain, by gentle handling qf broken bones, and the replacement of such, if possible, in their right alig'nment, with such supports to form splints as can be improvised, the treatment of shock, and a complete report of the injuries from which the victims are suffering will be as much as the First Aider and his
team can hope to accomplish before the doctor and ambulances arrive.
,
The helpers who have been given the task of finding which victims are really beyond human help must know what signs must be looked for in a rapid survey. The most obvious signs that distinguish between the living and those who are dead are :-
r. The Pulse or Heart-beat.
z. The Respirations, or breathing.
3. The condition and reactions of the Eyes.
(I) The pulse can be felt at the wrist, just below the thumb, against the bone (the radius); (ii) at the temple; (iii) at a notch on the lower jaw, between the angle of the jaw and the chin on the edge of the bone, where the facial artery can be felt; (iv) at the ankle or the inner side behind the ankle bone. If there is any reason why these places cannot be reached, the heart-beat can be ' felt on the left side of the chest, just below the left nipple and a finger's breadth inside its line.
N.B.-All First Aiders should practise feeling and counting pulses at these points, and finding the heart-beat. The average rate is between 72 and 84 per minute.
(2) The Respirations or Breathing. See if the person is breathing. Watch the chest and see if it rises and falls. A hand on the chest will confirm this. A mirror before the nose and mouth will be dimmed if the person is breathing.
(3) If alive, the person will resent his eyelids being lifted-an action that must be gently done. His pupils will also probably react to light, getting smaller when a torch is flashed before them, or the lids raised in daylight. Unconsciousness must not be taken for death. The pulse and respirations ' will readily help to disting uish between the two states.
N.B.-Practice counting respirations. The average rate is 18 per minute.
Mter big wounds with bleeding and fractures, slighter .injuries such as dislocations, sprains and strains must be dealt with. In all these activities it is most important that the First Aider should rememb er how important it is to encourage and cheer the victims, to be very gentfe in touching them, in dressing their wounds or splinting their fractures. He must not show horror at the sight of the ir wounds and mu st reassure the victims by his manner, and words, as well as his deeds, and so help them to bear the shock and pain that must inevitably \be their lot.
Hat Badges
We are asked by the Chief Commissioner to say that owing to the difficulty experienced by manufacturers in obtaining supplies of metal, it has been decided that the pres ent hat badge worn by nursing personnel will be restricted, for the period of war, to Officers; and Badge No. IzB will be supplied, in future, to Ambulance Sisters in lieu of the metal hat badge.
Service Awards
The following names of members of the St. John Ambulance Brigade have been brought to the notice of the Chief Commissioner for gallant and devoted service during Air Raids and have been awarded the Meritorious Service Certificate of the St. John Ambulance Brigade;-
Name. Rank.
Miss Madge Collier Lady Super-
P. J. Bridle
F. B. Fleming
Mrs. Arthur
L. M. Maybury, M.B., Ch.B. W. Oldershaw
W. J. Harris
E. S. Guppy
Miss Wells
F.-W. Taysome
S. J. Lockyer
S.
Air Raid Precautions
By W. C. BENTALL, O.B.E., F.R.C.S., F.R.G.S., Assistant Surgeon-in-Chiej, St. John Ambulance Brigade
DETAILS OF A.R.P. SERVICES
' In the December issue Depots for A.R.P. Services were dealt This month we are dealing with Details of A.R.P. Services.
The victories in Lybia are before us and it has been constantly affirmed that success has been due to training, planning and co-operation between the Services.
Our lesson is obvious-train, plan and co-operate, between all our A.R.P. Services.
The following are a list of these :-
Police } a:: F · Home Omce. Iremen } Squads First Aid Parties Ministry of Home Security.
Ambulances I'
First Aid Posts '-- M·· f H lth (fixed and mobile) J( ln1stry 0 ea Hospitals
You and I dovetail into these Services in our special work. The whole chain is good, but if one link is weak there will be more casualties, and not caused by Hitler but by us. .
The Police and Firemen are well established, trained and effective. From Wardens to Hospitals need more training and knowledge of co-operation with each other, which we have dealt with in previous articles under the phrase" Team Training."
Let us now look to that part of our work where one Service overlaps that of another, and before looking at the details of the three last Services with which we are most connected it is well to be reminded how the Wardens and Police overlap in the of reporting incidents in the first place. Then again the Wardens and the First Aid Parties overlap, thus as _ soon as the Warden has telephoned his report to Central Coptrol,;it is his next job to render First Aid to those cases which might be dead before the First Aid Parties arrive. Thence, he only has to be concerned with things like severe hremorrhage, asphyxia or unconsciousness. An adequate short course should enable the Warden to prevent death, even though he has no First Aid equipment. A thumb on the sub-
clavian or femoral will prevent a person bleeding to death if his arm or leg is blown off. If a casualty is dragged out from a fallen building asphyxiated, a Warden can clear out his mouth and perform artificial respiration without any bandages or equipment of any sort. In cases of unconsciousness, he will put those with red faces, from apoplexy and compression, propped up in a sitting position, and he will put the heads of those cases with white faces down. To do the opposite might be to kill.
Similarly, other Services overlap, such as Rescue Squads and First Aid Parties. The extrication of people is not a job that a First Aider is specially trained to do, but the member of the Rescue Squad is as well trained in rescuing people as we are trained in First Aid, and the use of a spade to remove debris, or the lifting of heavy beams, is the work of the Rescue Squad, and the First Aider stands by for prompt First Aid attention when the Rescue Squad has done its job.
Coming more closely to our own Department, the leaders of the First Aid Parties in their team training should have learned exactly how to receive their instructions on arrival at an incident from the Warden who has been in charge before they came. He may save the leader of the First Aid Party ten minutes or a quarter of an hour in directing him to those casualties which are liable to die quickly and both the Warden and the leader of a Party should never forget that fractures don't kill quickly, whereas h.emorrhage, asphyxia or unconsciousness may do, and any of these are likely to be associated with the dangerous condition of bad shock, therefore the first duty of the Party leaders in liaison with the Warden is to save valuable time in sorting their casualties into the urgent ones requiring prompt treatment.
At the other end of the leader's work, there must be good liaison with the Ambulance Service. The exchange of the stretchers and blankets from the ambulance with the loading of the stretcher cases brought up by the Parties should be freq'-:lently practised so that there is smooth working, gentle handling, and speed with safety and care, aU done to the utmost protection of the casualty. Neglect in any of these points may just turn the balance in a bad
case of shock, from life to death, and it is a tragedy to think that a First Aider may be the cause of killing the patient through lack of training and practice. The same remarks apply to the Ambulance Service in their overlapping with the First Aid Parties when the cases are collected and at the other end of the service with the unloading at the hospitals. No ambulance driver should take his ambulance to any of the local hospitals to which he is liable to be sent unless he has practised driving in the right way a blackout at night. He should also make qwte sure of the correct entrance and the method of procession from one door to another at the hospital for, firstly unloading his cases, and secondly in picking up the exchanae stretchers and blankets to return to the for more casualties. Lack of practice in these points will once again cause a loss of time that may prove fatal to the case. Hold-ups at the entrance to a hospital through unprepared for the arrival of ambulances, and all uncertamty of procedure and lack of complete smoothness in the work should be entirely prevented by proper practice under proper circumstances. It is also of great help for the ambulance drivers and attendants not only to be practised in their own collaboration, but both to be familiar with the personnel at the hospitals to which they go and with whom they co-operate in the unloading of their cases. This is what is meant by " Liaison" and" Team Training."
The same thing applies to workers at First Aid Posts. It is the walking cases and those able to come in sitting cars who will form the bulk of the casualties coming to a Post (stretcher cases usually go to ho.spitals). Therefore your" liaison" is to certalD members ready to help the drivers of the sitting case cars in helping these casualties into the Post, not leaving them to stumble through unknown difficult and unfamiliar air locks at doorways, and It takes much drill and practice to make sure that the passage of the so-called" walking cases" who may be quite seriously injured are able smoothly and speedily to get even to the waiting ro?n:: within the post. Your training of the work WIthin the Post has, of course, been well practised under the Doctor and Trained Nurse. This special overlapping or liaison should again be prominent in the loading up of these patients in the sitting cars after they have been dealt with, or placing them in the hands of the Wardens or friends who will see them safely home.
One point in relation to the Mobile J!irst :4-id Liaison and trainina should not be orrutted In relation to the parking of Mobile Post with due regard · to fire hoses on the road and the correct place to park under the guidance of Police and in relation to the empty shop or hall that the Doctor in charge of the Post has decided should be used for the unloading of his Post and the treatment of the cases.
Space only allows me to briefly hint at the need of practice and training in the overlappIng of these various Services in order to keep the number of fatal casualties to the lowest possible number.
A .R.P. Questions and Answers'
Q.-I should be grateful if I could have the following question answered through the medium of the ST. JOHN GAZETTE, viz.: Is the bleach ointment that was sold at the beginning of the war still effective and, if so, how long do you consider the length of time for bleach ointment to be effective ?-M. B. (Stockport).
A.-The duration of tim(that any bleach preparation is effective depends on how long it is kept in an airtight case Atry exposure to ordinary air graduallY reduces its effectiveness to counteract mustard gas, and the time to render it so ineffective depends on the amount of exposure the bleach preparation has to the ordinary air.- W. C. B.
II OVERSEAS NEWS
NEW ZEALAND
AUCKLAND DISTRICT
The newly-appointed Lady District Superintendent, Mrs. G. S. Caromell, O.St.]., joined the Auckland Nursing Division in 1914, .and has given active. and invaluable service in the Bngade Overseas She was the founder of the Brigade Sewmg in 1914. After the of. 1914-191.8 the Sew:-ng Guild continued its actiVIties m peace-tIme by making clothes for distribution by the District Nurses .among poor people. During the past year the Guild ?as resumed its original work, several of the foundatlon members bein a active helpers, and recently 8,000 dressings for the Auck!and Hospital were completed within the short penod of two weeks by these voluntary workers..
Another inspiring work In the Auckland DiStrIct is being done by 120 girls, all employees of W.H.V. Taine Flamingo Frocks, who are making ru.gs, pyjamas and all kinds of knitted goods distnbu.tlOn through the St. John Ambulance J OlDt <:om.:m ttee Sewing Guild. The comforts are for soldiers lD new hospital on the N Shore, and all are provided by the gIrls themselves out of thel! own pockets. Each girl works on the for three hours two nights a week, giVIng this time voluntarily, and they also manage to knitted aoods at home in their spare ,hme. Thei! desire is bentirely to equip the hospital with comforts by their own unai?-ed and we too much admire their public Splnt and self-sacnfice.
CEYLON
The followin a is an extract from the report of the Inspector-Gene;'al on the Ceylon Police Corps of the
St. John Ambulance Brigade for the 12 months ending September 27, 1940 :-
The Corps has ample first aid materials and apparatus. Every station in the Island is equipped with a stretcher, first aid box and hamper containing the most necessary first-aid materials. Rural police stations are provtded with first aid pocket outfits which are taken by police officers to the scenes of crime or to accidents involving injury. In addition to motor and horse-drawn ambulances for use in the City of Colombo, a motor ambulance launch has been provided by the Port Commission Jor use in Colombo Harbour in cases of accident.
For many every member of the Force has been required to have a practical knowledge of Schafer's Method of restoring respiration in the apparently drowned. At the training school no recruit is passed out until he can swim and since the training scho.ol became affiliated to the Royal LifeSaving Society it has become our aim to make as many recnllts as possible efficient in life-saving by their practical knowledge of rendering help to a person in difficulties in the water.
CHINA HONG KONG DISTRICT
EXTRACT FROM BRIGADE REpORT, 1939
The Brigade has another strenuous year or work to its credit.
In addition to the usual assistance given to Government Medical Department by our qualified vaccinators in street vaccinatio!). campaigns in Hong Kong and Kowloon, individual requests from factories, schools, offices, etc., were ,dealt with willingly and expeditiously.
Other duties comprised First Aid rendered at fires and accidents, attendance at street sleepers' shelters, race meetings, school sports, bathing sheds, etc., and throughout the year inclividual acts of social service earned "honourable mention" in police reports and newspapers.
Once again tribute must be paid to the honorary Surgeon Instructors and Surgeon Examiners for their valuable assistance in connection with First Aid and Home Nursing classes and examinations. Increasing numbers of candidates attended our lectures.
A.R.P. courses were also well patronised, and we are indebted to the Instructors and Examiners for the many hours they spent in this essential subject. , This Report would be incomplete without special mention being made of the splendid work done by our Military Unit, under Corps Officer A. S. Potter, and the Motor Transport Division, under Divisional Superintendent Liu Pak K wan.
Correspondence
To fhe Editor, THE ST. JOHN AMBULANCE GAZET'Tl
DEAR SIR,-In reply to the "challenge" of " ) Regular Reader" in your issue of January, 1941, I should like to submit my own record. It is a: follows: First Aid Certificate, November, 1930 joined Brigade as Private, 1931; Sergeant, 1934 Ambulance Officer, 1935; Corps Officer, 1937 County Officer, 1938.
I would add that I am under 32 years of age. Yours, etc., GEORGE J. CREECH, , County Officer, County of Bristol.
To the Editor, ST. JOHN AMBULANCE GAZETTE.
DEAR SIR,-Congratulations to the Divisional Superintendent, Firbeck Main Corps, on his promotion to the rank of Dlv1slOnai Superintendent.
It is always good to hear of someone obtaining rapid promotion in the !3rigade, and "Re!:?ular Reader's" letter is most interesting. I believe, however, my record beats even that of my fellow officer! Here it is :-
Passed first year examination, December, 1929.
Enrolment to Division, February 14, 1930.
Appointed Hon. Secretary, November 14, 1930.
Passed for rank of Sergeant, May, 1934.
Appointed Ambulance Officer, July 22, 1935.
Appointed Divisional Superintendent, December 15, 193 6
Appointed Justice of the Peace, County of Essex, April, 1938.
In 1939 I was awarded the O.B.E. (Civil Division) in H.M. the King's Birthday Honour's List. The membership of my Division is 50, plus Cadet and Nursing Divisions.
Yours, etc., E. A. PARISH, Divisional Superintendent, Braintree and Bocking Division.
Thank YOU!
Thanks to The British Navy, The R.A.F. and the British Merchant Navy this Jonrnal is on sale throughout the British Empire; at the same price.
Weare relying on you for one new reader this, month. Thank you.
Hints for First Aiders BROI(EN
-Especially for . Cadets BONES
By N. S. B. VINTER, M.B., B.S., I
Corps Surgeon, County of Bristol No. 2 Corps
In an old-fashioned house, built partly of bricks and partly of timber, the timbers are not there merely for show. When the house was built the wooden fraine was put up !irst, and afterwards the spaces left were filled up with brick-work. The frame keeps the house up, and supports the roof and floors. If the bricks are worn out, they can be taken down without the house falling, as long as the wood has not become rotten.
The bones in the body serve much the same purpose as the timbers in the old house. They support the weight of the body and enable us to stand up straight.
But they sometimes have another purpose, too. They may form a hard protective covering for some important organ. The bones of the skull protect the brain; and the ribs protect the heart and lungs.
Some bones combine both purposes. The bones that make up the back bone protect the spinal cord, the important nerve trunk of the body. This runs in a tunnel made up of all these small bones.
It is difficult to realise that the dry hard dead bones we see were once as much alive as any other part of the body. But in life they had blood vessels running through them, and were made up of living animal cells, like any other structure.
When a child reaches his full height, the bones stop growing, but remain none the less alive. The cells which had been laying down the new bone continue to do so, but other cells absorb and carry away what isn't needed. So that the bone remains the same size for the rest of the person's life.
A living bone is made up of a hard chalky substance mixed up with a softer material, which is largely gelatine. (This is why bones are used for making glue.) If a bone is burnt, the gelatine is burnt away. Only the chalky material is left, but it is still possible to tell which bone it was, as it doesn't lose its shape.
In the same way if a bone is put into acid so that the chalky substance is dissolved away, only the gelatine is left, but it still has the shape of the original bone, although it is soft and can be bent easily.
The outer layers of a bone are especially hard, but the inside is not hollow. It is filled up with a honeycomb of bone in which run the blood vessels which bring it food and oxygen. The cells lining the capillaries in the middle of a bone have the special
duty of making some of the cells that circulate in the blood.
'When a bone is broken or bruised, some of its blood vessels are bound to be torn, so that it bleeds. If there is no wound, the blood will not be seen, but will collect around the break, and form a clot. Soon after the accident the broken ends are joined together by a firm blood clot. As time goes on, the living bone forming cells, set free by the break, make their way into the clot, and turn it into bone. At the end of about two months all the clot has been hardened, and the break is mended by firm new bone. This takes about the same length of time whether the bone is large or small, but a bone which has to support the whole weight of the body, such as the thigh bone, must be given longer than one that has not such heavy duties to do. If it were allowed to take the weight too soon it would bend, and the patient might become crippled by having a permanently bent thigh.
In a compound fracture, there is a wound leading from the break to the outside air. Germs may get to the break through this, and poison the cells that are building up the new bone, so that the fracture takes much longer than normal to heal.
Mter a has joined up, there is a large lump of bone left around the join. By degrees the cells whose job it is to take away unwa.r:ted .bo.ne the size of this lump, and after a tJ.me 1t 1S difficult to tell that the bone has ever been broken.
When a protecting bone is broken, the underneath it may be injured, and the fracture 1S Said to . be complicated. If the skull broken brain is certain to be hurt too, because if the blow 1S hard enough to break the skull, it is hard enough to bruise the brain as well.
If one of the small bones of the spine is broken the spinal cord is very likely to be damaged. The communication between the brain and the parts of the body below the injury , is broken, and the patient cannot move or feel them. If a patient is found with such an -injury, it is particularly important to be careful in moving him. If the injury is in the neck careless handling may kill the patient.
It is a rule, then, in treating fractures, that the patient should be treated where he is found, so that the fracture may not become compound or comeContinued on page 39)
PRO UTILIT ATE + + +
HOMINUM
The following report of exceptional bravery and devotion to duty performed by Cadet Corporal Leonard Skinner (son of County Officer W. C. Skinner), of the Holbrook's Cadet Ambulance Division, has been received.
This Cadet Corporal has, for some time, acted as Fire Watcher, both for his own home and the St. John Ambulance Brigade Hall in Wheelwright Lane, Coventry. On many occasions he has assisted to extinguish incendiary bombs, and has refused at all times to take cover in the shelters.
On the night of November 14-15 (when his father was on duty three miles away at a First Aid Post) a land mine was dropped about 300 yards away from his home. He proceeded immediately to the Ambulance Hall and helped to prepare it for casualties. While there another land mine was dropped, w4ich lifted the roof off the Ambulance Hall and brought down the ceiling, putting the hall out of action. He.at once proceeded to the place where the first land mine had fallen, and found many houses and many very badly damaged. From unqerneath the roof of one of these, at very great personal risk to himself, he helped to extricate a woman and baby, and gave what help he could to them until the arrival of the police and ambulance. He remained at his post, ready to extinguish any fires that might occur, although bombs were falling all round him. He was still on duty when his father returned in the morningaltogether a matter of I I hours-nor would he at any time take shelter. He is only I 5 years of age.
On Saturday, December 14, 1940, Cadet William McAdam (fifteen years of age), of the Dean a,nd Chapter Division, St. John Ambulance Brigade, was passing a Warden's Post when he found the Warden had fallen just outside the door. He assisted him into the Post and on examination found he had fractured his right clavicle. Mter making the man , comfortable on a couch in the Post, he hastened to his own home, about one hundred yards away, and there collected bandages and pad with which he put up the injured limb. He then telephoned from the Post for medical aid, but was told that if the patient was in a fit state to travel he could take him to the surgery as the doctor was busy at the time. After giving the patient a cup of hot tea, he accompanied him to the doctor's house, where he was congratulated upon the manner in which the work had been done. This is
the second occasion upon which this young Cadet has shown great resource and skill in dealing with an emergency.
The coolness and bravery of a St. John Ambulance nurse, Miss Ivy Marsh, during a recent air raid, was recognised by members of an East Midlands police force when at an assembly in their muster room Miss Marsh was presented with a go ld watch
A member of the ,mobile unit, she was off duty when an alert came, but returned and went with her unit to an area being bombed. During her work there she was stunned by an explosion, but went to the aid of a policeman buried under debris. She worked while bombs exploded around.
The Chief Constable of the town, in making the presentation, told her it was a gift from the police to mark their appreciation of her gallantry and devotion to duty.
The police officer whom Miss Marsh helped to rescue succumbed to his injuries. Another police officer, injured on the same occasion, was present at the presentation ceremony.
The following is an extract from a report by Corps Superintendent L. M. Starr, of the Cheltenham Corps, S.J.A.B., on the work done by members during a recent air raid on Cheltenham :-
On the night of the air raid the Cheltef?ham Spa Men's Division were assembled for an annual inspection at the Montpellier Spa Baths. The attack started3at 19.5 hrs.-and as this Division supplies the staff for the First Aid Parties working from that Depot they were fully manned. One party was ordered to a house where they rescued a woman"; a second party was sent to a block of flats which had received a direct hit. With the help of a Demolition Squad they rescued four people who were injured and sent them to hospital. A further • party was sent to some bungalows where eight people were buried; they recovered and treated five people injured, sending four to hospjtal and one to a Wardens' Post. 'They also assisted in extinguishing a fire, and recovered the remaining three bodies.
First Aid Parties from the General Hospital Depot went out all through the night rescuing and bringing cases to the First Aid Post. These parties worked particularly well, in some cases having to recover patients in very ,difficult circumstances.
The cases brought in to the First Aid Post at this point were capably and efficiently dealt with by the staff of St. John nurses and the County Surgeon who had great difficulty in performing their work owing to the failure of the electric light. The treatment of the patients was carried out with the aid of a paraffin lamp.
The Elms First Aid Parties had a very difficult time, as early during the evening the telephone service was out of action and messages to this post were sent verbally. Two parties were called out to different places, but on arrival at the scene were not required. A third party was sent to a large building which had received a direct hit.
The Elms First Aid Post functioned well under very trying circumstances, all windows being blown in, and floor boards ripped up; but casualties were dealt with efficiently and, on the return of the First Aid Parties, patients were transported to an emergency hospital by them: this transportation was performed on foot.
The Mobile First Aid Post were " standing by" at Ambulance Headquarters when casualties were brought in by wardens. The first casualties were brought in very soon after the raid began.
Members of the Brigade also took part in driving ambulances and acting as attendants on the cars.
I am pleased to report that all officers in charge of posts and parties are very enthusiastic in their praise for the excellent work done by members of the Brigade. Every member responded most willingly and efficiently to all the calls made on them, and in view of the heavy nature of the raid and the consequent difficult and hazardous circumstances under which the work was performed (mostly while bombs were falling) reflects great credit on all concerned.
Reporting on the gallant and commendable conduct of three members of Cadet Divisions in the city of Cardiff, the Commissioner for the Priory for Wales states :-
" On the night of January 2, 1941, a concentrated raid by enemy aircraft was made on the city. These three lads-L. Weeks, W. Rodgers and R. Wilcoxare members of the City Casualty Services as messengers and are posted at Ely, Lansdowne Road, and Sloper Road, F.A. Depots. Owing to a concentration of H.E. round the Sloper Road Depot, telephonic communication became impossible and communications had to be maintained. This task, upon the decision of the officer in charge of the 35
Depot, fell upon these three Cadets. Under arduous and dangerous conditions these lads carried on. Several times were they exposed to blast from H.E. bombs, and with shrapnel falling round them got through with their messages. Later, they were instructed to maintain direct contact between the Depot and First Aid Parties at work at scenes of enemy destruction. This they also did with tact and resourcefulness.
While keeping direct contact with parties there is one special mention I would make.
R. Wilcox, by his prompt action, prevented members of a First Aid Party being buried under debris. He became suddenly aware that parts of premises on which they were at work were about to collapse. He immediately pushed members of the party into shelter and got clear himself when the building collapsed. On another occasion this lad saw a garage on fire. He burst the door open, removed the car into the street, and with the help of a neighbour extinguished the fire with stirrup pumps.
The devotion to duty and courage of these lads were commented on by members of our Services with whom they have direct
§ \ "George Medal" Award t §
'( The George Medal has been awarded to j § Cadet Corporal Miss Betty Quinn, Holbrooks j "<t... Cadet Nursing Division. '" § It \ Miss Quinn was at her Warden's Post on j :I the night of the raid. When incendiary ). \ bombs dropped she was among the first to 'f § rush and extinguish them. After helping ). \ elderly people and leading them to shelter, j § she heard a high explosive drop in a neigh- ?t Ji di d ! "'-. bouring road. which she 'scovere was { her own road. Here seven people had been } trapped in an Anderson shelter, and in spite '" § d k 't \ of being told by the Head War en to eep ! § in the shelter she was the first to reach the \ trapped victims an,d to set to work with a ! 1 spade. Not until she had rescued some of \ '( the party did she cease digging, and then only ! to apply first aid to the injured. As each "C. person was rescued Miss Quinn gave first ", Ie ). aid treatment, and only rested when the last {" "<t... patient was taken away by ambulance § c. \ The Chief Commissioner has conveyed to ! § her his hearty , congratulations and awarded \ her the Meritorious Service Certificate of the ! § St. John Ambulance Brigade. , ,
Interesting Case Reports 1
b C =A=S=E=RE=P=O=R=T=N=O=.=I7=3='=T=h=e=O=ffi=ce=r=-i=n=-C=h=a=rg=e=lof II/
the Bournemouth Corps S.J.A.B. reports an interesting incident as follows :-
On Friday, August 16, I took a party of two St. John and one Red Cross Ambulance Sisters to Southampton to visit a First Aid Post. As we approached Redbridge we saw a parachutist coming down, and on reaching him found that he was a British FlightLieutenant who had baled out of a Hurricane after getting his Messersch!I).itt II 0: I administered a hypodermic of morphia-the nurses dressed his wounds, and he was taken in a lorry" to the Hospital at Southampton under the care of Ambulance Sister Brown, S.J.A.B.
I visited him during the next two weeks, when he expressed his deep gratitude for our assistance. Our patient proved to be Flight-Lieutenant Nicholson, who was recently awarded the V.c. for this incident.
CoMMENT.- The Bournemouth Corps merits cordial congratulations on the fact that its Superintendent and Surgeon and other members were on the spot and were privileged to render first aid to a gallant airman in his hour of need.-N. C. F.
CASE REpORT No. I74.-The Commissioner of Police of the Metropolis reports the efficient, performance of first aid by a member of No. 16 (L.B. & S.C.R., New Cross) Division, No. I District S.J.A.B., in the following circumstances :-
. On July 18, at about 6. 15 p.m.., a man was cycling through Blackwall Tunnel when he collided with a motor lorry and received severe injuries. Private John Willard was passing through the tunnel at the time; and, obtaining some pieces of wood, he made them into splints and applied them to the man's injured leg. He then diagnosed injury to the pelvis, and on his advice the man was not moved before the arrival of an ambulance.
On the following day, in Blackwall Tunnel, at about the same time, a cyclist was struck by the tailboard of a lorry which had collided with another vehicle. The man w:..as thrown from his machine and sustained severe injuries to ills face. Private Willard, who was again present, took off his own shirt and, tearing it into suitable lengths, improvised the necessary dressings and bandages and gave treatment for facial injuries and a fractured skull.
In both instances Private Willard correctly diagnosed the injuries sustained and administered treatment in an atmosphere charged with the exhaust fumes of the vehicles. He shovred great skill and resource and his action enabled police to give their full attention to the difficult traffic co.n.ditiohs resulting from the accidents.
CoMMENT.-Improvisation is the essence of first aid, and nothing tests the ejficienry of a first aider more than the need to use whatever;, is at hand. In these circumstances
we tender cordial congratulations to Private John Willard on good work well done on t'lpo consecutive dt:rys.-N. C. F.
Questions and Answers
OF ANKLE JOINT
M. P. (Atherton).-At a recent examination the doctor asked a candidate how many bones formed the ankle joint. He replied that there were seven bones, but the doctor said that he was wrong.
We discussed the point in our Division and Game to the conclusion that there were only three bones and that the other six played a minor part. We should like your ruling as we thought that the examining surgeon should not have asked a first year candidate such a question.
If you refer to your Textbook, you will find that on pp. 34 and 36 it states that the shin-bone "plays -an important part" in the ankle joint, and that the brooch bone "forms the outer part" and the ankle bone "the lower part of the ankle joint." In other words, ,three bones form the ankle joint.
In these circumstances the question was a fit and proper one, even if it seems to have caught all of you guessing !
By the 1Vay, I am puzzled to know which" six bones play a minor part)J in the ankle joint.-N. C. F. TREATMENT bF FRACTURED ARM
A. A. (Ambleside).-In treatment for fracture of humerus in middle of the shaft Rule 4 on page 83 of the Textbook is divided, and the second half refers to no splints being available. In this case I suppose that Rules I and 2 are followed and then the arm (not arm and forearm) is secured by two broad bandages. Now comes our problem. Do these two broad bandages go over or under the sling? Personally, I favour over the sling as this method seems to supply further restraint of any attempted movement of the forearm; but as some of my men favour under the sling, we would like your ruling. We happen to be a very democratic Division and every man is encouraged to bring forward suggestions, but until we get your decision none of us is wrong, but we want uniformity in our treatment. We thank you in anticipation of your kind ruling.
With fracture of humerus the Textbook tells you to commence treatment 1ry placing the limb in a small arm sling and then to fix the fracture with splints. If the latter are not available, it follows that the broad bandages should be placed over the sling.
At any rate such action keeps the fractured bone at rest and avoids the manipulations which would be necessary and might be harmful if attempts were made to pass the bandages under the sling.-N. C. F.
TREATMENT OF COAL GAS POISONING
' S. W. (Middleton).-We of the Middleton Division would appreciate your advice as to whether or no artificial respiration should be performed on a patient whose breathing is not apparent or is failing as the results of coal gas poisoning. The Textbook (p. 15 8)
is silent on this point, though we have been taught to apply the General Rules for Treatment of Insensibility.
The point has been raised by certain of our members who have been attending their Works A.R.P. Lectures and who tell us that the surgeon-lecturer condemned artificial respiration in this instance.
, The Textbook is not silent about the treatment of coal gas poisoning since it tells you 011 p. 157 to re"!ove the cause (or the patient from the cause) of the asphyxta and then to applY the General Rules for Treat,,!ent.of Insensibility, the first of which reads: If breat?111g tS absent, artificial respiration." The sectton on p. 158 whzch you quote falls under the heading qf " Additional Treatment in Special Cases."
On your statement of facts, therefore, I sus.pect that your members misunderstood the statements of thetr surgeonlecturer, possiblY because he may ha.ve the value of the administration of oxygen by tn cases of coal gas poisoning, the effects of whteh are due mostlY to carbon monoxide.-N. C. F.
COMPOSITION OF MOTH BALLS
P. S. (Plymouth).-In the December, 1940, issue of THE GAZETTE a correspondent named" camphor moth balls " and asked you to tell him the signs and symptoms of Camphor Poisoning. Evidently he was referring to the fact that lumps of camphor may be used for the same purpose moth balls. As, ho:vever, the latter are made of naphthalene, I take 1t that if this poison was swallowed the signs and symptoms would be different, and I wonder what these are.
So I ask your further kind help. .
Naphthalene (otherwise known as tar camphor) tS a coal tar derivative commonly sold in the form of moth balls It is an antiseptic and is said to be much used instead of camphor to prevent the ravages .of m.oth in furs. If taken in poisonous dose, tts szgns and symptoms are lividity of skin, droz1Jsiness, reeling gait and muscular twitchings. When this occurs, treatment calls for pro.mpt administration of an emetic and avoidance castor ?zI ?". fats which by dis solving the naphthalene 11Jould atd Its absQrption.-N. C. F.
Prisoners of W ar
We are asked by the Chief Commissioner to publish the following name and address of a of the Birmingham City Division, S.J.A.B., who IS now a prisoner of war in Germany :Kriegsgefangenenpost, Gunner H. Myers, 7,357,836, British Prisoner of War, Prisoner's No. 6123, Stalag XXI-B. H. 39, Germany. It is hoped in this way that his friends will learn his address and write to him.
In future, the names and addresses of of the Brigade who are prisoners of war will, when received from the Chief Commissioner, be published in the GAZETTE. \ EDITOR.
37
The St. John Ambulance Brigade News
No. I (PRINCE OF WALES) DISTRICT
Members of the No. 30 (East London) Division, who find it necessary for business or other reasons to evacuate London, are reminded that it is not essential for them to transfer to their new local divisions, as by arrangement with the officer-in-charge all attendances at drills and duties are forwarded to No. 30' and recorded to the member's credit.
No. 2 DISTRICT MINEHEAD
The Long-Service Medal was recently presented by the Countess of Cromer (Lady County President) to three members of the Minehead Division. The recipients were :-Dr. W. Bain (Divisional and County Surgeon), Transport Officer G. H. Hawkins and Ambulance Officer H. S. Hutchings. A bar to his LO.Q.g-Service Medal was presented to Ambulance Officer W. J. Morse.
After congratulating members of the Division on the splendid work they were doing in Brigade and A.R.P., Lady Cromer gave an address on the activities of the Brigade personnel attached to First Aid Posts in Londgn, and testified to the magnificent service given by them and the high esteem in which they were held by the public.
Later, demonstrations of First Aid were given by members of the Minehead Ambulance and Cadet Divisions.
The Earl of Cromer, G.C.I.E., was among those •who attended the presentation.
No. 3 (EASTERN) DISTRICT LUTON
The Vauxhall Motors Ambulance Division' started the New Year with a special meeting, at which Superintendent Hunter spoke to members of the work immediately ahead.
He said that the Division were now doing public duties in Luton town as well as for their own Recreation Club, that there was a steady call for nearly a dozen members every week, apart from special events which 'arose from time to time. He strc::ssed the importance of all the Division's. 59 - uniforn:ed members playing their part in covenng such and looked for an increased attendance at drill and practices.
Superintendent Hunter announced that Mr. R. R. Hopkins, divisional secretary and transport officer, was presenting the Division with a cup for the member of the rank and file who put in the largest number of attendances in each year, that precise conditions would shortly be made known, but that in the meantime the " contest was on."
Returns for I 940 revealed that during that year the Division had put in 30 drills with an average attendance of 64. I 5I members had passed re-examination, and 17 1 now held anti-gas certificates-in addition to three L.A.G.C.J.'s.
NO·5 (NORTH-EASTERN) DISTRICT BEESTON
At a recent meeting of the Beeston Division Mr. A. H. Shapeero, president of the Division, presided, supported by District Officer A. G. Weller, Dr. S. M. Reddic k (Divisional Surgeon), Corps Superintendent C. Lewenden, Ambulance Officer G. W. O'Brien, and Nursing Officer Mrs. Gent.
Mr. Weller presented Mr. Shapeero with , his President's b adge and warrant, and Dr. Reddick with his warrant as Divisional Surgeon.
Responding to the toast "The Order of St. John
Midlands
The Division's four ambulances covered 9,297 miles during the year and moved 715 patients. Public duties totalled 175.
Maximum number of attendances had again been put in by Ambulance Officer R. McEvoy, with the Secretary drawing level by reason of transport duties.
Interested members were asked to take out sixmonthlY subscription to the ST. JOHN AMBULANCE GAZETTE. The cost-IS. 6d.-would be collected by the Secretary.
Dr. Butterworth is to continue with his occasional TalkS' which are planned for alternate Mondays at 7. 1 5 p.m. and Tuesdays at 6 p.m., and it is hoped that he will be able to visit the Division every eight weeks or so.
of Jerusalem," proposed by the President, Mr. Weller said that the St. John Ambulance Brigade had been • steadily growing for 55 years, and that though the founders had never visualised a catastrophe such as the present conflict, it was due to their great vision that the Brigade had been able to do pioneer work in training the A.R.P. Casualty Service. He urged those who had not taken the A.R.P. certificate to do so, and to go ahead with recruit classes and to consider organising a Cadet Division.
Beeston Division was formed 19 months ago. During 1940, lectures on an abridged course in first aid were given. The lectures were well attended.
Four members of the Division gave up their Christmas holiday in order to relieve four of their colleagues in London.
No. 10 DISTRICT
NORWICH
"The Chief Constable of Norwich, Mr. J. H. Dain, President of the Norwich Corps, has presented the Efficiency Service Medal to Divisional Superintendent W. A. Knox, of the Norwich City Division. Mr. Knox was home leave from the Navy where he has been serving in the Sick Berth since the outbreak of war.
The Norwich Services Club was recently opened by the Lord Mayor in the presence of a large number of Norwich citizens, who have given the Club, and members of H.M. Forces. The Club has a Sick Bay and Mending Bureau which are staffed time by members of the Nursing Divisions in Norwlch. The Sick Bay has been splendidly equipped by M. B. Beckwith-Smith (Chairman of the CommIttee and Lady County Superintendent of Oxfordshire). The Medical Stores have been supplied by the Norfolk Joint War Committee.
Mrs. Beckwith-Smith recently visited the Headquarters of the Brigade in Norwich and members of the Nursing and Ambulance DlVlSlOns. Dr. May Rutledge (Lady County Superintendent) welcomed the speaker and expressed gratitude for the great help which Mrs. Beckwith-Smith had given in equipping the Sick Bay at St. Andrews Hall.
Members of the newly formed Nursing Divisions at King's Lynn have purchased and equipped a Mobile Canteen with money raised by themselves.
Hints for First Aiders
(Continued fro m page 33)
plicated through handling. This is not always easy as the patient may be in a very awkward place for h.elp to get to him. It is a good idea to practise bandagillg patients in difficult places such as under. a table or in a narrow passage. It may not be posslble to put on all the splints and bandages needed, but somethino- must be done to prevent the broken ends of the bone from doing more damage. In the case ,of a broken leg it may only be possible to tie the ankles and knees together before the patient is moved. When he has been brought to a more convenient place the rest of the splints and bandages can be put on.
It is not always possible to tell whether a bone has been broken or not. Very few of the signs and symptoms may be found. But if there are any .of them it is right to treat the injury as a fracture. It IS better to treat a patient who does not really need it, than to fail to treat a patient who needs help.
RED CROSS AND ST. JORN FUND
39 ,, (Continued from page 17, January issue)
W orcestersrure farmers and persons closely associated with agriculture have subscribed £9,000 , to t?e Red Cross Agriculture Fund. From the Wiltshire farmers, contributions amounting to more than £6,580 have been for the Fund. amptonshire, from a senes of sales, has sent m £12,800. Hertfordshire has given £7, 21 3. has made a second contribution of £3,300, ralsmg Its total to £4,300: a further sum of £ 1,340, has come from a recent gift sale at Castle Eden. Lillcoln and clii;trict has sent over £8,300, and from Louth and district £2,900 has been received. The above .figures are those of only a selection of recent donations to the Agriculture Fund which is now well on the way towards £5°0,000.
Another recently recorded addition to t4e Red , Cross and St. John comes from the National Flag Day which was held in October last. A further sum of £10,000 has been handed to the Treasurer; making a total from the effort of £.80,000. Flag Day is a one-day dnve for the Fund-Indeed, in 1941, it will be one day out of whole year. The Penny-a- Week Fund is a very different form of contribution, being in fact continuous the year. One penny a week. in the IS a considerable sum when contnbuted steadily throughout the fifty-two weeks of the year by a numerous body of persons. To-day, the weekly collection of pennies is nearly £17,000, which a large sum over the year and indicates that In this form the appeal is responded to by a very large number of workers.
Red Cross Sales in various forms continue to make their contributions to the Fund. To date, the Committee has raised for the Fund a sum of £200,000. A great number of people must see,n and :nany will have responded to the Cotnmlttee s per.slstent appeal for old gold watches, ,ring.s and tnnkets. There is o-ood reason for making It. Out of the £200,000 ;aised by the Sales £70,000 has come from the sales of these articles. The Committee believes that much more can be raised from them. There is no fallin 0- off in the market for gold bullion, which is the bcondition in which these articles attain their value. So all who have old gold watches or rings or trinkets stored away' and lyinp idle can secure that they are used to good purpose if
AFTER THE "BLITZ JJ A St. John Ambulance Station in the
they will send them to the Treasurer, The Red Cross Sales Committee, 17, Old Bond Street, London, W.I.
The next sale by auction for the Red Cross and St. John Fund which is engaging the attention of the Sales Committee is the Red Cross Wine Sale. The date of the has not yet been settled, but it will be in the spring of the year. The sale will be at Christie's Auction Rooms and will be held by Messrs. Restell. It is, for convenience, termed a Wine Sale: a:ctually the items to be sold will comprise wines, spirits and cigars.
Those who would desire to make in kind a contribution or a further contribution for the benefit of the Fund are invited to send promises and particulars of gifts (but, as yet, not the gifts themselves) to the Treasurer, I7, Old Bond Street, W.I.
His Majesty the King and the Duke of Gloucester have promised gifts for the sale and the President of the Red Cross Sales, the Princess Royal, has notified the Committee that the Earl of Harewood is sending a gift of wine. •
RED CROSS SHOP
The Red Cross Shop at 17, Old Bond Street, under the direction of Nina, Countess Granville, with Miss Margaret Walker, O.B.E., as Red Cross Commandant, offers a variety of articles for purchase for the benefit of the Fund, from prices ranging upwards from There are attractively dlsplayed glass and china and silver, snuff boxes and vinaigrettes, games, including chessmen of delicate carving, lace, silk shawls, patchwork quilts of many brilliant colours, and screens to keep off all draughts. There also awaits the purchaser a sedan chair.
The Queen recently visited the shop and purchased an antique box, glass and silver, and a bracelet. The Duke of Kent has also been a customer.
PRISONERS LEAFLET REVISED
The General Post Office has issued a revised edltion of its leaflet P2280E which gives the regulations as to sending letters and parcels to British prisoners of war. It supersedes the previous issue and bears the indication P2280E (Revd. 59 82/4 0). The principal changes relate to sending letters by air mail, tobacco and cigarettes by relatives through firms holding a special permit, and to telegrams. There are minor changes in the regulations respecting personal parcels. A duplicate list of its contents must be put inside the parcel. Forms for this purpose are supplied with the tie-on label by the British Red Cross Society. More precise regulations are given respecting medicines or special remedies sent direct through their own chemists by relatives of prisoners to the Invalid Comforts Section at 14, Carlton House Terrace, London, S. W. 1. Copies of the leaflet can be obtained from Head Post Offices and are distributed to sub-Post Offices by the postal authorities. The leaflet is not a War Organisation issue, and applications for copies should not therefore be made to the Prisoners of War Department.
Two points may be emphasised respecting the dispatch of letters by air mail and of tobacco and cigarettes. Air mail letters only go by air as far as Lisbon. Thence they are conveyed by surface routes. While the air mail service is in some degree quicker than the ordinary service, the leaflet says that " the total time of transmission may still be lengthy." As to tobacco and cigarettes, urider the regulation, it should be noted that they are sent" duty free."
As to telegrams, the leaflet states that there is no telegraph service to prisoners of war. It adds that, in cases of grave emergency only, it is sometimes possible for the British Red Cross Society to send a message to the International Red Cross Committee in Geneva for it to pass on to its representative in Berlin to send to the prisoner concerned. Telegrams making enquiry regarding the welfare or whereabouts of prisoners of war cannot be sent abroad.
Such enquiries, as well as those relating to the dispatch of messages in cases of grave emergency, should be addressed, says the leaflet, to the British Red Cross Society, The Lord Chamberlain's Office, St. James's Palace, London, S. W. 1.
PURCHASE OF STORES
During the last fortnight of December, 1940, the sum of £131,551 was expended by the Stores Department on the purchase of stores, making a total expenditure of £1,886,580 for the first sixteen months of the war. Recent dispatches include 54 cases, 45 bales and 100 packages to hospitals in this country, 10 3 cases, 42 bales and 79 packages to convalescent homes and 429 packages to depots and work parties. Further consignments are being prepared for shipment to the Middle East, and equipment is being assembled for West Africa. Supplies are being regularly issued to Prisoners of War Packing Centres to meet their requirements.
SUPPLIES REPLACED
During the recent heavy air attacks on Manchester and Sheffield, many calls were made on the War Organisation'S Store at Sale for supplies for air-raid victims in these two cities. Necessary replacements are being promptly dispatched to Sale. In particular, substantial inroads were made on the stock of blankets held by the Stores Department. In addition to Sheffield and Manchester, Coventry and Southampton were supplied with large quantities. The two firstnamed cities alone took ten thousand blankets which were made available by the Department at a moment's notice.
RECENT GIFTS
. Two thousand gifts were received by the ·ComfortsCollection Department during the fortnight ended January 2. They included two hundred treasure bags each containing six Christmas gifts, which had been collected by Mr. Saunders, of Peckham.
Milton treatment of wounds T his proceeds by three stages:-
1. MILTON 500/0 DILUTION
Thorough cleansing and mechanical removal of all infected plasma proteids, necrotic tissue and pus. Milton dissolves this detritus and rapidly sterilises the clean surface. As a hypertonic saline it produces profuse fluid exudation.
" The process of mechanical cleansing is of " most advantage in wounds containing sloughs "and is well served by solutions containing "chlorine or liberating oxygen, both of which "tend to disintegrate and detach necrotic " tissue."-Lancet, Mcry 4, I940 .*
" The most rapidfy acting antiseptics are the " halogens and those liberating nascent oxygen."
-Lancet, April 27, I940 .*
" Profuse fluid exudation can be deliberatefy "produced by appfying hypertonic solutions " of salt."-Lancet, Mcry 4, I940 .*
2. MILTON 50/0 DILUTION
The clean wound is kept sterile by an isotonic
antiseptic protective layer, applied by dressing, 1!ogation or immersion. In this mil d aqueous medium a normal granulation proceeds and exudation ceases
" The proper vehicle for an antiseptic to be " applied to a wound is water, and the solution " should if possible be rendered isotonic."Lancet, Mcry 4, I940 ·*
3.
MILTON 1% DILUTION
The Milton s then reduced to ! per cent. at which dilution the hypochlorite has been found to actually stimulate cell-division and tissuegrowth, with consequent rapid healing. Mter debridement, this course of treatment is normally painless.
This therapy cannot be carried out with full success by the use of Dakin's solution or of Liq. Sod. Chlorin., owing to their causticity, their deficient saline content and to their varying strength of hypochlorite.
*Prevention and Treatment oj Wound Injection. Action oj Antiseptics on Wounds.
The approval by the Sub-Prior, the Earl of Plymouth, P.C, of the following appointments was announced at the meeting of Ambulance Committee of the Priory for Wales, Order of St. John, which met under the chairmanship of Dr. D. Rocyn Jones, CB.E., Director of Ambulance, at Priory House on Tuesday, January 27: Mr. H. A. Gray, Secretary of the Welsh Scout Council, as Commissioner for in place of Dr. T. E. Jones-Davies, who has relinquished office temporarily on account of war duties; County Officer Thomas Williams, as Assistant Commissioner (Temporary) of the Pontardawe County Area; and County Officer David Thomas, as Assistant Commissioner (Temporary), Aberavon County Area.
The 16, Examinations and Re-Examinations in First Aid and Home Nursing held in December brought the total number of examinations arranged by the Priory during 1940 to 1,4 55. The issue of a pamphlet to Class was the conditions goverrung the exanunatlOn fn the new Course based on First Aid in Coal Mines textbook drafted for the St. John Ambulance Association, the study of which is being sponsored by the colliery owners in the South Wales coalfield.
To qualify for examination for the certificates of the St. John Ambulance Association, candidates must have received instructions from a member of the medical profession, laymen not being recognised as lecturers; and a large proportion of this instruction is given voluntarily. For gratuitous services as lecturers the following doctors were elected to Honorary Life Membership of the Priory, which now numbers 185: Dr. -William Wallace Wilson (Surgeon, Hay Division) and Dr. Stephen H. Pugh (Surgeon, Builth Division), Dr. J. G. MacQueen (Rhyl), Dr. D. Lloyd Davies (Cardigan), Dr. Thomas E. Jones (Aberayron), Dr. Thomas J. Jenkins (HenHan) and Dr. Idris Davies (Surgeon, Ynysybwl Division).
A deputation was appointed to present a case to the Regional Commissioner, No.8 Civil Defence Area, for the purpose of securing a revision of the allowances to members of the Brigade enrolled in the Civil Nursing Reserve in comparison with those granted CN.R. Members outside the Ambulance Organisation.
Brigadier-General L. P. Evans, V.C, CB., D.S.O., attended by special invitation to explain the position of the Home Guard insofar as it concerns the male membership of the St. John Ambulance Brigade. The treatment of casualties was one of the problems which the Home Guard had under consideration; and he made it clear that the services of any trained First Aid men joining the Home Guard would be utilised as far as possible for such work. It was finally resolved that the Brigade personnel not already engaged in A.R.P. Services should be encouraged to join the Home Guard and that Brigade Div isions should offer the assistance of First Aid Instructors to local Home Guard Units.
Sanction was given to the formation of the following Nursing Divisions: Abertridwr, Blaina, Cwm<;:arn, Llanishen (Chepstow), Pengam, Y nysddu, Penydarren, Troedyrhiw and Pontlottyn, and Cadet Divisions at Dowlais, Penmaenmawr and Aberystwyth.
The Council of the Priory, meeting subsequently, passed a resolution of sympathy with the family of Dame Margaret Lloyd George, D.B.E,, ' Dame of the Order of St. John, whose lamented death deprives the Caernarvonshire Centre of the Priory of its Lady President. Council marked the Priory'S deep sense of loss also in the death of Major W. Owen Evans, M.B.E., Knight of the Order, Member of Chapter and Assistant Commissioner; and of Sir D. R. Llewellyn, Bt., Commander of the Order and Member of Chapter.
Major Sir William Cope, Bart., K.C, an Officer of the Order, was accorded a welcome as a new member of Council.
CADETS COMMENDED FOR GALLANTRY ·
The first Certificates of Honour awarded by the Chief Commissioner to Members of the Brigade in Wales for acts of gallantry and unselfish sacrifice in carrying out their humane duties in areas attacked by enemy bombers were awarded to Cadets R. Wilcox, L. Weeks and W. Rogers, Cardiff City Division. Details of the devotion to duty and courage of these lads are given on page 35 of this issue.
CENTRE REPORTS
MONMOUTHSH1RE CENTRE
Brigade Function at CWJJJcarn.-A most enjoyable evening was spent by members and friends of the Cwmcarn Ambulance and Nursing Divisions on January I I, the occasion being the Annual Social
FIRST AID OUTFITS
and Presentation of A wards, over which Alderman A. E. Meredith, J.P., presided.
The Hon. John H. Bruce, Commissioner for Wales, who presented certificates of appointment to Mr. Ben Owen, M.E., President, Messrs. Latimer Rees, M.E., and H. C. Ha1;ldy, M.E., Vice-Presidents, and Sergeant Walter Morgan, as Secretary, said he was delighted to see such efficient Ambulance Units in Cwmcarn, and was glad they had appointed a President and Vice-Presidents, who would be real live wires. The Commissioner gave an interesting account of the progress of the Brigade since its establishment, and the various activities which had been unqertaken to meet the needs of the times, instancing the many directions in which members were giving their services in the present day.
. the presentati?n of Certificates to newly qualified members by Miss H. Griffiths, Divisional President, medallions were presented by the Hon. Mrs. J. H. Bruce, Lady Staff Officer for Wales, who congratulated the women · on their success and said she was very pleased to know that so many of Cwmcarn Division have completed their 50 hours' and registered as Nursing AUXlliarles ID the CIvIl Nursing Reserve. She pointed out that there are nqw openings in Convalescent Homes a1;ld at the big London shelters, where the Nurses help to bring comfort to the parents and children, while Priory Headquarters would always be glad to offer scope to any member wh<;> desired more active service than rO\ltine Brigade dunes afforded; and concluded by reminding those present that there is more satisfaction gained by helping and being of service to one's fellows than by anything else in the world.
Corps Officer W. Osborne, in presenting urged the recipients to continue in the work, as knowledge of ambulance and First Aid was of inestimable service to them as miners.
Councillor K. Rogers distributed vouchers and Councillor Jack Davies medallions, Labels being presented by Mr. Latimer Rees, M.E., who expressed personal thanks as a colliery manager to the men 'whq were doing such good work.
Mr. William Tayler, who is in charge of the Cadets, paid tribute to Divisional SuperIDtendent ,H. O. Hemmings for his interest and help in forming a Cadet Division.
Mr. A. T. ·Winborne, Mines Rescue Station and Brigade A.R.P. Officer, congratulated Cwmcarn team, who had won the Junior Martin Shield competition, saying they regarded the Martin Shield as the blue riband of ambulance success, and Cwmcarn Division should be proud of the men who have brought it to them for the first time. Dealing with A.R.P., he said that when an appeal was made for volunteers the Ambulance workers were first in the field.
Mr Latimer Rees presented the Division with a silver cup on behalf of himself and Mr. H. C. Handy, for competition in the Division.
Ambulance Awards Presented at Tredegar.- The President of the Tredegar Division, Mr. W. D. Woolley, Managing Director of the Tredegar Iron <:oal Co., Ltd., and President of the Nursing DIvlslOn, Mrs. Woolley, attended the annual gathering on Saturday, January 18, when weather conditions prevented the attendance of the Commissioner for Wales, the County Commissioner and Assistant Commissioner. The guests included Councillor O. Jones, A.R.P. Controller for the No. 9 Area, Mr. D. W. Davies, Town Controller.
A Bar to the Service Medal awarded to the late Corps Superintendent James Leach was presented to his son, Mr. T. A. Leach, high tribute being paid to the services of the officer, whose memory would always be an inspiration. Service Medals were also presented to Corps Secretary J. H. Wilcox, Divisional Superintendent F. J. Whitcombe, Ambulance Officer G. H. Evans, Sergeant C. Humphries, Sergeant J. Harries, Corporal A. J. Fry, Privates W. T. Allen, W. T. Owens, C. Probert and H. Waters. Corporal D. G. Jones was the recipient of the Priory Vote of Thanks, granted in recognition of outstanding services, particularly in training teams for competitions.
Mrs. Woolley presented the warrants of appointments to the Officers of the New Nursing Division, congratulating the members on their standard of e$ciency and the good work being done in many directions Mrs. N. Philipps, the Lady Divisional Superintendent, reported that in addition to qualifying for First Aid, Home Nursing and Anti -Gas, the majority of the members had taken the training in hospital for enrolment in the C.N .R.
CITY OF CARDIFF CENTRE
The Commissioner for Cardiff, Squadron-Leader Edgar Llewellyn, M.B., submitted the following .feport to the annual meeting of the City of Cardiff Centre Committee, over which the Chairman, Alderman G. F. Evans, presided on January 21 :-
"In presenting my report for the year I 940, I find it a difficult matter to discriminate and express my thanks and appreciation for the excellent work carried out by all ranks during a very arduous and trying twelve months.
" Several Ambulance men from the Centre have seen active service in France and Norway, some of whom, I regret to say, lost their lives. When our Army was being evacuated from Dunkirk in June last, several ambulance trains arrived at Cardiff with sick and injured, and the careful and expeditious manner in which the patients were detrained and conveyed to Hospital was a credit to the organisation handled by Corps Superintendant J. McDonald (First Aid Officer for Cardiff under the Medical Officer of Health) and his staff of stretcher bearers.
44
WATCH YOUR OWN HEALTH!
Be prepared for excessive strain ALWAYS CARRY A PACKET OF
Pure compressed Glucose Tablets delightfully flavoured. Easy to carry about. Rapidly increases the amount of available energy.
REFRESHING
REVITALISING
SUSTAINING TABLETS
Pre-war value. 7d.perpkt. (Tax Paid) From all Chemists
• ASURE PROTECTION AGAINST EXPOSURE
I. Sore Throat Lozenges. Antiseptic Deodorant.
2 Friars Balsam Lozenges. An oldfashioned remedy in a new form.
3. Gly cerine of Thymol Lozenges. Like a gargle, but more pleasant.
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5. T.C.L.- Throat. Chest and Lungs.
6 Win-Tabs. A sure protection against winter ailments. GLUCOSE MEDICATIONS in 4d. ROLLS
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" Apart from additional duties, such as manning First Aid ·Posts, etc., the Brigade }:las . carried out its ordinary duties of attending cinemas, theatres, football matches and public functions, as in the past.
"Four new units were registered, bringing the total strength of the Cardiff and District Corps to 9 Ambulance Divisions, 6 Nursing Divisions, 3 Boy Cadet Divisions and I Girl Division.
"In June the Penarth Ambulance and Nursing Divisions were inspected by the Commissioner for Wales, supported, by Mrs. ,Bruce, at their new Headquarters, after which a tour of inspection was made to the Beach First Aid Hut, which is very efficiently equipped.
"Later in the year the first annual presentations of awards was held by the Whitchurch Ambulance and Nursing Divisions at the First Aid Post situated at the Mental Hospital. Since the units were formed in this area, great interest and enthusiasm has been shown on all sides. A large number of evacuees, children, are being trained at the schools by members of the divisions; such instruction is much appreciated by the pupils.
" A large number of our personnel is always in attendance at First Aid Posts and Casualty Clearing Stations throughout the city and many of the Nurses are on duty as CN.R. or auxiliaries.
"I wish to convey my sincere thanks to my Assistant Commissioners, County Officers, Divisional Officers and all other ranks for their loyalty and devotion to duty and the extra burdens they have undertaken on my behalf during my absence on R.A.F. service."
Alderman G. ' F. Evans presented the Meritorious Service Certificates awarded by the Chief Commissioner to Cadets R. Wilcox, L. Weeks and W. Rogers, whose gallantry during an air raid is reported on page 35 of this issue. He expressed the city's pride in and gratitude to these boys.
NEWS IN BRIEF
The revised t,extbook, "First Aid in Coal Mines," forms the basis of a Syllabus of Instruction and Special Examiner's Report Form to be issued shortly, advance copies of which can be obtained by application to this Headquarters. The course consists of a minimum of twelve hours' instruction. Members of the medical profession · only are recognised as lecturers, while the practical part of the instruction may be entrusted to a qualified layman. The examination is conducted by a medical practitioner on the same terms as those for First Aid. A Certificate is issued as the First ,A ward, but does not qualify towards the · medallion. Association Students and Brigade Members can qualify subsequently by passing a First Aid in Coal Mines Examination for the issue of a label once they are medallion holders; but in _ the case of the Brigade Member a successful re-examination in the Specialised Course will count no more than once every three years towards Brigade Efficiency, as he is intended to refresh his memory of First Aid more frequently for the sake of performing Public Duties.
OBITUARY
It is with deep re g ret that the Chief Commissioner records the death of Private E. Stubbs, of the Manchester Regiment, aged 2 I years. Stubb s, before being conscripted, was a member of the Padgate Division of the Brigade, and gave his life whilst living up to the Brigade motto "Pro Utilitate Hominum. "
During the month of June, 1940, when in action near Ypres, Stubbs saw that one of his comrades had been wounded and was exposed to heavy shell fire. Without hesitation he left the cover of his gunpit to go to the assistance of his comrad e, to whom he commenced to apply first aid. It was whilst doing this that he was mortall y wounded.
For his bravery in action Stubbs was r ecommended for the Military Medal, but owing to his death His Majesty's Government were un able to g rant it.
The Chief Commissi oner ann ounces with re g r et the death, after a long illness, of District Surgeon C H. Dix Hart, of the Rh o desia D i strict, at Bulawayo on September 6, 1940.
We regret to record the death of Mrs. Dunbar, former superintendent of No. 9 Nursing Division, Kensington, who died suddenly at her h o me in Exmouth on Januar y II, 1941.
Carolina Dunbar enrolled in the V.A.D. in May, 19 14. In 1915 she joined the Brig ad e in the Kensington Nursing Division, became its secret ary th e following year, and in 1917 w as promoted to Lady Ambulance Officer. In 1919 she became Serving Sister of the Order of St. John and was promoted to Officer of the Order in 1932.
During her service she took Certificates in H yg iene, Sanitation and Emerg ency Midwifer y, and g ained the Demonstrators Certificate. She was Lady Superintendent of the Division from 1922 to 1934, and all who served under her remember her with affection and admiration. .
After her resignation she accepte d the office of President of the Division and always kept up her interest in it, though often prevented b y ill-health from taking any active part in its work .
We regret to record the death of Corps Serg eantMajor H. Webb (Reserve).
Mr. Webb joined the Brigade in 1904. In 1915 he was a Staff Serg eant in the R.A.M. C at Reading Military Hospital. When demobilised in 19 9 he resumed S.J.A.B. work. In 1919 he was presented with the 15 years' service medal (he subsequently received four bars) and in 1921 he became a Brother of the Order of St. John. He was CorpsSergeant-Major to the Dudley and District Corps until he went on the Reserve in 1938. He also received the King George the Fifth Coronation Medal.
PRACTICAL BOOKS
by N. CORBET FLETCHER, M.B., B.C., M.A.(Cantab.), M.R.C.S.
AIDS TO FIRST-AID (7th Ed.)
First-AId Simplified and Tabulated with Aids to Memory. Price 1/- (Post2d.) EFFICIENCY IN FIRST-AID (3rd Ed.)
Problems in Study, Treatment and Examination solved for Senior Students. Price 1/- (Post 3d.)
COMMON ERRORS IN FIRST-AID
Errors in First-Aid Detailed and Explained. Price 1/- (Post 2d.)
WHY AND WHEREFORE IN FIRSTAID (5th Ed.)
Difficulties in Study and Treatment Solved by Question and Answer. Price 1/- (Post 2id.)
AIDS TO HOME-NURSING
Home NurSing Simplified and Tabulated, with Aids to Memory. Price 1/- (Post 2td).
AMBULANCE COMPETITION TESTS
Stretcher, Individ ual and Question.
(Post 2d.)
Obtainable from:
PRESS 19, CURSITOR STREET, LONDON, E.C4.
THE
St. John Ambulance Association
Its History and its Part in the Ambulance Movement
By N. CORBET FLETCHER, M A., M.B , M.R.C.S.
"This book, from cover to cove" is full of information of" greatest i nteres and imporlance to in the A mbulance M ovemenl.St. J obl\ :.ambulance Price 3/ 6 Postage 6d.
Stores Dept.: 8 T. J 0 H N '8 GAT E, LON DON, E. C • 1 •
CLASSIFIED ADVERTISEMENTS
Advert isem ents with remittance should be sent 10 the SI. John Ambulance Gazelle, 19, Cursitor 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 -AIRRDALR PRRSS, Bradford.
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URG
E NTLY WANTED.-B ACK NUMBERS OF THIS JOURNAL, d a t ed October, Nov emb er, D ecember, 1935.-
Send with p rice to The Publisher, THE ST. JOHN AMBULANCE GAZETTE, 19, Cursitor Street, London, E.C.4·
47
EVERYTHING FOR SAFETY EVE RYWHERE
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'PROTO'&'SALVUS' OXYGEN BREATHING APPARATUS
'PURETHA' GAS MASKS for Naval, Military and Industrial purposes and for Civilian use. ALL A.R.P. EQUIPMENT
DUST and SPRAY MASKS and all other Safety and Protective Devices.
SIEBE, GORMAN & Co., Ltd. LONDON, S.E.1. AU
OSTEOLOGY DIAGRAMS
AND WALL CHARTS FOR LECTURES
BOOKS ON AMBULANCE WORK FIRST AID AND NURSING H. K. LEWIS '" Co. Ltd. Medical Publishers and BookseUen 136 GOWER STREET, LONDON, w.e.)
FLt\G DA. Y EMBLEMS, BUTTONS &. BADGES, CARNIVAL GOODS. Price Lists on application. For all supplies write : THE · UNIVERSAL BUTTON CO., 13,15,17, Sura·tSt. Bethnal Green,E.2 Telephone: T elegram s : Advan ce 2254. U ni btltco, B eth , L ondon
e onset of the Influenzal Chill and the attack of sub-acute Rheumatism are a sharp pyrexia. Headache and ally severe. Analgesia and Antipyresis amount of depression are obviously s and uncombined aspirin a,re not always'ANADIN' Tablets advantage is taken of the ct of small doses ,of aspirinr phenacetin r caffeine and aining efficacy while lessening the risk of overdosage.
HOBSON &SONS
Il'OUND.D
date of issue.
Messrs. British Periodicals, Ltd., 19, I9a, Cursitor Street, London, E.C.4·
CONTENTS
- The " Dewar" Challeng e Shield Competiti o n Hints for First Aiders Brigade News Obituary Interesting Case Reports Questions and Answers Pro Utilitate Hominium \':{far Hospitals, Temporary H o spitals, and V. A .D. Emergency Hospitals
and various other complaints Priory for Wales Red Cross and St. John Organisatio n Talks on the M anual
Iodine has many uses n the prevention and treatment of war and winter complaints. Our new booklet" Health Hints for Wartime" de· scribes these uses fully.
Write for a free copy to-day IODINE EDU(ATl.ONAL BUREAU, Stone House, BishollSgate, London, E.C.2.
IODINE IS antiseptic the /0
Brigade, who would be in a position to answer enquiries concerning the activities of the Association, and more especially concerning classes that might be assembling in various parts of the County; in effect, an " Information Bureau."
In this way those anxious to join classes could be put in touch with organisers, and those wishing to form classes could be given full information as to how to proceed.
The following is the list of those who have kindly consented to act as Association County Secretaries. Revised lists will be published from time to time when necessary :-
CHANCERY OF THE ORDER, ST. JOHN'S GATE, CLERKENWELL, LONDON, E.C.I.
County Secretaries
The Chapter-General of the Order of St. John recently decided to appoint in each County in England a County Secretary representin g the St. John Ambu'In 0 S t e co 1'l 0 m i c a / lance Association. d t e It was felt that there should be in each County a omes tC us
A .
ch'h representatlVe
SSOClatlOn 111 c ose tou wit iii-iiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiii.iii=i,._r% the County Commissioner of the St. John Ambulance
BEDFORDSHIRE: E. Lucas Esq., 20, Clapham Road, Bedford. BERKSHIRE: Mrs. Porter, 18, Cross Street, Reading. BUCKINGHAi\1SHIRE: County Centre Secretary, W. Scott-Evans, Esq., "Ikoyi," Broombaro Lane, Great Missenden. CA.,vIBRIDGESHIRE: K. Maurice-Smith, Esq., M.R.e.S., L.R.e.P., Etheldreda House, Ely. CHESHIRE: J. A. K. Ferns, Esq., I2, St. Peter's Square, Stockport. Lieu t.-Colonel W. Blackwood, D.S O., M.B ., Tregenna, Camborne. CUMBERLMID: Lieut.Colonel W. B. Co ckill, T.D., M.D., Lindum Holme, Kendal. DERBYSHIRE: Captain L. E. Sutcliffe, M.B., Priory House, Newbold, Chester:6eld. DEVONSHIRE (Plymouth, S.W. Devon, and E. Cornwall): H. V. Miller, Esq., O.B.E., Central Ambulance Station, Greenbank, Plymouth. D EVONSHIRE (North, East and lYlid Devon) : Mrs. Taylor, 54, Victoria Street, Paignton. DORSET: Norman Heigham, Esq., Byways, Chaddelsley Road, Bournemouth. D URHAM: C. A. :Morton, Esq., I I, Tankerville Terrace, Newcastle-on-Tyne, 2. ESSEx: R. L. G. Templeman, Esq., Berriecourt, Galleywood Road, Chelmsford. GLOUCESTERSHIRE: H. J. Lewis, Esq., Hendre, Overton I?ark Road, Cheltenham. HAMPSHIRE: G A. Holt, Esq., County Headquarters, 28, Palmers ton Road, Boscombe. mREFORDSHIRE: F. Newton, Es q., De Lacy House, Hereford. HBRTFORDSHIRE: H. Langley Jones, Esq., 128, Clarence Road, St. Albans. HUNTINGDONSHIRE: Will be notified later. ISLE OF WIGHT: Miss E. M. E Caws, Seacroft, Queens Road, Ryde, Isle of Wight KENT: Dr. Frederick Wolverson, Medical Officer of Health, Church Road, Sittingbourne. LANCASHIRE: W. H. Harris, Esq., 39, Fishergate, Preston. LEIC ESTERSHIRE: County Centre Representative, Miss e. A. Ward, Ambulance Headquarters, Packe Street, Lou g hborough. LINCOLNSHIRE: County Centre Secretary l\liss e. E. Taylor, 13, Carlyle Walk, Lincoln. MIDDLESEX: Captain W. Goodley, O.B. E M.e., 12, Northwood \Vay, Northwood. NORFOLK: lvliss E. M. Lund, Cowper Mundesley. E. J. Hayward, Esq., " Rushay," Booth Lane, Weston Favel, Northampton. NOTTINGHA.,\1SHIRE: H. A. Went, Esq., 275, Southwell Road West, Mansfield, Notts. NORTHUMBERL.WD: e. A. Morton, Esq., II, Tankerville terrace, Newcastle-on-Tyne, z. OXFORDsaIRE: County Centre Secretary, H. M. Hinds, Esq., 2.7, Warn
borough Road, Oxford. RUTLAND: Will be noti6ed later. SHROP· SHIRE: W. W. Darlington, Esq., The End House, Kennedy Road, Kingsland, Shrewsbury. SOMERSET (East): F. _Syrawson, Esq., "Valetta," North Road, Bath. SOMERSET , (West); Bernatd Marsh, Esq., " Mullions," The Boulevard, Weston·superMare. STAFFORDSHIRE: E. E. Dudley, Esq., 2, Crawfurd Street, Fenton, Stoke-on-Trent. SUFFOLK: Miss A. Bohun Coulcher, Ambulance Station, Samuel Road, Ipswich. SURREY: County Centre Secretary, J. Garnett Harper, Esq., Ambulance ,Headquarters, Woodbridge Road, Guildford. SUSSEX: F. A. Trott, Esq., 16, Hurst Road, Horsham. WARWICKSHIRE: Major E. S. Phillips, D.S.O., 29, Jury Street, Warwick. WORCESTERSHIRE: Dr. C. Petvin Porter, 27, Church Street, Kidderminster. WESTMORLAND: Lieut.-Colonel B. Cockill, T.D., M.D., Lindum Holme, Kendal. WILTSHIRE: L. G. Bretsch, Esq., 37, Buller Street, Swindon. YORKSHIRE (East): County Centre Secretary, G. Hampson, Esq., 39, East Ella Drive, Holl. YORKSHIRE (North): County Centre Secretary, G. Richardsoo, Esq., 16, Emerspn Avenue, Linthorpe, Middlesbrough. YORKSHIRE (West): A. Waterworth. Esq., Ryshworth Hall, Crossflats, near Bingley
Correspondence
To the Editor, ST. JOHN AMBULANCE GAZETTE
DEAR SIR,-In answer to correspondence in the January issue of the GAZETTE I can beat the" record" stated by five years, having taken my First Aid examination in 1928-joined the No. 46 Division in 193o-became (I) Storekeeper; (2) Lady A mbulance Officer; and (3) Superintendent in I 938.
Yours, etc., (MRS.) FRANCES A. PHYPERS, Lady Divisional Superintendent, No. 46 (Enfield) Nursing Division.
To the Editor, ST. JOHN AMBULANCE GAZETTE
DEAR SIR,-In the January issue of the GAZETTE Reader" asked if anyone could beat the " record" of their Divisional Superintendent. I believe that Divisional Superintendent John E. Davies, of our Division-the Nelson Ambulance Division--can do so. This is the "history" of his promotions :-
Joined the Division 1924, at the age of 18 years; Corporal, 1926; Sergeant, 1929; Cadet Officer, 1932; and in 1935 he attained his present rank of Divisional Superintendent. He was nominated for Corps Superintendent last year but withdrew in favour of a senior officer. I might add that Superintendent Davies has passed his Grade A examination in A.R.P. and is Chief A.R.P. Officer and Lecturer for one of the largest collieries in South Wales. He devotes all his spare tim.e in lecturing to various war organisations in Nelson.
Yours, etc.,
SAMUEL HUGHES, Divisional Secretary, Nelson Ambulance Division.
To the Editor, ST. JOHN AMBULANCE GAZETTE
DEAR SIR,-Wit4 reference to " Regular ," recent letter,in the GAZETTE I believe the HrecOrd " , of .jones, the Divisional. :Superintendent "of ' the , Malvern ,Nursing 'Division, Will be of interest.,,: It.,is as " ,, ,,' ' ,
19;0. Joined Malvern Nursing Division.
1933. Was appointed Divisional Secretary and Treasurer.
1936. Was a member of the team which represented Malvern Nursing Division at London in the Brigade Finals of the Perrot Shield Competition. Won the Christopher Darby Shield in Hremorrhage Competition and obtained Grade II A.R.P. Certificate.
1937. Obtained Grade I A.R.P. Certificate.
1938. Was appointed Divisional Superintendent of Malvern Nursing Division at the age of 32 after only eight years' service.
During these eight years' service Miss Jones 's attendances at Practice averaged 49 per year out of a possible 52.
In addition, from 1934-1940 inclusive, she organised all Flag Days.
When she was appointed Divisional Secretary the Division was quite small; thanks to her hard work and untiring efforts it now has 76 members, an Auxiliary Reserve of 47 members and a Cadet Nursing Division of 34 members.
Yours, etc.,
ELAINE L. BUBB, Divisional Secretary Malvern Nursing Division.
•• W•• W'
:1': "George Medal" Awards i "
Pri vate Sidney Roy Goodwin, of 157, Tottenham Division S.J.A.B., has been awarded the :: George Medal for his gallant actions during :1: enemy air-raids.
:1: During a raid on Stoneley South, Goodwin, " with complete disregard for his personal safety, rendered invaluable service in rescue work amid " falling shell splinters. On another occasion, when a public shelter received a direct hit he rescued " a casualty after a two hours' search 4I the : , " wreckage, then laboured continuously rescuing I. injured shelterers until he collapsed from " 1: exhaustion.
i: Goodwin also crawled under the wreckage , :.; of a house and rescued a casualty. He had to , " crawl out backwards with the injured person :, :, as the passage-way was collapsing. He was I' ,', severely cut about the hands. He and another I: stretcher-bearer were prevented from re-entering II :: the house to rescue another victim by the caving in.
! , Divisional Surgeon H. ,N. Gregg, M.B.', Ch.B., , :: :: M'.R.C.S., South Warwickshire Corps, ." awarded the George Medal for gallantry on the " '; , p,ig4,t 14-15, 1940, at Coventry: ,, ', ::t
HOME NURSING PAGE
THE IDEAL NURSE
By ALICE M. PENNELL, O.B.E., B.Sc., M.B., B.S.
I have had some examples recently of how few people know how to make people comfortable when illness confines them to bed at home and real nurses are unobtainable.
People who have proudly passed their First Aid and Home Nursing examinations, probably with flyin g colours and congratulatory words from their gratified instructors, feel competent to deal with any family ailments, however painful and severe, to the bewildered discomfort of the unfortunate patient and his much-hampered recovery.
How to make a bed with no one in it is quite easy, of course; but then what happens is the poor victim is alr eady in bed-a bed made without a draw-sheet or mackintosh, and resents the unpractised efforts of the amateur to roll him from side to side, and insert a cold, clammy, just washed and imperfectly dried mackintosh with a thin crinkled sheet over it. The aching bones of 'flu, the extreme malaise with a temperature of some other complaint, the headache and discomfort of a developing chill, are disregarded by the would-be "home nurse," who bungles her bedmaking, and only succeeds in making the poor patient feel ill-used and much worse in every way.
It needs imagination-the ability to put yourself into the patient's place, as well as knowledge of what to do, based, if not on personal experience, at least on what you have learnt, to be able to do what has to be done with skill and gentleness, and to make the patient welcome your arrival instead of dreading it.
It is worth while practising the making of a bed with a person in it. If possible, choose someone who will point out your mistakes, who will not accept discomfort complacently, who will lie like a log and not help you, and see how well you can accomplish your task. Then see that the patient's night-wear is clean and comfortable, that the pillows are as he finds restful; in this cold weather, see that warmth is ensured by hot bottles in the bed, placed so that they do not burn the patient, beforehand to see if they are water-tight. If the patient is old he or she may like a light shawl over the head and over the shoulders. Don't ask a lot of questions: use your eyes and other senses, and act gently and sympathetically. Make decisions yourself and act. If any part of the body or limbs is painful, if a limb is broken or wounded, use a cradle if one is handy;
if not, improvise one, as your books tell you. See that inside the cradle a light shawl keeps the part warm. Do not let the patient face a window, and see that any .light in the room is not in the patient's eyes.
If there is an open fireplace in the room, make as little fuss and noise as you can in stoking it.
Do not leave unnecessary things by the bedside. The bedside table should be left for feeding cups or medicine glasses, or the thermometer and perhaps a glass of water or milk, according to the patient's needs. If the throat has to be touched at intervals, keep a clean, covered tray with throat swabs or dressed probes, and a kidney bowl for gargling, on a side table. Similarly, an eye-bath or eye lotions and droppers, if those are to be used. Everything should be sterilised and then covered over with clean (sterilised) cloth in readiness for use. A bowl of disinfectant, a clean towel and hot water for the doctor and the person a!!ending the patient, are imperative in all infectious or skin complaints. If wounds are to be dressed, sterilised instruments and dressings, swabs, gauze, cotton wool must be in readiness; also rubber gloves. Thermometers should stand in clean lotion in a small glass with cotton wool in the bottom of it. Temperature charts, on which the temperature must be charted as often as the doctor orders, and on which pulse, respirations, motions and amount of urine passed should be entered, shouldbe kept away from the patient's sight. (N.B.-Learn how to examine urine.)
Ventilation without draughts must be secured, and quiet. The patient should have his medicines given regularly, as well as his feeds. For the latter, if liquid, a feeding cup is best. Practise using one with a more or less helpless person. The nurse stands, for example, on the patient's right, slips the left arm under the pillow, having turned the patient's head slightly to the right. With the feeding cup half full, held in the right hand, the spout is introduced into the patient's mouth and th e cup slightly tilted so that a mouthful is swallowed. The left arm at the same time slightly raises the head on the pillow. It is well to g o slowly to prevent the patient choking. But if he is not very ill he may like to take a long drink ; then he may himself help to hold the cup. Always tuck a little towel or cloth under the patient's chin before giving him a feeding cup.
Be very and careful in following directions I?ediclnes. Never guess measures; count mlrums If you .have no mU:i:n glass; use a teaspoon or !f your mediclne glass is not marked. putting cotton wool on a probe or " swab snck for touching throats, so that the cotton wool does r:ot come off when you apply a medicament to a tonsIl, for example.
C?ne of the difficult tasks for an amateur is the g1Vlng .of. a bedpan. For the patient's comfort see that this IS warmed before use. Learn to insert it under the patient's buttock with one hand while raise pelvis with the other. Then cover the panent while. he it. Keep bedpans clean; swill them out. WIth disinfectant lotions after emptying and washing.
Try anticipate the patient's wants. Have his or ?r i-!orlick's ready at stated nmes If he IS on a liqwd diet; or his other food as ordered ?y the d?etor. Refresh him by morning and washings; sponge his hands and face after a feed If necessary. See that his hot bottles are S=hange his garments gently, after rubbing hlffi down, If he sweats.
If he is well enough to be read to and wants it choose cheery books-not war news always. any good news you have with him· amuse him· do r:ot bring the family or domestic ;roubles to bedSIde, and certainly not family or domestic disputes.
I[ you do not trust your own judgment or exask the doctor to give you a timetable for his wounds, if any, glVu:;g him his medicine, etc.) and snck to this: Don t fuss the patient. Don't tidy the room. nOls.lly. :!?on't sing or hum in his room. the panent .IS a child he will like you to sit beside hilll when he IS awake, to comfort him if he is in pain. Even grown-ups, as a encouraging sympathy cheerful, even If SIlent, companionship. Let 0e panent and physically as much as Practzse taking and charting temperatures reSpltatlOns, This. is important. ' Also if can a vlcnm, pracnse giving the bedpan. It IS Important that every home nurse should learn how to give a .blanket bath. This, too, is a matter that needs pracnce. ,
Do not leave a very sick person alone for long. Someone must be at hand to help if a crisis should oceu!, or to attend to some urgent need.
Kidney. basins, with their attendant cloths, may have hastIly to be put near the patient's mouth if he feels sick. Poultices may have to be made in a hurry to pain. Steam kettles may have to be started to chest congestion. The patient may and. restoring. Some sudden change In his may necessitate an urgent t? the doctor, so It IS alwa,ys well to leave some illt.ellige?-t person beside the patient, not always fixing his gaze on the patient's face, but near enough to be able to note any need for immediate help or action.
54
Quiet, . warmth (in cold weather), the assurance . that effiCIent and. kindly. service is at hand-thes?nd x:uade formatlOns of both Ambulance and play a part In helplng the patient to recover,Nurslng DlvlslOns.
Be thoughtful, patient, gentle, cheerful In October, 1940, the first number was published and but do not flatter yourself that" kind. of a " Quarterly Gazette," a well got-up and instrucness which indulgence in forbiddentive periodical of 22 + X pages with a distinctive cover. foods, or the OmlSSlOn of unwanted medicines willThis is being distributed free to all Members and be of any real help. The result !nay be tragic!) Associates of the South Indian Centre of the Association, and will no doubt be eagerly subscribed and read l iFl=============;:======-:,by Brigade members.
OVERSEAS NEWS
I Reports show that during 1939-40 new Ambulance I-======================J Divisions have been formed at Anantapur, Trichinopoly and Vizigapatam; while Nursing Divisions, nonJAMAICA DISTRICT existent before 1939 have been formed, five in Madras
At the first annual meeting of the Jamaica Ce tr itself, two at Trichinopoly, one each at Coonoor and of Association ?eld on Decemb er I, 1940, another is about to be registered chair was taken by His Excellency Sir Arthur Richa d 1ll the Anamaliais. Alto ge ther a very remarkable Govern.o r of Jamai ca, who had been largely and one that calls for the very g reatest mental In the foundation of the branch. congratulatlOn to the officers and members concerned.
It was reported that after one year of work that a cash of £166 was in hand after payment of expenses. Also that no less than 293 Fust and 234 Home Nursin g Certificates had been gained.
The "Dewar" Challenge Shield COIllpetition (1935)
INDIVIDUAL PRACTICAL (With Oral).
C?ne Ambulance Division was at Kingston du.nng the year, and four Nursln g Divisions were bel-?-g formed, of which three have already been Time Limit, 15 minutes. Warning at 12 minutes. Viva Voce , regIstered. 3 minutes.
In his address His Excellency said: "I should OFFICER OR MEMBER ie. like to say on behalf of the Government of this CARD OF INSTRUCTION. You are living in a flat over a florist's shop, and are just about to retire for the night, when the tradesman's wife hurries in, in great distress, and asks you to come and help her husband, an elderly man, whom she has just found l ying on the floor of his shop. Take your haversack with you and act as you should.
country how much we appreciate what has been done by these services. Four Nursing Divisions have been lrutlated and you will see that the St. Andrew and Constant Spring Divisions have both of them done work at the Public Hospital where as you know, there is always work to be done, an'd I see that the average monthly attendance in the case of the .St. Andrew Nurs!ng has been 13 2 There IS. also the Sodality DlvlslOn of Winchester Park, which works on Sundays at the Public Hospital ar:d in addition has done excellent work at Camp. When you think that the ladies who gIve theu services in this way very often have done a work in office first, I think it is an extremely to those who say that there is no public In community. I am also glad to see there IS a Kingston y. y;.C.A. Nursing Division which Mrs. , Ansell Hart IS In the process of putting
the finishing touches on."
INDIA
No. 4 DISTRICT
NO.4 District, which comprises Madras Carnatic T ' , ravancore and North Circas Provinces-an enormous area, where until 1939 no Divisions had been formed outside of Madras City itself-has of recent months, under the stirring leadership of Major.Norman Wilson, C.LE., O.B.E., LM.S., COmmlSSlOner, and Mrs. E. C. Dibdin, O.B.E., S.R.N., Lady District Superintendent, out
DESCRIPTION OF A CASE.
A florist while making a wreath, has placed the wire frame on a bent nail on which is resting a piece of frayed flex attached to an electric table-lamp, and has received a severe electric shock.
In falling unconscious his back is pierced at the level of the twelfth dorsal vertebra by the blade of a pair of scissors lying on the floor; this penetrates to the spinal cord, causing slight damage, and giving rise to some loss of sensation in the legs; the blade remains embedded in the back, and on being withdrawn, the tip is found to be broken off. There is an electric bum of the fingers and palm of right hand.
STAGING OF TEST
Simulate a florist's window. Work bench in front of window , on which are lyin g materials and tools used in wreath-making. A large nail projects from the edge of the bench, round which is wound the frayed flex of an electric table-lamp standing on the bench. A partly-made wreath is also hanging on the nail. Lamp is switched on: bulb fused. The elderly patient, dressed in singlet and trousers, lies on his back on the floor. Large scissors, with one blade broken, adhere to his back. Electric stove in room, also telephone.
DETAILS OF TEST. Max. Marks.
I. Rapid approach 1
2. Further enquiries from wife (" H e 71Ja.r making Ivr ea/h," and points to same)
3. Speak to patient (No respol/se)
4. Touch patient (No r esponse)
5. Enquire colour of face (Pale)
6. Test breathing (A bsent)
7. Take pulse (Rapid and weak)
8. Examine air passages (No obstructions)
9. Turn on to face (nJith great care) .,
10. Discover scissors
I!. Remove scissors (Note broken poil//)
12. Apply artificial respiration 2
13. Direct wife to switch off lamp at plug
14. Enquire re visible hremorrhage (oozing jrom wound) t
15. Direct wife to iodine fingers and apply iodine and dressing to wound It
16. Enquire condition of patient (if artificial respiration satisjactory, breathing starts in two minutes)
17. Direct wife to switch on electric heater t
18. And to bring blankets m; and hot-water bottles (I) It
19. Enquire condition of pa tient (Consciousness returning) t
20. Warn patient to lie still m; and hold smelling salts to no se (I) tI
2 I. Encouraging words to patient and wife .,
22. Enquire condition of wound (Blood oozing through dreSfing )
23. Apply fresh dre ssing over first one and bandag e lightly
24. Enquire and discov er some bss of sensation in legs 25. Discover able to move legs with some cli.fficulty
Cover with blankets Cf), and apply
Q.-In what ways may the spine be fractured?
A.-By
A.-By
Q.-Io
A.-By
Hints for First Aiders
-Especially for Cadets
By N. S. B. VINTER, M.B., B.s., Corps Surgeon, County of Bristol No.2 Corps
The bones of the shoulder, arm, forearm and hand can, of course, be broken anywhere, but there are certain places where fractures are more common. They can be caused either by direct violence, when the bone breaks as the direct result of a blow to it; by indirect violence, when the shock travels along another bone which doesn't break; or by the violent use of the patient's own muscle.
One of the commonest fractures is that of the clavicle, when the patient falls down on his hand. The bones of the forearm and arm take the shock lengthwise and do not break, but the clavicle is fixed at its inner end to the breast bone, and when its outer end is forced back violently something has to break. The clavicle usually breaks nearer its outer than its inner end.
Animals which use their front limbs for jumping, such as horses, dogs- and cats, have no collar bones. If they had, they would be broken every time the;y landed from a jump on their front legs.
The shoulder joint is not a very strong joint. The head of the humerus is much larger than the socket on the scapula. This allows of very free movement of the arm in all directions, which is necessary in using our arms; but it also allows the joint to be dislocated more easily than many other joints.
It is often found that besides a fracture of the upper end of the humerus there is a dislocation of the shoulder joint. This may be very difficult for a first aider to spot, as the signs of a fracture are more easily seen than those of the dislocation. But if the normal round shape of the shoulder has disappeared, and it looks fiat, it is probable that the head of the humerus is not in its proper place.
This is a complicated fracture, and is often known as a fracture-dislocation.
Fractures in the middle of the shaft of the humerus are most often caused by direct violence, that is, by a blow on the arm. The bone usually breaks more or less straight across.
Important nerves and blood vessels run very near the humerus, and these may be injured by the jagged ends of bone. An injll-ry to the nerve will cause a loss of movement in the hand as the nerve supplies the muscles which work it. There will also be loss of sensation in part of the forearm and a hand.
If a big blood vessel has been torn there will be a great deal of swelling around the fracture, and the
loss of blood under the skin may be so severe thai
may lead to very severe crippling of the hand, partly DWing to the difficulty of getting the many broken bits to join up straight, but also to the wound being poisoned by germs into the wound from 0- e skin. Thorough cleamng of the wound and the skin around it by a first aider goes a long way to prevent this poisoning and will help to keep the usefulness of the injured hand after a serious accident.
The St. John Ambulance
Brigade News
the patient will show signs of internal bleeding. At the lower end of the humerus there is the joint which may complicate a fracture by being No. OF WALES'S) DISTRICT dislocated. There are, too, many little points of bone The followillg IS an extract from the. annual. on the humerus radius and ulna which may be brokenof No. 104. Bor:)Ugh ?f Bexley DIVISlOr:. off and make it very difficult to tell exactly what has Lectures In Fust Aid, Home Nursillg and antlhappened. Swelling takes place quickly, and theregas have been held. Number 40.0' many of are the signs of a dislocation as well as those ofwhom successfully passed their eXamlnatlOn. 1,399 There will be pain, loss of power, irregu, den:onstrations were given by nurses. 41 9 lanty of the bone, but fixity of the joints rather thandutles were covered and 472 attendances at climcs abnormal mobility, and crepitus may be heard if theand local hospitals were recorded. patient attempts to move the injured limb. Clothing, bedsteads and beddi.r:g have been col-
In treating such an injury it is very important no t lected for the benefit of casualtles. Nurses have to bind on the splint too tightly, but to allow for the contributed to the Spitfire Fund, Red Cross .and St. swelling, especially if it is likely to be some time John Ambulance Fund, and formed theu own before the patient is seen by a doctor. The rule, National Saving Gro.up.. that the arm should not be splinted unless the patient Members of the DlVlSlOn are also staffing Flrst Aid has to be moved is a very necessary one. posts.
Occasionally a fracture by muscular violence happens to the radius. This is most likely to happen if a strong man uses his arm in an unaccustomed way .A,t annual meetlng of No. 4 6 Enfield Nursillg The jerk causes the bone to break. The bone does not DIvlslOn the secretary, Mi.ss Clark, fi:v e break straight across, but is broken spirally as if the had been dunng tJ::e year In Aid, bone has been violently twisted. one ill Home one ill A.R.P. (antl-gas), The forearm is one of the most likely places to the beillg Dlvls:onal Surgeon Dr. J. .C:. B. have a greenstick fracture. It may be of one or of Brass,. Nursillg Officer Miss Oates, and the DlvlslOnal both bones. The deformity of the limb, and ' the Mrs. Fra.nces A. Phypers. irregularity of the bone are very obvious. The age The Supenntendent Said that several new members of the patient and the fact that there is no abnormal been enrolled and that all the officers., ambulance mobility show that the bone is not broken right SIsters, an? probatl.oners across, but is partly broken and partly bent. carryIng out working. at Fractures around the wrist may be very difficult to Posts or at the SIck bay, Fust discover as they are often impacted. One broken Aid .to fello,w and other Injured persons. end is driven into the other, and the usual signs of a Miss E. cont1nues to be the secretary. the fracture may not be found. At the same time the A.R.P. AUX1liary to. the DrV:lslOn, fracture is likely to be complicated by a dislocation. most. of whom are working at Fust Aid Posts ill the Such a fracture-dislocation is fairly common when the locality. , , hand is stretched out to save a fall, and the whole The DlvlslOn IS now trrunlng members of the weight of the body coming on the forearm forces the Enfield Youth Setvlce Corps and looks forward to hand back too far. It also happens if the starting another successful year. handle of a motor engine is forced back against the hand by a back-fire.
The bones of the palm of the hand, and the bones of the fingers are most likely to be injured in crushing accidents when the fracture is compound and comminuted. There is a wound of the hand, and the bones are broken in several places. Such accidents
Mr. Brooke gave figures which .revealed the ness and interest of officers and members. Smce September 83 examinees have obtained First Aid certificates or other qualifying awards; 18 probationary members have undergone training and are now qualified; 20 members have passed the annual re-examination; 33 members have been awarded the First Aid Certificate for air-raid service and antigas treatment; while six members of Ca?et Division at the age of 16 have taken the Semor.Flrst Aid Certificate in the St. John Ambulance BrIgade and a similar certificate in anti-gas. Another interesting feature of the work has been the instruction of the senior classes in the Church Day School by Mr. A. W. Wilkins.
Application has been made for the registration of a Cadet Division, which already has 20 members. Mr. Brooke spoke in the highest terms of the work done by officers and members. He to the Committee that as an incentive to the mamtenance of the high standard already attained a trophy to be competed for every half year by the Stretcher Squads would be a great help The would be grateful for the gift of a SlIver cup or shield for this purpose and any offers should be made to Mr. G. Brooke, Manchester Road.
There is also urgent need for financial help. The Committee and a few friends have already subscribed over £60 and they appeal subscriptions to assist an organisation which is capable of doing vital work in peace and war. Subscriptions may be sent to Mr. A. L. Turner, Maitlands, Chapel-en-le-Frith, or Mr. H. Hadfield, Westminster Bank, Limited, Chapelen-Ie-Frith.
No. 7 DISTRICT (COUNTY OF HEREFORD) KrnGTON
Aithough Ambulance Nursing Divisions have not long been in existence, the work of the Brigade has forged ahead so rapidly that .a Cadet Ambulance Division has been formed, and It reflects great credit upon the work of Corporal L. Davies and Hon. Sergeant C. A. Caudle that a small market town of this size has been able to form a Cadet Division with a strength of 24·
The Cadet Division was officially brought into being when Acting County Commissioner, G. N. Bullock) and County Officer, H. J. Harris, attended a display of First Aid given by the lads in the presence of their parents.
No. 5 DISTRICT (CHAPEL-EN-LE-FRITH DIVISION)
An encouraging report of the activities of Chapelen-Ie-Frith Division, registered in September, 1940, with a nucleus of 16 members, was presented recently by Divisional Superintendent Gilbert Brooke.
After the display, the Acting County Commissioner cono-ratulated those responsible for the formation of the°Division and expressed his pleasure at the efficiency shown by members. He then presented certificates to those who had passed their first year examinations and stated that he \J,Tould follow the future of the Division with great interest.
No. 8 (DUKE OF CONNAUGHT'S) DISTRICT
RAMs GATE
The following is an extract from the annual report of the Ramsgate Town Division:- '
In spite of the large number of people who have left the town and nearby districts the work for the year ending December 3 I, 1940, has been greater than was anticipated.
No less. than. 15 members are serving in H.M. SIX are In the where their previous tralrung IS an asset. A further fifteen members have !eft the The remainder, except one who is ill th.e aUXIliary FIre Service, are in the Local Casualty ServlCes.
Forty-nine drills have been held with an average attendance of 14· 5.
Of the work of the Cadet Ambulance Division Cadet Superintendent Norris says :-
" The strength of the Cadet Division for the past
was 24 members, with an additional 28 probat10ners up to June 2, when, owing to evacuation of the schools, nine cadets and all the probationers went away. Attendances at drills and lectures were good up to September, when they were temporanly suspended. These drills have now been resumed and have an added interest as cadets are participating in the public duties performed by the adult division.
An appeal to boys between the ages of I and 17 to come along and be trained in First Aid and ambulance work was included in the report of Cadet Sergeant W. G. R. Norris, who is with Chatham House School at Stafford.
No.
9 DISTRICT (COUNTY OF NORTH, EAST AND MID-DEVON)
.La?y District Officer Mrs.' M. Neal, of Sind (India), Dlstnct N.o. I I, is home on leave, and has been attached to the Palgnton Nursing Division for the period of
her leave. In the list of New Year Honours Mrs Neal's name appeared as being the recipient of th Kaiser-i-Hind Medal.
Lady County Officer Miss F. K. Wood has bee n appointed Supervising Matron for First Aid Post1 and Casualty Services to the M.O.H. of the City o! Exeter.
Lady County Officer Mis-s D. Whitehead, who wa! given six months' leave of absence in order to under, take duty at a First Aid Post in London, has returne d to duty in the County.
The Brigade is represented on the County Waf Organisation Committee by the two County l?resi. dents, Lad y Clinton and Lady Dunbar-Nasmith, County Commissioners Hedley Miller and H. ]. Vick, and the Lady County Superintendents Mesdames
Biles (Deputy Mayor), Mrs. (Lady District Superintendent).
The following is an extract from the Secretary's report for 1940 :-Personnel, 60; public duties, 940 ; 999 hours hospital duty; 1,320 hours voluntary work at First Aid Post; 46 Divisional meetings. During the year several members have given assistance with First Aid classes to local organisations and in the villages.
The Treasurer gave a satisfactory report.
The following awards were presented: 48 pendants, 29 labels, 19 medallions and 98 certificates.
Mrs. Bartlett presented Divisional Surgeon Dr. Cooper with a table lighter from the Division on his promotion to County Surgeon, and thanked him for the assistance he had given the Division.
COUNTY OF SURREY
CHERTSEY AND ADDLESTONE
The annual meeting of the Chertsey and Addlestone Division was held recently, under the chairmanship of Superintendent Gristock, supported by Hon. Sergeant W. F. Hooks, Divisional secretary, and Ambulance Officer Divisional treasurer. The following are extracts from the reports of the Superintendent and Secretary.
OBITUARY
We regret to record the death of Lady Divisional Superintendent Miss A. Hansley Smith, M.B.E., whose record of service, both for length of time and for honours received, can rarely have been surpassed. Miss Hansley Smith enrolled in NO.9 (Kensington) Nursing Division in 1899, was transferred to No. IS (Whitehall) Nursing Division in 1912 (in which year she was promoted to the rank of Lady Ambulance Officer) and in 1918 to No. 14 (Craig's Court) Nursing Division. In 1927 Miss Hansley Smith was asked to take charge of No. 13 (Croydon) Nursing Division as its Lady Superintendent.
For the last 18 months of her life Miss Hansley Smith was Commandant of No. 5 First Aid Post, attached to Streatham Hill Congregational Church, where her work endeared her to large numbers of helpers and friends.
Hiss Hansley Smith was awarded the Service Medal in 1914 and the appropriate bars in 19 19, 19 24, 19 29 and 1934, the fifth bar being due for 1939· She held the King Edward VII. and King George V. Coronation Medals and the Silver Jubilee Medal issued in 193 5; she was appointed a Serving Sister of the Order in 1925 and promoted to the Grade of Officer in 1937. For her work at Devonshire House in the last war she received her decoration as M.B.E.
Balsdon and De la Pryme. The latter is acting as Commandant of the first Convalescent Home to be opened in Devon by the War Organisation under the Ministry of Health Scheme. This Home is staffed by members of the Nursing Divisions in Devon, with the exception of the Matron.
A Nursing Division has been registered at Sidmouth, making the fifth new Nursing Division registered in 1940.
A :t:-Jursing Cadet Division will shortly be registered at Bnxham, the members of which are mostly girls evacuated from London.
WEYMOUTH
The presentation of awards was recently held at Bngade Headquarters. Those present included Dr. Cooper (County Surgeon), Mrs. Cooper (Lady County Superintendent), Mrs. Shewell (President), Mrs. Davison (Vice-President), Councillor
Supt. Gristock thanked the men for the way in which they had attended the Chertsey depot and other points, adding that there had been a regular attendance every night since the outbreak of war. 100 per cent. had passed the re-examination in First Aid and A.R.P., and he congratulated the Airscrew on becoming a Division.
The Divisional Secretary stated that night duties under the A.R.P. scheme were being carried out at Chertsey depot, Addlestone and Woodham First Aid Posts. A.R.P. lectures were now being held by the Chertsey class by the Divisional Superintendent, and an examination was held in March, and ten members gained their Home Nursing certificates.
Thirty-eight cases were treated this year, 15 of which were road accidents and 15 required hospital or doctors' attention. Two re-examinations were held and all members passed, and the thanks of the Division were due to Dr. Mcquade, who took them.
Second year certificates were presented to several members b y Mrs. Street, of Addlestone Nursing Division.
We regret to record the death of Miss Clarice Collihole, Lady Ambulance Officer, of the Torquay Nursing Division, after a long and painful illness. She was appointed Lady Ambulance Officer in 193 8 , and in the early past of 1941 became the first Ambulance Officer of the Division. She was the leader of the winning team in the first contest for the " Gray Cup" at Exeter in November, 1937. Her loss to the Division is greatly regretted.
We reO'ret to record the death of Ambulance Officer b W. Scrivens, of the Hereford City Ambulance
59 Division. Mr. Scrivens was a keen ambulance worker and had devoted many years of his life to this work. He took part in the finals of the Dewar Shield and many of the National Railway competitions, and it was larO'ely due to his efforts that the work of the b St. John Ambulance Brigade prospered in Hereford. He will be greatly missed in the City ambulance circles and leaves behind many friends who will always cherish his memory.
BRISTOL SOUTH CA DET NURSING DIVISION figures left to right:, Miss W. Coleman, Vice President; Miss M. Sarah, Lady Corps Officer Miss A. Coleman, Officer 10 Charge; Miss E. Nickless and Miss E. Weeks, Lady Cadet Officer;
[
Interesting Case Reports ]
CASE REpORT No. 175.-The Officer-in-Charge of the of Somerset S.].A.B. reports the efficient performa.r:ce of flrst aid on ] anuary 15 by a member of the Minehead Division in the following circumstances :-
At a fire in the woods on the North Hill two civilians were overcome md asphyXiated by smoke fumes whilst helping to beat out the flames. Ambulance Officer H. S. Hutchings, who was present as a member of t;he Minehead Fire Brigade, promptly removed both from the .fumes a?d applied artificial respiratlOn to .one paoent whilst instructing bystanders to apply to the second patient. Working between Hutchings kept artifiClal resplraoon gOIng unol the arrival of the motor ambulmce, when both were removed to hospital, where they were admitted and detained for a week. is no doubt that but for the prompt treatment gIven by Ambulance Officer Hutchings both these cases may have had more serious results. correct p'erjormance of artificial respirarequzres constant practzce and experience teaches that It IS too done unsatisfactorilY alike in examination and In competztzon. In these circumstances Ambulance o..fIicer H. Hutchings merits cordial congratulations on hzs successful treatment of two aspf?yxiated patients.-
N. C. F.
CASE REpORT No. 17 6.-The Officer-in-Charge of the County of Plymouth, South-West Devon and East Cornwall S.].A.B. reports the efficient performance of first aid on October 25 by members of Plymouth Corps in the following unusual CIrcumstances :-
At an extensive civil engineering operation in progress here, a workman fell down a tube into a subterranean caisson (a large concrete chamber) which being sunk many feet below a wharf for purposes. The man broke his fall by stnking another one who was at or near the bottom of the tube connecting the caisson with the air lock etc., at the top. The impact fractured the second man's leg.
On recei}?t of the alarm at 9.5 a.m., Driver T. Bromley,. WIth the Stonehouse Division's ambulance to the spot, descen?ed via the compressed alr lock and rendered first ald. Owing to the air pressure necessary to exclude the sea, this task was made exceptIonally difErult for him as, unlike the workmen accustomed to the conditions, he was to them physically and mentally. For a while he had also to work in a kind of a " mist" and altogether was in the caisson or ait" lock under pressure for about an hour. The floor comprised mud and water.
Meanwhile, the Central Ambulance Station had despatched in another ambulance Messrs. F. Bright
WIth extra eqwpment, Including a "Neil Robertson"
stretcher. Then it was possible, by means of a crane the of the " skip" belonging to the
He was then over a railway vehicle, lowered
PR 0 UTILITA TE
by to a local hospital, where he was I"; -r:he second ambulance did not return to The following members of the Bri g ade have been the statlOn 011 11.20 a.m. awarded Meritorious Service Award for outDriver Bromley; who is not in the best of health standing courage and devotion to duty:and has. been temporarily rejected from the Army LADY C?FF1CER MISS K: STANLEY medical grounds, felt the effects of his hour's Dunng an au raId on a town In the South of difEcult and work and had to be England a hospital, cleansing station and nurses' sent home. home were hit by H.E. bombs. Fire broke Qut and report reminds us that perjor!7Jance members of the First Aid Party helped to of pubJzc whzch is prima? object of the Brigade, the patients. I:Aiss Stanley drove t4e most senous covers a wzde range of servzce; and zt calls forth admiration cases to a public shelter. Later she returnecl to the the good work done on this occasion I?J Driver Bromlf!Y, hospital, accompanied by the medical officer, tq hzs colleagues qf t he PlYmouth Corps and the patient' s collect the dangerous dru g s. The party then patrolled workmates, 1vhose t echnical knowledge was essential to adjacent streets looking for casualties. success.-N. C. F. Later in the evening a second attack was made. The first aid room was fired b y incendiary bombs I I( 1/ but Miss Stanley was able to save the emergency
estions and Answers drugs. She then drove a Colonel and a Naval officer to the Guildhall and from there to the docks to get gun cotton When she returned through the burning BANDAGES FOR FRACTURED FEMUR
A N (C r1;a\ streets to the Guildhall-at 4 o'clock in the morrung ar, u.J.J.j.-The Textbook, on p. 68, tells -bombs were still falling. us to use the broad bandage for the trunk and the CoRPORAL R. G. WELLS narrow bandage for the limbs. Nevertheless in the Corporal Wells, in charge of a First Aid Party, of a fractured femur the bandages specified helped to evacuate a hospital during a severe air raid. ill Rule. 2 on p. 88 name only one broad bandage, This duty completed, Wells insisted on reporting that for both knees.. We ask, therefore, if back to his centre, though advised by the hospital you please tell us what IS the correct bandaging authorities that the raid was too intense for the for this fracture b th th k D' th· 'T" • • Journey to e wor e ns. unng e Journey • .1 znstructzons on p. ?8 of the Textbook cOl1trol the to the Centre the ambulance was hit by an incendiary sztuatz.on. Consequ,ent(y, if you look careful(y at Fig. 48 bomb and it was only due to the skill and coolness of you wz/I note that Bandages Band C are broad and that the driver that a calamity was averted. Wells and Bandages E, F, G, A and D are narrow. Bandage H his party then helped Rescue Parties in demolition knees), breaks rule 011 p. 68 in and rescue work. Later the ambulance, its driver that zt. zs broad, for whzch reason 1t IS so labelled and and attendant were sent off on a job, and Wells md I?J black his party were told that their relief had arrived. It zs evzdent that the Revzszon COJnJnlttee deczded that Corporal Wells decided to wait for the return of his a narrow 1JJouid not control br;th knees and that a ambulance and crew so that he could return with his broad bandage zs necessary for this purpose.-N. C. F. party complete. This involved a wait of two more COMPOUND FRACTURE OF PATELLA hours fire that he could have spared himself. D. F. (Chelsea).-If we had to treat a compound PRIVATE C. BACON AND PRIVATE WINSPUR fracture C?f the patella should we end our treatment These men worked for one and a half hours in the by applYlnt?i a cold compress over the fracture to dark beneath the foundations bf a house, to release lessen swelling the joint as laid d?wn in .Rule 7 wo'man buried by debris. During the rescue operaon p. 9 ?f the rextbook? Your kind adVIce WIll lions bombs and shell splinters were falling and there be apprecl.ated. Was a continuous escape of gas, making the danger N Em!hatzcal(y, no! A compound fracture being {l of fire imminent. ractU1 e a wound, 'you should treat the and . Private Bacon and the Sergeant then rendered first then the jracture. The Textbook, zn Rule 7 on p. 10 9, aId and the victim was removed to hospital. allou:s yoz: to wash the wound if it is obviouslY dirty and if At 12.20 a.m. a very heavy bomb fell, completely cannot be procure.d / but is a total(y different demolishing four houses, and fourteen persons were proposztl011 from the applzcatzon oj a cold cOJJ1press._ trapped under the debris. Superintendent T. O. N. C. F. Whlte went at once to the incident in company with
Police Sergeant Brooks and Privates Bacon and Winspur.
It was found that the gas main was fractured and there was a heavy concentration of gas under the wreckage.
Police Sergeant Brooks took charge and directed operations until the arrival of Inspector Medley, who tht.n took over.
Police Sergeant Brooks then carried on with the rescue work assisted by Police Constable Brown and Privates Bacon and Winspur. Privates Bacon and Winspur crawled under debris to reach a woman whose legs had been trapped. . They rendered first aid, Private Winspur staying with her until she was released.
Mter about three hours they rescued a man and his daughter, the latter seriously injured.
In these operations Privates Bacon and Winspur -after a normal day's work-worked from 12.20 a.m. until 7.45 a.m.-7t hours without respite, staying there whilst thirteen of the fourteen persons were rescued.
PRIVATE R. RUSSELL AND PRIVATE A. GREENING
These two Privates went to the rescue of four persons buried in a cellar. Arriving on the scene, they immediately set to work and amid dust and fumes and with complete disregard for their personal safety, they succeeded with the help of others in extricating the victims and giving what first aid they could before the arrival of the A.R.P. Ambulance Service. They showed definite courage md a devotion to duty worthy of the Brigade.
Private Greening was on leave from H.M. Forces at the time of this occurrence.
PRIVATE S. W. McKAy AND PRIVATE H. DAVIES
When on duty during an air raid a call was received for m ambulance and doctor to go to the aid of a womm lying with a severed leg.
It was impossible for a doctor to go. Two volunteers were called for. Without hesitation Privates 1fcKay and offered their services, even though they had no steel helmets. High-explosive and incendiary bombs were dropping.
They also gave valuable assistance to a party of soldiers trapped in a demolished house.
A local doctor, who attended the casualties, spoke of the valuable assistap.ce given by them.
* * •
In a letter to the Chief Commissioner referring to the meritorious First Aid rendered bv Private J. Ross, No. (St. John's Gate) Division, during enemy action, Dr. Cyril Gould writes :-
N war-time service, either in the military hospitals or with the population, it will be found that a considerable proportion of patients are in a state of high nervous tension. The need for , a tonic food beverage, whIch IS completely nourishing and easily assimilated, becomes urgent.
, Ovaltine' meets this necessity in a highly satisfactory manner, both as an measure and as a regular
The nutritive and energising of 'Ovaltine' are rapidly assimilated, providing all the essential food elements and, at the same time allaying nervous tension in a most helpfui way.
Now, in 1914-1918, 'Ovaltine is widely used m the wartime hospital serviceboth in England and overseas. It is of exceptional value as a regular supplement to the dietary; it is designed to meet abno:mal demands on the nervous system, and ItS use at night is an effective aid to sound, restorative sleep.
, Ovaltine' possesses many outstanding advantages. It is highly concentrated and is prepared by exclusive scientific processes, from malted barley, full-cream milk and eggs from the world-famous , Ovaltine' farms. It contains valuable mineral elements, "first-class" protein, car?ohydrate and fat in carefully adjusted
Moreover,' Ovaltine' possesses speCIal properties which make milk more digestible, and thus easily assimilated, even by patients who are seriously ill. Supplies are available to Hospitals and Service Organisations in special packmgs and at special prices.
like to b th 1: 11 ar OSpl a s, emporary OSpl a s, an , · .. m . " nng. e 10 OWIng incidents to your notice :
On the rught of December 29, 1940, incendia
bombs were dropped on Red Lion Square, W.e.
Hospitals
ell C I Z· C MGT D MDt Mr. Crawcour, a post-warden, and Mr. ICing we By 0 one EllS, • · ., .., .., e c. attemptIng to move a motor car, under which t Late Staff Ofjicer for Voluntary Aid Organisations, Southern Commf:lnd, Salisbury / late Surgeon-in-Chief, the b?mbs had when one of the bombs explode St. John Ambulance Brigade,. late O.C. 4 6 C.C.S. and 41 Stationary Hospital, B.B.F. Crawcow and also lnJured Mr. King.
(Continued from page 22, January iss",)
Pnvate who was ofF duty, conveyed the 31. Medical and Surgical Stores.-(a) Dressings, 4· Commandant. men to AustIn Reeds and gave them first aid. He VI drugs, etc. (b) Is there a poison cupboard? 5· Quartermaster.-(a) Resident. (b) Visiting. fortunately able to stop the bleeding, after a whl 32. Small Dressing Room for SU1-gery. 6. Matron.-(a) In charge of nursing arrangements. Crawcour, who was in a critical condition. 33. Operating Theatre.-(a) Nature and equipment (b) office.
A call was put through for a,n ambulance of. (b) How ventilated and warmed. (c) Lighting, 7· Trained Nurses (including Nursing Officer or 18,3°, but unfortunately one did not arrive until 19 ) heating; sterilisation room and staff preparation Lady Superintendent).-(a) Day. (b) Night.
" Both patients are now well on the way to room. What aspect? North for preference. The minimum requirement is two for day and one . although Mr. Crawcour had to have his spIel 34. Separate Antesthetic Room.-How ventilated and for night duty for each twenty patients. removed, and I consider it was only through U warmed. 8. DiJpenserJ or NeareJt Local ChemiJt. prompt actio;, and treatment g,ven by Private Ro 3 j. X-&y Room. --{a) Dark room. (b) Any 9· Volll1ttary Aid NurJeJ. that this man s life was saved. arrangements for massage, remedial exercises, light, 10. Cooks.
"On night of January I, 1940, a land mil or electric treatment? In orthopredic cases hospitals I!. Ward Maids. exploded In 0 e West Central Area. Private Ros should be fully equipped and staffed not only for the 12. Scrubbers. who was agaIn off duty, was, so I am informe surgical and mechanical side of their work" bur-also 13· Barber (or arrangements for). knocked down by blast. He, however, went to tl for all forms of physical treatment and for rehabilitation 14· What Air & id PrecautionJ have been taken or could asSlstance of the injured, and found amongst the by physical exercise, ga mes and occupational therapy. be taken by A.R.P. personnel.-Note especially: (a) Mr. Graves with his nose and one eye blown a (c) Is there an electro-magnet? Bomb-proof shelters. (b) Gas-protected rooms. I twas difficult to tell the full extent of his in jurie, 36 Dispensary. -(a) Is ho t water laid on as well as (c) N umber and kind of respirators in stock. (d) Resthe arne. cold? Nature of taps. (b) Where are oxygen and pirator drill: (i) fitting for size; (li) quick adjustment.
" Private Ross carried Mr. Graves to my surger nitrous oxide gas cylinders stored? (e) Wireless apparatus for official use so as to get early from which he was removed b y ambulance in 37· Instruments, 5 teriliJer s, etc.--{a) Who owns in- intimation of raids, etc.: (i) from the main current ; rrunutes. struments-hospital or medical officer? (b) Is there (li) portable. (f) Effective" black-out." Protection a steriliser for sterilising dressings, operation cloths, of window glass.
Graves was in a critical condition for least and I consider Private Ross was r sponsible 1il the first place for saving this man's lif etc.? (c) What type of steriliser? Is it recessed? ACCOMMODATION AND SUPPLIES.
38 Mortuary.-For example, motor garage or other I. Medical Ofjicers' and lVurses' Duty Rooms.-(a ) :' I am now pleased to report that Graves suitable outhouse. Pathological room. Number of. (b) Proximity to wards. (c) What 39.- 0 fjices for Administrative Purposes (A.B. 27, accommodation for feeding and sleeping is there for A.B. 27 A, A.F.A. 3 I, etc.).-(a) How are official staff in hospital or near by?
* * * documents kept, admission and discharge books, 2. How are Provisions Obtained ?-(a) In local shops. dOIng extremely well."
G. Cunningham, No. 99 (La r etc.? (b) Is there a telephone? (c) Telephone numbers (b) Sent from large stores; if so, is there adequate beth) DlvlslOn, has been the British Empi ,...f M.O.'s, fire brigade, police, chemist, etc. storage room? Is there a wine store? Is there a for brave conduct nn connection with Cil 40. Orderlies' Waiting Room. cold-storage department or a refrigerator available? Defence. . 41. Arrangements in Case of Fi re.-(a) For rapid B.T.H. Electric Refrigerator, 16 9, Regent Street, W.1. member. of A.R.P. Stretcher Party of Lambet evacuation if necessary. (b) Fire drill. (c) " Fire (c) Where are dairy supplies, vegetables and meat Pnvate has shown courage and initiati quarters"; "fire buckets"; hand pumps; buckets of obtained? (d) Any poultry, fish or vegetables likely on many occaSlOns. sand. (d) Fire extinguishers; stirrup pump; strong to be available, as gifts, from local residents? (e) Have
1. Fit for light cases only.
2. Fit for medical cases only.
Write jor details to A. Wander, Ltd., 184, Queen's Gate, London, S.W.7. N. IIS !? you the bravery of Private J. Ross. I wo" WHet I T H et I d V A D E ergency
At one incident he crawled under a pile of deb " blankets or asbestos cloths. (e) Where are ether and contracts been made? (f) Proximity to R.A.S.C. and rendered first aid to a man who was trappe x-ray films stored? (fl Are there fire escapes and supply depot. (g) Quality of milk (graded i), bread He stayed WIth him until the rescue party were able verandas? (g) Is there an Indoor fire hydrant? (h) Is and meat. Are they hygienically stored and release him, although there was danger of furth there a fire alarm system or house bell? (i) Is there a delivered r collapse of debris .. off duty he habitually gel pond, lake, or well with easy.access .fi:e appliances? round of the al!-t:aId shelters in his district. 01 (J) Are there any hydrants In the VIClilIty? (k) Are mght he was able to release people trapped in a celiJ there any jumping-sheets or chutes? (I) Are there and rendered first aid before any of the services a fireproof doors, and do the doors open outwards?
REMARKS. duty .reached the spot. He gave help on anoth S.TAFF occaSlOn by burrOWIng throuo-h debris and reaching 1. Number of Consultmg Physmans and Surgeons.to whom a doctor bwas then able to gil Are any medical. oculists, morphia.. Bombs were exploding in the neighbo dentIsts, or surgeons-avaIlable? while he and the doctor were attending to h6 2. of Medzcal Ofjicers.-(a) Part-arne. (b)
H.IS c::mrage and devotion to duty have been a hit Whole-arne. InSpuatlOn to the other personnel in his depot. 3· Number of R eszdent Medzcal Ofjicers.
3. Fit for transfers from central hospital or local sick.
4. Qualified to receive cases direct, if necessary.
It is not anticipated that every "Emergency Hospital" will be complete in every detail. The above outline forms an ideal which should be conformed to as closely as' circumstances permit.
Home Guard.-Returns received in repl y to a recent circular issued by the Commissioner for Wales (the Hon. John H. Bruce, J.P ., D.L.) to Officers-in. Charge of Ambulance Units of the Brigade indicated that the majority of male personnel in Wales are engaged upon A.R.P. duti es; and Volunteers to the Local Authority and Managements of Industrial concerns for A.R.P. purposes are precluded from service in any other category of Civil Defence. The remainder, who are not engaged upon specific war work, have been informed that they are eligible to enrol in the Home Guard, where their First Aid knowledge will be turned to best account. The Medical Organisation of the Home Guard is not yet clearly defined, and there are no Casualty Services corresponding to the R.A.M.C. Stretcher parties are in demand for larger formations, and no doubt the services of a trained ambulance man are an asset to smaller units. Home Guard Commanders have welcomed the 9ffer of service along specialised lines both on the part of units, equipped with first aid material, and of individual members.
Definite enrolment in, and not merely attached to, the Home Guard is necessary for the purpose of safeguarding the volunteer's interest as a recognised combatant, who is eligible for benefits in the event of disability, etc. Where there is a sufficient residue of divisional strength to warrant volunteering as a unit, this is a matter for local negotiation between the Commander and our Officer-in-Charge with the sanction 6f his Commissioner. Failing that, the individual member, who is at present unattached to any war organisation, is strongly recommended to enlist in this vital service by offering to perform such first aid duties as may be required and for which he is specially qualified by training. It will be upderstood however, that such volunteer cannot claim any prescriptive right by 'virtue of Brigade membership to immunity from combatant duties, except in so far as he has established some special status in advance. Further, it must be recognised that some amount of first aid training has been given 110 the Home Guard, so that our personnel will have to work in with existing arrangements to the best advantage. The Priory is very proud of the contribution already made by the Brigade in Wales to the Medical Services of the Crown and the Civil Defence Service, bu t is particularly anxious that at the end of the war it shall
decided to send a special letter of commendation to those concerned: "At 7 p.m. on January 27, 1941, the Builth Am bulance Car was called out to a farm in a very desolate part of the country in North Breconshire, about twelve miles distant from Builth.
"Owing to the heavy fall of snow during that week the Ambulance was only able to get within three miles of the farm.
" Divisional Superintendent Evan James, of Builth Ambulance Division, with three of the youngest members, ages 17-20, proceeded through 2-3 ft. of not be said that there was any lack of enthusiasm in snow to the farm, accompanied b y Dr. Pugh, of shouldering the civilian responsibilities presented b y Builth. The case was one of Advanced Stage of the formation of a Home Guard. Pregnancy with Severe Hremorrhage, ana it was
found necessary to use six blankets and our hot Ambulance Motor Ambulance water bottles, owing to the severe cold, to enable the Transport .Sub-Comrruttee, which. met on February patient to be conveyed on the stretcher back to the 1941, receIved a statement showmg the cases carned b I e d 'l 11 d' b
anc . an rru eage trave ed unng the year 1940 Y eac 1 of the twenty-!\vo Priory ambulances which dealt Journey was safely completed to BUIlth with an ao-o-regate number of 21 49 6 removals HospItal, which was reached at 2 a.m. bb " involving a total mileage of 345,287. Since the "The greatest credit is due to Divisional Superinception of the Service in 1919, 184,725 patients intendent James for his initiative, great resource and have been taken to home or hospital by means of this devotion to duty, also to the endurance of the younger Service. members of the party."
DENB1GHSHlRE CENTRE CENTRE REPORTS
Wrexham Annual D inner.-Members and friends BRECKNOCKSHl RE CENTRE of the Wrexham Divi sion celebrated the thirteenth Jo int Committee Activities.-The War Organisation of its at a dinner and is benefiting by whole-hearted service rendered by th e smoking concert gIven by Mr. Ernest Norman Brecknockshire Centre in conjunction with the at the Wynnstay Hotel.
A report on the work during the past year was given by Superintendent Kent, who referred at the outset to the loss sustained by the Division through the death of one of its members, Corporal Evans, who had been killed by enemy action. The Division had a total strength of 74, which was an increase of four on last year. There were 24 members serving with the Forces, 12 of these being at present overseas, of the remaining 50, 27 were engaged in part-time A.R.P. work. One of the Division's members was a prisoner of war. The number of cases removed by ambulance was I,742-an increase of 35 over the previous year, and the number of accidents attended was 98. Station duty hours during the year amounted to II,881 hours, and transport duty attendances (exclusive of a paid driver) numbered 3,5°3.
Moving a vote of thanks to the host, the Chief Constable of Denbighshire, Mr. G. T. Guest, who is also hon. treasurer of the Division, said he felt that Mr. Graesser had that night learned somethino- about the activities of the Bri gade, and on behalf of everyone present thanked Mr. Graesser for entertaining them that evening.
Well D01ze! Ruthin.- The Ruthin Division in conjunction with members of the local B.R.'C.S. Detachment, are operating one of the Ambulances allocated b y the War Organisation to the Denbighshire Joint Committee. The severe weather conditions experienced recentl y in this district put the members on their mettle in dealing with the arduous case described below:-
" January 26 a message was received at 9.55 a.m. requestmg the amb"ulance to proceed to an address at Llanarmon, Mold, and at 10.40 a.m. the ambulance left with Nurse Smith, Mr. R. D. Jones, Re.lieving Officer, and Private Llewelyn Jones (driver), Pnvate Maldwyn Jones, Private A. Mason and Divisional Superintendent J. Curtis. Dr. de Glanville proceeded by car. It was snowing heavily, and on the Bwlch Pass we caught up with Dr. de Glanville, who was unable to proceed further owing to a broken c.I: ain on his wheel. He continued on the journe y With us. The going was very difficult owing to deep snow, and on two occasions two cars blocked our course. \Ve had to dig a bay for one to enable our ambulance to pass, and the other we helped to dig out.
"We arrive d at th e garage at Llanarmon. Reports showed the main road to the address to be reached was blocked. The Doctor leading our party, we plodded on through deep and he avy fallino- snow b , WIth our blankets, carrying sheet and poles, and first aId eqmpment, not forgetting the Doctor's bag. Soon after reaching the house, the Doctor
B.R.C.S. County Branch. The Lady County Super- MaJor R. C. Roberts' supported by the intendent, Mrs. Pas kin, has accepted the office of Mayor of Wrexham Arthur Challoner), Commandant of the first Convalescent Hospital to be Mr, E. N. Colonel SIr Lowther, Mr. established by the Brecknockshire Joint Committee, G, T. .(Assistant Dr. C. equipped for 55 beds. As far as financial support Salt (ComrrusslOner for East Denbi ghshire) , Captam is concerned, it is very creditable to a sparsely popu- R, G. Evans, the Rev. Thos. Jones, Dr. Glyn Evans lated agricultural county to have raised £2 ,075 4S. 6d , an d others. for the Joint Fund during six months, by means of the In introducing the host, Major R. C. Roberts said Penn y-a-week Fund, which comprises nearly 7,000th,at Mr. name was one that was associated contributors donations and contributions to th eWIth Wrexham In more ways than one, and they were Field Ambulance Fund. delighted to accept his hospitality and to enjoy his , company that evening. Major Roberts also welcomed Butlth Ambulance.- The BUIlth Ambulance an dthe Mayor of Wrexham and Sir Charles Lowther. Nursing Mr. E. N. Graesser said that it gave him very great E. T. and Lady I?lvislOnal Supenn:endent pleasure to have the privilege of entertaining the Pnce, do exceedingly good :vork m the BUlltll members of the Wrexham Division and to pay tribute distrIct. The local casualty serVlCe personnel are to the excellent work of the Brigade. The Mayor of provided entirely by the Brigade, and one of the firs t Wrexham added, to this tribute of praise, and Sir practical demonstrations in the county was staged Lowther said it was only since the Lord with commendable realism at Builth. An important LIeutenant of Denbighshire had recently asked him branch of service for which the people of Builth areto become. chairman of the East Centre indebted to the Brigade is the operation of an Am- of the Pnory for Wales that he realised the bulance Service, which has b een brought up to of work recently by the acquisition of a new Chevrolet Am- .r. Salt gave an 1nterestmg and InspInng address, . d f 1 1 b tracIng the growth of the Order of St. John and bulance, purchased WIth the procee s 0 oca su 'de li . h th b 1 1 a no- W1t e part Its mem ers were now p aymg scnp tlOns. The followmg account of a particular lin the b p t d LI h' d th resen crusa e. r: e emp aSlse e Importance arduous duty was reported to the Ambulance , C011lof the work done by the Wrexham Division, referrinomittee of the Priory on Februar y 25, when It w a ' b to the activitles of the Chief Constable, Mr. G. T. Guest, and also to the able leadership of Superintendent P. R. Kent, backed up in the most able way by the secretary, Mr. J. W. Jackson, and the Committee.
informed me that the patient was to be moved to Ruthin Hospital. Help was obtained to cut a track through the snow for nearly two miles, and assistance was also given to the carrying of the stretcher, the Doctor himself taking his turn. At last we arrived at our ambulance. After the eight-mile journey to Ruthin Hospital, I am pleased to report that the patient was safely placed in Ruthin Hospital at 5 p.m."
CAERNARVONSHIRE CENTRE
Sir Michael R. V. D. ,Assheton-Smith, Bart., inspected the Caernarvonshire Division at a meeting over which Assistant Commissioner Chief Constable T. J. Pritchard presided.
Divisional Superintendent William Williams gave a short history of the Division, which was started in May, I937, with 40 members, who had dealt with a total of 500 cases.
Warrants of Appointments were made by the Commissioner to the President (Mr. T. S. Ingham) ; Messrs. H. D. Jones, T. H. In gham and H. R. Phillips; and hon. membe rs, Messrs. R. Lloyd J one?, Bryn Dedwydd, David Jones, Hazel Dean, William Owen, Brynafon and W. P. Davies (Town Clerk).
Divisional Superintendent William Williams was presented with the Priory Vote of Thanks awarded in recognition of services to Ambulance Work.
W. T. Davies, Centre Secretary, stressed the wholly . disinterested character of ambulance work and its great importance at the present day, observing that if efficient first aid were available not more than onehalf of the road accidents in this country need prove fatal.
GLAMORGAN CENTRE
The Late Mrs. Mackintosh of Mackintosh, C.B.B.The Centre has sustained an irreparable loss by the death on February I7 of the Lady President, a Dame of Justice of the Order, whose charming personality had been a great inspiration not only to members of the Centre, but to the Headquarter Committees of the Priory at which Mrs. Mackintosh was a regular attendant until prevented by failing health. The early rlevelopment of the Medical Comforts Depots was due very largely to the personal interest and financial support of Mrs. Mackintosh, who maintained the k.eenest interest also in all branches of the Priory's work.
Pontardawe County Area.-The Brigade Units in the Pontardawe and District Corps have welcomed the appointment of County Officer Thomas Williams as Acting Assistant Commissioner, in succession to the late Assistant Commissioner W. Owen Evans, M.B.E., for the duration of the war. This temporary appointment can be regarded as a recognition of long and devoted service, Mr. Williams having been actively associated with ambulance work since establishing First Aid Classes at Gwaun-Cae-Gurwen as far back as I 894.
66
Red Cross and St. John War
(Continued from page 40 February issue)
an invitation which, since it means closing the Rooms for commercial sales for some days, represents a further considerable renunciation of income on their part., It is proposed to ask the principal philatelic auctlOneers to occupy the rostrum in turn during the sale.
The of the sale will be the King's gift. It compnses a set of twelve original drawings, in groups of four, of an issue of stamps of the Gilbert and Ellice Islands. The drawings are in colour and, In SIze, are of the exact dimensions of the stamps themselves. They are illustrative of different aspects of life ,on the Islands, which form two groups numbenng together some twenty-five islands in the Western Pacific Ocean.
The sale in April will be the first of the series of stamp sales. Others are to follow. For them gifts are sought b y the Philatelic Committee. Here is the opportunity for many to make their contribution. In houses and offices, tucked away in desks, boxes and coffers, are quantities of old letters, still in their original envelopes bearing stamps of long ago. The Philatelic Committee invites readers to spend a wet afternoon or an evening after black-out in an examination of forgotten collections of family or business correspondence and to send the envelopes, with the stamps on them, to the Secretary (Mr. W. K. Skipwith) of the Philatelic Committee at 23, Carlton House Terrace, London, S. W. I. It is a particular request of the Committee that complete envelopes with the stamps on them should be sent.
A cheque for £I,OOO has recentl y come to the War Organisation from the Falkland Islands. It represents, in the main, the proceeds of a bazaar held there in October last. The war contribution of the Islands to the British Red Cross Society, Falkland Islands Committee, now amounts to £4,500 -a wonderful response from a real outpost of Empire, three hundred miles east of the Straits of Magellan, with a population numbering not more than 2,500, engaged principally in sheep-farming.
Philatelists are advised that the first Red Cross
NE WS IN BRIEF stamp sale of the war will be held during the last Returns received so far from Brigade Units of April. It is continue,for a peri,od Wales reveal that the number of Ambulance MemberL three days, and WIll compnse about mne hundred engaged in A.R.P. Services is 2,7 I 7 (part-time) anoltems Copies of the sale catalogue are obtainab le at I06 (full-time). Of the Nursing strength, 979 art23 ? House London, S. \V . I, for one giving part-time and 13 0 full-time service in A.R.pshilling each. Chnsties have very generous ly offered Services. to accommodate the sale at their Auction Rooms-
is prepared to give concerts at auxiliary hospltals and convalescent homes which are under the direction <:f the War Organisation or of Joint County Commlttees. The followino- conditions have b to complied .WIth Th,ere must be at least fifty sel-Vlce patients in the audience. It is essential that this condition should be satisfied. Further, a week's notice at least is required. The concert should be
arranged ,for the early afternoon. Six artists compose the concert party and the hospital authorities have to arrange for their transport f:t;om the station to the hospital and return to the station. They have also to provide the artists with refreshments. Hospital authorities desiring to avail themselves of this offer should communicate with the Organising Secretary, Hospital Section, E.N.S.A., Drur y Lane Theatre, London, W.C.2.
The amount expended on the purchase of stores has increased by nearly £64,000 during the fortnight ended February 10. The total expenditure to date is £2,276,689' More than 120 cases, bales and packages have been dispatched to hospitals in this country in the same period, and approximately 530 cases, bales and packages were consigned to convalescent homes. Red Cross Depots and work parties received 445 packages. It has been decided to take additional accommodation for the storage of the very numerous gifts which continue to reach the Department from the U.S.A. and from other sources
From the staff of the Macmillan Company of New York the War Organisation has received a donation of 2,252 dols. for the purchase of a Radiographic Camera Unit. The Camera Unit will be attached to a motor X-ray unit and will make it a fully complete outfit. Expressing its deep appreciation of this gift to the President of the Macmillan Company, the War , Organisation writes that it is preparing a plaque to be affixed to the Camera Unit with the inscription: "Presented by the Staff of The Macmillan Company, New York." ,
Britons in Brazil have raised nearly £ 50,000 for the Red Cross and St. John Fund. In addition, since July 450 cases of cotton, cotton wool and other hospital supplies and equipment have been received from them. Over 1,100 bags of sugar have also been sent. The sugar is being used to supplement food parcels sent to prisoners of war in Germany.
Reports from the Red Cross Middle East Commission show that at the request of the Greek Red Cross consignments of surgical, medical and other supplies, including drugs, to the value of some thousands of pounds have been handed over for shipment to Greece. Ambulances and trucks are also being obtained for shipment. One half of the cost of supplies and equipment for the Greek Red Cross, by arrangement with the War Organisation, is being met by the American Red Cross. ,
The Commission also reports the arrival of considerable consignments of stores and supplies. They were very welcome as they enabled reserves to be replenished. Information from Palestine and Cyprus shows that nothing of general interest is to be reported.
68
Mr. R. V. H. Roseveare, Director of Education in tD Sudan, has been appointed' Deputy Commissioner Khartoum. The Prisoners of War Department functioning in respect of parcels and letters to Britif prisoners in Italian hands.
The intensified activity in the Western Desert bringing increased responsibility to the COmmiSSi O i
A delegate from the InteFnational Red Cross, it reported, has left for Italy and will proceed to LybL Cyrenica and Tripoli. It is expected that anoth delegate will leave for Italian East Africa. MajQ Gayer Anderson has been appointed a sub-co n missioner. Through the International Red Cross transfer from Cairo to Geneva is being made ( thousands of ga rments for British Prisoners of W! in Germany.
Books in Polish and Czech are also in demand, ! are volumes in Dutch, Norwegian and Model Greek. There is no limit to the classes of books Eng lish that are required. Fiction of all kindsthrillers, wild west stories, detective tales, and nove of the more domestic character are all nee de! V olumes of trav el and bio g raphy, and other bo ol of a more serious nature are also requested by patient Too many mag azines and picture papers can neV i be received. During the year 1940 more than halI million books and mag azines were dispatched by tl Library for the entertainment of the sick and wounde of British, Empire and Allied Forces.
These books have been sent all over th e worl t o naval, military and air f o rc e hospital s, hospit2 for air-raid casualties-and in these cases, children books were and are still required: enemy bombs ( not spare the children-to hospital ships and ambulance trains. Overseas, some of the places I which they have g one are Iceland, the Faroe Island the Gold Coast, Iraq and the Middle East. Not ! have safely reached their destinatio.Q.. Enemy actie from the air and on the seas has accounted for number of consignments. Some 30,000 volumes hospital libraries, casualty clearing stations at convalescent depots in France were lost at cl evacuation.
To replace these losses, to provide accessions I existing libraries-a library which is not continuous! added to loses its readers-and to satisfy the eve increasing demand from new institutions, the inBa' of books and mag azines must also increase. therefore, go through your bookshelves, take out cl books that would interest you if you were a hospit patient, and send them to the Red Cross Library ! 48, Queen's Gardens, Lancaster Gate, London, W.: If the cost of the carriage is a consideration, bo al can be sent carriag e forward. If the binding ( volumes is broken but the books are otherwise in good condition, the Library will repair and rebin them before sending !hem out.
(To be continued)
quickly cured
f'rO"o&J REMEDY
Cephos taken at once will stop a cold in a few hours and an attack of Influenza to a quick end. No treatment has proved so reliable as this prescription of an Eminent Harley Street Physician. Cephos has a effect on the system and it does not affect the heart. Sold everywhere in tablet or powder form 1/ 5 and 3/ 5. S i ngle dose 2td. inclusive oj Purchase Tax.
AID"
;_;_TALKS ON i
THE MANUAL
By the.... Lctie A. T. Lakin, M.B.
(Co ntinued from page 2t6 Decem ber issue)
When you have attended a practice and your work has not pleased you, it is no use sitting down and whining that the instructor was not fair to you and did not give you a chance, or that if Bill Jones had only-(you know -the usual excuses, everybody but yourself). You cannot undo the past, so let it go, and think that the future is yours, and you will see that you improve your work in such a manner that there will be no chance of being let down again. Get out your rough notebook and work out the tests as previously indicated, asking yourself questions and checking each step by the manual. Find out the mistakes you made, both those that the instructor spotted, and those he did not, for a ' mistake is a mistake whether found out or not, and remedy them in your notebook; it is very important that mistakes should be found out and remedied at once, for they have a tendency to repeat themselves and that must be avoided at all costs, since a mistake at practice may endanger a patient's life in reality. Mistakes will occur sometimes, for "the man who never made a mistake never made anything," but a mistake should never be made a second time, and you should recognise the fact that you are more liable to make mistakes when you are" cocksure," so always think about what you are doing, and the reason why you are doing it, and do not rely on rule-of-thumb methods. Take the blame for you.r failures and do not blame them on somebody else, for that is cowardly and silly; make sure that you do not repeat the mistake, and realise that you learn a great deal more from your mistakes than you do from your successes-too much success gives you a swelled head, and that is a space for further mistakes.
Conscientious" thoughtful and careful practices at home and in the clubroom are the surest way to efficiency, and that is the end every right-thinking First-Aider desires and works so hard for. Efficiency in the clubroom means efficiency when the real n eed arises, and it will help you to gain success in indiv idual competition work, which is only a means of testing how you would work under service conditions , and is simply clubroom work with the polish of effici ency and the determination to perform the jo b jn a manner worthy of you and your A ssociation. Work hard yourself, and take a keen interest in your work, and y ou will find that your example w ill stir up y our colleag ues so that they will not be left behind in the struggle for efficiency-if .it does not stir them up, do p.ot worry, find fresh colleagues who are more
worthy of you. Carry this extract in your
"The greatest influence that you can wield in thi "
world. is. by your ?wn Your OW undeviattng devotlOn to hi g h ideals Will do more b
influence and encourage o thers than an y v erba council you can offer. Make your person al exampl worthy of your best self."
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Association
By N. CORBET FLETCHER,
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CONTENTS Promotions and A ppointments
Utilitate HOrrllnum Some Medical Aspects of Chemical Warfare Age nts
Chelsea Sick Bay
In Memoriam
Priory for Wales
Interesting Case Reports
Questions and Answers
Brigade News
Hints for First Aiders
Red Cross and St. John War Organisation
CHANCERY OF THE ORDER,
ST. JOHN'S GATE, CLERKENWBLL, LoNDON, E.C.l.
Emergency Help Committee
The Emergency Help Committee of the Joint Council of the Order of St. John and the British Red Cross Society has, for nearly twenty-five years, been assisting disabled ex-Service mep of the" 19 14- 18 "
War. Its funds are derived from the Joint War Finance Committee of that war, and are not available for help to men discharg ed as disabled in the present war.
It came to the notice of the Red Cross and St. John War Organisation that men who had served in the present war, on discharge as disabled, had been obliged for the first time in their lives to apply to the Public Assistance Committee for help pending the issue of pension or fitness to return to civilian employment which awaited them. In October last it therefore entrusted the Emergency Help Committee with a special grant for the benefit of present war cases.
This grant enables the Emergency Help Committee to issue adequate maintenance allowances to such men. It is also able to provide clothing, convalescence, dental treatment, and surgical appliances, and, indeed, to meet any other specific needs which are the consequence of disablement. It cannot issue continuing allowances unless there is a probable end in view, and it does not, at present, make grants for business purposes. Cases of acute distress have been alleviated alread y b y the Committee, which has now made full arrangements for giving help to men who may be discharged as disabled.
The fund is administered from the headquarters of the Committee through county representatives in England and Wales, borough committees in the London area and committees in Northern Ireland and Eire. The addresses of these representatives or committees can be obtained from the Secretary, Emergency Help Committee, Joint Council House, 12, Grosvenor Crescent, London, S.W.l, or from the offices of Joint County Committees
HOME NURSING PAGE
USEFUL HINTS FOR V.A.D.'S AND HOME NURSES
By AllCE M. PENNELL, O.B.E., B.Sc., M.B., B.S.
So many amateurs have to do nursing these days, in their own homes, in hospitals, in improvised nursing homes, and elsewhere, that one feels sympathy both for the victim of such nursing and for the conscientious worker who wants to be as useful and efficient as she can make her!elf.
In this article, therefore, following on the one giving practical points in nursing, in last month's GAZETTE, some minor but very necessary subjects will be dealt with.
The amateur nurse must approach her training in a teachable spirit, not claiming that an illness of her mother's three years ago, when the trained nurse in attendance was seen in active practice and could therefore be copied, or that she knows by experience how a patient should be nursed, for she herself had measles when she was ten and so feels competent to nurse anyone through anything. No experiences of this sort are adequate for the complete training of a . good nurse. The home nurse may have to look after a case for whom the doctor has prescribed several meclkines.
It is important to observe certain rules with regard to these:-
I. Keep external applications, whether poisonous or not, apart from those for internal use.
External applicatio/1s are liniments, ointments, paints, dusting powders.
Internal medicines are mixtures, pills, powders, and such things as have to be swallowed, or inhaled, or
2. Keep Poisons in bottles of a distinctive shape and aolour" and be sure that each is marked with a red label " Poison."
3. In an infectious case mark and keep separate, the medicine glass, the bowl in which it is washed, and the cloth used to dry it (and naturally the thermometer used). (N.B.-Sticking plaster, a piece half-inch square, is enough to mark the bowl and glass
A.-Medicines k>r internal use are, as a rule, given by the mouth, i.e., " OrallY" as the doctor may order.
1. Liquids. For oily medicines keep a special glass or spoon. N.B.-(a) Before giving any medicine, always read the label on the bottle. Never trust to recognising it by sight, smell or any other sign. Always look to see the dose prescribed pefote administration. Do not trust your memory
(b) Shake the bottle b efore p ourin g ou t th e dos e Medicines with a sediment, or efferv es cing medicines, must be swallowed immedi ately after being poured out, by the patient.
(c) On pouring out a medicine k eep th e label side of the bottle uppermost so that none o f the fluid runs down the label and obscu re s th e directions. Stand the measure g lass on a leve l surfac e so as to ensure getting the ri g ht dos e poured into it
(d) Recork the bottle immediately.
(e) See the patient take his medicine, helpin g if necessary in tilting the pillow.
(j) Wash and d ry medicine g lass at once, and replace it on the bedside table or other hand y place in readiness for later use .
2. Pills. These ar e mor e easil y swallo w ed if placed on the f ront part of th e ton g u e and th e pa tient allowed to drink water to w ash it down . Pills are not, as a rule, prescribed fo r childr en-powder s are us ed for them.
3. Powders. These .t;nay be shaken out of th e containing paper on to the back of the tong ue and washed down with a drink of wate r-cold or hot, as th e doctor prescribes.
4. Tablets and t abloids may be swallowed like pillsor crushed and given as powders.
5. Capsules must be swallowed as they ar e, h elped by a draught of water.
Oils. Castor or cod liver oil ar e made more palatable by being given with lemon juice Squeeze some juice into a glass, then pour th e oil in, and mor e juice after the oil. Give the patient a se ction of the cut lemon to suck after swallowing the dose .
B.-Medicines that have to act on the air passag es are not swallowed but inhaled. Read the directions on the bottle carefully before usin g the inhaler
C.-Some medicines are given by injection, but not by the amateur nurse
Children may be given harmless sweets, as (g lucos e) barley sugar, with th e doctor's permi ssion, after medicines have been swallowed.
FIRST AlDERS MUST BE READY
To have obtained certificates in First Aid is not enough. The practical First Aider must be independent of supplies from a depot, hospital or chemist. (To be continued.)
blan ke t s were m ade and d onate d t o t h e R ed Cro ss
[ OVERSEAS NEWS
IN DIA
No.2 D ISTRICT
Her Excellency the Marchioness. of in spected the efficiency of the NursIr:g of th e St . J ohn Ambulance B rigade D Istnct II In the groun d s of B elvedere on 18 A ltogether five units-four and one Ca det D ivision-comprising about 120 SIsters, were o n parade under the co:nman d of Mrs. A. H. D uncan , Lady D istri ct Supenntendent
Her Excellency, who was ac comparue d b y Lady Mary Herb ert (th e presideD:t of the Nursmg D ivisions), was received by Ma jor-General S Mills, Commissioner St. J oM Ambu lance B ngade D is t rict LL, and Mrs " I cono-ratulate all the D ivislOns on theu appearance and b on the keenness which I . am to ld t hey disp lay," said Her Excellency addressmg the parad e. " As in everything else, to be successfu l you. be half-hearted, and as far as I can see the here to-day cannot be accused be0g anything enthusiastic in their work . It IS for us In India perhaps to consider In the forefront of the tremendous happerungs In parts ?f the Empire but it is necessary from the POInt of VIew of to look upon ourselves. as being liable to be called upon at any time, and, Indeed, events mov.e so rapidly that it is n?t beyon.d of POSS1bility that this call w111 materIalise .' Lady Linlithgow commented on the b1g in members and noted with interest that one D 1YIs:on had been sub-divided into two units, those WIshing to go in for nursing proper in Horr:es and Emergency Hospitals staYIng <?n. In the CIty Division, and those wishing to speClalise 1.n. work being transferred to a ?-ew DIv1s.lO n : Her Excellency, in concluSlOn, WIshed the DIVISlOn continued success in their work
CANAD A
MANITOBA DISTRICT (FORT DOUGLAS NURSING D IVISION NO 55)
The Lady D ivisional Superintendent reports her members have recently undergone .a course In Hospital Dietetics. They receIved of lectures and demonstratlOns , In Stretc?er D n lls, A .R .P., Motor Mechanics, and OperatIng T echnique, while those. who have offered theIr services for work in hospItals at home or ab road have undergone a special course of instructio n under D r. I da Armstrong
Their special war work includes the purchase and manu facture of Hospit al Comforts and Comforts for the Air Force and Navy. From 28 lbs of o ld woo l collec;:ted by the memb ers of the D ivisio n fo u r
From v arious co llecti on s mad e am ong .the memb ers 2 0 par cel s of Comfort s were sent at ChrIs tmas t o m en servin g overseas
Lar ge quantities of ?ave b een sen t t o
No 5 General Hospital U rut, whi le a che qu e f or 78 d o llars has b een sent t o St. J ohn's G ate for the L ond on R elief. D on ations h ave b een m ade t o Legion Fund , t h e R ed Cross , and the O p h thalmic Hos pital in J eru salem
RAILWAY NEWS
SO U T HERN RAI L WAY " E ") (CONTRIBUTED BY XON
TWICKENHAM E U 11 M r. A T. B razier , supp orted by Mr. zze (Welfare O fficer) , presi d ed at the annual meet ing of the T wickenham class . I nteres t m th e Firs t Aid Movement was evi d ep.ced b y the large attendan ce It was unanim ou sly d ecided t o maugurate a class t o b e known as the Tham es V alley class , coverIn g the area from Sh ep perton t o T wi ckenham, .Barnes t o Barnes via Houn slow, and Malden t o T Wl ckenham . It was deci d ed to includ e ladies. Mr. J . E G riffiths, Buildin g D epartment, ham was electe d Secret ary of the newly-ap p omted whi ch in clu de s 11rs. Baker and Mrs. With the promise of over 1 00 members it is anticipated t h e new venture will be a grea t success Mr E Uzze ll present ed the 19 40 awards t o of Twickenham and I sleworth classes, and m the course of a talk on First Aid an d A .R. P conveye d the appreciation of the D irectors and General Manager of the spirit with which so many of t he staff keenl y and thoroughly t ackling theu dangerous d u nes
EXETER th I' d b Awards o-ained in First Aid to e nJure y members of the Exeter D ivisional Office Am bulan ce Class during the 1940 season were re cently presented b y D ivisional Superintendent Mr. C. F . de who said he was delighted that all the 2 I had qualified; that he hope d the class would b e Just as successful this year .
D ORCHESTER d th 1
Members of the D or chester class hel eu annu a meeting recently Among thOS(3 present were . t he Mayor and Mayoress (Mr. and Mrs. A. R J effrey)
Mr . C. Brown presided. . Mrs . J effreys presen ted awar d s, inclu ding the Go ld Medal of the Centre to Mr. H Lawfor d. T he Mayor spoke highly of the work done b y Mr Lawford, an d said that arr:-b ulance work was most imp ortant activity that railway.men could undertake apart from their normal calling. T hey nev:er when they might b e called u pon, and a life might d epend on their knowledge.
77
2
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 Promations in, and Appointments to, tlu
Venerable Order of the Hospital of St. John ofJerusalem :-
FOR ADMISSION IN THE GRADE OF ASSOCIATE DAME GRAND CROSS
Her Majesty The Queen of the Netherlands.
FOR PROMOTION TO THE GRADE OF KNIGHT
The Lord Horder, G.C,V.O., M.D. (frOID. Commander).
First Sponsor: Major-GeneraI The Earl of Scarbrough.
Second Sponsor: Colonel J. T. Woolrych Perowne.
FOR ADMISSION IN THE GRADE OF KNIGHT
H. E. Sir Henry Monck-Mason Moore, K.C.M.G.
Governor of Kenya.
Uqder Statute 23 (e).
First Sponsor: Colonel J. L. Sleeman.
Second Sponsor: Brigadier-General Sir Joseph Byrne.
FOR PROMOTION TO THE GRADE OF COMMANDER (BROTHER)
Alfred Weller Mann (from Officer).
Captain Richard Williams, M.R.C.S., L.R.C.P. (from Officer).
FOR PROMOTION TO THE GRADE OF COMMANDER (SISTER)
Lilian Edith, Miss Mawby, M.B.E. (from Officer).
Madeline Emmie Lotllsa, Mrs. Howard Wbitbread (from Officer).
FOR ADMISSION IN THE GRADE OF COMMANDER (SISTER)
Daphne, Lady Moore.
FOR PROMOTION TO THE GRADE OF OFFICER (BROTHER)
Edwin Tilley (from Serving Brother).
Joseph Arthur Simpson (from Serving Brother).
J@hn Edward Dovey, M.B. (from Serving Brother).
FOR ADMISSION IN THE GRADE OF OFFICER (BROTHER)
The Rev. Charles Tunnacliff Dimont, D.D. (Sub-Chapla.iI4.
Denys Colquhoun Flowerdew Lowson.
Thomas Charles Griffiths.
Edward Thomas Bowyer.
Colonel Sir Alan John Sykes, Bt.
Captain Percival Muschamp.
Captain Simon Wbitbread.
Lieut.-Colonel William Allen Foulkes, O.B.E., T.D.
Percival Hubert Graham Horton-Smith Hartley (on appointment as Personal Esquire to Sir Percival Hartley).
FOR PROMOTION TO THE GRADE OF OFFICER (SISTER)
Phyllis Hornblower, Mrs. Lee (from Serving Sister).
Kate Elizabeth, Miss Bradford, A.R.R.C. (from Serving Sister)
Jessie, Mrs. Windle (from Serving Sister).
FOR ADMISSION IN THE GRADE OF OFFICER (SISTER)
Lynette, Lady Tollemache.
Elizabeth Maud, Mrs. Moss.
Joyce Evelyn Windham, Mrs. Ryde.
Nancy, Mrs. Ronald Tree.
The Lady Riverdale.
FOR ADMISSION IN THE GRADE OF SERVING BROTHER
John Newth.
Lieut.-Colonel Clifford Claude Hendy Brazier, O.B.E.
Thomas Cropper.
Alfred Mark Pope.
Walter Levick.
William Gladstone Sykes.
-Charles Reginald Hoskyn, M.D.
.Frank Smithson.
William George Forward.
Charles Henry Senior.
Walter Alfred Austin.
William Harry Watts.
James Young.
Douglas John Nicol, M.B., M.C.
Thomas Henry Hutchings.
John Edmund Emison.
Orlando Boyce.
William Lee.
Owen Jemson Tayl@r.
Harold Fallows, M.B.
John Lester Lewthwaite, M R.C.S., L.R.C.P.
John Thomas Dugdale.
William Allan Quillin.
FOR ADMISSION IN THE GRADE OF SERVING SISTER
Hilda Margaret, Miss Cleaver.
Clara, Mrs. Bates.
Sarah, MiSs Pagdin.
Doris, Mrs. Moody.
Vera Evelyn, Mrs. Woolford.
Edith Mary, Miss Locker.
Mabel Sarah, Miss Williams.
Mary Isabel, Dr. Place.
Minnie Jemima Charlotte, Mrs. Rogers.
COMMANDERY IN SOUTHERN AFRICA
FOR PROMOTION TO THE GRADE OF COMMANDER (BROTHER)
Major Stanley Copley
F.R.C.S. (from Serving Brother).
F(,)R PROMOTION TO THE GRADE OF COMMANDER (SISTER)
The Commissioner, No. 4 (Lancashire) District, reports that Royal Naval Auxiliary Sick Berth Reservist
X800I P.S.B.A. Harold Peacock, of the Bolton Gre3lt
Lever Division, has been awarded the Distinguished Service Medal for gallantry and devotion to duty.
PRO UTILITATE HOMINUM
THE LATE DR. A. ROY
The late Dr. Alexander Roy, M.B., Ch.B., was a man to whom his profession meant everything in life, and who had the happy knack of adjusting himself to the company in which he found himself. He was greatly revered and respected by the class people of the district in v.:hich he pr.actlsed, serving them in the dual capaClty of medico and friend.
There was a true affection between Medical Officer and the personnel of NO.5 Mobile Unit, an affection arising from a mutual realisation of each other:s qualifications. Dr. Roy was jealously proud of his Unit.
On December 22, 1940, a town in the Midland area was heavily bombed.
By reason of the rota, whereby the Medical each performed one week's duty, Dr. Roy was at his post that night (the last night of his week's an.d when the bombing was at its height was sent WIth his Unit to a thickly populated district which had received the brunt of high explosive and incendiary bombardment. The Unit traversed roads which were raging infernos, being frequently re-directed here and there to avoid crossing fire hoses. When the was reached Dr. Roy was informed that the casualtles were buried below tons of debris which would require hours to remove. On reporting to Control Centre he was instructed to return to the post, and shortly after returning was again sent out, this time to a residential suburb, where yet again the same story was told of how those not killed outright were inaccessible owing to debris. r
Once more the Doctor led his Unit back to the post, to wait until he would again be requirec.
Thus was he engaged when the Nazi bombs their marks on the Mobile Unit, cutting short a life whose every endeavour had been to serve humanity, and cre.ating a deeply felt in the ranks of his Unit who WIll always remember lum as a gallant Scotsman and a gentleman.
TRANSPORT-SERGT. WILLIAM THATCHER
(Thatcher has been a member of the S. J.A.B. and full-time St. John driver for 23 years.)
On the night of the first cc Blitz" Sergt. Thatcher should have been off duty at 8 p.m., but the raid had begun before that time, and he stayed on duty through79
out the raid and until 3 a.m. next morning, taking charge of the Ambulance Station. He duly reported for his normal day's work at the station at 8 a.m. in spite of this long duty.
Soon after the raid started he was called out and after taking a case to hospital was directed to another incident. Here he found six people injured. To reach them he had to drive through a road covered with broken glass, and with buildings on both sides on fire. Whilst the ambulance was being loaded telephone wires were blown down around it, and he had serious difficulty in extricating his vehicle. He learned that his wife and son were in a house less than 100 yards away, but refrained from going to them, as he felt his first duty was to get the injured away. It was not until after the "All Clear " that he allowed himself time to go to his wife and child. He found that the house in which they had taken shelter had been severely damaged, but they were uninjured.
At the next call, whilst loading the casualty into the ambulance, a number of incendiary bombs dropped around and set fire to nearby houses. A high explosive bomb then fell at the end of the road (a bout 100 yards away) and shook the ambulance. When Thatcher drove away the local Vicar (who is a Warden) was heard to remark on the splendid courage of the ambulance driver
When returning to the station Thatcher was stopped when only 100 yards away from the garage, and was diverted owing to blocked streets. It took him a journey of 4 miles to get that last 100 yards.
On his return he found the station fu II of people sheltering. He helped to cheer them and make them comfortable until the raid was over.
During the next "Blitz» Thatcher had been to Devon with a case, and the sirens were sounding as he came into the city again. He should have been off duty on returning to the station, but he stayed on until I a.m., and again organised a· " shelter party» in the garage.
He went to several incidents, conveying patients to hospital and finding communication difficult, toured some of the worst areas to make sure that all casualties were receiving attention.
On the third " Blitz" Sergt. Thatcher had gone off duty, but returned immediately and stayed until all was clear in the early hours of the morning.
Many incendiaries were dropped near the station,
§
and he dealt with seven before help reached him. He then arranged for all the ambulance cars to be taken out of the garage and parked in various streets as a precaution to save the destruction of the whole fleet in the event of the garage being hit.
Two nearby buildings were then seen to have been fired by incendiaries, and he led a volunteer fire-
fighting party which did valuable work until the otherwise the "airtight" room will soon become arrival. of the A.F.S. uncomfortable and perhaps even dangerous, especially Dunng subsequent raIds Thatcher has remamed on 'f' d d S th t' t t b b ght by duty, directing the journeys of the ambulances. He 1 It IS crowe. 0 e pa len mus. e rou has returned to duty on every" Blit7-," and does not stretchers or ambulances to arranged leave duty on any evening now until it is fairly clear treatment Because of the nature of that heavy raiding is not to be expected. these gases, It IS much safer to consIder any gassed patient as in a serious condition. Artificial respiration not be given the patient by the
SOIne Medical of CheInical Agents Warfare
A review by Leon Goldman, M.D., and Glenn E. Cullen, Ph.D., Cincinnati
pulmonary irritants must be kept at absolute rest. The most serious symptom to combat is, of course, pulmonary cedema. Especially with phosgene, this may co-exist with deep cyanosis and increased venous pressure (the so-called blue type of asphyxia) or with the even more serious form, the shock form (the
The greatest menace of poison gas is its fear-inducing properties - F. N. Pickett 1 so-called pallid or grey type). The treatment is, of Fruthe
Ever since the appearance of that huge ugly chlorine cloud in Flanders Field on April 22, 1915, chemical agents have proved themselves efficient warfare agents. Because of this simple fact, and in spite of all signed political documents to the contrary, these materials will be used when necessary and when available in future warfare. Since the technique of modern warfare has changed so considerably, the civilian and especially the civilian physician must have more than an academic interest and knowledge of chemical warfare compounds.
The official report2 of the ninth International Congress of Military Medicine and Pharmacy includes the sentence " the great progress of the chemical industry in all countries since the war, the new discoveries made in this field, and the technical advances in other methods of warfare, it is very likely that future wars the use of gas will be made on a larger scale." Incendiary bombs and mustard gas were used extensively and efficiently in the ItaloEthiopian War. So far, incendiary bombs and flame throwers, but not gas, are being used in the present European wars.
There have been too few voices raised to rid the public of this propaganda induced fear of chemical warfare. Notable of these voices has been J. B. S. Haldane3 with his" Callinicus : A Defence of ChemiWarfare." Others have been the chemist James Kendall! with his "Breathe Freely" and, in this country, Prentiss4 with his technical work on " Chemicals in War." Frequently the non-informed physician shares in this unwarranted fear of chemical warfare. Since the last war there have been relatively few changes in the actual principles of the treatment of chemical warfare casualties, but there has been considerahle progress in the study of the organisation of the civilian aspects of this form of warfare. In recent years only scattered reports have appeared in the American medical literature.
In order to emphasise the clinical aspects of the lesions produced by the chemical warfare agents, we have included in our review only the more important /' 80
. . " first type, oxygen, of course, should be given. If pnnclples. We have learned that otherWIse the subject the various types of oxygen inhalation apparatuses appear too and the asp.ects are not available, ox gen may be given in a much less Will be lost. The detaIled study of speCIfic portions. y b · u' t d b th di'd 1 t t d 5 efficIent manner by means of subcutaneous mJectlOns. can e lnves ga eye In VI ua In eres e
This review will consider the military aspects onl y reports that 500 cc. may be . so wven . a,s they are concerned directly. Venesection also should be done, espeCIally If the Very early it was found that all the agents used at neck veins continue to be distended and the right side present could be classified, physiologically, into five of the heart continues to be dilated. At the present groups: (I) lacrimators, (2) lung irritants, (3) . vesi- time some are advising the prophylactic use of chemocants, (4) sternutators, (5) nerve and blood pOlsons. therapy such as the quinine derivatives and sulfaThis classification is essentially that of Julius Meyer. 6 d b Th Ch . 1 W f S . f th U . d S pyndine, to prevent the secon ary roncho-pneu- e erruca ar are ervlce 0 e rute tates . . . during the last war examined some 4,000 substances, moma. However, broncho-pneumorua IS not very only fifty-four of which were tried in the field and on. recovery from acute phase of phosonly twelve in use at the end of the war. At the gene pOlsorung and the bactenology of the bronchopresent time, and as far as can be determined, the pneumonia has not been studied thoroughly. Thereefficient chemical warfare materials of England, fore the value of these drugs is not known at present. France, Germany, Italy and the United States are For the pallid type of asphyxia as much of routine practically the same. In the indicate.d the more shock therapy should be given as is possible. In this l:np 0 rt ant ones, the pomt of pro.ducmg casual- condition the shock plus the emphysema, of ties, are the lung It!1tants and the veSIcants. d d di b' ( di' 1) It 1 · dil th t ' t b f diffi I egree an stn utlOn even me astma may s seen rea y a qm e anum er 0 cu t situations arise with the problem of caring for the obscure the presence of m.olsture the In casualties of civilians, and especially of large numbers ?eneral, the treatment of this form IS very discouragof civilians. Previously trained personnel, both lng and the patient may die within several hours in medical and non-medical, is absolutely necessary. spite of intravenous injections of various forms of This is. " gas di.s cipline." The of gas blood and other fluids, and cardiac and respiratory casualUes IS always Inversely proportlOnal to the stimulants even if all these materials are available in of gas discipline. This has been the first aid stations. Briefly, the essential m all European countnes and for some years thIS form th I' di . d b hI" . of training and preparedness has been going on.7 pa ooglc con tlOn cause ! t e ltntants lS Physicians will be concerned with those casualties acute pulmonary cedema assocIated WIth emphysema in which pulmonary damage and skin burns have been and pulmonary vessel thromboses. The other signiincurred. Sometimes in the midst of confusion and £lcant visceral pathologic changes include purpura, panic but little can be done, and yet, on the other especially throughout the brain, and dilatation of hand, treatme?-t must b.e instituted as as possible the right side of the heart. When a patient gassed to prevent senous reactlOns and It IS seen from by a lung irritant also needs surgical attention, he the table for the dangerous lung ltntants that abso- m b d h hi 1 di . 1 . d d d f . f ay e operate on w en s genera con Uon ute rest IS nee e , an ,0 course, rest In a gas- ree (( w" atmosphere. Any shelter that is free from the pene- at.rants. Local anresthesla, nerve block of sacral tration by the noxious gases must have some method or spmal type, are the forms preferred. Chloroform of producing or obtaining its own pure air supply,. may be given. 8
Professor Cullen died, April 12, 1940. From the D epa r tment of Pediatrics and the Children's Hospital Research Foundation.
1. Pickett, F. N., quoted by Kendall, James; Breathe Freely! The Truth About Poison Gas, New York, D Appleton-Century Company, 193 8, p. 27·
2. Bainbridge, Capt. William Seaman: Report on International Congress of Military Medicine and Phzrmacy, Mil. Surgeon 82: 226 (March) 1938.
3. Haldane, J. B. S. : Callinicus A Defence of Chemical Warfare, London, Paul Kegan, 1925.
4. Prentiss, Augustin M.: Chemicals in War: A TreatIse on Chemical Warfare, New York, McGraw-Hill Book Company, Inc , 1937·
5. Goldman, Leon, and Cullen, Glenn E. : The Vesicant Chemical Warfare Agents, to be published.
6. Meyer, Julius, quoted by Hederer, c., and Istin, M. : L'Arme et ses blessures, Paris, Libraire J. B. Balliere et fils, 1935, p. 4 2 .'
7. Official Publications on Air Raid PrecautlOns, London, His Majesty's Stationery Office, 1936, 1937, 193 8 19 39·
8. Henschen, c.: Chirurgis che Notmassnabmen bei der Behandlung der Kampfgasvergiftungen der Gruenkreuzgruppe (Chlor. Phosgen, Perstoff, Chloripikrin), Schweiz med. W chnschr. 69: 961 (Oct 21), 1939.
To be continued
Chelsea Sick Bay
The Chelsea Sick Bay at 25, Cadogan Square, has now been opened for members of the St. John Ambulance Brigade, British Red Cross Society; Civil Defence workers in the Borough of Chelsea will also be admitted. This applies to both men and women and the idea is it should be available for the patients who are not seriously ill, but who should be cared for for two or three days in cases, such as bad influenza, colds, temperatures and less serious complaints, where nursing their own homes is not possible and admission to a hospital is not necessary.
It is felt that there is a great need for this type of Sick Bay and that it will meet some very crying needs.
The Joint War Organisation have made themselves entirely responsible for the finance, but the patients will be asked to contribute towards the -expenses where possible.
It is hoped that 26 beds will be available when the Sick Bay is fully equipped.
3n metnoriatn
Officers and members of the Saltaire Mills ambulance and divisions (Shipley and District Corps) recently attended the Memorial Service of the late L.S.B.A. Charles Durham, who was lost when H.M.S. Jervis Bay was sunk by enemy action.
Sergeant Durham had been the service of Salts (Laltaire) Limited, from boyhood, and a member of the S.J.A.B. for about 30 years. He served overseas fOl; more than four years during the Great War as an orderly in a reserve of the R.A.M.e. On resuming civil life in 1919 he the Royal Naval Auxiliary Sick Berth Reserve, and was mobilised at the outbreak of the present war.
Priory for Wales
Headquarters:
Priory Houle, 4 Cathedral Rd., Cardiff
GENERAL INTEREST
HEADQUARTERS NOTES
The Medical Comforts Depots operating under the Priory dealt with Il,397 applications for sickroom l'equisites and medical comforts during the year 1940. Two Depots opened brought the total number now functioning to 96.
A.R.P. officers of the Brigade in Wales are being notified that Refresher Courses at Falfield or Easingwold are being arranged for Instructors A.R.P.S. who qualified before December 3 I, 1939. Each course will last for four clear working days, assembling on a Monday evening and dispersing on the following Saturday morning; and Students will be required to pay 7S. 6d. a day, this charge to include accommodation, food and transport between the Railway Station and School. The syllabus will cover the latest developments in anti-gas precautions, incendiary bomb control and elementary methods of protection against high explosive bombs. Applications to attend, giving full names and addresses, dates of qualification for and numbers of A.R.P.S. Certificates, Brigade Rank, and the week most convenient, should be made to the Commissioner for Wales, giving not less than 2. 1 days' notice.
In his first report as Surgeon-in-Chief for Wales, Major A. W. Anderson, M.B., Ch.B., states that despite the extra work, thrown upon the Medical Profession in Wales the influx of evacuated people and Air Raids, the instruction of Brigade members has not only been continued but intensified, and that it had fallen to the lot of many Brigade Surgeons in charge of First Aid posts and Mobile Units in South Wales, with staffs composed largdy of St. John personnel, to carry out some outstanding services. A number of Brigade Surgeons are giving their services gratuitously to the Home Guard, while many have been called up for duty with ,the Forces.
The Ambulance Committee on February 2. 5 sanctioned the formation of four Nursing Divisions at Deri, Newport (Pem.), Haverfordwest, Pembroke Dock, Pencynon Hirwaun, and Cadet Units at Gwaunfarren (Merthyr) and Holyhead, this second Cadet Unit in Holyhead taking the name of the County School from which all the members are recruited.
Honorary Life Membership of the Priory has been conferred upon Dr. M. W. Williams, County Surgeon, West Denbighshire, and Dr. F. J. Rees, Corps Surgeon, Bridgend and District Corps, for their 82
to the scene of the accident we started off with ropes, etc. We went by car t o Wern-Go-Farm, where we found two shepherds. We discussed with them the I best route to be taken. The party was divided into two, with a shepherd guiding each party. We had to grasp each other's hands or a rope to prevent getting
lost or falling down the slippery slopes which were very dangerous. It was also very foggy and one could hardly see the man in front. It was bitterly
cold. After three hours' climbing we found the gratuitous services as lecturers to First Aid and Homt plane, which was smashed to pieces. We disNursing Classes. c?vered that all the of the had been
Obituary.- The Priory records with deepest regret killed and account. of this an? beca::rse it was the passing of Sir William H. Seager, D.L., J.p., 2 and It was decided to untIl the morrung. Commander of the Order, Member of the Priory On AprIl 10 we starte? off agaIn at 7 a.m. and Chapter and Committees. Sir William's sincerity of the scene of the accIdent at 10.3 0 a.m. With the purpose and unfailing support of all branches of the of some members of the R.A.F. we Priory's work had endeared him to all officers and Immediately got to work to clear the and committees; and the loss of his inspiring personality get at the occupants. We brought the bodies of these will be felt particularly by the Finance Committee men. down to the mortuary at Bethesda. Because the over which he frequently presided in the capacity of bodies of. the other occupants of the plane were Assistant Treasurer. entangled In the wreckage and had been thrown to
REPORTS
BRECKNOCKSHlRE CENTRE
. Lieut.-Colonel C. G. Cole-Hamilton, C.M.G. )
D.S.O., reports on the work carried out within the county of Brecknockshire, of which he is Com· missioner, as under :-
" The strength of the Centre has increased during I94Q by 57 members, giving a total strength of 1,033
" Training has been carried on satisfactorily, not· withstanding many difficulties owing to war con· ditions and the calling up of many officers and men
"The County A.R.P. requirements have been fully met by members of the St. John Ambulance Brigade) and 68 Nursing Members are registered in the Civil NursiRg Reserve.
" The Centre has made a very satisfactory contribution to the work of the War Organisation through the J oint County Committee, which has opened one Convalescent Hospital and has a second one in prospect; and Brigade members have greatly assisted in the development of the Penny-a-week Scheme."
CAERNARVONSHIRE CENTRE
The Chief Commissioner has awarded the Meritorious Service Certificate to Ambulance Officer
John T. Jones and Private Hugh Davies for gallantry in attempting to rescue the occupants of a British aircraft which cr,ashed on the summit of a .mountain. The details of the incident are as follows :-
"At 4 p.m. on April 9, 1940, Police-Sergeant Edison Jones 'phoned to the Penrhyn Quarry Office for Ambulance men to be sent to the Police Station immediately. On arriving there we were told that a plane had crashed on top of one of the mountains. The Sergeant showed us on a map the whereabouts of the accident, which had been marked by a hiker who reported the crash. After deciding which way to go
very dangerous positions down the steep side of the mountain among some boulders which had become loose through the force of the crash, we decided to postpone further operations until the following day.
" On the third day, April I I, we started up again at 8 a.m. and arrived at the summit at 11.30 a.m.
danger of loose rocks, two only could go down and that by rope, a distance of about 100 feet. It was very slow and dangerous work. We managed to get them on the top. We arrived at the mortuary at 5.30 p.m. That was the end of our three days' hard work."
New Appointment.-All
officers and members of the Priory within the Glamorgan Centre will welcome the appointment of the Countess of Plymouth as Lady President, the vacancy having been created by the death of Mrs. Mackintosh of Mackintosh, C.B.E. The Glamorgan Centre nine County Areas and covers the geographical county with the exception of the City Borough of Cardiff, County Boroughs of Swansea and Merthyr Tydfil, and the Aberdare and Rhondda Centres; and its importance in relation to other Centres is indicated by possession of about onethird of the Brigade strength in the Principality. Lady Plymouth already holds the Brigade Headquarter office of Assistant Lady Superintendent-inChief, and her association with the county of which the Earl of Plymouth is President is particularly appropriate, while there is a great advantage in having the President of the B.R.C.S. Glamorgan Branch occupying a corresponding position under the Order of St. John.
We started on our work at once. Because of the (C()fJtinmd.on page 86)
--EQUIP YOURSELF FOR WAR EMERGENCIES--
Essential knowledge to treat successfully ALL possible injuries
THE HOUSEHOLD PHYSICIAN
A few of the subjects treated at length :WAR EMERGENCIES: PEACE-TIME SUBJECTS:Air Raid Precautions Influenza, etc., Measles, Mumps Gas Warfare (Special Chart) Catarrh Hcemorrhage Corns and Warts First Aid What to Do in Emergencies Bandages Skin Diseases Splints Hygiene, Anatomy, Burns HomCEopathy, Neurasthenia Scalds The Principles of Nursing Fainting Child Welfare 375 Prescriptions etc., etc.
ACCIDE.NTS- What to do ;n all cases. HOW TO DIAGNOSE. Diseases from appearance of Head, Face, Tongue, Throat, Chest, etc., etc.
THE YOUNG WIFE wjl/ find just the information she requires r ;';';;"ambers, st., NoHingtlam -, I Please send me Prospectus on THE HOUSEHOLD PHYSICIAN without any t I obligation
HUNDREDS OF TESTIMONIALS
I have gained 100% in each of the 8 test exam Inations ••• the knowledge of which attribute to your valumes, I have yet to meet my defeat in Ambu lance Examinations."
GLAMORGAN CENTRE
I · Interesting Case Reports
CASE REpORT No. 177.-The Officer-in-Charge of the Midland Area, West Riding of Yorkshire S.J.A.B., reports the efficient performance of first aid by a member of the Farsley Division in the following circumstances :- '
During the evening of February 28 Private Collis wa,s called from his home to attend a four-year-old girL Her body had just been taken from a tank of water into which she had fallen and in which she was presumed to have been immersed for about 10 minutes. Private Collis applied artificial respiration for one hour when breathing appeared to be natural, and he carried the child home. On reaching home the patient's breathing again failed, and artificial respiration was restarted and kept up for ·a further hour. The doctor then arrived on the scene, highly commended Private Collis on his treatment and ordered the child to llospital. The child has since fully recovered.
COMMENT .-:....This report stresses the need to keep watchful eye on a1Z aspf?yxz'ated patient whose breathing has been re-established 1:ry artificial respiration. To Private Collis, theref01"e , we tender cordial congratulations on his good work and on the fact that he was able to preserve the life of his little patient.-N.
C. F.
l[ Questions and . Answers .
LQADING AMBULANCE
J . C. you be good enough to give your ruling as to the correct way of loading ambulance? The R.A.M.C. Manual gives upper near side first, St. John Stretcher Exercises gives uppe.r off side first. . :t .shall be pleased to know which is the correct method, as in this respect the Textbook claims to be practically identical with the R.A.M.C. Training ManuaL
Both methods are correct. The R.A.M.C. Manual, horwever"gives instruction for loading ambulance in the fields rather than on the roads, whereas members of the Brigade are trained for loading on the roads.
In the latter instance there is alwcrys a camber (or tilt towards the gutter) which causes the ambulance to lean more or less markedfy .towards fhe pavement or edge of the road. In these circumstances, if the near side is loaded first, the tilt of the ambulance is accentuated, but if the off side is first loaded it is neutralised.
By the wcry,your statement that in its Stretcher Exercises the Textbook claims " to be practicalfy identical with the R:A.M.C. Manual JJ is contrary to fact. There is a va'st difference between "basefy mainfy" (p. 205) and "practicalfy identical I "-N. C. F.
COMPRESSION OF BOTH CAROLIDS TRANSPORT WITH FRACTURED PELVIS . C. W. (Bromsgrove). - ;In my last first aid examina- J. B. (Fleetwood). - I would very much appreciate tlOn for a label I was asked " What would happen if your remarks and advice on the correct method of you compressed both carolid arteries." Would you loading a case of fractured pelvis on to the stretcher. please give your answer to the question more or less There are three methods to choose from :in detail because the reply, that the patient would The usual method with four Bearers. become unconscious and die if the pressure is con- 2. As for fractured spine. tinned, was not sufficient for the surgeo n-examiner. 3. By passing blanket under patient (as when Am I right in supposing that yo u cannot compress changing the und er sheet of the sick bed, by turning carolid artery without also stopping the jug ular the slightly on his side, and placing the roll veIn? If this is so, there would surely be some close to hIS back, etc.). stagnant blood in the brain causing a condition Will you please state which is the most satisrather like congestion instead of just draining the factory, and safes t? brain by cutting off its blood supply. Meanwhile To me there is onfy one wcry to load a case of fractured please accept my thanks for your trouble. pelvis on the stretcher, and that is the one which you rightfy
On your state/llent of facts it would seem that the describe as "-,he method w. ith four Bearers." surgeon-examiner to kn01v ?vhat YOt! 7Vould do if The jor dunng transp ort you had to treat a patient suffering from a 1vou1zd involving of a patIent fractured spme arzses from both carotid arteries. (act that the bloken pieces of the vertebrae may be dzs\7 lodged and press on (or tear) the spinal cord. As, however, 10U are quzte nght Z7'l scryzng that contznued pressure of th · d t t d b -I- b th b' 1 b h J l.'d kl l "b ./. d ' 1S en sa ,IJe secon tum ar verbe ra ere zs 0 vzous':Y ot vesse s wou qU7C I)' cause complete msensL tty an pt' t ·t fi t d p" h l.'d b if . . d J h,{' ) no reason ?VI!)' a a zen ZVI /J a rac ure etVZs s ou e Z 1JIamtame, tm aeat OJ the patte/'lt I suspect, tberefore d fi fi t d p' F: th h t' that our examitzer 1vanted ou to tell him that in actual remove as or rae ure s me ur suc ac. zon y -I- I'd y. d' Jl I fi lvould tll7l7ecessanly delay the removal of patzent to hospztal. czrcumSbances you ?VOUt. peno zca':Y retax pressure or -N C F . , t71)O or three seconds to allou) some arterial blood to reach the brain.-N. C. F.
TREATME T OF FRACTURED J AW J. N. (Sidcup).-Please tell me to what extent it HUMOUR IN FIRST AID is desirable in treatment of fractured jaw to replace E. P. (Launceston, Tasmania).-At a recent St. the "halter" bandage of the Textbook with the John Test for Juniors the children had been carefully new" barrel" bandage. trained that in a case of vomiting they should have a In treatment of fractured jmv the baIter bandage should small dish and save the vomit and show to the doctor. be used in all St. John tests and the barrel bandage in all One boy was peeping at the Girls' Test on the look- A. R.P. tests. out for hints, and overheard the doctor asking the To me it seems that the halter bandage is quite satisleader" What did you do with the vomit? " and her factory for civilian il'!juries Under ?var conditions, hozvever, reply, "I saved it to show to the doctor." of ja1v are usual(y cOl7/minuted and so bad(y COlJlNext came his test for the Boys' Teams and this plicated that the objection raised (displacement of fragments required treatmynt of fracture, shock, etc. When, by back?vard pull) zvould appear sound and justify the however, the doctor asked" What did you do about substitution of the barrel for the halter bandage.-N. C. F. the shock?" he promptly replied, "I saved it to FRACTURES OF SCAPULA AND CLAVICLE show to the doctor."
Good I Next, please I I-N C. F.
J. N. (Sidcup).-Please tell me how you would treat simple fractures of scapula and clavicle on the ASPHYXI A AND FR ACTURE OF SPINE same side of body. This combination of injuries is very' rare. If, however, G. C. (Belfast).-At a recent Divisional PractIce I met such a case I would rem ove the man's coat, appfy the following incident was staged:- the figU? "e -of-eight bandage to the scapula and then treat Casualty found lying in prone position, uncon- the fractur ed clavicle as laid d01vn in the Textbook.scious with heavy beam lying across the back. N. C. F. Fracture of lumbar vertebra suspected. Breathing FRACTURES OF BOTI-I CLAVICLES absent, pulse present. J. N. (Sidcup). - Please tell me if you would Please state method of respiration advocate the use of Syme's method for a fractured should be applied and what precautlOns should be clavicle when complicated by other injuries-e.g., taken. two clavicles.
to it has wisefy been omitted from the Textbook. If, however, you should meet with it, then you can follow the instructions which used to figure in the Textbook and which read as follows :-
"When both collarbones are broken, keep the shoulders back b y narrow bandages tied round each arm close to the shoulders, passed across the back, over the opposite arm and tied to ge ther in front. The forearms should be raised and supported by the bandages."-N.
C. F.
FRACTURES OF P ATELLA AND FEMUR
J. N. (Sidcup).-Please tell me how you would treat simple fractures of patella and femur on same limb.
My treatment would depend on the material available. If bandages were scarce I would be content to appfy one as figure-of-eight round patella and knee joint (which as the result of shock and the fractured femur the patient is not likefy to flex or even attempt to flex) " and, this done, I would treat the fractured femur as laid down in Textbook. If, however, bandages were plentiful, I would first treat the fractured patella with long back splint and four bandages " and, this done, I would proceed to treat the fractured femur in the usual wcry. OJ course, I would not raise the patient's head, shoulders and lmver limb as l.r norma!(y done with a fractured patella.- C. F.
Loughhorough Centre
Extract from Twenty-fifth Annual Rep ort
The call for volunteers for [he Civil ursing Reserve led co an increased number of persons co be [rained, and at [he request of the County Medical Offi cer, special courses in First Aid, Home ursing, and Anti-Gas were arranged. Training of new recrui[s and refresher courses for the personnel of the Firs[ Aid Services,Auxiliary Fire Services, and Wardens has been cominued.
Seven senior and ten preliminary First Aid; three Home ursing, and two Anti-Gas classes have been arranged. The Committee record their thanks to the Medical Officers who lectured and examined the volunteers, and to those members of [he Divisions who gave much valuable assistance.
During the year 1,372 pa[iems have been carried, covering a mileage of I4,728.
Since the outbreak of war members of the Ambulance and Nursing Divisions have been on du ty at the hospital, fuse aid posts, hospital evacuation train, reception an d welfare centres for evacuees, and special duty at Headquarters.
The organisation of classes under the Leicestersbire Centre for Air Raid Precautions has continued, and during the year II6 individual classes have been registered.
In the circumstances named, having had the beam rem@ved, As there is no Syme's method for treatment of a fractured you would at once commence Schafer's method of artificial ilavicle, I wottld not recommend its " and, even if there respiration. Properfy pe1formed this should do no harm 'Vere, I ,vould still not recommend it, because first aiders to the. spinal column even if fractured, because pressure is 'must stick to first aid, and not" take upon themselves the exerted on the loins. If, hmvever, you cannot remove the iuties and responsibilities of a doctor (Textbook, p. 26)." beam, then you can do nothing.-N. C. F.
In Order to give readers the maximum amount of news and features it will be necessary print this Journal in smaller type in future.
This combination of irguries occurs so rarefy that reference
I Joint Presentation."-A new feature of presenta,tion meetings is the joint programme for the distribution of awards to local members of Red Cross and St. John units. A successful joint meeting was held at Porthcawl on Friday, March 14, when the Hon. John H. Bruce (Principal Secretary and Commissioner for Wales) presented awards to members of the Brigade, and Mr. R. 1. Nicholl, as B.R.C.S. VicePresident made presentations to Red Cross Nursing Members. Dr. R. D. Chalke, J.P., presided, and Mr. T. L. Davies, President of the Porthcawl Division of the Brigade, was the donor of a silver cup for competition by the cadets.
PEMBROKESHIRE CENTRE
The Chief Commissioner has awarded the Meritorious Service Certificate to Divisional Superintendent Edward Arthur Cook and Lady Divisional Superintendent Mrs. P. Hammond, for outstanding services during an air raid. Mr. Cook's leadership and service were an example which any Division would be proud to follow; and Mrs. Hammond was on duty practically day and night for over a week organising shifts and rendering service at a Dressing Station opened in the local school.
BOROUGH OF MERTHYR TYDFIL CENTRE
Captain W. J. Canton, D.L., LL.B., reports briefly on the work of the past year as under :-
"Inspections and competitions were held as usual and have provided a useful stimulus to Brigade activities.
"A.R.P.-469 ambulance and nursing members out of a total of 620 have enrolled in the First Aid Sections of the Merthyr Corporation Civil Defence, and Brigade lecturers are responsible for the training of other A.R.P. personnel in First Aid.
"C.N.R.-128 out of 224 nursing members have enrolled and have been trained at Merthyr General Hospital, where every facility and encouragement have been provided. The nursing auxiliaries are expecting to be used at any moment at the two E.M.S. Hospitals which are being set up as annexes to Merthyr General Hospital.
"Very few administrative functions have been fulfilled for many years by the Committee, which largely consists of Brigade members. Under the new chairman, Mr. Tom Andrews, J.P., it is hoped that more ·support will be available from the public. Under war conditions the Brigade is fully occupied with emergency work in the First Aid Party Depots and Centre meetings are not possible or required. It is intended to inaugurate a Centre campaign for cadets. Only 13 members are serving in H.M. Forces as the personnel are mainly in reserved occupations. Very few discharges occur and no uniforms have been returned. This matter will receive attention.
" Are markable increase in strength occurred in 1940, viz., 245, due to the establishment of an Ambulance Division at Gwaunfarren, and Nursing Divisions at Penydarren, Abercanaid and Troedyrhiw.
"Normal peace time activities continue successfullx."
BOROUGH OF SWANSEA CENTRE
86
MThe work of the past year is summarised in th following report from the Commissioner, Dr. Urba! ;
Marks:-
"During I 940 the work of the Brigade has pro ceeded on normal lines, although many men hav
joined the Armed Forces and the nurses are renderin services in various capacities. Practically everyon in the Brigade is engaged in A.R.P. work. The Firs Aid Party Depots have been reduced from 14 to 9 an( are staffed by Brigade members in conjunction the B.R.C.S. The training has been intensive and ha achieved good results. Reports received by th
I to n
II
treatment of wounds
This treatment proceeds by three stages:-
Commissioner from the hospitals indicate that th work is of the highest quality. Everyone has acquitte! 1 MILTON 500/ SOLUTION him 2elf nobly and the same praise is due to the nurse • /0 working at First Aid Posts. In spite of A.R.P. cleansing and mechankal removal of sufficient volunteers to staff the theatres and cinema all in£ d 1 t 'd t' ti d have been found." ecte p asma pro el s, necro IC ssue an pus. Milton (up to 500/0 solution) dissolves this
NEWS IN BRIEF detritus and rapidly sterilises the clean surface.
The Publicity Department of the Red Cross ani h lin' d fu fl' d St. John War Organisation is anxious to obtaiJ As a ypertoruc sa e It pro uces pro se ill photographs giving impressions of life and movemenexudation. illustrating the activities of both bodies. Brigad " members who can contribute suitable photograp h H The process oj. mechantcal IS oj are asked to forward them to Priory House, and an most advantage In wounds contalntng sloughs cost incurred can be refunded. "and is well served by solutions containing
The St. John Ambulance Brigade News
No. 1 (PRINCE OF WALES'S DISTRICT) Eastern Area
Mrs. F. Firmin, a well-known member o£ the St. John Ambu.laIr in Walthamstow, now evacuated with her invalid husband, is 5 " doing her bit" for the war effort. She is in her 80th year, and write!
" chlorine or liberating oxygen, both oj which "tend to disintegrate and detach necrotic " tissue."-Lancet, May 4, 1940 .*
" The most rapidlY acting antiseptics are the " halogens and those liberating nascent oxygen."
-Lancet, April 27, 1940 .*
" Projuse fluid exudation can be deliberatelY "produced by applYing hypertonic solutIons "of salt."-Lancet, May 4, 1940 .*
" Despite the recent severe weather hav e managed to get as far I the school and give my week'y lesson on First Aid to the senio scholars (not so bad for me, as I am now in my 80th year I). But 2 am glad to be able to do 'my bit,' for there is neither a doctor • MILTON 5% SOLUTION nurse in this village, so I g uess it would be pretty bad if a raid eli come."
The clean wound is kept sterile by an isotonic Flag Day, June 5.-It is hoped that every member will help make this day a great success. Orders for flags, etc., should be sent in as soon as possible.
Sheiters.- Volunteer Nurses are urgently needed for shelters South West Ham. Excellent individual bedroom
is provided in the Dockland Settlement for members who call: give a week or ten days of their time, and who do not wish to traY
to and fro.
Farnborough
No. 2 DISTRICT
The annual general meeting of the Farnborough division was recently under the chairmanship of divisional surgeon Dr. G. Seckt Walker.
The following is an extract from the report of the division superintendent:
The strength of the division is 27, an increase of 3; 10 membe. are serving with H.M. Forces. Normal work of the division h been on a smaller scale than in past years owing to war conditiOI and the very heavy demands made on personnel by A.R.P. wall During the year 48 drills have been held and 250 cases
(Continued on page 90)
Mzelto n
antiseptic protective layer, applied by dressing, irrigation or immersion. In this mild aqueous medium a normal granulation proceeds and exudation ceases.
" The proper vehicle jor. an antiseptic to be " applied to a wound is water, and the solution " should if possible be rendered isotonic."Lancet, May 4, 1940.*
3. MILTON 1% SOLUTION
The Milton js then reduced to t per cent. at which dilution the hypochlorite has been found to actually stimulate cell-division and tissuegrowth, with consequent rapid healing.
Mter debridement, this course of treatment is normally painless.
This therapy cannot be carried out with full success by the use of Dakin's solution or of Liq. Sod. Chlorin., owing to their causticity, their deficient saline content and to their varying strength of hypochlorite.
*PrtvmJion and Treatment of Wound Inferlion. At/ion of Anli.uptia on Wotmdr.
the Electrolytic Hypochlorite
Hints for BROI(EN LEGS
Aiders EUll!Jl;?lIJ'lIhW -Espectally
for Cadets
By N. S. B. VINTER, M.B., B.S., , Corps Surgeon, County of Bristol No. 2 Corps
The bones of the leg are a goo d deal stronger than the arm bones, because they have to carry the whole weight of the bod y; they are springy too, as they have to absorb the shock on landing from a jump, or in running. It takes greater vio lence to break them than to break the bones of the arm, but as in this case, the violence can be either direct to the bone that breaks, indirect to a neighbouring bone, or the break may result from the patient's own muscular effort.
The pelvis, which is made up of the two haunch bones and the sacrum, forms a basin in which lie several important organs, principally the bladder and the lower part of the intestine; it is, therefore, a protecting, as well as a supporting bone. When it is broken the is often complicated b y injury to one or other of these organs.
Being a ring of bone, it usually breaks in two places on opposite sides of the ring, at its weakest points. The kind of violence that will produce such an injury is a crush, as when a fallen hor se rolls over on its rider, when the patient is squeezed between two trucks, or beneath the wheels of ,a heav y vehicle.
It is not always an easy injury to spot, especially if the history of the accident is not known. The main signs 6f such a fracture are loss of power in both legs, very severe shock, and evidence of bleeding from the passages (if the organs are injured). The patient complains of a sensation that he is falling apart, and of s.evere pain on the smallest movement.
Irregularity of the bone is difficult to find, par· ticularly thfough a patient's clothes; and it is usually impossible to undress the patient at the scene of the accident in order to make an examination.
The femur is one of the strongest bones of the body, but in elderly people the neck of the femur becomes very brittle, and may break as the result of quite a trivial accident, such as tripping over a mat. It is a fairly common accident to elderly women, and may be even fatal if patiC:flt ,is in a poor state of health.
The fracture is impacted, that is the broken ends are jammed together, and it may be very difficult to spot. There is no abnormal mobility, no great deformity, and the bone is too much covered with muscle for the irregularity to be felt. Pain, loss of use
of the leg, and the age of the patient are warrung of the possibility of such a fracture.
NURSING
AND FIRST AID
Fractures of the shaft of the femur are usuall ' AN ENTIRElY NEW WORK OF INVALUABLE PRACTICAL ASSISTANCE caused b y direct violence, and are fairly obviou' TO EVERYONE IN THE NURSING PROFESSION even throu O'h the patient's clothes.
b EVERY reader of "St, John's Ambulence Gazette" is given this special privilege It lnay be difficult to be certaIn of a fracture elthe· opportunity of obtaining a copy of an entirely new work that will be of incalculable
Just above or ust below the knee. As at the elbo \l practical assistance and guidance to everyone engaged in nursin g. This important ,book- " MODERN HOME NURSING AND FIRST AID "-is now published for the there are several small pOInts of bone which may h first time, a nd is one of the most complete, detailed volumes eVl;'r to be written b y broken. The knee is an elaborate joint There an doctors, each of whom is a speCialist in the s ubj ect to which he has contrib uted P ads of cartilaO'e betw ee n the rounded lowe r end 0: b f' , , * The "olume i. beirlg offered to prompt app\i"" nLs To the nurse who has onlyjust croased the thresho ld of the femur and the flat uI)per end 0 the tibIa and a paJ aL II rema rkably low pridlege price that represents 1\ career of Lending and hea ling the sick and irljured, and aJito undin 't wartime va lu e. are sirictly limi t.ed t.o t.he nu se who ha had many years e)..-perience. tws of toubO' h ligaments InSIde the JOint hol dlng the twen,;'od,," Uena,PI book "iU prove im'aluable. , Actual size of Lh e volume ia9 in, deep by 6 in wide. bones together. These lnay be pulled off and take ;a pply at once on the Order Lahe l on right, below. Thi. hook , wh icb is specia ll y arranged for qu ick reference, hand some ly bOllnd in w oven Crasb Ca,nvas. ,flake of bone with them. ior:g:fo . d d' th d and over 200 diagrams, photographs and valuable insurance, elc. The patella IS embed e In e strong ten on f f h th h d bl th ' DO THIS NOW ! the muscle in ront 0 t e Ig, an ena es that may be affected by sickness. accident or to space provided for yonr Privilege Invoice and printed tend on to pull on the ti bia when the knee is bent El'eryone In the nn"in!: proie&lion knows that medi ca l once in an nnsealed envelope bearing If the tendon is suddenly jerked the patella Dept., X.J.A.R. break across its middle. This is the usual kind Kin g's Langley, Herts. f
fracture 0 the patella, .an appens. w en a whose hands are full slips. He straIghtens Ius with a jerk, as he cannot use his hands to save him,/oods nnd thoir "a lu e". self. It is a very good example of a fracture cause by the violent action of the patient's own muscles most likely to happen to people of over
But the patella can be broken by direct violence :;l, Then it doe.s not break acro.ss, but there are severa cracks runrung from the POlnt where the blow fell >.,;'fA It may happen to a patient sitting in a car ' whie! is suddenly stopped b y a collision. The patienl shoots forward on his seat, and strikes his knee against the dash board.
The shaft of the tibia may, of course, be broker by direct violence, but it can also be broken by in· direct violence when the patient is swung rouno
while his weight is on one leg. His foot can't
the rest of his body, and the tibia takes the strain of the twist, and breaks in a spiral fashion.
Fractures of ,the shaft: of the fibula ' are conceald by the muscles which cover it. A patient may go for several days without realising that serious has happened to his le g He knows that ht has had a bad blow on the leg and only after he hal been limping about for a few days, and the leg show
(Continued on page 90)
A FEW OF THE HUNDREDS OF SUBJECTS COVERED IN THIS WORK. Xerovthalmia (Hardening of the Eyes ), Uraemia Thalamus. Psynhologioal Treatment, Tubal Pregnan cy, SysLole (Contrac. LIon the Hend Muscle), Suckling Deformed Babies, Pyloric Stenosis, PreparaLion of Swabs for Confinements, Sclerosis Sphinoters. Sick Ward Routine. Shock in Ai rRaids, Phosgene (War Gas ), Physiotherapy, Pla.centa (Atter·birth). PolYlU ia (Exoessive Urination ), Pruritus Valvae (Itching of the Patient, Nutrition. Oliguria, Pericardium. Meningitis, a,stitis. Hypnotio Dru gs, Labia Minoria. BacLel'ia. Haemo- Hormon es. Dru gs of nil kinds , Invalid Diets. Vaginal DISoharges, Respiration and Circulation. Problems of Personal :ygiene and Expert Advine on Whllt to Do. Ohange of Lile, mergeacy Midwifery, and hundreds of other subjects
Hints for First Aiders
(Conti17ued from page 88)
no signs of getting better does he consult his doctor. A first aider may be misled very easily as the usual signs and symptoms of a fracture are not found. The pain and tenderness over the fibula should, however, put him on his guard.
Around the ankle, fractures are often complicated by a dislocation. One of the commonest forms of such an injury is a Pott's fracture, called after the surgeon who first wrote about it. It happens when the patient misses his footing on the edge of pavement, or falls clumsily from a height on the inner side of his foot. The ankle is dislocated, the tip of the tibia is torn off, and the fibula snaps about an inch above the ankle. The deformity of the ankle is easily seen, the patient complains of great pain, ·and can't walk or. stand on the foot, so that it is easy to see that something serious has happened, and that the injury is something worse than a sprained ankle.
The bones of the foot are most commonly injured by being crushed, and it is surprising how often the big toe bears the brunt of a crush. Either its metatarsal bone, or one or other of its phalanges is broken fairly frequently, by accidents which the patient does not believe to be so serious. In these cases the bone is not broken clean across, but is more likely to be split, often along the length of the bone. The patient is quite likely to carryon with his work for several hours before the pain and swelling oblige him to rest his foot.
There are, to sum up, many common fractures of the bones of the leg which are liable to be overlooked on such examination as a first aider can make at the scene of the accident. It is very important, therefore, to bear in mind the rule that if the bone may be broken, the injury should be treated as a fracture.
Brigade
News-(Continuedfrom page 86)
In his report on the Cadet division, cadet superintendent Robinson said the personnel numbered 15, with 6 more on probation; that 4 cadets were shortly to be transferred to the adult division.
In view , of the increased calls on the time of Brigade members f0r A.R.P. duties during 1940, it was decided temporarily to abandon social activities.
Witney
The 12th annual meeting of the Witney division took place recently. Superintendent J. e. Chesterman presided
The reports showed that the strength of the div ision is 33, Cadets 17. Eleven members, including the divisional surgeon, are in H.M. Forces. One is a prisoner of war in Germany, the remaining members are all engaged in A,R.P. work. A large number of cases of first aid were treated during the year. The financial report showed tha.t there was £47 in hand. Stores and equipment are in excellent wodition. Stretchers and first-aid equipment for use in an emergency are maintained in various parts of the town.
The Superintendent, who , has recently completed 38 years of ambulance work, thanked the officers and men for their continued loyalty to himself and to the division.
No. 3 DISTRICT
Northampton
The annual report for 1940 of the Northampton Corps (including the Invalid Transport) records an increase of 83 in the personnel.
Members now number 452. A new division has been formed Kingsthorpe. The Corps now consists of eight Senior divisiq and one Cadet division. A considerable number of members are l H.M. Forces.
Calls up on members have been numerous. The Invalid Trans M been heavy. long-distance jou rneys were undertakq NIght duties have agam been carried out by a voluntary staff dr.ivers, attendants and an officer-in-charge. The Transport Co Iruttee gratefully the sacrifice by these volunt2:\ workers, and agam deSIres to express Its Slncere thanks for a services rendered.
No.3 (EASTERN) DISTRICT
Peterborough
The Lady Superintendent-in-Chief, Mrs. St. John Atkinso! accompanied by the County Commissioner, County and Co \ officers of the Peterborough Nursing Corps, and the of the ambulance division, recently visited two convalescent hom and first-aid posts.'
Mrs. Atkinson said she was very pleased with everything she Iv seen. The wards were very bright and airy, patients very cheerft! and the homes excellently adapted; also that it had been a gr pleasure to see the work of the nursing divisions in Peterborou Members were working very efficiently, and were evidently rea for any emergency. Peterborough compared well with other ci in first-aid posts; in fact, she had seen none better.
Convalescent homes and other war organisations have also b inspected by Her Royal Highness the Duchess of Gloucester w was much impressed, not only by the efficiency with which the Hom. are conducted, but by their convenience and suitability.
Luton
The Luton (Vauxhall Motors) Ambulance org anisation has reaclr. Corps status in three years
In October, 1938, the Luton (Vauxhall Motors) division "IIi formed. Its personnel totalled 37. In March, 1940, the LutQ (Vauxhall Motors) nursing division came into being with just 0 a dozen members. To-day, three am bulance div isions and
nursing divislOn make up the Luton (Vauxhall Motors) Corps. T total personnel of these units is 2 I 3. -
Four officers are going forward for nomination as Corps officer
Surgeon (Dr. E. A. Butterworth, F.R.e.S.), Superintendent (R. Hunter, M.e., J.p.), Inspector of Stores and Training CR. McEvt\ L.A.G.e.I.), and Secretary (R. R. Hopkins).
Mr. R. McEvoy was recently awarded a Meritorious Certifica
Mr. R. R. Hopkins has on one or two occasions contributed artiC: to The Gazette on the subject of Transport.
Members of the Vauxhall Ambulance organisation recently sol some £30 worth of tickets for one of a series of War Weapons Wei. concerts, given on behalf of the Red Cross and St. John Fund.
No.3 (WESTERN) DISTRICT
Kidderlllinster
The presentation pf an ambulance to local Ambulance and divisions of the S.JA.B. was made recently by the Master Butche' Association of Kidderminster and district. Mr. Shingler, presid of the Association, made the presentation.
Mr. Todd, president of the Kidderminster Ambulance said the Kiddenninster divisions would g ive service worthy of u magnificent gift made to them.
Dr. F. L. Newton, County Surgeon and Acting County Corom SlOner, thanked the Butchers' Association on behalf of the and the Brigade, and spoke of the great efforts the Association mq h ave made to obtain the ambulance in such difficult times.
No.5 DISTRICT
Bakewell
The first annual general meeting and dinner of the Bakew and District division was held recently under the chairmanship District Officer Capt. F. Brindley, M.e. Dr. S. S. Proctor, A. M.O.H. of the Derbyshire e.c., paid especial tribute to Mr. c. , Allcock, who had organised and fostered first-aid classes during past three years.
In his annual report, Divisional Superintendent 1. B. James report a year of considerable activity. Of the 29 on the roll, five were H.M. Forces, two of them in the R.A.M.e. The remaining mem!» were involved in some form or other of civil defence work, and the Di vision was responsible for the manning at week-eo dunng the summer months of the" Betty Goodwin» First-Aid JI at Baslow, and on four nights per week a man was on duty at local cinema. A considerable amount of instruction had been giv: by various members to the genera public, Home Guard detachmeo A.F.S., etc., and approximately 250 people h ad already through their hand s
he onset of the Influenzal Chill and the attack of sub-acute Rheumatism are sharp pyrexia. Headache and lly severe. Analgesia and Antipyresis amount of depression are obviously · s and uncombined aspirin are not always n IANADIN' Tablets advantage is taken of the ct of small doses of aspirin, phenacetin, caffeine and taining efficacy while lessening the risk of overdosage.
FORMULA
Acetphenetidin
Ac Acetylsalicylic Caffeine Alkaloid
Samples for clinical trial will be sent on request. Ouinine Sulphate ANADIN Limited, 12 CHENIES ST., LONDON, w.e.!
IODINE
for treatment brevention and SHELTER THROAT INFLUENZA RHEUMATISM the 0/and various other complaints
*Iodine has many uses in th e preven tion and treatment of war and winter complaints. Our new booklet " Health Hints for Wartime" describes these uses fully.
IODINE IS antiseptic the for = most economical domestic use
The 'Elastoplast > First Aid Oudits, Nos. and 2, consist in each case of a neat, strongly-made cardboard box, containing an assortment Qf First Aid Dressings. They are designed primarily for use in factories and workshops, and are a useful addition to the ordinary First Aid Cabinet for the Ambulance Room. Each dressing consists of an antiseptic gauze pad medicated with Bismuth Subgallate 2-3% on the 'Elas oplas t' elastic adhesive bClse, affording an elastic support and ensuring comfort and protection in use. Both Outfits are available through your usual surgical at 6/- each. Write for further details to: T. J. Smith & Nephew, Ltd. (Dept Neptune Street Hull.
No.
5 (NORTH-EASTERN) DISTRICT
NottinghaITl
The New Headquarters @f the N ottingh am Corps were recently inspected by the A cting Commissioner, Dr. S. J W. D onald Members of the ambulance and nursin g divisions fOlmed a Guard of Honour.
Mr Cullen Gibson unlocked the (( Gibson R oom" and declared it open as a memorial to his late father. The Acting Commissioner unveiled a b ronze tablet w hich h ad been erected to the memory of Arthur Barnes Gibson, JP.
By courtesy of " Mornmg News."
PLYMOUTH (SUTTON HIGH SCHOOL) CADET
A MBULA NC E DIVISION
A cting Cad et Sergeant M. Screech demonstrating ro ller-bandaging to younger colleagues
Lady County Superintendent Miss W. Gibson (daughter of the late AssiStant Commissioner) u nveiled a large hand-painted photo.graph of her father. Both these tokens of remembrance were given by members of the Nottingham Corps, 1940.
Corps Superintendent F. Wilson Moulds, in proposing a vote of thanks t® Mr. a.nd Miss Gibson for thei1i generosity towards th e City Corps spoke of the immense amount of work accomplished by their father in the furtheranc e of first-aid work.
The n ew headquarters h ouse a transport department, comforts depot, secretary's office, general stores, a large room for meetings, and a home for the caretaker.
Dr. Banks, the President, stated that the transport had covered nearly 25,000 miles in 1940. The Comforts D epartment had issued or re-issued 383 articles. The strength of the Corps was the argest
in its history-563 men an d 249 women Cadet divisions had bo formed, with a total personnel of 60.
No.6 DISTRICT
Wallsend
The Walls end Borough Ambulance and Nursing divisions receol held a supper and dance. T he guests included the Mayor Mayoress (A lderman and Mrs. Mason), Dr. Rutherford and Mrs. Rutherford, Dr. and Mrs. Rose, and D. Staintb:orpe First-Aid Awards were presented to several members of Q div sions b y the Mayoress Ambulance officer Curry presented, \ b eh alf of the members, a Westminster chiming clock to superintendent S. J Coyde as a token of appraciation of his 26 yea! service with the d ivision.
Superintendent Coyd e joined the division when it was first forrn b 26 years ago, and has been an active member ever since. He
the medal and bar-; the George VI Coronation medal, and a Servmg Brother of the Order.
No.8 (DUK E OF CONNAUGHT'S ) DISTRICT
Southwick
The h eadquarters of the Shoreham and Southwick and Nursing divisions were recently dedicated to the memory of late Mr. E. T. Springate, M.B.E., President of the Division.
Before the service members of the div isions were inspected by Area Commiss oner, Mr. David Bryce, JP.
The headquarters, which will in future be known as Spring Hall, were built entirely by the members in their spare time, a £ believed to be unique among the divisions of the S.JA.B.
1938 members have trained hundreds of men and women in first a1 including a very large majority of the civil defence personnel, al since the outbreak of the present war have continuously manned first-aid posts.
A large representative gathering which included many Brig:!! officers a nd urban councillors were a lso present at the ceremony.
No.9 DISTRICT
PlYITlouth
County Commissioner Hedley Ivriller recently presented Dr. C. Jones, Headmaster of Sutton High School, with his warrant appointment and badge of office as President of the Sutton Hi, School Cadet Ambulance division.
Prior to the ceremony the High School Cadets paraded f inspection and gave a demonstration of practical work. Bo! bandaging and stretcher work were most efficiently carried m and the Cadets were complimented by the inspecting officers.
In an address to the schoo l the County Commissioner, who is " old Suttonian, " spoke of the present act ivities of the Order, aD related several accounts of the St. Joh11 Ambulance services in ar, around Plymouth. He described cliff rescue work, coping with L results of enemy action on sea and land, co-operation with the fir fighting services, and first aid under difficult and d a ngerous condition
It is hoped that more recruits w ill be obtained from among t; students at the Sutton Hi g h School as a result of the Commission visit.
No.' 10 DISTRICT
The mobile canteen w hich members of the West NOlfolk ar L ynn Nursing Corps have been hel ping to operate in West Norfo! was recently dedicated.
The canteen, w hich s affiliated to the St. J ohn Ambu lance Briga& is run under the auspices of the Norfolk War Organis ation Jo Council and staffed by members of the St. John Am bulance Brigaa assisted by members of the British Red Cross Society.
Mrs.. S. R. Parker (Acting Lady Stores Officer) deserves gre credit for h er work in charge of the canteen wh ich has been Etn and equipped under her supervision.
A ll the money to purchase and equip the canteen-amounting nearly £60o-has been raised by the St. John members.
Prisoner of W ar
Private L. J. Gilbert, 133 FieJd Am bulance, is British prisoner of war at Stalag VIn B, K R.G EF. NR Germany. He is a member of No. 23 (N orwoo d aD Crystal Palace) Division.
THE PASSE PARTOUT Combined Carrying
Sheet and Stretcher
Illustrating method of carrying Patien t. Note the fact that both bearers are on the same side of patient, th e lack of sag in the middle and the ease with which patient is carried on account of even dis tribution.
A necessary Compl ement to every Stretcher P arty, FirstAid Po st or Ambulance Room
*Casualty carried by two hearers standing on same side - two abreast instead of three abreast Il8 in case of other types of carrying sheets.
*Straps arranged that Patient does not sag in the middle.
*Can be used as ordinary stretcher by slipping poles through sides of sheet and attaching metal cross bars to hold poles apart. * * * This new Combined Stretcher and Carrying Sheet has been devised to facilitate the rem ova l of Cas ualties from w ithin CON'FINED SPACES, UP Al\T)) DOWN STAIRS when help is limited
WOUNDS CUTS BURNS SKIN IRRITATION
THE LlrlceO PHYSICIANS' p(orl O REMEDY IS the safe and certain remedy
For Frayed Nerves, Headaches and Neuralgic pams there is no safer or better treatment. Cephos, the prescription of an Emin ent Harley Street Physician, has a soothing and steadying on the nervous system and it does not affect the heart. Sold everywhere in Tablet or Powder form 1 /5 and 3/5. Single dose-tablets or powder 2td. Cephos does not affect the heart
(Continued from p. 68, March issue)
At the request of the War Organisation, Sir Philip Chetwode has transmitted the most grateful thanks of the Council to the Roumanian Red Cross for its indefatigable efforts in assisting the British Red Cross Committee in Bucharest, especially in connection with the dispatch of parcels to British prisoners of war in Germany. The co-operation of the Roumanian Red Cross has been of the utmost value to the British Committee and the War Organisation greatly appreciates the help that has been so generously given.
Recently Lord Horder, President of the Chartered Society of Massage and Medical Gymnastics, handed over to the War Organisation a physio-therapy mobile unit presented by the Society. The gift was accepted by Sir Philip Chetwode. Its special function is to assist in bringing back convalescents to health by affording general tonic iitimulation to the system and restoring muscular action. It is to be stationed in a central position in a selected area whence it will visit the convalescent homes and auxiliary hospitals under the administration of the War Organisation.
- It is the first mobile unit designed for the road for this purpose. A second mobile unit, presented by the British War Relief Association of Southern California, will shortly also be on the road.
Relatives and friends of prisoners of war who may be giving orders to authorised booksellers to send parcels of books to prisoners in Germany should note that no books published by Penguin Books, Ltd., can be sent owing to regulations imposed by the German Censorship.
Mr. Stanley Adams, Managing Director of the Prisoners of War Department, is planning the establishment of a reserve of about 350,000 food parcels -approximately eight weeks' supply-for British prisoner. of war in Germany. He aims to form advance depots of parcels as far forward as possible along the route, principally at Lisbon, Marseilles and in Switzerland. The reserves are designed to nullify any temporary interference with deliveries at camps owing to unavoidable delays between England and Switzerland. The three firms whose help has been obtained in the production of this reserve-Harrods, Lyons and Selfridges-have already dispatched the first consignments.
All the articles included in these parcela were supplied by the War Organisation through its Stores Department. And to meet this special it was 94
AIDS TO FIRST-AID (7th Ed.)
necessary that the Department should deliver, at v First-Aid Simplifled and Tabulated with Aids to Memory. '1 Price 1/- (Post 2d.) short notIce, to the three firms, about a rru lion t and packages in addition to the supplies issued to EFFICIENCY IN FIRST-AID (3.rd Ed.) centres in London and the provinces where the nor Problems In Study, Treatment and ExaminatIon solved f k d for Senior Students. Price 1/- (Post 3d.) output of parcels for pnsoners 0 war IS pac e. COMMON ERRORS IN FIRST-AID
Post Office vans operate all day between the Pare Errors in First-Aid Detailed and Explained. Office at Mount Pleasant and the principal pare Price 1/- (Post 2<1.) packing centre at North Row, Park Lane. FourpoWHY AND WHEREFORE IN FIRST· men are continuously employed in loading a AID (5th Ed.) unloading the vans. This packing centre alone e Difficulties in Study and Treatment Solved by ploys fifty paid and two hundred voluntary worke Question and Answer. Price 1/- (Post 2td.) They use about three tons of paper shavings and AIDS TO HOME.NURSING six-pound balls of string a week. The store has H N I S· I'f) ddT bid 'th A'lds to ome urs ng Imp I Ie an a u ate , WI supply between 216,000 and 240 ,000 artIcles a we Memory. Price 1/_ (Post 2id ). AMBULANCE COMPETITION TESTS from thIS centre IS between 13,000 and 14,000. T total output for the 14 weeks during which the cen has been functioning is 143,979 parcels.
Stretcher, Individual and Question. Ruh Folder contams special article on :-No. 11 of Competition Teams; No.2, Conduct of Team m CompetitIOn RooD?; No.8, Co=on Errors in Competition; No.4, Further Errors. m Treatment; No.5, History of Competition Tests; No.6, Preparation of Tests. 6 Folders. Price 6d. each (Post 2d.)
Obtainable from:
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.
ALL A.R.P. EQUIPMENT
DUST and SPRAY MASKS and all other Safety and Protective Devices.
SIEBE, GORMAN & Co , Ltd.
Advices from Lisbon report the arrival there 21,000 parcels packed in Canada by the Canadian R
THE FO UNTAIN PRESS
Cross Society k , whiWh'ch 19 CURSITOR STREET, LONDON, E.C.4 parcels a wee en InlOrmlng e ar rgaru ' tion of the intentions of the Society, the Chairm wrote: "We have the money, we have the food, have the workers, and our people are very THE in all the efiforts they are making for the prisoners war."
The sum involved in supplying these food parcels between one and one-and-a-half million dollars in tl course of a year, though the food included in tl parcels is being supplied by Canadian firms at cost.
Four sample parcels are on their way from t Canadian Red Cross Society to the War Organisatio In an article in the Canadian Medical Associati Journal, Dr. Tisdall, of the Department ofPaediatri University of Toronto, and one of the outstanc14 authorities in America on nutrition, publishes scientific analysis of the food contents of the parce They comprise 16 oz. each of whole milk powd butter, jam and pilot biscuits; 8 oz. each of salmo dried apples, dried prunes, sugar and eating chocolat 12 oz. of corned beef; 10 oz. of pork luncheon meal 4 oz. each of cheese, sardines or kippers, and tea; sa and pepper and soap. Seven vitamin tablets al included in each parcel to overcome any possib. deficiency of vitamin requirements.
In order to provide variety it is proposed from tiill to time to change th(t contents of the parcels, thoug the basic requirements which the Nutrition Committ consider necessary will be maintained.
John Ambulance Association
Its History and its Part in the Ambulance Movement
By N. CORBET FLETCHER, M.A., M.B., M.R.C.S.
This book, from COVei' to COVel', is full of information of interest lind fmporlllnce to everyon<! in the Ambulance Movemetlt."St. Jobn I:\mbulance a;a3ette. Price 3/ 6 Postage 6d.
Storel Dept.: 8 T. J 0 H N 8 GAT E. LON DON. E. C • 1 •
CLASSIFIED ADVERTISEMENTS
Adtlertiuments with remittance should be sent to the SI. John Ambulance Gazelle, 19, Cursitor Street, E.C+ 2.d. per word, minimum 3s.
SCENT CARDS AND SACHETS, printed with your announcements, are splendid money raisers and show 300% profit. Samples free on requeilt.-AlREDALE PRESS, Bradford.
PENCILS
OF SUPERIOR QUALITY, printed with your Corps Name and announcement, sell easily. Sample free.AIREDALE PRESS, Bradford.
URGENTLY WANTED.-Several copies of this Journal for January and February 194I.-Send copies with price to Publisher. THE ST. JOHN AMBULANcB GAZllTIE, 19, Cursitor Street, London, E.C.4.
95
-F FICIAL GAS C H ARTS
No.
Everyone
J: THE @J
o"""d PHYSICIAN Prol1 REMEDY IS th-e safe and certain remedy
F or Frayed N erves , H eadaches and Neuralgic pain s there is n o safer or better treatment. Cephos, the prescription of an Eminent Harley S treet Physician, has a soo thing and steadying effect on th e n ervous system and it d oes n ot affect th e heart. Sold everywhere in Tablet or P owder form 1 /5 and 3/5. Single d ose-tablets or p owder 2td. Cephos does not affect the heart
P r oj>f'ietms: Cephos Ltd., Bla<buns
and treatment
IODINE IS antiseptic the ' most economical for domestic us e The newest styles in S.J.A.B. UNIFORM ' .1" r "DANCO" --ry EJ TO MEASURE
Have you y bought your new Hat or Storm Cap? THE JOURNAL OF THE VENERABLE ORDER OF THE
Order by post with confidence {rom NURSES' OUTFITTING THE S T. JOHN AMBULANCE GAZETTE is published AS SOC I AT ION, LTO ,In the 15 t h of each month. The annual subscription is Carlyle Chambers, StockportJs., single copies
CHANCERY OF THE ORDER, JACKETS, TROUSERS, GREATCOATS, CAPS, BELTS. GLOVES. HAVERSACKS. WATERBOTTLES, ETC. ST. JOHN'S GATE, CLERKENWELL, LONDON, E.C.r.
ESTIMATES AND SAMPLES ON REQUEST
All enquiries to- Regional Matrons 154 .. 164, TOOLEY STREET The Red Cross and St. John War O r ganisation, LON DON BRID G E, S. E. 1 . the Trained Nurses Department reports, has been Telephone-Hop 2476 (4 lines). most fortunate in securing th e services of outstanding Telegrams-" Hobson, Boroh. London." members of the nursin g profession as Regional North of England Offices-%!. YORK PLACE. LEEDS,Matrons, seven of whom have now been appointed. Telephone: 28384 Leeds. Telegrams: Triers Leeds." ,., r.________________ ' __ .-ItSecretaries of Joint County Co mmittees are being
informed of the name and address ' of the Regional Matron who will be available for consultation in their County It is pointed out that Regional Matrons are appointed in an honorar y and advisory capacity to Joint County Committees and that their advice should be sought, particularly in regard to the planning of the nursing services of any houses to be adapted for use as auxiliary hospitals and convalescent homes.
The services of Regional Matrons should no t be called upon in connection with exi sting auxiliary hospitals and convalescent homes ex cept -in an emergency. Correspondence in connection with these hospitals and homes should continue to be conducted directly with the Trained Nurses Department. The appointment of trained nurses to these hospitals and homes will remain a definite responsibility of the Matron-in- Chief, but the :tvIatrons will interview, on her behalf, candidates who are unable to come to London.
American .Red Cross
The American Red Cross has a membership of more than eight rillllion men and women, all of whom serv e the A merican Red Cross voluntarily in over 3,700 Chapters located in every county of the United States. These volunteers raise the mone y and participate in the work that has mad e possible a total contribution to this couritr y to date of over three million pounds sterling in mone y and relief supplies. By far the greater part of this expenditure has been made since July, 1940.
The Ameriean Red Cross gives no relief in Great Britain directly, but administers its entire programme
t:b e Red Cross and St. John War and the Women's Voluntary Services. The Bntlish Red acts as the sole distribu1iing agent of the Amencan Red Cross for medical and supplies, while the Women's Voluntary ServIces act as the sole distributino- ao-ent for civilian lif li b b re e supp es. ·
A group of American business men in London serves as a Committee of the American Red Cross to consider any request for help from the British Red Cross and the Women's Voluntary Services and can, th.erefor,e, supply Red Cross Headquarters in America WIth first-hand, up-to-date information of the needs of Great Britain. In this way all the activities of the American Red Cross are based on factual relief needs with which these organisations justify their requests for American assistance.
St. John's Day
, JUNE 24, 1941
His Majesty the King has been gracIously pleased to allow the Chapel Royal, St. James's Palace, to be used by members ?f the Order of St. John of Jerusalem for an early serVIce of Holy Communion at 8,30 a.m. on St. John's Day next,. June 24, owing to the Grand Priory Church being dismantled.
Ahhey Service
JUNE 22, 1941
The Dean of Westminster would welcome the presence of members of ,the Or'cler of St. John, The St. J 0?n Ambulance Association and the St. ] ohn Ambulance Bngade at the evening service at the Abbey at 6.30 p.m. on Sunday, June 22.
-H.R.H. The Duke of Connaught's Birthday
On Lord ?carbrough sent the following teleto HIS Royal The Duke of Connaught : Heartfelt congratulations and best wishes on behalf of all members of our Order.-Scarbrough, Sub-Prior."
The following reply was received by the Sub-Prior on May 3:
"Most thanks to all members of the Order for kind congratulattons. -Arthur "
Thank YOU! -1
Thanks to The British Navy, The R.A.F. and the British Merchant Navy this Joumal is on sale throughout the British Empire ; at the same price. 1
We are relying on you for one new reader this month. yon. I
Correspondence
To the ST. JOHN AMBT)LANCE
DEAR SIR, -As a reader of the GAZETTE for man\ I have often read of the goo d cc records» o'i Bngacle members, and been tempted, on mOr than one occasion to submit my own for publication
Granted 15 years' Service Medal for Efficiency, 19 22 ; bars, 19 27, 1932, 1937 .
Competitions.-Member of L.N.E.R., 1905 to 19 21 (except during Great \Var); member Railway Ambu. lance Team winning District Railway Shield, 19 09-IJ. 12-13-14-21-22. Member in Brigade Ambulance Team , 190 5 to 19 10, winning Yorkshire Bronze Shield an o Silver Challenge Shield. First out of 25 Hull Corps Competition, 19°5; I st out of 15 Hull Corp! Open Competition, 19 I .
Instructor to Ambulance and Nursing Competition teams, 19 29 to 1939. Trained Hull City Police Ambu· lance team, 193°-38-39; G.CR. Ambulance team, 1935-3 6-3 8 First Aid Lecturer to Hull Scouts and 1950to 1936. JudgedHullCorpsLeague Competltlons', 1936 -37-38; and Hull Cadet Corp s Competition, 1934-35.
During membership in the S.J.A.B. up to date : attended 669 drills, 283 public duties.
From 1904 to 1939 treated 4,179 cases not on public duty.
Wishing the GAZETTE every success. Yours, etc. GEO. GARLAND.
Late Superintendent, Hull, an d Supernumerary Rank, Scunthorpe Division.
To the Editor, ST. JOHN AMBULANCE GAZETTE.
DEAR SIR,-May I enter the list of correspondents claiming "records"? Our own divisional superintendent, Mr. S. Jackson, has, in my opinion, certainly " Gone to it."
19 2 9, joined division; 1929, appointed sergeant; 1937, appointed Ambulance Officer; 1938, appointe d Divisional Superintendent; 1936, obtained Grade II A .R.P. certificate; 1937, obtained Grade I A.R.P, certificate; 1938, L.A.G.C.; 1939, A.R.P.S., 1St class.
Superintendent Jackson has also found time to do a tremendous amount of lecturing in various districts of the county on all A.R .P subjects.
I feel sure you will agree that this record is one of which to be proud; that it compares favourably with those already submitted .
Yours, etc., H. GOTT, Divisional Secretary, Crewe" C " Division, Crewe Corp?
'DOME 'NURSING 'PAGE
USEFUL HINTS FOR AND HOME NURSES
By ALICE M. PENNELL, O.B.E., B.Sc., M.B., B.S.
(Continued from page 76 April issue)
He must carry with him some essentials, as bandages, pads, a tourniquet, a disinfectant and a few other things. Small First Aid boxes or packets are to be found on sale. An enterprising First Aider may make his own equipment.
A waterproof" hold-all," I 2 to I 5 ins. long, 6 to 8 ins. wide, with pockets, and a webbing strap such as is used to carry books, can easily be fitted up and equipped.
The essentials are:-
2 roller bandages, It and 2 ins. wide.
2 compressed sanitary towls, useful as pads for hremorrhage. .
2 " burn dressings" '(com'plete, pad and bandage) as supplied in some A.R.P. packets. compressed pad or gauze. iodine pencil.
I small flat celluloid bottle of Milton or Dettol.
I small flat metal kidney-shaped basiD. or oblong basin, 2 in. bJ in. by tin. folding scissors; tweezers; probe. metal tube containing capsules of ammonia ' that can be pressed and broken inside a webbing or silk covering.
small flat metal tube or bottle of sal volatile, I oz. ditto distilled water, 2 ozs. tube tanafax.
metal tube with oz. of sod. bicarbonate powder.
I small towel and visitor's size soap tablet. triangular bandage. webbing with buckle. spool of elastoplast.
6 safety pins of different sizes.
The metal tray or basin is to put the disinfectant in, a few drops diluted with distilled water. This will be needed if you are away from running water and without assistance.
The ammonia capsules are to revive a fainting person. One can be squeezed and broken between the fingers and put to the patient's nose. Ten drops of sal volatile in a wine glassful (or oz. if you haven't enough) of distilled water, also revive a patient. If you carry this already mixed in an ounce bottle (as flat a bottle as you can get) you will not need a. glass.
The soap and . towel , are for your own if water is available for you to wash before attending to the wounds (if any). But don't waste time if the bleeding is bright red and Apply a pad and bandage at once. Don't attempt to clean up a wound if the bleeding is of this kind. First stop the · hClJmorrhage.
FirsJ Aiders must only put on tourniquets if they are perfectly sure, that: (I) They know the pressure point that controls , the artery that is bleeding; (2) that the tourniquet can be loosened within 15 minutes. They must be satisfied that the patient will be in the care of a competent person who can see to this.
Other things may suggest themselves to theefficient First Aider for her emergency pack, and can be added.
Common sense and a sense of responsibility be the attending qualities, with efficiency ,and Ia:0wledo-€ that come from study and practice. b
101
The St. John Ambulance Brigade News 1
No. I PRINCE OF WALES'S DISTRICT
The following is an extract from the annual meeting of the SouthallNorwood Division :-
Normal public duties ducu:g the ,Year had praetically ceased to the abandonment of functlOns, but members had played theIr part in war activities in the borough in a way that was very creditable to the division.
The total strength of the division at pres.ent.is I42, an increase of 45 on the year. At the annual re-eXaml11atlOn on July 23 all members who attended passed.
No less than 70 members were on A.R.P. service, 9 full-time, 30 part-time, and 3 at works. Thirty members were on military service and I had volunteered for bl00d transfuslOn.
The;e were now 49 cadets, and I8 of the boys had been fitted with uniform. The members subscribed one penny per week and managed their own funds, out a subscription of 2S 6d. had been made to renew membershIp 111 the Southall Youth Orgarusation. The boys had greatly assisted in posta$"e expendi?Ire of the ambulance division by volunteer111g the!! servIces to deliver circular letters to members by hand.
Superintendent Taylor spoke of the satisfactory nature of the reports and expressed his appreciation of the efforts of the officers whQ had kept things going so well.
A most successful social and dance was recently held at the British Legion Concert Hall in aid of the Fund of the SouthallNorwood Division and Heston SectlOn. Arrangements were made in conjunction with the Nursing Division, and 200 members and friends attended. Many of the ambulance men and women were in uniform.
During tl:e evening the Mayor of Southall F. G. J.P.), who was aecompa'11ied by the Mayoress, presented SerVIce Medals and Bars.
In announcing that the Mayor present the Superintendent J. E. Taylor recalled. that was .only a short tlme ago since his worship presented FIrst Aid certificates to members of classes recently held, at which candidates from Heston, and Cranford had been successful. Mr. Taylor added that It was enc((mraging to know the public were attending lectures and making themselves efficient.
Twenty-five members of the No. 5.5 (Southall-Norwood) Ambulance Division are serv111g WIth H.M. Forces,. some the R.A.M.C., R.A.F., and other branches of the ServIce..
Superintendent J. E. Taylor was up for SerVice the R.A.M.C. in September, I939. He did duty as R.S;M. at a Military HospitaL To-day, being age, he has oeen returned to civil life. He has taken up his actlv1t1es boro ugh A.R.P., instructing various branches df this 111 FIrst AId, etc., and arranging First Aid classes for the public. No. 3 (EASTERN) DISTRICT
LUTON
Ambulance Officer W. · H. Evans recently. an afternoon of competition work for NO.2 Ambulance DIVISIon of the Vauxhall Corps.
•
said that he felt perhaps the test had not been sufficiently difficult; the standard of knowledge, skill and efficiency on the part of com· petitors had considerably increased since the previous contests last September.
Team" E" comprised Privates J WI Davison, W. E. Barrett, L. E. Fletcher and L. Padfield, and team" C" Privates G. Heley, J Harrison, B. S. Crombie and B. Squires.
These men, in common with all the other competitors, came from the same A .R .P. zones and have been working with one another over a period, though few of them have had much experience of Brigade competition work.
The" Team Leader" trophy went to Private A. J. Tuffnell, who secured 35 marles out of a possible 40.
Indivi duals tests were set and conducted by Ambulance (Act.ing Corps) Officer R. McEvoy; the w inner, Private F. T. Indge, obtained full marks (20) and the runner-up, Private R. H. Carrington (rS).
Officers and N.C.O.'s acted as marshals and stewards and valuable clerical assistance was also rendered by departmental managers and others in the Vauxhall organisation.
Medals and cups (all presented by members of the Vauxhall Ambulance Units or interested executives) were presented to the winners by Nus. R. R. Hunter, wife of the Vauxhall Superintendent, R. R. Hunter, M.e., JP.
The Superintendent expressed the hope that other Divisions in the Vauxhall Corps organisation would soon be arranging functions on similar lines.
Ambulance Officer W. H. Evans thanked a ll those who had helped to make the afternoon such a successful and enjoyable event.
No. 5 DISTRICT
FRODINGHAM
More than six hundred guests attended the annual dinner of the Scunthorpe and District Corps..
In reply to tributes to the BrIgade paId by CounCIllor Spav111 and other speakers, Mr. H. Mason gave some facts about the work done by the Corps. He said that in the past year six first aid classes, two home nursing classes, and two anti-gas classes had been regularly attended by 273 people; 6,274 hours of. duty had. been done at first aid posts, in addition to normal. dutIes. cadets ?ad knitted soldiers' socks. The Entertal11.ment CommIttee had raIsed nearly £100
Replying to the toast " The Brigade," proposed by Mr. Mason, Corps Superintendent J. H. Theaker said the Corps had been able to meet all demands made on it, thanks to the co-operation of officers and members. Every person in the Corps was averaging approxim· ately three nights a week on duty.
Mr. Theaker read a letter to the Corps thanking one of its nurses for the work she was doing in her district.
An indication of the amount of work the Corps as a whole was carrying out was the fact that the for the most efficient member was being suspended for the duratIon of the war because the task of allocating it was so difficult.
that as time goes on we shall have the opportunity of reporting tbat which has, and is still being given to our town. ,
As in the years gone by one is proud to be able to state that our Corps has been able to continue to give to Guildford and neighbourhood a quick service when accidents occur, and I feel the permartent staff of drivers should be justly congratulated on the smartnesS of their" turn-outs," thereby upholding the traditions of the Brigade.
Our biggest anxiety is the maintenance of our rolling stock, and it is mainly for t hat reason that we have set aside capital in case we have suddenly to replace one of our ambulances. We have only just sufficient vehicles to cope with our calls, for we aim at keeping one at the Ambulance Station ready for an aCCIdent or catastrophe which must be dealt with within a minute or so of the cali being received.
As we reported at the end of 1939, there is no department of our organisation which has not been affected b y the war. Nevertbeless we are trying hard to cope with the situation, but are absolutely
CORRECT METHOD OF FASTENING AND WEARING THE AMBULANCE SISTER'S CAP
When nursing it has been found m.ore to keep the cap ends of the Ambulance SIster s cap at the back and not drawn forward over the shoulders. .The method of fastening the cap remains as before, but It should be worn as illustrated above.
course, been a very full year all over the country-full of duties-thoug h we can so far thankfully report that a great deal of our work has been to " stand by." Since the first days of the war, members and A .R.P. reserves have been responsible for the staffing of the First Aid Post-night and day-and some members also work with the Mobile First Aid Unit; these duties are continuing. Nine members have been over a year on full-time duty as auxiliary nurses at the Base Hospital; eighteen are members of the Civil Nursing Reserve. Besides all this war service, there is always a nurse on call for ambulance duty, and very often one in attendance at the local cinemas.
Members of the Division, and some of the A.R.P. reserves, have helped on many occasions at the Health Centre with Dental and T.B. Clinics, and wi th the Blood Transfusion Service.
With the local detachments of the British Red Cross Society, the Division organised the National Flag Day for the Duke of Gloucester's Red Cross and St. John Fund, and made a record collection in Horsham and district.
I feel at the end of a very strenuous year that no report of mine would be complete if I did not allude to the friendly spirit, the cooperation, and esprit de corps, that exists in this Divis ion-there is always a nurse to do the job, and there have been many jobs at awkward hours. It is not easy to mention anyone by name, but I think all the members would like me to take this opportunity to thank our Treasurer and Acting Assistant Secretary for the very many hours of good work which she puts in on our behalf; .&1iss Browne does much that is not recorded.
I am happy to report that our relations with the Ambulance Division are most cordial; we all pull together in this Service for Mankind.
The following is an extract from the 14th Annual Report of the Horsham Ambulance Divis ion, presented by Divisional Superintendent W. E. JupP and Divisional Secretary F. C. Clapp:As many as 275 cases have been tr.eated during the year, mainly accidents on the roads, at all hours of the day and night. The night cases were no doubt due in a large degree to the blackout, and this renders detailed treatment on the spot very difficult. Injuries occurring in the home have also required our attention. The satisfaction expressed by doctors on the treatment given has again been very encouraging.
The tOtal number of duties entered on the Brigade records during the year exceeds 9,000.
Lectures have been given to various public bodies, and we have also assisted by demonstrations at lectures given by medical men. These have been generously acknowledged in the praise for the efficiency of our members.
The duties of First Aid parties so far as incidents are concerned have fortunately been very light, but those that have occurred have proved that we are quite capable of dealing with any eventuality. The local authorities have notified us as to their complete satisfaction with the procedure adopted, and treatment given at these incidents. On every occasion of the " Alert" being sounded, one or more First Aid parties have reported in case they were required. In addition since the" Blitz" started in early August, two parties have been on'duty all and every night, whether the" Alert" has sounded or not. This means that the majority of our members are on duty every other night.
The total number of hours given by the members of the Division is enormo us , and far in excess of those recorded in other years.
Among those present were County Officer W. H. Corps Officer G. Parsons (representing the .County Comrrilssioner) and Mrs. Parsons, Ambulance Officer R. Ellison (on the staff of the County Officer), and the Hon. President of the Vauxhall Mr. C. J. Bartlett, Managing Director of Vauxhall Motors, LImIted, and Mrs. Bartlett.
A ld. Mark Morgan, c.c., of the Corp?, presented and certificates. CounciJlor Spav111 presented hIS own cup (gIven to encourage Ambulance Cadets) to the most efficient Cadet-Cadet J. Morley.
dependent upon our remaining members and friends to see us
., 1
Eight teams took part in a stretcher test set and Judged by DIVlSIona (Acting Corps) Surgeon E. A. Butterworth. The test read as follows :, "Your team is on duty at a football match, when a messenger comes to tell you you are wanted at the other end of the where an elderly spectator has fainted.' ,The weather IS mild and dry." d h d d The patient was actually sllifer111g from apoplexy an a a fracture of the left wrist as a consequence of his fall. slightly erplexing touch was added by reason of the fact t.hat his breath fmelt slightly of alcohol-simply the result of a drl11k before the match. d k f Winners' were team" E," who 89:0 mar s out 0 I20; runners-up team "C" with 84i. In his €omments the Surgeon 102
The Railway Gold Medal for I5 years' ambulance serv:ice with the L.N.E. Railway Company was presented to Sergeant Coll111stln, of the Corps, by Mr. C. V. Barrett, Yardmaster at Scunthorpe.
No. 8 (DUKE OF CONNAUGHT'S) DISTRICT
The following is an extract from the 50th Annual of the Borough of Guildford Corps, presented by Corps SuperIntendent J. D. Rutter :-
At no time since our Corps was formed in I890 ,have we been called upon to give such afol service? but we .have gone to considerable lengths to gIve a prImary serVIce to GUIldford and the villages around, and in order to do this we. had to refuse a vast number of calls from more distant localIties.
The Corps has done its to. g ive the desired by the Ministry to conform WIth .AIr RaId Reserve. This effort has called for a conSIderable sacrifice, and one hopes
The greatest relief that could be brought to us would be the act.lOn of a generous public. Generosity would allow us to go forward: We do not ask for a lot, but IS. from everyone in Guildford would satisfy us. .,
I feel there is a very definite responSIbilIty placed upon me 111 presenting this report, and I do most sincerely trust our many members to whom I have not referred by name will feel if they have pulled their weight in the manner expected of a BrIgade member, then they have helped to build up this statement. May the eight-pointed Cross of St. John call many to duty thIS coming year.
HORSHAM
The following is an extract from the third of the Nursing Division, presented by Lady DIvlSlo nal Super · Intendent E. P. Biddu1ph:It is again my privileg e and pleasure to present .report this is the third in the annals of the Horsham Nurs111g DIVIsion. It has, of
During the year no less than 28,059 (A .R.?, 17,59°) hours. voluntary service were given by our members. This represents an Increase of about 16,000 hours over the total of our peak year of 1939. Membership has again increased from 64 members to 74. This has been made possible by the training of our Auxiliary reserve with such success that all who took the examination obtained their certificate. Included in the total strength are twenty members who are n ow serving with His Majesty's Forces. To these members we send our best wishes, trusting their return will not be long delayed. Again we wish to say" Thank you" to the Nursing Division for the wonderful support they have given us, and for the duty-rota system that has enabled us to ?btain nurses at moment's notice for attention to and attendance WIth all female patients.
Our Annual Flag Day realised the record total of £195 8s. 9d., which is wonderful encouragement, deriVed from the knowledge that the public, by their generous support, realise the importance of our work. To all donors and workers for this achievement we offer our best thanks.
In conclusion, our work has been very heavy but it has its compensations It bas produced a bond of comradeship between officers N.C.O.'s a nd men that has made our work a pleasure, and makes proud to be members of an organisation that we feel is of great service to mankind.
Hints for First
The skull has main parts-the bones that make the brain box and those that make the face. The first flat plates of bone, while the second group are the irregular-shaped bones of the nose, upper and lower jaws.
The brain box, like any other box, has a top and bottom, two sides, and ,two ends. All except the bottom are covered by the scalp, which consists of skin and a layer of fibrous tissue and fat. But the bottom of the box, the base of the skull, is covered by the large muscles of the neck, behind, and forms the roof of the eye sockets and nose in front.
AIl the connections between the brain pass through holes in ' the base of the skull. The blood supply of the brain has to go through it too. So that a fracture of this part of the skull is likely to be a very serious ·matter. If the brain's connections are broken completely the patient will die at once, and if partly broken the patient will be partly paralysed. The patient will die at once, too, if the blood supply of the brain is cut off.
Another danger of a fracture of the front part of the base of the skull is that the fracture is compound, through a wound of the mucous membrane of the nose. There are always germs stuck to the surface of mucous membrane, and these may poison the wound and perhaps the brain itself through the wound.
The usual form of a fracture of the base of the skull is a crack funning fiom corner to corner. Blood escapes from the fracture and is seen as it runs from the natural openings of the skull-the nose, mouth and ears. The blood may be mixed with the clear fluid which normally surrounds ·the brain, and if the brain is badly injured, brain matter may escape too. Blood will get into the eye sockets, but it cannot escape outwardly through the membrane that covers the fr ont of the eye. It collects between the eyeball and the bone, and gives the appearance of a black eye.
The crack may run up from the base on to the bones that make up the sides and top of the brain-box. It may pass through the bone that encloses the ear. If this happens blood may come from the ear in considerable quantity, and be of arterial colour, but it is impossible to stop as it comes from inside the head, where the 'artery cannot be compressed.
is used. It is applied as a narrow fold. The chin
Service Awards
Ad rests one-third along it. The long end is then - • e r s brought over the top of the head. It crosses the I short end at the level of the temple. The two ends
--Especially for Cadets
are brought round the -head and tied on the opposite side. This is sometimes called the barrel bandage, as it is like the way a rope is passed round a barrel to hoist it end uppermost. The bandage supports the lower jaw but does not draw it back.
By N. S. B. VINTER, M.B., B.S., Corps Surgeon, County of Bristol No.2 Corps All
handling and transport of cases of head injury be gentle unconscious, as often happens, the patient is suffering
It is often difficult to tell if a patient has a .severe The sh(;mld be .on skull or hot. There is no irregularity of the ban! one to blood Into the wmd pIpe Swelling may not be great; but if a patient is U ij and if there IS a wound InvolvIng the tongue, the conscious after a blow on the head, it is wise to should be allowed to hang ove.r of. the the patient as though he had a fracture. A fractu stretcher, to prevent. the tong.ue slippIng back mto of the skull is always complicated by injury to tqthe throat and blockIng the aIr passage. If the violence is enough to the bon Two thousand five hundred years ago there lived It IS en<:)Ugh to cause at least some brUlslng of tij in Greece, Hippocrates, who wrote the first books soft bram underneath. on surgery, which are still in existence. He had Besides these ?f the skull, a pie plenty of opportunity of studying the effects of head of the flat plates fornung the brarn-box can be injuries in the wars of his time. He said that no head . ?ff and inwards. . This is most likely to happ e- injury is so trivial that it may be treated lightly; If the head IS struck WIth a small weapon, such as and none so serious that there is no hope of recovery. hammer or a bullet. But even in this kind of injut This remains as true as it ever was, and is worth it is not easy to feel the irregularity of the bone, remembering when a case of head injury has to be the bruising around the point of injury hides it Ugiven first aid. If there is any doubt, the wound should not pressed on to stop bleeding, but a ring pad be used to apply pressure round the wound witho Brigade Members Honoured pressing on the injured bone.
Fractures of the upper and lower jaws and of t The Chief Commissioner, John nose are alm?st compound. The ?'luco Brigade, has pleasure in reporting that the following membrane which lines the nose mouth ' lS members of the No. r London District of the Brigade down firmly to the bones, so that If the bone break have been honoured by H.M. the King :the membrane is torn as well. f · Croydon and Streatha177 Division.-Herbert Gibbs, In fractures 0 the upper Jaw and nose there B .( hE' M d 1 not the fear of increasing injury by the broken bon n IS ea. moving that there is in fractures in the limbs, so Battersea Dzvzszon.-Ernest Adams, Bnnsh Empl!e first-aid splinting is needed. But the bleeding , will Medal. may be severe, has to be stopped, and steps taken Croydon and StreathaJJl Division.- John Walter keep the wound ·as clean as possible. Potts, Commendation.
Fractures of the lower jaw can be the result of blow on the point the chin. In this case the bo usually breaks in line with the eye tooth, sometiIn on both sides. But the lower jaw can also be brok
Prisoner of War
by crushing and by flying fragments. In such a ca We are asked -by the Chief Commissioner to the bone may break and the flesh WaD publish the following name and address of a member may be very the tongue. o.f Haggerston Division, S.J.A.B., assumed missing danger o.f then anses, through blockirt SInce Dunkirk, but now known to be a prisoner of of the wmd pIpe with blood, or through the War in Germany :_ slipping back into the throat.
The usual way of treating a fracture of the low jaw with two bandages i's the best way when tl! fracture is not complicated by i.(ljury to the tong u If the tongue is injured this method tends to pU" it back into the throat, which must be avoid Instead of the two-bahdage method, one bandage a
76r 5368 , Private T. H. W. Brown, Britishi Prisoner of War r6357. Lager-Beziechdnu\lg, Stalag XXA (r07), Deutschland Allemagne, Germany.
Notwithstanding the claims of other national and civil defence services, the St. John Ambulance Brigade in Wales enlisted over 2,000 new members during the past year, the total strength at December 3 I having reached the record figure of 16,457. The Commissioner for Wales (the Hon. John H. Bruce) reporting the position to a meeting of the Ambulance Committee of 'the Priory for Wales, over which Dr. D. Rocyn Jones, e.B.E., J.p., presided on Tuesday, April 29, stated that 57 new Divisions formed and 6,630 senior members are engaged in war work, full or part-time.
Brigade members treated 52,036 cases of accident and .sickness in 1940, nursing members having put in 3,564 attendances for duty at Hospitals and Clinics, 2,810 at, Medical Comforts Depots, from which a number of 1,307 articles of invalid equipment were issued on loan. Brigade A.R.P. awards were gained by 1,245 students of A.R.P. classes held in the year.
The announcement was welcomed that Brigade members registered in the Civil Nursing Reserve, of whom there are 600 in Wales, are· now eligible for the free issue of the e.N.R. outdoor uniform;with the right to wear the St. J. A. Brigade badge Oft the hat.
The number of applications for registration of units formed since the last meeting shows that the Brigade continues to make a strong appeal, especially to women, sanction being given to Nursing Divisions at Llandyssul, Prestatyn, Blackmill, Caerphilly, Blaenavon, Abercarn, Rogerstone, Cefn Cribbwr and Loughor, while Cadet Ambulance Divisions at Penallta and Cwmcarn were sanctioned.
Dr. e. E. Salt, who hfl.s found it necessary to relinquish the Commissionership owing to pressure of duties, was appointed County Surgeon for East .Denbighshire. The appointment of Colonel Charles Richardson White, M.D., V.e.M., D.S.O., r.D., as Surgeon to the Merthyr Vale and Aberfan Nursing Division, recalls the Doctor's previous contribution of service to the Brigade in 'the Borough of Merthyr Tydfil. Approval was given to the appointment of Dr. A. M. Kerr as Surge011l to the Lla11ldrindod Wells Division, Dr. Louis Saville for Blackmill, and Dr. Margaret Mackenzie-Evans, whose father, Squadron Leader E. Llewelly, M.B., is Commissioner for Cardiff, at present on service, for Dowlais Cardiff Works Ambulance Division.
First Aid and Home Nursing classes held under the
auspices of the Priory were attended by 30, I 7j students during 1940, of whom 25,4 55 gained awards of the St: John Ambulance Association. During the first three months of this year 309 examinations have been arranged.
The Brigade is represented by the County Commissioner on County Youth Committees. An interesting development was discussed concerning a scheme now under consideration by the Glamorgan County Youth Committee, offering scope for the participation of Ambulance and Nursing Cadets in a service contributing to the national effort. A large number of the 4,706 Cadets in Wales are already performing useful service, some having distinguished themselves for bravery.
The following extract from a letter addressed to the Commissioner for Wales by Colonel James 1. Sleeman, e.B., e.M.G., C.B.E., M.V.O., Chief Commissioner of the Brigade Overseas, was read :-" And I must congratulate the Brigade in Wales upon the excellence of its war effort, as also upon the splendid work it has .already accomplished so gallantly and so admirably during the bombing attacks upon the Principality. When the war ends there will be surely much to tell of historic interest, for this dreadful type of total war makes ambulance service a most vital part of imperial defence."
The report of the Motor Ambulance Transport Service showed that 4,585 cases had been carried in the 27 ambulances operated by the Priory during the quarter ended March 3I, covering a total mileage of 79,519' The number of cases carried during the year 1940 reached the total of 2 I ,496, bringing the aggregate number of removals effected since the inception of the Service to 163,229, A free call on the Service in case of accident or sickness is secured to 29,500 members of colliery Lodges and their dependents, and 6,200 other employees, while 30 Colliery and 13 other Companies have contracts with the Priory covering a total 0 f 57,000 men. It was noted that steel helmets would now be procurable for the drivers of the Priory Ambulances, which are liable, by an arrangement made with the A.R.P. Authorities through the Regional Office, to supplement the services available for A.R.P. Council of the Priory, which met later in the afternoon, learnt with gratification that the Sub-Prior, t,he Earl of Plymouth, P.e., had approved the appoint· ment of Sir Charles Lowther, Bart., D.S.O., as Commissioner of East Denbighshire, and Cap'tain
R. G. Evans as Assistant Commissioner; and an announcement 'of special interest was the acceptance of the office of Lady President of the Glamorgan Centre of the Priory by the Countess of Plymouth, who already holds the Brigade Headquarter office of Assistant Lady Superintendent-in-Chief for Wales. Arrangements were made to accept the offer of the RevereD? Canon J A. Lewis, Chaplain of the Priory, to the Pnory for Wales with the service to be addressed by the Dean of St. Paul's at St. John Parish Church, Cardiff, on St. John's Day, June 24.
CENTRE . REPORTS
DENBIGHSHlRE CENTRE
Divisional Secretary J. Davies reports as follows on the work carried out by the Cefn Mawr Division during the March quarter :Division was fortunate in being allotted an Amencan Ambulance which the Joint Red Cross and
By courteJ)' of the West el"ll M ail and E ,'ho Ltd. RECIPIENTS OF MERITORIOUS SERVICE CERTIFICA TES
Cadets: .wilcox, L. Weeks and W. Rogers, Cardiff City Cadet DIVISIon, photographed after receiving their awards from Alderman G. F. Evans, J.p., Chairman of the Cardiff Centre of the Priory.
John'S War Organisation had placed at the dIsposal of the County Joint Committee.
. Using this Ambulance, the Division has made 23 Journeys to Hospital, carrying 29 patients.
OWIng to war conditions the 24 hour Ambulance Service has been run by 24 men who have been on Ambulance duty for a total of 3".510 hours during the quarter. As all the members are eno-ao-ed on Civil Defence work as well as the duty, they have also a total of 2,140 hours Civil Defence work t? their credit for the quarter, making a grand total of 5,650 hours spent in service to the community.
We have had a successful quarter's workino- as regards finance. "The Wrexham QuaintesquesO,,-
a local and talented concert party-assisted by Mr. E. Davies, operatic baritone, .gave a concert on behalf of Divisional funds. Two houses were run and the results were excellent. The Division is very grateful for the help of friends.
Division membership is open to all ,men who have passed the St. John's Association ExaminatiO'n. The fact that a First Aider is attached to some Civil Defence Service should not deter him from joining. We have members in all Civil Defence Services, the Special Police, Home Guard and A.F.S. Prisoner oj War.- The Wrexham Division has notified the following address of one of its members who has unfortunately become a prisoner of war: Lance-Corporal J. R. W. Lloyd, 30962, Stalag lXC, Germany. The Commissioner for Wiles has written to express sympathy with him in his enforced iaand the best wishes of the Brigade membership for good health in captivity and a safe return.
1fONMO UTHSHlRE CENTRE
Griffithstown Division.-An example of the happy co-operation existing between St. John Ambulance and Red Cross workers at Griffithstown was found at a social evening held at St. Hilda's Hall, Griffiths town. programme was organised jointly by the Griffithstown Detachment of the Red Cross Society and Griffithstown. Division of St. John Ambulance Brigade. There was a large attendance of members and supporters of the two Units.
. A presentation was made to the St. John SuperIntendent J.. Wren, on behalf of the Red Cross workers, in appreciation of the excellent course on stretcher work which he had given to Red Cross personnel and for his help in providing accommodation for meetings and lectures of the Detachment. The presentation, that of a silver watch, was made by Mrs. Arthur Jenkins (wife of Alderman Arthur Jenkins, M.P.), who is vice-president of Pontypool Detachment, B.R.C.S., and liaison officer for the Red Cross and St. John in the Eastern Valley. She spoke of the excellent work performed by both organisations.
Dr. A. Dalby presided at a meeting of the Griffithstown Division on April 5, at which Divisional Sl1perintendent J. Wren reported that the streno-th of the Unit had increased to 44 and that members had turned out for duty on 44 occasions.
Assistant Commissioner N. C. Richards, in the course of his remarks, said he was always proud to :vear the and silver uniform of the Brigade as represented one of the oldest orders of Chivalry In the world. He presented warrants o( appointment, paying tribute to the sterling services of Rescue Officer F. Nelms and to Dr. Dalby for his o-reatly appreciated services as Lecturer. Mr. Robert Stephen, M.A., Brigade A.R.P. Officer, stated that in his ,opinion there was very little danger from a gas attack so long as people knew what to do and took the essential precautions of carrying gas masks.
In acknowledging grateful thanks accorded to the Messrs. Baldwins for their kindness in contributing (Continued on page 110)
Interesting Case Reports I
CASE REpORT No. I78.-The Officer-in-Charge of Central Area, No. (Prince of Wales's) District forwards the following report from a member of his Staff of first aid rendered during an air raid :-
On a certain night in March bombs fell near my home. Although I was not on duty I at once went to the incident and arrived before the Stretcher Parties. Helped by wardens and other residents we managed to do some good work.
About 16 people were killed and ° injured. It is an awful job climbing under collapsed floors in , the darkness and trying to rescue one's neighbours. In the first house into which I climbed, I found a woman and a man" partly buried in debris, the man being badly injured in the head and pinned down, while in the far end of what was once a room I located two others buried. In another house we rescued an elderly woman who had a piece of dirty wood, one inch square and eighteen inches long, blown through her left thigh, but fort1!-nately it mis,sed the femoral artery. Next we found a woman who had sustained severe injuries to upper ja"o/ and face.
, Jerry did certainly do his stuff that night in our neighbourhood; and he dropped six bombs within one hundred yards, scoring six direct hits on houses and practically destroying two roads of houses.
COMMENT.-This report tells of good work well done in unpleasant circumstances and earns for an U1znamed Ojjicer of the Brigade our cordial C. F.
CASE REpORT No. 179.-The Officer-in-Charge of the County of Somerset S. ].A.B. reports the efficient performance of first aid on January 3 by a member of the Minehead Cadet Division in the following circumstances :-
Whilst engaged on the erection of a building on the marshes at Minehead a workman fell from the scaffolding on to a heap of stones, sustaining a very bad fracture of both bones of the left leg:- Cadet Sergeant T. Blackwell, who was working nearby, promptly took the situation in hand and by improvising with pieces of wood, scarves, handkerchiefs, and tearing up a sandbag for packing, he s'oon had the limb fued. Sergeant Blackwell obtained overcoats for extra covering and hot drin,ks for the patient it being a very cold day, and sent for the motor ambulance, in which he assisted with the transport of the patient to hospital.
When the house surgeon had examined the patient he congratulated Cadet Sergeant Blackwell on
his effective treatment of the leg by improvisation a will give marks onlY for treatmmt and a11S1vers based on on his treatment of shock, its instructions.-N. C. F. , COMMENT.-1t is always pleasing to record go od well done by junior membe1"s of the Brigade. To Ca4 TREATMENT OF FRACTURED FOREARM Sergeant T. Black1vell, therefore, tmder cordial co. A. F. (Birmingham).-i\lso? I sometimes meet with g1"atulations on the success which attended his (jfforts 4similar difficulties with reference to the treatment of this occasion.-N C. F. fractured forearm near the wrist. Some surgeon-
lecturers in this instance suggest shorter splints than named by the Textbook and say that the fingers . Questions and Answers should be bent round the lower end of the inner .splint when the forearm is flexed acrohss the ll chhelst. I \shall be glad of an explanation whic wi e p me TREATMENT OF SHOCK to stand by the Textbook.
]. ,P. (Hounslow).-As .shocked oftq The reasons just given in replY to your first apply with I, If, by g1v1ng freely COGequal force to your second query. An addit!onal reason talnlng mllk (which, would pr,obably t1t against adopting the proposed method of treatzng stomach) we are likely to lncrease his distre sforearm is that first-aiders have to carry a spec1al therefore, tea or splint round the end of 1vhich the patient)s fingers can be WIthout mllk If acceptable to the patient? Your kinbent. This be useful for fractured forearm onlY, advice will be appreciated. whereas first-aid equipment is limited and is designed to M 'l!- d h . 'f .)), serve several dzjfierent purnoses.-N. C. F.
ttlt; tS not an 1rrztant / an t e quantzry usuatl:Jl aUU\ r to hot tea or coffee will certainlY not affect patients adverse, 1], however, they .express a desire for tea or coffee withfA COMPLICATED FRACTURE OF RIBS milk, no harm is done ry acceding to their wishes.-N. C. J. P. (Hounslow).-In the treatment of Complicated Fracture of Ribs as set out on p. 80. of the TREA!MENT OF FRACTURED METACARPUS Textbook, it appears to be assumed from the lnstrucA. F. (Birmingham).-As the demonstrator tor's "give ice to that, the injured organ several classes I always teach the method describe must be a lung. Theoretically, If some ,othh organ by the Textbook for treatment of fractured me were injured and treatment m the carpus. Nevertheless, I have frequently he:r described, then the warning gIven m the surgeon-lecturers tell members of these same section-" treat as for, frorr: rnternal that the best of treating this is , organ" be l,ate. Might" not, place a round object, such as a ball of sUltable therefore, the gIve Ice to suck -be in the palm of the hand and to bind the fingers on deleted? Your ruling WIll b e welcomed. thereby causing extension of the fractured bone To JIle the General &les of Treatment in the Textbook bones. are numbe1-ed for convenience and not necessarilY in strict
While this treatment seems quite I sri order of seqtlence in their application. ri.gidly to the Textbook. I am, however, at a loss J You seem, h01vever, to be in doubt as to why the Textbook us to exte of making a correct diagnosis as to the, organ zrgured lVlth the lnJured hand on a padded spli , nt and my on C ,n" + d F.. ct I'e oif n :bs 1.[ thzs be the case then 1 'th h" h" la t.1 £l.j.. J anatlOn IS at t 1S 1S t e lnstructlOn as set 0 compare the descriptions on pp. 78 and 13 6 of the / m the Textbook.. I s?all, therefore, be grateful £ and you '),1)il1 find that the character of the breathmg differs your help on thIS POlnt. when the lungs and other internal olgans are i1!/ured.
On yo"'!r statement facts, 1 gather that SU?l/1 Though it is contrary to the instmetions of the Textbook, lecturers expect first-azders to make an exact I am of the opinion that the adllli.nistration of water in szps all cases of cr1!shed hands, truth to tell, tkzs or the sucking of ice is good first-aid treatment f()r all often a very proposztton even for doctors cases of concealed (internal), bleeding. S1Ich action helps X-ray examznatzon. to relieve t/Je thirst lvhich is a leading and distressing
The Textbook, hozvever, does '(tot make aJ'!)! such dema symptom in these cases -N, C. F. \ on, or expect exact diagnoses to be made by, first-aidcfI ComequentlY it sets out on p. 86 a method lvilill TREATMENT OF FRACTURED LEG onlY of ,metacarpus and phalanges :a tlr J. L. (Birmingham).-In the. splinting of a fracture fac:orzly but wzll also serve equallY well es of a le g, involving eithe.r the tibia or fi?ula (or bo.t?) ca1-pus. TherebJ the of the first-atder zs szmplift and working with an assistant, one splint only belng and not complzcated. . available, it has been suggested to me that bandages
FinallY, as the demonstrator you are right to stick A and B, immediately above and below the fracture, the Textbook z'n your instruction because sttrcpe on-examin should be passed round the iryured limb and splint
(which is on the outside of the leg) onlY, and only the remaining three bandages should embrace both limbs.
Should not all five bandages embrace both legs, thereby utilising the sound limb as a splint?
Y onr final ruling will be much appreciated.
Your suggestion that all five bandages should embrace both legs in the circumstances named is, in my opinion, perfectly
Referen ce to the Textbook will show that in the treatment of all fractures an endeavour is made to provide support to both sides of the limb. On the other hand, fixation of a leg to an outside splint onlY might cause displacement of the broken fragments.-N. C. F.
WOMAN WITH FRACTURED LEG
J. L. (Birmingham).-I am informed that when we have to treat a woman for a fractured leg, it is usual to dispense with the inner splint. I cannot, however, find any such instruction in the Textbook and shall be grateful for your kind help on this point also.
Your informant is evidentlY behind the times. The instruction which he quotes used to figure in the earlier editions of the Textbook, but it was omitted from the current edition because the ladief no longer wear skirtf which reach the ankles and consequentlY can be treated for fractured legs without any displacement of the skirts.N. C. F.
IMPORTANT . NOTICE TO OUR READERS
The Publishing and Advertisement Offices of '" The St. John Ambulance Gazette" are temporarily situated at 8, Breams Buildings, Lon don, E. C. 4 (Phone: HoI. 55 02 ).
Whilst every 'effort is befug made to ensure that all postal subscribers receive their copies, if you know of any subscriber who has not received this issue we should be glad if a postcard could be sent to The Publisher at the above address giving the , full name and address of the subscriber together, if possible, with particulars of the period of the subscription.
Thank you.
NURSING in wartime, even more than under normal conditions, emphasises the need for a perfect form of concentrateQ. nourishment.
The majorit y of patients on admittance to hospital are acutely ill and have und ergo ne a period of high nervous tension. Exp erience has shown that administration of an easily digested and r eadily acceptable form of nourishment is followed by definite improvement in the condition.
For this purpose, both as an emergency measure and as a r egular routine, th ere is nothing which rivals 'Ovaltine.' The nutritive and energising constituents of Ovaltine are rapidly assimilated, relieving" hunger feeling)) and, at the same tim e, allaying nervous tension in a most helpful mann er.
, Ovaltine' possesses many advantages over ordinary food drinks. It is deriv ed from malt ed barley, full-cream milk and eggs from th e worldfamous' Ovaltine' farms, and contains vitamins A, B complex and D, and important mineral elements. Moreover,' Ovaltine possesses special pro'perties which make milk mor e digestible, and thus easily assimilated even in the most serious cases.
, Now, as in 1914-1918, · ' Ovaltin e' is widely us ed in the wartime hospital service both in England and overseas Supplies are available to hospitals in special packings and at special prices.
Write for details to A. Wander, Ltd., 184, Queen's Gate, Londo.n.,. S. W.7
Priory for Wales - (Contil1ued from page 107)
to the Division an amount equivalent to the sum subscribed by the workmen at the Panteg Steel Works, Mr. J. Barr, the works manager, said he was glad to have the opportunity of stating on behalf of the firm that the services of the Brigade were highly appteciated within the works.
Promotion 107 Tredegar Officer -Mr. Walter Price, who has been promoted from Corps Secretary of the Rhymney Valley Corps to County Officer, has rendeted yeoman service in the Ambulance Movement. He joined New Tredegar Division at its formation in 1908. From 1909 to 1914 he captained the Elliot Colliery Ambulance team, which won many prizes, including Monmouthshire County Shield, White Horse Shield, and the £ 10 prize given by the Powell Duffr yn Associated Collieries for the best team under the Company. He saw service in the Great War in the R.A.M.C, including three years spent in Mesopotamia, gaining the rank of QuartermasterSergeant. After the war he rejoined New Tredegar Ambulance Division, which had been disbanded since 1915, and through his instrumentality, Rhymne y Valley Ambulance League (Rescue Area) was formed, an d under his lead ership as !lOnOrary secretary the strength of the League has increased from four to 20 teams. The establishment of the New Tredegar Medical Comforts D epot in 1922 was largely initiated by Mr Price, whose services were recognised in 1927 by admission to the Order. Apart from work on behalf of the Brigade, he has demonstrated a marked ability for organisation by indefatigable work for the Cardiff Royal Infirmary. In 1934 he organised a door-to-door collection which up to the present has realised a sum of over £1,500.
PEMBROKESHIRE CENTRE
High tributes to the splendid work of three members of a Pembrokeshire Division were recently paid at a meetin g at which Certificates of Honour were presented by the Mayor (Alderman George Brown) for gallantry durin g air raids, to Mrs. 1. P. Hammond and Mr. E. A. Cook, Divisional Superintendents, 'and to Police Constable Glyn Humphreys, a member of the Pembrokeshire Police Ambulance Bri gade, the latter having received the distinction of the Medal of the Order of the British Empire for meritorious service during an air raid.
The Mayor, after mentioning that he had been asked by the Chief Constable to present the certificates, said they were all thankful to the three recipients who had performed outstanding deeds. Most of them were aware of the great amount of work which Mrs. Hammond had done for the St. John Ambulance movement in Pembroke Dock. He heartily congratulated her on her work for her fellowcitizens and wished her health and strength to carry on. Mr. Cook was well known to all of them as one who was always ready and willing to give his services without reward.
Responding, Mrs. Hammond said the award had
come as a surprise to her, as she considered the work she had performed was only her duty as a member of a noble organisation.
Mr. Cook said he w?-s highly gratified to receive the recognition. He describ ed the personnel of the firstaid party as splendid fellows and said he was only accepting the on their behalf.
P.C Humphreys considered that other members of the Police Ambu lance Brigade deserved distinction as much as he did. It was always a difficult task to decide who should receive awards and it was his opinion that he had happened to be the " lucky one."
NEWS IN BRIEF
All Nursing Officers have received a circular from the Commissioner for Wales setting out the action to be taken by women due for Government registration. All members of Divisions who have not been advised on the matter should take steps to ascertain the position from their Lady Divisional Superintendent.
The number of members of the Brigade in Wales recorded in the annual returns as serving with H.M. Forces is 1,019, while 6,630 senior members are engaged in war work.
We regret to record the death of Mr. COllis, ex-superintendent of Dudley and District Corps. He was 65 years of age.
Mr. Ollis had a remarkable record of service in the Brigade. He began work in his first certificate the followlng year. HiS lnterest in the ambulance movement resulted in steady promotion, and in 1919 he became a divisional superintendent. In 1920 he was promoted Corps Supenntendent. He retired in 1933.
In addition to the Brigade Service Medal and four bars, Mr. Ollis possessed the Queen's South African Medal with three clasps and a special medal struck by the Orde r of St. John. In 1921 he was appointed a Serving Brother in the Order.
At the outbreak of the present war Mr. Ollis became Corps Officer in charge. of the Pri.or y depot, but failino- health prevented h1m rendenng actIve service the last six months of his life.
At the funeral the coffin was borne b y members of the· Dudley and District Corps, and all divisions of the corps were represented.
We regret to record the death of Mr. C H. Pearson, Chief Goods Clerk, Wimbledon.
Mr. Pearson gained his certificate in 1904, and III
qualified almost without a break ;ach year si?ce that date, being awarded the 30 years certIficate In 1936.
During the time he was to Aldershot station he had much to do with the work of the BrIgade and was instrumental in obtaining the present magnificent headquarters for the St. J ohn Amb.ulance Brigade He · was himself a Corps Officer In the Brigade.
Mr. Pearson was also an area Secretary for the Southern Railway Co-operative Society, as well as a Group Secretary for the Hospital Saving Association,
We regret to record the death of Pte. George Tidy, Post Office (Bournemouth a-?d Dlstnet) Divi sio n, as a result of a recent road acc1dent.
We regret to record the death of Miss Katherine M. L. Sowton, Lady Divisional Superintendent on Reserve, Southbourne Nursing Division, Bournemouth Corps.
Miss Sowton joined the Division in 1916, did parttime hospital duty for three years during the last war, and was promoted to Lady Ambulance Officer in 1919. She wa? also. Secretary and Treasurer the Division for some years . In 1931 she was appolnted Commandant of V.A.D. 220 Hants, and Lady Divisional Superintendent in 1932.
When Miss Sowton went on reserve in 1938, she retained an active interest in the work of St. John, and regularly attended weekly practices.
At the interment a guard of honour was formed by Corps and Divisio nal officers and members.
The Chief Commissioner Overseas regrets to announce the death of the following members of the Brigade :-
C J. Tunks, Esq., M.B.E., K.St.]., who had for many years served the interests of the Brigade in the Auckland District of New Zealand with exemplary zeal and excellence.
Durin 0- his official tour in New Zealand in 1936 b the Chief Commissioner Overseas was remarkably impressed with the energy and enthus.iasm Mr. Tunks and the affection and respect with which he was reo-arded by all ranks under his charge. In his death ilie Brio-ade loses a most faithful servant and the Order a r.(cight who proved worthy of his trust.
District Officer R. R. Wakely, of the Wanganui District, New Zealand.
R. R. Wakely joined the Brigade in 1911, a Serving Brother of the Order and holder of the Servlce Medal and two bars.
Corps Supc;rintendent Szeto t.he Hong Kono- District. Szeto Chung, who JOlned the in 191,6, was an Associate Serving Brother 9f the Order and holder of a Service Medal and two bars.
PRO UTILITATE +. +. ..
HOMINUM
The County Commissioner for Warwickshire reports the following :-
buring an air raid Ambulance Sister Margaret Brown, of a: Warwickshire Nursing Division, went to a house near her home which had suffered severely from enemy action and assisted to get casualties to safety. She helped to load patients into ambulances, proceeded to a Wardens' Post, and remained on duty all night. While there rendered First Aid to fourteen patients who had been taken from damaged shelters; also helped to get other patients out of a damaged Anderson shelter. During all this time she was in great personal danger, and certainly upheld the traditions of St. John Amb,ulance Brigade. *' * *
The Commissioner, No. 4 (Lancashire) District, forwards the: following details of meritorious service penormed by Sergeant F. Owens, member of a Lancashire Division, during a recent air-raid.
Climbing to the 'top of three damaged 70-foot gas-holders which were lit up by a ring of caused by enemy bombs, Sergeant Owens, a Retort House Captain, risked his life to carry out repairs essential to ensure the safety ,of neighbouring houses.
,He has been awarded the medal of the O.B.E.
He called for volunteers and mounted to the crown of the first gas-holder, from which fumes were escaping. Clay was hauled up and was used to clamp a steel plate in position.
An hour later Sergeant Owens put out an incendiary bomb. in the benzol extraction plant, and then he climbed a second gas-holder fr<?m which flames were
While he was extinguishing the fire a bomb fell nearby and he was compelled to hold on to the swaying structure to 'prevent himself being blown off. At 3 a.m. he tackled a third damaged holder.
The County Commissioner for Cornwall reports the following gallant action of Private Ernest Frank Bealey, of a Cornish Division :-
,During an air raid Private Bealey, a member of the Great Western Railway staff, was on duty at a station. He found that all telephonic communications had broken down. In spite of severe injuries sustained to the left hand and leg he proceeded to A.R.P. First Aid Post and advised the personnel that im-
mediate assistance was needed by casualties at the station. Private Bealey was then evacuated to hospital, where it was found necessary to amputate his left hand,
, This action of Private Bealey upholds every tradition of the Order of St. John.
GEORGE DARNEY
(Darney has been a member of the S.J.A.B. and a full-time St. John driver for 10 years.)
Driver Darney was off duty and at home when the first "Blitz" started. He immediately set off to report for duty. On the way he was blown off his bicycle by the blast from a high explosive bomb. He was shaken but not injured, and he , continued his journey (some 4 miles) to the station.
Darney was called out almost immediately, and spent the whole night dealing with cases in dangerous surroundings.
Whilst carrying a loaded stretcher a piece of shrapnel cut a piece off the toe of Darney's boot, but he gave no indication of danger to his patient.
When taking two other cases to hospital Darney was stopped by the police, who told him that all roads except one were blocked, and that one was too dangerous owing to fire. After a, short argument Darney was given permission to risk a dash through the flames. When he reached the hospital he found the paint on the side of the ambulance was blistered by the heat.
Darney stayed on duty throughout the night, and the next day (some 24 hours) without any break.
During the second "Blitz" Darney was again on duty all night, dealing with casualties in dangerous areas.
On the night of the third "Blitz" Darney was a member of the fire-fighting party organised by Sergt. Thatcher, and did valuable work in this connection. He then went to a nearby stable whIch was on fire and rescued four horses, taking them to another, stable for safety. The horses were frightened, and this rescue work was by no means an easy matter.
During the fourth " Blitz" Darney was again out all night. He was called to one incident in which there was danger from electric light wires, which were damaged. Darney entered several houses which were in a dangerous condition and removed the fuses, thereby enabling rescue work to proceed.
CORPORALS STRANGE AND PATMAN
When a raid began in the London Area Corporals Strange and Patman were sent to render any help they could. They immediately got to work to release a man under the wreckage. They tunnelled through and found the man pinned down by a piano and settee. Getting help, they had the piano and settee broken up. After about three hours they were able to extricate the man. They had already rendered what aid they could to him, and had tied feet together, as they suspected fracture. After the man had been they found a woman (his daughter). They cleared a lot more debris, and succeeded in getting to her. They found she had been lying .on hot coals and the remains of the fireplace, and was terribly burned from thighs to feet. A water line was passed to them to cool the hot material, but the fumes given off made them give up. Eventually a passage was made and the woman taken to hospital. They afterwards found the wife of the man dead in the room. It was then about 2.30 a.m.
The corporals went to another house and rescued another man and woman. They - would not leave scene of bombing until told that all living casualties had been rescued. They then resumed duty at the hospital at about 4.30 a.m.
The War Organisation owes a debt of gratitude to the Comite Britannico de Socorro as Vitimas da Guerra of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, for the many thousands of valuable gifts in kind which it has received from that body. Since the spring of last year, consignment after consignment of hospital supplies, material and equipment, medical stores, bandages, cotton wool, clothing, service woollens, blankets, cigarettes, sugar and jam has arrived in this country-only three comparatively small shipments of sugar, cotton wool and hospital material being lost through enemy action.
These generous gifts in kind form but a part of the help (Jiven to the War Organisation. Since the of the war, the Comite Britannico de Socorro as Vitimas da Guerra has sent cash contributions amounting to £49,400.
Voluntary full-time or part-time helpers are urgently wanted by the Invalid Comforts Section of the Prisoners of War Department of the War Organisation at 14, Carlton House Terrace, London, S.\V.I.
Volunteer packers are also urgently required at a
A Complete Textbook for Ambulance and First Aid Workers, and Nurses
THE ELEMENTARY , PRACTI,CE of NURSING
A New Work by the Author of "A Complete System of Nursing."
By A. MILLICENT ASHDOWN, S.R.N.
number of parcel packing centres of the Department. In particular, there is need for more help at the ·Birmingham Packing Centre, the address of which is: Door A, Town Hall, Birmingham.
The arrangements made by the War Organisation for chartering ships to transport - parcels between Lisbon and Marseilles are working smoothly. Consignments are proceeding regularly on that portion of the route which lies between Marseilles and Geneva. The International Red Cross has acknowledged the receipt of large numbers of parcels landed at Marseilles from the first five steamers which were chartered. It should, however, always be remembered that the route over which the parcels have to travel is long and intricate and that they have to be transhipped at various stages in their journey to the camps. The possibility .of arranging alternative routes is under constant examination.
The work of the French Section of the For€ign Relations Department was the subject of a recent broadcast address by Monsieur Oberle and Miss Betty Stockfield in the programme entitled "Les Fran<;ais parlent aux Fran<;ais ." It is hoped that as a result of the broadcast many persons in France were informed of the means which is open to them to communicate news through the medium of the International Red Cross and the Foreign Relations Department to their relatives elsewhere.
One ambulance, six utili cons and a canteen van were dispatched to Joint County Committees and Convalescent Homes of the War Organisation during the two weeks ending April 3. Additional ambulances were also placed for work in Army Commands. Since being attached to Commands, ambulances of the War Organisation have travelled 58I,I95 miles and have carried 57,887 patients. The mileage covered during the fortnight ending April 4 totalled 56,064, and the number of patients carried, 5,207.
An offer of 50,000 first-aid kits which has been made by the British War Relief Society through the American Red Cross has been very gladly accepted by the War Organisation. A further rermttance from the British War Relief Association of Northern California for Middleton Park HospitaJ brings the total amount received to £ I 2,500: all the beds in this hospital are now supported by the ' Association.
Consignments of stores, cOmpr1Slng I44 cases, 73 bales and 327 packages sent to Home hospitals during the fortnight ending April 8, and six cases,. three bales and 62 packages to convalescent homes. Depots and work parties received nearly 300 packages.
Expenditure on the purchase of stores , to date , amounts. to £2,48I,I07.
Vast quantIties of hospital supplies continue to reach the Central Hospital Supply Service from ali i parts of the world. During the two weeks ending April 5 more than 55,000 gifts came from overseas. Cities and towns in the United States of Ameri ca which sent gifts included New York, San Francisco,
Air Raid Precautions
By W. C. BENTALL, O.H.E., F.R.C.S., F.R.G.S., Assistant Surgeon-in-ChieJ, St. John Ambulance Brigade
THE WORK OF THE MEDICAL OFFICERS IN CIVIL WAR SERVICE
Seattle and Sarasota. South American consignments The smooth working and good resu lts of the Services in a blitz arrived from Buenos Aires, Montevideo, Rosario, depend very largely upon adeq':late knowledge demar:ded of the Valparaiso SantiaO'o Rio de Janeiro Sao Paulo d07 <;>rs attached to the CI VIl ServIce.s as well as to theIr a?equate b '.' tra1fU11g of the personnel under theIr control. In peace-tune we L1ma and Talcahuano. Other sources of gIfts were Ihave generally been satisfied with deli vering our course of lectures Shanghai, Tientsin and Chefoo in China, Wellington, and. the candidates for adrninisVancouver Singapore Ra goo Bata ia Pe a traUve SIde that -:v e are expected to fulfil 10 thlS Civil ServIce a . ' , n, V, n ng, goo d dea l more tune for thought and study than the rush of a medIcal Cawnpore, Honolulu, Jama1ca, Talara, Oporto and practice in wartime makes easy to be undertaken; yet many of the Bowral (Australia). weak spots in the Casualty Serv ices which experience has evolved has shown them to be due in part to the lack of training and supervision by the doctor, in many cases unavoidable.
In addition, some 4,660 gifts were received from home sources and 23,7I7 articles made from C.H.S.S. material were returned to store.
It is interesting to make a short re view of the links in the chain of the Casualty Services, the strength of which depends to a large measure on these medical links :-
One million aspirins from Mr. Edward Hack, the head of a firm of manufacturing chemists, more than 1,000 packs of playing cards from Messrs. Bovril, Ltd., a piano, tables and chairs, a parcel of games, and nearly 300 blanket pieces from Messrs. Matthew Walker were among the 3,000 gifts received by the Comforts-Collection Department during the fortnight ending April 7. Treasure bags, each containing cigarettes, sweets, a handkerchief, a pencil and a stamped postcard were contributed by a firm in Peckham. A work party in Deptford which, despite heavy air attacks, has managed to meet regularly throughout the winter months and to send many thousands of garments and comforts, has given another large supply of knitted garments.
(I) The first link in the chain of the Casualty Services in a blitz is with the services of the First Aid Parties. these come under the Ministry of Home Security and not under the Ministry of Health, there is one point for whic.h the Medical Officer of Health is responsible in the professional side of his duties-to make sure that the leaders of the First Aid Parties are adequately trained for the speciaJ wartime services which make such heavy demands upon them. This specialised training should be supervised by the Regional Training Officer of the Ministry of Home Security in conjunction with the Assistant Hospital Officer of the Ministry of Health; between these two, classes should be conducted for the le aders of the First Aid Parties so that they may deal with large numbers of casualties in a blitz in a way best calculated for the saving of life. Special courses have been arranged by the Home Office in the early days for this work, though very frequently the Medical Officers of Health in relation to the special classes conducted have not been in full co-operation. Such a course includes the" sorting of casualties," the speedy selection of cases in relation to life and death, giving attention to severe hremorrha g e, asphyxia, shock and fractures, in that order, minimising the peace-time amount of training which is usually given to the putting up of fractures in peacetime first aid work. Stretcher cases should be always sent to hospitals, sitting car cases to First Aid Posts, and certain of the types of Lnjuries for those who go to hospital are speci£ed. The possibility of utilising a panel of local practitioners in a blitz to go out and supervise these leaders of parties has, in some places, been organised, Extracts from three messages recently received but the official scheme makes provision for doctors in charge of Mobile First A id Posts when called by the central control to go out respecting Oflag C/H-the camp from which to the First Aid Parties for this specific purpose. The official course many representations have come of the non-delivery for these leaders consists of 18 lectures and it is impossible in this of parcels-will be read with interest and satisfaction. to go more fully first lin k of the chain: is interestLng to note that there 1S qU1te a tendency for c.nt1c1sm In our pro-
The first 1S from a mother of a pnsoner of war at fession to say that the " diagnosis" of serious injuries by laymen that camp. She writes: "My husband and myself should be discouraged, but it is worth noting that they are not asked to make medical diagnosis, but merely to sort the cases for quick are feeling thoroughly happy over our son as he says transposal to Posts or Hospitals, where the doctors in charge make that he is getting Red Cross food and received his the necessary diagnosis while the leaders Qt' the Parties have merely . II Sorted them for satisfactoIY disposal to those c;!octors. first personal parcel. Theu camp seems a we - (2) First Aid Posts-Fixed.-Trus is the first place that the organised one from educa'(ion and entertainment casualty meets correct medical supervision and treatment by a f l" h The doctor in charge of a fixed First Aid Post has, during the angle. ThiS we are so grate u over. The ot er hme preceding war, been retained on a nominal fee in order to messages are from a prisoner of war at the camp SUpervise the training and organisation of the personnel and equip1£ Th 1 . d "V fi 1 R d ment of his Post and in many cases adequate instruction to the 1tse. e te egram tea s. ery t, amp e e doctor in charge of the Post has not been sufficiently provided to Cross parcels arriving, excellent condition." The him the details which his retaining fee rightly demands. It I . "I . 1 I' I Is not merely a matter of firing off lectures on first aid to voluntary etter runs . t 1S ove y getting your parce s regu- personnel, but of acting more in the capacity of the Colonel in larly. They don't come quite in order but what charge of a Unit to make sure that those serving under hiJ;n are d h ;:l Th ' R d allocated jobs which unitedly make a complete administration for oes t at matter. ere are now over 3,000 e service. Thus, immediately under the doctor is the Trained Cross parcels in camp."
(Continued on page I 8) who should be second to him in all matters. She should be to him for the adequate upkeep of all equipment from II5
nursing materials, splints, etc., to drugs and the strictly medical details. Beneath her is the lady in charge of the voluntary personnel, usually either a S.J.A.B. Superintendent or B.R.C.S. Commandant. The nurse should make sure that these leaders have the training and practice of their personnel adequately performed. Amongst the personnel the doctor must make sure that some are chosen to serve as receptionist clerks at the entrance to the Post, recorders of the cases as they pass through, and others in specialised departments, from whom the doctor would be justilled in electing the most suitable person to relieve him of all the clerical work, Elling up of forms and cards, etc., which no doctor is supposed personally to perform. The doctor is responsible for maintaining the complete administration under him in the whole of the First Aid Post and his greatest skill is in adequately co-operating subordinates to do the work. Above rum is the Medical Officer of Health of the district in wruch the Post is situated. This M.O.H. is almost comparable to a Brigadier and it is his business to see that the Medical Officers are helped in every possible way to understand the particular services that they should render as M.O. in command. The district M.O.H. is finally responsible to the County M.O.H. It is thus seen that the medical supervision of this second link of the chain is very adequately organised, but the complete organisation would break down when the medical man has not been duly instructed as to the correct procedure in relation to the administration of the First Aid Post for which he is responsible. (3) First Aid Posts-Mobile.-Exactly the same thing as in paragraph (2) holds good for the Mobile Posts. One of the outstanding features of the doctOr's jobs for the Mobile is to secure suitable buildings in the neighbourhood of the area he is supposed to serve for unloadirig his Mobile Post for temporary action and he should allocate the various members of his staff (18 in number plus the Trained Nurse) for being responsible for the boxes Df equipment, basins, dressings, Primus stove, etc., so that· things may be placed in the empty shop or school room, that is allocated for the purpose, in the same order every time for the convenience of operative work as may be needed. These Mobile Posts perform varying functions in relation to the districts they serve, c g. remote rural districts or the centre of busy boroughs. Many of the larger towns have as many as )"00 or 600 places within their boundaries for the unloading of their six or seven Mobile Units in their area. Maps of these places are kept in the Medical Officer of Health's office or in the control room so that he knows if a blitzed area can be served from the unloading centre already mapped. It is the doctor's Job to make sme that his staff is familiarised with these places and their nearest place of unloading This is what is meant by " Higher training," not merely higher types of First Aid or medical teaching but training for complete organisation to meet the operational work arising in wartime (operational does not mean surgery but war procedure). (4) AIJ/bu/ances .-The Medical Officers of Health are responsible for the supervision and control of this link of the chain. They will have already organised a Supervisor for the mechanical control of the cars, making sure that the equipment of tools, tyres, batteries and general engine condition are all ready for unexpected calis, day or night. Under the mechanical Supervisor there is a driver and ambulance attendant for each vehicle.
The doctor should enquire of the M.O.H. if adequate arrangements have been made for the unloading of the ambulances by trained stretcher bearers on arrival at the hospitaJ. The actual training of the ambulance attendants, all of whom should possess a First Aid Certificate after the necessary six lectures and examination, should be specially instructed by the Doctor in charge as to the peculiar types of attention that may be required of these attendants during transit such as continuous digital pressure on the femmal or subclavian arteries in dangerous hremorrhages, which is much less risky to life than the uncertainty of a tourniquet. Drivers should also be instnacted by the Doctor as to the position of their ambulances in the neighbourhood of the blitz, c.g ., drawn up in such a way that they may make a clean straightforward start, rather than have to reverse
and move about over rough areas with the casualty on board. Also that their driving should be done in consideration of the dangerou.s condition of the patient; being carried so that sharp corners should be tumed slowly and no excessive speeds indulged in. Shock produced or increase€! by tfJe omission of such may add to the list of fatal casualties.
Higher points in this have already been referred to, but it is a wise addition to give the personnel under the doctors an adequate picture of the whole scheme of A.R.P. Services so that the personnel may realise exactly how their work should complete the jig-saw of the whole picture. Thus, they shoul? understand
how they must co-operate With the Wardens on first arrival of Parties; with the work of the Rescue Parties and proper rdatia,
ships with firemen, whose hoses mu:,t be carefully avoided ambula.nces; with the police, whose regulations in the blitz an carefully laid down: and, at the othe.r end of their work, adequate knowled.ae of ambulance drivers as to the correct trances a1td methods o f unl oading at the hospitals is vital. and clear pictures oE the llI odus ojJera1ldi adopted in the control centrel and the methods by which Wardens send their messages for when the blitz beg ins, should be familiar to the personnel of eve section of the Cas ualty Services.
SOIlle 'Medical Aspects of CheInical Warfare
Agents
A review by Leon Goldman, M.D., and Glenn E. Cullen, Ph.D., Cincinnati
The greatest menace of poison gas is its fear-inducing properties .-F. N. Pickett
(Continued from page 81 A pt'il i s sue)
The other dangerous forms of gas poisoning are by means of blistering agents, the" chemical lepers." This phase has been reviewed in great detail by the dermatologist. Bee:ause of the persistence and efficiency of these agents, these will be used frequently in preference to the lung irritants. These gases, too, are insidious." For some hours with mustard gas there is no complaint; then the eyes may become reddened and the skin burns and itches, especially moist areas. Erythema appears c.hiefly In mtld cases, ill the form of a punctate eruptIon If the exposure has been slight. This may clear in from twenty-four to forty-eight hours. In severe cases the colour may become darker, bullae are formed after eight to twelve hours, and, if the patient has breathed in the gas, broncho-pneumonia may occur. Occasionally pigmentation results from mustard gas burns even after mild degrees 0'£ erythema. This may last for several weeks and then the skin des quamates and the colour fades. To prevent skin burns, the vesicant must be removed from the skin in from three to ten minutes. Under most situations and especially with uninformed patients this will be impossible. It is important for the physician to note
. that these patients are dangerous for him to handle. Unless the physician is protected properly against breathing the chemical agent vaporising from any of these areas, he, the physician, will become a casualty. The gas mask will protect only against breathing the ·poison gas, but will not protect the skin surface or the clothing. Special oilskin gloves and oilskin clothing are needed. With these cumbersome outfits it is difficult and impossible to work for any long periods. Liquid vesicant agents may be removed -from the skin with soap and water, kerosene, gasoline or carbon tetrachloride. It must be remembered that these materials are only solvents, and not neutralising agents, and therefore fresh cloths' should be used each time. If bleaching powder solution is used to oxidise the gas, this solution of bleae;hipg powder mpst be removed from the skin in order to avoid
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burnin.g with this also. For burns w.ith lewisite gasl a neutralising agent such as 5 per cent. solution sodium hydroxide may be used, and then rinsea thoroughly from the skin. Mter the bulla has formed, debridement should be done. Various pastes ar then used, but it is doubtful whether they have " specific" action. Tannic acid solution was used treat mustard gas burns in the Italo-Ethiopian War and the results, uncontrolled, seemed These cutaneous burns are relatively slow in healing
Its History and its Part in the Ambulance Movement
By
N. CORBET FLETCHER, M,A., M.B., M.R.C.S.
::ambulance (Jia3ette.
and the patient's morale must be kept up during thi '------------------
period. Unlike the pulmonary complications followin the lung irritants, broncho-pneumonia is much mo common after irritation of the tracheo-bronchial tr with mustard gas. For lewisite, the general measure!< to minimise the subsequent arsenical intoxicatio must be given. The usual bland treatments should b used on the eye injuries. It is recommended that nq cocaine be used in the eye, and that the eye be no, bandaged. Briefly, the pathologic changes of gas poisoning include, in the skin, perivascular in! filtrates, vessel thromboses and vesicle and buIlt. formation. In the lung the picture is chiefly that ° severe ulceration of the trachea, . larynx and bronchi broncho-pneumonia and pulmonary abscesses rna, Il6 occur later.
Stomach Disorders I
The acute discomfort of recurring 'indigestion,' the pain of flatulence and distension associated with acid dyspepsia, will yield to treatment . h '-o·S D L' wIt »1 0 0 II
Since mustard gas is persistent, lasting for day weeks, and even months under certain areas contaminated by this gas are ' dangerous for som time. These areas must be freed from mustard g or decontaminated, as it is called. This is done usuall, with bleaching powder solutions and vigorous clean ing; contaminated clothing may be decontaminate by long exposure to windy air, by boiling, by chlorinl ation, or by the action of bleaching powder. As mentioned before, special clothing must be worn because this gas will penetrate cloth and even she: leather. Because of all this elaborate routine, it seen readily that special treatment centres are to treat mustard gas patients. Moreover, foo water supplies also can be contaminated.
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poisoning can result from the ingestion of such materials. Water can be freed by the methods men· tioned. Food usually il1ust be discarded ana destroyed. As a rule, intact c::ellophane wrappers or glass jars will protect food. Ordinary paper wrapping . and .' paper bags do not protect. It should be emphasised again that early and prompt measures must be taken for patients affected by the lung irritants and blistering agents; in many ,instances even this purely sympto· matic treatment will not be available.
BRIEF SUMMARY' OF FIRST AID
From the data presented it is evident that there must be set up special treatment centres for the chemical warfare casualties. These patients cannot be handled in an ordinary first aid station. In the treatment centre, special rooms must be set aside for patients contaminated by mustard gas. Special precautions must be taken about the clothing of such patients. The general material required in the ideal protected treatment centre would be (I) stretchers and beds, (2) blankets, (3) hot water bottles, (4) hot drinks, (5) fresh Clothing, (6) oxygen breathing apparatus, (7) gastric tubes, (8) gas masks, (9) mustard gas resistant clothing, gloves, sheets, (10) venesection needles. The special materials required would be (1) bleaching powder, (2) sodium bicarbonate, (3) alcohol, (4) carbon tetrachloride, (5) kerosene, (6) soap and water, (7) per cent. sodium hydroxide, (8) ferric hydrate paste (value ?), (9) compound tannic acid solution,9 to be used for patients received with bullae already on the skin, (10) silver rutrate solution (10 per cent.), (I I) cocaip.e solutions, (12) morphine, gentian violet (I per cent.), (14) heart stimulants, -C 15) respiratory stimulants (caffeine, zanthine deriyatives), (16) fluids for intravenous use: (a) blood, (b) plasma, (c) dextrise, (d) acacia, (e) methylene blue, (f) sodium thiosulfate. As mentioned before, all cases should be considereGi as serious and so treated. For minimum the'rapy, a patient subjected to a lung irritant must be held at absolute rest and kept warm for some hours For the patient exposed to mustard gas the clothing must be removed, the body surfaces washed with soap and water or kerosene or 'bleaching powder or paste must be·used. In times of stress, this really may be all that can be done.
To keep a treatment centre effective, patients should be removed as quickly as possible. They. can be moved only by ambulance when that procedure is safe for the patient and the patient himself is not potentially dangerous to those who may care for him in the next treatment area (hospital).
(Td bt con.tinued) !IS
Red Cross &St. John War
C TICAL BOOK S
(Continued from page 114) by N. CORBET FLETCHER, Some few weeks ago the Department what it describes as the third party system. Twice M.B., B.C., M.A.(Cantab.), M.R.C.S. week it sends an Air Mail letter t o the Internationa AIDS TO FIRST-AID '
(7th Ed.)
Red Cross Committee at Geneva comprising a 1i First-Aid Simplifled and Tabulated with Aids to Memory. of men still posted as missing. With the letter is Price 1/- (Post 2d.) further list of names, numbers and prison cam addresses of prisoners of war who, it is thought, rna, EFFICIENCY I N FIRST-AID (3rd Ed.) be able to give some information about the missin Problems In Study, Treatment and Examination solved men. The International Red Cross Committee i ror Senior Students. Price 1/- (Post 3d.) requested to have the prisoners questioned, and- thi Department has recently received its first instalmen COMMON ERRORS IN FIRST-AID of replies which are of such a nature as to lead it t Errors in First-Aid Detailed and Explained. believe that the method may be a satisfactory wa Price j- (Post 2d.) of obtaining news of missing men.
WHY AID AND WHEREFORE (5th Ed.) IN FIRST-
The Appeal Executive Committee of the Red Cros and John Fund has prepared a comprehensiv account of the appeal activities made on behalf of th Fund. Each section of the appeal has contributed description 6f the scope, and method of its particula contribution to the whole campaign. A list of tb committees engaged in directing the various appeals together with the addresses from which they operate is also given. Those who desire to have a cop, may obtain one on application to the Secretary of th Red Cross and St. John Fund at 23, Carlton HoliS Terrace, London, S. W. I.
Committees have already been set up in about 2) urban centres in England and Wales to organise weekly collection of pennies street by street and
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STREET, LONDON, E.CA districts for the "Red Cross Penn y ."
House-to-house collections are a most promisin source of substantial contributions for the addition r:nillion which is required before the autumn for the work of the War Organisation, and special efforti are now being made by the Penny-a- Week Com mittee to extend, the local committees throughout th urban areas. In the rural areas the collections are bdng arranged by the Agriq.llture Fund Committee to avoid overlapping with its Agricultural , Salel Appeals.
CLASSIFIED ADVERTISEMENTS
Advertisements with remiJlance should be smt to the SI. John Ambulance Gazette, 19, Cur.ritor Siren, E.C.4· 2d. per word, minimum 35.
SCENT
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Roosevelt, the wife 0\ th.e President of the pENCILS OF SUPERIOR QUALITY, printed with your Corps Umted States, has sent the follOWIn g message to the Name and announcement, sell easily. Sample free.Committee of the Penny-a- Week Fund: "I sena' PRESS, Bradford, .' to those who are working for theRed Cross Penny-a- Week Fund, and to all those URGENTLY WANTED.-Several copies of this Journal for are contributing to it. I think the results you January and February 194I.-Send copies with price to , had 50 far are splendid, and my best wishes go Publisher, THE ST. JOHN AMBULANCE GAZETTE, 19, Cunitor you for cont.inued success." Street, London, E.c.<4.
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St. Jobn Elmbulance OFFICIAL GAS CHA'RTS
CHILDREN do not dread the application of" Iglodine,' 'because, unlike many other antiseptics, it heals without h urting. It is ideal for cleansing and sterilising all surface Injuries, and hastens healing quickly without leaving a scar. It is recommended extenby the medical t profession.
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THE ST. J or-II AMBULA TCE GAZETTE is published 011 the 15th of each month. The annual subscrzption is 4S., post free / single copies 3d
Brigade Reports and Photographs should be addressed to the Editor : c/o Charles Lavell, Ltd., 4, Clements I nn, S:rand, W'.C.2. Reports and photographs should reach hZ1JJ not later than the 28th oj the month preceding the ' date of issue.
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CONTENTS
any of the world's problems are so Ived b 'ASPRO', for 'ASPRO' brin
Editorial
I-lints for First-A id ers Sickness Insurance
Advantages of Corps to
Some Medical Aspects of Chemical Walfare Agents
Air Raid Precautions
Nursing Divisions on War Sendee
Overseas News
Interesting Case Reports
Questions and Answers
Brigade News
world- /' health and happiness to all. It is now firmly established as
Priory for Wales
Pro Utilitate Hominum
The Treatment of Wounds
The " Perrott" Challenge Shield Correspondence Awards
Working in co-operation with the National Associations concerned, the Sports Committee has aimed to secure the active interest of sports-lovers of every kind in raising money for the Red Cross. One method has been b y the promotion of competitions and contests among amateurs individually or in their clubs, the entrance fees in these cases going to the Fund. Spectator-supporters of public sporting events are given opportunities of helping the Fund by the organisation of matches and tournaments, the proceeds from whi ch are given to the Fund. Collections have been taken, and direct subscriptions have also been solicited from those participating in various sports.
St. John's Day Services
Sunday, Jun e 22.-In Westminster A bbey, at 6.3 0 p.m.
Tuesday, June 24.-In the Chapel Royal, St. James's, Holy Communion at 8,30 a.m.
Gazette Editorial Offices
n un
Red Cross and St J h 'F d •
The R ed Cross and St. J o hn F1..U1d has recently recei ved a further donation of £ 5,000 from ' the Red Cross Sports Fund. With this sum, the contribution from Sports has reached the total of £ 10 7,000.
Will contributors to the G AZETTE please note that all future communications to the Editor should be addressed: c/o Charles Lavell, Limited, 4, Clements Inn, Strand, W.C.2?
Hints for First Aiders
-Especially for Cadets
SUDDEN ILLNESS
By N f S. B. VINTER, M.B., B.S., Corps Surgeon, County of Bristol No.2 Corps
A first aider does not only have to be able to treat cases of accident. Sometimes he is faced with a patient who has been taken suddenly ill. Several such conditions are described in the Textbook according to the part affected, with the injuries to the same part of the body. Whilst most cases of illness are outside the scope of first aid, a first aider should not be at a loss when he is confronted.. with such a case.
First, as with all patients who need first aid, an e;;&:amination must be made to find out what part of the patient, or what system of his body, has gone wrong. The history should be asked for, and the patient or his friends may be able to tell all about his attack which he may have suffered from before. Then find out what he is complaining of, as exactly as possible: such as pain in any special place, faintness, giddiness or loss of the use of some part of the body; such as sudden deafness or blindness.
- problem is more difficult if the patient is unconscious, though his friends may be to say what he complained of before he 'became unconscious.
The examination that a first aider can make does not take very long. Notice the position of the patient. is very unusual for an ill person to prefer to stand up; he usually wants to sit or lie down. Notice whe:ther he keeps still or moves about. -Some kinds of pain make the patient want to roll in agony, while others make him feel that if he moves the least bit, his pain will be made worse.
The colour of his face, the ' temperarure of his skin, his pulse rate, the regularity or otherwise of his pulse, and the depth and rate of his respirations are all things that should be observed, and will give some idea of the state of the patient and of now seriously ill he is. There may be a fit of some kind; if so, it should be carefully watched, as an exact description may be a great help to the doctor who sees the patient later.
Any discharges from the body-that is, urine, faeces, blood, or vomit-should be kept for the doctor to see, whether they appear to be normal or not. It should be noted, if possible, where blood comes from, but this is sometimes very difficult, especially if the patient is a woman.
Such observations give some idea of what system ,?f bfts &one wr.ong. It would be quite 1mposs1ble ill an arude to g1ve a list of all the different kinds of; sudden illness that can strike a but
there are some which are much commoner than others, for which a first aider can prepare hlmself.
Apoplexy, or a stroke, and epilepsy are described fully in the Textbook, as also are infantile convulsions. But fits can happen from other causes too, They usually have something of the appearance of epileptic fits, but their cause can be traced to some other organ besides the brain, which alone is affected in epilepsy.
If the kidneys fail to get rid of the poisons from the body, which they normally do in the urine, the patient may have a fit very like an epileptic fit. It may be the first warning that the patient has had that he is suffering from serious kidney disease. The first-aid treatment of the two conditions is the same but as the state of the urine may be an importan; guide to the doctor, it should be kept if possible. There is a disease called diabetes, in which the patient gets rid of sugar in the urine, which his body needs. This disease is often treated by daily illJectlOns of a drug called insulin which enables the patient to make use of the sugar properly and not pass it out in the urine. Occasionally, if the patient has had more of this drug than he needs for the moment, he may collapse and become unconscious,
Some patients who suffer in this way carry with them. a note. to say that if they are picked up unconsclOUS this may be the cause. They sometimes carry a lump of sugar with them as well, because if they take some sugar when they feel bad, it usually , puts them right very quickly.
A "heart attack" is the name given to a state of sudden illness when the patient complains most of his heart. A real heart attack is not very common, but often in conditions when the heart is not seriously at fault, the patient will feel as though his heart were the ca.use of his He may feel it working, a pal12ItatlOn; or he may feel as though It were standing stIll. If the attack is really a heart
though he may be able to indicate that the pain is over his heart. His pulse ';Vill be very feeble. '
As a first-aid measure in any kind of heart attack, it is safe to put a hot application, such as a hot water bottle or a piece of flannel rung out of hot water, on the chest, and this may give very great relief to the patient. At the same time smelling salts can be used.
Acute illness arising from the organs in the abdomen are common, and there are several things that can go wrong. Many of them give some sort of warning to the patient before they happen. But the patient may have had the warning so often that he has got used to it, and makes light of it.
The food passage may become blocked suddenly by the intestine getting caught in a rupture or from many other causes. The patient vomits and feels very ill. If it can be done, the first aider should look at the abdomen uncovered, and if there is a swelling in the place where rupture usually occurs at the groin the treatment for rupture should be applied. If no swelling can be seen, keep the patient lying down and keep him warm. If there is pain in any particular place apply a hot water bottle.
Occasionally a part of the stomach or intestine has been made so thin by an ulcer that it gives way or " perforates." This usually happens very suddenly, though the patient may have had some warning from a pain in his abdomen. Partially digested food escapes into the cavity of the abdomen and causes very severe pain and shock, for which he should be treated. He should not be allowed to try to walk, but should be carried on a stretcher either home or to a hospital where he can be treated by operation. Stones which form in the body owing to disease can make a patient suddenly ill if they get stuck in a narrow tube, such as the one that leads the bile from the liver to the intestine or the urine into the bladder. The pain they cause: is a colic and may make the patient roll in agony. At the same time the patient suffers from shock. Hot water bottles may relieve the pain. The patient may be given small drinks of cold water if he wants them, but he would vomit any large quantity, and vomiting aggravates the pain. At the same time he should be encouraged to lie still and be kept warm until a doctor can reach him and give him treatment.
In mgst cases of sudden illness the is not unlike that of shock, which is the sudden illness brought on by injury. A first aider, therefore, cannot g9 wrong if he treats the case as one of shock and uses his wits to notice anything special that may happen.
attack, the patient will usually be able to tell that he AssocI·atl·on C t S ' • has had something wrong with his heart before. It oun y ecretarles will usually take the same fo rm in the same patient, With reference to the list of Association County though it will vary with different' patients. Secretaries published in the March issue of the O f th GAZETTE, readers are asked to note that Somerset n.e 0 e: m.ost is known as " angina." '11
In this the patIent IS taken w1th a sudden ' gripping WI be regarded as a single. county, and that :Mr. pain in the region of his heart. He looks and is very Marsh, who has hItherto held office ill. He may remain conscious but is too ill to speak, , County Secretary for West Somerset, w1ll extertd his interest to the whole county.
Sickness Insurance
NURSING DIVISIONS
Arrangements have been made with the Law Accident Insurance Society to extend to members of Nursing Divisions of the Brigade the same terms as those granted to Women's Detachments of the British Red Cross Society, particulars of which are as follow:
Temporary total disablement with confinement to house: compensation payable up to 26 weeks in anyone year of insumnce, excluding compensation for the first week of any sickness.
Compensation Premium
Compensation is payable only in respect of sickness contracted ill Great Britain, Ireland and Northern Ireland.
No compensation is payable in respect of sickness c?ntracted or commencing prior to or within twentyeIght days of the payment of the first premium.
Compensation will not be payable in respect of sickness due to or resulting from an accident. ' -:-
Compensation will not be payable in respect -;r sickness associated with or incidental to pregnancy or child-bearing, or due to war, riot or civil commotion, insanity or intemperance.
Age limits: 19 to 60.
On raising the question of compensation not being paid in respect of sickness "due to war," we are advised that any ordinary sickness contracted whilst the insured is working in hospitals, convalescent homes, first-aid posts, medical-aid posts in tubes or other air-raid shelters, would come within the scope of the policy.
Officers in charge of Nursing Divisions will deal direct with the Law Accident Insurance Society, Law Courts Branch, 215, Strand, London, W.C.2, in the case of individual members of their Divisions who desire to take out a policy.
Copies of the proposal form can be obtained on application to the Insurance Society.
'Ophthalmic Hospital of the Order of St. John in Palestine
Colonel Woolrych Petowne, V.D., T.D., the Hospitaller, has received from the Tasmanian Centre of the St. John Ambulance Association the sum of £15 14s., being the proceeds of a Garden Fete held at" Ru glen," the home of Sir John and Lady Ramsay, which has been credited to the Jubilee Appeal Fund for the extension of the Ophthalmic Hospital of the Order of St. John in Palestine.
Advantages Of Corps Formation To Large Divisions
ACTIVE FIRST AID THE KEYNOTE OF MEMBERSHIP
By R. R. HOPKINS, Corps Secretary, Luton
The increasi1;lg hgures of Brigade membership show that more and more qualified first-aiders are appreciating the advantages of training and working within the framework of Divisions and Corps.
Although the ever-mounting call on man-power for the fighting FO,rees is making it difficult for some Divisions to maintain their peace-time strength, others are flourishing as never before; these Divisions are being fed, as it , were, by a flow of volunteers primarily inspired by the demands of A.R.P.
Many of volunteers commence their first:aid studies and connections with a very general" occaSIOnally vague, desire to " play' some part" in the war effort; they have no initial interest in the Bngade as such. But a large proportion frequently become , keen Brigade members, with a rapid and interest in many aspects of ambulance work-cIvIl, industrial and, of course, A.R.P.
As a result of this tendency, the Ambulance Division of which the writer was formerly the Secretary attained within three years of formation a reliable membership of over 180-not counting a Nursing Division operating in conjunction with the same A.R.P. organisation. In all, some 100 members were actually in uniform, or had been measured for them.
With such large numbers, however, the work of officers and instructors becomes increasingly difficult. Whilst some activities can be broken down and delegated to the special charge of individual Ambulance Officers orN.e.O.s, it is not easy to split up the duties of Secretaries and Storekeepers.
In consequence, time is spent in wading through a long roll-call, or dealing with queries equipment, when that time, would far better, In fact ought to be, spent in first aid or, w?rk:
Up to a point, therefore, assists first-aid training and practIce; If the DIVISIOn beco,mes too large, however, the necessary may tend to become an .
Perhaps one is permitted to surffilse that this must have been one of the considerations prompting the Chief Commissioner recently to express a desire to see all large and unwieldy Divisions converted into Corps. For it must always be the aim of St. John members to spend a maximum of their ,available on active first-aid work, to reduce routme formalitIes to a minimum.
Divisions which may have felt they ought to seek Corps status, on the score 6f size, but which have not yet done so for fear ,of difficulties in procedure, may be assured that the formalities are not formidable.
Preliminary and informal discussion with the CoutIty Officer and Commissioner will doubtless 12.6
indicate whether the proposition would have official approval within the County or District; following this an application to H.Q. can be formally drawn up and submitted through the usual channels, as per B.G.R.62.
Forms B.F. I will be needed for each of the Divisions into which it is decided to split the original large Division; this simply means, in effect, that part of a somewhat onerous job has to be done immediately instead of being left until the end of the year, which is invariably an all too busy period. This progress has, moreover, an advantage to new Divisional Secretaries, who are thus enabled to assume their duties in easy stages. Individual copies of B.P. 7 must also be prepared for the promotion of any officers and N.e.O.s necessary to the Corps establishment.
Little need be said about the ways and means of splitting up a large Division, because Corps formation will generally follow a state of affairs in which there has been a certain amount of decentralisation in the interests of A.R.P. Hence the require merits of B.G.R.-two or more Ambulance Divisions-are easily and almost automatically fulfilled.
The Corps to which the writer is attached now comprises three Ambulance Divisions and. Nursing Division, and already it is clear that WIthin five months of formation each Division will have held competitions (involving eight teams a time) and that there will have been a Corps final. This would be all but impossible with one cumbersome Ambulance Division and an independent Nursing unit, as was previously the case.
The Divisions mentioned are vieing with another in practically every aspect of Brigade workand have secured many trophies from enthusiastic and partisan supporters! Not only is more time being devoted to first aid on practice ni g hts, but anti-gas refreshe r courses are being held betweentimes, and members are attending home nursing classes, so as to become more widely qualified and efficient.
Meanwhile, administrative work and organisation has been spread over a larger number of shoulders; , wllilst four Divisional Committees are obviously more representative of 200 or so members than the two prev:ious bodies could ever be.
There is one point which may not be generally appreciated by works organisations-that this kind of Corps can be looked upon by Commissioners as an exception to B.G.R.63, which stipulates that, normal circumstances, all Divisions in a town have belong to any Corps that may be formed there.
SOIlle Medical Aspects of Che:mical Warfare Agents
A review by Leon Goldman, M.D., and Glenn E. Cullen, Ph.D., Cincinnati
The greatest menace of poison gas is its fear-inducing properties N. Pickett (Continued from page II8 May issue)
The ordinary gas mask consists essentially of some form of filter, contained in a metal box called the canister, and a tight fitting face mask. All air breathed in must come through the filter. The expired air is forced out through a valve. The filte'r is really a combination of mechanical filtering and of chemical reaction to absorb and neutralise many of the gases. It is difficult to say just how long a mask will last. Apparently for the concentrations encountered in civilian life the mask may be good for many months. In general, the mask now in use will protect against the breathing in of all the present known war gases. The ordinary masks, however, will not protect against ammonia, h ydrocyaruc acid or carbon monoxide gases. For certain individuals a diaphragm may be incorporated in the face piece of the mask so that Qne can speak with the mask on. If one wears glasses constantly it is difficult to wear those with the ordinary mask. For the eye-pieces of the mask, materials are provided to protect against clouding over with moisture. When the proportion of oxygen in the air is low, below 16 per cent., the gas mask will be of no use. Under these circumstances the person must carry, attached to his mask, his own oxygen tank, and the whole intake system will be a closed one. A mask with a hose reaching out into pure air can also be used. The gas masks for infants must of necessity be really a complete tent Animals also must have some sort of mask. Of course, the mask reduces to some extent the efficiency of the individual wearing it. When the wearer becomes accustomed to the mask and loses his fear, he can do his ordinary work with ease. It is difficult, however, to do fine and close work with the mask.
It is' obvious that the use of chemical agents for warfare · against civilians suggests many additional problems. Only a few of these will be considered here. It has been mentioned before that a person affected by blistering gases may have also wounds requiring surgical treatment. This patient is dangerous to care for until, at least, his clothing is removed and his skin treated. There is also another angle to this, namely, special precautions in the operating room under the potential danger of bombing with war gases. If the patient is getting general anresthesia, this a111resthesia must go through a special mask. The Surgeon and first assistant should have masks. Some recommend that, if there is any possibility that the air in the shelter may go below the desired oxygen levels, these two important members of the surgical
teams be provided in advance with oxygen masks. All others in the room must also wear masks. For mustard gas, special clothing is needed in addition. If possible, extra personnel should be in the room to take care of decontamination so that the surgeon and the patient need not be disturbed. To avoid this complicated set up, operating rooms in the city should be bombproof, and have independent air purification. The medical care of chemical warfare casualties produced on board ship is even more complicated. There is usually no good place to evacuate casualties. The ventilating system must be watched carefully; otherwise the gases may be drawn throughout the ship. Mustard gas may remain on the painted surface , for some time, and then, when warmed, vaporise and cause burns. Food cargoes carried by the ship may be contaminated also. It has been suggested that ships gassed, especially with mustard gas, be marked with special quarantine flags.
Agents for chemical warfare are dangerous to manufacture. The workers must be protected against the industrial hazards, chiefly various forms of cutaneous irritations and burns. Cleanliness in the factory and training of the worker (gas discipline) will do much to reduce these hazards.
Of great importance to civilian population is the use of " thermite" bombs. Thermite is an intimate mixture of iron oxide and finely powdered aluminium. With a suitable starter, at high temperature, the aluminium and iron oxide react to form aluminium oxide and molten iron. There is also the kilo magnesium (electron) bomb with .a primary composition of the thermite type and the tube of an alloy of magnesium with a small proportion of aluminium. In this bomb everything, including the tube, is incendiary material. When bits of these materials come in contact with the body, very severe deep burns are produced. As one might imagine, burns even from tiny particles are very painful. The treatment is the usual treatment for severe metal burns. Such burns are said to cause more fear and panic than burns from the vesicants.
Phosphorus burns may also be encountered when this chemical is used to produce concealing smokes. These burns are treated by keeping them protected from all a,ir by means of water or oil, or by using copper solutions to fonn insoluble salts. Combustible oils mixed with soap or jelly and containing small pieces of metallic sodium may also be used as incendiary agents.
(To bt tOnhnuedj
fident the response from the medical profession will be splendid," Mr. Davis said.
Air Raid Precautions
To the Hampshire County Committee has been allocated the mobile canteen which has been subscribed for by Miss Deanna Durbin. Writing toIl Miss Durbin to thank her for her gift, Sir John II Kennedy said: "It is stimulating and encouraging to us to have your support and, on behalf of the War TREATMENT
By W. C. BENTALL, O.B.E., F.R.C.S., F.R.G.S., Assistant Surgeon-In-Chief, St. John Ambulance Brigade
OF GAS CASUALTIES
Various methods of propaganda, such as the daily Press, the B.B.C., and other sources, are being used to teach people the probability of gas being used by the enemy, and I want to put before the readers of the GAZETTE the procedure which is being adopted for the cleansing of gassed cases to-day.
Cleansing of gassed casualties are to be dealt with under the following heads :-
(r) Walking gassed unwounded.
(2) gassed wounded. ,
(3) Stretcher cases gassed and wounded.
(r) Walking Gassed Unwounded.---Defmite arrangements are being made for the cleansing of gas-infected people who gather in shopping centres in large numbers, away from their homes, or who might be caught in the morning or the evening at crowded suburban railway stations while going to or coming from the City. Where such crowds of people are likely to be gathered at some distance from their homes, auxiliary cleansing stations are being provided in the immediate vidnity of such neighbourhoods, but for those who are gassed in rural areas away from s,?-ch centres of population, definite instruction is being given to people to cast off their grossly contaminated clothing; such as hats, coats and boots, in the garden, before going into the bathroom to complete their undressing and to wash down with soap and water, and in places where house bathing does not exist, wardens are being taught to use a stirrup pump with a bucket of warm water to hose down such people in a suitable place in or near their house.
(2) Walking Gassed Wounded.- This group of people should always go to a First Aid Post; and to all our Posts, attention· has recently been given to the fuller facilities of adequate cleansing, and in large numbers where showers were insufficient, additional ones have been added to the existing Posts, and many other alterations made for the possibility of larger numbers of gassed wounded casualties coming to the Post. . In these places, the personnel of the Posts have had further instruction upon procedure.
, (3) Stretcher Wounded Gassed Cases.-These casualties will be sent by ambulance to hospitals, and in these ho·spitals many adaptations for the cleansing of stretcher cases have already been completed. At the same time, the greatest danger of these severely wounded people is the surgical condition, more than
128
the gassed condition, and at any hospital the doctor in charge will know that the surgical condition must take precedence over gas cleansing, and will act accordingly with his professional knowledge.
There is a tendency for confusion in the first group, because in many remote rural areas people are inclined to think that they should have a gas cleansing station, but the Government's ruling for this is that such auxiliary cleansing stations are only to be provided where the people gather in large numbers away from their homes, and the latter group must be dealt with according to the instructions given above.
Organisation, may I express our grateful thanks to Your action
will be the means of alleviating suffering caused by enemy action, and we deeply appreciate your thoughtfulness and the valuable assistance you have given in such a practical manner." The vehicle will bear a plaque to the effect that it is the gift of Miss Durbin.
From the National Union of Railwaymen the War Organisation has received a gift of a mobile X-ray unit. The presentation was made by Mr. J. Marchbank, the General Secretary, on behalf of the N.U.R., and the unit was received by Sir Alfred WebbJohnson, the Vice-Chairman of the Hospitals and Medical Personnel Committee.
The Prisoners of War Department has been receiving many requests from prisoners for vegetable and flower seeds. The Censor has approved of supplies being sent in Red Cross envelopes. The Royal Horticultural SocietY has expressed its willingness to co-operate in meeting the request and is forming a committee to undertake the collection of seeds from members of the Society.
The following cablegram has been sent by Sir Philip Chetwode to Mr. Norman H. Davis, the Chairman of the American Red Cross: "The British Red Cross sends an appeal to her sister Society in America to supply up to r ,000 medical practitioners under conditions already specified and accepted by you. These doctors are required to assist both the military and civilian medical services of his Britannic Majesty's Government in the humanitarian work which is being performed in the United Kingdom and in all theatres of activity. The demand is urgent and the conditions of service good. The British Red Cross will be highly appreciative of the assistance and support of the American Red Cross in this task."
In response to this cablegram, Mr. Roosevelt, as President of the American Red Cross, has appealed for a thousand young American doctors to volunteer with the R.A.M. C. and the Civilian Emergency Medical Service. In a statement issued in Washington, Mr. Norman Davis said that his organisation had agreed to help in the project which had the approval of the President of the United States, the Secretary of War and the Surgeon-General of the Army and the Navy, as well as of the Surgeon-General of the United States Public Health Service. "We are con-
Parcels on the lines approved by Dr. Junod, of the International Red Cross Committee, are being sent to the hospital where tubercular cases are now being concentrated. With the advice of Professor J. C. Drummond, Professor of Bio-Chemistry, University of London, University College, suitable diet parcels are prepared for men suffering from other ailments. In order to form a reserve from which the camps may draw, 23,000 parcels of invalid foods, dressings, soap, disinfectants and cod liver oil and malt have been sent to the International Red Cross Committee at Geneva. In addition, where direct contact with the Senior or R.A.M. C. officer has been established, camps and hospitals have been supplied in accordance with their requests.
From the dates on letters recently received from prisoners of war, it would appear that the time Occupied in their transit has been greatly reduced. The delivery of parcels would also seem to be much more satisfactory. For instance, here is an extract from a letter dated March I5 from a prisoner in Stalag IX C. He writes : "Red Cross parcels arriving regularly. We are very touched at the .splendid way the ,good old British Red Cross is looking after us. Good show, chaps. Have had a P.c. from
Geneva saying: 'Telegram received from British Red Cross; your parents well.'" Another, dated March 24, from Stalag XXI D: "I have just helped to unload r 2,000 excellent Red Cross parcels." The writer adds: "Whatever you may hear of this camp, it's all right if one has a sense of humour."
The following statement has been issued by the War Office :-" News was received early in 1farch that about 500 British officer prisoners of war were to be removed from OfRag VII C and about 260 from OfRag IX A and Stalag Luft to camps possessing inferior amenities, known as Stalag XXI D and Stalag XX A respectively, on the grounds that conditions in an officers' prisoners of war camp in Canada did not conform to the requirements of the Prisoners of War Convention. Inquiries addressed to the Canadian authorities have shown that the allegations regarding the German officers are unfounded, and the camp has, in fact, been favourably reported on by a delegate of the International Red Cross Committee.
"The camps to which the British officers were transferred have been visited by representatives of the Protecting Power and by a delegate of the International Red Cross Committee. According to the reports which have been communicated to his Majesty's Government, one of the camps was overcrowded jlnd in both camps the hygienic conditions were unsatisfactory. The overcrowding has since been relieved by the transfer of I 50 officers to another camp in the same district; and after favourable reports on the Canadian camp had been received from Switzerland by the German High Command, orders were issued towards the end of March to carry out certain improvements in these camps."
The War Organisation urgently needs women ambulance drivers. They will be employed in the Home Commands of the Arrr;y, and will work with the male personnel already supplied by the War Organisation for service under the military authoritie.s. Drivers must be prepared to serve anywhere ill England and Wales, and must be prepared to enter into a contract for six months. They will wear the uniform of the British Red Cross Society or of the St. John Ambulance Brigade. Drivers who are already members of Detachments will be considered up to the age of 5o. New entrants should not be over 45 years of age.
Rations and billets are provided. A uniform allowance (£ r 5) is given. The rate of pay is I 3s. 3d. a week, plus 2S. 6d. laundry, less IS. 6d. insurance, the net sum payable being r4s. 3d. a week. One free return leave pass per contract is allowed. Free medical attention is provided.
Further particulars can be obtained from the Detachment Department, Red Cross and St. John War Organisation, 3, Belgrave Square, London, S.W.I (Tel.: SLOane 920I).
Nursing Divisions On War Service '
By MURIEL WATSON
(staff Officer to the Lady-Superintendent-in-ChieJ)
Mter over eighteen months of war it is interesting to take a quick survey of work that has been, and is being, done by members of the Nursing Divisions, to consider the many and increasing openings that there are for war service for Brigade 'members or those attached as General Service members.
The work of the V.A.D. _ in Naval, Military and Air Force Hospitals and Camp Reception Stations is too well known by readers of THE GAZETTE for it to be, emphasised here: in addition to hundreds of nursing members working V.'A.D.s there are also many specialists serving as pharmacists, dispensers, hospital cooks and clerks with the hospital establishments of the Services" and there is need for many more to be recruited.
The Civil Nursing Reserve, too, has enrolled thousands of St. John members and has allocated them for nursing in hospitals and ambulance trains under the Emergency Hospital Services. It has recently been decided by the Ministry of Health that in future only mobile full-time -auxiliaries should be enrolled and that they should be prepared to nurse in any hospital except mental hospitals, mental deficiency institutions, in sanatoria or infectious diseases hospitals; auxiliaries may, however, volunteer for service in these latter hospitals. Brigade members enrolled in the C.N.R. continue to wear Brigade nursing indoor uniform, for which they may claim a monetary grant, but by a recent arrangement betwe.en the Ministry of Health and the St. John Ambulance Brigade they may wear the C.N.R. uniform, overcoat and hat (with the Brigade hat badge) when on C.N.R. service. Arrangements for the issue of this overcoat and hat are to be made locally.
Members of Civil Nursing Reserve. are alsp allocated to first-aId posts, but usually the staffs for these posts are recruited by the local borough au$orities and are flot drawn from the Reserve. To deal with the actual nursing work that there is to be done and the almost incalculable work that emergency may bring means a fine art in the allocation of the limited number of qualified persons available, and there must be many people, particularly at country first-aid posts in districts so far untouched by the war, who feel they are not giving so much service as they would wish. Endless waiting on call for service with no measure-stick of actual work to be done is hard to bear, but the staffing of all these posts is of course essential to the country's defence. In some cases, with the consent of local authorities, it has been possible to arrange for these members from peaceful country districts to take temporary
periods of relief duty in the heavily bombed areas : this "relief" arrangement has value on both sides. It gives rest to members workin g under th e strain of frequent raiding, and it gives actual experience of casualty and medical-aid post work to the visimember.
In the London district the organisation of this scheme of " relief" duties has been undertak en Lady Louis Mountbatten (Lady County President Lady District Officer), who is responsible for S.J.A.B. nursing personnel staffing the medical-aid points in tubes and air-raid shelters.
During the first months of night raiding British Red Cross Society and St. John Ambulance Brigade members undertook to staff hundreds of medical-aid points in the shelters. In a report concerning the conditions existing during those months, Lady Louis Mountbatten states: "Conditions were ex tremely bad and members had to make do with the most scanty equipment and put up with every kind disadvantage. They were in complete charge of the points, no trained nurses having then been engaged, and one frequently found 4,000 to 5,000 people relying entirely on our members and ambulance men for their medical services. It was only at the end of the year that the councils took over the large shelters, added trained nurses to their staff, appointed doctors to the shelters, and the conditions as sanitation, lighting, ventilation showed any imp ment whatsoever."
To-day members continue to work in conjun with the trained nurses appointed by the boro in unceasing care of the shelterers. ,This may taken as of similar arrangements in big provincial towns.
By its constitution and training the Brigade is able to undertake much emergency work that often afterwards becomes an enduring establishment. Sick bays opened to meet a sudden epidemic, treatment and care of evacuated children in reception areas, and so on, start precariously and become established in their useful work. Whether they have the di g nity of :a house with a medical officer and w ards and staff, or whether they are only a sick room open for treatment a few hours a day, the infinite usefulness o f this work has been impressed on the Lady Superintendentin-Chief by reports from Sheffield, Bournem outh, Glynde, and many other places.
The convalescent homes and auxiliary hospitals of' the Joint War Org anisation of the B.R.C.S : and Order John are absorb ing many member s for nursing duties and also many General Service m embers for secretarial, kitchen, house and parlour work .
The staffmg of these hospitals is arranged by the Joint County Committees, while the Matron-in-Chief makes the trained staff appointments.
With the B.R.C.S. w e have been asked to recruit women ambulance drivers for ser vice under the War Offic'e in the various ' Home Commands. The'se drivers are attached as General Service memberq to Nursin g Divisions and need not hold First Aid and , Home Nursing Certificates, although the former ,is an asset; they must have ability and experience in drivin g and have to pass a drivin g and medical test. They wear the General Service coat and skirt, stormcap and a special overcoat. Fully qualified Brigade members should not volunteer for this service if their nursing services can be used, but they are asked to bring it to the notice of non-members who have driving ability. *
A large number of awards have been made of the War Service Bar for 1939-40 and the beginning of 1940-41 to officers and members of the Nursing Corps and Divisions, and the covering reports of service ' have given a vast picture of steadfast and courageous work being done in a very wide variety of tasks. Those Divisions whose members are not already wearing the red and white herringbone bar which signifies ' a year's whole-time war service or the equivalent 2,352 hours part-time service should send forward applications for their members who are eligible.
, This is a war of adaptability. made up of resource, initiative and courage can ride any storm, and while tradition should remain our strength it must be a strength that can take in its stride changed conditions of life and work, turning them to good account and facing on to an opening future.
OVERSEAS NEWS
NEW ZEALAND
NORTH OTAGO SUB-DISTRICT
The Annual Report for 1940 of the Oamaru Nursing Division states that there have not been many opportunities for public duties. During Centennial Celebrations members were on duty at the service in the Gardens. Two Church Parades were also attended.
Members have given talks and demonstrations to the Women's Club, Women's Divisi..ons and Women's Institutes, while instruction h as been given to Girl Guides, Boy Scouts and a class at the Senior Girls' High School.
Although there is no sp ecial sewing guild, members have assisted in various ways by sewing, knittin g and helping patriotic efforts; ' as w ell as in street collections for m any worthy purposes.
" E m er g ency Precautions" practice gave them an idea of what may be requi re d and where improvements mi g ht be effected.
*Furth erpar tic ulars of women ambulance drivin g service m ay b e obtaincu from Cou n ty Com missioners and Lady County Su pe rintendents
AUSTRALIA
NEW SOUTH WALES DISTRICT
The Glebe Ambulance Cadet Division has grown co,nsiderably during the last, year, and it was found necessary to divide it into three sections: Senior Cadets, Junior Cadets and Pro this method of grouping proved very successful, as it enabled the older boys to practise the more advanced First Aid, the younger the preliminary, whilst the ·new members could devote their whole efforts to training for their Certificates.
Three Cadets have been transferred to the Adult Division and three have enlisted for active service during the year. Although Cadets have. had to resign owing to work, studies, etc., there IS such a big probationary list from which to replace them that the Division is kept up to the required strength.
In November the first edition of their Monthly Magazine was produced with the motto of the Order. In future editions, it is intended to publish from time to time items that will assist the Cadets in obtaining Proficiency Badges. ,. ,
Members of this Division have been called upon on several occasions to assist the Glebe Ambulance Division: these duties have been carried out in a satisfactory manner.
MALTA
On June 10, 1940, when Italy entered the war, Malta came very much into' the line of battle, and her famous R.N. Dockyard was t;he chief target of the raider pilots. , ,
Only a few days before volunteers had been called for from among the few trained nurses and Ambulance Sisters who had remained in the area to man the Dockyard Aid Posts in case of war. Although first bombs dropped within very few yards of the!! homes or shelters, three of those volunteers, and later a fourth, disregarding entirely , their own ,safety, went at once into the worst part of the danger zone to their post. Raids were frequent in those days, and heavy, and the warnings often too short to allow time to take cover, yet all throug4 that week, when even men's nerves were shaken, the Dockyard team gave their day to their voluntary There were injuries from raids and other casualties from the rush of crowds into the shelters, and the was strenuous as well as dangerous.
When all women were compulsorily moved from their homes and billets in the Dock yard area and taken to a place of less danger, these same nurses were willing to travel nine miles by 'bus to their posts in the Dock yard, wo r king alternate days all through the hot summer from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Others have come forward to help and the Dockyard Team of the Nav al Division are carrying on for the winter with their splendid work.
Th ere are als o three Military Detachments doing splendid wor k
Subsequent reports show that this gallant work is beinO' carried o n in spite of all the dangers and horrors. b
!!:z:l
CASE REpORT No. 180.-The Officer-in-Charge of the County of Derby S.J.A.B. reports the · efficient performance of first aid by a member of the Oxcroft Colliery Division in the following circumstances :-
At the Oxcroft No. 3 Colliery on April 2, at 5 p.m., a workman was completely buried by a fall of roof. Fifteen minutes later he was extricated, to all appearances a suffocated man showing no signs of life. Corporal Tom Bradley, who is the deputy in charge . of the district where the accident happened, immediately applied artificial respiration. In a short time there were signs of life and Bradley continued the good work, with short spells of help from another member of the Division, until he was almost exhausted. . H€ eventually managed to bring the man round; and Dr. Knowles, of Clown, who had descended the pit, administered oxygen and ordered that the patient be to hospital where, after several critical days, he is now on the way to recovery.
COMMENT.-The preservation of life is a prime object of first aid, even though its accomplishment rarelY falls to the lot of a first-aider. In this instance, however, Corporal Tom Bradley merits and receives cordial congratulation on the fact that he was able, when the opportunity came, to save the life of a fellow workman who but for ' his prompt persevering ' and e.f!icient assistance, would most assuredlY have died.
-N. C. F.
CASE REpORT No. i8r.-The Officer-in-Charge of No. I (prince of Wales's) District S.J.A.B. reports the efficient performance of first aid by a member of No. 55 (Southall-Norwood) Division, this being the second occasion on which he has rescued a drowning child from the Grand Junction Canal. The facts connected with the second rescue are as follows :-
On April 10 a child was playing on the canal bank and fell into the water. Private H. W. Reynolds, who was in his garden some distance away, was called by another boy and taken by him to the place where the child had fallen into the water.
Though fully dressed, Private Reynolds at once dived into the canal, rescued the child, and, as he was not,breathing, at once commenced artificial respiratjon on reaching the bank. Breathing being restored, he carried the child to his O'Yn house, removed wet clothing and wrapped him in blankets and administered a hot drink. Private Reynolds then sent for the police, who ordered the child to hospital, where he made a complete recovery after a few ' days.
......COMMENT.- The previous .occasion on which Private H. W. Reynolds rescued and restored to life an apparentlY drowned child was dulY recorded in the August, 1940, is.rue of THE GAZETTE (Case Report No. 167). It is, therefore, our privilege to offer him cordial congratulations for the second time on good work promptlY and eflicientlY performed at personal risk and inconvenience.-N. C. F.
TRANSPORT OF FRACTURED SPINE
J. P. (Hounslow).- While practising transport of a patient with fracture in the cervical region of the spine, we have tried using a blanket folded lengthwise in three, with the middle under the patient's head, and the ends rolled up to form" cylinders" on either side of the head. These pads prevent movements of the head and neck, and appear to be more effective than the 4 inches thick pad for each side of the neck only. We should be glad to have your criticisms.
Providing that your method has the effect of preventing movements of the head and the cervical region of the spine I have no criticisms to offer.-N. F.
BLANKETING STRETCHER
J. P. (Hounslow).-You will probably have heard of a new method of blanketing a stretcher; it was, I understand, referred to in The British Medical Journal of November 9, 1940, and I hear that it has been taken up by the A.R.P. authorities at Oxford. As readers of THE GAZETTE will probably be interested, I venture to send you a brief outline of the method, as follows :-
Preparing stretcher:
(I) Blanket "A" is laid lengthwise across the stretcher, with one side close to the head end of the stretcher.
(2) Blanket "B" is folded in three lengthwise and laid over "A," covering also the part of the stretcher, about I ft. long, at the foot left uncovered by " A," and hanging a few inches over the foot.
(3) The folds of " B," at the fo ot end, are opened out diagonally for a distance of about 30 ins.
(4) The free ends of " A" are rolled or closefolded to lie alongside the sides of the stretcher, which can now be carried in complete readiness for a patient.
Wrapping a patient:
(I) The foot of blanket "B " is brought up over the feet, with a small fold between the feet.
( 2) The two open folds of " B " are then tucked closely over and round the feet and ankles.
(3) The rolled edges of blanket "A" are eased out from under the patient (if necessary) and tucked down round the shoulders and well down over both sides.
The following advantages are claimed:
(I) The maximum of warmth, support and absence of draught are obtained from the two blankets, even with a broad 2 ft. 6 in. patient.
(2) Removal of patient from stretcher 1:;>y simple blanket lift, using blanket "B," is safe and convenient.
(3) The blankets are thick and close round the patient so as to render fastening by f opes or triangular bandages for lowering, comfortable and safe.
Your letter is If time allows, the Sf,tggested method would certainlY be. useful. At air-raid
incidents, however, time is an important factor. For this reason, a simpler method-such as that taught in "A.R.P. l-Iandbook No. 10"-is preferable, especiallY when the patient can be quicklY transferred to hospita/.N. C. F.
. LINSEED POULTICE
J. D. (Haydock).-Please explain what the HomeNursing Textbook means exactly when at the bottom of p. 165 it tells us when applying a linseed to "draw it on to the palm of the hand lznen szde downwards." We uncertain concerning the last three words and ask your kind help. Lint is " linen scraped into a soft woollY substance for dressing wounds." Substitute" lint)} for "limn/} and Jour dijJiculty disappears. In other words the Textbook tells you to place the prepared poultice on the palm of the hand in such a wqy that you can applY the linseed mass directlY on to the patient}s skin.-N. C. F.
TRANSPORT SUPINE OF SPINAL INJURY
J. N. (Urmston).-Under Transport of .Spinal Injury in supine position, the Textbook in Rule 2 on p. 74 tells us, after stiffening the bed of the stretcher, to lay a blanket, folded smoothly, over the boards. No further mention is made as to blanketing the stretcher. Please tell us if there is any reason why the stretcher should not be blanketed in the usual way. The stretcher being an alternative to shutter or door, it should be blanketed in the usual wqy.-N. C F.
FORMATION OF THREE-HANDED SEAT
R. J. (Porth, Glam.).-As a lay instructor I have found a great deal of confusion among first year students when it comes to learning the ' three-handed seat, due, perhaps, to the left hand, right hand business. I have, therefore, evolved a simple way of teaching it which cuts out this left hand, right hand detail, as follows :-
Two bearers half-face each other in the direction in which they intend to go. For injury of left lower limb, the bearer on the right grasps the lower end of his own forearm which is nearest to the other bearer. He then grasps the lower end of the other bearer's forearm which is nearest to him. This simplifies matters.
FranklY I prefer the method detailed in the Textbook, because I have so often seen candidates utterlY confused in examinati on 1vhen they do not stand facing each other during the actual formation of the hand seats. Further, your statement that in your method you eliminate refe rence to left and right hands is not substantiated.-N. C. F.
TREATMENT OF HERNIA
P. B. (Hythe).-The Textbook on p. I83 tells us as part of the treatment of hernia to "apply a cold compress to the affected part." A surgeon lecturer recently expressed his strong disagreement with this view, saying that cold would have the effect of causing a contraction of the abdominal wall and so further increase the strangulation, whereas warmth would assist the intestines to continue functionipg.
The Ambulance Officer in charge of this Division instructed me to request your observations on this divergence of opinion.
The effects of cold, when applied to the abdominal wall, are small indeed upon the muscles as compared with those upon a portion of bowel protruding through these muscles and covered onlY ry the superficial tissues / and the reverse action applies to warmth.
In these circumstances I advise you to stand ry the instructions of the Textbook lest you seriouslY aggravate the condition.-N. C. F.
The St. John Ambulance Brigade News
No. 8 DUKE OF CONNAUGHT'S DISTRICT HORSHAM
At the annual inspection of the Horsham Division, which took place recently, the inspecting officer, County Officer Trott, remarked on the high standard of efficiency shown by the Division in the past, and said it was encouraging to .t;lote the magnificent team spirit prevailing.
After the inspection the Division drilled, and gave a demonstration of the treatment of casualties. Later a test of the Division's ability to deal with an emergency was staged.
It was assumed that Horsham had been" blitzed," that the Horsham Institution, Horsham Hospital and all F.A.P.s in the area were out of action. The Division was required to equip their Headquarters to receive casualties, to man it until 12 p.m., when they would be relieved by doctors and nurses from Brighton.
The test was completed to schedule. Mr. Trott congratulated the officers and staff on their excellent performance.
No. 3 (EASTERN) DISTRICT LEICESTER
A new Nursing Division has been recently formed in Leicester. It has been called the "Margaret Noble Nursing Division" in honour of Miss Margaret Noble, who was the first Lady Divisional Superintendent of the Brigade in Leicester.
Miss Noble was present at the function and received her badO'e of office as Honorary Divisional President from Lady County Superintendent, Miss Grace Partridge, who, together with Miss Greasley, . Lady Divisional Superintendent of the Cadets, and Miss Williams, Lady Divisional Superintendent (who were also present) were members of the first Nursing Division.
, Mrs. Payne, the new Divisional Superintendent, extended a warm welcome to all new officials and Corps Officers, and paid tribute to Mrs. G. Harris, the Lady Ambulance Officer and Divisional Secretary, who rendered much valuable service which is never recorded. Dr. K. C. Buck is Divisional Surgeon. Mr. Harry Lockton, the general secretary of the Brigade in Leicester, was also present at the function.
The Council of the Priory met under the chairmanship of T. E. Richards, J.P., at Priory House on May 27, when it was decided to hold the annual meeting of Chapter on Tuesday, June 24.
The recommendation of the Committee , to Alderman W. H. Pethybridge an officer of the Order, as Treasurer, in succession to the late Sir William Seager, was unanimously
approved subject to confirmation by the Sub-Prior, the Rt. Hon. the Earl of Plymouth, P.e.
Sir ' William Cope, Bart., was congratulated on placed a large house at the disposal of the Red Cross and St. John War Organisation for the purpose of a 40 bedded Convalescent Hospital to be under the Joint Com, mittee for 11onmouthshire.
The Ambulance Committee, which met earlier the afternoon, ?-ccepted an of the Advisory Council for Technical Education in South Wales and 11onmouthshire to co-operate in the investigation of the educational requirements of the coalmining industry, and authorised the issue of a leaflet des- ' the formation of classes and examination of
candidates the new subject of First Aid Mines. The close association of the Priory for with all parties connected with the mining ind was recognised by the action of the St. John bulance Association in delegating to the Priory of the ,new textbook, "First Aid in Mines," by a 'Committee set up by the Priory, already 3,800 copies have been sold.
Sanction was given to the formation of a Division in Rhayader, the first development in county of Radnor the of 11r. H.
and physical development of is to meet the need of any church or chapel that is without a Y ou1)1 Organisation in such manner that outside members can then be associated on an undenominational basis.
BRIGADE EFFICIENCY ()F MEMBERS IN HOME GUARD
Many questions have been asked regarding the relationship between the Brigade and the Home Guard h to that the
Chief Commissioner of the Brigade has given a ruMg in response to requests for some concession to Brigade members who join the Home Guard. The compulsory number of annual practices will be reduced to six, and in the event of a Brigade member becoming a stretcher bearer the Home Guard he rna y be excused all annual practices as he will be them out in that Force. In both cases, however, he will be required to pass the annual re-examination.
WAR ORGANISATION PENNY-A- WEEK FUND
The Commissioner for Wales (the Hon. John H.
Bruce) proposes to issue a circular letter to Divisional Superintendents throughout W,ales them of the decision of the Appeal Committee to treat house- , to-house collections for the purposes of H.R.H. the Duke of Gloucester's Red Cross and St. John Appeal in the same way as flag days, 5° per cent. of the net proceeds remitted periodically to the Joint County Committees. A third of the amount made available this manner for use the county may be f9r the work of the J County Committees, but the balance will be distributed in equal grants or such proportions as may be decided by the J County Committee to both bodies for transmission to local units in accordance with their financial requirements. In order to encourage classes and units of the St. John Ambulance Association and Brigade to assist the main Headquarter Appeal Committee the organisation of these collections, Centre Committees in collaboration with the Commissioners will take into account the amount of money raised in each district when grants, though actual financial need must be the main consideration in every case.
, It will be kept clearly mind that this new arrangeGray, secretary of the Welsh Scout Council, as:Co ment (similar in to the Flag Day Scheme) mlSSlOner. Approval was given also to the appoin relates only to house-to-house collections and does ment of the 11erthyr Vale and Aberfan Cadet Nursin not refer in any way to the sums received from Division, 11erthyr Tydfil Centre. workers through deduction from their wages at
A report on the activities of the Associatio source, and does not affect in any way the main Department showed that the month of APj SOurces of revenue of the Red Cross Agricultural 181 examinations a1),d re-examinations were arrange , Committee through the Organisation of Agricultural a total of 490 having been arranged in the Prill Sales, etc. pality since the beginning ?f the year. The organisers officially representative of the two of F1rst work among Committees for and Cross G1rls GUlldry' In seyeral count1es of W Agncultural Funds are gettIng In touch w1th the actlOn havlng tak.en to, end 0 Joint County Committees so that the scheme can the 1rut1at1ve 11rs. Hoplan 11orns, of be put into smooth order as quickly as Cou,nc1l. 1dea of the G,lr,ls Possible. While the organisation of a complete system established In Wales In 1939 for the splrltual, of house-to-house collections must still be the re-
sponsibility of the War Organisation, the County Committees will no doubt do everything they can to assist these collections.
CENTRE REPORTS
ANGLESEY CENTRE
Sir Henry 11. Grayson, Bart., K.B.E., states in his report as Commissioner for Anglesey ,that the activities of the Holyhead Division 1940 were directed to maintaining a high standard in Aid and all our members are attached to the A.R.P. organisations in the town. The Division meets weekly for practice at the Town Hall. 11embers have been active out the duties attached to the 11otor Ambulance to and from hospitals. duties still continue wherever possible.
The Division formed in April, 1940, had a strength at the end of the year of 37 Cadets, 14 Probationers and 'I Cadet A group of Cadets is responsible at the Stanley Hospital for moving patients to the air raid shelter and day and night have been on duty a few of the alert. The keenness of the boys has been sliown by a contribution of £8 towards the cost of a stretcher and blankets, and their good record of work has amply repaid the Cadet 11r. S. Richardson, for the hours of strenuous work he has devoted to their training.
In 11ay, 1940, a Cadet Division was formed at Holyhead County School and examinations were passed by 13 members. Two senior members have been transferred to the Holyhead Division. Eleven stretcher bearers are A.R.P. duty and also take turns as fire watchers. 11embership has now risen ,to 34 and a very keen is taken in the work.
In August the Rhosneigr Division was ,formed. A number of the members are on a regular rota for local A.R.P. work and the Division has undertaken to send five nurses on three days a week to the recently opened Gors Auxiliary Hospital, which is entirely staffed by St. John personnel. Lady Stanley of Alderley presented the First Aid awards to officers and others the presence of the County Commissioner, and D'r. G. P. Williams and some members are now receimg at the Stanley Hospital preparation for registration the Civil Reserve. '
Holyhead Division consists of one Superand 32 Ambulance Sisters, of whom 23 are registered with the Civil At examinations 100 per cent. pass was obtained for Home Class and First Aid. A female First Aid class at Bryngwynn has been formed and at the examination by Dr. G. P. Williams only four members failed to obtain their First Aid CertiEcate.
The 11otor Ambulance has carried 137 patients and 4,072 miles have been covered.
The representatives of the Order have been most _ regular in their attendance at the meetings of the J oint War Committee of the county and are working
IPSWICH GAS COMPANY ORWELL WORKS DIVISION
in perfect accord with the British Red Cross Society for the common cause.
BOROUGH OF MERTHYR TYDFIL CENTRE
The annual centre competition was held at Dowlais on May 3, when five ambulance teams competed for the shield presented in 1905 by Col. C. Richardson White, D.S.O., JP. The judges were Corps Secretary S. Sharp (Hengoed), County Officer C. M. Kitto (Rhymney Valley Rescue Station) and Corps Secretary D. R. Williams (Aberdare). In addition to the customary practical and theory tests, the competition consisted of a scheme which visualised the treatment of persons injured in an air-raid on a dwelling-house. The winners were the Dowlais Ambulance team, Pant being second. The shield was handed to the successful team at the centre meeting held on the same date, by Mr. T. Andrews, JP., chairman, who congratUlated the Divisions on holding the annual competition under difficult conditions. The County Commissioner, Captain W. J. Canton, LL.B., read a letter from their President, Rt. Hon. Lord Kemsley, complimenting the Centre on a work of patriotism and sacrifice which could not be too highly commended. His Lordship considered that the Centre had distinguished itself in its unselfish work during the past year, when calls which would seem excessive in normal times were made upon the personnel. Lord Kemsley also noted that the co-operation of the medical practitioners was a welcome feature of the Centre's work, .and said their assistance was worthy of , their great profession. Owing to difficulties of transport it .was decided not to hold a combined inspection of the Centre this year but that corps inspections be held in June. In response to the policy now adopted by the Priory for Wales it was agreed to allow the Divisions at Fochriw and Bedlinog to be transferred to the Riches Corps in the Glamorgan County area.
OF. RHONDDA CENTRE
Captain T. E. Richards, JP., Commissioner, gives the following brief account of the activities of the past ·year :-
" It is pleasing to be able to record an increase in the number of Brigade -members in the Ambulance and Nursing Divisions, e specially in the latter. .
" Over 160 members are serving with the R.A.M.C. as members of the _ Military Hospitals Reserve. The sad duties of attending the obsequies of one of our Sergeant members (London R.A.M.C.), whose death was due to enemy action, was carried out. The majority of the other members are doing duty with the Civil Defence Services.
"Two new Nursing Divisions have been formed and two more classes organised and there is a large increase in the number of cases attended by nurses, no doubt accounted for by the absence of so many ambulance men.
"The reception of refugees and evacuees has laid a heavy burden on our nurses, but they have shouldere d it nobly. Two nurses acted as Matron and Assistant Matron of a temporary Scabies Hospital for some
months, while another Divisional Superintendent performed the work of Chief Assistant to the Matron of a Scabies Hospital for over twelve months.
"Splendid co-operation 'has taken place with the W.V.S. and many members have acted as instructresses when required.
,
"Full personnel has been provided for fourteen Points, one Fir§t Aid Post, and one Mobile Unit; in addition, members have formed a large proportion of two other First Aid Posts.
"It is of interest to record that Rhondda Nursing Members are included on the staffs of three Convalescent Hospitals run by the Glamorgan Joint Committee, Red Cross and St. John War Organisation, the Lady President (Lady Rhys- Williams, D.B.E.) and Lady County Superintendent (Mrs. Ingledew) holding the responsible offices of Commandant and Quartermaster respectively.
"In the Civil Nursing Reserve quite two-thirds have done their fifty hours' training."
SOCIAL FUNCTION AT PENYGRAIG
The Hon. John Bruce presided at the annual Presentations held at the Peny'graig Medical Comforts Depot on Saturday, May 3. Mter inspecting the Medical Comforts Depot, Mr. Bruce presented Mr. Harry Williams, manager of the Naval Colliery, with a certificate of appointment as President of the Naval Colliery Ambulance Division. Medals were presented to Sergeant Newberry and one posthumously to Tom Coleman. Following a resume of First Aid work since 1883, the Commissioner for Wales referred to the fine record of the Naval Colliery Ambulance since 1918 to the present day.
Review
MEDICAL AND NURSING DICTIONARY. By Evelyn Pearce, S.R.N. London: Faber & Faber. Price I2S. 6d. net.
This useful book was first published in 1933 under the title A Short Encyclopcedia for Nurses, and it was intended to give nurses during their training and after graduation a general view of nursing measures and treatments. The change of title in this, the fourth, edition indicates a wider purpose. Consequently, the contents have been enlarged and at the same time thoroughly revised and brought up to date to meet the demand for a handy work of reference on nursing and medicine.
Beyond all doubt the Dictionary accomplishes its original purpose. Further, in these times of stress it will prove most helpful to the large army of lay persons-women and men-who have been (and are being) trained to play their parts in the emergency medical services throughout the British Empire and who from a study of its contents will gain a cleal insight into what mayor may not be done in an given case for which neither doctor nor trained nurse are immediately available. On these grounds the boDE is cordially commended to readers of THE GAZET'fIl· -N. c.P.
[Pro Utilitate Hominum
In connection with recent enemy raids, a County Commissioner reports the following :-
Superintendent H. J. Croker.-Soon after the raid began, this officer was instructed by the M.I.H. at Control to proceed to a certain area where a highexplosive bomb had demolished three houses. Superintendent Croker took complete control of the work. Five persons were trapped. One was dug out personally by Croker, and whilst he was supervising the other work he dressed the injuries of several patients.
During a dive-bombing attack in this area an H.E. dropp ed 20 yards away from the workers, injuring one of the rescue party. Croker went to telephone for further help and three more were dropped nearby, and he had to drop Bat on the ground for safety each time. Croker go t his message through and went back to continue the work. He entered a very dangerous house with another officer and effected a rescue.
Whilst telephoning his report to Control, an H.E. dropp ed 10 yards one side of the building and another 15 yards the other side. When Croker was asked what he did then he said: "By the time I realised what had happened the bombs were down so I went on telephoning."
* * *
Private R. G1'ist. - During a recent air attack this member proceeded to an incident, - where a Public Shelter had received a direct hit. It was known that a boy was still alive in the shelter. A hole was made, through which Grist crawled. He remain ed there for three hours with the child survivor, dressing the child's injuries, comforting him, and moistening his lips with water. He was actually surrounded by dead people and atmospheric conditions were extremely bad. During the three hours bombs were continually falling, but he never considered himself. - The child was finally rescued and is now improving.
* * *
Private L. E. G. Burr02vs. - This member is an ambulance driver, and while on the way to report for duty he dealt with incendiary bombs, and on one occasion a H.E. bomb caused him to drop Bat in the roadway. Eventually, he arrived at H.Q. and after five minutes went out to a call and treated a Home Guard with head injuries. He had no attendant. This patient was taken to the Royal Infirmary. From the Royal Infirmary, Private Burrows went to another incident, picking up as an attendant Sergeant Williams, at H.Q. Here he found several houses damaged, as a result of a direct hit, and treated 137
several people, including one suffering from a fractured skull, who was removed to the Royal Infirmary. On this journey, he had to pass through ' heavily raided areas which necessitated driving over debris. The blast of one H.E. bomb actually made the ambulance sway, but having regained control, Driver Burro ws eventually arrived safely at the Royal Infirmary with his patient.
* * *
Private OJ Connell.- When the sirens sounded, this member was on duty at H.Q. He received a call from the A.R.P. authorities to go to an incident where he found a woman injured b y debris. With Priv3:te Frampton as attendant, he applied dressings and proceeded to hospital. On the wayan H.E. bomb dropped a short distance behind the ambulance, and the car was literally surrounded by incendiary bombs. It was with extreme difficulty that O'Connell arrived at the hospital.
From here he was ordered to another incident in one of the severely bombed areas. The journey was extremely difficult. O'Connell had 'to pass close to a large fire on which high-explosive bombs were dropping. He found three houses demolished and people were still buried under debris. Despite incendiary bombs and high explosives, two people were recovered severely injured and two were recovered dead. These four casualties were taken to the Ro yal Infirmary. O'Connell had been asked by the wardens on duty at this incident to return as quickly as possible. He did so, and again returned to the Royal Infirmary with further casualties. Instructions were then received by O'Connell to report back to his H.Q. and stand by. During the period of. driving, a splinter from a bomb caused injury to his right knee. Despite this, he carried on and it was only with difficulty that this report was obtained from him.
OBITUARY
We regret to report the death of Private William Cormack, who· was killed during an air raid whilst serving as a member of a First Aid Party.
Private Cormack was a well known and greatly respected member of the St. John Ambulance Brigade.
The St. John Ambulance Brigade provided bearers and, in conjunction with F.A.P., provided a guard of honour at the cemetery.
The Treatment of Wounds
By A. DICKSON WRIGHT, M.S., M.B., F.R.C.S.
(This Paper was recently read before the Royal Society of Arts)
The problem of treating wounds will be as old as life. It has existed since Cain made the first nonaggression pact ,with Abel and will continue to exist until the last man on the world has decided to " protect" the last man but one by dropping a bomb on him. It has been argued that the medical profession of the earth could stop wa.r by refusing to look after those injured by it, those who do so quite forgetting that fighting is 9lder than effective surgery and medicine. In point of our profession has actually made war even more evil than it was, because in the olden days all wars ended quickly in a spate of dysentery with the contending parties so occupied with this that the peace terms were not too vindictive. At the present day, epidemics are so that they do not interfere with the fighting which goes on till a psychological epidemic brings it to its dreary end.
In the Bible we find the good Samaritan treating wounds by pouring oil and wine into them, but even before this we find in the Eber's Papyrus very valuable instructions for wounds in all parts of the body. The wording is very quaint, but the instructions are often very practical and would serve for the present day in some cases.
"Ipstructions concerning a split in his temple. If thou examinest a man having a split in his temple shDuldst thou find a swelling protruding on the outside of that split while he discharges blood from his nostril and from his one ear having that split and it is painful when hears speech.
"Thou shouldst then say concerning him 'one having a split in his temple while he discharges blood from his nostril and his ear. An ailment with which I will contend.' Th6u shouldst put him at his mooring stakes until thou knowest he has reached a decisive port." Now the more seriously injured patient is described.
"Instructions concerning a smash in his temple. If thou examinest a man having a smash in his temple; thou shouldst place thy thumb upon his chin and thy finger upon the en<? of his ramus so that the blood will flow ft-om his two nostrils and from the interior of his ear. Cleanse it for him with a swab of linen -until thou seest its fragments of .bone and the interior of his ear. If thou callest to hitn he is Thou shouldst say concerning him: one having a smash in his temple: he discharges blood from his' two nostrils and from his ear; he is speechless -and he
suffers with stiffness of his neck. An ailment to be treated."
Down through the ages the various wars produ their notable military surgeons, Arab, Greek, and French. Very prominent among these was Amboise Pare who, although a staunch <v, kept the favours of four Catholic sovereigns, only shows that the doctor chosen is not chos his religion, but because he is the one most to postpone one's appearance at the Gol3en Gate, Amboise Pare had great experience in the feudal war! of his period and made great advances in the treatment of wounds. He did not overtreat them, as did hl predecessors, and this prescient statement shows hi! great intelligence :
" Therefore one should much praise him who firS! discovered the practice of not using so frequentl, fresh plasters; moreover, we know by experience thai this discovery is good. Moreover, it is again a fault in dressing ulcers frequently to wipe them hard, because one takes away not only the excrement which is the pus or sanies of the but also the matter from which the flesh is formed, Therefore for the above stated reasons it is necessary to dress ulcers so often."
If more notice had been taken of this remark, much suffering would have been avoided. Amboise Pa re also tied bleeding arteries instead of searing them wi th a red-hot iron and he gave up the practice of pouring boiling tar into wounds. Although a very successful and wealthy surgeon, he had a quite unusu al streak 01 modesty in him; as witness the most remembered of his remarks: "J e Ie pansay, Dieu Ie gu erait" 0 may have dressed him, but Gqd it was who cured him).
The affair of King Henri's wound while jousting should give pause to the anti-vivisectionists of the p'resent day. Henri apparently forgot to close the Venetian blind on the front of his casque and lance went through and pierced his eye and forehead, Pare could not be sure what route would be taken through the brain and was unable to plan a suitable operation to save the Icing, so four criminals were sent for and their heads perforated as if theJ had received the Icing's blow. These experiments allowed sufficient time to pass to enable the king to die and save Pare the embarrassment of a great surgical responsibility.
In Napoleon'S wars, Larrey was the military
Milton treatment of wounds T
his treatment proceeds by three stages:-
1. MILTON 50% SOLUTION
Thorough cleansing and mechanical removal of all infected plasma proteids, necrotic tissue and pus. Milton (up to 500/0 solution) dissolves this detritus and rapidly sterilises the clean surface. As a hypertonic saline it produces profuse fluid exudation.
" The process of mechanical cleansing is of " most advantage in wounds containing sloughs "and is well served by solutions containing " chlorine or liberating oxygen, both of which "tend to disintegrate and detach necrotic , " tissue."-Lancet, Mcry 4, 1940 .*
" The most rapidlY acting antiseptics are the " halogens and those liberating nascent oxygen." -Lancet, April 27, 1940 .*
" Profuse fluid exudation can be deliberatelY "produced by applYing hypertonic solutions " of salt." -Lancet, Mcry 4, 1940 .*
2. MILTON 5% SOLUTION
The clean wound is kept sterile by an isotonic
antiseptic protective layer, applied by dressing, u!1gation or immersion. In this mild aqueous medium a normal granulation proceeds and exudation ceases.
" The proper vehicle for an antiseptic to be " applied to a wound is water, and the solution " should if possible be rendered isotonic."Lancet, Mcry 4, 1940 .*
.3. MILTON 1% SOLUTION
The Milton js then reduced to· t per cent. at which dilution the hypochlorite has been found to actually stimulate cell-division and tissuegrowth; with consequent rapid healing. After debridement, this course of treatment is normally painless.
This therapy cannot be carried ouf with full success by the use of Dakin's solution or of Liq. Sod. Chlotin., owing to their causticity, their deficient saline content and to their varying strength of hypochlorite.
*Prevention and Tr eatm ent of W ound I n ection.
Actinn of Antiseptics on Wolllllif.
surgeon and his recovery rate in amputatiG>ns was little short of we expect at the present day. This may have been due to the fact that he was operating in the field and away from the vile pools of infection found in the hospitals of that day.
In the last great war, the surgeons of that day were very satisfied with their efforts, although their treatment was, as we now see, entirely on the wrong lines The wounds were dressed daily with gauze which stuck to the raw surfaces, dressing" caused great pain and a rise of ' temperature and generally no inclination for the next meal. A wild search was made for an antiseptic which would kill germs and not harm human cells; the pus in the wounds was regarded as deleterious and every effort was made to replace it with an antiseptic solution and some even went so far as to stitch many small hosepipes into the wounds and squirt chlorine water through these quite frequently. When a bone was fractured, the fracture was made a secondary consideration and the wound treated to its almost complete neglect.
The way out of all this morass of loose thinking came from a surgeon from Nebraska, who came over to help us in the last war. His name was WinnettOrr and probably his name will live longer than the generals who led the armies in the field. In the treatment of suppuration in bones in peacetime, he found that too much dressing of the wound was employed. He suggested that the abscess should be well drained by making it like a saucer and packing the saucer with greasy gauze and then enclosing the whole limb in a plaster of paris case. Strongly resisted must be the temptation to leave a window over the wound so that morbid curiosity could be satisfied and the routine of disturbing dressings reinstituted. The patient was now comfortable, temperature normal and appetite good, but soon it was noticed that he acquired a certain unpopularity among his wardmates, because an ever-increasing foulness emanated from his beplastered leg; and soon the only contented man in the ward was the cause of all the trouble, because the one bearable smell in the world is one's own smell.
Seeping through and from the ends of the plaster came a foul greenish-yellow pus, the quintessence of nastiness. It certainly needed great restraint to refrain from removing the plaster and giving everything a good clean up, but this was the essential point of the Winnett-Orr treatment and only after four to six weeks had passed was the plaster 'removed. Then, after wiping away the foul exudate, an amazingly healthy wound was found, far healthier when neglected in this manner than if it had been constantly dressed during the same period. Having got so good a result, the process was repeated and soon the wound was soundly healed.
The next step forward after this was to apply the method to compound fractures and gunshot wounds of bones. In these cases the battered edges of the wound and the pulped muscles were first cut away and the wound stitched up if tolerably clean, or left widely open and packed with gauze if the wound
was very dirty or incapable of closure. The case now applied not only immobilised the •••• damaged tissues and prevented meddlesome but it maintained the fractured bones in positi the dead spaces when the bones lapped and compressed the muscle masses so there were no pockets in which stagnation occur. Again, the method was crowned with s and was declared by all to give results far superio' to the older methods. The state of affairs when 'th war closed in 1918 was that a small proportion ° cases were receiving this treatment, but the grea majority were being dressed daily and the fractur . pulled into line with weight extensia.ns. In the yean following the war, the method of Winnett-O became gradually the vogue for the treatment ° primary suppuration in bone, for the relapses 0, suppuration in war wounds of bone and in treatme of compound fractures of the limb bones.
(To be continued)
The" Perrott " Challenge Shiel
COMPETITION (1935)
INDIVIDUAL HOME NURSING TEST.
Time Limit, 14 mins. Warning at 10 mins. Viva Voce, 2 miru SISTER NO.3.
CARD OF INSTRUCTION.
This child, aged 12 years, suffers from tuberculosis of tbe lun
He has been discharged from a sanitorium. He now complains severe pain in the left side of the chest. The doctor has called has ordered linseed poultices.
As the District Nurse is ill, and the boy's mother is an igno woman, he has sent a message asking you to make the first and put it on, etc., tidy up a little, and leave the child as as you can, giving the mother any hints about his care that to you. The mother will get anything for which you ask.
STAGING OF TEST.
Child is in bed (which may be taken as properly made). A handkerchief is sticking out from under the pillow. There large wooden table in the room. On this is a plate with a piece of bread on it, also other soiled eating utensils. Window be shut.
The following to be produced when asked for--crushed a basin, a kettle of boiling water, a large piece of lint, greaSe1)!oOlI paper, cotton wool, bandag es, soda, slop·pail, Lysol, 2 dishcloth, or mop. POULTICES TO BE ACTUALL
DETAILS OF TEST.
I. Tactful and cheerful words to patient
2. Ask for crushed linseed (I); a basin (1) ; a kettle of boiling water (1); a spatula or table knife (1); in jug of hot water (1); a large piece of lint or linen (1); jaconet, oiled silk, or greaseproof paper (1); cotton wool (1) ; bandages (1); slop-pail (1); bowl for soaking handkerchief (1)
3. Ask if there is any disinfectant? (Yes, Lysol)
4. Make a solution of Lysol in the bowl
5. Drop dirty handkerchief into it
6. Clear table
7. Undo patient's night shirt
S. Cover patient again with bedclothes
9. Spread lint on table
10. Heat basin
11. Pour in boiling water
12. Shake linseed into it
13. Stirring at the same time
14. See that linseed is mixed quite smoothly
15. Comes away clean from sides of basin •.
16. Empty linseed and water mixture out on to lint on table
17. Spread quickly and evenly
IS. With hot spatula
19. Layer of linseed to be i-inch thick
20. Spread to one inch of edge of lint
For Frayed Nerves, Headaches and Neuralgic pains there is no safe: or better treatment. Cephos, the prescription of an Harley Street Physician, has a soothing and steadymg effect on the nervous system and it does not affect the heart. Sold everywhere in Tablet or Powder form 1/5 and 3/5. Single dose-tablets or powder 2id. Cephos does not a1fect the heart
e onset of the Influenzal Chill and the attack of sub-acute Rheumatism are a sharp pyrexia. Headache and lly severe. Analgesia and Antipyresis e amount of depression are obviously s and uncombined aspirin are not always 'ANADIN' Tablets advantage is taken of ct" of small doses of aspirin, phenacetin, caffeine and intaining efficacy while lessening the risk of
Samples for clinical trial will be sent on request. Quinine Sulphate ANADIN Limited, 12 CHENIES ST., LONDON, w.e.!
2 I. Fold uncovered edge of lint over edges of linseed. 2
22. Draw lint on to palm of hand
23. Tu.rn gently over patient's skin on left side of chest 2.
24. Cover with greaseproof paper 2
25. Cotton wool on top of. this
26. Bandage
27. Ask mother t-o wash and boil, or burn, dirty handkerchief 2
28. Instruct mother not to use handkerchiefs. 2
29. But to use soft paper or rags which can be burnt
30. Give the bitten bread to mother, asking her to bum it
3I. Explaining that the remains of the child's food should always be burnt
32. His meals should be served daintily arid not too much at a time
33. Ask for bowl, more boiling water, and soda for washing food utensils
34. Wash food utensils
35. See that windows are open 2
36. See that there are no draughts I
37. General efficiency
VIVA VOCE.
Q.-How often should linseed poultices be changed?
A.-At least every four hours It
Q.-What is the pracedure in changing paultices?
A.-Get fresh ane ready befare remaving the aId ane. 2otherwise praceed as abave
Q.-What conditians increase the risk af infectian by the tubercle bacillus?
A.-Lawered vita).ity af the individual. 2 Insanitary conditians 2 Overcrowded and insufficiently ventilated hauses 2
Law-lying (f); damp m; sunless (t) lacalities Ii
Q.-Wbat diseases is tuberculasis likely to' fallaw? (I); Pleurisy (J); Whaaping caugh (1); Measles ( ) 4 TOTAL 100
Correspondence
To the Editor, ST. JOHN AMBULANCE GAZETTE , . DEAR SIR,-In the April issue of THE GAZETTE is an excellent article on Home Nursing by Dr. Pennell. There is, however, one sentence to which I take strong exception, and I believe the author will agree that she overlooked the point. She says: "Pills are not as a rule prescribed for childrenpowders are used for them.
"3. Powders.-These may be shaken out of the containing paper on to the back of the tongue and washed down with a drink of water." (No mention of " adults onlY JJ here!) I would advise no one ever to shake a powder on to the back of a child's tongueit is a sure way to make it suck the powder into its larynx, and the nurse may easily have a death on her hands! Spasm of the glottis is easily induced in children. (I once inhaled some tooth powder off a dry tooth-brush into my larynx and shall never forget the agony of coughing and choking that ensued.)
The right way to give powders to children is in jam or in a teaspoonful of milk, though it is not easy sometimes to get the child to lick the remaining grains of powder off the spoon!
Yo:urs , PRACTITIONER OF THE OLD SCHOOL.
Awards
The George Medal has been awarded to John William Ross, St. John's Gate Division, No. (London) District, who was recently awarded Certificate of Honour:
The British Empire Medal has been awarded Ambulance Officer A. K. Hay, No. 124 Division for conspicuous service during a recent raid.
Mr. Hay, with three other A.R.P. men, rescued trapped man after a block of working-class had received a direct hit. The bomb, of very calibre, made a huge crater and houses were to a heap of debris. Many feet under this de man was trapped, pinned down by heavy timbers in what was, or would have been, a grave, and worse, for he had apparently been si in front of the fire and the mantelpiece had fallen his legs, forcing his feet into the smouldering fire, which position he was found when eventually he rescued. The only way to reach the man was tunnelling. It took four hours' strenuous work the dark to get to him. Owing to the nature of debris, the tunnel had necessarily to be allowing for only one man to be in it. The wo strutting up, to prevent caving in, and of out the debris, was difficult, long and arduous, more so because fire was burning beneath debris, from which clouds of acrid smoke
The Fire Brigade kept the fire damped down much as possible in case other casualties were buried. When at length debris had been from the man's head and body it was found was held fast by the mantelpiece. At consi -risk one of the rescue party crept along the and 19ot the imprisoned man free. Mr. passed through the tunnel and attached a life line the casualty, who was then taken to hospital treated for shock and a eurnt foot. One of rescue party and Mr. Hay had to be removed to First Aid Post suffering from the effects of s fumes and heat, and slight injuries. * * *
The Commissioner, No. I (London) reports that Ptivate A. Maguire, Beckton was awarded the British Empire Medal, and W. H. Miles, of the same Division, was commended, for excellent first aid work, during heavy air raid.
BRISTOL
The British Empire Medal has been awarded Corps Officer H. J. A. Croker, Transport Sergeant Thatcher and Driver G. Darney. Commendations to Cadet Ronald Miller and Roy Miller. These members were recently the Meritorious Service of Brigade.
PRACTICAL BOOKS
by N. CORBET FLETCHER, M.B., B.C., M.A.(Cantab.), M.R.C.S.
AIDS TO FIRST-AID (7th Ed.)
First-Aid Simpllfled and Tabulated with Aids to Memory. Price 1/- (Post 2d.) EFFICIENCY IN FIRST-AID (3rd Ed.)
Problems in Study. Treatment and Examination solved for Senior Students. Price 1/- (Post 3d.) COMMON ERRORS IN FIRST-AID
Errors WHY AID in First-Aid Detailed and Explained. Price 1/- (Post 2d.) AND WHEREFORE IN FIRST(5th Ed.)
Difficulties in Study and Treatment Solved by Question and Answer. Price 1/- (Post 2td.)
AIDS TO HOME-NURSING
Home NurSing Simplified and Tabulated. with Aids to Memory. Price 1/- (Post 2id).
AMBULANCE COMPETITION TESTS
Stretcher. Individual and Question.
Each Folder contains special article on Competition :-No. 1, Training of Competition 'reams; No.2, Conduct of Team in Competition Room; No. S, Co=on Errors in Competition; No.4, Further Errors in Treatment; No.5, History of Tests; No.6, Preparation of Tests. 6 Folders. Price 6d. each (Post 2d.)
Obtainable from:
THE FOUNTAIN PRESS
11/13, BREAM'S BUILDINGS, CHANCERY LANE, E.C.4
The St. John Ambulance Association. Itl Hlltory and Its Part in the Ambulance Movement. By N. CORBBT FLBTCHER, M.A., M.B., M.R.C.S. booll, fro", C{}!JM to COI)6r '$ full of '"formatiott of grUltm iff""" portartU to lVn-yOtu i" tlu d",bulatte, MovemetU "!:it. Jobn Bmbulance 03a3ettt. Price 8/0 POItagt lid. Sklr. Dept. 8 T
"0 H N
8 QAT. LON DON. • • C. •
CLASSIFIED ADVERTISEMENTS
Advertisements with remilfance should be senl 10 fhe 51. John Ambulance Gazette, II/13, Bream's Buildings, Chancery Lane E.C+ 2-d. per word, minimum 3S'
SCENT CARDS AND SACHETS, printed with your announcements, are splendid maney raisers and show 300% profit. Samples free on request.-AlREDALR PRRSS, Bradford.
pENCILS OF SUPERIOR QUALITY, printed with your Corps Name and annauncement, sell easily. Sample free.AUtRDALR PRltSS, Bradford.
ST. JOHN NURSES OUTFIT, small size, hardly warnMaRFlELD, Black Harse Hatel, Thame, Oxan.
URGENTLY WANTED.-Several capies af this Jaurnal for January, February, March and April, 1941. Send capies With price to' Publisher, THE ST. JaHN AMBULANCE GAZETTE, 11/13. Bream's Buildings, Chancery Lane, LOladan, E C.4.
'NOVOX' and , NOVITA' Oxygen + COl or Oxygen RESUSCITATING APPARATUS for the apparently asphyxiated or drowned.
SMOKE HELMETS of all Patterns.
c PROTO' Be 'SALVUS' OXYGEN BREATHING APPARATUS
'PURETHA' GAS MASKS for Naval, Military and Industrial purposes and for Civilian use.
ALL A.R.P. EQUIPMENT
DUST and SPRAY MASKS and all other Safety and Protective Devices.
SIEBE, GORMAN & Co., Ltd.
LONDON, S.E.l.
All communications to :-" Gran(eclan," Park Lane, A.htead, Surrey Telegrams: Davis, Ashtead. Telephone: Asbtead 3142 (4 line)
OSTEOLOGY, WALL CHARTS AND ANATOMICAL DIAGRAMS FOR LECTURE PURPOSES
BOOKS ON AMBULANCE WORK. FIRST AID AND NURSING
H. K. ·LEWIS f:I Co. Ltd.
MedicaL PubLishers and BookseLLers 136 GOWER STREET, LONDON, w.e.1
FLAG DAY EMBLEMS, BUTTONS AND BADGES
Price Lists on application
For all supplies write: THE UNIVERSAL BUTTON CO., LTD.
Surat Street, Bethnal Green, E.2
143 EVERYTHING FOR SAFETY EVERYWHERE
Telephone: Advance 2254 Telegrams: Unibutco, Edo, London
CHILDREN do not dread the applic::ation of" Iglodine," because, untike many other antiseptics, it heals without hurting . . It is ideal for cleansing and sterilising all su rface InJ uries, and hastens healing qUickly without leaving a scar. It is recommended extensively by the medical p rofession.
JOURNAL OF THE VENERABLE
7d., IOd., 1/8, 2/1 I. From all Chemists and Boots Branches
THE IGLODINE CO., LTD., NEWCASTLE UPON TYNE
HOBSON &SONS
POUND.D 181S0. (LONDON), Ltd . . . SPECIALISTS IN UNIFORMS.
MANUFACTURERS OF EVERY DESCRIPTION OF UNIFORM CLOTHING AND EQUIPMENT for St. 'John Ambulance .Brigade.
JACKETS, TROUSERS, GREATCOATSl. CAPS. BELTS, HAVERSACKS, WATERBOTTLES, ETC.
E;STIMATES AND SAMPLES ON REQUEST
All enquiries to154. 164, TOOLEY STREET LONDON BRIDG ,E, S. E. 1 Telephone-Hop 2476 (4
For Frayed Nerves, Headaches and Neuralgic pains there is no safer or better treatment. Cephos. the prescription of an Eminent Harley Street Physician, has a
the
Sold everywhere in Tablet or Powder form 1 /5 and 3/5. Single dose-tablets or powder 2ld. Cephos does not affect the heart
Proprietors: Cephos Ltd Blaokburn
THE ST. JOHN AMBULANCE GAZETTE is published on the 15th of each month. The annual subscription is 4S., post free; s;ngle copies 3d
Brigade Reports and Photographs should be addressed to the Editor: c/o Charles Lavell, Ltd., 4, Clements Inn, Strand, W.C.z. Reports and photographs should reach him not later than the 28th of the month preceding the date of issue.
Subscriptions and Advertisements should be forwarded to the publishers:
Messrs. British Periodicals, Ltd., II-I3, Bream's Buildings, London, E.C·4·
CONTENTS
Editorial Promotions and Appointments
Air-Raid Precautions Brigade News Service Awards
St. John Ambulance Brigade O verseas
A Film You Sh ould See Some Medical Aspects of Chemical Warfare Agents Northern Ireland Competition Work by Vauxhall Corps Interesting Case Reports Correspondence
Red Cross and St. J o hn War Organ isation Pro Utilitate Hominun Equipment of a Mobile Unit Priory for Wales
The Red Cross and St. John War Organisation has formed a Flying Column to work in areas which have been heavily and continuously bombed. It has taken this step to meet the conditiofl.-s which have arisen where urban areas have been subjected to such attacks. In these cases there is usually a nightly eXodus of inhabitants from the bombed districts to the surrounding country where the y hope to be in greater safety.
Local authorities then find themselves suddenly
called upon to deal witb problems of accommodation, feeding and health arrangements for large number&-for which responsibilities they often have few facilities and an inadequate staff.
The purpose of the Flying Column is to give special assistance to the sick and infirm and child " refugees" who need care and treatment for minor ailments. . Its equipment has been so designed that it can also function as a First Aid Point.
At present the organisation of the Flying Column is on an experimental basis. It comprises a First Aid car, one or two ambulances, a mobile canteen-from which patients can be served with hot drinks, invalid food and sustenance of a like nature-a supply van for additional stores, a staff car and a motor cycle for a dispatch rider.
The First Aid car is supplied with first aid equipment and additional supplies of simple medicines and articles which are urgently needed after air attacks, such as blankets, towels, babies' napkins and babies' bottles.
First aid, driving and canteen staff, consisting of an officer in charge and approximately ten J;I1embers, accompany the unit so that it can operate immediately. The unit carries equipment and stores to enable its personnel to sleep and feed in its own vehicles. Stores for replacement will be requisitioned by the officer in charge from County Resel-ve Stores as far as possible. Additional supplies which may be required will be drawn from local stores.
The feature of the unit is its mobilit y It can move from one place to another in" a night, or it can be stationed at a key point. It will not remain in a district longer than the emergency continues. The J oint County Committee is to arrange for its return as soon as the official arrangements of the authorities are working, and Headquarters reserves the right to withdraw the unit if it is of opinion that the immediate emergency has abated or that a greater need for its services has arisen elsewhere.
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 Yenerable Order of the Hospital of St. John ofJerusalem :-
FOR PROMOTION TO THE GRADE OF KNIGHT
Captain John Docwra Rogers (from Commander).
William George Pape, O.B.E. (from Commander).
Major Philip Maurice Beachcroft, O.B.E (from Commander).
Robert Humphrey Prothero (fro m Servin g Brotber).
Alexander Morton Robertson, L.RC.P. & S. (fTom Servin g Brother).
Thomas Williams (from Serv ing Brother).
John Well s, M.RC.S., L.RC.P. (from Serving Brother).
FOR ADMISSION IN THE GRADE OF OFFICER (BROTHER)
Brigadier-General Lewis Pugh Evans, V.C., C. B., D.S.O.
Thomas L1ewell\ll.
Colonel Sir Charles Bingbam Lowtber, Bt., D.S.O.
Fairbank Howard Sutcliffe.
FOR PROM01iJON TO THE GRADE OF OFFICER (SISTER)
Miss Mary Metcalf, R.RC. ((rom Serving Sister)
Mrs. Florence Annie Davies (from Serving Sister).
FOR ADMISSION I THE GRADE OF SERV1 TG BROTHER
Harold Thomas Alcock.
William Daniel.
Tbomas Rees Davies.
Alfred Hewitt.
Cbarles Henry Hyatt.
David Thomas J ones.
Ernald Hugh J ones.
Robert John Jones.
Percy Rudyard Kent.
Edgar Frank Paget.
Melbourne Victor Roberts, L.M.S.S A.
Ernest J ohn Bumett Trott.
J ohn Henry Wilcox.
Ernest Llewellyn Davies, M.RC.S., L.RC.P.
Ernes Colin Clive Hennessy.
Lewis Jones.
Percival Watkin Lumley.
Henry Lloyd, M.D.
FOR ADMISSION IN THE GRADE OF SERVING S1 TER
MrS. Et hel May Bennett.
Dorotby Lad y TI¥iston-Davies.
Mrs. Elizabeth Ellen Evans.
Mrs. Lavinia Jones.
Miss Mabel Maidment.
lVIrs. Morfydd Waters.
Mrs. Mary Hannah Phillips.
Miss Catberine Jones.
COMMANDERY IN SOUTHERN AFRICA FOR ADMISSION IN THE GRADE OF SERVING BROTHER
Captain Frank Leon George Gets.
George Hamer Dawson.
St. John Residential Centre
The St. John Training Centre House, Stratton Audley, Bicester, Oxon, offers unique opportunity for quick and thorough in First Aid and Home Nursing. Students are and receive First Aid from medical men, and Nursing from Sister W. Addison, S.R.N., S.c. specially appointed by the Matron-in-Chief. arninations are taken at the Training School at the of each course, which is of two weeks' duration.
This scheme of concentrated training at resi schools was originated by Mrs. Beckwith-S Lady County Superintendent, St. John Ambu Brigade, for Oxfordshire, in November, 1939, the first centre was opened at Rutland House, Bi Since then, other centres have opened to meet the increasing demand, and over 700 students been trained under the scheme.
The Manor House is entirely given to the The fee for the course is £4, which includes ins tion, board and lodging.
Air Raid Precautions
By W. C. BENTALL, O.B.E., F.R.C.S., F.R.G.S., Assistant Surgeon-in-Chiej, St. John Ambulance B-rigade
DEVELOPMENT IN TRAINING
A growing child grows out of its clothes and parents are gla d of the sign of vigorous health and growth! A.R.P. is a vigorous service in its child's growing period and many of its clothes have been grown out of, and it is astonishing, if not funny, to hear some people say "1: learnt all about that in my gas course thre-e years ago!" Is your child of 2-3 years old wearing the same frock as it did then? Don't make yourself look foolish by resting on old-fashioned knowledge.
Teaching to-day is most marked -along, two lines :-
(I) Wartime First Aid as opposed to Peacetime First Aid, so often emphasised in these A .R.P. articles.What stress we used to lay on the of "Arterial and Venous Hremorrhage," e.g.: (I) Arterial spurts, venous oozes. In a blitz in the blackout with rubble and muck on a wounded thigh will Arterial Hremorrhage spurt? No-it will ooze and if you call it Venous you will be wrong. (2) Arterial Hremon;hage comes from the side of wound nearer the heart and Venous Hremorrhage from the side remote from the heart, says the book. In the blackout even with the aid of yout torch look into that ghastly bleeding wound. Will you be able to see from which side the blood is pouring? (3) Arterial Hremorrhage is bright red, Venous Hremorrhage is dull red. As an expert in bloody wounds I should find m1;lch difficulty in deciding the exact sh:;tde in the surroundings of a city blitz on the streets at night. No, such a classification may win a competition and a cup, but an attempt to make it may lose a life, which -a digital pressure on the Femoral cavity in the groin or the Subclavian in the neck will save. And the reports to hand from big blitzes show us that about 9 out of 12 deaths from bleedings occurred in injured arms and legs, and 3 in all other parts of the body-better save 9 with certainty than 3 with a risk!
(2) Training no longer applies to a First Aid course of 6 lectures and a gas course of lectures of which we all used to be so proud and win certificates for I Yet how many doctors even, not to say First Aiders, are still training personnel along the same old peacetime lines! But government is wiser. Training today is co-operative and advanced lilnd on war lines in a practical way. Each of the 12 Regions in Britain now has its training class for picked Leaders of First Aid and Rescue Parties, who go to the Regional
School from Monday to Friday for an instruction and co-operation class, and any other teaching is oldfashioned, grown -out of-is for peace, not war. Get into touch with your Local Training Officer, who is a member of the Regional Training Staff and can tell you all about it. These co-operation classes will still expand and widen and change, because we must _ know where First Aid blends with Warden's work, Rescue Parties, the A.F.S. Control Room, etc. To work alone in one service is like the Artillery worki.t1g without the Infantry or, at sea, the gunners working apart from the navigators. Understanding work together is the only way to victory-in the Navy, the Army, the Air Force, or A.R.P. One party working alone in an y service will make the Germans laugh!
A.R.P. Questions and Answers
0.: Should a gas cleansing station be made gasproof?
A. : No. Efforts should be directed to lessen concentration of gas, for which purpose the outside sheds remove grossly contaminated clothing.
0.: Is not speed the essential point in treatment and the eyes the most vulnerable part of the body?
A.: Yes. But of course eyes and the skin of the face are adequatefY covered by the respirator, the use and practice of which has been so consta,ntly emphasised of for ev:eryone.
Q.: What is a female to do with her hair if contaminated?
A.: There are two possible lines of treatment :-
(I) Cut it off at once,_ rub bleach cream in and wash with soap and warm water. (Bleach cream has been urged to be bought by all people at the chemlsts).
(2) Less effective and with more risk to infection of eyes is to rub for two minutes in a weak bleach solution and follow at once with soap and warm water.
Of course, a mackintosh hood or protection helmet covering all the hair would be a protection.
Q.: What about our clothes when gassed?
A.: Elaborate plans were drawn up in February last by the Ministry of Health and now all local authorities are working them out. Follow their instructions without discussion!
I The St. John Ambulance Brigade News I
No. I PRINCE OF WALES'S DISTRICT
SOUTHALL
A three hour variety entertainment was recently given by the Blind Stagg Concert Party in aid of the Building Fund of NO.5 5 (Southall-Norwood) Middlesex Division.
The Mayor of Southall (Ald. F. G. Smith) and the Mayoress presented first-aid certificates won by candidates during the past year.
A special presentation of a St. John Ambulance Certificate for Life-Saving was made to Private Henry W. Reynolds, a member of the Brigade and a local A.R.P. worker. Praising Reynolds' act of courage under the most hazardous conditions, the :Mayor said that Reynolds had dived into the canal to save a boy from drowning. He was compelled to use artificial respiration to save the boy's life.
Reynolds effected a similar rescue twice durin g the past year and was awarded the Royal Humane Society'S Parchment.
Ald. S1:IJjth paid tribute to the work of Superintendent Taylor, who was responsible for the training of 175 people in the past year. This was a remarkable achievement and the local Civil Defence organisation owed much to the /' Thanking the concert party, the Mayor said that they, despite their unfortunate handicap, had made a magnificent gesture in actively assisting the Building Fund.
In addition to the St. John Certificate, Mr. Reynolds received a further parchment from Royal Humane Society, also a Resuscitation Certificate.
NO.2 DISTRICT (COUNTY OF GLOUCESTER) CHELTENHLM:
The annual inspection of the Cheltenham Corps was taken recently by Colonel J. L. Sleeman, C.M.G., M.V.O., who congratulated members .of the Corps for the excellent work they had been doing in Cheltenham and district by staffing First Aid Posts and Emergency Hospitals of the town. He spoke also of the ancient traditions of the Order and said that the work started centuries ago in the hospital at Jerusalem was to-day still being carried on. He had heard from his eldest son, a Commander of the Order, who bad recently visited their hospital in J erusalemthat which gave its name to the Order-and his son had reported that some 700 patients were being treated weekly within its historic walls.
In Malta, where 300 years ago the Order had its existence, their members were to-day helping in its defence, just as our predecessors had done in the past.
In conclusion, Colonel Sleeman said that he had always had an admiration for the efficiency of the Cheltenham Corps, and that: it gave him very great pleasure to present meritQrious Service Certificates 15 0
awarded by the Chief Commissioner for gallant and devoted service during enemy attacks last year.
BASINGSTOKE
A 30 h.p. Buick Motor Ambulance, donated by the e,mployees of Curtiss Plant, Buffalo, U.S.A., to St. John Ambulance Brigad e, and presented by the Chief Commissioner to the County Brigade, Hampshire and Isle of Wight, to be stationed and run by the Basingstoke Ambulance Division, was dedicated at Basingstoke on June 22 by the Rev. B. S. Lombard, O.B.E., Vice-President of the Division . Members of the Basings toke Ambulance, Nursing and Cadet Ambulance Divisions were on parade. After the dedication ceremony, the ambulance was handed over to Basingstoke Division by Major T ennysonSmitp., County Commissioner. The Mayor and Mayoress of Basingstoke were among those present.
ANDOVER
The Andover Ambulance and Nursing Divisions attended Divine Service at St. Nicholas Church Chute, on Sunday, June 22. The service was ducted b y the Rev. W. L. Freer, Vicar of the parish and Vic e-President of the Andover Ambulance Division. After the service, the Divisions were inspected by Major Tennyson-Smith, the County Commissioner.
No. 5 (NORTH-EASTERN) DISTRICT
NOTTINGHAM
The annual St. John's Da y church parade was attended by 3 I officers and other ranks of the Nottingham Corps. The service was conducted b y the Rev. R. Deaville, who is an ex-officer of the Brigade.
Mter the service the Corps" marched past" E. B Stocker, Esq., O.B.E., · treasurer to the Joint Committee S.J.A.B. and B.R.C.S. Corps Superintendent F. Wilson Moulds was in charge of the parade.
The splendid bearing and marching of the Sisters as they passed the saluting base was greatly admired by those present. The men were smart and efficient, the nu-mber of " old soldiers" being most noticeable in the ranks.
Cadets were from the City Division and the Robin Hood (Ellis School) Division.
- WETHERBY
The Wetherby Nursing and , Cadet Divisionsincluding members of the East Keswick Sectionand representatives of the Nursing Divisi ons at Bardseyand Scholes were recently inspected by Lady County Superintendent Mrs. Birkbeck.
Addressing the parade Mrs. Birkbeck paid tribute to the splendid work which Lady District Officer Mrs. Lodge was doing for the A.R.P. Services in the district. Mrs. Lodge, she said, was he ad of an
extensive district in the northern area of the West Riding which included 25 Nursing Divisions, yet she not only found time to look after that, but to write articles on First Aid and the Treatment of Gas Cases. exp laining the work done by emergency hospItals, the S.J.A.B. and C.N.R., Mobile Units, A.R.P. workers, Queen's Messengers and other branches of Civil Defence, Mrs. Birkbeck appealed for Mobile members of the C.N.R. to serve in Rest Homes in areas adjacent to those which had been severely bomb ed, for more members to go to London and other danger areas to act as First Aiders in the shelters, and for Ambulance Drivers.
Mrs. Birkbeck said she regarded Wetherby as one of the best Divisions in the Riding, expressed satisfaction with all she saw, and congratulated the Divisi on on its equipment and work. ,
Members of the Wetherby Ambulance, Nursing and Cadet Divisions attended the annual church parade on Sunday, June 22. The service was held in St. James's Church, Wetherby. The address was given by Dr. S. Thompson Rowling (a Corps Surgeon from Leeds).
R epresentatives of the Harrogate Ambulance and Nursing Divisions and of the Tadcaster Ambu lance Division were also present.
No. 8 (DUKE. OF CONNAUGHT'S) DISTRICT EASTBOUJU.-TE
: and cadets of the Eastbourne .Nursing DIYISlOn were congratulated on their smartness b y Miss Hubbard, Lady County Superintendent, who conducted the recent annual inspection.
Addressing the parade, Miss Hubbard said she knew what trying times they had been undergoing in Eastbourne and that they were weathering the storm brave ly. Their work was important, and it was encouraging to learn that nurses who had left Sussex to take wartime posts in other parts of the country had been reported on very favourably. Miss Hubbard added th at if any Eastbourne nurses considered that they could be spared, the V.A.D. was badly in need of mobile relief.
First Aid demonstrations given by the nurses-commanded b y the Lady Ambulance Officerin-Charge, Mrs. Forbes-and by the cadets in charge of their officer, Miss Sales.
WOODINGDEAN
* * *
The recently formed W oodingdean Division was well represented at the annual inspection of the Bri ghton Corps on June 8. After the inspection Divisional Superintendent Neville was presented with a bar to the Long Service Medal.
Every member of this Division is engaged in a fulltune capacity in the Civil Defence Casualty Services. Officer Saint and Divisional Secretary are F.A.P. leaders; Sergeant Guinnance IS Deputy Superintendent of the A.R.P. Depot.
At a recent examination eight members of the Division passed for Vouchers, two for Medallions.
Service Awards
The following member.s of the St. John Ambulance Brigade have been brought to the notice of the Chief Commissioner for gallant and devoted service during Air Raids and hav e been awarded the Meritorious Serv ice Certificate of the St. John Ambulance Brigade :Name Rank. Unit
M. Brown Amb Sister Alfred Herbert N. Div. F. O wen Sergeant Liverpool Gas Di v. E. F. Bealey Pri va te Redruth Div. M. Allen Amb. Sister Ardwick! Div. H. Helley
A Film You Should See
INDIA
]AMSHEDPUR
The total strength of the Brigade in 1940 was 623. _ Of 362 members re-examined in First Aid, 347 passed. Practical training in First Aid was given to members in the First Aid Stations of the Tata Iron and I Steel Co., Ltd.
have Qeen issued in First Aid and Home Nursing up to September 30, 1940, while in addition hundreds have attended classes but have not taken the examinations. Doctors and sisters have given .LCl-LUIIC;S in English, Chinese, Malay and Tamil.
_ severy gu w 0 was ree to serve her country volunteered for duty either oyerseas or on the home front, preparations have been made by taking training in hospital routine, operating room technique, dietetics and invalid cooking. In fact they have been learning generally how to assist a regular nurse should the time come when extra help would be needed in the hospitals. Some of the members who were V.A.D.'s in the last Great War have been amongst the most enthusiastic attendants of these classes. Special courses have also been taken in Motor Mechanics and Gas Warfare; one group even staged a mock Air Raid.
The following list of bookings have been arranged for this film between July 17 and August 14 :C inema. District. Date.
Odeon Cleveleys days, July 17
Regent Wednesford 3 days, July 17 Regent Newtown 3 days, July 17
Trained stretcher drill instructors were provided for the Divisions. Hand seat drill was practised throughout the year. There was a marked improvement in drill efficiency. '
The annual inspection of tlie Brigade was carried out ,by Sir A. C. Badenoch, Chief Commissioner for the Empire of India, who was accompanied by Col. H.
A fully equipped Demonstration First Aid Post has been provided at the A.R.P. Headquarters in Singapore, and members of the Brigade have been enabled to become familiar with work in Aid ,Post. Blackout practices have been held, and the courtesy of the hospital authorities members have been allowed to assist in the wards, the outpatients' department and do duty on the ambulance, thereby gaining first hand and training so that they will be ready fOF any emergency that may
Members have adopted Army, Navy and Air Force units for which they knit garments. They have also been raising money in many different ways; in one instance the money was sent to St. John's Gate for London Relief; other times it was used to send cigarettes and parcels to soldiers overseas or for tobacco and food for soldiers in local hospitals.
SEVEN OAKS NURSING DIVISION No. 70
After persevering for several years Superintendent W. Pearce, of the Seven Oaks Ambulance Division 52, has succeeded in forminbo- a Nursino- Division' b this Division was registered in June, 1940, with a Lad)!: Divisional Superintendent, a Divisional Surgeon and thirteen members. .
Although this Division is so new members have taken up war work; this consists of knittino- for b vanous orgarusatlons and collecting magazines for the Soldiers' Libraries.
Leicester days, July 24
Leicester days, July 24
Wellington 3 days, July 24
Stott, Commissioner, No. 9 (Bihar) District-3 8 5 members were on parade. The work done comprised foot and stretcher drill and first aid.
The Chief Commissioner was greatly impressed, ap.d said: "This parade has exceeded my anticipation. The turno u t has been' magnificent and the demonstrations excellent."
A spirit of keen enthusiasm pervaded the activities of - the St. ] ohn Ambulance Association-'-26 annual members and 21 associate members were enrolled in the year. Twelve classes were held in First Aid and one class in Home Nursing. The attendance was uniformly large and 152 - men passed the First Aid Examination an d 13 ladies the Home Nursing Examination. The steel €ompany provided every , ' p os sible facility , including the provision of full pay to all members attending First Aid Stations for a fo rtnight for practical training.
MALAYA
The annual report shows that over 9,200 awards
a::ise. Sewing parties are.held daily. With the exceptlOn of 25 yards of matenal from the Malaya Patriotic Fund, all necessary materials and funds have been donated by friends of the St. ] ohn Ambulance Brigade.
During the year six new Nursing Divisions have been registered and two more are being formed; it is hoped to register them before long.
CANADA
MANITOBA DISTRICT, WINNIPEG CORPS
This Corps has been busy e';er since war was declared and has equipped itself to handle any situation; whether it be in actual bomb areas or in the hospitals.
Some girls have already perfonrtep what might be called actual war work. Several members of Divisions were chosen by the Government to act as conductresses on evacuee trains. These were fortunate in having a trip with the children, travelling right across Canada. They acted as nurses and companions
KENYA
Kenya formed its .first Cadet Nursing Division in January. The Cadets are very keen and enthusiastic about the work and are making great progress.
The ] oint War Organisatjon recently opened and equipped nine "After-Treatm ent" Homes for men evacuated from the military hospitals; these homes are by V.A.D.'s of both the St. John Ambulance Bngade. and the Red Cross Society. Members of the Bngade are also o-ivino- part-time and full-time service at military and civil hospitals and A.R.P. posts.
• All the stretcher-bearing of patients from hospital sliips at Mombasa is being done by members of Afncan and Indian Ambulance Divisions who take a great pride in the work and were for their efficiency by the Medical Officer In charge of the ship.
Review FIRST AID THROUGH PHOTOGRAPHS
FIRST AID THROUGH P.HOTOGR..i\.PHS. By L. E. Michaelis, M.D. London: Longmans, Green and Co., Ltd. Price - 2S. net.
If a student, preparing for examination for the first aid certificate issued by the St. John Ambulance Association, should chance to use this book of photographs as his guide, he would quickly find himself in difficulties ! . on the other hand, he should work through the senes of 75 photographs and seek to recognise the numerous details in which these differ from the instructions of the Textbook, then he would learn a lot A rapid inspection revealed 26 such discrepancies which would elicit adverse criticism on the part of a St. John ! N. C. F.
H E. Sir Thomas of Bihar, taking the salute at a recent parade ·of Ambulance and NurslOg DlvlslOns of the St. John Ambulance Brigade Overseas
SOllle Medical of CheInical Warfare Agents
A review by Leon Goldman, M.D., and Glenn E. Ph.D., Cincinnati
The greatest menace of poison gas is its fear-inducing properties .-F.
N. Pickett
(Continued from page 127 June issue)
There is a vast amount of misinformation on the residual effects of chemiG;:al warfare agents. The blame for practically every complaint, respiratory or otherwise, in veteranS has been placed on being gassed in the war." The truth of the matter is that there are relatively few residuals from chemical warfare and certainly riot those horrible ones following shrapnel, gunshot wounds and the like. If any kind of warfare could be called" humane," chemical warfare warrants such a term. The question of the future of chemical warfare casualties has been studied thoroughly by Gilchrist and Matz.u In some instances " gas discipline" was very poor and many casualties were suffered through carelessness. Moreover, with little if any immediate therapy in most cases, the relatively low percentage of sequela:: is indeed surprising. With an efficient arrangement with trained personnel, this percentage could be reduced even more.
The most reliable method at present to detect these compounds is through their odour. This, of course, presupposes a' knowledge of the characteristic odours of these gases. Such knowledge can be obtained by repeated training. This is done usually by smelling small quantities of these materials absorbed on particles of charcoal and contained in a glass bottle. It is important that the odour be recognised with the first cautious sniff, since repeated smelling dulls the olfactory sense and may even be dangerous. A trained observer is said to be able to identify the agent by other immediate effects on the body such as . irritation of the eyes, nose and throat, and pricking of the skin. Prentiss stresses the fact that one should be able to distinguish gas from powder fumes. With the ignorant untrained civilian there is only the of what he has read or heard and, later, what he has experienced. .
There is no simple, easy, specific chemical method to detect the presence of these war gases. Gigon and Noverraz have described a colorimetric quantitative method depending on the hydrolysis of the gas with the formation of acids. They state that the determinations can be made very quickly. Since this review is to be practical and clinical, many subjects have been omitted. Some 'of these are of importance, such as the medical aspects of individual protection in the home, the detailed set-up of mass protection the elaboration of " fear psychology" of gas masks and chemical warfare, the appJications of methods of chemical warfare to insect destruction and the like, review of some of the work
on the hydrolysis of the war gases, and the chlorination of mustard gas (and lewisite). There has been left out a discussion of some of the less common gases such as ethyldichlorarsine, phenyldibromarsine, ethyl dibromarsine, perstoff (trichlormethyl chloroformate)) cyanogen chloride, and those chemicals which produce screening smokes such as titanium tetrachloride, sulphur trioxide and oils. Nothing is known at present about the administration of sulfanilamide or its related compounds in gas poisoning in order to prevent subsequent wound infection or for the actual therapeusis of infections associated with the gas poisoning, The subject of complete de struction' of cities by poison gas is not even considered, since this is entirely impossible now and is merely a myth produced by imaginative writers. There is always the real danger of the production of new and powerful gases which will not fall into our present categories, This is not an easy task because the gas must have the following properties :
I. The gas must have a definite toxic quality !or produce smoke or incendiary activity).
2. The raw materials must be available.
3. The gas must be non-corrosive on storing.
4. The gas must be stable.
5. The gas must be heavier th<l:n air.
6. The gas should be susceptible of being liquefied, The chemical warfare industry is closely associated with the dye industry. From our medical point of view we can always give symptomatic treatment. Our ideal, however, should be causal therapy. Our Chemical Warfare Service adds that "no agent is known which is more effective than mustard gas in sending men to the hospital; and there is little evi· dence that a gas more effective than phosgene" is available for poisoning the ,air."
SUMMARY
This review is not intended to be an encyclopcedic reference work on chemical warfare. It merely some of the more important points of the medical aspects of such warfare especially as it relates to the civilian physician. We must face the fact such warfare is efficient and may be used. In it seems much less dangerous as regards fatalities residuals than the other commoner and more horti forms of warfare. This brief report will provide vocabulary for a type of medicine which is new most of us, a type of medicine which will in every branch of experimental and clinical medicine,
With knowledge i.n advance we can assi$t in driving away the fear of the unknown. We can then reduce the number of casualties from these chemical compounds.-Journal American Medical Association,June I, (Canadian First Aid.)
Northern Ireland
Recent air raids .Q.ave put heavy pressure on the Brigade in Northern Ireland, but officers and members have stood the test well and given a good account of themselves in Aid Posts, Hospitals, Stretcher Parties, Rest Centres, etc. In a letter of appreciation to the Director-in-Chief, Ulster Joint Committee, the Minister of Public Security, Northern Ireland, wrote: "Now that the city is returning to normal I write to thank you and through you the members of the Order of St. John and the British Red Cross Society for all the good and effective work they did the part played by the members of these organisations has earned the gratitude of the community."
LONDONDERRY
A wards were presented and promotions announced by Divisional Superintendent Cowgill at a social evening held recently at which members of the Londonderry ambulance division were guests of the Divisional Surgeon, Dr. M. F. Leslie.
In thanking Dr. Leslie on behalf of himself and his colleagues for inviting them to attend, Superintendent Cowgill said he had been in the Brigade since I9 I 5, and was always interested in its welfare. He was g lad to see that Londonderry had a good division of keen and activ e members; that their records showed they got plenty of work to d o , thou gh the value of tlut work could n o t be fully divulged to the g eneral public.
Dr. Leslie, the chairman, paid tribute to the work of Divisional Mr. W. J. Williams, and A mbulance Officer, Mr. Wm. Duncan, who, he said, were jointly respon sible for the efficient state of the division, esp ecially Mr. Williams, who as superintendent had respond ed to so many calls of duty that" to be quite candid," the chairman added, "I don.'t know when he finds time to sleep."
Divisional Superintendent Williams, replying, said that he f elt proud of the present state of the division, and congratulated all the men1bers on the year's work. He also said that Dr. Leslie nev er failed to respond to a call, day or night, and that his services were indispensable.
Prisoners of War
We are asked by the Chief Commissioner to publish the following names-and addresses when known-of members of the S. J .A.B. who are prisoners of war :-Sergeant H. V. Suggitt (Hull Western Di.vision) , No. 4I355, Stalag VIlIB. Deutschland; A. H. Whergold, Winchester Division; Pnvate D. F. S. Mackerill, Winchester Division. 155
Competition Work hy the Vauxhall Corps
On Saturday, June I4, Division I of the Vauxhall Corps, under A mbulance Officer J. Phillips, L.A.G.e.I., staged an after'noon of efficient competition work, at which the stretcher test was set and judged by the new Medical Officer at Vauxhall, Dr. A. R. Thompson, M.D., B.S., D.P.H., recently appointed Divisional Surgeon.
The test, which was realistically staged, was as follows :-
" Your stretcher party are called to an air raid casualty lying in the street. He is uncon scious and has a jagged wound in the left temple from which blood is spurting. He is ·discovered lying on his right side with his right thigh crushed "lJ,llder a pile of masonry. There is shortening of the right leg, but no flesh wound. After 5 minutes he vomits and then regains consciousness. There are no witnesses and no means of exit from the street for two hours."
The test was simple and straightforward, a particular feature being that there was no need to ask the examining surgeon any questions, all the information being supplied either on the test card or by the patient himself.
Six teams took part, and all applied themselves speedily and intelligently to the test.
The winners were team" F," comprising: Div. Sec. J. ·Alien, e. H. W. Tibbles, A. e. Carter, and F. S. Levey.
Good work on the part of two members recently transferred from the A.R.P. Reserve was also observed.
During the stretcher tests, Corps Officer R. McEvo y, L.A.G.e.I., conducted oral tests. Divisional Secretary J. Allen, adjudged the best No. (Team Leader), thus scored a double success.
Cups and medals were prese;nted by Mrs. J. Phillips, wife of the Ambulance Officer-in-Charge, who said he very much appreciated the support given to him in organising the event. He also thanked the Vauxhall Motors exesutives for donatin g the trophies.
Divisional Secretary J. Allen said that members of Division I had subscribed and purchased a clock and cigarette case for presentation to their Ambulance Officer, who 'was a justly popular leader and one whom they trusted to maintain their efficiency and zeal.
Corps Superintendent R. R. Hunter, M.e., J.p., who acted as chairman, expressed satisfaction with the progress shown. The Divisional Surgeon said that he, too, was surprised and pleased with the standard of knowledge and skill displayed.
Other competitions are to be held on July !-9' Competitors will be from Division 3, under Ambulance Officer F. W. Parrott.
\VHEN YOU HAVE READ THIS COpy OF THE ST. JOHN AMBULANCE GAZETTE, PASS IT ON TO YOUR FRIEND
t=in=g=C=a8=e=R=ep=O=F=ls=dll
-CASE REpORT No. 182.-The of Midland Area, 'Yest Riding of Yorkshire, S.J.A.B., reports the effiClent performance of first aid b y a n:ember of the Farsley Division in the fo llowing Clrcumstances :-
March 6 Private Collis, who only took his certificate and joine.d the Division in September last, called to an accIdent at Coal Hill, Farsley, where a had been thrown' from his cycle. Fln,ding the patlent insensible, Private Collis diagnosed the cause as fractured base of the skull. He therefore rendered first aid, summoned the ambulance and supervised the removal of the patient (who weio-hed some I 6 stone) to hospital, where, the being \ confirmed, he was admitted and subsequently made a complete recovery.
handling of this case typifies the good work. done by tndtvtdual members of the Brigade. Private therefore, merits cordial congratulati ons in t hat, wtthtn a few months of qualifying for membership thereof, he was able to applY his training to such good purpose.N. C. F. .,
CASE No. I83.-The of No. I (Pnnce of Wales's) District S.J.A.B. reports the efficIent performance of first aid by three recently j ?f the Wandsworth and Putney DIVISIOn ill the following circumstances :-
On April 26 Privates S. Carr, G. 'Pridmore and A. Stevens were called to an · accident in the machine of Messrs. Benham & Sons. They found the firmly fixed to the spindle of a large drilling machine by his clothing, which had become wound round the spindle and was tightly compressing the and chest. / 1.'he patient was not breathing and his pulse was not discernible.
Working in unison, the three Privates immediately cut. clothing, thus · releasin g. the pressure on s neck and chest, opened his mouth and disengaged the tongue, which had become fixed between the teeth, and !or further injuries. They then covered patIent WIth blaNkets, lowered him gently tq the floor and at once commenced artificial respiration, during which operations hot bottles were procured and placed. After a short time the patient to and shortly afterwards the doctor arnved with , the ambulance and ordered the patient to hospital, where in due course he recovered from the effects of his accident.
COMMENT :- Th is rep@rt the tzormal team work of the BrYgade; and Privates Carr, Pridm ore and 5 me:-it cordial ' congratulations on t he fact that by thet: combtne.d efforts and after a brief membership they were able to, rescue a colleague and to restore hi?iJ to life.-
J\. C. F. .'
Questions and Answers
TREATMENT FOR BLEEDING NO SE-
F. C. (Finchley). - Pleas e tell us why in the treatment of bleeding from the nose the Textbook (in Rule I on p. 138) tells us that the patient's hands should be raised above his head. This problem has caused much discussi on, and no one has been ab le so far to give a satisfactory
Raising the hands above the head 107,vers the pressure in the chest and promotes the retu1'n of venous blood to the because it inC1"eases the size and capacity of the chest and so causes dilatation of the superior and inferior venal cavae at their entry to the right am"icie For the same reason it is essential to place the hands of the patient above his head when we do Schafer) s method of artificial respiration .-
N. C. F.
INH ALATION OF PRUSSIC ACID N M
To Ed£tor, ST. Jm-IN AMBULANCE GAZETTE
DEAR SIR,-I thou ght perhaps ,readers of the GAZETTE might b e interested in a new card game which I have devised and u sed at the First Aid Party Depot of which I am in charge. , only costs a few coppers to make; is very illstructive and it catches the imagination.
The game is played with small cards like playing cards, about 30 or so white cards and 30 coloured cards b eing required
Each white card bears a sign, symptom or one item of treatm ent, e.g., "Flushed," "Pale," "Head low and to one side," " Face up," etc.
The coloured cards represent the "'cases," e.g., I' Compression," "Concussion," "Internal Haem." "Fractured Cervical Vertebrae," etc.
The person who is to act as "umpire" deals out . . (Chiswick).-Please tell us what is the all the white cards to the players, who may number correct treatment of a patient suffering from the up to eight-according to the numbers of cards effects of inhalation of prussic acid vapour and prepared. accept our for the way in which you always answer our quenes.
The umpire then puts out a coloured card indicating Whether swallowed, inhaled or applied to a 1vound, the a" case." The players in turn then playa card which effect! (an.d therefore the tre.atment) of prussic acid poisoning suits the condition. If a player finds that he hasn't are tdenttcal, stnce the pozson may act in all three ?:)Jays a which .answ:ers directly, he may qualify by Thus, the symptoms of poisoning may come on durin(J th statlng when It ffilght have some bearing on the if 71 h 6 e case. Otherwise he misses and loses a life. act 0 swat-towing t e poison or immediatelY aften-vards and patients have fallen unconsciotts from . mere(y smelling As the cards are used up they can be redealt to the ke.;' to problem is the potenry of the players. solutton ofprusszc aczd, ,vhzch mtry vary within ,vide limits.- T?e game can also be played in the reverse way by N. C. F. dealing out the coloured cards instead of the white the umpire putting out a white card with a
A-ppointment of Lady County
. Superintendent
An important appointment has recently been made by the Chief Commissioner of the St. John A:ubulance Brigade by promoting the Do wager VIscountess Harcourt, G.B.E., to the position of Lad y County President of Surrey.
Lady Harcourt has been interested in the Bri gade for many years and in the last war was a member of No. I (Westminster) Divisi on and Commandant American Women's Hospital for Officers.
At the time of her present appointment she was an memb er, the rank of Lady Superilltendent of GUIldford No. 2 Nursing Division, which she has administered with the greatest energy and efficiency.
Her appointment will give great satisfaction in the county and should lead t o a considerable development in the activities of the Brigade.
Lady Harcourt is also a member of the Surrey Joint War Committee of the British Red Cross Society and the Order of St. John, which is doing such excellent work in the county, and also a member of the Convalescent Homes Sub-Committee of that body.
SIgn or symptom, the players putting out a " case' that has that particular condition.
.Perhaps some of your readers might like to try this game out as it has proved an excellent means of keeping up intere.st and knowledge. The series can cover bandaging in addition to the above
Another point I wou ld like to suggest is that when the new Black Bo ok is printed, it would be very if at the beginning of the Chapter on " InsensibIlit y a chart was printed as below ;-Breathing Absent .
1. Ob structions,_ _ etc.
Breathing Present. With Without convulsions.
I . Epilepsy, etc . convulsions. Head Injuries, etc.
I have a large chart myself and find lt very much appreClated by beginners in classes which I have taken; it seems to help make it more easily understood. The pages on insensibility are rather trying to new people.
Yours, etc., J. STEVENS,
Corps Officer (Treasurer), Barry and District Corps.
To the Editor, ST. JOHN AMBULANCE GAZETTE DEAR SIR,-I am a reader -of your interesting Journal and was particularly interested in a recent article by W. C. Bentall, O.B.E., F.R.C.S. I am a fulltime "First Aid Party Leader," and should like to know more about " The Official Course for Leaders " consisting of '18 lectures. Could yo u please tell how to obtain this course?
Yours, etc., H. BLACKBURN. Featherstone, Pontefract. " Leaders)) of First Aid Parties, together with ' s of R escue Squads, now have a week) s course of trat.mng arranged for in every R egion from Monday to Frzday every week They are under the R egional Tra ining o.jjicers and three patd lecturers, and every party leade r is gzven the 0/ taking the course in each Region. Leaders of Partzes should contact with the Regional" Training Ojjicer or his deputy in the local area, who will fix the matter up.
An00er article by Dr. Bentall on page I49 of this Issue gIves further details of these courses.
EDITOR.
To th e Editor, ST. JOHN A..}y[BULANCE GAZETTE S:a,-So far, the" Records" of members of the Brigade published 1? the GAZETIE have been concerned only with Promotion. As I believe that Records of Service to the ambulance movement would be of interest to readers of the GAZETTE I submit mine in the hope that yo u will publish it ;1St Certificate February, 1914; Medallion and 25 labels to date. Four yea rs and R .-A .M.C, 1914-19. A.R.P. Grade St. John. PractIcal demonstrator First Aid in Works. Long Service Medal 1929, 2nd Bar 1939-all at the early age of 4 2 Yours, etc., J. BAGSHAW, Amb. Officer i/ c 49th Erith and District Division.
To the Editor, ST. JOHN A.,\ffiULANCE GAZETIE D .EAR reference to the" Challenge" in the GAZETI'B I think the followlUg facts, taken from official records will take a lot of beating ;Our present Div isional Superintendent joined this Division in March, 1928, as a Private, promoted to Corporal 1929, Ambulance 1930, and Di visional Superintendent 1932-a position which he still holds. He has climbed the " ladder" in under four years We shall' be the first to congratulate most sincerely anyone who can this record. Yours, etc., G. GELS ON, DlvlslOnal Secretary, Crawley and Three Bridges Division.
To the Editor, ST. JOHN G AZETIE D EAR SIR,-I believe the following Record of Service might lUterest readers of the GAZETIE ;Joined Ambulance Section 1SC Volunteer Battalion Suffolk Regiment, 1893; gained St. John Ambulance Association CertiEcate gained St. John Ambulance Association Voucher 1894; gained St. John Ambulance Association Nursing 18 95; galUed Army Ambulance Cercificate 1894; passed for Bearer Company Sergeant 1902; gained 2nd Stage Hygiene Certificate 19 0 9; passed St. John Ambulance Associacion Hygiene Examination 1910; passed 2nd Stage Physiology Examination 1911; promoted 1st Officer St. John Ambulance Brigade 1895; promoted Supt. St. John Brigade 1898; promoted Cprps Supt. St John Ambulance Bngade 1921; promoted District Supt. "St. John Ambulance Brigade 1923.; joined R.A.:i\-1.C August 7, 1914, to August 30, 1920; Sergt.-MaJor R.A.M .C 1914; Lieut. Q.M. 1915; Capt. Q.M R. A.M.C 1918; A.R.P. gas certificate 1939; reexammed A.R.P. cercificate 1939; now serving at an A.R.P. First Aid Post. F. H. GOODERHAM, 3, vVelbeck Crescent, Troon, Ayrshire
157
E
VERY nurse who is working under wartime conditions, either in a military hospital or among the civil population, knows that, far more , than at normal times, the majority of patients admitted are acutely ill and in a state of high nervous tension
These abnormal conditions greatly emphasise the need for some easily assimilated form of restor- . ative nourishment For this purpose, the nurse Will find 'Ovaltine' of outstandin,g value, either as emergency measu,re or a regular routin e , Ovaltine' is completely and •easily assimilated, even when the patient is in a very low state of vitality. Indeed,' Ovaltine , possesses special properties which make the milk to which it is added more digestible, and thus easily assimilat ed, as 'well as far mor.e nourishing.
, Ovaltine' possesses many adyantages over ordinary food drinks. It is rich in strengthening, energy-giving nourishmerit; it allays n ervous tension and promotes sound, restorative sleep , Ovaltine ' is highly concentrated and is prepared, by exclusive scientific processes, from malted barley, full-cream milk and eggs from the famous , Ovaltine' farms. It contains the essential vitamins and valuable mineral salts, "firstclass)) protein, carbohydrate and fat in carefully adjusted ratio.
Now, as in 1914-1918, Ovaltine ' is widely used in the wartime hospital service, both at home and overseas. Supplies are available to hospitals in special packings and at special prices.
Write Jar details to A. Wander, Ltd., 184, Queen's Gate, London, S,W.7.
Employees of the Manchester Ship Canal contributing to the Red Cross Penny-a- Week F at the rate of more than £100 a month. The has now 5,000,000 regulaf contributors as with 500,000 a year ago. Contributors industries alone-railway transport and number 600,000. In Greater London the increase contributors over 12 months is from 8,000 to 750 The aim of the Penny-a- Week Committee is to the present number of contributors during the bringing the figure to 10,000,000.
Sir Walter Citrine, the General Secretary of Trades Union Congress, in a recent broadcast, an eloquent appeal for the Fund. In particular, referring to the 33,000 employers who were co-operating, he asked others to assist in exterld.!nl the scheme by letting their workpeople know they were willing to give facilities for the ded from wages of the Red Cross Penny-a- Week.
It was stated recently in the Pre ss that the Government had decided to suspend the free issue of cigarettes to British prisoners of war. Prisoners of War Department desires it to be stood that this decision does not in any way the supplies of cigarettes and tobacco which it s to British prisoners or the arran gement the public may send supplies through approved tobacconists.
The Medical Director-General of the Navy written to the War Organisation expressing for its great assistance and timely aid and for the operative help of the American Red Cross in SU1PpJlYIfl:1 so readily dressings and other much needed at a time when severe losses of stocks had sustained.
News has been received by the War Organisa' that the International Red Cross has been ab le send to British children in the Channel Islands hundred and thirty cases of condensed milk, cases of cheese and eleven cases of vitamins. consignment, weighs eleven tons, is to have arrived in good condition. been received, and with them came the warm .of the Bailiff of Jersey and the President of Controlling Committee of the States of G
It is pointed out that this gift was made on the initiativ€ of the International Red Cross and without the knowledge of anyone in Bri.tain. In fact, the first news that the War 0
tion had of the matter was contained in the telegram which is paraphrased in the preceding paragraph.
The Foreign Relati ons Department reports that during the first fortnight of May it received no less than sixteen thousand replies to messages sent to the Channel Islands since their occupation by the Germans. Some of the replies, it says, are in answer to enquiries which were sent in November of last year. The greater number are, however, replies to messages which were sent last summer.
Gifts in cash and in kind continue to be received by the War Organisation without cessation donations of £600 have come from the Bntlsh War Relief Association of the Philippine Islands and of £300 from the Malaya Patriotic Fund for the pu:-chase of light ambulances. From Northern RhodeSIa has come a gift of £ 500 for the purchase of a second canteen.
Recent gifts in kind from the American Red Cross include many thousand pieces of hospital surgical dressings and hot water bottles. Other gifts from the same source comprise forceps, retractors, refrigerators, oxygen outfits and microscope lamps and bulbs.
An outstanding gift of great value, also from 0 e American R ed Cross, consists of a number of Seltz Filters, which are required for the filtration of blood plasma and serum, now so extensively for war and air raid casualties. The filters are now In use by the National Blood Transfusion Service. The output of sterile, filtered plasma has been increased and the b1..ulding up .o f reserves of filtered plasma has been accelerated, and the supply of a safe, sterile, clarified product for distribution throughout the country has been greatly facilitated.
Writing to Sir Philip Mr. Norman Davis chairman of the Amencan Red Cross, says :-" y thou g htful letter expressing so s0cerely and generously the appreciation of the Bntlsh Red Cross Society and the Order of St. Jolu1 of Jerusalem for the assistance tendered by the American Red Cross is very much appreciated. The American Red, Cross is malcing a supreme effort t? discharge ,the wishes of the American people in g1Vlng all poss1b!e aid to those individuals in Great Britain who are In need as a result of the war emergency."
Sir Philip Chetwode has cabled to 0e British War Relief Society of New York expressIng the appreciatio,n and gratitude of the War for the unfailing support which it rece1ved fro.m the Society and which has enabled It to carryon 1tS humanitarian work.
The advance into Syria brings into full active service that part of the Middl,e East S=ommiss.ion of the War Oro-anisation which 1S based In Palestlne. /:)
The Commission has the.re as D eputy Commi ssioner Dr. Stuart and as Assistant Commissioner Mr. A. N. Young. Considerable stocks of stores have been built up at Jerusalem and elsewhere. '!'ork parties under the direction of Lady MacMichael have for some time been engaged in making hospital supplies
The number of parcels packed at the Packing Centres of the Prisoners of War D epartment and delivered to the General Post Office during the last fortnight in May was 184,598. It was made. up follows :-155>345 food, 412 clothing, 12,362 lnvalid comforts, 7,644 tobacco, and 8,835 next-of-kin parcels.
One hundred Reserve Stores have now been established throughout the country. Distribution of stores during the past two weeks comprised 1,7 6 bales, cases and packages, of which 805 were sent to Convalescent Homes, 139 to home hospitals and 772 to B.R.C.S. Depots and Work Parties.
An. appeal, received through the Church Army from the Bishop of Sierra Leone, is being promptly met b y the Stores Department. It is for clothing. and other articles which are urgently needed by desbtute seamen who have been landed there. Two hundred of each of the following articles are being packed and are to be shipped at the earliest opportunity :Flannel 'trousers, singlets, safety razors and blades, tubes .of shaving cream and tooth paste, tooth brushes, combs, cakes of soap and towels.
Twenty-two vehicles representing all the types employed by the War Organisation were displayed at the Flag D ay Garden Meeting at St. James's Palace. The y attracted considerable attention, and the partment has received a letter from Lu ke , In which he expresses his thanks and apprec1atlOn of the manner in which the exhibit was presented. In connection with Flag D ay itself, representative of vehicles in the service of the War Organlsatlon were posted at eleven commanding points in Great interest in them was shown by the public.
News has been received by the Foreign Relations D epartment of the extension of the Red Cross Messao-e Scheme to Trinidad and Tobago. In this ' /:) Colony the authorised agency for the 'tranSmlSSlOn of the messao-es is the Trinidad and Tob ago Central Council Bra;ch of the British Red Cross Society.
The Red Cross and St. John Library urgently needs books of reference-English dictionaries, enc yclopredias and modern atlases-and up-to-date boo.ks on popular science. Gifts should be sent to the L1brary Headquarters at 48, Queen's Gardens, London, 'Jl!.2. Distribution of books during the past fortrught Continued on page I66
During an air raid in the London area a bomb demolished a large building. The occupants were trapped and every service combined to extricate them. The driving of tunnels into the shaky mass of masonry and girders led to the rescue alive of many casualties.
Throughout the rescue period of nine hours Dr. Glyn Jones was indefatigable. At much personal riSk he crawled down runnels to give lllorphia and temporary treatment to the wounded. His cemrage and' determination were alike outstanding.
Dr. Glyn Jones awarded the O.B.E. (Civil Division) for his action. At the time of the incident he ,medical officer, American Mobile Unit, Lambeth:
PRIVATE W. J. DAReH, Claughton Division.
For more than six hours Mr. Darch tunnelled his way through piles of wreckage to rescue two boys, one six years of age, the other two, who had been buried beneath their home as a result of enemy action.
- Throughout his gallant action Mr. Darch was in great personal danger. He was awarded the George for his heroism.
ARTHUR HENRY MARSHALL, Stretcher Party Commandant.
During an air raid on the outskirts of London an . elderly couple were buried beneath the debris of their house. Both were pinned down by wreckage in the basement where they were sheltering when the bomb fcrll. Outside a fire was raging.
A rescue squad heard their cries and began digging at about ,half-past four in the morning. Rescue work was extremely dangerous owing to the imminence of a collapse of the remaining walls. The Rescue Party was led by Mr. Marshall, in charge of No. 10 ,Party.
Eventually ' they were extricated after four hours' continuous by the party. During the work the man was able to di'!ect his rescuers tQ the rear of the house where. there was an easier entrance. By the light of an electric torch he had seen that the stairs were still standing.
They were taken to an emergency hospital, where they are now making good pr ogress towards recovery.
They are very grateful to the members of the Rescue Party, to Dr. Lane and to two nameless firemen for the brave work they carried out.
160
In recogrutlOn of the courage which he displayed Mr. Marshall was awarded the George Medal.
Before a full parade of Ambulance, Nursing and Cadet Divisions, Dr. Todd-White, Divisional Surg eon of Leytonstone, was recently presented with the Chief Commissioner's Diploma for Gallantry for his services during an air raid.
Private A. Macquire, of the Beckton Division, was awarded the M.B.E. and Private W. H. Miles was \ commended for their wqrk during the following incident :-During a bombing attack on a gas works, high explosive and incendiary bombs were dropped; many fires were started, Steam and dense clouds of sulphurous smoke blinded and choked those who had to cope with the situation. A call was made for volunteers to bring in casualties. Macquire and Miles, with others not members of the Brigade, at once volunteered, and with great courage and coolness proceeded to the scene. Macquire rendered first aid in the open while heavy bombing was in progress, and his gallantry in performing this and conveying the injured to hospital was an outstanding feature; in this he was ably assisted by Miles.
* * *
During a severe "blitz" Cadet Leohard Woods (Eastern Area) No. I (Prince of Wales) District, took care of and bandaged a man and his wife whilst they were waiting for the ambulance to arrive. The next day a man who was searching among the debris of his ' home was struck by fallin g masonry and rendered unconscious. Woods dressed the man s head and tendered first aid in such a manner that further treatment was pot necessary. ,
Woods has been a messenger at the Report Centre since the beginnin g of the · war and is a credit to his Division. During the first of these incidents Woods was helped by another cadet, Edward Moseley, and when asked about his work, modestly replied: " Oh, Ted Mosele y )Vas there too."
* * *
The "Flyin g Squad," a group of 20 St. John Ambulance men of No. Prince of Wales District (Eastern Area), led by 60-year-old A. G. Ash, provide a first aid party of 12 every night. All volunteers, they include labourers, clerks, a milkman, railway engine-driver and fireman, bus.-driver, blacksmith's hammerman, and a glass blower. They make up a little corp.munity of their own, meeting all calls for help in rescue and aid work.
EQUIPMENT OF A MOBILE UNIT
Dr. Harold C. J. Ball, M edical Officer, Mobile Unit, · New Milton, Hants, writes :-
The equipment of the New Milto n Mobile Unit not only incorporates one or two devices which have been describe,d in the Jou rnal durin g the last few months but also includes original apparatus for the administration at the site of an incident of radiant heat to patients suffering from shock. The following notes, and especially the illustrations of radiant heat cradles, may therefore be of interest to other medical officers of mobile units.
First, the general equipment-dressings, splints, instruments, anresthetics, dru g s, etc.-is contained ill
seven cupboards which are kept at the depot ready for action locally; they are easily packed into the mobile unit van within five minutes should our services be needed in an outlying district. Sterilised dressings are always in readiness in case local hospital or transport facilities fail. In addition we have a portable operating table which has been lent to us.
In our oxygen therapy apparatus we have copied that described by Dr. Marcus Bird in the Journal of September 21, 1940 (p. 387). The cost of this was negligible since we made use of copper tubing obtained from a car " dump" and quart milk bottles, and adapted old head-mirror bands and fittings for nasal administration. Besides four nasal attachments we have two old football bladders for use with gas Ci
masks, as suggested by Dr. H. L. Marriott (Journal, October 19, 1940, p. 519), all necessary pressure being controlled by gas taps. Stretchers in the ' unit are fitted with the inexpensive, light though rigid, support for a Fowler position which I described in the Journal of November 2 (p. 610).
For the treatment of patients suffering from shock we have designed radiant heat cradles which are illustrated (Figs. I and 2). Here agaill the outlay has been small, for they are each constructed of halfsections of a child's hoop and Essex boarding. The heat is supplied by electric lamps, or, alternatively,
FIG 2
since electricity may farl in an emergency, from a primus stove: square and round biscuit and sweet ' tins and boxes of Essex boarding are used to 'Connect· the primus stove with each pair of cradles. Control of heat is regulated by sliding shutters and a central overhead olftlet. The whole is easily moved to and from the stretchers; moreover, stretchers and cradles can be set up in the open by resting the stretchers on equipment cupboards or other available supports.
We are indebted , to Private R. J. Stewart, of the New Milton Division, St. John Ambulance Brigade, for making the cradles, oxygen therapy apparatus, and back rests to the stretchers.
Reprintedfrom the" British ,MedicalJournal," April 26, 1941, v,ol. i, p. 630'
The Duchess of Kent, who is Lady Superintendentin-Chief .for Wales, Order of St. John, spent a busy week-end in South Wales seeing members of th e St. Tohn Ambulance BriO'ade at work under war con.J b C c:litions. Staying as the guest of the Earl and ?untess of Plymouth at St. Fagan's Castle, Her R oyal Highness visited the coastal towns on Saturday, June 2I, and made a nine-hour tour of the valleys on the f ollowing Sunday.
On Saturday morning the jour ney to South was broken at Newport, where a was. paId to the Royal Gwent Hospital and a Fust Ai? Post. At Cardiff the Duchess had lunch at the CIty Hall as the guest of the Lord Mayor and Lady Mayoress of Cardiff (Alderman and Mrs. C. H. McCale). Nurses and massage students were lined up to greet .her at the Cardiff R--oyal In..firmary, which was afterwards visited. Members of the City of Cardiff Centre of the Priory for Wales welcomed the Duchess their headquarters in the green. con£nes of Cardiff Castle Park where Her Royal Highness was formally received b; the Marquis and Marchioness of and the Chairman of the Cardiff Centre Comnuttee (Alderman G. ·Fred Evans). A ceremony of the presentation of insignia and PrIory votes of took place in the ambulance hall, afterwar?s ill the courtyard outside the Duchess illspected BrIgade personnel, presenting I Medals. Mter a visit to the A.R.P. Post, PrIory House Headquarters was inspected, the Lady making a tour of the eight Departments, speaking to every member of the staff Her last engagement on Saturday was at an A.R.P. post at Barry Island, where Service Medals were presented to 14 members of the Barry and District Corps. -
The Duchess's first call on Sunday was at a War Organisation Hospital, she was received by Sir Ewen J. Maclean, chalfman of the J oint Hospital Sub-Committee ; and met the MedICal Officers, Commandants and ,Matrons of the five other Convalescent Hospitals for which the Glarr:organ J oint Committee is responsible. The next pOillt on the itinerary was the Tonyrefall Ambulance Hall, where some awards were presented, the ling afterwards to Llwynypia Hospital, the Post at Porth and then on to the Yontypndd FIrst .Aid Post. In the Aberdare and Mountain Ash districts,
counties of Wales have achieved record results The final figure for the county of Glamorgan is not yet available, but there is little doubt that a very satisfactory sum was raised.
The Countess of Plymouth, in a dual cap,acity as Assistant Lady Superintendent-in-Chief for Wales of St. John Ambulance and as Lady County President oHhe Red Cross, toured, the I4 Depots established in
the Rhondda in support of the local Red Cross and St. J ohn Ambulance Flag Day. Accompanying her VISItS were paid to the Mountain Ash Hospital, the was the Hon. Mrs. John Bruce.
D eep Duffryn Colliery A:-m",?ulance a At Porth, Lady Plymouth was formally received demonstration of First Aid In the MInes was gIven) by Mr Morgan Davies, J.P. (chairman, Rhondda the Aberdare Gener.al and the Aberd.are Council), Mr D. J. Jones (t:l erk to the Council) Hall wIth Pnory StatIon and Lady Rhys- Williams (Lad y President of the adJoInIng At a church para.de In Cyfarthfa Park. the Centre) At each depot Lady Pl ymouth chatted freely address was given by .the BIshop of VISl!s with the workers, greatly encourag ing them in their to the Merthyr HospItal, Bargoed Fust AId Post) effolts
Caerphilly Hospital and First Aid Post. conclu a strenuous day's programme. Included ill the party were the Earl and of Plymouth, presence of the latter in uruform of 0e Superintendent for Wales belng much apprecIated Nursing members on parade; the Hon. J. H . Mrs. Bruce, Commissioner and Lady Staff <? for Wales; Sir Rhys and Lady Rhys- W accompanying the tour through the which they are President and Lady PresIdent re tively
H.R.H. the Duchess of Kent has been pleased
OBITUARY
The Chief Commissioner of the Brigade Overseas regrets to announce the death of : R. C. A. Cavendish, C.B .E., Commissioner, Kenya District; J. M. Dunne, District Superintendent on Reserve, Canterbury and West Coast District, New Zealand; W. Gibson, Ambulance Officer, Hamilton Division, Auckland Di st ri ct, New Zealand.
direct her Lady-in-Waiting to convey the follow We regret to record the death of: D octor A lan B mes sage of appreciation to the Priory and th Hamilton, Divisional Surgeon of Tipton Nursing responsible for the arrangements :- ?ivision; frs. Arthur, Lady Divisional Super" The Duchess of Kent was very much InteresteOIUltendent, Southsea Nu:tsing Division, Portsmouth d H R 1 Corps; Divisional Superintendent Walter Hancock, by all she saw during her tour an er oya. S is most favourably impressed by the sp lendid edbergh Ambulance Division; Lance-Corporal L. T. and obvious keenness of the Units she . Threadgill, Finedon Division; Private C. J. Sutcliffe bl £ (R.A.M.C.), Romsey Division; Private A. C. Lemoine and was deli ghted that it was POSSI e or so . (R.A.M.C. ), Romsey Division; Private R. Ford of the Brigade personnel to parade .. The Du. (R was much interested, too, in the hospItals she VI .A.M.C.), Romsey Division; Private E. T. Hatch hn (R.A.M.C. ), Romsey Di vision; Private T. Wood- durin g h er tou r an d Her Ro yal Hig ess was f I h war d (R.A.M.C.), Romsey Division; Corporal A. T. touched b y the warmth 0 the we come s e recel Smith, Romsey Division; Private William Oliver, wherever she went during two days in Wales." D allY Mail Division, :Manchester; D r W. Murdoch, The Priory is grateful to the R egional Commis' Divisional Surgeon, of Tipton Parish Division; and the Chairman of the Welsh Board of Ambulance Officer J ames P. Edwards, of Tipton County, City, Urban an d Parish Division. Hospita) Committees for pernusslOn to ali Emergency Hospital C.N.R. and A. R.P. ;Services with' a parade of St. John personnel In manner that a comprehensive picture' of war ac with which th e BriO'ade is associated could be b to view by H.R.H. the Lady Supennten in-Chief for Wales.
NATIONAL FLAG DAY, 1941
Results so far received indicate that the LUJlH organised jointly by personnel of British Cross Society and Order of St. John 1n the
Thanks to The British The R.A.F. and the British Merchant Navy this Jonrnal is on sale throughout the British Empire ; at the same price.
We are relying on you for one new reader this month. Thank yon. , J t ........... , ... ,'_..... , _--_..
The Treatlllent of Wounds
By A. DICKSON WRIGHT, M.S. , M.B., F.R.C.S.
(This Paper was recently read before the Royal Society of Arts)
(Contimted from page 140 June i ssu e )
When th e ·Spanish war bro ke out, a nation too insignificant to' make war on its n eighbours turned on itself; and three years of fighting broug ht a good crop of war wounds, many of a new type, viz., woun ds from the fast-travelling thin slivers of metal thrown off by modern aerial bombs. Trueta leading a team of surgeons in Barcelona expanded still further the Winnet-Orr methods.
(a) When a joint was involved the same principle was applied and even although the joint became full of pus it made not a bit of difference, the whole limb was still immobilised; and again the same amazing resul t s were obtained, wouq ds healed and joints even became mobile again In tihe last great war, suppuration in a joint in nine cases out of ten meant amputation and often k>s s of life from septicremia.
(b) Wounds in which the masses of the limbs were lacerated, but the bone escaped injury were also allowed t o b enefit from the new methods. The wound is laid freely open and all and pulverised tissues cut cleanly away and left widely open. This procedure is hard to describe in one word in English so the French word "debridement" is used. It is a very": important procedure in bomb woun ds, because with these small high-speed there may be a very small wound of entry but a grea t phlping at depth and, if this damaged area h left, it dies and provides an ground for germs. Trueta found that these lacerated when immobilised in plaster did very well. Infection occurred but did nQt make th e patient seriously ill and the wo unds healed up smoothly.
The most important advan tage discovered b y Trueta was that within one or two da ys the patient could be moved out of the danger zone to a safe hospital in the countr y without pain or prejudice to his recovery. The death and amputation rates secured b y Trueta were almost be yon d believing b y these with experience of the last war. But his r es ults were soon t o be confirmed in this war. For instance a convoy of sixty dreadfully wounded men arrived Dun kerque with wounds which wo uld have meant the death of perhaps fifteen and amputation for about. another fifteen; and yet only two died and amputations were carried out This was almost entirely due to the immo bilisation in plaster of paris. One may well ask what has happened to the germs
which previously took such a large toll of life and - limb. 'They are still there with many others, the wounds become full of streptococci, staphylococci and numerous other less harmful organisms; but now they have np dead spaces in which to multiply and distil their poisons, the muscles no longer contract and milk the poison into the lymphatics and the patient's · system, so that with immobilisation the sepsis is limited to the wound. A simple experiment proves this: if the lymph draining from an infected but immobilised limb is taken off, it is found to be free from organisms. If the plaster is then removed from the limb and the wound disturbed with dressings, the and their poisons can be recovered from the lymph. Every disturbance of the infected area not only interferes with the natural cause of healing, but floods the patient with germs and poisons.
Now what of lockjaw and gas gangrene? The for-mer is always a danger and is to a great extent prevented by inoculating every wounded (and burnt) case with the serum of a horse which has been inoculated repeatedly w'ith tetanus. Gas gangrene is due to a special group of' organisms which cannot thrive in healthy uninjured tissues, but revel in large pulped areas of muscle, and, when established, the .germs give \ off a poisonous substance which causes the death of the surrounding muscles, skin and other tissues, and the blood becomes charged with the drug and, as it flows through the wound, destroys any germs which have survived the local cleansing and
At the present time the surgeon feels himself at last on top of this wound question except in one respect and in that we must still confess ourselves beaten and that is in the matter of shock. Immediately after a severe painful smashing-of tissues, the recipient of the injury becomes profoundly shocked with a cold clammy skin, shallow sighing breathing and a feeble pulse. It is not surprising that this should occur as the patient has received an almost mortal injury. This shock in which all the vital functions are at the lowest ebb passes off unless the injuries are terribly severe / and, after an interval, the condition recurs is called secondary shock. This is thought to be due to some noxious substance escaping from the damaged tissues, and it is very hard to counter. The main drug in the treatment of shock is morphia to deaden all pain and memory of the accident? warmth is essential and the body surface can be rendered dry with atropine injections. The feeble citculation is increased b1' increasing the volume of the blood by blood transfusion or administration of saline. Unfortunately the new fluid tends to leave the blood
vessels and the circulation drifts back to its feeblenesl and often one has to stand back helplessly after trial of every method has failed and- see the drift into eternity. Ninety per cent. of the of shock carried out in the resuscitation ward warmth, _quiet and comfort for the patient until blood begins to flow again and he rallies his resources for the next battle.
The treatment of this condition often means a high amputation or a drastic opening up of the infectea area and removal of all dead muscles, The p of this condition, although there is a serum, mainly upon the free debridement of the wound the complete immobilisation in plaster With Trueta the incidence of this condition markedly re4uced, although his cases were wo in a fairly clean town and not in the heavily man fields of Flanders as in the last war.
As the Spanish war was drawing to its end, a great discovery was made. by German chemists, a <;:ompound which they named" Prontosil," had the power of destroying streptococci in the stream. Streptococci are the main death-dealing ganisms and the discovery of this drug was a p.dvance and came very opportunely to be of aSE;lstancrl in this war. Some idea of its value may be 0 from its effect in child-bed fever which exacted particularly heavy and tragic toll of human life, this streptococcal disease it lowered the death to one-tenth and many thousands of women live to look after the children whose birth in other would have caused their death. This German pound has been improved upon by English so that we now have three compounds-S mide, M. & B. 693 and M, & B. 76o-all mo against the germs of infection than the prontosi!. In war wounds these are used in The wound after the usual cleansing is dusted with the powder before sewing up or packing. powder, which is not very soluble, gradually goes - solution in the fluids of the wound and thus
the germs which have been introduced. The is also administered by mouth from the day of injury and the inevitable operation to repair and remove all the debris of the injury. extract of the suprarenal gland and an enzyme destroy noxious wound products are of some It often appears that in addition to the shock patient has lost blood and the restoration of this blood by is a most essential step. unfortunate, however, that the blood of the race is not homogeneous but divided into' four two of which are common and two rare. In these groups the red corpuscles are mixable blood of any other group without the cells into clumps, which choke the fine blood vess .,
IODINE for the
prevention and treatment 0[-
SHELTER THROAT INFLUENZA
The IDEAL RH EU MATI SM and various other complaints
IJFIRST AID"
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A few of the subjects treated at length :: PEACE-TIME SUBJECTS :Air Raid Precautions Influenza, etc., Measles, Mumps Gas Warfare (Special Chart) Catarrh HCEmorrhage Corns and Warts
First Aid What to Do in Emergencies Bandages Skin Diseases
Splints Hygiene, Anatomy, Pharmacy Burns Homreopathy, Neurasthenia The Principles of Nursing Famtmg Child Welfare 375 Prescriptions, etc., etc.
ACCI DENTS - What to do in all cases. HO W TO DIAGNOSE Diseases from appearance of Head, Face, Tongue, Throat, Chest, etc., etc.
THE YOUNG WIFE will find just the information she requires
the recipient's kidneys and ' liver. The individual with this blood is known as a universal donor and labelled Group 4. It would be ideal to have the donor bled afresh for patient's benefit, but this is impracticable in air raids and warfare, so the blood is kept in cold storage at a temperature of 4 deg. C. <and these" blood banks" are called upon for blood in cases of emergency. There is one pitfall, however, in this, because when a patient has had five or six pints of blood from different donors, he can no longer call his blood his own and incompatibilities will then occur with universal donor-s. If a patient is badly hit and likely to need much blood, then all transfusions should be from his identical group and the universal donor regarded as dangerous. As soon as recovery from shock and hremorrhage permits, the patient has an X-ray' done and the operation for removal of foreign bodies and pulverised tissues is done. Then the patient goes into plaster and the rest is left to Nature. 1n this paper I have spoken all the time as if all wounds occurred in the limbs. In practice this is greatly so, because most of the wounds of the head, chest and abdomen are so severe that they die before treatment can be instituted. In the case of head wounds, broken pieces of skull have to be removed from the brain and also if possible any metal fragments, and the wound very carefully sewn up. Wounds with bullets and small fragments of shell are often well treated by leaving the skull contents alone and closing the wounds. In all these brain operations there is a risk that the surgeon may do more harm to the brain than the bullet, if he has not been trained to respect the cerebral tissues. In wounds of the , chest, there is a special factor in that <the patient may suck air in through the wound as he breathes, and this -Jeads to great shock and suffocation. The best first aid in such a case would be two large stitches to close the hole and stop the sucking or, if this is ,not possible, a large wet dressing over the hole. Abdominal wounds by bomb splinters are very serious, so serious that these cases are not operated on if there is a big rush of more promising cases. Even with the more benign bullet wounds the death rate is very high.
In concluding this paper, I have left one important factor to the last, that is the part played by nurse in the treatment of the patient. The various wars of the ages produced their Pares, Larreys, McGregors and Truetas, but it was the Crimean War which produced Florence Nightingale, who in face of much opposition established the sympathetic and rational care of the wounded. This was sure to come one day, but there is no great reform that is not remembered by its pioneer to whom we must always be grateful. At the present ,day the nursing of many cases may be much lightened because our profession has at last realised that Nature is the best healer if free from meddlesome interference. Still there are many cases with multiple wounds who will only pull through with the common sense,' humanity and genius which one finds in the nut;se.
Red Cross & St. John War Organisat' (Continued from page 159) included twenty bales to cases and seventy-five parcels to Home and County Depots. More than 8,600 books, zines and illustrated papers were sent out, co with 10,220 which were received during the period and found to be "suitable for distribution,
The Matron-in-Chief reports that fourteen S Nurses and ten Sisters-in-Charge were posted Convalescent Homes and Auxiliary Hospitals d May.
The Department recently received the good that Mrs. Maclean, a member of the Reserve, is Mrs. Maclean, who escorted children to A under the auspices of the Children's Overseas tion Board, was reported missing after the ship which she was travelling was sunk by enemy a She is now a prisoner of war.
The "Brownies" of All Saints, Twic organised a " Penny Tea" and devoted the p to the purchase of ludo sets which they have pres to the Comforts Collections Department. Guides of the Northern Rhodesia sent two cases garments, and from a resident in Barbados have
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more than eighty packs of playing cards. aHennlr---------------------, in a Service Hospital have made and presented s The St. John Ambulance Association. chess sets and others have been collected and p Itl Hi.tory and Its Part in the Ambulance Movement.
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166
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THE JOURNAL OF THE VENERABLE ORDER OF THE Vol. T4 No.8
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THE ST. JOHN AMBULANCE GAZETTE is published 011 the 15th of each month. The annual subscription is 4S., post free; single copies 3d. Brigade Reports and Photographs should be addre.r.red to the Editor: c/o Chari6s Lavell, Ltd., 4, Clements Inn, Strand, W.C.2. Reports and photographs should reach him not later than the 28th of the month preceding the date of issue. -
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CONTENTS
A Sicl{. Bay . Service
In the County of Middlesex, the Joint County Committee, in co-operation with the Civil Defence Authorities, has responsibility for a Sick Bay Service at some twenty-four centres, which provide about 45 0 beds.
As experience has conclusively shown in this case that the Service fills a gap in the local authority's organisation for civil defence, a description of it may be of interest to Joint County Committees elsewhere.
These Sick Bays form part of the local authori ty's Rest Centre S.ervice. The y are intended to meet the needs of persons who are rendered homeless as the result of German air attacks and require a period of recuperation before being billeted or who cannot be immediately re-housed.
The Sick Bays are intended to pro vi de for three classes of homeless persons.
First; shocked and distressed persons who need a short period of rest and recuperation a.nd cases of minor illness which would normally be treated at home. Such persons are passed to the Sick Bays from the R est Centres, and their stay in the Sick Bays is generally for periods not exceeding three weeks . Secondly; cases of minor illness transferred to the Sick Bays from existing billets. Again, the y would normally be nursed at home; but, as they are in billets, the necessary attention or nursing cannot be reasonably provided. Their illness is not so serious that the use of a hospital bed is justified. Their stay in the Sick Bay is only for short periods In these cases, admission to the Sick Ba y is obtained on the certificate of the local Medical Officer of Health.
The third class of persons for whom the Sick Bays are d esigned to make provision is composed of the aged and infirm, the blind and the "halt and the lame"-the difficult cases, in fact, for whom suitable alternative accommodation has to be sought and cannot, generally, be immediately found. Such persons are adn::Utted to the Sick Bays from Rest Centres or, on the authority of the County Medical Officer of Health, from the E.M.S. Hospitals. They may remain for l onger periods than other classes as they are not moved until suitable accommodation has be en provided elsewhere.
It should be noted that the Sick Bays are not ordinarily used to supplement the pro vi sion of First Aid Posts for the primary treatment of air-raid casualties. No one is admitted to a Sick Bay
Vol. 14. No.8.
GUST, 1941
on the recommendation of an appropriate authority.
This limitation on the treatment of casualties in the Sick Bays is important on medical grounds: but, on other grounds also, it should be strictly to.
For instance, if casualties are treated outsIde _ the reo-ular machinery of the casualty service, they may b be prejudiced when claims for penslOn or c01:npensation are made later, by the absence ()f offiClal records.
Competition Work by the Vauxhall Corps
It is the aim of the Vauxhall Motors Corps officials to give as many of their members as possible experience in competition work, and during the past four months 19 teams of this corps have had such experience.
On July 19 six teams from Division 3 of this took part in stretcher and dual tests. The responsIble officer was Ambulance Officer-in-Charge F. W. Parrott, wh0 has spent four or five evenings each week, for some months, training the team leaders and competitors.
The stretcher test was set and judged b y Corps
Surgeon E. A. Butterworth, M.B., B.S., F.R.CS., and the dual test by Corps Officer R. McEvoy, L.A.G.Cr., who is Inspector of Trainin g for the Vauxhall Corps.
Both tests were comparatively simple. The card handed to team leaders in the stretcher test read as follows:
" A man is crossing the road outside the works, when a car knocks him down and passes on without stopping. You are called to the scene of the accident, where a crowd of bystanders has collected. Act."
It was subsequently discovered that the " casualt y" had sustained a burst varicose vein in the calf of the left leg, a simple fracture of the right humerus, and a contused wound at the back of the head.
Generous time was allowed. Only one team took the full 18 minutes allotted. The winners were:
B. Watson (Leader), R. Marchant, D. Christie, and S. Adams. Runners up: E. Jones (Leader), A. S. Wildman, S Moulster and E. A. O'Neill.
Corps Officer McEvoy's dual test, running concunently, also (by a coincidence) concerned varicose veins, and was based on an incident which actually took place in one of the firm's Club rooms recently. A caretaker is playing billiards when he ruptures a varicose vein and the subsequent loss of blood causes ,him to fall and come into violent contact with the table, as a result of which he sustains a fracture of the lower jaw.
The standard in this test was less satisfactory; but the Examination Officer gave special praise to the winners: B. Watson and R. Marchant. D. Christie and S. Adams were the runners-up.
Watson's third win was in a special team leader
test set by Corps Officer McEvoy. B. Watson, a member of the transport section of the Vauxhall A.R.P. organisation, has put in many hours, either " standing-by" or doing St. John Ambulance practice work, and his triumph on thi s occasion was very popular.
The chairman, Corps Superintendent R. R. Hunter, M.C., J.P., asked Mrs. R. R. Hopkins, wife of the Corps Secretary, to present t he prizes, after which the Corps Surgeon pas se d one or two comments on the work done b y competitors.
The Corps Secretary thanked all those who had contributed to the success of the afternoon, especially Dr. Butterworth, Corps Officer McEvoy, and tho se who assisted Ambulance Officer Parrott in training.
Corps President C. J. Bartlett joined the party. for tea, after which the trophies were filled-and emptied! -in the appropriate manner.
A Film You Should See
"RED CROSS I ACT IO
The following list of bookings have been arranged for this film betw een August 8 and September 15 :-
Cinema District Dote
Palace Nottingley Rutland Uppingham
Palace South
Palace
Empire Tivoli
Empire ormanton Tibshelf
Somercotes
Regent Penrith
Picturedrome Hunslet
Regal Eas tl eigh
Picture House
2 days, August 18 da ys, August 21 da ys, August 21 days, Aug ust 25 days, ugust 28 days, August 28 days, August 28 3 days, September 3 days, September j j
Formation Of A Luton Corps
In 1912 the Luton and Dunstable Divisi on was formed. For twenty-one years thi s Div ision met the needs of Luton's first aid requirements, then additional Divisions b ecame neces sary . T o-day there are nine Divisions in Luton, apart from cadets and A.R.P. auxiliaries.
With the object of co-ordinating the work of the various units in the area a Luton corps has been formed. This corps does not include the Vauxhall Motors Divisions, which were sufficiently strong form a corps of their own-as reported recently In the GAZETTE.
Mr. V. W. Slater, formerly Divisional Superintendent of the Laporte Works Division, has been appointed Corps Sup erintendent. Mr. R. Ellison, also of B. Laporte, Ltd., is corps secretary. Slater takes an active part in the first aid partl.es organisation of the local A.R.P., being an offiCIal casualty services instructor and a station leader.
FHints for First Aiders
-Especially for Cadets
DISLOCATIONS
A joint is where two bones meet. Sometimes they can move on each otber, sometimes the joint is fixed, as in the case of the bones that make up the brain bo x. To keep the bones in place there are strong fibrous bands joining th e bones together, called ligaments. Sometimes these are very strong indeed, especially at the sides of a joint; but the who le joint is surrounded b y bands of fibres of varying strength which make a complete capsule for the joint.
Besides the li gaments holdin g the bones together, the muscles and their tendons which work the j oints also serve to support it b y their pull. When th e limb is in use the muscles are ti ght, and hold the bones firmly together; but if th e limb i s resting, the muscles are slack, and the joint is not so firmly held.
Th e bon es in a joint can fit into each other in several ways. They may form a hinge, as at the 'elbow : they ma y make a ball and socket joint, as at the shoulder or hip: or they may roll or glide on each o th er, as at the knee. In this last, too, there are ligaments within the capsule which join the femur and tibia together, and pads of cartilage between the ends of the b ones which serve as shock absorbers and prevent the bod y bein g jarred by the act of walking.
The capsule is lined by a smooth membrane which makes an oily fluid to lubricate the joint. This membrane covers the whole of the inside of the capsule and those parts of the bone which do not come into contact with each other. The parts of the bone which actually move in contact with each other are co ered with smooth, fairly hard cartilage.
Joint s being such complicated structures can be injured rather easily. In a previous article fractures in the neighbourhood of joints were described, and it was pointed out how difficult it may be to recognise that a b one has been broken close to a joint.
If the fibrous capsule of a joint is torn b y a sudden movement, the injury is called a sprain. The capsule, like any other living structure, has a blood supply, and the capillaries will bleed and make a swelling round the joint. At the same time the synovial membrane will be injured, either bruised or torn, and it will pour out an excessive amount of fluid inside the capsule. This becomes over filled and stretched. It is this stretching of the capsule that makes a sprain such a painful injury.
If the capsule is torn right through, the bones are no longer held together and the bones may be separated from each other and forced out of their position. Such an injury is called a dislocation . The
By N. S. B. VINTER, M.B., B.S., Corps Surgeon, County of Bristol No.2 Corps
hole in the capsule may be so large that the end of the bone may project through it. This is a state of affairs that will lead to difficulties when a surgeon attempts t o work the bones back into their normal position, whi ch is called reducing the dislocation. Any joint may be dislocated, 'but it is an accident that i s more li kely to happen to the joints of the limbs than to other parts of the b o d y. In the arm, the shoulder, the elbow and the joints of the fingers are the most likely to suffer. While in the leg, though di s location s of the hip and knee can happen, they are not common; but in the knee, the pads of cartilage fairly often are displaced-an accident that gives many of the signs and symp t oms of a dislocation of the joint. The wrist and ank le are not often disl ocated apart from fra ctures in their neighbourhood. When a dislocation has happened, the patient feels a severe pain in the joint, and finds that it is locked so that he cannot move it. When the joint is examined, it is found to be out of shape, and the bones are not in their normal position. At the shoulder, the normal rounded outline is lost, and it appears flattened. A t the same time the head of the humerus is found to be lodged under the outer end of the collar bone.
A t the elbow the commonest dislocation is when the l owe r end of the humerus is forced out of its normal hin ge with the ulna, with the result that the point of the elbow appears to stick out further behind than it should.
A dislocation of the finger is fairly easy t o see as the finger looks crooked. The commonest type is when the phalanx is forced back.
Dislocations of the hip are uncommon. They are most likely to happen when the patient is SIttIng down, so that his muscles are not acting. If he then recei ves a violent blow on the knee, the femur is driven backwards, and its head jumps out of its socket, tearing the capsule as it goes. This kind of accident is particularly likely to happen in a railway accident, when the sitting patient is thrown forwards, so that his knee strikes against the opposite seat. Perhaps, even more, it happens in an aeroplane crash, for the same reason. But the hip can also be put out of joint by a twisting movement of the whole limb: as when, for instance, the limb is caught between a flywheel and a belt. The patient is then dragged round with a twisting movement.
The knee is not likely to be completely dislocated, but it may be severely hurt if one of its cartilage pads
is torn off by a twist of the tibia on the femur. This the usual form of footballer's knee, but it does not only happen on the football field. It has ,been known to happen to the guard of a goods tram, he was thrown off his balance by a sudden check 111 the speed of the train. , ",
The first-aid treatment of an 1nJury to a Jomt l,S to put the limb in as comfortable a positi,on as poss1ble. , If the patient has to be moved, the 11mb sh?uld be secured by bandages or , slings, but if the patient has not got to be moved before he can be seen by a surgeon, bandages are not needed, and, the limb should be kept comfol1:able resti?- g on a p111ow. To help ease the pain a pad s?aked 1n cold, water should be put on the joint. If it does not, glve too much pain, this pad should be bound on t:ghtly, as, a firm bandage will help to prevent swelling , .This does not appear immediately after the aCCIdent, but gradually comes on during the first hour or two
A first aider should not attempt to reduce the dislocation-that is, to put the bones back in their proper place; but the a can get to, the patient the better. It 1S for patIent, and easier for the surgeon, 1f the d1slocatlOn can be reduced within a few minutes after it has happened. The swelling that comes up later makes the muscles and ligaments tight so that they cannot be stretched to allow the necessary manipulations of the . Shock may be to be. sev:ere m case of the dislocation of a large Jo111t, and 111 treatm,g any dislocation it must be remembered that IS quite likely to have been a fracture at the same, The rule therefore applies in many cases that lTIJury must be regarded as a fracture, and treated as one, 1f there is any doubt as to what exactly has happened.
" Dewar Challenge Shield
CQMPETITION (1939) INDIVIDUAL PRACTICAL
Time limit 15 minutes, Warning at 10 minutes, OFFICER OR MEMBER-IN-CHARGE
INTRODUCTION TO TEST
You are spencling the week-end w ith your marned sister her lonely cottage three miles from J has gone in his car to the town for provlsl:)Qs and IS expected shortly. At this moment (8 p.m.) you are 10 you r talkrng to your sister who is about to $"ive small boy his ever:u n g bath. You know that no one else IS available and tha there IS no telephone in the cottage. If anything unusual occurs act as you see fit,
ACTION OF TEST
Invite Leader to take a seat in the bedroom. Mter a few w<?rds the mother gets up, hands a book (in which is card ?f Introductlor;) to the Leader and states that she will nQw go and g ve St. John his evening bath. procee?s to bathroom and Wit? a passes into an EpileptiC fit clurillg whIch she kno.ckrng her heels on the ground. She recovers 10 four rr:illutes
The boy lrnocks his forehead on Side of bat? and IS partially drowned. If properly treated he also recovers ill. four t.his period being longer if performance of artifiCial respiratIOn IS ineffective. The father comes back eight minutes from start of test.
STAGING OF TEST
$tage a bedroom in which is a bed ready for occupa1i10n, couch, chairs, gas fire, extra blanket, towels, an? haversack, etc Stage next door a bathroom ill :which IS bath.
Supply sheet of mica under whic:h place boy ill ba th-bruise marked on forehead and dressed in bathing costume. boy to hold his breath when Leader reaches him, Place two chaus near head
of mother who lies on her back, and instruct her to imitate Epileptic fit, and to keep kno cking her heels on ground. Father arnves
eight minutes from start of test, ioaded With parcels.
DETAILS OF TEsT
IMMEDIATE ACTION
Mode of reaclin g card and of a pproach
Ask if mother in Epileptic fit. (Yes.)
Quickly push chairs away from mother
And ensure no furth er danger to her
Method of lifting bo y out of the bath
Promptly note bruise on ".
Ask colour of face. (BlfIe); If breathlOg. (No )
Quickly examine for further injuries. (Non e.)
PRELIMINARY TREATMENT OF B01-
(Recovers in five mil/utes if property treated.)
Positions of Boy and Leader
At once place boy in prone
Upper limbs extended above hiS head
Head to side; keep nose and mouth free
Kneel at side; place hands of. back
Their lowe r edges just cleanng pelVIS
Wrists nearly touchin g; unstretched
And as near each other as possible..
The fingers over loins on each side
Pointing to the g round but not stretched
Movements of Leader
Bencling your body from the knees
And somewhat straightening your hipS
Swing slowly fOlward over the boy
Keep your upper limbs straight and !1fSld
Avoi d exertion and use your body weight
To press internal organs against diaphragm
Then, removing the wei fS ht fr?I? your hand s
Which are kept strictly 10 position
Relax the pressure on in ternal organs
Alternate the movements of your bod y
By rhythmic swaying from knee j0 0 ts
Repeat movements twelve times per m10ute
Pressure two seconds; relaxation three seconds
When breathing beg ins, regulate the .movemenrs
To correspond with the boy's brea.tht.ng
Promote circulation by vigoro us fncu.on
Of limbs towards heart and by applylOg warmth
SUBSEQUENT TR EATMENT OF MOTHLR
(Recovers naturally itl four lJIinfltes)
Soothing words about. b?y a nd to
Insist on mother abstaLOillg from actiVIties
Method of assisting moth e r to bedroom
Place on couch; loo se n clothes;
Test pulse. (Strong); procure and g ive drink
Take all steps to encourage sleep
SUBSEQUENT TRE AT1V!I?NT OF BOY
Keep boy in recumbent positIOn throughout
Quickly dry him and wrap In blanket
With assistance of father lift up the boy
And place him comfor tab ly in the bed
Fill and apply the hot-water _ After testing heat and wra pp10g 10 flannel
Test swallowing; give hot drink ."
Apply to his forehead lint soaked In
Equal parts of spirit and water ,
Watch boy carefully and stand by
To recommence artificia respiration
Later send father to Jons gate for d oc tor
Proper use and handlin g of father
General smartness and efficiency
QUESTIO N
Describe the SympathetIC Ne rvous
It consists of a network of bodies
Of nerve tissue and connecting nerves
It controls the involuntary muscles
And reg ulates the vital. fumctions of body
Main part of network IS the so lar plexus
Situate behind stomach in upper abdomen
When stmck, severe collapse may
As in " winding" in football or. boxlOg
It is not under control of the w ill
And acts alike during sleep and activity
Towards A Better Britain BRIGADE
WORI( IN A WELFARE CENTRE
By A DOCTOR
It will be ge nerally agreed that the work of the St. John Ambulance Bri ga de has never occupied so high a place in the public esteem as it does to-day; it will similarly be agreed that the appreciation of the public is based upon the excellent work of the Brigade in ever y task which the y have undertaken. What is especially interesting to tbe o nlooker is th e way in which the Brigade have taken advantage of any opening to extend the sphere of their usefulness. It might have been thou g ht that the strain of their burden of war-work would have been a sufficient excuse for carrying on from day to day and marking time in so far as new ventures were concerned, It is easy to realise what this war-work must have meant : the staffing of first aid posts with constant relays of personnel for day and ni g ht shifts, arranging for the training of vo lunteers in first aid and poison gas , the conduct of examinations and so forth. And apart from all this is the ordinary routine pre-war work of the Bri ga de: work wbich, like Tennyso n's brook, goes on for ever.
In spite of the enormous amount of routine work carried out, marking time is very far from the ideal of the Brigade as can be seen b y the many-sided and constructive work which their members have undertaken in one of the Kensington first aid posts, in order to help the public health activities in the borough.
The Council of the Royal Borough have been known for a lon g time as one of the most progressive local authorities in the country, and in their Medical Officer of Health, Dr. James Fenton, C.B.E., they have one of the leaders of the public health world.
The advent of the war did not cause this borough council to slacken its exertions in maintaining the level of public health in the area; on the contrary and notwithstanding that their civil defence organisation is one of the best in the country, they have kept the post-war objective constantly before them and in the midst of the fight against destruction have pictured the subsequent renaissance of the new world.
One of the ways in which this shows itself is the way in which the civil defence workers are helping voluntarily in the maintenance of the borough's health services.
A visit to the Lancaster Road Baths First Ai d Post in Kensington, which is staffed by the St. John AmbUlance Brigade, will show how this combination of duties works. On a blitz night we see the members ?f the personnel, quiet and efficient at their posts, Instruments sterilised and shining, dressings in
readiness, rest-room prepared with couches and blankets, hot-water bottles and tea, ready to receive and rehabilitate the shocked victims of the raid.
Adjoining these rooms, prepared for the wounded, is the large gas cleansing station, showers, baths and irrigation apparatus all ready to neutralise the effects of any cloud of blister gas which may rise in a London street. At the entrance stands the door-keeper, stalwart and reassuring, waiting to welcome Hitler's v ictims and give them the feeling of confidence that their troubles are now over. The post has had its own honourable wounds from air attack which it has sustained with well-merited pride. On one night the building was in flames. Yet the flames were extinguished and the work went on despite the charred planks and falling roof and the streams of water which soaked the clothes of the 1vIayor and the Medical Officer of Health who, with other enthusiastic leaders of the Borough Council, like to be present in the thick of the fight! 0 trace remains of these past vicissitudes . The staff take these dangers as a matter of course: it is all in their day's work Such is the post in its wartime aspect, but in the daytime it undergoes a complete transformation. ow, in place of air raid victims, mothers with babies in prams and toddlers clinging to their skirts flock into the post which has been turned into a welfare centre, On other mornings crowds of school-children wake up the building with their laughter as they have baths in the gas-cleansing station and finally remo ve anything sinister from its aspect. The personnel of the first aid post, with the accustomed versatility of the Brigade, direct the school ,bathing arrangements and act as assistants to the doctors and health visitors employed b y the Borough Council, admi ring the babies, welcoming the mothers, sympathising with their difficulties and generally aiding the local authority in their endeavours to raise the standard of physical and mental health in the coming generation. Every week parties of expectant mothers leave London for their confinement in hospitals outside the danger area. Many of the stately homes of England are now emergency maternity hospitals and the dignified walls which previously guarded the children of the peerage now safeguard the children of all classes born within their historic walls. NIany of the mothers have remained in the country with their babies, sensibly waiting until London is more suitable for yo ung children; others return and the first aid
(Continued on page 177)
Air Raid Precautions
By W. C. BENT ALL, O.B.E., F.R.C.S., F.R.G.S., Assistant Surgeon-In-Chief, St. John Ambulance Brigade
EXERCISES IN HIGHER TRAINING
A.R.P. exercises in hi gber training need t o be carefully planned, graduated and rehearsed befo re performance. There is a tendency to just ask one or two people to fix up an exercise with no preliminary planning and consultation. Thi s invariably leads to muddle, disappointment and disgruntlement with the workers.
The correct method of preparation for securing the best results is to follow the official gui de to Combined Exercises which gives clearly all types of exercises from easy to difficult ones. The following is the correct procedure to make the exercises really successful :-
Firstly, get the book "Guide to Combined Exercises with Examples 1-5." Your Medical Officer of Health or your Training Officer will b e able to help you in securing a copy of this official book..
SecondlY, study this book with much thought and care from cover to cover. It is full of valuable detailed instruction and a great variety of detailed exercises drawn up, which may be taken alone or together as the progressive knowledge of yo ur teams improves. Never begin with a big exercise, but with the simplest possible and then gradually increase in their difficult y with added knowledge and practices.
Third!)', follow out the instructions of the boo k of which the following are the most important :-
(I) The selection oj the exercise you 'intend to prepare for and be sure never to advance too quic k ly, that is, make yourself competent and nearly perfect on the most simple types of exercise first, otherwise you will "ride for a fall."
(2) Prepare the incident site, making sure of the exact names of the streets, wardens' sector, and extent of the damage of the incident, all in detail.
(3 ) Umpires should be selected and these are very important. There should be at least two or three of them who should confer together and draw up their marlting sheets in detail.
(4) A Producer, i.e., an individual who will combine the whole as 3! play for realism, just as you have in amateur dramatics. He should see that casualties are well coached in their accident and taught to act their part without fooling, to take it seriously. He should also give much attention
to the laying out of the debris, situation of bomb craters, fires, etc.
(5) C o77jerences before the exercise should be called two or three times with heads of the various services which wi ll be used, and a final one witb producer and umpires just before the exerClse.
(6) Police. A lways contact with the Chief of the Police and ask his permission and co-operation in every possible way. This is not merel y necessary but it is most discreet to do so and may save much subsequent difficulty.
If this procedure is carefully adopted, worked out in detail and much thought and preparation given to it, everyone who takes part in it will learn much by the incident, and the train.ing will be efficient) interesting and of hi g b benefit in the production of bett er services should a blitz come at any time ; withou t such exercises there is ever y likelihood of failure in the final tests of the real thing .
AoR.P. Questions and Answers
Q.: How should I deal with a drop of liqui d mustard gas on my hand?
A .: Use a little of the anti-gas ointment that you can bu y from any good chemist quite cheaply. Chemists have been advised to stock it, and the small tub e or tin will go in your respirator case.
Q.: If there is no first-aid p os t or cleansing station near by, how can I save m yse lf from blistering th rough my clothes in a surprise gas attack?
A .: By quickly going to the nearest house and asking for permission to throw off your hat, boots and outer coat and garments in the garden, and to be allowed to go into the shelter of the house. Adequate cleansing of the body if needed may be performed with a bucket of warm water in an outhouse, and any old clothing will temp orarily protect you . If possible) ask a warden's guidance
Poison Gas
€ompiled by A. E. Johnson: John Bale Medical Publications, Ltd. Price 2d.
A useful book, though a very small percentage of people would understand the word "Lethal," which is used several times. And it is doubtful whether Arthur or Arsine should be included.
W. C. B.
Towards A Better Britain- (Conti77ued from page 175) personnel at the welfare centre are there to assist them to make the best of the wartime surroundings. Every new baby is brought up to be weighed and Its gam IS noted with satisfaction by the proud mother. Cod li ver oil or its substitutes are sold at cost price or g iven free by the Borougb Council wben the famil.y i s in n ecessitous circumstances. Tbe orange-juice which has been impossible to obtain is replaced b y special tablets of Vitamin C, which .are free of charge by the Borough CouncIl to tho se mfants whom the doctor considers they would benefit.
Very useful work this; and one may perhaps venture to suggest that it is almost as useful to the yo ung members of the Bri ga de as to the mothers themselves. The war ha s given us all a feeling of sympathy WIth our fellow-citizens and the better we ge t to know each other the less likel y we are to have troubles in the future. For deep below the dIfferences in habits caused by differences in environment, education and wealth lie the essential similarities between women of the same great nation. More?ver, these essential qualities are brought into pronunence by the bedrock facts of birth and death :vith both of which the workers are being brought mto contact by their activities. The sympathy shown b'y the auxiliary nurses to those attending the post eIther as welfare centre mothers or air raid victims is repaid by the gratitude of those whom they have helped. To longer is the post regarded by the neighbourhood as a casualty clearing station, "a place where they cut yo u about " It has been changed, by Dr. Fenton's stroke of genius in establishing a welfare centre on the premises, into an institution of their own where help can be obtained in time of trouble: an instituti on "of the people, by the people, for the people.)) On such foundations rests democracy.
The St. John Ambulance Brigade News
No. (PRINCE OF W LES'S) DISTRI CT
EASTERN AREA
Lady Louis Mountbatten, London County President, S.J.A.B., who had expressed a desire to see something of West Ham's organisation in the matter of medical service regarding the above, paid a recent visit to shelters and rest centres, and expressed her delight with all she saw, and added that the excellence of First Aid and Medical Posts was all the more commendable because of the hard struggle the Borough had had.
In spite of this well-organised service , and although many, of our members are helping here, vo lunteers are stIll needed to augment the staff, and take the place of those needing rest, whole time for which the usual
rates of pay are given, and part time people whose expenses if claimed will be paid.
No. 2 (COUNTY OF GLOUCESTER) DISTRICT M1NEHEAD
The annual report of the Minehead Division for the year 1940 shows that that year was the busiest in the history of the division; that despite shortage in personnel due to enlistment in H.M. Forces, all transport, public and A .R.P. duties have been regularly attended, and a high average attendance at drills and obtained. All members of the division 52-are on full or part-time A.R.P. serVlCe.
The division's activities included :-
Air-raid precaution duties, 992; transport duties, 1,357; total hours voluntary service, 10,232; miles travelled by motor ambulance 8 13 8' public duties 395; drills held, 52. 2; members.
The record sum of £ 186 18s. was collected at the annual Flag Day, which shows that the voluntary work. undertaken by the division is appreciated by the people of Minehead.
The Minehead Cadet Division is now well established. There are 2 I members and 25 recruits undergo ing training; 39 drills and practices were held during the year and 12 public duties attended.
No. 3 (LUTO I ) DISTRICT
The annual competitions of the Luton ursing and Cadet Divisions were held on July 21, when finalists competed in the individual test f01: the Florence Cup.
The winner was Ambulance Sister Sylvia Clark; runner -up Ambulance Sister Garner. The cup was presented for competition b y the Lady Divisional Superintendent, Miss H. M. Brown.
The Dillingham Cup, by the VicePresident of the Division to the Cadets, was won by Cadet Stella Cooper, who gained 43 of a possible 48 marks . Cadets Freda Readhead and Jeanne Maddocks, runners-up, both obtained the same number of marks.
In summing up, Dr. R. Bisch off, the Divisiona l Surgeon, who set and judged the tests, said she had been accused of being rather stingy with marks, and therefore the high number of marks gained showed the efficient standard of the work.
The NIayoress presented the cups.
BIGGLESWADE
First Ai d awards were recently presented to members of the Bigg leswade L.N.E. railway class, S.J.A.A., by Mr. S. Howard Whitbread, C.B., the County President.
Al derman F. \ v:,1 Braybrooks, J.P., presided at the meeting. Among others present were: Captain W. C. Knight, Count) Commissioner; Admiral Sir Lionel Halsey; Commander W. J. A. Willis (Chief Con-
177
stable) and Dr. R. D. Bridger, divis.Lonal s:urgeon of the Biggleswade ambulance division.
In congratulating the class on passing as a whole, Admiral Halsey said that it must be a source of satisfaction to Dr. Bridger who instructed them, that First-Aid groups all over the country were doing excellent work, and that the local ones were no exception.
Members of this class formed the Biggleswade ambulance division, and have provided the officers. Th€ strength of the division, now almost seven months old, is 28. Divisional Superintendent W. Rogers, J.P., said that members had raised £40 for their fund.
No. 4 (LANCASHIRE) DISTRICT
CLEVELEYS
Members of Cleveleys Nursing Division were recently given a lecture b y the Medical Officer of
Health (Dr. A. H. Penistan) dealing with child-birth in cases of emergency. Another lecture given by the Divisional Surgeon (Dr. J. Nuttall Horne) concerned practical first aid.
Some nurses in the division are doing full-time duty at emergency hospitals for expectant mothers and aged people in the district, others part-time duty at these hospitals when their services are required.
MIDDLETON
On resigning his post as M.O.H. and Medical Officer, Casualty Services, Dr. S. T. Beggs praised the war ' work of the Middleton Ambulance and Nursing Divisions, and paid tribute to the ready and willing assistance afforded by officers a:r;d members since September, 1938. He expressed his indebtedness not only for the pre-war trainin g of volunteers
17 8
but to the organiSIng and manning of the first-aid posts and depots since the outbreak of war.
Three hundred and fifty-three students passed the Association examination in First Aid, 92 in Home Nursing, while 356 attended the short First Aid Course. Superintendent Golborne (Liaison Officer), Sergeant Hanlon (Depot Superintendent) and Mr S. Worrall (Secretary) were congratulated for their able, skilful and experienced guidance during a very tryin g period.
No. 5 DISTRICT
SHARROW
The divisional surgeon of Sharrow ambulance division, Dr. H. Finklestone-Sayliss recently added to his previous cinema shows in Practical First Aid by presenting a film arranged by himself and members of the Sheffield corps. The film which dealt with every-
Overseas, and the Hon. Mrs. Copland-Griffiths, Lady Superintendent-in- Chief of Nursing Divisions of the Bri gade overseas.
After the inspection Colonel Sleeman addressed the parade. He said he was pleased to be present that afternoon, t o see so many of his old frien ds of his I-Ierefordshire days and to congratulate them on setting a magnificent example during this time of war. For never in the history of civilisation or of war had the ambulance service been more necessary and more vital. Those of them who had seen the results of enemy bombing would know how significant that statement was; how the casualties which had been caused were immediately dealt with by people like themselves who were skilled in getting patients into hospital as rapidly as possible in order to ensure the greatest possible chance of saving their lives. In conclusion the Chief Commissioner said that he desired on behalf of the Grand Priory to extend its grateful thanks to each one of them for the example they were setting and the fact that they were prepared for any eventuality that might come.
o 8 (DUKE OF CONNAUGHT'S) DISTRICT
BRIGHTON
About 300 members of the ambulance and nursing divisions of the Brighton Corps were on parade for the annual inspection.
Among the visiting officers were County Commissioner D. Bryce, J.P., Assistant County Commissioner Willoughby Bullock, LL.D., and the Chief Constable of Brighton (Captain W. J. Hutchinson).
After the inspection the divisions gave a practical demonstration of first aid and the treatment of various types of injuries selected by the Commissioner.
In a short speech, Commissioner Bryce complimenting the parade on being a " live" corps, said how pleased he was to find that their enthusiasm and efficiency had maintained a very high standard under the difficulties of present conditions. He urged each member to introduce at least one new member, and stressed the vital importance of the work of the Brigade.
Of the Division's 34 Members, 10 are serving with H.M. Forces, 5 are away on work of National importance; the remaining 19, some of whom have given blood under the Blood Transfusion Scheme, form the nucleus of the Local A.R .P. Casualty Service
OBITUARY
We regret to report the death of Mr. C. J. Tunks, M.B.E. (Commissioner, Auckland District), on January 26.
Mr. Tunks was, for upwards of 50 years, actively connected with the work of St. John both as an Association member and Brigade Officer.
The following is an extract from a report of the memorial service :-
Tributes of respect to the memory of the late C. J. Tunks, NLB.E., were paid by many Auckland organisations when the funeral service was held in St. Mary's Cathedral. The congregation numbered between 400 and 500.
Draped in the flag of the Order of St. John, the casket was met at the church gate by Bishop Simkin. Five officers and a sergeant of the St. John Ambulance Brigade carried the casket into the cathedral between the ranks of a guard of honour formed b y members of the Brigade's ambulance and nursing divisions.
The opening sentences of the burial service were recited by Canon R. G. Coats (Assistant Chaplain of the Order). The service was taken by Archdeacon P. Houghton. In a moving address, Bishop Simkin spoke of Mr. Tunk's consistent work for humanity.
thing relative to Air Raid Precautions, lasted for about two hours. The divisional surgeon's other films included the fitting of the Thomas Splint (in slow motion), and the circulation of the blood.
SHIRGREEN
A concert by pupils of Miss Barbara Heath, who herself taught and arranged the dances, was recently given for the benefit of the Shirgreen division. The Concert was a great success, division profited accordingly.
NO.7 DISTRICT
HEREFORD
The annual inspection of Ambulance, Nursing Cadet Divisions in the county of Hereford was recently by Colonel J. L. Sleeman, CB., CM.G., CB.E., M.V.O., Chief Commissioner for the Brigad
Corps Superintendent T. E. Marsh thanked the County Commissioner for his encouragement and said he hoped the membership of the Corps would be doubled on the occasion of the Commissioner's next visit.
Corps Superintenaent Thomas E. Marsh was in charge of the parade, which had been organised by Officer Reginald G. Winder (Corps Secretary).
No. 10 DISTRICT (COUNTY OF NORFOLK) SHERINGHAM
During War Weapons Week the Sheringham Division (National Savings Group) contributed £ 7 5. Considerable credit is due to the Honorary Secretary
Private E. A. Stolworthy, as there are now only 14 members in the Group.
Principal mourners were Mr. Tunk's son and three daughters. The legal firm of Jackson, Russell, Tunks and West was represented by Mr. Thornton Jackson, Mr. F. L. G. West, Mr. J. P. Bawden and all the staff. Mr. C. S. Falconer, of Wellington (Director of Organisation for the New Zealand Commandery of the Order of St. John), represented the Knight Commande,r, the Hon. Sir R. Heaton Rhodes. Other officers of the Commandery were also present. The President of the Auckland Association (Sir Ernest Davis) was represented by Lady Davis; nearly all the officers and committee members of the Association and the St. John Ambulance Brigade were present.
Among other organisations represented were the Standing Committee and numerous Trust Boards of the Anglican Diocese, the Rotar y Club, District Law Society, Hospital Board, and the ew Zealand Red Cross Society.
While the body rested in the cathedral, men and women members of the St. John Ambulance Brigade kept watch. The interment took place in the military cemetery at Tauranga.
By courtesy of Logan! (Birmingham)
WOOLWORTH NURSING DIVISION (BIRMINGHAM )
Interesting Case Reports
CASE REPORT No. I84 -The Officer-in-Char ge of the Northern Ireland District reports the efficient perfoamance of first aid by a member of the Belfast Nursing Division in the following circumstances :-
On March 16 two men were walking along a street in Belfast in the rain and were carrying a large pane of g lass. They slipped and fell to the ground; and cune of them sustained a large incised wound of the neck with profuse arterial bleeding.
Ambulance Sister Jean Corker, who was passing at that mom.ent, dashed across the street and applied direct digital pressure to the wound, at the same time warning the patient to be quiet. She then sent for the ambulance and never released pressure until patient wa$ taken over by the hospital authorities. This prompt and persistent action undoubtedly saved the pati ent's life as the house surgeon said that without such treatment the patient would have died in two minutes and that whoever had attended him knew how to render first aid.
COMMENT.-The facts being as stated, ?ve cordiallY congratulate Ambulance Sister Cork er on her prompt and successful treatment of a patient wh(l ?,vas faced with death as the result of severe arterial bleeding.-N. C. F.
CASE REpORT No . I85.-The Officer-in-Charge of Western Area No . I (Prince of Wales's) District reports the efficient performance of first aid durin g an air raid by a member of the Royal Borou g h of Kensington Division in the following circumstances :
On the night of May 10 Sergeant B . T . Prentice was on fire picket with ten others, including two lads. His attention was drawn to a light showing, and almos t immediately bombs fell. The two boys were trapped in an alleyway, and he immediately went to their assistance, dragging the boys from the debris. Unfortunately, they had succumbed. Sergt. Prentice did splendid work, not only in rescuing those who were trapped, but in rendering first aid where necessary.
COMMENT.-This report provides another fine story of unostentatious work done 0; members of the Brigade during air raids To Sergeant B T. Prentice and his colleagues, therefore, we tmder cordial congratulations on good ?,vork well done in trying circumstances.-N. C. F.
II Qu estio n s . and
Answ
e rs
TREATMENT OF HANGING .
P. B. (Coventry) -During a recent discussion someone stated that the police would object seriously if we interfered with a person who was found han g ing , and that it wou ld be safer and wiser to await their arrival before taking down the patient.
Tut! Tut! What next? 012 the contrary, as a qualified first aider,You should act as the Textbook tells you, lest on
180
arrival the police find a dead body instead of a resuscitated patient.-N C. F.
A CIRCULATORY MNEMONIC
R. S. (Farnboroug h). - The following mnemonic may interest yo ur readers . It is intended to help pupils to remember the circulation of the blood, and that the blood leaves the left ventricle and return s to the right auricle.
Left Ventricle. Ri ght Auricle.
Leaves Vigorously. R eturns Altered.
We thank you for your al7d mne/l/onic . - N. C. F. PERCHLORIDE OF MERCURY Por so ING
W S. (Letchworth).-As a member of the Brigade I shall appreciate your ruling on a question put to me in a recent Works Competition. This asked for the treatment of poisoning by perchloride of mercur y ; and later I was surprised to find in the detailed sheet that marks were given if I took steps to " Avoid emetic" and also to " Neutralise with an alkali."
ClearlY some one blundered and decided /ho/ Jf,lch cases ought to be treated corrosive acid al7d 170 t fo r i rritan t poisoning, as the Textbook n'ghtIY t eaches. - C. F. BANDAGE FOR FEET A lD A NKLE S
A . M. (Dagenham) . - The members of our Railway Ambulance Class would like to ask you why the Textbook tells us, when tying a figure-of-ei ght banda ge round feet and ankles, t o place the knot beneath the feet (Rule 4, p. 92) . Wh y cannot we bring the ends round and tie knot on top of the feet, thus usin g up the ends of the bandage?
The reasons 1Vhy the knot of the figur e-oi- eight bandage which controls the feet al7d ankles is tied beneath the f ee t are :
(I) The knot '),villnot cause af!J pressure ill thi f positionplaced as it should be bet?veen the feet.
(2) The tying of a firm bandage is facilitated if th e el7ds are not too short, as rvould be the case if the ends are brought round and tied on the top of the feet.
(3) The trick of using up the ends of a triangular bandage (o r, as 1 often put it, of applYing a bandage to a limb " round and round the mulberry bush JJ) invariablY results in a bandage which is not neat, not efficient, al7d no! in accordance zvith the instructions of the Textbook.- C. F.
USE OF ROLLER B ANDAGE
D. S. (Calcutta).- We should b e g lad to have a ruling on a question in Home Nursing bandaging. Rule NO 5 states: " As a rule, to which the figure-ofeight bandage for a limb is an exception, each layer of the bandage should cover two-thirds of the preceding one."
_ .
Do we understand by this that the figure-oi-elght bandage for a limb is the only one that is 170t covered by two-thirds of the precedirig bandage? There is a difference of opinion amongst us -one of our lecturers considers that the spica of the shoulder and gro in should be treated as the figure-of-eight on the limb, i e., covered only b y half of the previous layer.
It is that the Rule '),vhich you quote cannot be located, and that Calcutta is to o far off to refer back y014?' query.
If, however, you look up the G eneral Rttles on page 24
of the flome iVursing and page 257 of the First Aid Textbook you 'J,viJi not find af!J exception to the principle that the roller bandage should be applied in such a manner that each layer covers of the preceding After all, the figure-of-eight and its variation, the spica bandage, are merelY modifications of the spiral tums and do not call for exceptional instructions So do not fall into the error of converting the application of the roller bandag e into a mathematical C. F.
Review
PRI NCIPAL D RUGS AND THEIR USES. B y A. L. Morton, S.R. London: Faber & Faber. Price 2S.
This useful little book, which has been compiled by a. Sister-Tutor of wide and varied experience, deals with drugs, and is now in its loth edition. Further, it is evident that the book has accomplished (and is sti ll accomplishing) its object which is to present in handy form information about the principal drugstheir uses, indications and methods of administration. Originally written for student nurses, it will appeal with equal force to those members of the Brigade who are working in hospitals and who will probably like to know why the various drugs are given to patients. C. F.
I Pro Utthtate Hommum ;
PRIVATE ED WI HAROLD EVILLE, Shoreditch Division, has been commended for his gallant conduct when rescuing a man trapped und er fallen debris in an air raid.
DIVI roNAL SURGEON CAPTAIN HUGH MILLER, Hebburn-on-Tyne Nursing Division, has been awarded the George Medal for gallantr y during an air raid on a Yorkshire town.
When a building was demolished, a tunnel was driven throu gh the wreckage, and, thou g h there was an unexploded bomb ten yards away, Captain Miller crawled along the tunnel and administered morphia to seriously injured people who were trapped. He then h elped to rescue several people through the tunnel.
SERGEANT ARTHUR SAUNDERS and PRI VATE ARTHUR HILL have been awarded the British Empire Medal.
These two members were on dut y on a hospital train during a recent concentrated attack. When nearby coaches caught fire, placing the hospital train grave dan ger, they worked extremely hard removlUg medical equipment, blankets, etc., to a place of safety. Later, they went along the track for some 500 ,Yards to treat a badly wounded man whon1 they earned a further quarter of a mile to a place of comparative safety.
PRIVATE J. A. J. DIXO N, No. 16 (New Cross) Division, officer-in-charge of a stretcher party, and a member of the party, MR. J. SLAV I N, have been awarded the British Empire lviedal for heroism shown when people were trapped beneath demolished houses. A tunnel was made and four people were contacted. In continual danger of being buried and overcome by gas fumes, Slavin crawled into the tunnel. He encouraged the trapped persons, supplied them with drink s through a tube; then, under the directions of a doctor, administered morphia. Eventually he had himself to be withdrawn from the tunnel, and the officer-in-charge, lvIt. Dixon, then carried on in a similar manner until the casualties were rescued four hours later.
PRIVATE E. MIDMER, Bor ough of Romfor d Division , has been awarded the British Empire Medal for his work with a rescue party during a raid. When people were trapped under a house demolished by enemy action, Midmer dug a nine foot tunnel under the d ebri s and rescued two persons. Throughout the rescue work there was imminent danger of the tunnel caving-in.
* * *
PRIVATE A. COHE J member of a First Aid Post in Belfast, was on duty during a recent air raid. The entrance to the Post became blocked on one side b y flooding from a burst water main, and on the other side by a large unexploded bomb in the centre of the roadway.
The adjutant asked Cohen to get the Post cleared of casualties. 0 ambulance was available; but Cohen, with the assistance of a colleague, Private R obinson, commandeered a corporation refuse lorr y. They made four journeys with the lorry to and from the hospital, each time passing within a few feet of the unexploded bomb The y stopped only when the military refu sed to let them take further risks The y then , carried the less seriously wounded shoulder high to safety, wading knee deep in water.
The initiative of these two men, and the efficient manner in which they carried ou t their duties for more than twelve hours durin g the heaviest part of the raid-without a moment's break-deserves the highest praise.
* * *
PRIVATE PERCIVAL FLETCHER, Plymou th (Reinforcing ) Division, has been awarded the British Empire Medal for his work in the city's A.R .P. Casualty Service, of which he is a member.
During air attacks on two successive nights Fletcher went out to several incidents and, when his own First Aid Unit received a direct hit, entered the collapsed building and was largely responsible for the rescue of the trapped personnel. In his report the Unit Commander said that Fletcher had set an example to the whole Unit b y his courage, cheerfulness and tirelessness.
Private Fletcher has also received the feritorious Service Certificate of the Brigade.
HOME NURSING PAGE
SURGICAL NURSING
By ALICE M. PENNELL, O.B.E.') B.Se.,) M.B., B.S. (London)
A wound is caused accidentally or intentionally. In all cases wounds must be regarded as likely " doors" for the entry of germs into the tissues of the body, and germs are the originators of Sepsis. What is surgically termed a "dirty" wound is one into which <'rerms have entered and multiplied, and in which they b have produced their poisons, which pOlsons may s-pread through the blood or lymph into adjacent (and later; further) parts of the body and cause pain and swelling, raising the temperature of the part affected. This condition is called inflammation. If the part affected is superficial, redness may be the first visible sign of inflammation.
1. Wounds heal by First Intention, that is when they a.re surgically clean, as operation wounds for example, where germs have not been allowed to enter, and Nature can do her repair work in her own inimitable way.
2. Or wounds heal by Second Intention, when the edges of the wound cannot be brought together, and there is damage and bruising of the tissues, and the entry of germs-Sepsis.
Asepsis is a sterile condition free from infection. Sepsis is a condition due to infection with disease-producing germs.
Antisepsis is the destruction of these germs by agents such as heat or chemicals.
It must be the endeavour of every nurse to keep any wounds that she or he has to treat fi -ee from infection. Only so can she or he hope for healing by first intention, which, of course, is to be desired. It is quicker than the other, leaves less m?-rk, is more or less painless, and safe, as no ill effects are left, or extension of the trouble.
The whole treatment is described in the word cleanliness, surgical cleanliness must be aimed at, and this must therefore be studied. Soap and hot water and a nail-brush are essential for the maintenance of clean hands. A thorough washing and brushing of hands and forearms must be done, and the nails must be short, unpainted, and kept scrupulously clean.
After washing nails, hands and forearms, the nurse must -dip her hands in lotion-Dettol, Lysol, Carbolic acid (1-40), Hyd perchlor (1-1,000) or other antiseptic, using a sterile cotton-wool swab to apply the lotion
182
to the forearms. No dr ying must b e done before the wound is dressed.
The wound must be cleaned as the doctor advises. If it is a sur g ical wound the clean dressin g will probably be on, and must be removed b y a sterilised forceps , and clean forceps must be used to extract the clean dressing from the sterilised tin, drum jar. The .area of the wound must only have stenlised dressmgs, towels, swabs, bandages, etc., near it.
If it is a dirty or septic wound, and is being treat ed as an emergency in or after a raid, the safest thing is to put on the cleanest if rossible, after painting the area wIth lOdine, tIll the patlent can be properly cleaned up and dressed in more aseptic surroundings. Then a douche can with hot lysol Of dettol (or other antiseptic) solution allows the nurse to wash round and away from the wound, on a mackintosh sheet or in a leg- or foot- or arm-bath before using the prescribed dressin g .
Septic wounds need A ntiseptics. Of these favourite is Iodine . Mild Tincture is used to pawt the skin round the wound. 2 Alcohol- as methylated spirit-is also used. 3 Carbolic A cid, 1-100 in an in· strument tray, and for sterilised towels, etc. 4 Per chloride of 1-1,000 or 1-2,000. 5 Th e Biniodidl of Mercury, 1-500 or 1-1,000.
The Carbolic and Mercury solutions are poisonous and must be carefully labelled.
Dettol, Lysol, Izal, and many other preparations, are on the market nowadays.
Be careful about your apron and towels. If it is not possible to put on a clean one, use a rubber apron sponged over with a swab dipped in one of the Antiseptic lotions mentioned.
See that the hair (of the attending nurse) is confined by a cap or other covering. Remember to touch anything unsterilised while doing a dres (I have seen amateurs smoking while a trar for a dressing, and not washmg after touchmg the cigarette !)
Nothing unsterilised must be touched. If it is, all washing and dipping in lotions must be redone.
Nurses must remember that bad breath, mouths and teeth infringe the laws of asepsis, so must keep themselves clean and wholesome in way.
The St. John Ambulance Brigade Overseas
INDIA
Althou g h th e Divi si on s ar e very bus y with war work the f o llowing extract fr o m the report for 1940 show s that they are always r ead y to r ender service :" During a night in Au g u st, 1940, the Dacca Mail was derailed between Calcutta and Dacca. The derailment caused heavy loss of life and a large number of injuries. The St. J o hn Ambulance Bri g ade Divisions of the Calcutta Police were instructed to make all arran g ements for the injured on their arrival at Sealdah station. With their Divisional Surgeons and with nine members of an Eastern Bengal Railwa y Nursin g Division these Calcutta Police Bri g ade Divisions prepared an emerg ency hospital at Sealdah station, arran g ed for beds in the big Calcutta hospitals, formed first aid and stretcher parties to take over the injured on arrival, and provided ambulances to take critical and serious cases to hospitals. The y dealt with 61 cases, 43 of them being given the immediate aid and then distributed to hospitals, 18 sli g htly injured being sent home after their injuries were suitably dressed. The arrangements worked without a hitch."
Last Au g ust ambulances were provided and equipped for service at the ports of Madras, Bombay and Karachi, and at one or two places to supplement the ambulance resources of the Military Medical authorities, and the St. John Ambulance Brigade was asked to provide the personnel to run these ambulances as well as to find the necessar y stretcher parties. By the end of 1940 or the beginning of 1941 the Transport Units in Madras, Bombay and DeolaJi, all of women, were complete with their ambulances and the Bombay Unit had already moved a considerable number of casualties and sick from hospital ships.
Relief has been sent to refu g ees and other sufferers in France, Finland, Poland, Greece, China and Turk ey. The Society also acted as a channel whereb y contributions were sent to the Turkish Red Crescent for the relief of sl.1fferers in the Anatolian earthquake. Ladies' work parties are busily occupied in making garments for the troops and hospital comforts.
SOUTH AFRICA
The annual report for 1940 emphasises that although the Bri g ade has lost many members through active service, the membership is still increasing and new Nursin g a.c.d Cadet Divisions are bein g formed. At Johannesburg and other recruiting offices ambulance members have assisted the Defence Authorities in the examination of a considerable numb er of recruits. This often necessitated a long motor journey. A fully equipped motor ambulance has been contributed and it has enabled the Brigade to supply many local defence needs. Over 700 cases have been transported.
Nursing Divi sion members gave valuable as sistance at the various hospitals in Durban and Pietermaritzburg , especially in connection with the troops stationed there.
In spite of the added call members are maintaining their reputation for service in the usual Brigade work, always being ready to render service to humanity whenever called upon to do so.
SOUTH AUSTRALIA
An outstanding feature of the work has been the reorganisation of the Nursing Divisions. Instead of three city Divisions, seven new ones have been formed in the suburbs near members' homes. Practically all members of the Brigade in addition to their regular duties have been engaged as or in the manning of first aid posts and stations.
The death of Mr. William Fisk, M.P., President of the Glenelg Divisions, is a great loss to the Brigade, as he had rendered valuable service.
TANGANYIKA DISTRICT
Two new Nursing and one new Cadet Division have been formed during 1940. The membership of the existing Divisions has been well maintained. The whole resources of the Brigade are 'placed at the disposal of the local military authorities in connection with the Dar-es-Salaam Defence Scheme and fit into the arrangements prepared by the co-ordinating medical authorities. A series of Aid Posts and Casualty Clearing Stations are manned by St. John personnel and members are on duty at the various hospitals.
Members have been able to take practical training in hospitals through the courtesy of the Director of Medical Services and the Matron, Medical Department. The y have to attend for regular periods of a fortnight, the work taking precedence over any other duties other than actual emergencies, also they have been under the usual hospital discipline.
NEW ZEALAND
The annual report for 1940 shows a wonderful increase in the strength of the Brigade, an increase of 2,000, which includes 74 new Divisions and Sections. There have also been a larger number of - services performed, 114,890 in all; in fact all the Divisions have been extremely industrious and efficient in all branches of their work.
The Cadet branch of the Brigade has continued to advance and 22 new Divisions have been registered during the year, with a corresponding increase in membership.
It has been found necessary to convert the SubDistrict in Hawkes Bay into a separate District, and the Nelson-Marlborough portion of the Wellington District has been made into a Sub-District. Corps have been formed or are in the course of formation at Hawera, Rotorua and Hutt Valley.
Correspondence II
To the Editor, ST. JOHN AMBULANCE GAZETTE.
DEAR SIR,-You recently published the" Record " of Divisional Superintendent G. Garland. I enclose a summary of the " record" of his brother, Divisional Superintendent A. Garland, which you might like to publish in the GAZETTE: Joined the Brigade 1910. Winner Rose Bowl (Individual) 1912. Corporal 1914 B.E.if. 1914-19' Sergeant 1919. AmbuJ:ance Officer 1925. Captained divisional t eam-Winners Hull Centre Trophy 19 2 5. Hon. Treasurer 1929-40 Service Medal 19 25: 1st Bar 1930; 2nd Bar 1935 ; 3rd 3lPplied for. "Gas": Grade I and 2 1936. Coopted member Haltemprice Council for A .R.P 19 3738. Im;tructed: Cottingham (E. Yorks) Fire Brigade 1934-35; Girl Rangers 1934-35; Girl Guides 1935-39; Legion of Frontiersmen 1937. Assistant First Aid instructor Cottingham nursing division 1937-38 (b y permission). Instructor and Examiner Hull Bo y Sc:outs 1920-41 (continuing). Number of drills attended to 1940, 568; public duties 199; cases not on duty 2,794. Trained team competitors 1912, 1913 and 1925. Divisional superintendent 1940.
The aggre gate Brigade service of my brother and myself is 68 yea rs, and we are still going strong! A r e there two other brothers in the Brigade who can t op this " score " ? Yours, etc.,
A . G ARLAN D, Divisional Superintendent, Hull Corps
The following letter, dated December 3 I, 1940, has been received by Colonel J. L. Sleeman, CB., CM.G., CB.E., Chief Commissioner, St. John Ambulance Brigade Overseas, from Commissioner T. H. Watermeyer, M.Inst.CE., head of the South Afric an Railways and Harbours District:-
DEAR COLONEL SLEEMAN,
On this the last day of a year fraught with tragedies unparalleled in history, I write in grateful acknowledgment of yo ur encouraging and inspiring message to us in the Brigade Overseas and in the unshakable belief that hard and bitter though the struggle may be, the free peoples of the world now engaged in the fight for Christian liberty and freed om will surely triumph.
The courageous manner in which our confreres and kith and kin in the" Old Countries" are braving the trials and perils of " total" war waged ruthlessl y on land and sea and in the air evoke our warmest admiration and sympathy. Particularly are we mindful of the gallantry and determination of those on the " home" front and in this it is but natural that the thoughts of those of us who were privileged to participate in the Centenary Celebrations in 193 and the Brigade Jubilee in 1937 should be focused on
London with it s t ee ming millions and hallowed asso ciation, and on other cities visited on those historic occasion s, n ow subjected to daily bombardment and wanton destruction from the air. Nevertheless we know that come what may you face the future with resolute assuranc e that" right" must prevail.
So on this th e eve of another year I se nd our fra tern al greetings and good wishes to yo u, to our comrades in th e Brigade at home, and to all engaged in the b eneficent work of the Order we are privileged to serve, w h erever they may b e
Yours sincerely, (Signed) T. H W ATERMEYER , Com IJ/issioml'.
The Responsibility of the Red Cross and St. Jol1n
-An Address Gi ve n Recentl y by L .,\ DY Lour Mou l TBATTEN (County Pre siden t of Hampshire)
The activities of the Red Cross and St. J ohn in this war are so wide and varied that it is hard to pick out anyone of them for particular mention
As you know, th e Joint War Orgaoisation have undertaken the staffing and runnin g of many ho spitals, convalescent homes and sick ba ys b o th for the Services and Civil D efence workers. The care of prisoners of war, the provision of hospital supp lie s, equipment, stores and ambulances, also the adm ini stration of temporary air-raid relief. It undertakes enquiries for the wounded, missing and relatives, and has many other responsibilities .
But there is another branch of our work about which I would like to be allowed to say a few words and in which our members, both St. John and Red Cross, men and women, have done, and are doin g, magnificent work and for which the y de serve the very hi ghest praise. / That is in the A .R.P. services of the first-aid posts and mobile units, in the medical aid points in air-raid shelters, and also in the rest centres of London and other large cities.
The First-aid Post Service has been well organised since the outbreak of war and our meIl1bers have done outstanding work there with the greatest patience and courage. It must, however, b e remembered that when bi g-scale aerial attacks de veloped early last autumn, very little provision of any kind had been made for sheltering the general public and no medical or nursing facilities in the shelters had even been contemplated. Not until the end of the year had any definite scheme been formulated, and from early September to late Decem ber th e health and well-being of the ge neral public in shelt ers and rest centres was almost entirely in the care of the wardens and members of the Red Cross and St. J ohn .
A ll the work in these early da ys was, of course, entirely voluntary, whether full time or part time, the Borough Scheme, which now exists, not yet being (Conti1'1ued 01'1 page 88)
In the treatment of WOUNDS, BURNS & ULCERS by
lrrlgatlon
WHY SODIUM HYPOCHLORITE?
Becau e, as defined in the Li tcr Memoria l L ect ur e, 1939 , " the bcst ant ise ptics are not tho se which in vitro have the greatest germ ic id a l power , but thos e that have a powerful proteolytic action." It i thi s ca p ac it y by solvcnt ac tion to remove organ c matter. apt l y lik ened in th e abo\'e lecture to that of a " chemical bistour y." which clean es the lcsion of debris and infl ammatory product. a nd prcpare the way for healing. In this respect the effic ency of th e hypochlorites is we ll recognised. By their powers of penetration th ey retain their rapidit y of action and easy acces to micro-organi ms in the pre ence of body fluids and exudate, without matcria l loss of germicidal cffic ienc y, a nd so help to provide in the wound area Lhe be t conditions for control of infection. without hindranc e to Lhe of heal in g
WHY ELECTRO LYTIC SODIUM HYPOCHLORITE?
Becau e, as Carrell and D ehe ll y firSL noted (" The Trea tm ent o f Infected Wounds ," 1918, p 2+), hypo c hl o rite solut ions prepa red by the e lectro ytic method are le sq irritating to living issues than the chem cally prepared Dakin so lution. A produced by the Milton process, they ha\'c in further contra t the g r eat advantage o f sta bilit y, retaining even after long torage their full strength and germicida l power , whe reas the e are progre ively 10 t by mo t form of the chemica ll y prepared agent.
The Pease Laboratories in a full inv est igation found the electro lytic hypochlorite IvIilton" to have a " distinctly different beha\'iour " and to be "o f unusual va lu e" compared with other forms of hypochlorite examin d. Ma Lerman's te t (" Analyst," Jul y, 193 9) ugges t th at this may possibl y be con nected w;th the pre e nce of ozone in the formc r product.
WHY MILTON?
Because Milton is the on ly ge n era ll y avai lable preparation of electro ly ti c sod ium hypochlorite of known stan dard st r engt h ( I p e r
cent. sodium hypo c hlorite , 10.8
of " available ch lorin e," i. e. 0·955
y weight ) , the composition of which remains unchanged under all reaso nable conditions for an indefinite period. In the irrigation treatment of wounds, burns or ulcers , the advantages of using su ch a standa rdise d and stable product are clear when the irritant, destructive action upon young growing tissue is considere d of chemically prepared hypochlorite so lutions of high or unknown strength. This drawback results largely from their confree caustic soda. the production of which does not take place 111 the preparation of Milton no bleaching powder being used in the pro cess; it has therefore only a mild degree of alkalinity (pH. o.S ), comparable wiLh that of human tissues.
In 5 per cent. olution Milton is isotonic and at this dilution its ant i-b acterial power remains high. I t thus combines the prop erties of a saline solution with those of an effecti\'e germicide It has been hown that a per cent. so lution actually encourages cell growth.
In the early tages of irrigation therapy, however, where thorough cleansing is desired a hypertonic solution will often be the one of choice, so that free exudation of lymph may be promoted from the wound surface by os mosis Milton in strengths up to 10 per cent., or in some cases 20 p e r cent., provides such a hypertonic saline soluti on which still remains non -irritating and may safely be used without fear of ti sue-c e ll damage.
After their germicidal and proteolytic functions have been effected the active principles of r.1il ton are reduced to a sim ple, harmles, residue of salt and water. equally non-irritant. }\1ilton may rhus fairly be claimed to be a afe and effecti\'e germicide \¥ith the discriminating quality of remo\'ing the dead but presening the living lis u es for heal ing and repair.
A copy oj the Pease Laborato ries R eport will be fOlwarded to all) one ill teres ted b)1 the Professional D epartment of A1iltoll Proprietary Limited, John J'filton H ouse London, N.7.
Priory for Wales
Headquarters: Priory House., 4 Cathedral Cardiff
ANNUA L MEETING OF PRIORY CHAPTER
The Earl of PI ymo uth, P. C, pres idin g as Pri or at the. annual meetin g of the Chapter of the P nory for Wales held in Cardiff on Tuesday, Jun e 2.4, compar ed the present activities of members of the Order with the part played b y forbears und er similar conditions, but wIth a li ke need for stout hearts, taut sinews and braced wills in th e discha rge of loyalties to the underlying principles -fo u n d ed upon the Eternal Verities. .Just as the Commandery of Slebech in Pembrokeshire used to send Commander, Knights and Serving B r0 0ers on routine bm;iness or special missions to the Pnor y at Clerkefrwell from the 12th to the 16th centur y for purposes of efficient administration at home or military service abroad similar duties to-day take Priory representati;ns to the Council Chamber at St. John's Gate Clerkenwell or send their levies into the field as and Hospitat Reservists, R.A.M. C, V.A.D .> and, nearer home, A.R.P. and CN.R. personnel.
A unique feature of this year's Chapter was the omission of the customary ceremorual and the wearino- of the picturesque robes, to which His Lordship as symptomatic of the g rim determination that has settled down upon the countr y. In the midst of war, those engaged in the work of Order should at least attain peace of mind b y furth enng aims fruitful of consequences in happier days to -in particular, the Service of Youth and the Community; and, taking Victor y for gran ted In end, His Lordship counselled members not, nsk regrets in looking back. lost op p o rturuti es laying sounder foundatlOns In of education in which an ambulance orgarusauon plays a not unimportant part.
The Sub-Prior referred to the wotk of the JOInt War Organisation, Red Cross and St. John, stating that he welcomed the close association and harmonious working of the two a.mbulance bodies, and felt that the roots were well planted for continued co-operation which need not end with the coming of peace.
Lord Plymouth paid tribute to the way in which the Principal Secretary (the Hon. John H. Bruce) had organised the two-days tour made by H.R.H. the Duchess of Kent (Lady Superintendent-in-Chief for Wales) of Hospitals and A.R.P. Posts in Newport, Cardiff, Barry and the mining -valleys of in order to encourage Brigade personnel In theIr
wartime actIVIties. His Lordship d es ired his warm cono-ratulations to b e conveyed to th e personnel at the various Centres the week-end.
The proceedin gs were opene d -:vlth prayers read by the Chaplain, Canon J. A. LeWIS, B. A., at wh.ose invitation Chapter members had attended the service of t he Patronal Saint of St. J ohn BaptIst Chu rch, Cardiff, earlier in the day, at which the add ress was given b y the Very R ev. W R. Matthews, D ean of St. Paul's.
The Viscount Trede ga r, Almoner of the Priory, reported on the 96 ,depots from which 11,307 articles of Invalid :were issued o n loan durin g 1940, the work of tion, cleansing, issue and return of the bewg undertaken entirely in a voluntary capaClty.
In the absence of Mr. D. M. Evans-Bevan, J.P., the report of th e Treasurer was submitted by Major A W. An d erson, M.B., Ch .B ., the revenue account
and b alance sheet being adopted. .'
Dr. D. R ocyn J ones, CB.E ., J.p., presenting hIS first report in the capacity of Director of stated that classes in First Aid and allied subjects arran ged by the Prior y in th e Principality were attended b y 30,175 students, of whom 2.5,453 qu.ali?ed for awards of the St. John Ambulance AssoClatlOn.
The streno-th of the St. John Ambulance Bri gade had risen by over 2.,000 members in 1940 to a to.tal personnel of 16,4 57. near ly. 7,000 members were engaged 111 full o.r part-time dutIes ill the Forces or Civil Defence ServlCes, the treatm ent of 52.,000 cases of accident was recordecl.
The report of the Director of Transport, gIven by Mr. Oliver Harris, revealed a total of 2.9,496 cases remove d in the 2. 5 ambulances operating under the control of th e Pri ory
Mr. E. D. Jon es, as Assistance R egis trar, announced additions to the R o ll of membership of the Order, recording the names of deceased members.
CENTRE REPORTS
WEST DENBIG HSHIRE CENTRE
Div isional Sup erinten dent G. H. R yd er had pleasure in pre se ntin g the annual report of the Abergele Division, formed 111 February, I 940, a meeting held on June 15 for the purpose of pre.sentlIl.g awards. The m em b ers, looking very smar t 111 theu new uniforms, were inspected b y th e COI?missioner, Dr. G. Pari Huws, who was accomparued b y Meredydd Ffoulke s, Divisional Surgeon and Medical Officer of Health. Guests included Mr. D. B. Jones,
M.A., Chairman of the A b ergele U .D .C, who assured the members that Abergele held them in h.i g h re ga rd, Mr. Trevor Jones, Cler k to the Counci l, and County Co uncill or J ohn Hargreaves
A d vantage of this occasion was taken to present the P riory V ote of Thanks awarded by H.R.H. the Sub-Prior and Chapter of the Priory to Mr. J. Wood Williams in recognition of his long and meritorious conn ection with the Ambulance movement.
FLINTSHIRE CENTRE
Formed exactly a year ago, the Rhyl Division cele brated recently its "first birthday" ; and the results of the examinations together with the record of work and progress already achieved demonstrated very convincingly that the Bri gade has already reached a standard of efficiency which should inspire confidence and praise throu g hout the town. Thirty-ei ght members are now enrolled in th e Division, and twenty-six of these have been provided with uniform and complete equipment. Useful and much-appreciated service is being rendered at the Plaza, Re gal and Odeon cinemas, and up to date the y have already dealt with no fewer than eighty cases, tributes to skill and efficiency having been re ceived from va nous sources.
The marked progress which has thus been made in this v itally essential defence service has, of course, only been made possible by the enthusiasm of members of the Division themselves, coupled with the determination of their leader s to bring the organisation to a standard of perfection of which the whole town can feel justly proud. Quietly, though constantly, practice drills and skilled instruction have continued with unbroken regularity and interest throughout the past twelve months. The Division has been fortunate in the leadership of Mr. John A. R oberts as Superintendent and Dr. J. G. MacQueen as D ivisional Surgeon
NEWS I N BRIEF
The approval b y the Sub-Prior, the Ri g ht Hon . the Earl of Plymouth, P.C, of the appointment of Alderman W. H Peth ybridge to succeed the late Sir Wi lliam Seager as Assistant Trea surer, and of Captain W. J. Canton as Assistant Librarian, was announced at a meetin g of the Counci l of the Priory for Wales
The production of a I941 Priory for Wales Christmas Card featuring the visit of H.R.H. the Duchess of Kent, La d y Superintendent-in-Chief for Wales, has been authorised by the Prior y Council.
The report on the Motor Ambu lance Tran sport Service for the quarter ended Jun e 30, 1941, sh owed a total of 4,42. 0 removals involving an aggregate mileage of 74,034, b y the ambulances se rvi n g th e twent y-one car stations operating und er the Priory for Wales.
During the first six months of 1941 the Priory for the examination of 784 classes for First Ald and Home Nursing Certificates of the St. J ohn AmbUlance Association.
IODINE for the
tJrevention and treatment 0[-
SHELTER THROAT INFLUENZA RHEUMATISM
and various other complaints
1< Iod ine has man y uses in the pre vention and treatment of w ar and winter compla nts. Our new boo k let "Health Hints for Wartime" desc r ibes these uses fully W r ite (or a (ree copy to-da y, IODINE EDUCATIONAL BUREAU, Stone House, Bishopsgate, london, E,c'2.
IODINE IS antiseptic th e for rn 0 S tee 0710 m i ". a L domestic use of the world's health problems are solved by 'ASPRO', for 'ASPRO' brings within the reach of all freedom from pain-the
The Responsibility of the Red Cross and St. John-(Continttedfrom pacge 18 4) in force, and it put a strain on our personnel, who since the outbreak of war had already been workino- at full pressu re in one capacity or another. We sooon found th at we had not sufficient per sonne l among our London members to cover the posts and we had to appeal to our country divisions and detachments for help. They responded Some came for permanent work and are stIll here. Others came for relief duty for periods of from a fortnight to a month, paying their own expenses and their own travelling fares. They came from all over the country, even from Scotland, Ireland, Wales and the Isle of Man. Some had never been to London in their lives before. They knew not one person in this large city, but they never failed to reJ?ort. to their and to give invaluable help and lilspue confidence even during the very worst ordeals Many of our members, who are working women, gave up their week or fortnio-ht's annual holiday to come to our assistance and spent their small savings to enable them to do so. Others closed their little shops and came from miles away, frequently from place s where and bombs were unheard of.
Many big firms showed great public spirit b y allowing their employees, who were l1::embers of our organisations, to come and do dut y lil London for short periods and paid all the expenses themselves.
Now, this work still continues , and we still rely on our country members for help. There are many shelters and centres where the St. John and Red Cross nurses and ambulance men are even now the only ones in charge. It must also be remembered that the majority of our members, men and women, carry out these duties on top of theu ordu:ary day's work, and although a scale of pay nurses now exists, the greater part of It IS done entirely vo luntarily. I have seen our members, r.nen and women, on duty in all parts of London after night. I have seen them the w:orst alr raids dealing with terrible casualtles, reassunng heartening the public, coping with any emergenCles, and I have found their courage, coolness and competence deserving of the highest pliaise.
A number of members have been killed, many have been injured, but the spirit of the Brigade and of the Society remains as high as and the courageous service of their members w1ll continue to the end.
I would like to say a word of appreciatio.n to boroug h authorities for all the help and cons1deratlOn they have shown us in the past months and to the medical officers and trained nurses whom we have the privilege to work under and whose heroic example is a great inspiration to us.
The responsibility of the Red. C:r.oss and St J oh? both to the Services and the c1v1lian populatlOn 1S very great, but I know we shall never fail them
'the Red Cross an d St. John Educational Com mittee states that contributions sent direct to the Central Fund now total £32,420. Among recent g ifts is one of £ 500 subscribed b y the schoolchildren of the Count y Borough of Sunderland and a further £ 100 is to be received from the san:e source. The donations are for the purchase of t wo lig ht ambu lances
Of the many recent contributions from elementary schoo ls, the following deserve specia l mention :Charlton Manor L.ee Emergency School has sent its 22nd instalment; St. Stephen's School, Clewer, near Windsor, its 17th instalment; and the J oseph Lancaster L.ee School, in a poor district of the Bo rough, regularly sends £4 a week.
Luton Hio-h School for Girls, with the help of old scholars, collected £450 for the purchase of a light ambulance and physio-therapy cabinet. The ambulance was received by Lady Luke on behalf of the Fund, together wi th a cheque for £ 150 for the A further contribution of £106 has come from Mls s Stanfield and Miss Barlow, who have been g ivin g concerts in schoo ls in aid of the Red Cross for some months, making their total donation £ 506.
Contributions are being received from the new Youth Servic e Corps Over £ 00 has already been given, besides gifts in kind.
Mr. and Mrs. Pass and family, of Syracuse, ew York, instead of bu ying a new car, have given the sum that the y would h ave expended in this way as a contribution, through the American R ed Cross, .E0r the purchase and equipment for Cross in this country. With it a Mob1le X-ray U111t has been boug ht and is bein g shipped to the War
"From the P eo ple of New London to the Defence Workers of Old London" is the inscriptlOn on a Chevrolet ambulance which is now attached to the War Organisation's convalescent hospital for civil defence workers at Little Missenden. The gift was made throu g h Mrs. Somerville Smith, the London representative of the British American Ambu lance Corps.
Nearly thirty thousand employers are with their workpeople by providing facilities at their works for the Penny-a- Week
The weekly subscription has passed the £20,000 mark, which means that more than 5,000,000 workers at regularly contributing their penny each week to tb: Fund. It is believed that some millions of workeo
'Elastoplasf Plaster Elastic, Adhesive.
The remarkable C stretch and regain ' property of the C Elastoplast' cloth is a factor that appeals to Doctors in various widths
and First Aid Workers. C Elastoplast' bandaging or strapping not only cc gives» to movement-thus ensuring complete comfort-but the gentle pressure exerted by its elasticity provides constant support. C Elastoplast' Plasters, Bandages and Dressings are obtainable from
your usual surgical suppliers.
ByA .D. B elilios, M.B., B.S., D.P H.; D. K JlIJulvany, JlIJ .B. ,B.S.,F. R.C.P. ; and Miss K. F. A 1'mstrong, S.R .N., S.C.NJ., Editor cc Tursing Times ",' with 2 chapters by C. rtf!. Hipkins , A. R.P.S. , Superintendent, St. J ohn AmblllanceBrigade.
An entirely new and up-to-date book on First Aid, based on war experience and designed to provide a concise and complete training. It covers all the ground for training recommended by the St John Ambulance Association, the British Red Cross Society the Civil NurSing Reserve, and the General Nursing Council.
Suitable for both advanced and elementary student nurses and invaluable as a reference book to all who study or practise first aid. Gen'eral Principles, DiagnOSis, Treatment, Anatomy and PhYSiol ogy, the Nervous System, Psychological Ailments, first aid in Maternity Cases, Industrial Poisoning, and many other subjects are included. This book is so complete and so valuable that no first-aid worker can be without it.
But you need not only take our word for it! This is what Surgeon Rear-Admiral
Cecil P. G. Wakeley, C.8 ., D.Sc ., F R.C.S., Director of Surgical Studies, King's College HOSPital , says of it in his Foreword ;-
"This book is the most practical and up-to-date handbook of First Aid and Bonda ging I have seen It is the best book written so for on the subject." Here is an extract from the review in the NurSing Mirror :-
" This is undoubtedly one of the finest books on the subject that has been produced The first-aider will find that he is not only instructed, he is well and thoroughly taught, and learns easily from this textbook. All the information is Up-to-date, the text is well arranged , the detail is excellent, and the instruction definite ."
Contains 640 pages and 240 excellent illustrations, and costs only 3s. 6d. (plus 6d. postage).
1- -
I 7 & 8 , Henrietta Street, London, W.C.2.
I I I I Please send me copies of your Handbook of First Aid and Bandaging, for which I enclose (4 t- per copy, post free).
I Name I Address
who _ are not ye t participating would willingly agree to contribute if their employers intimated that they were prepared to arrange for the collection of the pennies.
Accordingly, the- Duke of Gloucester has recently written to leading employers urging them to give every encouragement to their workpeople to join in the movement. Readers of THE GAZETTE can help to eArtend the Fund. If they are employers, they can offer the necessary facilities for collection in their establishments; if they number employers among their friends, they can bring the case for the Fund to their notice. By so doing they will be assisting a splendid movement to extend its activities. Any reader who works on the staff of an organisation eligible for membership can help the Penny-a- Week Fund b y promoting the scheme among his colleagues.
More than six million pennies have been raised for the Penn y-a- Week Fund by listeners who have taken part in the Red Cross Radio Contests organised by the B.B.C. In a letter to the Radio Times, Lord Southwood writes: c, I want to thank every man, woman and child who is helping us so splendidly through the B.B.C. Radio Competitions. The raising of over £z 5,000 for Red Cross work, mainly in ztd . stamps, and in the course of only the first six months of these contests, is something British listeners can well be proud of." Lord Southwood continues: "I realise how much of this success is due to the whole-hearted co-operation of both broadcasters and B.B.C. staff, and I want them also to know how keenly their efforts are appreciated."
Arising out of these contests, Mr. A. F. Mason, Honorary Competition Organiser for the Penny-aWeek Fund, describes the assistance which he has received from patients. in the War Organisation'S convalescent homes in the heavy task of dealing with the mass of entries. At the same time, he pays a tribute to the way in which the Homes are administered. After mentioning the small staff of volunteers . which handled the entries for the first competition of the series, he writes that a better plan than overworking them then came into being. "In the Red Cross convalescent homes of the Home Counties I found men of tbe Navy, Army and Air Force who were only too glad of the occupation provided by the process of opening and preliminary sorting of the entries."
" Rupning these homes," he continues, "I found kindly, brisk and practical commandants who welcomes this opportunity of giving their men something fresh and useful to do-and good-natured matrons, sisters and nurses willing to lend a hand when ordinary work permitted. One home learnt from another of the good work going on-and soon, so far from having difficulty in <::0ping with the rising entries, I found that I had not enough to go round. I had to introduce a system of rationing coupon? ! "
The appointment as General Representative of the B:ritish Red Cross at Lisbon has been announced of Major Sir Arthur Lawrance, K.C.M.G., K.B.E D.S.O. His particular concern will be the vision, in conjunction with the postal authorities, of the large consignments of parcels for prisoners of war which arrive in a continuous flow at Lisbon eJ?- route to Geneva and the prison camps in Germany. Su Arthur Lawrance, who was Governor 'and Commander-in-Chief of British Somaliland from 193) to 1939, relieves Mr. Edward Hogg, who returns from Lisbon to this country to take up a Government appointment.
Writing to the War Organisation to thank it for " a magnificent gift of some tons of medical stores and equipment," the Director-General of Medical Services at the Air Ministry says that it is intended to allot a fair proportion to Air and Sea Rescue Services and to the more isolated formations where medical arrangements, though efficient, sometimes have to consist only of bare necessities. To such units, bed jackets, pyjamas, dressing-gowns and the extremely well-furnished case of surgical instruments and dressings are particularly welcome.
The Sudan Branch of the Middle East Commission which is under the direction of Mr. R. V. H. Roseveare, M.C., the Deputy Commissioner, also reports the establishment of a Store at Khartoum. From this Store Red Cross supplies are distributed to British and Sudanese Medical Units: and, for some time, until the Indian Red Cross established its own organisation, the Store also served Indian Medical Units.
Hospitals and casualty clearing stations, field ambulances, reception stations and ambulance trains were supplied with stores and comforts to May to the value of some £E8,000, excluding direct issues from Cairo to hospitals.
Supplies for the Sudan Store came from the main Store at Cairo, from local purchases, and from work parties. Cairo provided, among other supplies, ambulances and portable X-ray sets. Local purchases included refrigerators, wireless sets, electric fans, chairs, trolleys, bed tables and lamps. Work depots at Khartoum, Port Sudan, Gezira and Atbara provided a steady output of hospital supplies, including some thousands of First Field Dressings.
A weekly issue is made of lemonade, sweets and cigarettes to Sudan military hospitals. Cigarettes, dates and fruit are distributed to fresh arrivals in hospitals.
Gazette Editorial Offices
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PRACTICAL BOOKS
by N. CORBET FLETCHER, M.B., B.C., M.A.(Cantab.), M.R.C.S.
TO. F.IRST-AID (7th Ed.)
First-Aid Simplified and Tabulated with Aids to Memory. Price 1/- (Post 2d.)
EFFICIENCY I N FIRST-AID (3rd Ed.)
Problems in Study, Treatment and Examination solved for Senior Students. Price 1/- (Post 3d.)
COMMON ERRORS IN FIRST-AID
Errors in First-Aid Detailed and Explained. Price 1/- (Post 2d.)
AIDS TO HOME-NURSING
Home Nursing Simplified and Tabulated, with Aids to Memory. Price 1/- (Post 2td).
AMBULANCE COMPETITION TESTS
Stretcher, Individual and Question
Each contains special article on Com pe tition :-No. 1, Training of CompetItIon Teams; No.2, Condu c t of Team in Competition Room' No.3, Co=on Err,?rs in Competition; No.4, Further Errors No.5, History of Competition Tests; No.6, Preparation 6 Folders. Price 6d. each (Post 2d.)
Obtainable from:
THE FOUNTAIN PRESS
11/13, BREAM'S BUILDINGS, CHANCERY LANE, E.C.4
EVERYTHING ' FOR SAFETY EVERYWHERE , NOVOX' and 'NOVITA' Oxygen + CO, 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.
ALL. A.R.P. EQUIPMENT
DUST and SPRAY MASKS Safety SIEBE, and all other and Protective Devices.
GORMAN & Cos, LONDON, S.E.1.
THE
St. John Ambulance Association
I ts History and its Part in the Ambulance Movement
By N. CORBET FLETCHER, M.A., M.B., M.R.C.S. Th!s book, from 10 C()ver, 1S fIlII of information of greaust itlter4St and Importance to in tM Ambulance Movetmnt."St. Jol)11 ::ambulance (\)a3ette. Price 3/ 6 Postage 6d.
Store. Dept.: 8 T. J 0 H N 'S GAT E LON DON, E. C •
CLASSIFIED ADVERTISEMENTS
Advertisements wilh refJIillance should be senl 10 Ihe 51. John Ambulance Gazette, 11/13, Bream's Buildillgs, Chancery Lane, E.C+ 2-d. per word, minimum 35.
SCENT CARDS AND SACHETS printed with your announcements, are splendid money raisers and show 300% profit. Samples free on request .-AIRRDALR PRRSS, Bradford .'
pENCILS OF SUPERIOR QUALITY, printed willi your Corps Name and announcement, sell easily. Sample free.AtRRDALR PRRSS, Bradford.
OSTEOLOGY, WALL CHARTS AND ANATOMICAL DIAGRAMS FOR LECTURE PURPOSES
BOOKS ON AMBULANCE WORK, FIRST AID AND NURSING
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FLAG DAY EMBLEMS, BUTTONS AND BADGES
Price Lists on application For all supplies write: THE UNIVERSAL BUTTON CO., LTD. Surat Street, Bethnal Green, E.2
Telephone: Advance 2254 Telegrams: Unibutco, Edo, London
In
Te/el>hone:
GARROUlD L T D
he onset of the Influenzal Chill and the attack of sub-acu te Rheumatism are a sharp pyrexia. Headache and lally severe, Analgesia and Antipyresis amount of depression are obviously s and uncombined aspirin are not always 'ANADIN' Tablets advantage is taken of the of small doses of aspirin, phenacetin, caffeine and intaining lessening the risk of overd()sage,
for clinical trial will be sent request.
CHILDREN do not dread the application of" Iglodine," because, unlike many other antiseptics, it heals without It is ideal for cleansing and sterilising all surface ' Injuries , and hastens healing quickly without leaving a scar. It is recommended extenSively by the medical profession.
7d., I I td., 1/9t, 2/1 I. From all Chemists and Boots Branches THE IGlODINE CO., LTD., NEWCASTLE UPON TYNE
HOBSON &SONS
POUND.D
(LONDON ), Ltd. SPECIALISTS IN UNIFORMS. MANuFACTuRERS OF EVERY DESCRIPTION OF UNIFORM CLOTHING AND EQUIPMENT for St. John Ambulance Brigade.
and it does not the heart. Sold eve r ywhere in Tablet or Powder 1 /5 and 3/5 S ingle dose-tabl ets or powder , Cephos does not affect the heart Prop
T HE ST. JOHN AMDULANCE GAZETTE is published on the 15th of each month. The annual su.bscrtption is 41 , post free / single copies 3d
Brigade Reports and Photographs should be addressed fo the Editor: c/o Charles Lavell, Ltd., 4, Clements Inn, Strand, W.C.2. Reports and photographs should reach him not later than the 28th of the month preceding the date of issue.
Subscriptions and Advertisements sh ould be forwarded 10 the publishers:
Messrs. British Periodicals , Ltd., I 1-13, Bream' s B uildings , London, E .C.4.
CONT ENTS
Editori al Hom e Nursing Page
Behind the Scenes in Local Government] Prom otions an d \ppointments
Air-Ra id Precautions
St. John Ambu lance Brigade O verseas
Serv ice A wards Pri ory for Wales
Red Cross and St. John War Organisation Brigade News
Correspondence War Org anisat io n
Penny-A-Week Fund
In a message to th e women of Britain them to help in the effort to th e P en ny-a - Week Fund to includ e eve r y house hold 1n the land, the Duke of Gloucester said: "There is a way in which tho se who have a little sp are time can render their countr? a very teal service in it s hou r of nee d The Fund WhlCh b ears my name is now s tartin g a n ew campaign and is organising a vast army of helpers who e duty it will b e to. gath er in the milli ons of pennies which the people of thIS countr y are only to o wi lling to g ive for th e great wor k of the Red Cro ss and St. J oh n
"In this army," the Duk e of Gloucester c ontinued,
"women w.ill playa leading part." Men and women in organised industry, he pointe d out, were alrea d y contributing to the Penn y-a- Week Fund at the rate of approximately £1,000,000 a yeal: . Outside industry , millions of people wo uld also welcome the opportunity of subscribing their penny a week. There were some ten million houses in this country , and if only a penny c o uld be collected from each house, the Fund would receive an a dditi ona l income of £2,000,000 a year. He c o ncluded his appeal : "Whether yo u feel able to serve o n a committee, to help in the o r ga ni sation of c ollections throughout your district, or to collect in your own street, you will have the satisfa ction of knowing that you are helping one of the greatest humanitarian ca uses of all time."
The Duke's message was read by Lord Iliffe at a gathering in L on don at which he exp lained the nature of the sche me to extend the P enny-a- Week Fund in urban areas t o every household. It was nece ssa r y Lor d Ilille said, to find some method which would produce an additional £ 1,5°0 ,00 0 a year f or the Red Cross and St John Fund to enable it t o meet the growing n ee ds of the \\Tar Or ganisatio n. T o effe ct thi s, house-to-house c olle cti o ns were to be in stihlte d, and Lord Southwoo d, through the Penn y-a-\"X!eek Fund Committee, ha d offe re d t o carry it out in urban areas. In rural areas , the collecti ons were being undertak en by the Red Cro ss Agriculture Fund Committee.
The Penn y-a-W eek Fund Committee aims at enrolling 100,000 collectors in urban areas before the end of October. In this connection attractive posters hay e been prepared, which, together with other display material illustrating the many-sided activities of the War Organisati on, were exhi bited at the gathering.
A substantial addition to the Fund was ma d e at the gathering, when Lord Southwo o d received from Mr. J. H. Shaw, the retiring P resident of the ational F e derati o n of Newsagents, a chequ e for 50,000 pennies, which rep resente d a f ortnigh t' s contribution to the Fund from the tw ent y-five thousand members of the Federati o n-an organise d trade effort \v hich, it is h ope d, will encourage other trade and industrial organisations to help o n similar line s
DOME NURSING PAGE
Contributed by
ALICE M. PENNELL, O.B.E., B.Se., M.B., B.S. (London)
I. THE HOME NURSE'S PROVINCE
It is often a shock to trained medical people to find how very daring nurses of different organisations are in the use of drugs. I was medical officer with a First Aid P os t unit last year, and the Commandant seemed to see no harm in writing orders (she had not the t echnique of prescription-writing) f'br doses to be given to patients and signing them with her full name. In most cases the drug ordered was quite inappropriate, sedative when stimulation was indicated, or vice versa . A few days ago I heard of another V.A.D. w h o, having read of certain new drug s now in vogue, gai ly gave them to her soldier son home on leave. Again the diagnosis and appropriate treatment had little or nothing in common!
In spite of laws against unqu alified medical treatment this evil i s, alas! grea tly increased by the fact that knowing little, the First Aider an d very amateur Home urse dat<; greatly with supreme and smug ignorance. I think a word of warning to all St. John Ambulance nurses is not ou t of place. One is sometimes horrified at the mistakes made, and nowadays multiplied a thousand fold, b y the army of men and women, youths and maiden s of irresponsible habit, who can and do rush in to act in ways not sanctioned by the rules of thei r organisations, or by the laws of the land. Hypodermics with potent medicines are to be administered by those licensed to give them, and not by a junior nurse who is soon" going in for her first Home Nursing examination" and has had 2.4 hours, or less, of ward-maid duty under an unc ommunicative sister in a bus y ward in one of our large hospitals. You will find enough work to do in rendering first aid, or nursing people in the sphere that is yours. Learn its limitations after having mastered its scope thoroughly and accurately.
II. IMPORTANT POINTS IN DEA LING WITH BLITZ VICTIMS
If on duty in an area where bomb s have caused much q.amage and many casualties , the First Aider, who is armed with his torch, his F.A. wallet, h is common sense and wi ts, will take a quick look round and see which of the casualties is to be dealt with immediately and which may be left for later treatment It is essential t o remove as many as may be so handled, at once, to positio n s where no more damage is likely to occur, and where they can be properly and efficiently treated. This matter of moving injured people is one that must be gently and efficiently dealt with. All due care must be taken to keep wounds covered, fractures supported on splints, etc., postures carefully maintained to give the victim the best chance of (a) freedom from pain as far as p ossible
(b) least risk of further injury.
St John Ambulance Commandants should now make their teams practice carrying the wounded to safety,
19 6
seeing that they know how to tackle people with head, chest or abdomina l wounds, ha::m o rrhage, fracture s, shock, or any combinati o n of these. It is n o t always one single accident that one ha s t o deal with, and it is good practice to have a team u sed to sorting o ut cases, out of a mess of broken furniture, fallen walls, and d oors and windows shattered over them. The debris in many dumps could be utilised on the dump perhap s where the scene can be staged And it is most important for the St.J. A. team to be thoroughl y well tau ght how to di s tin g ui sh:
(1) The living fr om the dead.
(2) The seriously wounded f rom those with minor injuries.
(3) Those with sh ock on ly or sh ock and other disabilities.
Tho e whose ha::morrhage is arterial and vital. Those who can o nl y be moved o n stretchers and very carefully.
Tho e who /)J!(st have splints b efore being moved.
Th ose to whom the doctor must go first, on arrival.
Th ose with head or eye injuri es who need special treatment.
Th ose who can be sent h ome soon , and those wh o must go to ho spital at o nce.
This exercise, combine d with transport drill, "\\'ill be useful and instructive
A party leader of a stretcher patty came upon the scene of an accident when the victims had been taken into a sma ll dispensary attached to a rest centre. A nurse was kneeling beside a man with a spouting artery. She had just succeeded in ge tting the h a::morr ha ge unde r control, when the officious s tretcher party leader Bounced down by the patient' s head, and in spite of the warnings of all concerned, jerked his head away from the nurse' controlling hands, and started the bleeding again!
It is advisable, however efficient you are said t o be, and however skilled you think you are, to use yo ur common sens e, to realise exactly what the case is that you are meaning to help, and to know the best and safest met.hod of procedure. Every First Aider should pray to be glVen wisdom and humility as well as courage and confidence.
A Film You Should See
"RED CROSS IN ACTION"
The following list of bookings has been arranged for this film during October :-
Star Leicester days, Oct ober
Grand Newfield days, October 6
Ol ympia Bordesle.y days, October 9
Picture House Ollerton 2 days, October 10
Queens Gaiety Whitehaven days, October 30
Behind the Scenes in Government Local
By JAMES FENTON, C.B.E., M.D., M.R.C.P., D.P.He (Medical Officer oj Health, Royal Borough oj Kensington)
When the civil defence organisation was first evolved, the St. John Ambulance Brigade hastened to offer their services to the Government with the well-known result which has added to their great and deserved reputation. Thousa nds of Brigade members are now working for local authorities. In the borou g h which I serve the y are giving most valuable assistance, in addition to their civil defence duties, in the routine public health work: assisting w.ith maternity and child welfare clinics, helping in shelters, learning h ow quarantine is enforced to avoid epidemics, where the verminous are sent for cleansing and generally ga ining an insight into the preventive side of medicine which the medical officer of health supervises and administers on behalf of the borough council.
This insight by the ordinary educated member of the publi c into the working of the medical side of the lo cal government services must be all to the goo d. The perfection of detail with which th e machine of l oca l government works is n o t ge nerall y realised. evertheless the central government, up on which the eyes of the citizen lfe directed, re ts up o n the so lid foundation of the l o cal ncils. 1 0 part of the country is so sma ll that it has n ot local representatives to voice its grieva nces and push rd its ideas for reform.
Public health legislation for Lond on i to some extent t from that f or the rest of the country and the nistrati o n is very different. L o cal governme nt in London, although complex, is most efficient, and the metropolis is fortunate in po ssessi ng so large a number of exper ienced men and women who are prepared to give their time to civic responsibilities. The machinery of administration has been worked o ut b y a proces s of tl'O lution, the present system being of comparatively rece nt origin . The L ondo n County COLlncil was estabushed near the end of the last centur y and the metropolitan Do rough councils to ok the place of the old vestries in 1901. 1[ore than 1,500 men and women a re acting as councillors on t.he London County Council and the metropolitan Dorough councils, and an even greater number serve associations which work in close co-operation With local authorities.
There are 29 metropolitan borough councils, including the Corporation of the City of London, and in each there are 50 or more councillors elected by the voters in the various wards of the boroughs. The County Council is :Omposed of 144 representatives elected by the voters In each borough so as to represent London as a whole.
Generally speaking, the London County Council administers th ose services which are best directed from a cen.tral office, whilst the b orough councils deal with those which are better administered locally. The education is entirely under the direction of the L.e.e. The . c.c. is in charge of all the fever hospitals and general firll1aries, now called L.e.e. hospitals, and of the public
assistance institutions. The borough councils are responsible for securing the admission of patients suffering from infectious disease and for preventing the spread of infection in their own districts. The County Council are in charge of the main trunk sewers running through London, but the borough councils are responsible for the branch sewers whi ch serve their areas, and they also supervise house drainage. The L.e.e. provide sanatoria for tuberculosi s to serve the entire county, whils t the borough councils are responsible for the l ocal tuberculosis dispensary service The maternity and child welfare service, which provides for the care and nursing of expectant mothers and children up to five years of age, is a borough council service The supervision of the food suppl y is likewise a responsibility of the borough councils. The inspection of houses, the inspection of factories and shops, and the removal of nuisances are carried out by the borough councils.
If there is a large slum area or a large housing scheme, involving a large number of houses and of benefit to London as a whole, the work is undertaken by the L.e.e., whereas housing schemes of local importance are carried out b y the b oro ugh councils.
It is generally agreed that the local government of Lond on , which is carried out on the above principles, works very efficiently in practice. Public criticism is usually ba sed on a certain slowness in action where matters of extreme urgency are not concerned. This cannot be denied, but it is also clear that when the ratepayers' money is to be spent it is desirable that schemes should be submitted t o the Council as a whole for their approval after having been discussed and modified in the appropriate committee, and this takes time. 1 10reover, it is frequently necessar y to submit these schemes to the central government for the necessary sanction. Such delay, although it may cause irritation among onlookers, in the end makes for security and stability. In wartime, however, it presents obvious drawbacks which have been removed by the delega ti on of the powers of the councils in periods of stress to Emergency Committees who frequently meet daily in order to pass any necessary measures without delay. The Iinistry of Health, or central government, have established local regional headquarters for the period of the war, from which advice mar be obtained more quickly by local authorities; this has an additional advantage in that the special needs of each district can obtain special consideration.
Considering all the difficulties which have been surmounted, most people will agree that the democratic machine, which was established for civilised and p<;aceful functions, has stood up to war surprisingly well. Now that it has withstood the first shock of events and has adapted itself to its new functions its stability is fortunately unquestiona ble.
(To be cot/tim/ed)
The Grand Priory in the British Realm of the Venerable
His Majesty the King has gracio1tsly pleased to sanction the following Promotions
in, and to, the V tmerable Order of the Hospital of St. John of Jerll.saletn:FOR PROMOTION TO THE GRADE OF KNIGHT
Order of the Hospital of St_ John of Jerusalem Air Raid Precautions
First Sponsor: Colonel J. L. Sleeman.
Second Sponsor: The Viscount Bledisloe. FOR PROMOTION TO THE GRADE OF DAME
The Countess of Sefton (from Officer).
First Sponsor: Major-General The Earl of Scarborougb.
Second Sponsor: Colonel C. J. Trimble.
First Lady Sponsor: Mrs. St. John Atkinson.
Second Lady Sponsor: Mrs. Tweedale.
FOR PROMOTION TO THE GRADE OF COMMANDER (BROTHER)
Lieut.-Colonel Sir Henry Bouhier Imbert-Terry, Bt., D.S.O., M.C., R.A. (from Officer).
FOR ADMISSION IN THE GRADE OF COMMANDER (SISTER)
Lady Chetwode.
FOR PROMOTION TO THE GRADE OF OFFICER (BROTHER)
Philip Edward Probert (from Serving Brother).
Oliver John Cripps (from Serving Brother).
The Rev. Frederick Salmon Vaughan (from Serving Brother) (Sub-Chaplain)
Major Lyndon Henry Morris, M.C. (from Serving Brotber).
Cornelius Thompson, l'l'I.B. (from Serving Brother).
FOR ADMISSION IN THE GRADE OF OFFICER (BROTHER)
Lieut.-Colonel Albert Jones, D.S.O., M.C., M.D., D.P.H.
Colonel Sir Edward Geoffrey Hippisley Cox, C.B.E., T.D.
Major Johnson Theodore Robinson.
The Rev. Canon }Eneas Ramsay Mackintosh (Sub-Cbaplain)
Robert Rutherford, M C., M.B.
William Hyde.
Frank Robert Barnard Howard Kennedy, L.R. C.P. & S.
Arthur Burton, M.D., F.R.C.S.Ed.
Professor Gregg Wilson, O.B.E.
FOR PROMOTION TO THE GR..A.DE OF OFFICER (SISTER)
Mrs. Ethel Mary Morrish (from Serving Siste r). FOR ADMISSION IN THE GRADE OF OFFICER (SISTER)
Lady Cecilia Flora Webb-Johnson. FOR ADMISSIO IN THE GRADE OF SERVING BROTHER
Albert Edward Sbelley
William Edwards.
William Robert Jaggard.
Cyril Hopkins.
William Edward Pe=ent.
Arthur Wevell.
Albert John Gates.
George Minto.
James Alfred Fage, M.B.E.
The Rev. John Charles Ballantyne (Assistant Chaplain)
Charlie Rhodes.
Joseph Edward Holmes.
Josepb Alexander Cbapman Kilburn
Robert Rothwell Dawson.
Ambrose Clougb.
H enry Sagar.
William Anderson, M.B. - Robert Wells. FOR ADMISSION IN THE GRADE OF SERVING SISTER
Miss Emily Hick.
Mrs. Dora Elizabeth Wheeler, M.B.
Miss Grace Olive Tuckwell.
Miss Margaret Eleanor McDowell.
Miss Jennie Stott.
Miss Mary Rushton Simpson.
Mrs. Gertrude Senior.
Mrs. Amy Tonge.
Miss Fanny Lees.
Mrs. Edith Davidson Kauntze.
Mrs. Margaret Armstrong.
PRIORY FOR WALES FOR PROMOTION TO THE GRADE OF COMMANDER (BROTHER)
Sh; Michael Robert Vivian Duff-Assheton-Smitb, Bt. (from Officer).
'WESTERN AUSTRALIA FOR ADMISSION IN THE GRADE OF ASSOCIATE SERVING BROTHER
Bertram Clarence Cohen, M.B.
COMPETITION (1939)
INDIVIDUAL PRACTICAL
CARD
Your
of her
and is suffer1ng
Your doctor is calling to-day, and he has asked you to sterilize his instruments (which he left with you) and to assist him in dressing the wound. Act as you should.
STAGING OF TEST Scene is a bedroom. In the bed lies a girl who has a lacerated wound of left forearm, this being dressed and bandaged and supported in large armsling.
REQUIRED FOR SISTER No. TEST
Two pairs scissors, two pairs forceps (one dissecting forcep), one probe sterilizer, antiseptic lotion, two bowls, swabs, jug hot sterile water, sterile towels, box sterile dressings, bandages, cotton wool mackintosh, kidney shape tray, tray for instruments, ju g and water for washing hands, soap, sterile nail-brush, slop pail, receptacle
for soiled dressings, dessert spoon, measure.
Bottle labelled Carbolic Acid.
DETAILS OF TEST
STERILIZATION OF INSTRUMENTS
Place blunt instruments in sterilizer
Covered entirely with cold water
Add washing soda, dessert spoon to pint
Boil blunt instruments for 20 minutes
Later, place in spirit or sterile water
Or antiseptic, as ordered by doctor
Place scissors in pure carbolic acid
For one minute: remove with sterile forceps
Wash instruments in hot sterilized water
Place in sterile water, as ordered
On table prepared for the doctor
STERILIZATION OF HANDS
Wash hands and forearms to elbows
With plenty of soap and hot water
Scrub fingers and nails with nail-brush
Rub hands and forearms with gauze
Soaked well in methylated spirit
Rinse in sterile water or antiseptic lotion
ASSISTING AT DR ESSI NG OF
Have sterile water and dress ings handy
Turn down bedclothes: cover with mackintosh
Remove bandage and dressings from wound
Place them in the receptacle provided
Wash hands again and dip in antiseptic
Place sterile towels round the wound
When dressing finished, wash own hands
And dip them in antiseptic lotion
QUESTION
Tell me h01ll )IOU 1IJOftid cleanse illstrumellts after all operatioll
Wash and scrub them with nail-brush
In plenty of cold and soapy water
This done, wash fully in cold water
Boil for 20 minutes: and dry carefully
Particularly at joints and serrated edges
With fine cloth; and polish with wash-leather
MORE DEVELOPMENTS
The Casualty Service of A.R .P., as my readers well Max. know, consists of:Marks 1. F.irst Aid Parties.
2. Transport in Ambulance and Sitter Cars.
3. First Aid Posts-Fixed and Mobile.
4. Hospitals and all that they involve.
This service is only one of the many services in A.R.P.
For example, Wardens, Control Staff, Auxiliary Fire Service, Rescue Parties, Decontamination Squads, Laundry Decontamination Service, etc., etc. We are all interdependent on each other in order to save life and keep the number of casualties down : Each service is learning the experience of Blitzes, and fortunately, in view likely victory, such experience finds the joints in our that may be strengthened or weakened for more g in the future, which we must be on the look-out to assimilate and put into practice. That is way of saying "Higher Training."
While these remarks apply to everyone of the services, in the Casualty Services must watch the changes by 'our section may pr ofi t. The present time of tive quiet from heavy aerial attack is the time our careful preparation and adaptation in our jobean give full attention to these things, and fortunately us the Ministry of Health, who is our guardian, guide friend in the Casualty Services, is very busy in giving results of this past experience for our future help, it would be a pity if we do not follow this closely.
1. First Aid Parties. - The better training of leaders of parties is being pushed on, and most of the I2 regions the country have their" Leaders' Schools." At these Is leaders are being instructed and practised in autles which did not appear in their early training. · The first-aid training and the teaching of St. John and 11I1I1II1II1I1I1I1I1:1II1I1II1l1I1I1II1l1l1I1l1I1l1II1II1I1I1l1l1l1i0l1I1II11I1ll11II1I1l1I1I1I1I1II1I1I1II1I1I1II1111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111
Red Cross has produced a fine fundamental understanding ,_ Pro Uti-It-tate HOilllenum of the work, but the peculiar work of a First Aid Party never visualised in our teaching before this war
George A1edal.-Ambulance Sister Margaret " Alfred Herbert" Nursing Division.
M.B.E.-Divisional Surgeon Dr. W. Royal Arsenal and Borough of Woolwich Di Ambulance Sister Mrs. A J. Costigan, Three Nursing D ivision.
Mentioned. - Dr. N. R. Holmes, M.B., Nursing Division.
FOUND
MEDALLION No. 365167-HAROLD E. SHORLEY
If the owner will apply to Corps Officer A. Ha Lincoln Corps, 2, Manor Road, Lincoln, the med will be returned.
Old first-aiders who are now leaders know nothing about cases" in a crowd of casualties in a black-out after a bombing: this needs new learning and adaptation of old methods, as we well know To choose those who may die within a quarter or half an hour, and to leave those who can safely wait longer is a new art that leaders finding difficult, and is it not indeed very much a First ald? The adequate control and direction to his four members is the art of the best sergeant-major, and his greatest responsibility. Is the leader chosen the right lUau in the tight place? An awkward question that s.hould be faced, because a wrong leader will save less
than a good leader -or in other words, will let die I
The leader's relationship to the incident officer, the bulance driver and attendant, the knowledge of the and distance of first-aid posts and hospitals
should all be familiar to him, and the local plans for cleansing gassed cases must be familiar to him. Thus unwounded gassed cases, if near home, should be sent there quickly to change their clothes and bath; if far from home, they should be sent to the local cleansing stations, hundreds of which have been already built in the last six months, and hundreds more are being built now. Wounded gas sed cases: the leader must see that the members of his party do their job properly according to gas teaching, and he must send them to hospital, if a stretcher case; or a post, if a walker or sitting- car case. Of course at each of these places special cleansing facilities are provided f or, and in many places these cleansing places have recently been newly built or old ones added to.
The Ambulances and Sitting-Car Cases.-Drivers and attendants, as well as leaders of parties, should be on the look out for many changes, for which instru ctions are already issued.
There is the possibility of gassed cases which, if using a si tting-case car, would entirely cut out its further use until its uph olstery is stripped and decontaminated. Again, the changes in personnel, due to the evacuation of many voluntary workers and the need of securing some paid workers, may arise in certain areas, or the experience acquired in the past may show that the number of ambulances may be safely reduced, or changed in various ways. Should such things be suggested by your local authorities, be quick to accept the changes suggested and don't argue against them and obstruct wise progress and change. Are there not some who do this? Friends of Hitler surely!
ext time I may refer in the same way to developments in our First Aid Posts.
Northern Ireland District
The Belfast Post Office Ambulance and Nursing Divisions were recently inspected by His Majesty's Postmaster-General, the Rt. Hon. W. S. Morrison, M.e., K.e., M.P.; Sir Stanley Angwin, D.S.O., Post Office engineerin-chief; Brigadier-General M. Kemp-Welch, D.S.O ., M.e., Commander-in-Chief Ulster Home Guard; and Mr. H. S. Thompson, P ost Office Regional Direct or, .I.
The ursing Di vision paraded in indoor uniform, the Ambulance Di vision in uniform complete with respirators, and wearing black steel helmets on which were painted the St. John Cross. This Divi sion is, the first in Belfast to be so equipped.
Mr. Morrison said he was most impressed by the smartness and efficient bearing of the Divisions, and expressed his appreciation of the good work already done by the Brigade.
John Brigade Overseas The St. l Ambulance
• In Jamshedpur A.R.P. and the Brigade
By "SLIM"
CANADA
OTTAWA
The Central Nursing Division reports that response to Public Duty calls began early in the year when members reported to Camp Fortune for the Ottawa Ski Club and continued every Sunday until the end of March. Several other First Aid P osts were attended and in all 622 cases received treatment. Members have also been takin g the A.R.P. course and a co urse in the operation of, and roadside repairs to, the modern automobile, certificate s being granted for both these courses.
Their wartime work includes a response to an emergency call from the Red Cross Society to make surgical dre ssings, and later they undertook to make flannelette bias bandages, and before the end of November they had delivered 3,076 dressings and 3,979 bias bandages; they are the o nly organisation in Ottawa making them. In addition t o thi s work members made two blankets from uniform khaki se:raps, which they gave to the Red Cross.
On June 29 a Tea and Mone y Shower was held; the Division was honoured by the presence of Her R oyal Highness The Princess Alice, Countess of Athlone, attended by her Lady-in-Waiting, the Hon. Ariel Baird, and Captain T. R. C. Goff.
In August fifty members gave their services in the National Registration of all Canadians over sixteen - a number acting as deputy-registrars givi n g full time for three consecutive days .
Seven members accepted the invitation of the Industrial . Accident Prevention Association t o give demon strations in First Aid and Home Nursing at thei r Annual Meeting. Mterwards, a most appreciative letter of thanks was received from the Chairman.
'Twenty-five members have gained the Service Medal, eleven the Service Medal Bar, and four the secon d Bar to the Service Medal.
FORT GARRY NURSING DIVISION No. 2
Members of this Division met evacuee children from this country, and after entertaining them in a local hall, saw them off to Regina. Some members accompanied the children on the journey.
ST. THOMAS CENTRAL NURSING DIVISION No 30
Members of this Division are making leather jackets for men in the Navy, 70 having already been shipped to the distributing centre; they are also co-operating with other organisations in their war work.
Although they report fewer calls for public duty, they have added four members to their strength, and several members acted as demonstrators at First Aid and Home Nursing classes.
Members of the Ambulance Divis ion No. 66 instructed the Nursing Division in stretcher drill, a keen interest bejng shown -by all.
INDIA
Sir Cameron Badenoch, Chief Commissioner, St. John Ambulance Brigade Overseas (Indian Empire), during a tour of Brigade districts, inspected Ambulance and Nursing Divi sions at Calcutta, Madras, Bangalore and
200
B o mba y The Chief Commissioner was accompanied by Captain Hafizuddin, Staff Officer for Trainin g.
Addressing the Calcutta P olice Sub -Di strict, Si r Cameron sai d that si nce he had b ecome Chief Commissioner he had b een told that until he saw a parade of the Calcutta Police Sub-Di strict h e could n o t know what a fine body of men the Brigade O verseas could produce . He assured them that his expectations, w hi ch were very hi g h, had been exceeded.
Sir Cameron inspected No. 4 Di strict, together with His Excellency the Governor of fadras and the Honourable Lad y Hope. After takin g the sa lute, they witnessed demonstrations in first aid of t wo" casualties" from gas attack.
The Chief Commissioner, in his speech, said that during the last two years the membership had risen from about 3,000 t o 10, 000 From 10 divisions in I938 the NO·4 District had now 40 divisions. He thanked His Excellenc y for his presence on the occasion which, he said, was evidence of his interest in the Brigade, and he appealed to His Excellency t o continue that interest.
When the Chief Commissioner inspected o. 5 District (Mysore) about 150 were present on parade. The divi si ons first marched past and later s ta ge d demonstrati o ns in first aid. The Chi ef Commis sio ner inspected the o. 15 District (Bangalore Civi l and Military later in the day. Four nur sing and two ambulance divi sions were drawn up on parade. The Chief Commissioner addressed both the parades after inspection.
Inspecting a parade of over 700 offi cers and men at B ombay, Sir Cameron expressed great satisfaction at the progress of the district and said that it challenge d compari son wi th any Brigade he had seen throu g h o ut hi inspection t our of India.
Sir Cameron also inspected the Sing hbhum SubDi strict at Tatanagar, the No. 9 Di s trict (Behar) at Patna, and the Brigade di visions at Allahabad. Twenty
ambulance and three nur si ng divisi ons \,' ere drawn up for parade at Tatanagar. Addressing the parade, the Chief Commissioner expressed his appreciati o n of Mr. Ghandy'g leadership and the magnificent support the members had given him.
During the inspection at P atna, Co lonel Stott (Com· missioner) said th at nearly 20 years ago there was onl )' one ambulance division in the district, but 54 divi sion had been formed since and 24,000 individuals had been trained, of whom 10,000 had received their certificates.
Nine ambulance, nursing and cadet divisions were lined up for parade when Sir Cameron inspected the Brigade di visions at A llahabad . The total stren was 2 I 8.
ST. JOHN OPHTHALMIC HOSPITAL, JERUSALEM
Norman Manson, M.B , D.O.M.S., has been appointe! Warden in succe ssion to Lieut.-Coronel Sir J ohn Strath· earn, Kt., C.B.E., M.D., F.R.C.S.E., K.St.J., who resigned, owing to ill-health, after holding the office 01 Warden for twenty-two years
The formation of th e St. John Ambu lance Brigade in 1938 was most opportune, and it would appear that its formation was dictated by events to come, for never bas there been a more urgent need for an Otganisation of this kind than at the pre sent time. \'(/ e are fortunate, therefore, in having a hi ghly trained organisation to handle casualties in th e event of an air raid on Jam shedpur Instructi on in the Bri g ade has not been confined t o first-aid and drill movement s It has been expanded to cover the important information wbich all of u s should possess if we are to serve usefully in times of danger.
Toward s the end of August, :1939, a class of si x divis iona l _uperintendents was se nt to F o rt William,
Five of the six Divisional Superintendents (Jam hedpur) trained in Anti-Ga warfare
Calcutta, for training in anti-gas warfare. The course cons isted of lectures and practical demonstrations in gas warfare, decontamination, protectio n of building and construction of air-raid she lters. On their return to ]al11sh edpur, the se officers were entrusted with the \-\lork of instructing the other members of the Brigade.
In J anuary this year Mr. F. P. Mehta gave a short series of lectures on anti-gas warfare in the Tisco To"wn Hall, and the majority of the officers of the Brigade, together with members o f the lusing Divisions, at t ended the se lectu res.
In February, 38 officers and 2 54 men were put through the gas chamb er and were given instructi on in respirator drill.
As part of the A .R.P organisation of Jamshedpur works and t own, 42 First-Aid P os ts have been establi shed wi th one Mobile First-Aid unit for emergency use in any area. Two more mobile units are in course of formation. Members of the Cavell Iursing Division have done much useful training and are now ready to take their places as nurses wherever required.
Steel helmets have been received for issue to the personnel of the vario u s A .R.P. services . Helmets for the first-aid men are painted red with a white cross in front to correspond with the red waistcoat whi ch has a white cross on the back, to distinguish the wearers as first-aid personnel.
In A .R.P. demonstrations that have been held from time to time, members of the Brigade have taken a prominent part, while other members have been present as spectators to learn their duties as first-aid men.
The organisation of the First Aid Services for A.R. P. is in the hands of h. K A. D. _ aoroji (Di strict Officer) who, in consultation with D r. J. M Rakshit (D istrict Surgeon), has drawn up an organisation that should meet all requirements in an emergency; and in the eve.nt of. an air raid, the public of Jamshedpur may have sa tlsfactlOn in knowing that medical aid and relief is ready at hand.
Service Awards
The following members of the St. John Ambulance Brigade hav e been brought to the notice of the Chief Commissioner for gallant and d evoted service during Air Raids and ha\'"e been awa.rded the MeritOrious Service Certificate of the St. John r\..mbulance Bngade :lYa ll/ e Rallk. Unit.
G. Longstaff Div. Supt W Sergeam Nottmgham C. I-Iolling\\-onh Printe Clt;- DIV. Pines Div Surgeon East London Drv-. J. Walkinsha,y Pri,-ate & E. .Cowes DIV
and Borough of E. C. Sumner 1\.. Saunders A. Hill Mrs. Ready P. Fletcher L. Mos C. Pryce \X Darch
E. 11. Roberts
J. Shaw
C. 11. Duthie
W / Taylor H. Hagen R. Briggs
C. 1\... Tisshaw
CASE REpORT No. I86.-The Officer-in-Charge of the County of Hampshire S.J.A.B. reports the efficient performance of first aid by a member of the Aldershot Cadet Ambulance Division in exceptionally trying circumstances :-
On July 8 Cadet Michael Morris was at home and was called to his father, who had been found in an asphyxiated condition and had ceased to breathe. He at ensured an abundance of fresh air for his patient and without delay commenced artificial respiration in which he was assisted by Private H. McMasters of the Aldershot Division. Coolly and persistently they persevered for one hour; and the doctor subsequently stated that, when he arrived, Cadet Morris and his friend were rendering artificial respiration most efficiently and that the patient's heart was still beating. Unfortunately the patient did not survive; and at the inquest H.M. Coronor told Cadet Morris that his action reflected the greatest credit on himself and also on the Brigade which had given him such excellent training.
COMMENT.-For his courage, coolness and competent conduct in circumstances ,vhich 1vere most distressing, Cadet Michael Morris merits cordial congratulations combined with heartfelt sympathy in that his efforts were not cr01vned with the success which thry deserved.-N. C. F.
CASE REpORT No. I 87.-The Officer-in-Charge of No. I (Prince of Wales's) District reports the efficient performance of first aid by a member of the Southall Division in the following circumstances :Orr the afternoon of March 10 a nine-year-old boy was knocked down by a coal lorry and sustained a compound fracture of the left leg complicated by severe arterial bleeding. Arriving within a few seconds of the accident, Private L. Harding improvised and applied a tourniquet to the femoral artery. He then treated wounds and fracture, and arranged for the patient's removal, together with his parents, in an A.R.P. ambulance to the local hospital, where he was detained and in due course made a complete recovery. _
COMMENT.-The skill of a first-aider can be measured by his use of whatever material is at hand. In this instance
Private L. Harding proved his worth and merits cordial conon the fact that 01 the prompt application of his expert knowledge he was able to save the life and limb of a young patient.-N. C. F.
If Questions and Answers
TREATMENT OF HANGING
W. N. (Westminster).-Your reply to the query which was published under the above heading in the August issue of THE GAZETTE reminds me of a story which I have befme now told in my lectures on first aid. It runs as follows :-
An (alleged) Irishman one day found his employer, a farmer, hanging in his barn and promptly ran off to the local police station to report the occurrence. On being asked by an irate police-sergeant why he had not cut down the victim, my compatriot (so the story goes!) replied: "Sure, he was not dead! "
Very good! A'?)' more stories ?-N. C. F. 202
COMPRESSION OF BRAIN
P. M. (Southgate). - Recently we had a discussion as to whether dilatation of pupil in compression of the brain occurs on the same side as the injury or o n the oppOsi te side. As we did not agree, we decided to submit this problem to you; and we thank you in advance for YO ur ever-ready help
UVith compression of the brain the pupils become dilated and do not respond to light)· but thry vary in accordance with the degree of compression and the actual site of the compression. If the pressure on the brain is equal!J1 diffused, both pupils first contract and then graduallY dilating cease to react to light. If, h01vever, one half of the brain is more affected than the other, the pupif on that side passes more rapid(y through these changes ,vhilst on the opposite side thry are not developed till later.
-N. C. F.
STRETCHER EXERCISES
W. C. (Belfast). - Your reply to the query which was published in the April issue of THE GAZETTE under the heading of Loading Ambulance was most interesting. Arising therefrom, it is n oted that there are some variations in the instructions on stretcher exercises as published (I) in the Textbook (p. 205, "based mainly on the R.A.M.C. Manual,") and (2) in the Pamphlet entitled Stretcher Exercises for S.J.A.B. (preface, "practically identical with stretcher exercises of R.A.M.C.").
The Pamphlet bears a late r date than the Textbook; and normally, therefore, it shou ld be taken as modifying the latter. I find, however, that this view is not generally held; and, as the points at issue are of some importance in competition work, I shall be g lad t o have an official pronouncemen t.
You 1vill find the official pronouncement in the preface of the Pamphlet, wherein the Chief Commissioner states that it "1vill henceforth (that is, from june, 1940, omvards) be observed for the training of Brigade pe?"sonne!." Further, as c01l7petitiollS are (and have alwq)'S been) an important featllre il1 Brigade training, the issue is elear.-N. C. F. TREATMENT OF OSE BLEEDING
E. G. (Hull).-In a case o f bleeding from the nose, when it is known that the patient is suffering from hi gh blood pressure, and the bleeding is what is usually referred to as a " safety valve," if the condition does not clear up after a reasonable time, is it advisable to try to arrest the hremorrhage? If so, at what stage should this be done, and what is the safest means of doing it? (I take it that the methods given in the handbook shou ld be used, of course.) Your advice will be much appreciated.
Your que?]1 suggests that you are anxious to treat tbe nose bleeding and the raised blood pressure 1vhereas jlOklr job as tI first-aider is to dealon(y witb tbe former, especial0' 71)hen it IS severe. Further, the Textbook gives no contra-indications to the line of action 2vhich it laJ ls d01vn for nose bleeding. So treat the bleeding and leave tbe blood pressure to )'our jJatient).r doctor.-
N. C. F.
Brigade Members in H.M. Forces
Private A. C. Liddle, Toynbee Hall Division, R.A.M.C., reported missing at Crete, now reported P risoner of War and wounded.
X7544 S.B.A. Wilfred Jones, R.N.A.S.B.R., a member of the Failsworth Division, Oldham Corps, has been reported as "Missin g."
Priory for Wales
IIeadquarters: Priory House, 4 Cathedral Cardiff
GENERAL INTEREST
FIRST AID IN COAL MINES
The Secretaries of First Aid Classes in the Coalfields of South and Nor th Wales have had their attention called to the leaflet issued by the Priory for Wales on the rules governing the formation of classes in the s,:bi,ect of" First Aid in Coal Mines," wi th a view to enlisting theu cooperation in interesting The is anxious to have as many classes as pOSSIble runrung thIS auturr:n; and steps have been taken to advise all interested pattIes, viz. the Coalowners' Association of Monmouthshue and Sou'th Wales, the South \Vales Miners' Federation, the Advisory Council for Technical Education in Wales and Monmouthshire, the County EducatIOn Authorities concerned with Evening Technical Classes, Colliery Companies and Managements, and Brigade Officers-in-Charge.
There is an advantage to the studen t in attending Evening Technical Class as fees have to be paId and in some cases awards are Issued free (e.g., the Glamorgan Education Committee charges IS. per co,:rse. to each student in respect of instruction and with free issue of Association awards up to and mcludillg the 1St Label only, subject to securing I 5 a minimum). Oth erwise, membership of a? ASSOClatIOn Class involves payment by the student of his share of the costs of (a) instruction (if charged by the Lecturer); (b) examination; and (c) awards other than the. first Certificates in " First Aid" and" First Aid in Coal MInes."
So oner, therefore, than run an independent it will be helpful if secretaries can the Orgarusing Teache r, if there is one in the neIghbourhood, or the District Secretary, in order that the latter may n:ake immediate application, with the approval of his or as an emergency measure, to the County Department for sanction of a class in the autumn seSSIOn.
As it is the mine worker who is alone concerned with the new course in the specialised subject-apart from such Briga de members as can be called up o n t o Colliery Re scue Work in an emergency- the Colliery Mana o-ement will be interested to see that classes are formed amono- their workmen; and it is su ggested that Cla ss offer their services to the Colliery Mana ger, who may be on the for. to undertake secretarial duties in connectIOn with a coll1ery class or in the wider field of a mining community. This recommendation applies particularly to is a nl.enl.ber of a Colliery Div ision or DivlSlO? ill a villao-e. Should a class be run under the Evemng Techrucal scheme, the District Secretary or Organisi n g Teacher will probably welcome the services of a Class Secretary.
The Priory is very much qass Secretaries who organise classes on their own and whose names may not be known to the ASSOCIatiOn Department
20 3
until an application is received for the holding of an examination; and it is particularly allX10US that such Class Secretaries as are recorded at Pri ory House may be afforded an opportunity of thi s important new development m Mirung EducatIOn.
CENTRE REPORTS
CAERNARVONSHIRE CENTRE
The Rt. Hon. Lord Penrhyn, presiding at a meeting of the Caernarvonshire Centre of St. John's Ambulance Association held recently, made reference to the great loss sustained by the Centre in the death of Dame Margaret Lloyd George, Lad y President
In his annual report, the Centre Secretary (Mr W. T Davies) stated that the total personnel of the m the county was 493, an increase. of 2I 0e prevlOus year Thi s was very encouragmg considenng that so many members had been called up to join the Forces and t o do war work in other parts of the country Members of the brigade rendered excellent public service, ne arly 6,000 public duties, an increase of 2,400 over the year, having been performed, 2, 275 cases .of aCCldents having been attended b y members o f the Bnga?e. Practically the whole personnel of the St. John Bngade a?d class members took an active part in the casualty serv1ce of the county, in manning first aid P?sts POlDtS, assisting the A.R.P. ardens and lDstruCtlng them lD ambulance work, training Stretcher Bearers, etc. ance had also been given in connection with the receptlon of evacuees from bombed areas. Mr. Davies appealed to every member to assist in making known the available to all persons for instruction and tralru.ng lD first aid work.
The Mayor of Ban o-or said it was a splendid report, and he felt the facts be made known to the public.
Superintendent G. W. Roberts, the Centre submitted the financial report, and Mr. W. Pntchard, A.R.P. Corps Officer, reported on the. A.R.P. Classes held within the Corps, in which the followmg awards had gained: Brigade A .R.P. Certificates, 41; General Publ1c Certificates, 14; A.R.P. Vouchers, 16.
Warrants of appointment were presented by the President who also handed to two members of the Penrh yn 'Quarry Divi sion, John T. Jones and Pri vate Hugh DaVIes, Mentonous Ser:rlce Certificates for brave attempts t o rescue the occupants of an aeroplane.
Loss to LlandtJdno Division.-Brio-ade work at Llandudno has lost a keen supporter in the death of Divisi o?al Superintendent Abraham Williams, whose connectlon with the Ambulance Movement extended over the past thirty years Before taking up .residence. in Llandud?o I I years ago ir. \ illiams had cons1derable serv1ce in D enbigh and was 1il possesslOn of the Gold Medal
N war-time servi ce, either in th e militar y hospit a ls or with th e civil populati on , it will b e found that a considerable proportion of p a tients a re in a state of high nervous tension. The n eed for a restorativ e tonic fo od b eve rage, which is completely n ouri shing and easil y assimilated, b eco mes urge nt.
( Ovaltine ' m eets this n ecessit y in a hig hly satisfactory m a nner , both as an emergency measure a nd as a r egul ar routine. The nutritive and energising co n stitu ent s of ( Ovaltine ' a re rapidly assimilated, providing all the essential food elements, a nd , at the same time allaying n ervo u s tension in a most helpful way.
Now, as in 1914-1918, ( Ovaltine' is widely used in th e wartime ho sp ita l service both in Engl a nd an d overseas. It is of excep tional value as a reg ular supplement to the dietary; it is de sign ed t o m eet a bn orm a l d emand s on the nervous system, a nd its u se at night is an effective a id to sou nd, restorative sleep.
( Ovaltine' po ssesses many out standing advantages. It is highly concentrated and is prepared , by exclusive scientific processes, from m a lt ed barley, full-cream milk and eggs from the world-famous ( Ovaltine' farms. It co nt ain s the esse ntial vitamins a nd valuable mineral elements, (( first-class" protein , carb ohydrate and fat in carefully adjusted r atio Moreover , ( Ovaltin e ' possesses speci a l properties which m a ke milk more digestible, a nd thus easily assimilated, even by p a tients who are seriously ill.
Supplies are available to Ho spit a ls a nd Public Service Organisation s in specia l packings and at special pri ces
Write for detail s to A. Wander, Ltd., 184, Queen's Gate, London, S.W.7. N
awarded b y the L.M.S. R a ilway Company. The general esteem in which he was held in ambulance circles was b y th e large representation of Brigade members at the funeral.
CARDIGANS HIRE CENTRE
The ann ual meetin g of the Cardiganshire Centre was held at }\berayron, ML W. R Lloyd, president. In his address, the Coun ty Commissioner, B rig.-General L. P Evans, V.C, paid a tribute to th eir former Commissioner, the lat e Mr. Steven J o nes (Chief Constab le), for the tr emend o u s amoun t of work h e had contributed t o the Asso ciati on. Since his own appointment as Commissioner, h e h ad b een asked to und ertake other duties, whic h consequently all owed him l ess time t o devote to the work of the O rder than he could wish. He expressed his appre cia ti on of the services given b y Dr. D. Da vies, Aberayro n , and felt the various D ivisions in the county shoul d be hi ghly comme nded for the way they had carried on since the out b reak of h os tilitie s. R efe rr in g to the new ambulance and nursing divisi ons at Llandyssul, h e expressed the hope that this deve l opment would give a lead for further expansion in Brigade recruitment.
P .C Islwyn D avies, Llan o n, read the Treasurer's report, whic h was adopted, and the Cardiganshire Centre Committee was elected for the ensuing year. Thanks were accorded the Chairman and Bri g .- General L. P. Evans by Mr. J. C Blainey, seconded b y !frs. J L ewis Evans.
GLAMORGAN CENTRE
Caerphj/b' Counlj Area . - Di visio n s in the Riche s Corps were inspected o n August 23 b y the Commissioner for Wales, the Hon. J oh n H. Bruce, JP., D.L., who was accompa ni ed by th e Hon. Mrs. Bruce, Lady Staff O fficer for Wa les at Pontl ottyn; a nd martness of the parade was a credit t o the As istant Commissioner, Captain S. B. Turner, M.R CS., L.R.CP. The Corps comprise six Ambulance, four ursing, six Cadet Ambulance and four Cadet ursin g D ivisions with a total trength of 582; and durin g 1940, 2,968 case of accident and sicknes were attended t o Advantage was taken of th e occasion to present the insig nia of a Serving Br other to Corps T reasurer L. J. Woods, awarded in recognition of his devoted services to th e Brigade from 1918, when he enro lled in the P on tl o tt yn D ivision.
The absence of the Lady County Superintendent, Mrs. S. B. Turner, owing to indisposition, was keenly felt All members of the Brigade in the County wish her a speedy return t o health and activity.
MONMOUTHSHIRE CENTRE
At a meeting of MontTlouth Ambu lance and ursing Mem b ers held at the Amb ulanc e Headquarters, Monmouth, at which the President, Major A Reade, D.S.O., M.C, presided, the following presentations were made by Sir Leonard Twi ston Da vies, K B.E., JP., D.L., Assistant Commissioner for Wales: T o Mt. A. E. Powell, n ow of D1,lr sle y, form er Divisiona l Secretary at Monmouth, a travellin g case; P o lice-Sergeant L. Dedman, of Ri sca, former Monmouth Divisio nal Treasurer, a barometer; and to Mr. C H Muschamp, ex-Superintendent, th e Service Medal. He paid tribute to Sergeant L. D edman, for whose good work the y would always be gra teful. In making the presentation of a travelling case to Mr. P owell , Sir Leonard Tw is ton Davies said he had pr oved a devoted and excellent sec retary.
Major Reade said that many who had been mernbers of the Division had left the town and were d oing sp lendid
2. 0 4
work elsew here. They were gra tified to know that the work of th is D ivi sio n had spread t o o th er places . He had received a lett er from th e P rincipal Secretary of the Pri ory, co ngratulatin g Monmou th upon cleari ng off the debt on the Ambu lance Ha ll and paying a special tribute to the women's section. He thanked the women for their great help. As a D ivision, Monmouth had passed thr o u g h ver y tr o ubled waters, but they did no t intend the troubled waters to sinJ- the ship.
CITY OF CARDIPF CENTRE
Lady County O fficer Miss Prichard \X'illiams has received a l e tt er of co n gra tul ation from th e Ambulance Committee of the P riory upon the presence of mind di spla yed b y her in dealing with a difficult situa tion.
Du ring an alert in Januar y Miss Pricha rd Williams discovered the hou se next door but one to her own was on fire. She immediately teleph oned f or the Fire Bri gade , th en attempted to approach the burning house. Failing to ge t through the smoke and flames, she went t o the adjoining house, knocked up the occupants and t ook th em into her own hOLlse for safe ty On the arriva l of the firemen Miss \Xli lliams informed them of the number of pe ople in the burnin g house, renderin g all possible assistance.
E \)(7S I BRIEF
Cardiff Centre may well be proud of their participati on in the organisation of the ational Red Cross and St. J o hn Flag Da y held in Cardiff on June 7, when the collections reached the record to tal of £ 1,3 34 I S. 4d .
Corps Officer McEvoy first qualified in Aid 1928 ; joined .J . .B. 1930; qualified in Home I ursing 19 3I (requalified 1931-37 inclusive); ici<: berth attendant (R . .R. ) 1932-37; British R ed Cross first aid in chemical warfare 1937; L.A.G.Cr. 1939; Amb ulance Officer (S.J.A.B.) 1939; Corps Officer 1941; meritorious first-aid certificate 194I-first to be awarded in County of Beds. Corps Officer rcE voy has ahvays been a competition man. He took up this work \vithin six weeks of obtaining his first-aid certificate and ,vithin a day or so of joining the Bri gade He led and captained the first Vauxhall team (under Association rulings) in 1936, and th e first Brigade team three years later. In 1936 he was joint ,,,inner of the Lut on and Di s trict Safety As ociation individua l trophy. He won it o utri g ht the year following.
In 1939 he won the Beds tearn lead er t rophy, avvarded t o the team captain in the celebrated " D e" ar Shield" count y contest who o btain s the highest percentage of marks in the team leaders' efficiency test, as well as in the stretcher test under the heading " efficiency of captain."
But perhaps Corps Officer McEvoy is best known in his district for his work in the practical trainin g of fit t-aid recruits. So me 350 have been through his h ands at Vauxhall du r in g the pas t five years. At the time of the Munich Crisis h e worked for six unb ro ken da ys givi ng an emergency (modi{1ed) course to 200 memb ers a day. He did imi lar work for about 100 members of the Forces.
In all , the t o tal number of recruits trained by this A.R .P. instructor can be estimated at 1,500
And he is still under 35
Supplies to the value of over half-a-million pounds are th e m os t recen t gift of the American Red Cross t o the War O rganisation It covers a wide range of nearl y a hundred items, comprising large quantities of hospital equipment and supplies. Among the items ar e cooki n g s t oves , bed jackets, dressing gowns, mosquito and sa ndfly netting, mugs, torches and batteries, sheets, pullovers , blankets, thermos flasks, saucepans and serving trays. Among the medical equipment are hypodermic syringes, clinical thermometers, surgeons' gloves , surgical lint, dressing bowls and instrument trays, all of which are urgently required b y ho spitals in this coun t ry.
One of the plea sa nt duties of the War O rganisatio n is t o transmit the letters of thank s which come t o it from the grateful recipient s of gifts As an instance, in one da y it recently had the privilege of passing on t o the American Red Cross 70 letters of thanks from hospitals from all parts o f the cou ntry, from Aberdeen to Grays, in E ssex, expressing appre ciation of many gifts, including an ambulance, surgical dre ssings, heating and cooking stoves and a p or table X -ra y unit.
T he full services of the War Organisation in the Far Ea st have been extended to Hong Kong and B orneo, where they are bein g undertaken b y the Australian R ed Cross for the time being at its ow n cost . The Organisation has sent the Australian Socie ty an appropriate letter of thank s for its very generous help and coopera ti o n.
It will be remembered that in Malaya the representative of the A ustralian R ed Cross also acts as the R ed Cross Commissioner for the \\l ar Organisation
The Air Council has approved a distinguishing badge being \yorn by V.A .D. members serying with the R.A.F. lIedical Services. The badge \,-ill be the R.A.F. Eagle \'\'ithout the Crown. It will be worn on the collar of the greatcoat, horizontally, I inch above the inner edge of the step opening, and on the lapel of the jacket
The 1iini ter of Health has decided to make a grant in lieu of the replacement of worn-out indoor uniform. The conditions under which the grant will be paid and the arrangements b y which it is payable are set ou t in the Ministry of Health Circular 2410.
The grant will be in the form of a payment ?f lOS. to every member of the British Red Cross SOCIety or the St. J ohn Ambulance Bri ga de who has been employed whole-time as a Nursing A u xiliary in the Civil ursing Re serve for peri ods amounting to at least one year, and is still so employed. The grant will als o be payable to members of b oth b odies who have been empl oyed parttime as ursing uxiliaries in the Civil Nursing R e erve for p riods amounting t o the equivalent of o ne year s " ,hole-time service, or 2,352 hours, and are still so employed
{embers may apply for the gra nt o n the appropriate
form, N.9 B. The grant will be issued to the above members of the Civil Reserve through the Detachment Department at 3, Belgrave Square, London, S.W.I.
What is being done to relieve anxiety in distant parts of the world, so wi pread are the consequences of the War, is illustrated by example of Mauritius. The island was a possession of France from 1715 to 1810, and under British rule the French language and French law have been preserved. Its associations with the French are therefore close. Its inhabitants are deeply distressed for want of news of relatives in France and in French territory.
To relieve this anxiety the Mauritius Branch of the British Red Cross Society has begun to transmit enquiries through the Relations Department t o and from France and the Island. In this way, another link in the Red Cross chain of communication s has been forged.
. Madame Benes, wife of the President of the Czechoslovak Provisional Government in this country, recently visited the Foreign Relations Department. She talked to Czechoslovak packers at the Allied Prisoners of \'V'ar Packing Centre, and visited the Departmental Registr y, where the steps taken to trace citizens of her country were explained. Madame Benes was greatly interested in the work of the Czechoslovak section, and spent so me time asking questions about the problems raised in letters from Czechoslovak citizens.
A welcome gift for British prisoners of war has been received by the War Organisation from the British -Community in Brazil-a consignment of sugar which is equivalent to 4 oz. a week for each prisoner for a period of eight weeks.
At the special request of the British Community a sample food parcel was sent to Brazil as it desired to establish a packing centre there. As the result, the first advance consignment of parcels has recently arrived at Lisbon, together with a considerable bulk supply of tinned pineapple and peaches-all of which will go forward to Geneva for distribution to the camps. These gifts of food from overseas fot' British prisoners of war are very welcome as they lessen the call upon food supplies from Great Britain.
To meet the recreational needs of British prisoners of war, the War Organisation is sending some thousands of pounds worth of sports equipment and games to the camps in Germany. The sports gear is to be provided on the basis of one box of equipment for every 100 prisoners.
. A box contains, among other articles, Association and Rugby footballs, tennis balls, rounder sticks, rope quoit s and tenniquoit nets, table tennis, boxing gloves, and sports clothes such as shorts, jerseys and bo ots Such important accessories as lacing awls, adaptors and repair outfits for footballs are also included. Draughts, chess and dominoes are items in the sets of indoor games
Provision has also been made for replacing the equipment every four months.
The seheme has been drawn up by Mr. S. F. Rous, Secretary of the Football Association and Honorary Secretary of the Sports Committee of the Red Cross and St. John Fund.
Queen Mary and the Duke of Kent have presente d further gifts of boo ks to the Red Cross and St. John Library. From the United States of America have come
very w lcome gifts of " \\festern" and detective magazines, which were distributed to Service hospitals immediately they arrived, since there i s always a great d eman d for these types of periodicals. Bookbinding and mending gro up s in \Y/ est Lancashir e have sent a number of well-bound" Pe nguins" for hospitals in the Middle Ea st In 14 days the Department supplied eighty special books, including books on boxing, navigation, radio and television, as well as novels by Charteris. Many requests for the Arthur Mee County Guide Books have come from Canadian hospitals, and the D epartment would be g lad to receive g ifts of these and also the Batsford Illustrated books. They should be se nt to the Library Headquarters at 48, Queen's Gardens, London, W.2. More than 6,500 books, magazines and illustrated papers were distributed in the past fortnight, including twenty-five bale s to the Middle East and fifty-six parcels to Service and other hospitals in this country. In the sa me period, the Department receive 4,356 books, 1,3 08 magazines and 6,006 illustrated papers, which were suitable for distribution.
Two hundred convalescent homes and auxiliary ho spitals in England and \\fales, with accommodation for 10,895 beds, have now been equipped and opened by the \Y/ar Organisation, and a further 22 home s, it is hoped, will be ready to receive patients in the immediate future.
Fifteen hundred employees of the Stepney Borough Council have agreed to contribute their penny each week to the Penny-a-\Xl eek Fund .In Wandsworth a thousand house-to-house collectors are at w or k for the Fund. In June, by their efforts, £75 a was collected. Since last December residents in this boroug h have contributed £3,710. The above are o nly two instances of the support which the Fund is receiving Humble though the penny is as a coin, its organised weekly collection on a national basis produces wonderful results.
The following letter, recently received at the offices of the Red Cross and St. John Fund, wa read with some astonishment, until the postscript was reached: "Dear Sir,-We enclose cheque for £6 lOS. towards your fund, which we have earned by the sale of our children. Perhaps other parents are doing the same thing. With all good wishes from Jack and Jess. P.S.-We spaniels are evidently as popular as ever."
Red Cross personnel at Khartoum, Port Sudan, Gezira and Atbara have wholeheartedly co-operated in the work of the War Organisation. In each place there is a trained section of V.A.D.s. A men's Red Cross D etachment has been established, and a Civil Nursing Detachment for nonBritish women has been fonned.
The supervision of quartermaster stores, kitchen and clerical duties in the Sudanese Military Hospital is undertaken by V.A.D.s. In Port Sudan, for some time, they were responsible for an emergency hospital.
A further activity of Red Cross personnel has been meeting and suppl ying meals and other refreshments to the sick and wounded at sta ti ons and landing places.
V.A.D.s have also accompanied barges bearing sick and wounded on the river journey to hospital. Ambulance trains are met at sta ti ons, and patients are provided with tea, cakes, fruit, dates, lemonade, cigarettes and papers.
Resid en t s at Khartoum and Medani give hospitality in their homes to officers and other ranks on sick leave from hospitals under a scheme organised by the Commission.
II The St. John Ambulance Brigade
News II
No. I (PRINCE OF WALES'S) DISTRICT
A very successful dance in aid of Divi sio nal funds was held recently by No. 55 (Southall-Norwood) Middlesex Ambulance Divisi on (Heston and Cranford section):
The Mayor of Southall (Alderman H. G. Smith) congratulated the organisers and paid tribute to the work of the Brigade. He offered his active assistance and cooperation whenever required.
Superintendent Taylor promised there would be many more Brigade functions in the near future.
o. 2 DISTRICT
SLOUGH
About 200 cadets of the South Bucks Corps were on parade for the annual inspection taken by Sir John Duncan,
Mr. D ruce, who was in command of the cadet units, for the able manner in which he was promoting the welfare of the cadets.
Before presenting the awards the Chief Commissione r congratulated Cadet Peter Gill, who recently rescued an evacuee boy in danger of drowning from the Grand Union Canal at Slough.
o 4 (LANCASHIRE) DISTRICT
PRESTON
Mrs. Beckwith Smith (Lady County Superintendent of Oxfordshire) and Mrs. Tweedale, M.B.E., A.R.R.C., J.P. (Lady Di strict Superintendent of o. 4 District), recently inspected the work of the Preston Nursing Divisions. They were shown some of the many gar-
PORT A U GUSTJ\ DIVISIOr
K C.B., C.M.G ., C.V.O., D 0., Chief Commissioner of the St. John Ambulance Bri ga de.
Addressing the Cadet unit s, Sir J ohn said: "It g ive s me very great pleasure to have an opportunity of seeing this splendid parade. I do not think there is such a big proportion of cadets to adults in any single town in England. I have come to present Grand Pri or badges to 16 cadets. This is a very great honour: it means that each cadet has studied and pa sse d in 12 different subjects, and anyone who is thus qualified is a more useful citizen than anyone who is not."
Sir John concluded his address by con gratulating those who had taken part in the da y's display. He also thanked 2. 0 7
(South ;\'JstuLia District)
ments made by the Red Cross work parties, of the Red Cross and St. John Central Hospital Supplies and Comforts Depot, and heard that 7,765 garments have been sent ships, and military hospitals, the FInnIsh Red Cross, to blitzed children wounded and in hospital, as well as to minesweepers and Polish airmen.
An Army Sick Bay has also been equipped.
They also inspected the Galloway Medical Comforts D epot, and saw the arrangements made for the Servicemen's Dormitory run by the St. John members. Durinothe six months this depot has supplied beds for SerVIce men passmg through the town.
\\fhen told that 3,288 people have been trained in
first-aid, home nursing and anti-gas, and received their both Mrs. Beckwith Smith and Mrs. expressed their th anks for all that the St. John Ambulance Brigade were doing in Preston, and congratulated them on their fine work.
Later they were taken to see one of the first-aid posts in the town, of which Miss M. R. Moore is Commandant and Miss J. Eccles Assistant Commandant.
Miss M. R. Moore (Lady Corps Superintendent) and Miss J. Eccles (Lady Corps Officer) were in charge of the inspection.
ST. HELENS
Private Austin Rimmer, of the St Helens Town Division, was recently pres€nted with the 15 years' Long Service Medal by Divisional Superintendent A. \-'(farren HORWICH
The Horwich Nursing Divisi on, formed in 1939, now has thirty members, all of whom are engaged in useful work.
The Division is fully equipped with indoor uniforms, which have been purchased out of funds o btained from danees organised from time to time.
A well-stocked comfort depot is maintained in case of sickness.
No. 5 DISTRICT
SHEFFIELD
Officers and ranks of the 14 Ambulance Divisions and nine Nursing Divisions of the Sheffield Corps and members of the A.R.P. Casualty Services recently provided a large audience at No. 13 First Aid P ost, Sheffield, for a film show presented and arranged by Divisional Surgeon H. Finklestone-Sayliss, of the Sharrow Divisi on (Sheffield Corps), who is the Post Medical Officer. The Ministry of Home Security's Training Film, First Aid, Aseptic Operating Technique, Fracture of P atella, Circulation, and " Lest Ye Forget" wefe shown. The latter film, directed by Dr. H. Finklestone-Sayliss, acted by members of the post, who are also members of the Sheffield Corps, S.J.A.B., received the appreciation of Mr. 'iXla ller (who is the A.R.P. Officer for the City of Sheffield) for it s instructional value. The proceeds of the evening were dev oted to the Sheffield Corps.
BOLSOVER
Acting County _ Commissioner H. C. Chambers recently attended a parade of the Bolsover Division, County of Derby, and presented the following service awards gained by members for the year 1940: Two medals, one se cond bar and five third bars.
The Bolsover Division was registered in September, 19 0, and since 1925 seventy-two service awards have been gained.
The Division has always been smart, well di sciplined and efficient. It has twice been called out for disa sters locally. Their Divisional Surgeon (Dr. J. B. McKay) gained the rare distinction of the award of the Life-saving Medal of the Order in gold for the part he took in the Marksham Colliery disaster in 1938.
Its members, being colliers, are in a reserved occupation, but practically all of them are enrolled in A.R.P. first-aid serviee or Home Guard.
No. 8 (DUKE OF CONNAUGHT'S) DISTRICT
BRIGHTON
Over 200 members of the Brighton Corps recently attended a special service conducted by the Corps Chaplain, the Rev. Canon T. J. James, M.C., M.A., at St. Anne's Church.
Ambulance divisions of the Brighton Police, Special Constabulary, Bri g ht on Town, and Nursing divisions from Pre ston and :Brighton, in addition to Cadets from Pre st on and Brighton, were represented at the parade. In h is addre s, Canon James emp h asised the Christian character of the work undertak en b y the Brigade.
The les so ns were read b y Dr. F. H. Stuttaford (Corps Surgeon) and Corps Superintendent T. E. Marsh, S.B.St.].
After the service the Ambulance divisions were inspe cted by Alderman F. J. Beal, J.P. (Corps President), and the Chief Constable of B righ t on (Captain W. ]. Hutchinson, S.B.St.].). Lady Baddeley and Mrs. Stuttaford inspected th e Nursing and Cadets divisions.
CHERTSEY
A combined inspection of the Chertsey and Addlestone Division, Airscrew D ivision and Wo odham Sect.ion was taken recently by Mr. \Y/. G. Pape, O.B.E. (County Commissioner for Surrey). The parade, under the comrnand of Divisional Superintendent R. ]. Gristock, numbered a b out 150.
After the inspection, which included practical work, the County Commissioner presented the Dr. Harmens' Cup for the mo st efficient nur se to Mi ss Vincent, of Chertsey, and three-year chevr o ns to Ambulance Officer Mrs. Wilkinson, Ambulance Sisters A Richard son, Ellis and A. S. Smith.
Mr. Jenkins (chairman of the Chert ey Civil D efence Commi tt ee) pre sented the prizes ,von by the ddlestone squad in an A .R.P. competition.
Thanking the members of the St. J ohn organ isation for the work they had d o ne in the urban district for the Civil Defence Committee and the community at lar ge, Mr. Jenkins said it would have been impos ible to have carried on without the ir help, and that he would like to express his gratitude for " That they had done and \-yere doing.
Mr. Pape said he was very pleased to hear the remarks made by :Mr. Jenkin s because to hin1 it was most e ncouraging t o find their work appreciated. He had been very impressed with the smart way members had worn their uniforms, and he h o ped that the next time he came he wo uld find girl cadets In conclusion, he tbanked all for attending and for giving him the extreme pleasure of finding such smartness, keenness and efficient 'v ork He hoped their work would continue to Bouri sh.
Correspondence II
To the Editor, ST. ]OI-IN AMBULANCE GAZETTE
DEAR SIR,- \-'{lith reference to the" records" yo u have recently published in the GAZETTE, I should like t o submit that of our Divi sional Superintendent, F. Clayt o n:Sergeant, September 30 1936. Ambulance Officer, January 15, 1937· Superintendent, March 2, 1938. With congratulations to all who can beat this record. Yours, etc.,
FRANK WILCOCK, Divisional Secretary, Transpor t Division, Halifax.
To the Editor, ST. JOHN AMBULANCE GAZETTE
DEAR SIR, - I have received an interesting communicati on from Mr. Walter Makepeace, of Bristo l, encl osing
208
PRACTICAL BOOKS
by N. CORBET FLETCHER, M.B., B.C., M.A.(Cantab.), M.R.C.S.
FIRST-AID (7th Ed.)
First-Aid Simplified and Tabulated with Aids to Memory. Price I /- (Post 2d ) EFFICIENCY IN FIRST-AID (3rd Ed.)
Problems in Study. Treatment and Examination solved for Senior Students. Price 1 - (Post 3d.)
COMMON ERRORS IN FIRST-AID
Errors in First-Aid Detailed and Expla ined. Price 1/- (Post 2d.)
AIDS TO HOME-NURSING
Home NurSing Simplified and Tabulated. with Aids to Memory. Price 1/- (Post 2td ).
AMBULANCE COMPETITION TESTS
Stretcher. Individual and Question. Eacb Folder
Obtainable from:
THE FOUNTAIN PRESS
11/13, BREAM'S BUILDINGS, CHANCERY LANE, E.C.4
FLAG DAY EMBLEMS, BUTTONS AND BADGES
Price Lists on application For 01/ supplies write: THE
UN IVERSAl BUTTON CO., lTD.
Surat Street, Bethnal Green, E.2
Telephone: Advance 2254 Telegrams : Unib ut co, fda, London
CLASSIFIED ADVERTISEMENTS
Adve1·tisemenls with remittan ce should be sent to the St. John Ambulance Gazette, II/q, Bream's Bllildings, Chancery LalJe, E.C.4.
____________ 2d per wo __ SCE NT CARDS AND SACHETS, pnnted with your announceruents, are splendid money raisers and show 300 % profit. free on request -AIRRDALR PRESS Bradford
p ENCILS OF SUPERIOR QUALITY, printed with your Corps Na me and announcement, sell eas ily Sample freeAIR EDALE PRESS Bradford.
COMMI SSIONER'S FROCK COAT (b raid ed pattern), would fit an ofiicer with chest 36
5 ft. 10 ins to
ft. 11 in. Very
worn. Price £ 5. Eeplies should be sent to the Editor_
UR GENTLY WANTED. --Several copies of tl;is Journal for March, April and August, 1941. end copies with price to Publisher , TH E ST. JOHN AMBULANCE GAZ.l£TTE, 11 13, BREAM'S BUILDINGS. CHAN CE RY LAN E, L ONDON, E.C.4.
IODINE EDUCATIONAL BUREAU, Stone
Bishopsgate, London, E.C.2. IODINE IS antiseptic the for most economical domestic use
his First-Aid CertiEcate dated December, 1880. It contains the signatures of people eminent in those days, SUc11 as ] ohn Furley and James Cantlie.
It would be interesting to know how many of these early pioneers of the Ambulance movement are still living.
Yours, etc., MYRON R. FAIR, Hon. Secretary, The St. John Ambulance Association, Bristol Centre.
To the Editor, ST. JOHN AMBULANCE GAZETTE
DEAR SIR,-Could you please settle the following points for me?
(I) Is not the cloth -badge for A.R.P. overalls to be worn 0nly by members of S.J.A.B. Divisions? (I refer, 0f course, to the S.J.A.B. badge obtainable from the Store Department.)
(2) Where should the badge be worn by (a) male personnel, (b) female personnel?·
There has been a lot of controversy in York over these matters, and as a Brigade member and First-Aid Instructor I am often asked to arbitrate.
I shall be extremely grateful if you will answer these queries f0r me.
Yours, etc., F. S., York.
RE,PLY.-The approved Brigade Badge authorised bJl the MinisttJ l of Home Security mt1)1 be 1vorn lry members of the Brigade who are enrolled in the A.R.P. S ervice s on the right breast of A.R.P. overalls, or battle dress. Th is applies to male personnel on£y.-EDITOR.
A St. John Investiture
H.R.H. the Duchess of Kent acted as the King]s representative at a recent investiture for St. John Ambulance wox.kers from Leicester and Leicestershire. The ceremony, one of the Erst to be held away from the Chapter Hall] St. John's Gate, Clerkenwell, took place in the grounds of Thorpe Lubenham Hall, the residence of Sir Harold and Lady Zia Wernher. Lady Zia Wernher, Leicestersrure County President, was among those invested with the insignia of Officer Sister of the Order.
A demonstration was given by Market Harborough Ambulance Division and Market Harborough and Lubenham Nursing Divisions.
An inspection of the two Market Harborough ambulances by the Duchess concluded the afterno o n ceremony.
St. John Ambulance Brigade War Organisation
The Nursing Divisions of the St. John Ambulance Brigade offer many and varied opportunities to women who wish to assist their country, especially in time of war, whether, they are able to give whole-time or part-time service.
Among the principal objects of the Brigade are :-
(a) To form Nursing Divisions so as to have i-n readiness an organised, disciplined and trained body of women to render First Aid or Home Nursing services when required.
(b) To afford members opportunities of meeting together for First Aid and H o me Nursing practice.
In war, members of the Nursing Divisions are available,
with the approval of the Order of St. John, to serve in :-
(a) Voluntary Aid Detachments. (Mobile and immobile.)
(b) The Civil Nursing Reserve. (Mobile.)
(c) The Civil Defence Services. (Mobile and immobile.)
(d) General Service. (Mobile and immobile.)
A Nursing Division is composed of not less than 12 qualiEed women members under a Lady Divisional
Such D.ivisions are to be found in practically every town. The age limit for members is 18-65. All enrolled members are entitled to wear the Brigade u.niform.
Particulars of your nearest Nursing Division can be obtained from the Lady Superintendent-in-Chief, The St. John Ambulance Brigade, at 3, Belgrave Square, London, S.W.I.
QUALIFICATION FOR MEMBERSHIP
The qualiEcations f or membership are:-
(a) British nationality.
(b) A recognised certificate in First Aid.
(c) A recognised certificate in Home Nursing.
Recognised certiEcates are those issued by :-
The St. John Ambulance Association.
The St. Andrew Ambulance Associat ion.
The British Red Cross Society.
The L o ndon County Council.
The ational Fire Brigade Association.
INTENSIVE TRAINING CENTRES
Intensive training in First Aid and Home Tursing may be taken at fortnightly re sidential courses in the country at an inclusive fe e of £4.
Applications shou ld be made to Mrs. Beckwith-Smith at :-The Manor, Stratto n Audley, Bicester, Oxon.
At the end of each course examinations in First Aid and Home Nursing are held. Successful candidates can enrol in a Nursing Di vision of the St. John Ambulance Brigade and und ertake nursing duties in Convalesce nt Homes and Auxiliary Hospitals, join a V.A. D etachment, or qualify f or membership in the C. .R. by takin g 50 hours preliminary hospital experience.
MAINTENANCE OF EFFICIENCY
Members of ursing Divi sions are required t o attend a minimum of 12 drills or practices and to pass a Bri gade re-examination in First Aid and Home 1 ursing, and attend an inspection each year t o be classed as efficient.
For the duration of the war, however, fully mobilised members of the Civil Nursing R eserve or Voluntary Aid Detachment s will be granted efficiency without fulElling the above conditions. Officers and members enrolled in the Civil Defence Services are required to pass the annual re-examination whether working full-time or not. Those g iving part-time service on l y are required, in addition, to attend six practices.
Every three years' efficient service in the Brigade qualiEes a member for the Service Chevron; Efteen years' efficient service qualifies her for the Service Medal of the Order of St. John. Members are also eligible for other awards of the Order in recognition of special service. (To be continued)
Gazette Editorial Offices
Will contributors to the Gazette please note that after the 28th September all communications should be addressed: The Editor, The St. John Ambulance Gazette, St. John's Gate, ClerkenweIl, London, E.C.t.
r CBssful REV I VAL DEPEN 0 S "de 0 N PRO MPTA CTID N
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 I ral1d for Civilian use. ALL A.R.P. EQUIPMENT
DUST Safety and SPRAY and all other and Protective MASKS Devices.
SIEBE, GORMAN & Co., Ltd.
LONDON, S.E.l.
All communications to :-UGraneec:lare,"
Stomach Disorders
The acute discomfort of recurring I the pain of flatulence and distension associated
with acid dyspepsia, will yield to treatment
with
Antacid, sedative and mildly aperient, is a flnelydivided powder composed fh b b th 0 teases ismu , soda and magnesium, together with papain and diastase, which assist d igestion. is flavoured with oil of peppermint, ma king the preparation acceptable h d th to t e most sensitive patient an ,at e same • time, providing a valuable carminative. Relief II
is experienced soon after the dose is taken. I
Samples are offered,firee on 'JJ' § request, to Ambulance Men.
In order TO OBTAIN UN,FORM FREE OF COUPONS it is necessary for Officers and Members of the St. John Ambulance Brigade to send us their permit, upon receipt of which a special form will be sent them for signature. Permit will be returned.
Uniform by Garrould ensures c;orrect design, high grade materials selected for smartness and hard wear.
S.J.A.
Ube St. lobn Bmbulance OFFICIAL GAS CHARTS
LADY SUPERINTENDENT - IN-CHIEF FOR WALES AT MERTHYR An incident during a recent tour lTIade by H R.H, the Duchess of Kent. The COlTIlTIissioner for the Borough of Merthyr Tydfil, Captain W. J. Canton, Ll.B., is on the left. with the Mayor of the Borough, Councillor A. J. Brobyn, J.P. on the left of Her Roy al Highness a r e the Hon. Mrs. J H Bruce, Lady Staff Officer for Wales, and the Co u ntess of PlYlTIo u th, Assistant Lady Superintendent - in-Chief for \Vales.
do not dread the application of" Iglodine," because, unlike many other antiseptics, it heals without hurting. It is' ideal for cleansing and sterilising all su rface I nJ u ries, and hastens healing qUickly without leaving a scar. It is recommended extenSively by the medical profession. .
7d., I I td.; I j9h 1/1 I. From all ,Chemists and Boots Branches
THE IGLODINE CO., LTD., NEWCASTLE UPON TYNE
HOBSON '&SONS
II'OUNDIlD 1880. (LONDON), Ltd. SPECIALISTS IN UNIFORMS . MANUFACTURERS OF EVERY DESCRIPTION OF- UNIFORM CLOTHING AND EQUIPMENT for St. John Ambulance Brigade. JACKETS, TROUSERS,
For Frayed Nerves, Headaches and Neuralgic pains. is no safer or better treatment. Cephos. the prescnptlon of an Eminent Harley Street Physician, has a soothing and steadying effect on the nervous system and it does ,not aftect the heart. Sold everywhere in Tablet or Powder form 1 /5 and 3/5. Single dose-tablets or powder 2td. Cephos does not affect the heart
Proprietors: Ltd., Blackburn THE JOURNAL OF THE VENERABLE ORDER OF
THE ST. JOHN AMBULANCE GAZETTE is published on the 15 th of each month. Th e annual subscription is 4s., post free ,. single cop ie s, 3d.
Brigade reports and photographs should be addressed to the Editor: St.John's Gate, Clerkemvell, London, E.C. 1. R eports and photographs should reach him not later than the 28th of the !llonth preceding the daJe of i ssue.
SubSCriptions and Adverti sements should be forwarded to the puplishers :
Messrs. British Periodicals, Ltd., 1-13, Bream's Buildings, London, E.C.4.
CONTENTS
Editorial Home Nursing Page Behind the Scenes in LocaJ Government Priory for Wales Brigade News Interesting Case Reports Questions and Ans w ers Obituary Air Raid Precautions Overseas New s . Red Cro ss and St. John War Org anisation Dewar Challe ng e Shield Correspondence
Red Cross and St. John Fund
In a recent broadcast Lord IliHe, as Chairman of the Duke of Gloucester's Appeal Committee, announced that in the second year of the war appr oximatel y £4,000,000 Was added to the Red Cross and St. John Fund.
Voluntary workers, tent free premises, reduced prices and special terms, Lord Iliffe pertinently pointed out, made the income of the War Organisation go a good deal farther than would otherwise be the case: also, in addition to money donations and services, there had come an unending stream of gifts in kind from overseas, from generous friends in America, the Dominions, the Colonies and from many foreign countries.
But n early all the available money had been spent and was wanted to enable the War Organisation to fulEI Us many obligations.
Lord Iliffe said that he had heard people ask why all the important and essential work undertaken by the Wv:: Organisation was not carried out by the Government'_ The answer was, he explained, that the voluntarily supported Red Cross movement in this country was affiliated to the International Red Cross, and that this secured for it certain privileges which were denied to belligerent: governments themselves. For example, if it were not for the International Red Cross organisation, reports could not be received from its independent inspectors as to the: conditions which prevailed in the prison camps. in Germany; and he pointed out that it was through the Intet.national Red Cross that searches were conducted for the rrussmg.
Lord Iliffe mentioned some of the special ways by which money was raised for the Fund. Every sportsman, almost everyone who played any game, had found a way to help the Fund by means of his own particular recreation_ Schoolchildren had helped in a thousand ways. Stamp and coin collectors, artists and actors and actresses had all a?sisted. The whole population had joined in giving its :,Imultaneous support to Flag Days. Rare pictures, china,. and works of art of all kinds had been given for sale 'in Cros.s shops and by auction. Old gold had been receIved whIch had produced approximately £70,000, B.B.C. listeners were supporting the Fund in their own:: special way through Neil Munro's ingenious sound contests which, mainly in 2td. stamps, had already produced £45,000.
The farming community had adopted the Red Cwss and St. John exclusively as its wartime charity. Before the end of this year, Lord added, over a million pounds.. would have been subscnbed by the rural community.
- The most widely supported collection was the Penny--aWeek Fund. To 1t no fewer than 5,000,000 wage-earners subscnbed. It was a great democratic movement which was supported by the Trade Unions and the employers. and was the backbone of the whole Fund.
One penny a week, Lord Iliffe pointed out, was so small a sum that everybody could afford it: yet, added together,.. the pennies were already producing £22,000 a week, and! they could produce more than three times that amount. B
HOME NURSING 'PAGE
FOOD AND ' FEEDlNG
by
ALICE M: M.B., B.S. (London)
The functions of food are mainly:
(I) To provide for the growth and repair of the tissues of the body.
(2) To act as a source of energy which can be converted iilto heat and power.
Food, to be of use, must be dige sted, absorbed, and assimilated. , In sickness the organs of digestion are usually weak and unable to perform their proper functions, and so the patient is unable to digest ordinary food, and must h ave special dieting.
For some cases the doctor prescribes a liquid diet. This ought to include enough to maintain the patient's strertgth without putting an undue strain on his impaired (digestion. Three pints of milk in 24 hours are essential for maintaining strength, if no other food is given With the doctor's permission, broth, albumef:l water, barley water, orahge ,or lemon juice may be added-and later, ,eggs.-
A light diet includes tea, coffee, eggs lightly boiled or poached, clear soup, bread and butter, toast, steamed white ,fish, chicken, jellies, porridge, junket, cream.
This diet must be distributed over the day, and light things like chicken broth, milk, or milk with an egg beaten up in it, are kept for midnight and 3 a.m.
The doctor generally prescribes light diet for people who ate less ill than those who can only take liquids-or when, the more ,seriously ill begin to convalesce. If the digestion is ' not affected, and the case is a mild one, the patient may begin with this diet, as in colds , or light bilious attacks. Surgical cases are only strictly dieted if the site of operation has involved the alimentary sys tem, and after an ana::sthetic. Otherwise they generally eat normally.
Learn how to make junkets and prepare barley water, whey, albumen water, milk puddings, how to steam fish, etc. It is always pathetic when otherwise clever men and women are helples s in attending to the diets o f their sick relations.
Remember to serve meals to the sick in your care punctl+ally and attractively. Bring in small quantities of food on a clean cloth, daintily served.
Never cook meals by the bedside or in the patient' s room. Never eat your own large and varied meal by the bedside of a: patient who is on a severely restricted diet. Liquids are best given in a feeding cup. Take the feeder in your right hand (if you can stand on the patient's rigrt ), slip your left forearm and hand behind pillo:", and raise the patient's head and shoulders. Th1s applles if the patient is on his back. If he is on his side and may
not or cannot be moved, depres s the pillow by the side of the mouth, pass yo ur forearm and hand under , the pillow, and incline the head t owards the feede r very
gently.Place the spout of the feeder in the patient' s mouth and tilt the feeder slightly, allowing only a little fluid at a time to pass into the mouth, A good way of learning how this feeding should' be done is for yo u to go to bed and entrust the work o f feeding yo u to a buddin g Fir st Aider. You will soon realise ho w very unc omfortable feedin g can be if badly done.
Place a napkin under the chin or side of the face while the patient is taking his n ouris hment.
For unconscious patients a special technique is needed, also jf he has an injury to the m o uth or jaw.
(0) Attach about 4 inches of rubber tubing to the t> spout of the feeder, after boiling it.
(b) Turn the patient's head ge ntl y to one side.
(c) Pass the little finger along the in ne r side o f the cheek on the pillow, and keeping th e cheek away fr om the gums, g ently pass the tubing al ofl g the finger.
'-.
(d) Gently pour in o ne tablespo o nful of the fluid at a time, from the feeder, 'w hen the patient wi ll swallow without the effor t of drawing the liquid into the mouth.
As a practical exercise , write out a patient's diet sheet, if he has to have (i) Liquid diet; (ii) Light diet, during and after t yp h oid fever.
Put in the h o urs and quantities, as if you were making the report to the doctor.
And to make this a useful lesson, make (I) Whey, (2) Rice pudding, (3) Junket.
N .B. - D on' t use the hou sehold' s milk supp ly, get in your o\vn for the culinary effort.
Pro Utilitate Hominum
B.E.M. Superintendent C. Steele, Sheppey Rural Division, I sle of Sheppey Corps, in recognition of his gallant co nduct and service during enemy ac tion. Since the o utbreak of war Mr. Steele has turned out on forty· seven o ccasions , on his own initiative, to ca rry out patrol duties during enemy raids and has taken an active part in se\j"eral incidents in which he has displayed great devotion to duty
Behind . the Scenes in Local .,Government-II
By JAMES FENTON C B E M D M R
The uninstructed citizen is apt to regard the To H 11 merel y as the place where rates are a' d wn , a sent when the dustbin is not emptied p offices of the local government of'th d' ,y 1t IS e f 'b e Istnct and an In ormatlOn ureau with a wealth of d t ' I h' h t 'h e a1 w lC would
as OillS most enquirers In th P bli H , e u c ealth De t ment maps can be seen with coloured ins mark' parh?use where a case of diseastha b lng ,each L1sts are kept of all f oster-children in order that the b' , OIoug III y may e g1ven speClal supervision Fl are. present from particulars of. any house' in be d1scovered, the thickness of its walls num er 0, rooms, status of its occupiers and f i s kept o n the as:d , , e In a Itants of the borough and co ns1deratlOn is given to all requests and sym complamts
is borough which, I serve, the peacetime population ar y 200,000. It IS represented b and sixty councillors electe/ fr::a,b;,r, uar ,s llltO whIch the borouo-h is divided Th 'I meet! h h b ,e co UnCI fl:gs, at w 1C the recommendations of the v are discussed and the policy of th anr: s dec1cled, are open to the public. It seem counC1 1S do not, avail themselves more that the tUillhty of heann g discussions since the rea c a very hi h I 1 f en each 'th h fS eve 0 ,excellence. Committees by thWl a 'C l aIrman and vIce-chairman, are formed e counCl to carry t h of each section o f the e necess,ary reports placed before them by th!O vanous
Of, these, chief offi cers, the town clerk attends t o the :f the, council and is their legal adviser. lCfE ea t serV1ces are under the direction of the o cer of health Th b · h surveyor deals with th '. "e , ,engIneer and the, re:noval of house of :r and with street ::ou g treasurer sees to the of na ges, the ge neral finances of the council Th chIef offi h ere are cers, suc as the librarian and the va luat.ion
by the levy of rates, the police f orce and to the °l2" q:o.ta to the metropolitan collect rates but I .,., or the se bodIes d o not fot their precept o n the b oro u g h councils
Th bl ' Th e yu lC health dep artment has many sub d' , , D.S.O. Divisional-surg eon of the B rid lin gto n Nurs' Division, Sur geon-Lieut. G. L. \V a.r d, R.N .V.R" serving w ith the R oyal Navy. The award is " f ot courage skill and devoti o n to duty in operations off the Libya n
ere 1S first a g I bl - IVISlons. infect' d' enera pu IC health section dealino- with lOUS lsease removal of ' b in th ' " nUlsances , drainaGe defects e, sanitary of h ouses and so g n' Th 1S a food 1nspection d , en food sold in th b wh1ch supervi ses e orough with speCla l attc:,ntion to the coast."
" e oUSlllg epartment deals with slum senous defects in the condition ot individual ouses. unhealthy basements are I d , accon:modation provided, and c department with a dispensar y staffed by a ercu OS1S 0 cer and nurses for the ho ' , of pat' Th me VISltlng len ts, e ma terruty and child 1£ d h " we are epartment as a peacetlme establishment of Din 'nf 1£ centres th' , e 1 ant we are , ',e sesslOns at which are conducted by h 1 !:': medical officers on the borough , wo ant treatment chrucs, four day nurseries and a bab y Maternity beds are available for Kensin wome?-, III Queen Charlotte's Hospital under the bo gtohn co unCIl s scheme ro ug th ,inspectors, health visitors spend m ost of , elr III h ome V1S1tlng . Every birth in Kensin t 1S, .r:otlfi ed t o the medical officer of health and the h g nffor that then satisfies hee:S:lf new- orn 1 ant and Its mother a ' , the nece ssary care. Children of all worki re r la ece1vlllg all " d ng-c S8 parents VtS1te at regular intervals until the child reaches 00 age and the mothers are encouraged to brin both 1nfant and toddler to the welfare centre where the ge t the benefit of skilled medical supervision from health may be observed rect1fie d at the earliest possible moment Th B an au00rise the free distribution 'of li or Its substitutes to the children of necessitous at these welfare centres the discretion of th di sl o ffi . thi ' , e me ca , s 1S prov1ng especially beneficial to health l'n
2I7 wartime .
In Kensington the co op , f inf :Vith the staff ant welfare centre h lb ' ac , as a vo untary committee "\vho aSSIst the staff at the sessions and help th th P ract' 1 h d' e mo ers In many lca sc emes eV1sed f or their benefit.
of T!: sketch of the public health d £ ,as purposel y omltted the o-reat civil orgar:usatlO n the administration and of ,ch were .gl:ven to 0e local councils at the onset of the ::fi Ehe detaIls of thIS organisation are already sufficiently , nown to members of the St. John A bul Brwade The 0 I' h m an ce is ki d ny pOlnt w 1ch I wish to draw attention d n asslstance gIven b y the personnel of th fi · al posts who have helped to staff th nf e rSLes tablished within their premis e es 1 an;h has enabled new centres to be ne t 0 and chIldren remaining in L o nd on 'which would otherWIse have proved ver diffi I shortao-e of staff 0 y cu t oWlllg to B" b nce more the St. John Ambulance n ga de have earned the gratitude of the public. (To be concluded )
The increasing responsibilities devolving up on the Joint County Committees working under the War Organisation of the British Red Cros s Society and Order of St. John are providing welcome openings for useful service for personnel of the -two bodies and their supporters. Full advantage is being taken of these opportunities to the happy spirit of co-operation which finds expression not only in the execution of joint work but in the routine activities of the local units. According to accounts appearing in the Press froIl) time to time of presentation meetings and other functions arranged by Detachments and Divisions it has become the rule rather than the exception to invite of the organisation where such exists in the locality.
The Joint County Committees are building up fine records of , service, a reference to which can fittingly be made in this GAZETTE from time to time; and in this issue the joint work of two of the Welsh counties is briefly summarised.
GLAMORGAN JOINT COMMITTEE
This county is extremely fortunate in its Chairman, the Earl of Plymouth, Sub-Prior of the Priory for Wales, whose pelfsonal contribution ,to this work, notwithstanding other important commitments? is a source of inspiration. Another feature of its constitution which may be regarded
, as placing Glamorgan Joint Committee in a somewhat enviable position is the close association as Chairman of its Hospitals Committee of Lt.-Col. Sir Ewen J. Maclean, M.D., T.D., J.P., D.L. Under the expert leadership of so distinguished an authority on medical matters, who incidentally holds an honorary appointment under the War Organisation of Inspector of Hospitals for Wales, it is not surprising that Glamorgan has made Hospital development one of its major activities.
There 'are six Convalescent Hospitals operating in the County, providing a total bed accommodation of 425. The majority of these establishments have been set up in famous country mansions which have been placed rent-free at the disposal of the Committee. Already large numbers of Service Patients have benefited by convalescent treatment at these hospitals, one of which has also accommodated victims of Cardiff air 1iaids. The largest hospit al of 10 beds was selected for the location of a motor mobile physio-therapy unit which visits all the for the purpose of administering such massage and electrlc physio-therapy treatment as may be orde re d.
The Committee has recently decided, at the instigation of the Countess of Plymouth, to augment the Hospita]. Library Service by arranging for a member of each body to take a course of training in the case-making for" Penguins " and other paper-covered books, with a view to local personnel being trained in this work for the purpose of maintaining an adequate supply of books to keep the 218
libraries which are being set up at all the E.M.S. and military hdspitals in the county we ll supplied.
Liaison officers are appointed to each of the hospitals which come within the province of the Glam· organ Joint Committee. Though fortunately the need fo r their service has not materialised in many areas, tho se associated with the hospitals which have taken Service patients and civilian casualties have been tireless in their efforts to render all possible assistance to visiting relatives, who have been met at the railway stations, found com· fortable billets and generally help ed during their anxious visit. To the end of Aug ust 157 relatives had been assisted, involving expenditure on the part of the War Organisation amounting to £178 14S. IOd. The availability of the Concession Vouchers which enable relatives to obtain reduced travelling fares has been brought to the notice of the public by the distribution of 500 printed notices which are displayed in all public places throughout the county
Every day relatives and friends of prisoners of war an d missll1g men bring their problems to the office of th e Joint Secretaries; and in cases of extreme hardship th e next-of-kin are given some help in cash or kind to enable them to make use of the label provided by the War Organ. isation to despatch a parcel to their prisoner of War.
A Glamorgan County Reserve Store is maintained so that a valuable reserve of supplies is ready for immediate issue at need. Here, again, rent-free premises are occupied.
Eighty-nine requisitions for Hospital Comforts for In· stitutions in the coun ty have been deal t with, a large number of the requirements . havin g been met from the CH.s.S. Glamorgan Depot, which is a most important and progress· ive Department of War Organisation work in the county. Arrangements are in hand for staffing a Mobile Canteen Van allocated to Glamorgan by the War Organisation, which will be operated in affiliation with the Y.M.CA.
Relief of air raid distress continues to be afforded, though on a diminishing scale. The need for this fund was carefully investigated at a conference of all interested parties convened in July, but the small grants made from time to time. in cases where adequate help is not forth· coming from other sources, have afforded great benefit.
The development of the Penny-a-\Veek Fund, regular distribution of posters, the introduction of talks on War Organisation activities, the organisation of moneyraising efforts among schoolchildren and other forms are receiving due consideration.
JOINT COMMITTEE
B RECKNOCKSHIRE
The Hon. Mrs. Alastair Cooper, acting reports as follows :-.
"There is one convalescent hospital staffe d by Cross and St. John personnel. Their patients have bed mostly A.T.S., but lately men patients have been and being received. During the slack periods lectures
First Aid, Home Nursing, Gas and Hospital Nursing have been arrange d for the hospital staff.
a A large reserve store of hospital equipment is now in eXlstence the of Mrs. Bagshawe, and the,many slck bays and C1VIl which take military patIents have. been helped conSIderably, The county gift store of hospital garments has also issued a large amount of garments for same purpose. A large dispersal store been placed In the county by the J oint War OrganisatIOn, to be held at the disposal of the Headquarters Store Department. The Central Hospital Supply Service D epots number 15, and have made and despatched to London some 15,65 6 made from CH.S.S. materials" plus a further 564 garments Other gifts have been kept for the County GIft Store and amount to approximately 4,000 garments. These depots also make comforts for the Forces.
" There. are nine liai,son who have been kept busy meetIng and hous111g relatIOns of SIck men in hospitals. The personnel who kindly agreed to become , searchers' have, up to dat e, not been needed.
, Prisoners of War Department is mostly occupied ill gIVlng, info rmati o n re parcels, letters, etc.
The Llbrary Department, organised by the Hon. has had man y requests for books for hospItals, SIck bays, etc ., and has issued all the books rallable: More boo.ks are badly ne eded, especiall y books ,or ,BelgIans and IndIans \Ve have one Joint War Organambulance, at present in use at the convalescent Contributions to the Penny-a- Week Fund in were £9 62 7s. 8d., and in 1941 up to date, £1, 02 9 9 lod ., a total of £1,991 17s. 6d. D onations to date are £558 8s. 4 d ., special services at Cathedral collections amounted to £4I, the Farmers' County War Agricultural Fund has achIeved the splendid sum of £ 2.,640 16s."
CENTRE REPORTS
o Pontarda1ve Counf.J. Area .-An interesting development C f the past month IS the establishment of a Centre Area Otnrruttee for Pontardawe and District under the Glamorgan Centre Committee of the Prior y with a view to
organisation, The formation of this' Comtruttee IS 111 nature of an experiment; and the experience to be detlv:ed from a provisional functioning will be mo s t valuable In promotlOn of similar Committees in other , county. areas throughout Glamorgan. A representatlve meetlng was held at the Pontardawe Ambulance on Saturday, September 20, at which Mrs. Charles Gilbertson presided and the' Hon. John H. Bruce (Principal and Commissioner for Wales) addressed the gathermg on the functIons of the Committee.
,Appointments were approved as follows: Mr. Charles GIlbertson as President, Mrs. C Gilbertson, Lady President; Mr. G H, Parmee as Treasurer and Mr. Christopher Hopper as The Secretary has taken matters in hand energetIcally and an Executive Committee has been called for an early date. ,'.
WEST DENBIGHSHlRE CENTRE
Llanddulas and D'istrict Division.- The Commissiorier Dr. Pari r:cords with deep regret the untimeiy passillg of ,Richard Jones Davies, a loyal member of the above DlvIsI,o n. At his country's call, he joined the
R ,A,F. with the firm that ,he. would become a pilot. Mter courses of tralllillg ill Br.Jtaill and in Canada, he quallfied as Serg;eant Pil ot and flew back home. On August 2. 5, however, his plane crashe d and he lost his life at the age of 2. I. The Commissioner adds:
" Richard was a lad, al:va ys. merry and bright and full of a healthy Optitrusm. \VIth his keen intelligence woul d have done well in- the Brigade. \\7e shall miss hIm. Our sympathy goes out to his widowed mother to was devoted and to his twin brother, also serving with the R .A.F."
E\VS
IN BRIEF
Tbough many registered volunteers to the Civil Nursinohospital training, 700 members of NurSIng D.IvIs10ns the in \\7ales, of whom 364 are part-hme se:::vlce an? 57 are engaged for whole-tlme duty, have receIved theIr 50 hours trainino- in hospital. 'The award of the CN.R. Red Star on of one service (or the equivalent in parttIme) has b een made to 9 members during the quarter ended September 30, 194I.
SIDMOUTH NURSING DIVISION
The St. John Ambulance Brigade News
No. (PRINCE OF WALES'S) DISTRICT
EASTERN AREA
The Officer-in-Charge writes :-
During the past six months it has been my privilege and pleasure to ip.spect every Division of the Area with the exception of one, and I should like to place on record my appreciation of the way in which these Divisions have been maintained during these last two years, especially when it is realised that quite a few found themselves bereft of officers, and, in some cases, of N.C.O.s, to say nothing of blitzed drill halls and stores: Frequently it has been left to privates to hold things together and right willingly and efficiently have they succeeded.
At inspection, in almost every case, the Divisions have an excellent proportion of their effective strength, three Divisions turning out with over 50 men apiece.
Rest Centres; they have also done full time and part time duties at military and emergency medical service hospitals.
After the inspection the Lady Di strict Officer visited the Bri gade reception station, and expressed herself "more than satisfied" with the splendid work the Division was doing.
No. 2 DISTRICT
MINE HEAD
Minehead Cadet Division held their annual swimming gala at the Minehead swimming pool, through the kindness of the Divisi on's president, Mr. G. F. Luttrell, who owns the pool. The event was an unqualified success, and a considerable percentage of the proceeds was given to the Cadet Division to encourage swimming amon g
No. EASTERN DISTRICT LEI CESTER
The following trophies and prizes were presented to members of the British United Shoe Manufacturin g Co. Divisi on' who were successful in the recent Divisional competitions :-
"B P. Cooper Trophy" - awarded for efficiency in first aid-to Acting Ambulance Officer H. Ward; 2nd prize, Sergeant F. Lees o n; 3rd prize, Pri va te J. O'Neill. The first round was judged by Superintendent Bailey (Park Vale Divisi on); the seco nd and final round by Dr. J. V. Tollington, Di visional Surgeon B.U.S. Co. Division. The" Cooper" trophy, given b y Mr. B. P Cooper, President of the Divi sion, is for annual competition. A replica of the cup was presented to the winner. Divi sional Superintendent J. M. Jones was presented with a rose bowl in recognition Gf having won this trophy three years in succession (1936-7-8). The "J. M. Jones" cup-for those under 2 -to Private K. Baker; 2nd prize, Private P. Neville; Fd prize, Pri vate D. Beck. This cup remai ns the property of the winner.
The works director, Mr. H. Hallam, was among those present at the prize-giving.
No. 7 DISTRICT
ELLER DINE
The annual inspection of East Shropshire D ivisions was taken recently by the County Commissioner, Lieut.Colonel C. W. Eames, D.S.O ., T.D., M.D., assisted by members of the county staff. The parade afterwards attended an open-air church service conducted b y the Rev. W. Beale. A March Pa st, at which the County Commissioner took the salute, followed.
Arrangements for the parade were made by Superintendent B. Pearce, Ellerdine Division.
No 8 (DUKE OF CO NAUGHT'S) DISTRICT
CANTERBURY of the Canterbury Corps were congratulated on theu smartness, when, for the first time their annual was taken by Lord Harris, County ComffilSSlOner for Kent. Lord Harris, who was in uniform, was accompanied by Miss A. May (Assistant County Commissioner) and Mrs. K. May (County Officer).
No. 9 DISTRICT
WEYMOUTH
About I members of the Weymouth Ambulance, Nursing and Cadet Divisi ons were on parade f or the annual inspection, which was taken by the County Commissioner, Dr. E. S. Bowe s, M.R.C.S., L.R.C.P., who congratulated the officers in charge of the Divisions on the smartness of their members.
Ten Grand Pri ory Cadets (girls) were on parade, four of whom were presented to the Commissioner.
At the conclusion of the inspection the parade marched back to their headquarters, where the salute was taken by Dr. Bowes.
SIDMOUTH
The activities o f the Sidmouth Nursing Di visio n ·since its formation in July, 1940, have been considerable and include :-1,167 hours duty at First Aid Posts (some members of the Section have regular all night duties); 388 hours Hospital Duty, Welfare Duties and Transport Duties; assisting at Evacuee Hostels.
Nearly all the members of the Nursing Section belong to the Civil Nursing Re serve or the A.R.P. A very creditable number of Passes was obtained b y those taking the First Aid and Home Nursing E xaminations and this standard of efficiency reflects great credit o n the County Surgeon, Dr. Lightwood, the Divisi o nal Surgeon of the ursing Secti on, and the Superintendent of the Male Section. A Savings Group formed among members has saved during the past six months over £ 100. During War Weapons Week the nurses' alone collected more than £ 1,4 59·
SWANAGE
Members of the Swanage Ambulance Division, under Divisional Superintendent A. G Green, formed a g uard of honour for L ord Horder when he opened a Rest House in Swanage for Civil Defence. workers Thi s Rest House, the first to be opened unde.r the new department of the Red Cross and St. John War Organi satio n, is staffed by vo lunteers from the women's organisations in Swanage, the local detachment and Nursing Divisi o n. A number of associates of the Red Cross have been enrolled. 1aintenance is being paid for b y the Dorset branch of the Joint War Committee.
WESTWOOD WORKS DIVISION (PETERBOROUGH CORPS)
Ail members of' Grays Nursing Division have now become Blood Donors. E. Godman, H. Hussey, E. Leggott, H. Cmot, E. Pickett and V. Peterson have already given transfusions.
ENFIELD
Over seventy members of the No. 72 Tudor (Enfield) Nurs ing Division, Middlesex V.A.D. 60, were present at the annual inspection, taken by Lady District Officer Mrs. Tapply, who congratulated them on the smartness of their uniform, splendid marching and excellent demonstrations in First Aid and Home Nursing. The demonstrations included stretcher drill and the application of the " Thomas" splint.
This energetic Division has I 64 members and many probationers. Since November, 1940, members have staffed a Brigade reception station, First Aid Posts and 220
members. Some .800 spectators were present.
Mrs G. F. Luttrell (vice-president) presented the prizes.
The record sum of £256 16s. 3d. was collected on the annual Flag Day of the Minehead Division
SLOUGH
At a dance held recently in aid of the funds of the Upton Lea' Nursing Division between 250 and 300 people were present.
The prizes were presented to the winners by the Lady CGunty Officer f or South Bucks, Mrs. Weaver Adams, who expressed her pleasure at such a splendid gat hering thanked everyone for patronising such a deserving cause.
Valuable assistance was rendered by members of b oth the Men's Division and Nursing Division of Upton Lea Brigade.
The parade, numbering about a hundred, was under Corps Officers C. Elam, A. E. Shelley, D. West, Transport Officer D. W. Drewitt and Assistant Officer H. J. Upto n.
Lord Harris invested Corps Officer A. E. Shelley with the insignia of Serving Brother of the Order ,Of St. John, and decorated the Mayor (Alderman C. Lefevre) with the badge of Corps President.
NORTHFLEET
Tribute to the work of members of the St. John Ambulance Brigade was paid by the Chairman of the Northfl.eet Council at the dedication of a new motor ambulance of the Northfleet Division. Members of the An:bulance,. Nursing and Cadet units attended the parade, which was 1n the charge of Sims.
The new ambulance is a modern Ford V Eight 30 h.p., and can accommodate two stretcher cases, or Gne stretcher case and four sitting cases. The fittings include a resuscitator.
221
At present the Rest House has ten gues ts from East L ondon; it can accommodate twenty.
CANFORD CLIFFS
Members of the Canford Cliffs Nursing Division and ursing Cadet Division were complimented on their smart appearance and work in a recent display given by them. The display, arranged by Lady Divisional Superintendent Miss Le Blanc, included demonstrations by the Nursing Divisi on in first aid, roller bandaging, and a practice gas attack.
The cadets dealt with a "fire alarm," rescued the victim, administered artificial respiration, and gave treatment for burns and bleeding from the hand. Finall y" the y removed their" casualty" b y hand seat.
A March Past of the Divisio ns was taken b y Lady County Officer Mrs. Boyle, Lad y Corps Surgeon Dr. Laura Maude Horne and Lad y Corps Officer Mrs. Martyn. The Medical Officer of Health for P oole and a number of officers of the Bri ga de were also present.
11 . Interesting Case Reports
CASE REPO'RT NO'. 188.-The O ffi ce r -in- Charge o f the Singhbhun Sub-Dist ri ct No. 9A of J an sh edp u r, Empire of India, Brigaale O v er seas, reports the efficient performance of first aid b y two members of the Plate Mill Division in the fo llowing circumstances :-
On May 8 at about 11 a.m., Sergeant B. R. Choudhury and. Private D. D. Bakshi were called to the assistance of a fellow worker in the Plate Department of the Tata Iron & Steel Company who, while loading scrap plates in a wagon, sustained severe lacerations of the left upper limb complicated by severance of the brachial arte ry Between them they were instrumental in saving th€ir patient's life, because, while one applied immediate digital pressure, the other improvised a tourniquet with a handkerchief and a piece of stick.
The District Surgeon report;s that but for their prompt action and application of practical first aid the patient -would have been dead before he could have been broug ht to hospital.
COMMENT.-The tourniquet-when used indt'scriminatefymqy be a dangerous instrument / but on rare occasions it is a good friend to patient and first alders. S ergean t B. R. Cho udhury and Private D. D. Bakshi , therefore, merit cordial congratulations in that b.Y its proper use ,thry were able on this occasion to save the life of a f ellow worker .-N. C. F.
CASE REPORT NO'. 189.-The Officer-in-Charge of the Northern Ireland District S.J.A.B. reports the efficient performance of first aid by two members of the Dona.: ghadee Nursing Division in the following circumstances:
A serious accident occurred recently at Donag hadee, Co. Down, when an officer of His Majest y's Forces, in avoiding a pedestrian, crashed on a motor-bicycle into a wall, the starting-handle being driven into his leg and causing severe laceration. Lad y Divisio nal Superintendent Mrs. Agnew was called t o the scene and at once proceeded to arrest the h::emorrhage and treat for In this she was given valuable help by Ambulance Sister Miss McKibbin, who then accompanied the patient when he was conveyed t o a nearby surgery. Here the d o cto r was satisfied that the attention given was excellent, and as meanwhile Mrs. Agnew had summoned an ambulance, the man was removed t o hospital. The prompt measures taken probably sayed his life.
COMME NT .-This report illustrate s well the ejjicient manner .in which members of t he B rigade , on and off dU01, deal with sudden emergencies. L ady D ivisiona l Superintendent Mrs Agnew and Ambulance S ister M i ss McKibbin, therefore, merit cordial congratulations on the skill with which on t hi s ()ccasion th ry deal t with a seriousfy if!Jured patient.-N. C. F.
jl Questions and Answers
BANDAGING LINTS FO'R CO'LLAPSE
N. C. (PimIico).-One of the uses of the roller b anda ge !S co to qrive blood from the part of the b ody banda ge d, as in the case of extreme c ollap se from h::emorrha ge ."
There has been an interesting 'di scussion among some o f. us poor ignorant fools as to whether visible or concealed h::emorrhage, or both, is meant. Will you, therefo re, hold forth and enlighten us, please?
222
The circulation is conducted throughotlt in a closed system. Consequently hamorrhage signifies the escape of blood from the heart or blood vessels 1vhich normalfy contain it,. and its effects are p recisefy the same 1vhether it is external a1zd seen O'R internal and concea led, With profuse and especiallY p rogressive hamorrhage fluid is' lost and consequentlY anamia of the brain is threatened with grave risk to the patie?J.t's life. Therefore, bandaging the limbs in all cases of severe hamorrhage 1v e assist the genera l circulation by limiting the circulation in the limbs, and so conserve the heart while we procure more blood for the brain .-
N. C. F.
TREAT MENT OF I NJURIES TO H EA D
A. H. ' (Cheetham). - In the tre atment of insensibility
General Rule NO.2 (Textbook, p. 154) tells u s to keep the patient' s head and sho ulde rs l ow and at the same time t o raise his feet - clearly to facilitate the flow of bl ood to the brain. Rule 3, however, of the Special Treatment for CO'ncussion (Textbo o.k, p. 164) requires ice or cold water to be applied to patient's head continuouslyclearly t o co ntract the blood vessels and to drive blood from ,the brain.
As these instructi ons seem co ntrad ic t ory, I ask yo u to be goo d enough t o suppl y the explanation. Of course I appreciate that I may h ave misunderstood the instructi o n s, but nevertheless I sh all much appreciate yo ur views.
Your reading of the Textbook instructions 'on this point is perfectfy correct, and J'our dilJiculties regarding them are more apparent than real.
The T extbook iCl)ls £t down that the G eneral Rules of Treatment of I nsensibility are only to be applied" as far as they are applicable )J to the individual causes of insens ibilit,)' Ff.frther, as first aiders are not expected to make an exact diagnosis they are told that the head and shot.dders should be kept lmv and the feet rai sed in all cases in 1vhich loss of consciousness is accompanied bj marked pallor of the face.
With concussion, h01vever, there is abvays a possibilifJ' oj compression dev eloping sooner ()r later after the injtfrJ to the head In these circumstances the T extbook, AS A PRECAUTIONARY MEASURE, advocates the application of cold WATER to the head. Further, shotlld signs of compression appear while th e patient is in charge of th e first aider, his head and shoulders should at once be raised and his feet lowered -N C. F.
T REATMENT O'F D ISLO'CATED ELBO'\-V
M B. (Stockport).-Several of us first aiders do not see eye to eye concerning the correct treatment of a recent test in which ¢e patient was found lying on his back with his right upper limb under him, the elbow being bent to a right angle and fixed as the result of di slocation o f th e joint.
Some of u s wanted to leave the limb as found, bu t o the rs thought that we sho uld bring it to the front of the b ody 'and as laid down on p. 96 of the Tex tbook It is rea lly a question as to which position would give most ease to the patient; and we thank yo u in anticipa ti on of your help ill th e matter.
The natural pos i tion for the tipper limb i s in front (and not at back) of the trunk; and the in structions on p. 96 require YON to " steady and supp(Jrt the i,!jured limb in the position 1vhich gives mo st ease to the patient.
Consequen,tfy those of who suggestea that the limb should be drawn from th e back and placed in a large armsling in front of the chest, are carrying out the instruction s of the Textbook. Of course you would do this, as is laid d01vn in Rule 4 on p. 66(/ with great care and zvithout using fo rce )J,. but if you cannot compfy with these conditions you would support the limb (as
FIRST
IODINE
for brevention and treatment the 0[SHELTER
THROAT
(Size
Special Set of 6 Sheets for the use of LECTURERS AND A.R.P. CLASSES
compriSing Anatomy. Physiology. Ha:morrhage, Dislocations and Fractures.
Mounted on linen with roller.
27 / 6 net ; postage 7 d.
JOHN WRIGHT & SONS LTD. GAUNT HOUSE, 28 ORCHARD ST., BRISTOL I
best J'Otl mq)') in the position as found, possibfy by app()ling a broad bandage round limb and trtlnk -N C. F.
TREATMENT O'F FRACT URE D RIB S
W L. (Maulden) - In the treatment o f simple fracture of the ribs, the T extbook employs two broad bandages, the second applied below the first and overlappi n g it t o half its extent
My doctor says that the corr ect treatment of fractured rib s is to strap them from bel ow upwards. Could you please let me know why in first aid the bandages are applied from a b ove downwards, and not from below up wards?
, ObviouslY j lour doctor 1vas speaking about the normal surgical of fmctured ribs. Nevertheless , from the point of vzew, of first aid (the chief object of 1vhich is prevention of aggravatzon of injttry at condition) there is little to choose between the f1vo methods of app lying t he bandages) and we must remember that in the first aid treatment of fracture the upper bandage i s ,abvay s applied first Further, for examination p'ttrposes the Textbook instructions must be fol1011/ed lest disaster oCC/lr.-N C. F.
. Brigade Members with H.M. Forces
Th e many friends of Corps Superintendent J. \Xfilfred L owe, Bolton Corps, w ill be pleased to l earn that h e is the first in the R.N.A.S.B. R eserve to b e promoted to th e rank of Warran t \Xfar dm aster, R oyal Navy
4919746 Priva te George Cross, R. A .M. C., 7th General Hospital, Crete, h as been repor ted as
*
INFLUENZA RHEUMATISM and various other complaints
Iodine has man y uses in the pre vent ion and treatment of war and winter complaints.
Our new booklet " Health Hints for Wartime" d escr bes these uses fully.
Write for a free copy to-day.
IODINE EDUCATIONAL BUREAU, Stone House, Bishopsgate, London, E.C.2.
IODINE ts antiseptic th e for most economicaL domestic use \OBITUARY II
We regret t o re cord the death of the followina members of the Brigade :_ b Dr. V Redman King, D ivisional Suraeon, Swindon Division. D r. King joined the when it was in 1926. A t the. funeral members of the Nursing DI VISIo n and represen tative s o f the Amb ulance D ivision formed a g u ard 9f h onour Corps S uperintendent TValter F. Tomkins, Litherland and Ford Corps, through enemy acti on.
Acting Pivisional. S.'1!erintendent J. Middleton, SpringweU \!\lashillgton 1? r':lslOn, who l os t his life while attemp tIng to save the VIctIm of an accident at the Washinaton colliery. Mr. Middleton had had 30 years' in the Brigade.
Ambulance Officer A S cott, Addis combe D ivision .Men of the with nurses from East Croydon and Nor bur y DIVISlOns formed a guard of honour in tribute to Mr. Scott, who, during a life of service to others, had endeared himself to everyone with whom he came in and who£e inexha u sti ble patience in traJ.mng men had contnbuted largel y to the ultimate successes of those who had been his pupils.
Corp()ral Thom as J. Durran t , of the Chertsey and Add le stone Division -For the past tw o years Corporal Durrant had been ta king duty at the Chertsey F.A.P., where h e will be grea tl y missed. R epresentatives of the Chertsey an d Addlestone Ambulance and 1 u rsina Divisions an d of the l o cal A. R.P. services attended funeral.
A ir Raid Precautions
FIRST AID POSTS
By W. C. BENTALL, O.B.E.,F.R.C.S.,F.R.G.S., Assist. Surgeon-in-Chief, St. John Ambulance
Brigade
Growth and Development resulting from expe1"iences gained in Blitzes
OBJECTS
A First Aid Post was originally intended to act as a buffer to hospitals for dealing with slightly wounded and/or gassed cases. Only walking and si tting car cases would be sent there by the Leaders of the First Aid Parties.
TRAINING OF PERSONNEL
On the new development of A.R.t>. work at posts, this is being based on the experience gained in the largely blitzed areas and needs much teaching and guidance.
(r) The adequate filliffig up of M.P.C.'s 44 and 46 necessitate the careful training of the necessary clerks for this purpose so that patients may be able to secure subsequent treatment and pensions.
(2) Allocation of personnel to all necessary duties is required, and these 9uties should be clearly defined by the doctor in charge or the nurse acting under him. should include the Cleansing Section for gassed cases with two attendants in the outside shed (officially known as C.r), one · or two in the inside undressing room (C.z.), one for the eye douching just as the patient passes to the cleansing room (C.3), and in this room one attendant should be adequate to supervise the cleansing of four patients passing under showers, though a bad case may need an extra attendant.
In the Treatment Room the Doctor will also havi: chosen his helpers fS)! first aid. Special members of the personnel should be also selected for receptionists, telephonists, tea-making, and no possible requirements should be overlooked. "-
This special selection and training is implied in the words "higher and team training," which Training Manual No.2 refers to as following the basic training of first aid work, etc. The prime object is to make sure that everyone is so trained and allocated to his work so that without question 'or hesitation each one goes to his special work with confidence, knowledge, and speed.
(3) In first aid 7vork those responsible should be taught the modifications which blitzes have shown wise. Thus, elaborate splinting is only required for journeys to areas outside the local plac:es.
If iarge numbers arrive at one time, cases most likely to die should be treated first in relation to their injuries.
Shock c:ase s may, at the discretion of the doctor, receive morphia and prolonged rest before being sent away.
London blitzes have shown that nearLy all First Aid Post casualties want to remain at the Post until the dawn. This has an advantage because occasionally the doctor has discovered th:it during the waiting period unexpected symptoms develop. We have also learned that in London, nearly all the men and women appeared with pale faces and white hair which, though at first thought due to age or sho'ck, proved to be the result of the dust from falling buildings, with which the air was fillee!, and we have that this amount of dust rendered wise the douchmg
of all eyes, as quite subsequent inflammation from this dust resulted.
FAILURE OF GAS, \VATER AND ELECTRICAL SERVICES.
Blitze s have shown that gas, 7vater and electrical mains are broken early in the attacks in many places. The result in a First Aid Post is that when heating depends on water, gas, or electric mains, any or all may be cut off, hence it is necessary to install what is called a " static" water supp ly to be supplied in tanks and with independent fuel on the spo t. , For this reason also, hurricane lamps are provlded, and these have recently been added to b y Aladdin lamps for better light.
EQUIPMENT
Blitz experience has shown the need of a good deal of alteration in this matter, e.g., Th omas's splints. These were largely based on the experience of the la s t in which Thomas' s splints save d large numbers of bves when cases had to be transported from the Western Front by rough ambulances, rai l, boats, and longer journeys on tbi's side before reaching hospital. Such circumstances are n ot occurring in relation to our work ,at Posts. The same applies to a good deal of our sphnts. On long dista.n.ce journeys the y are essential, but for the sh.ort journeys in our small ambulances and on hand-carrymg stret cher s, they are , seldom required . One leg may be tied to the uninjured one, or the stretcher, and arms may be secured to the body, flexed or straight, as seems best. In the same way, there has been changed equipment in relation, to the of burns, and tannic acid has l been WIthdrawn m many cases, and a dry dressmg only su ggested. Circumstances are different t.o-day, and constan tly demanding changes based on expenence. Never regard such alterations as changes of a fickle Government merely, but as the growt h and development necessary to meet the chan gi n g needs of new enemy procedures, etc.
To resent changes is to side with ,Hi tler and to delay the victory. Look for the evolutlOn of the A.R.P. Services, keep up t o date, and welcome all chan ges as they come, accepting them as t,he practical of those who are dev oting more time to these thmgs than you or I are doing.
A.R.P. Questions and Answers
Q1-testions .:
ATTENDANT AT THE" SHOWERS"
r. Is it necessary for the attendant or washer to wear a Civilian Duty Respirator when at work?
2. When worn at work, the container of the c.D. respirator is very exposed to steam and hot water. Does thi s affect the efficiency of the charcoal and filter?
3. Steam and hot water cause the outside of the eye·
In the treatment of WOUNDS, BURNS & ULCERS by •
Irrlgation
WHY SODIUM HYPOCHLORITE?
Because, as defined in th e Lister Memorial Lecture, 1939, " the best antiseptics are not those which in vitro have the greatest germicidal power, but those that have a powerful proteolytic action." It is this capacity by solvent action to remove dead or dying organic matter, aptly likened in the above lectur e to that of a " chemical bistoury , " which the lesion of debris and inflammatory products and prepares the way for healing, In this respect the efficiency of the hypochlorites is well recognised. By their powers of penetration they retain their rapidity of action and easy access to micro-organisms in the presence of body fluids and exudates, without material loss of germiCidal -efficiency, and so help to provide in the wound area the best conditions for control of infection, without hindrance to the process of healing.
WHY ELECTROLYTIC SODIUM HYPOCHLORITE?
Because, as Carrel and Dehelly first noted (" The Treatment of Infected Wounds," 1918, p. 24), hypochlorite solutions prepared by the electrolytic Iflethod are less irritating to living tissues than the prepared Dakin's solution , As produced by the Milton process, they have in further contrast the great advantage of stability, retaining even after long storage their full strength and germicidal power, whereas these are progressively lost by most forms of the cbemically prepared agent.
The Pease Laboratories in a full investigation found the electrolytic hypochlorite" Milton" to have a " distinctly different b ehaviour" and to be " oj unu sual value" compared with other forms of hypochlorite examined. Masterman's tests (" Analyst," July I939) suggest that this may possibly be connected with the presence of ozone in the former product.
WHY MILTON?
Because Milton is the only generally available preparation of e ectro lyti c sodium hypochlorite of known standard strength ( I per
cent. sodium hypochlorite, 10.8 grammes per litre of " available chlorine," i.e. 0.955 per cent. by weight), the composition of which remains unchanged under all reasonable conditions for an indefinite period. In the irrigation treatment of wounds, burns or ulcers the advantages of using such a standardised and stable product are clear when the irritant, destructive action upon young growing tissue is considered of chemically prepared hypochlorite solutions of high or unknown strength. This drawback results largely from their containing free caustic soda, the production of which does not take place in the preparation of Milton, no bleaching powder being used in the process; it has therefore only a mild degree of alkalinity (p H. 10.5)' comparable with that of human tissues.
In 5 per cent. solution Milton is isotonic and at this dilution its anti-bacterial power remains high. It thus combines the properties of a saline solution with those of an effective germicide. It has been shown that a per cent. solution actually encour:ages cell growth.
In the early stages of irrigation therapy, however, where thorough cleansing is desired, a hypertonic solution will often be the one of choice, so that free exudation of lymph may be promoted from the wound surface by osmosis. Milton in strengths up to IO per cent., or in some cases 20 per cent" provides such a hypertoruc saline solution, which still remains non-irritating and may safely be used without fear of tissue-cell damage.
After their germicidal and proteolytic functions have been the active principles of Milton are reduced to a simple, harmless residue of salt and water, equally non-irritant. Milton may thus fairly be claimed to be a safe and effective germicide with the discriminating quality of removing the dead but preserving the living tissues for healing and rel?air.
pieces to become very and wet. \'\!ould the application of anti-dim or other compound pn ' the o utside of the eye-pieces prevent this?
4. Would it be advisable for the " showers" attendant to be issued with the General Service Resp ira tor because of the more protected position of the container?
Ans1vers:
1. No, because grossly contaminated clothing has been removed in the outside undressing room (called C. I) and the infected underclothing in the inside undressing room (C.2), and in the washing room co ntamination is negligibl y slight, and if not, it is being washed off downwards by the water from the sprays.
2. Not worn, therefore, the question does not arise. We are informed that moisture must not get into a co'ntainer.
). Yes.
4. No.
OVERSEAS NEWS
TRANSVAAL CENTRE
The report shows that p4esent-day conditions have brought the Association face to face with many unexpected problems and these, in turn, caused the formulation of a programme df policy devised to cope with the emergencies of war, of which the main features were as follows :-
John Training in the Transvaal :-
I. Since efficiency in training is the corner stone of the edifice of the Association, plans were made to bring instruction to the highest pitch of perfection.
2. It became clearly evident to the Committee, on the declaration of war, that a vast expansion of our training in the Transvaal was a vital necessity.
-}. The number of classes running was immediately doubled, and in some instances trebled. In fact, expansion was only limited by the laek of those technical stores and so essential to St. John training, the provision of which was unfortunately beyond the control of the Transvaal Centre.
4. The training of members of the Bantu races in First Aid was pushed rapidly forward in spite of the lack of a really suitable manual in the Native languages.
5. The Home Nursing Classes were everywhere expandea, those to the Mrikaans section of the community being hampered by our not having the Home Nursing Manual printed in .
6. War conditions and the terrain where South African troops might have to indicated the importance of a proportion of St. John V.A.D.'s (both Ambulance and Nursing Divisions) having a l sound knowledge of "hygiene," and this prompted the Association to form classes in this subject which were well attended and the results of which were sliccessful.
7. Equally, as regards youth, a considerable increase in instruction has taken place in all districts.
Other avenues of development have not by any means been forgotten, it became obvious that the demands for all forms of transportation of sick and wounded would be on a hitherto unprecedented scale, and action to assist such calls was taken in good time. Many handsome and generous gifts were made, both by individuals and bodies
of people, with the result that nine Ambulances were provided. A h ospital for "other ranks" who have reached the convalescent stage has been established, and has been full since its inception.
CANADA
TORONTO CENTRAL NURSING DIVISION No. I
The report from this Division states that 38 new members have joined, they hope that their attached members will be on the active roll before long. They have won the cup for proficiency in Home Nursing for the fourth year in succession, an honour of which they are proud and hope to maintain.
Two members were given the opportunity of carrying out the voluntary duty of a practical nature at the Women's College Hospital, and the has also been asked b y the Canadian Mothercraft Society t o help with some of the English mothers who are in Canada.
Their war work has been varied and includes several gifts t o societies and 10,000 cigarettes given to the Canadian Army Medical Corps in England.
The Toronto Transportation Commission Ambulance Division reports that four members have enlisted in His Majesty's Canadian Active Service Force.
Throughout the winter months members have been on duty at various events in connection with sport, and during the summer they have attended for duty at places of interest in the City, including the Canadian National Exhibition.
The y say that this has been their best year for Public Duty for many a year.
INDI A No. 10 DISTRICT
THE DELHI-SIMLA NURSING DIVISION
This Divi sion is growing in numbers and there has been great demand for First Aid and' Home Nursing classes, five courses of each were organised in different centres in Delhi, including a Home Nursing Class at Viceroy's House for Her Excellency and various members of tbe household.
In the report of the Divi sional Committee of the Parsi Division (Bombay Corps) for the year ended D ecember 3 I, 194 I, the working of the Division shows increased activities and continued progress. The Division's high record of performing public duties has been maintained.
The annual inspection was conducted with other divisions of Bombay by Sir Ernest Burdon, K.C.I.E., C.S.I. (Chief Commissioner for St. John Ambulance Brigade Oversea s in India), who expressed his appreciation of the work done by the officers and members o f the Bombay District of the Brigade overseas
The Parsi Cadet Ambulance Di vision has now completed sixteeh years' service and continues to prove a good ground for enlistment to the parent division. At the annual re-examination four senior and 27 junior cadets passed. The annual inspection was taken by Sir Ernest Burdon.
Christmas Cards
A number of pre-wat Christmas Cards showing the Tript ych are o btainable, price 6d. each, with envelope. Application for fhese cards should be made early to the Stores Manager, St. John Ambulance Association, Willey Park, Br oseley, Shropshire, as the supply limited. , 2.26
3 widths of Dressing strip in compact case
The refillable metal Surgery Case illustrated is particularly useful.
It contains 3 one-yard lengths of 'Elastoplast' First Aid Dressing strip-It in., 2t in., and 3 in. wide from which to cut a dressing the size required. Price complete 5/3d. from your usual supplier.
Red Cross and St.
Mr. Peter Fraser, the Prime Minister of New Zealand, recently visited the War Organisation. He was taken o n a tour of the and expressed himself as being very satisfied with all that he had seen. He was especially impressed with the work of the Stores Department and of the .Packing Centre at North Row.
Mr. Fraser made close enquiries respecting the provision of parcels for of war of the New Zealand Forces and had the opportunity of a discussi o n on the subject with Mr. Stanley Adams.
Over one hundred shipments, comprising about r, roo cases, have been received b y the, War Organisati o n from the New Zealand Red Cross Society and other patriotic committees and organisations in that Dominion They include gifts of clothing and other " relief" supplies for civiljan air-raid victims, children's cl othin g, and food supplies. They have come in th e main from North Canterbury, Mid-Canterbury, Hawkes Bay, W1elling t on, Otago, Dunedin and Auckland.
From the New Zealand Patri otic Fund Board supplies of potted meat, tinned butter and evaporated milk were received. These supplies were used to make up the contents of prisoners o f war parcels A consignment of cases of meat extract was passed t o the Invalid Comforts Section of the Prisoners of W1ar Department for dispatch in its special parcels for British prisoners of war in hospitals in Germany.
Overseas donors are naturally interested in learning or the destination of their gifts to the War O rganisation and the use to which they are put. The Overseas Section has established a system b y which letters of acknowledg,:ment and thanks are written by the recipients of the gifts for trransmiss ]on to the donors.
Men of the Australian Forces in h ospi tal in thi s country are to be visited b y local members o f the Society and the Order. Names will be sent by the Wounded, Missing and Relatives Department of the War Organisation to Hospital Liaiso n officers in the countie s, and wi ll be asked to visit the patients, to look after them and to give them any assistance that may be required. This service has beem at the request of the Au?tralian Red Cross Society, which supplies them with cigarettes and chocolate.
On behalf of Uruguayan Estancieros, Dr. Castellano s, the Uruguc-yan Minister in L ondon, f o ur light ambulances to the War OrgamsatlOn. Su John Kennedy received the gift on behalf of the War Organisation and expressed its grateful thanks f or what Dr. Castellanos described as "this Uruguayan gesture of friendship."
His Majesty the King has accepted as a birthday gift "on behalf of his subjects," $r3, 500 sent by the BritishAmerican War Relief Association of Seattle t o the War Organisation, to be used for adaptations and alterations,
War Organisation
and t owards the maintenance of several auxi liar y hospitals, and for the purchase of two mobile physiotherapy units.
The Red Cross Penn y-a- Week Fund is providing the Red Cross and St. John Fund with a regular income which is now at the rate of £r8,000 a week and is grow ing. Contributions t o the Penn y-a- \Veek Fund have raised more than £75 o,ooo-all in pennies, millions of them. The inq)me which can be raised by the Penny-a- Week Scheme is, however, not as yet nearly at its peak.
,/ A recent va luable addition to the movements which are participating in the scheme is the well-known Club and Institute Union, the representative central body of working men's clubs. As the result of an appeal b y the Committee of the Union to the const.ituent clubs already over a th o u sand are forming contributing gro ups for the P enny-a- W1eek Fund. Many more of the 2,857 club s affiliated to the Union have under consideration the question of support.ing the Fu nd
The Pri soners of W l ar Department has been advised that on July 24 the camp captain at Ofiag VB received 820 food parcels, together with parcels containing cl o thin g, medical comforts and t o bacco, representing the bulk of the consignment which left Geneva on Jul y r 2. There is evidence that the camp has now been receiving regular supplies. A letter from an officer in thi s camp, dated It/o' 28, states" Tobacco is arriving well from England, and I really have all I can smoke." He also sta tes that" thousands" of Red Cross parcels have been received.
The Organisati on has se nt a special repre se ntative, Mr. E. Hogg, by air to Ankara in an endeavour to organis e the supply of food and medical comforts for British prisoners of war in Greece and Crete until such time as they are evacuated to Germany. Mr. Hogg, who for some time represented the W1ar Organisation in Li sb o n, ha s been conferring with the British Ambassador at Ankara
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Since Februar y last th;-Canadian Red Cross has been GOWER STREET, LONDON, W.e.1 pIa yingag rea t pa rt in th e sup ply of parcels for B r itis h an d D ominion prisoners of war. It is now dispatching them to Lisbon en route to Geneva at the rate of 12,500 a week. The number is sufficient to meet the needs of nearly a quarter of the British and Dominion prisoners of war and is a welcome alternative source of supply which greatly relieves the call for shipping space to and from Great Britain.
Intimation has been received from the Commissioners of Customs and Excise by the War Organisa tion that the c oncession of duty-free tobacco for sick and wounded members of the Forces and of the Merchant Service in accredited hospit als cannot be extended to civil defence workers in such hospjtals. In their opinion, whi ch has been arrived at after consultation with the Treasury, such an extension of the existing arrangements to include civil defence workers would present insuperable difficulties.
FLAG DAY EMBLEMS, BUTTONS AND BADGES'
Price Lists on application For all supplies write:
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DUAL PRACTICALS
Time limit 15 minutes. \Varning at 10 minutes. BEARERS NOS. 3 AND 4
lNTROD1JCTION TO TEST
It is 6 p.m.; and you are walking down a street L'f small houses on your way to a Cinema duty. Glancing through a window, you see a man paper-hanging his front room, and y ou note that the steps on which he is standing are awkwardly placed. If an accident happens, act as you see fit.
ACTION OF TEST
Give Bearers the card of introduction a1ld a haversack.
The paper-hanger is half-way up a p.lir of steps and is carrying a piece of paper which he is about to apply to the wall. Feeling that someone is behind him, he turns round quickly and loses his balance.
He slides down the steps and falls heavily on the ground enveloped in the paper. He is suffering from shock and fracture of leg.
His wife is the only other person in the house but knows nothing about the accident. She will resent the sudden entry of Bearers, and if asked is quite willing to assist.
STAGING OF TEST
Stage a front room of a small house, with window and front door.
Patient, dressed in shirt and trousers, is found lying on his back with his left foot everted and with his left trouser leg saturated in its lower third with bright red blood. He is suffering from shock and from compound complicated fracture of the leg. His wife can supply two blankets, two hot-water bottles, etc.
DETAILS OF TEST
IMMEDIATE ACTION
Promptly knock at door of the house
Tactful handling of patient's wife
:Elicit that she knows nothing of the accident
Tactfully explain; and offer to assist
Tactful words to patient. (R.eplies forthwith.)
Warn him not to attempt to move
Note deformity of left leg. (Foot everted.)
N@te blood-saturated left trouser
• Prompt digital compression femoral artery
Replaced by tourniquet at early moment
Met:hod and efficiency of controlling bleeding
EXAMINATION OF PATIENT
Ask patient if in pain. (Middle left leg.)
If he has any pain elsewhere. (No.)
Examine leg first; decide expose freely
Ask 1,'>ermission to slit up seam of trouser
ExpJ.aioing tactfully reason for so doing
Note exact site of wound. (As sh01vn.)
Ask if wound clean (Yes); if foreign body. (No.)
If irregula.rity of wound. (Both bones affected.)
If wound leads to fracture. (Bone protrudes.)
Diagnose compound complicated fracture
Ask colour of face. (Pale); breathing. (Shallow.)
Test pulse at wrist. (Weak); skin. (Cold.)
Method of excluding injuries elsewhere
Head, ribs and other limbs. (None.)
TREATMENT' OF PATIENT
Shock
Avoid changes of position; raise .feet
Keep head and shoulders low, head to side
Loosen clothing; give sips of cold water
Pass blankets under a.nd over pa.tient
Prepare hot-water bottles and apply same
Mter te&,ting heat and wrapping in flannel
Fractured Leg and Wound
One Bearer steadies a.nd supports leg
While the other prepares the equipment
And dresses wound; sterilizes fingers
Paints wound and skin with surgical -spirit
Cleafl dressing; soft pad; bandage lightly
Method used to ensure cleanliness
Both Bearers now combine t.ogether
To place limb in natural position
With great care, without using force
And without letting go till limb splinted
Apply inner and outer splints to leg
Reaching from above knee to beyond foot
And padded carefully to fit the limb
Fix bandage above and below fracture
Just above knee; round ankles and feet
Lastly broad bandage round both knees
Relax tourniquet and ask result. (Bleeding )
Re-tighten tournique t; decide relax later
AFTER-CA RE OF P A TIEN T
Ask wife where doctor li v es (Five minutes )valk.)
If any: means of telephoning him. (No.)
One Bearer goes off to fetch the doctor
While the other remains with the patient
Careful observ ation while awaiting doctor
Keep patient warm; gi v e sips of co ld water
Proper use of wife's services throughout
Co-operation and efficiency of Bearers
QUESTIO N
1vhat
Cold compress is used to ease
To lessen swelling, or control internal bleeding
A clean handkerchief or piece of lint
Four-fold in thickness, is soaked in
Cold water and carefully wrung out
Till it does not drip when held up
And applied to the affec ed part
It must be frequently chang ed
In order to keep it cold and wet
Correspondence
DEAR SIR, - I would like to bring to your notice the enterprise of three local schoolgirls, the Misses P. Puttock, A. Lowe and E. Blackman, which resulted in the Chichester Division Ambulance Appeal benefiting by approximately five pounds
The trio deoided that they would endeavour to raise funds for charity during their summer holiday. They chose our appeal as the object of their labours.
In their spare time they made various articles for a bumper sale of work, held in "Mother's front room," gave two concerts, the admission to which cost twopence, and sold teas during the interval between the afternoon and performances. The concerts were such a success that repeat performances were given on several occasions.
All the events were staged in their homes, and the only help given was by the brothers of one of them in a sketch written and produced by themselves. The programme also included a gymnastic display by the girls.
I need hardly emphasise the appreciation with which their efforts were received by the members of this Division.
It is such public spirit shown by these three girls tha t makes voluntary workers of organisations such as the St. JOM Ambulance Brigade feel that their efforts are, after all, appreciated, and we hope that others will emulate their example.
Y o ur s faithfully, H. H. BRIDLE, S ttperintendent, Ch ichester D ivision.
" Gazette" Editorial Offices
Will contributors to the " Gazette please note that all Editorial communications should now be addressed to The Editor, " St. John Ambulance· Gazette," ,St. John's Gate, Clerkenwell, L.ondon E.C.l.
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AdtJerlistm,6nts wilb remillance should be sent 10 the St. John Ambulance II/I3, Bream's Buildings, Chancery Lane E.C.4. 2d. per word, minimum 3S' SCENT CARDS AND SACHETS , printed with your announcements are splendid money raisers and show 300% profit free on request.-AIREDALE PRESS Bradford pENCILS OF SUPERIOR QUALITY, printed with your Corps Na.me and announcement, sell easily. Sample free.AIREDA LE PRESS. Bradford
URG E NTLY c op ies of this Journa fo r Ma r ch an d Apn1. 1941. Send copi es wit h p rice t o TH E ST. JO HN A MBULA NCE GAZET TE 11 / 13 , Bream' s BUlldm gs, Ch a n cery L a n e, L on d on" E.C .4.
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'NOVOX' and , NOV!TA' Oxygen + COt or Oxygen RESUSCITATING APPARA TUS for the apparently asphyxiated or drowned.
SMOKE HELMETS of all Patterns.
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DUST and SPRAY MASKS and all other Safety and Protective Devices.
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onset of the Influenzal Chill and the attack of sub-acute Rheumatism are a sharp pyrexia. Headache and severe. Analgesia and Antipyresis amount of depression are obviously and uncombined aspirin are not always lANADIN' Tablets advantage is taken of the ct of small doses of aspirin, phenacetin, caffeine and aining efficacy while lessening the risk of overdosage.
FORMULA
Acetphenetidin
Ac, AcetylsalicylicCaffeine Alkaloid
Quinine Sulphate
Samples fo r ollnicaltrial will be sent on request. ANADIN Limited, 12 ST., LONDON, W.C.l
" BENONI SOUT H AFRIC!\ Kmdly handed over to tbe Order by Mr. a nd Mrs A BHospital. The Transvaal Ce ntre of the St John Alu'b i M111erg rex:,
Hospitals for Officers and
· CHILDREN do not dread the application of" Iglodine," because, unlike many other antiseptics, it heals without hurting. It is ideal for cleansing and sterilising all surface Injuries, and hastens healing quickLy without leaving a scar. It is recommended extensively by the medical profession.
HOBSON & SONS
GAZETTE is published on the 15 th of each month The annual subscription is 4s post free; single copies, 3d.
Brigade reports and photographs should be addressed to the Editor: St.John's Gate, Clerkemvell, London , E.C. I. Reports an d photographs should reach him not later than the 28th of the month preceding the date of issue.
S ubscriptions and Advertisements should be f orwarde d to t he Pu blishers:
11]e .. )"I ;. Uritish P eriodicals , Ltd., 1J- 1 3, B ream's B uildings, L ondo n, E C.4 CO NTENT
N ews
The St. J o hn Ambulance Br ga d e ews
In te rest ing Case R epo rts
Ques tions and A n swers:
H re motthage from the N ose 24 2
H rem orrhage f rom Toot h So cke t 24
A pplicati o n of T ho mas Splint
Spica Ba ndage for Sho uld er
T rea tm ent o f V enomou s Sna ke Poisoning 2 4 2
Co d -liver Oil fo r Burns 24 2
Trea tm ent of Injuries t o t he H ead 242
A ir-Raid Precauti on s :
The E v o lution o f Teaching First A id in the D ev elopment of A R.P. Casual ty Services 245
P riory
E.C.
The O r d er h as d ecided that in man y ways it would be m o r e con ven ient for th e publication of THE ST J OHN AMBULANCE G AZETTE to be a part of its organisation, with the Edit or as a member of its permanent staff. It h as therefor e been arran g ed tha t an addition sh all be m a de to the staff.
In m aking this ch ang e I desire to thank Mr. P eter Cheyne y, who for the past 13 years has been Editor, as we realis e what a heavy call this has made on his man y other activities.
Mr. Ge o r ge E Craft, who has for man y years b een Edito r of " First Aid," has accepted the post of Editor of THE ST . J OHN A MBULAN CE G AZETTE as from Novem b er I , 194I.
I take this opportunity of welcoming him to his new p osition, an d ho p e that un d er his Editorship T HE G AZETTE will b ecome even b etter known and that many of the diffi cu lties of o b taining informa tion of the activi ti es of th e O rder w ill be overcome owing t o the fa ct t hat the wo rk w ill b e co nducted fro m th e Headqu arters of th e O r d er i tself
SCARBROU GH, Sub-Prior.
HOME NURSING PAGE
WOUNDS AND THEIR TREATMENT
by ALICE M. PENNElL, O.B.E., B.Sc., M.B., B.S. (London)
It is well f or members of the Brigade to get accustome d to a certain routine in treating wounds, so that in an emergency the habit of aseptic, surgically clean treatment will stand the dr esser in good stead, and the wounded person w ill not be victimised by a First Aider who is up set and unable to remember the rules of treatment. The Home Nurse and First Aider must practise dressing wounds and must get in to the way of observing the steps to be taken which are:
(I) Arrest the h a::morrhage.
(2) Cleanse the woun d.
(3) E xamine the wound.
(4) D ress the wound.
(5) Keep the wounde d part at rest.
(6) Treat constitutional symptoms.
(I) T o arrest haJJnorrhage is most important, and the Home Nurse rendering first aid after an accident, or in air raids, must remember that to n egle ct this immediate measure endangers the life of the victim
Arterial bleeding, which i s recognised by the bright red colour of the blood, and its ejection in spurts, is the most serious of the three recognised forms, i.e. Arterial, Venous, Capillar y
Turn up "ha::morrhage" in your textbook and read what you probably have known during your training, and which you may now have forgotten. Remember that bleeding, if external and therefore visible, may be stopped by :
(a) Digital press ure, either direct or indirect.
(b) Pressure of a pad and bandage.
(c) Pressur e of a pad and flexion.
(d) The tourniquet, which must be applied only if yo u know that a responsible p erson will be at hand to loosen it at intervals of fifteen minutes, till the doctor can deal with it. This is important t o remember. D on't se nd a patient off in an ambulance with a tourniquet applied unless an int elligent and responsible attendant is available to do this.
Internal ha::morrhage cannot be dealt wi th b y th e above means, even if you recognise it. Nor can yo u apply pressure over broken bones.
Refresh your memory by looking at the diagram in your textbook showing the P ressure Po in ts.
(2) If you have no means of rendering your hand surgically clean, touch dre ss ing and wound as little as p0ssible. Cover wound with aseptic dre ssing till the doctor can attend to it Improvise a " clean " d ress ing by scorching a piece of as clean gauze or lint, etc., as you can lay your hands on. Get the patient quickly to a doctor's care.
If you c;:an get hot water, soap, nail brush and disinfectant lotion, wash thoroughly, using the nail brush to remove all dirt from nails. Dip the hands in lotion (car-
bolic I-40, dettol, lysol, or any other available), and without dr ying the hands, expose the wound and examine It. Cut away any clothing if necessary, remove oil-stained or contaminated pieces of clothing that may be touching the wound, then, using a tube attached to a douche can cleanse the area, washing everything 02vay from the wound. Grease. or oil needs a swab of cotton wool dipped in turpentme; soap and water may be suffici ent for the rest. Then wash your own hands thoroughly again, coverin g the cleansed area of the wound meanwh.ile, with a clean dressing: .. Then yaint round the wound with an antiseptic after sWllling oft all traces of soap and water with ster ile water.
(3) Apply your dressing, gauze, cotton wool and bandage after you have examined the wound. Remove dirt grit, glass, foreign bodie s, etc., only if lying lo ose near wound. Anything embedded in the \.vound must be dealt with by the doctor.
.B.-For wounds of the rye, or near it, or the mouth, use only Boracic Acid Solution.
(4) Dress the wound as stated above. If there is a fracture use a splint. Be gentle and very careful.
(5) Keep the part at rest Bed is indicated whenever there has been ha::morrhage, and for all wounds of the head chest, abdomen or lower limbs.
Splints for wounds with fractur es of limb s.
Strapping for wounds with broken rib s.
Slings for wounds of arm, head of shoulder, or collar bone.
(6) Treat constitutional symptoms, e.g., SHOCK by 1varmth, rest, hot drinks, as tea or coffee, unless the abdomen is wounded.
Let the patient have fresh air
\Vhere indicated, e.g ., wounds of abdomen, chest, lower limbs, pelvis, use a cradle in bed.
For wounds of the head, interfere as little as possible. Keep the patient lying down; send for a doctor at once.
Never give an unconscious patient anything to drink (or eat).
your common sense, and be gentle and try by practIce to acquire skill, so that you will do as little harm as possible in an actual emergency.
Christmas Cards
Christmas cards in postcard form, with the badge of the Order and picture of St. John'S Gate, can be obtained at 2S per d ozen, plus postage. There is also another card In postcard form with the stan dard and badge of the Order, price 3d each
Application for these Christmas cards should be sent to the Stores Manager, Willey P ark, Brosdey, Salop. Orders should be sent early, as the supplies of both cards are limited.
Behind the Scenes in Government-III Local
By JAMES FENTON, C.B.E., M.D., M.R.C.P., D.P.H.
(Medical Officer of Health, Royal Borough of Kensington)
With each decade the influence and power of local government and of the public health services are inThe tentacles of the central government are coml.r:g Into ever-closer contact with the periphery and establIsh a connection which is profoundly stable since 1t has a foundation resting on the people themselves That the results are good it would be impossible to deny. The country at and is prepared to spend money In malDtalmng the public health in order to save the much larger amount which would be needed .a n ,ex tension of the existing hospitals and curative 1Qst1tutlOns.
\. hen it is realised that a population of eight million 1S constantly mixing to gether in trains, 'buses , tubes and under conditi on s favourable to the spread of infectlOn and that in spite of all this L ondo n is the healthiest place in the world, one cannot but pay a tribute to the public health servic e. The food supply of London has to be transported from considerable distances and yet, even under wartime condition s, how rarel y is there any outbreak of food poi so ning.
Eig hty or, rur:ety years ago, sewerag e, drainage and water supplIes In London were so bad and were the cause of so much disea se and death that the medical officers of health and sanitary inspectors had to concentrate practically all their time on obtaining sound drainage of houses, good sewerage systems and wholesome water supplies. It is a result of this concentration that even to-day some people regard the medical officer of health as a man who deals mostly with drainage. As a matter of fact this work has been so successful that we may now say that the sewerage and drainage of London are as perfect as they can be and cause no disease. Cholera, outbreaks of which used to sweep over the country less a hundred years ago, has disappeared. Typhoid fever IS ra pidl y following suit. In the years 187 -75 the annual mortality from typhoid fever per million persons living in England and Wales was 371; in 191 I-I 5 it was 47; and in 1926-30 it had declined to nine.
Pla g ue and typhus have disappeared as a result of Improved living conditions and the prevention of contact with the rats and lice which spread these diseases.
Smallpox, that formerly universal scourge, has been c.onquered by vaccination Once diphtheria immunisatlOn becomes sufficiently widespread, that disease with its tracheotomies, paralysis and heart failure will also disappear. Research workers are reporting favourably with regard to similar measures for the prevention of meas les and whooping-cough Local auth orities are now attacking the problem of rheumatism and cancer
It is only necessary to read novels of the Victorian era to realise the prevalence of tuberculosis at that time. Young people were attacked in the prime of life and " went into a decline," the end coming after several
years of invalidism and suffering. Consumption is a terrible disease in that not only did it cause death but brought distress and poverty into the home when the breadwinner was affected. When the parent died the orphans were often left delicate and undernourished and frequently already infected with the disease. Thanks to work of local authorities in providing tuberculosis dispensaries for early diagnosis, arranging for sanatorium treatment curable cases, providing better housing and extra nounshment and educating the public how to avoid the spread of infection, the tuberculosis death-rate has been reduced to one-half what it was twenty years ago and less than a quarter of the rate seventy years ago.
The death-rate among infants is only one-third what it was at the commencement of the century before the introduction of the maternity and child welfare servi ces. Every this death-rate gets less and it has already times. becor:r:e. lower than what had been quoted as an IrreduClble rrurumum. All will ao-ree that this is a most satisfactory t rib ute to public health work. Moreover, a decreased death-rate also means a decreased sickness rate. Thus to-day we have far more children able to Ie.ad bright and happy lives instead of being crippled by disease and a burden to themselves, their parents and incidentally to the rates and taxes.
The general death-rate has declined as well as the infant rate. In the year 1875, when the great Public Health Act on :v-hich the modern services are based was passed by P arliament, the average length of life of males was 41 years and of females 44 years. In 1935 that figure had Increased to 57 years for men and 6 for women. This is a change . In sixty years the average length of life has illcreased 16 years for men and 17 for women Truly a substantial gain in return for the expenditure on the public health services
Life is only l onger nowadays-it is physically better. In. little more tha-?- a century we have passed from the tIme when the child was a work-slave from its earliest years, a waif and stray, ignorant, filthy, neglected, unhappy, short-lived, to a time when enthusiastic workers have covered England with ideals of child welfare and when the State itself has stepped in to save the child at birth, in infancy and in school life Hospitals, clin.ics, nurseries, schools, playgrounds and homes for the care and nurture of the child abound. If we look around we can their well-being and happiness to-day ' even In the ffildst of war There now lie behind u s thirty years of public services o n behalf of child-life. In the meantime the children have become the happ y parents of a new gene ra ti on for whom they demand similar services. We can ass u re them with. confidence that England will always put mothers and chIldren Erst.
( Conclusion )
The St. John Ambulanc e Assoc iat io n
By BRIGADIER-GENERAL SIR JOSEPH BYRNE, G.C.M .G., K.B .E ., C.B.
D ire cto r oj Ambu l anc e
T en years ago the O r d er of St. John celebrated the cent en ary of its revival i n England . It migh t well have celeb rate d at the same time the 831st anniversary of its bir th in Englan d , for it was in about the year 1100 that J or d an Briset an d Muriell, his wife, founded the Priory n ear" u n to Clarkes \XTell" (now Clerkenwell).
In 19 37 the B rigad e celebrated the 50th anniversary of its f ormatio n; that year also saw the D iamond Jubilee of t he Association, but no celebrations were arranged.
I t may i n teres t rea d ers to know what the Association h as accomp lish ed in t he 65 years of i ts existence, and I therefo r e pro p ose to try and summarise some of its achieveme n ts.
A t t he o ut set i t may b e stated that it has traine d and aw arded cer tificates in F irst A id , Home N u rsing an d kindre d su bj ects to over 3, 500,000 men an d women, fro m the hi g h est to ,the lowes t in the lan d , a nd in all parts of the British E mpire an d o u ts ide i t . One of the first to obtain the cer tificate of the Asso ciati on was her late Majesty, Queen A l exa nd ra, whose exampl e was f o ll owe d by many other m embers of th e R oyal F amily at t he time, n amely T.R.H. P r inces s Chr istian, P r inc ess Beatrice, the D uchess of Connau g ht a nd t he Duchess of Alba n y The last to do so w as H .R .H . The D u chess of Kent .
The Metrop oli ta n P olice and th e G rea t Wes t ern R ailway were quick t o ap p re ciat e the value of a knowled ge of First Aid, and arran g ed classes at Scotland Y ar d and at Padding t o n, re sp ectively, in May, 1878. Their example was soon f o llo wed in th e P rovinces and by other railway companies and sprea d t o men of the Mer ca ntil e M a rine, miners, co lliers, and to all class es and callings up an d d own the count ry It w as n o t lo n g b efo r e t h e Movement was taken up o verseas, Cent res being f or m ed at Ma lta in 18 82, Victoria (Australia) in 1883 and Gib r alt ar in 188 3.
In the fir st ten years of its exis t ence th e Asso ciatio n h a d issued ov er 100, 000 certificate s, and its T ext b ook h a d bee n translated into W elsh and Burmes e, and w hen her late Majesty, Queen Victoria, g rant ed a Char ter of Incorporation t o the Order of St. John, special m enti o n was m a d e of the Order' s achievement in es tablishin g th e St. J o hn Ambulance Ass o ciation
The g rowth of the A ssociation has co ntinu ed st eadily , if not rapidly. Whe reas the annual o utput of ce rtificate s in the first ten years of its existence aver age d 10,000, the output in 1922 had increased t o over 50,0 00 , and in 1940 to over 300,000 at home and overseas.
Unlike " organised" first aid in the Brig ade, the w ork of these other first aiders is " casual" in the sens e that they are not posted at a point with first aid equipment with the sole object of dealing with accidents, but th ey attend to Gases as and when they occur with such material as is at hand.
A figure appwachlng, 6,000,000 copies of the First Aid 'Textbook has been reached, and it is interesting to find
that while approximately 9°0,000 copies of the 38th Edition were printe d during the nine years of its life (1928-1937) nearly 2,000,000 copies of the current (39th) Edition have been disposed of since it appeared in J anuary, 1938. There have been tw elve revisions of the book, and it ha s been translated into Arabic, Siamese, Afrikaan , Chinese, Maltese, Italian, French, Malay, \XTelsh and into tenlndian dialects, amounting in all to approximately 200,000 copies.
o mention has yet been made of the other cou r es, such as Home Nursing, for which the Association issues certificates, nor does space permit of more than a brief reference to the Pr eliminary Courses w bich are studied by Juvenile Organisations, such as the Boy Scouts, Girl Guides, Church Lads' Brigade and others.
At the present time the Preliminary First id Course, instruction in which can be given b y selecte d la y members of the Brigade, is particularly valuable and is much appreciated by those unabl e to take the full course.
All the above, I submi t, indicates that in the teaching line alone the Associa tion has gone from st rengt h to strength, without reference to other activities of the Associa tion such as transport, medical comfo rts depots and the like. These are well known as they are also carried out by the Brigade, and it only remains to add that close co-operation an d between the Association and the Brigade are essential to the benefit of both. In this connection it may be added that recently Association County Secretaries, chosen mostly from amongst members of the Brigade, h ave b een appointed throughout the country.
C
OVERSEAS NEWS
The Chief Commiss ioner regrets to announce the d eath of:-
Ab le -Bodie d Seaman C. \Y/ . Whykes, R.N .V .R . (Private, Sumn er D ivision, Canterbury and West Coast D istrict, New Zealand, B r iga d e O verseas), kille d in action .
Mr. W, R. G. Mearns at D unedin, New Zealand, on May 22 at the age of 86. Mr. Mearns was a Serving Brother a nd was th e first Di v isional Superintendent of the D unedin Div i sion, w hi ch was the first Div ision of the Brigad e O ver seas to be orga n ise d. H e was , therefore, the firs t h o lder of that ra n k in the B r igad e O versea.
Miss Flora A nnie Rea d at Sy dn ey, A u stralia, on Jun e 27 , at t he age of 8 1. The d ea th of Miss R ea d re m oves o n e of th e oldes t m emb ers asso cia ted w it h t h e O r d er in N ew So uth Wa les , b eing o n e of th e f o unders of the N ew So uth W al es Ce n t r e of the Asso ciatio n. She w as Lady Dist ri ct Sup erinte n d en t of the New So uth Wa les D is t rict f or m a n y year s, and was an O ffi cer of the Ord er. Miss R ea d re tired f ro m activ e service in 1936 after serving faith fully fo r 49 year s
The St. John Ambulance Brigade News i
.Major-General Sir John D uncan, Chief Commiss i oner, Wishes the following notice to be published :-
On the occasion of the change of Editorship of THE ST. Jor-IN AMBULANCE G AZETTE, I would like, on behalf of all members of the Brigade, to express my thanks to Jv!r. P e.ter his services to the Brigade during perlOd of Editorslup; he has always striven to advance Its Interests, and has b een most sympathetic in adopting suggestions for improving THE GAZETTE. I feel sure that al.l members of the Brigade will join with me in wishing him every success in his literary career.
To Mr. G. E. Craft, who is taking over the Editorship, we extend the most cordial welcome; he has always been a goo d friend to the Brigade, and has furthered its intere sts in man y ways; he has attended every gathering of importance connected with it for many years; his uniqu e knowledge. of the Brigade and of all that its work represents, combrned with his literary ab ility, should ensure a succe ssful future for THE G AZETTE
I am particularly anxious that all units, and as many individuals as possible, shoul d be readers of THE GA ZETTE.
In these days when so many gallan t acts are being by th e members in carrying out their duties, It IS only through the medium of TI--IE GAZETTE that these deed s of courage and self-sacrifice, which are an inspira tion to all, can generally be made known.
I find it the best means by which I can establish contact r.ank and file; I.propose in future to have published In 1t such general rnstructions as I issue to Comso that all ranks aware of them as soon as pO SS Ible
Under the new Editor, I feel confident that THE GAZETTE wi ll have a successful future, and that it will materially assist the Briga de in it s duties
HEADQUARTER NOTICES
Brigade Badge and Civil Defence Services Uniform
As already notified Brigade members are permitted to wear the Civil Defence Services uniform, i.e. battledress men or a jacket and skirt for women, on which the badge may be worn on the right breast. The Bngade badge, however, may not be worn on the Civil D efence Services greatcoat.
R ecomlJJendations jor .f-Iol1ollrs
The Chief Commissioner has been informed in connection with the granting of Honours, that Civil cases wlll be put forward by the R egional Commissioners (or the Department concerned). Commissioners are therefore recommended to bring to the notice of the Reo-ional Commissiol1er s. any cases of mernbers of the St. b John 1\m?ula-?,ce wh.o perform acts of gallantr y or dlstlngUlshed serVice whilst employed on Civil Defence.
Gemral for DNty il1 Civil Hosp itals
Many clvll hospItals are se riously hampered in their work by shortage of domestic staff and the fullster of Health has asked the British Red Cross Society and the Order of St. John to give he+p to overcome this difficulty.
The St J oh? Brigade accordingly has agreed to help CIV11 hosp1tals by enrolling Genera l Service members where required. \Y/hile full-time workers are
preferred, there is scope for part-time workers and it is pos sible that women who cannot leave home, could work at certain hours of the day if suitable arrangements were made with matrons of hospitals as to shifts
Ward maids, kitchen maids, and laundry maids are required, and would be paid by the hour at a rate averaging lOd an hour in the country and IS. an hour in London.
Stokers and porters are also required.
It is hoped that County Commissioners and their Lady County Superintendents will be prepared to co-operate in this work.
In the first instance contact should be made with the Regional ursing Officer. When the local needs have been ascertained contact should be made with the matron of the hospitals. -
The procedure for enrolling these members is as follows :
(a) They may be attached as General Service members to existing ursing Divi sio ns.
(b) They need not hold any certificates .
(c) As in the case of General Service members already enrolled, Form B.P. IN should be used.
(d) Two references should be taken up.
(e) Aliens will not be excluded from this serviee.
(/) No age limits are laid down but the workers selected mu st be suitable in every way to perform the dutie s required of them.
(g) Hospitals ordinarily provide overalls for these classes of workers, but where it is de sired they may wear the Brigade General Service members' uniform.
(h) It is understood that the hospital authorities may be able to arrange for transport in districts where this proves to be a difficulty.
R egistration of Men tinder National E mployment Act
Male members of the Brigade will register as instructed by the Government in accordance with the age group t o which they belong under the above Act. At the time of registration the y will state the Brigade work on which they are engaged as well as their professional work
\"Y/hen a man is called for a selection interview, if it is desired to retain his services in the Brigade and he is a fulltime worker, he should be provided by the Commissioner or Assistant Commissioner of his area, with a certificate giving the following info r mati o n :-
(
a) Full name and address.
(b) The natur e of the Briga d e work on which he is employed.
(c) \. hether he is employed in Brigade work for a minimum of 44 hours a week This applies to voluntary as \vell as paid workers.
(d) An undertaking that immediately a worker to whom exemption may be granted terminates his employment in the Brigade or ceases to be a full-time worker the Labour Exchange will be informed
. Part-time workers are ot to be gi en the abo e certificate The aggregation of a number of part-time duties will not ordinarily be regarded as equivalent to full-time work, even though a total working week of 44 hour can be shown.
Membe.t;s of the Brigade enrolled in the A .R. P services will be dealt with b y the local .R.P. Authority
Red Cro ss and S t John War Organisation Day of R emembrance Sexages ima Sunday, Fehruary 8, I942, will be o b served as a day of remembrance for th e R ed Cross and St. John War Organisatio n when collections might be taken for the Duke of Gl o ucester's R ed Cross and St. John Fund. At a later d ate Lord Lytton, Chairman of the Churche s Committee, will i ss ue the n ecessary literature.
No. I (PRINCE OF WALES'S) DISTRICT SO UTHALL
A dance and prese nt ation of awar d s was re cently held by the Southall-Norwood Div isi on an d the Heston and Cranford Section, at which the Mayor a nd Mayoress presented H o me Nursin g certificates.
Mayor paid tribute t o the work of th e Brigade which the Southall Boro u g h Council greatly appreciated. He hoped that directly the war was over the Divis i on woul d be able to. erect new hea dqu arters on the gro und which the Council had been able to allo t the Division On behalf of the clas s memb ers His Worship presen ted a. se t of ebony hair brushes in case to Mr. Fuller in appredation of the lectures he had given.
Superintendent J. E. Taylor stated that he was exceedingly pleased with the result of the class
NO.2 DISTRICT BASINGSTOKE
.A.t. the recent annual insp ectio n of the Basingstoke DIVIsIOn, County O£!icer A. R. Morley congratulated the members and Cadets o n their smartn ess. It was , he said, the best he has witnesse d for a long time. The Division was strongest in the Northern Area of the County. Dunng the parade Mrs. Turnbull, m o ther of Superintendent N. R Turnbull, pr esented efficien cy badges to several cadets.
This Div ision was recently presented with an ambulance by the Curtis Air craft Co of the U.S A ., and now runs an ambulance service for the local area. The members take turns to man the amb ulance which is on call 24 hours every day.
BRISTOL
A competition of the Bristol Aerop lane Co. Division resulted as follows :-I St Aero Engine D epartment No.2 team (silver cup and individual medals); 2nd Aero Department No. I team (indivi d ual clocks); 3rd ,. NC? .5 te.am (individual first aid pocket case). PrelimlDary eli mlDating comp etitIOns were held, at whi ch nine teams entered. D o ctors Vinter and R oberts judged the final.
Superintendent E. C. Baker invited Mr. Ge orge White present the awards. Mr. W hite remarked that it gave him great pleasure to have the knowledge that such skilled men in fi rst aid were not only connected with the works but at the service of the general public.
Dr. Vinter said the standard of work was fir st class' there was not a great difference b etween the first and team.
This division of the Brigade is thought to be the largest ill the West of England. Superintendent Baker ha s been primarily responsible for the building up of it t o its present strength and he expressed his pleasure on the keenness and skill shown by the competitors.
NO,3 (EASTERN) DISTRICT LEICESTER
As a res.ult of a held in October, I934, formed b y Mr. F. Srruth, who IS Corps Officer of the Leicester Corps, I2 employees of the B.U.S.M. Co., Ltd., obtained their
first aid certificates and a divi sion of the Brigade was forme d. With the director s' permissi on it was nam ed "The British United Shoe Machinery Co. Ambulance Division." From the commencement the dir ectors have given g r eat support, the result being that th e division is one of the best equipped in the Leicester Corps An individual competition is held every year for the" B. P Cooper" Trophy, presented by the Divisional Pr esident, Mr. P B. Cooper. The division was the first in the Corps to qualify for A .R.P. certificates A course in first aid was held for compan y's employees in I939, under Corps Officer F. Smith and Divisio n al Sup erint en dent J. M. J o nes, a number of the male successful students joining the di vision, which at December 3 I, I940, had a personnel of 54.
From Jun e, 1935, to December, I940, approximately I ,597 public duties have been carried out and II,905 cases received attention.
LUTON
The Vauxhall Motors Corps staged large- scale and comprehensive ambulance competitions on Saturday, October I8.
The two winning teams belonged to Division 2, and trained under Supt. \'(1. H. Evans. The team leader award went to Private Bruce Watson, of Division 3, and the Surgeon's Cup (presented by Mr. E. A. Butterworth for individual combined practical and oral first aid) was won by Priva te Jack Impey of Division I.
There were six teams in all and 30 individual competitors, all of whom had qualified by previous successes in Di visional contests.
The trophies were presented by Mrs. A. \'(1. Laskey, and Mr. Laskey, Assistant Managing Director of Vauxhall Motors, congratulated the competitors in the absence of Corps Pre sident C. J. Bartlett, who was unfortunately unable to be present on account of ill-health.
During the proceedings, County Officer and Treasurer W. T. Knight, who has been in the Brigade nearly 50 years, presented a Service Medal to Div. Supt. F. W. Parrott of Division 3.
The stretcher test was set and judged by County Surgeon J. Kelsall Thomas, and was based on an actual incident in which a motor car ran out of control and was hurled over a 4 ft. wall, all 5 occupants being thrown out.
Each of the "patients" carried a label indicat.ing his symptoms, and a prime factor of the test was the way in which team leaders directed their men to give priority to both injuries and transportation.
R ea ders of THE GAZETTE wi ll probably be interested in the informatio n given o n the various labels. This was as follows :-
Patient No. I.-The patient complains of :-Sca]p No arterial hremorrhage. Surrounding contuSIon and sh ock. Patient No 2.-The patient complain s of :-Severe pain in the region of the left shoulder, accentuated by movement of the arm, with no irregularity of the humerus. The clavicle is intact. There is no obvious d eformity of the shoulder joint There is shock. Patient No. 3.-The p atient complains of :-Pain in the region of the l eft sh ould er, associate d with irregularity of the arm bone and pallor of the face There is also a scalp wound and bleeding has ceased. Patient No 4.-The patient is un consci o u s to a lesser de gree, has irregularity of the left side of the jaw and is bleeding from the mouth (not arterial). The pupils are equal and the pulse is rapi d.
Patient No. 5.-The patient is deeply unconscious, the
pupils are unequal, the pulse is strong and slow and there is bleeding from the nose.
The dia gnoses arising out of these symptoms should be speedily recognised by most readers. We ought perhaps to add that No. was suspected of having a fractured cranium, No . 2 a fractured scapula, No . 3 a fractured humerus at the shoulder and suspecte d fracture of the cranium, No. 4 concussion and a compound fracture of the jaw, No. 5 a fracture of the base of the skull.
The actual amount of first aid required was not considerable; in fact there was no need for any splinting. The test was primarily one for alertness and general efficiency in the shortest possible space of time.
All thi s was realistically staged in the Staff Canteen at Vauxhall Motors, and amusing touches were provided by the activities of four bystanders who impinged themselves upon the incident in various characteristic ways.
Twenty minutes were allowed for the test, and halfway through a fall of rain was announced to the accompaniment of a shower of water from a stirrup pump, whereupon competitors were expecte d to get their patients speedily to shelter, which was represented by a couple of nearb y cottages, built out of scenery.
When one of the ambulances (which arrived at different times) was finally being loaded, the examining sur geon added to their difficulties by informing the competitors that the stretchers on to which they had loaded their patients were not suitable for that particular ambulance.
Team "E" under Ambulance Officer NI. J. Bessant, and consisting of J. E. Davison, J. Tuffnell, J. W. eish and R. Hall, did well to run out winners in this test
The runners-up were team "F," under Cpl. G. C. White, and included Privates G. Heley, A. E. Langstaff, A. W. elson and J. Yates.
The principal team trophy, presented by the Di rectors of Vauxhall Motors, was awarded on the basis of marks obtained not only in the team test, but also in the individual oral and individual practical tests set and judged
Mrs A. W.
by Div Surgeon A R. Thomson and Corps Surgeon E. A Butterworth respectively.
Members of the winning team each received a copy of Colonel E. J. King's book, " The Knights of St John in the British Empire."
After the prize presentation Corps Secretary R. R. Hopkins extended thanks to all those who assisted in the organisation and to distinguished v isitors present The latter included County Officer W. T. Knight; County Officer W H Weatherhead; Corps Officer G. Par sons, who acted as timekeeper; Lad y D iv. Surgeon R. M Bi schoff; D iv. Surgeon Cyril Gould, from London; Lady Div. Supt. H. M. Brown; D iv Supt. Allen of Skefko, and officers and members from other Divisions in Luton, D unstable an d Ampthill.
H. J. Whitworth and E. Solloway acted as R ecorders, and members of the Vauxhall Nursing D ivision provided the team marshals
D uring the tea which followed, Corps Secretary R. R. Hopkins referred to the team leader cup which had been presented by members of the Corps in the name of Corps O fficer R. McEvoy as a tribute to the fine work done by him during the past two or three yea rs. The subscribers had expressed a wish to mark the occasion by a personal presentation to D ick McEvoy himself, and he thereupon handed over a dress watch in stainless steel, duly engraved, which Corps Officer McEvoy gratefully acknowledged amid considerable applause.
ORTHAMPTON
Presentation of awards to members of the Castilian Nursing Division was held on October 6, when the County Vice-President, Countess Spencer, presented a service bar for 20 years' service to Ambulance Sister Mrs. orman, who has been a member of the D ivision since its earliest days. Lady Ambulance Officer .i\uss Hull received a Service Medal.
A uniform inspection was conducted by Lady Corps Superintendent Mrs. Carpenter. Nuss Scott (Assistant Matron, orthampto n General Hospital) judged a bedmaking competition in which two teams, urses Caldwell and Sheppherd and Nurses Allen and P hillips, tied. Lad y Spencer congratulated the Division on its efficiency and appearance.
Lady Superintendent {iss Gainsford proposed a vote of thanks to Lady Spencer, whilst Miss Hull voiced thanks to the officers and judges to which Lady County Superintendent Mrs Jennings replied.
o. 4 (LANCS) DIS TRICT
BARROW-IN- F URNESS
The undermentioned members of the Brigade in Barrow-in-Furness have been awarded Meritorious Service Certificates for gallant and devoted service during air raids: Superintendent H. Chapman, Ambulance Sister Mrs. Chapman, Sergeant E D avidson, Private E. Cooke, Cadet Officer G. Harris on, Cadet Corporal L. Bainbridge, and Cadets C. Grafton, G. Connell and Wright.
Asst. Commissioner Lieut. Col. P ooley, in making the presentation, referred to the n ew Brigade award, and though in this case nine certificates only had to be presented, the Ambulance, Nursing an d Cadet Division s sha re d the honours as the service given by all ranks had been so outstandingly meritorious that the greatest difficul ty had b een experienced in making the selection for submission. He concl ud ed by reading the last sentence on (Continued on page 243)
LUTON VAUXHALL MOTOR CORPS COMPETITION S
Laskey presents the Surgeon's Trophy to Jack Impey.
Interesting Case Reports
CASE REpORT No. 19°.-The Officer-in-Charge of the East Riding of Yorkshire S. J .A. B. reports the efficient performance of first aid by a member of the Beve rley Division in the following circumstances :-
On August I a young girl was riding a cycle through when she was knocked down by a transport lorry wIth the result that her right foo t was practically severed and her leg badly lacerated. Hon. Sergt. H. Freeman, who works near the scene of the accident, was quickly on the spot and immediately dealt with the ca se, controlling the arterial bleeding with an impro v ised ligature and dressing the wounds . He also arranged for prompt transpo rt to hospital, where the patient su bsequently made a goo d recovery although her leg had to be amputated.
COMMENT.-Bryond doubt the promptmss and efficiency ,vith this case was handled, resulted in saving the life of a J10ung gzrl. S ergt H. Freeman, therefore, merits cordial congratulations on his s kjll in dealing 1vith the emergency. -N. C. F.
CASE REpORT No. 19I.-The Officer-in-Charge of the County of Nottinghamshire S.J.A .B. reports the efficient of first aid by two members of the recently Beeston Nursing Divisio n in the following Clrcumstances :-
On September 16 Mrs. Theaker, a probati oner member, called to a house in which a woman had attempted sUlclde by coal-gas poisoning. She broke open a window, dragged the patient into the fresh air, commenced artificial respiration and at the same time sent for Ambulance Sister Mrs. Streets. Working together, these members persevered with artificial respiration for more than an hour, after which the patient commenced to breathe. Ultimately the patient recovered completely, and the doctor who was called to her said that und ou btedly she owes her life to the treatment which had been a dministered.
COMMENT.-By their patience and perseverance Ambulance Sisters Mrs. Streets and Mrs. Th eak,er proved their abilz'ty correctlY to perform artificial respiration t hry merit cordial congratulations in that thereby they succeeded on this occasion in saving the life of a patient.-N. C. F.
II Questions and Answers
HlEMORRHAGE FROM
THE NOSE
J. P. (Hounslow) .-I shall be gra teful if you will explain in what way the application of cold over the spine at th e level of the collar helps to arrest bleeding from the nose. This problem was discussed at a recent Divisional Practice without satisfactory decision.
You raise a query i s not easy of solution 1 do not k,n01v of af!Y heat centre in the region of the mck,; but 1 do k,n01v that, _ -if a sponge soak,ed in cold water is applz'ed to the neck, immediatelY after a hot bath, there is an immediate reaction and a feeling as if all the blood vessels were being constricted. ConsequentlY, 1 consi der that the resulting effects are due to reflex action.-N. C. F.
H
h:MO
RRHAGE FROM TOOTH SOCKET
J. P. (Hounslow).-Also, please tell me if the presence of a blood clot in the socket of a tooth is an exception to the rule with regard to not di s turbing a clot when present over a wound. The instruction to p lug the socket would appear to suggest this.
A blood clot is the evidence of lVature's efforts to seal the 1votmd a17,d so stop the escape of blood and also the entrance oj germs. Pluggi ng a tooth socket is onlY indicated while bleeding is present. ConsequentlY it is not an exception to the general rule oj not disturb ing blood clots.-N. C. F.
ApPLICATION OF THOMAS SPLINT
.A. A,. (Addiscombe).-We like to suggest a tnlnor Imp rovement in the application of the Thomas Splint. The stick u se d for the Spanish windlass appears to us to be more effective if applied over one bar and under the other On the other hand, when ends lie on the same side of the two bars, most of the pres sure is on one bar.
The point 11Jhich YON raise is inter esting; but, in ?fry opinion, your suggestion is 110t al1 illlprovement on the usual !l7ethod oj fixing the 1vindlass The question of pressure on the bars is immaterial since Its 011(y object is to prevent 1fJ1f1visting of the ,vil1dlass .- C. F.
SPICA BAl'\l DAGE FOR SHOULDER
A. A. (Addiscombe).-Fig. 120 in the Textbook, which d epicts the spica bandage for the sho ulder, seems to us rather misleading From a comparison of the relative position of the two arm-pits, the spica appears to commence some six or more inches down the arm. Consequently, working to this illustra tion, we find it almost impossible to complete the spica with a n orma l length bandage. Your comments will be appreciated.
Alas 1 1 canl10t agree that Fig. 120 is mlsleadillg. If J'Oti 1"emember that the spica for the shoulder is the contil1uatiot! of the spiral bandage for the arm, JlO!f Ivill realise that the spica is commenced at the point ,vhere It is 110 longer possible to app[)1 tbe spi?"a l bandage-that is, belO1v the arlll-pit and not" six or more inches d01JJ11 the arm. "-N. C. F.
TREATMENT OF VENOMOUS SAKE Porso ING
P B. (Cardiff).-In the treatment of poisoning resulting from the bite of a venomous snake, would the administration o f an emetic be of any service? Can the emetic have any effect when the poison is already circulating in the patient's system or does it merely act on the stomach?
We welcome your kind help on this point
The emetic is given solelY as a means of evacuating poisons from the sto mach Co nsequentlY , it would have no effect if and ?vhen the poison is circulating In the system -N C. F.
CODLlVER OIL FOR BURNS
P. M. (Coventry).-It has been suggested to me that codliver oil makes a useful dressing for first-aid treatmen t of burns. Before I use it, however, I should like to hear your views, for which I thank you in advance.
You 1vill be 1vise if in your first-aid 1vork,you stick, to the methods taught in the Textbook,. Then, if io/uries do not progress quite as JlOU could ?vish for Jlou Ca1t quote the Textbook, as the authority for your actions. 0 thmvise Jlou might find yourself in a dijjicult position.-N C. F.
TREATMENT OF INJURIES TO THE HEAD
F. F. (O xford).-I was very intereste d in your rep ly under the above headin g in the October issue of THE GAZETTE. It is a question which I have been asking ambu-
lance officers and doctors for a long time, and which has brought me no sati sfa ct.ion.
Your answer is helpful, but still does not appear to so lve the difficulty, since it suggests that we must treat two opposite conditions simultaneously (concussion and compression), i.e., by driving blood to, and from, the head at the same time. As compression is o bviously a possible complication of concussion, wou ld it not be more lo gical to treat the pale face of concussion by keeping the head low as l ong as the pallor exists, raising the head and appl ying cold if, and when , compression shows itself by the face becoming Rushed?
I must apologise for endeavouring to prolong disCUSSlOn of a question with which you have dealt, but the subject do es appear to be important.
Your difficulties are those of Jlour oum making and woulcl not have arisel/, hadyou stt/died my replY more carefullY. Inde ed, I am puzzled to k,I101V h01v an)'one could read into my replY the suggestion that hvo opposite conditions (col7Ct1ssion and compression) are to be treated siJJJultaneoHslY. The mere application of cold to the head as a precautionary measure is certainlY not the treatment for compression as laid dOllln in the Textbook,.
Of coltrse, nlhiie the patient's face is pale and the other signs of conmsslon are present,),ot/ k,eep his head and shoulders (do not forget the shot/lders I ) 100V; and, as I stated specificallY in th e la st paragraph of 171)' previous rep(y,),ol! Ivotlld onlY raise patient's head and sholliders and lower his feet ,vhen signs of compression actual(y deve loped.- C. F.
Brigade News
(Continued from page 241) the certificate: "By your dev otion to duty, you have added to the proud tradition of the St. John Ambulance Briga de."
o. 5 DISTRICT HEFFIELD
Cont.inuing the inspection of the various Divisions of th e Sheffiel d Corps, the Acting Corps Superintendent, Asst. Commis ioner H. C. Else, recently inspected the
L
Lt.-Col. E. B. Pooley, Asst. Comm., presenting Meritorious Service Certificates
S.tocksbridge and District Ambulance and Nursing DiviSlons. The Inspecting Officer was accompanied by Lady District Officer Miss G. Ashberry, Lady Corps Superintendent Mrs. J. Windle, Corps Officer s W. A. Browne and R. P en der Richards. Amongst those present were Councillor H. Bradbury J.P. (Chairman, Stocksbridge U.D .C. ), and Mrs. Bradbury, Divisional Surgeon W. M. Robertshaw (M.O.H.), Mr. O. Inman (Treasurer, Ambulance Division) and Mrs. Inman, Mrs. C. Clarke (Vice-President, Nursing Division) and Mr. Clarke.
The .Divisions on parade were Stocksbridge Ambulance (Supenntendent A. Elson), Stocks bridge and District Nursing (Lady Ambulance Officer Mrs F. Walton and Nursing Officer Mrs. F. Laycock), Ambulan ce Cadet (private R. L evitt) and Nursing Cadet (Lady Cadet Superlntendent Mrs. A. Elson).
The parade marched to the Market Place, where the inspe cting officer witnessed practical demonstrations in fir st aid which included the treatment of a fractured leg by a squad blindfolded. Bed-making and improvisation were also displayed.
After the inspection tea was served in the Lecture Hall. Here Superintendent Elson welcomed the guests, his remarks being endorsed b y Mrs. Walton Assts Commis sioner Else addressing the gathering, said that he had been told to expect something good at Stocksbridge an d he had not been disappointed. He was particularly impressed by the blindfold work, also the improvisation which had been done by the Boy Cadets.
Service chevrons and first aid awards were presented during the proceedings.
A social evening, arranged b y Corporal Froggatt and Private T. eedle, completed the d ay's fun cti ons
6 DISTRICT
o.
SDNDERLAl"'\lD
The Sunderland \"'(1 estmoor R oad Division, which is comp osed mostly of shipyard and engine shop workers, has been functioning but ten months during which time the members have proved that they are truly St. John workers.
On October 2 an open night was held under the Chairmanship of Superintendent E. A Gunn. Each member was giyen a particular patient to attend and afterwards had to explain his diagnosis , his treatment, and the reasons for same. The visitors were encouraged to ask questions relating to any of the patients and these were answered by the members concerned. Being able to answer such questions "vas proof that the member would not be slow in attending an actual case.
One interesting item was given by a stretcher party which earned great applau se by the smartness, quickness and gentleness in which patients ,,,ere handled.
10. 7 DI TRICT HEREFORDS HIRE
County Officer H. J. Harris i the author of a booklet entitled "The Order of St. John in Herefordshire," the proceeds from which are to be d evoted to the Funds of the Brigade. The cost of the booklet is 6d C7d. post free) and can be obtained from the author at I, de Lacy Street, Hereford. Viscount Hereford (President of the Hereford Centre of the Association) has written the Foreword, in
BARROW-IN-FURNESS DIVISION.
eft to right: Cadet Geo. Connell, Nursing Sister Mrs. H. Chapman, Supt. H. Chapman, Pte. E. Cook and Sergt. Ed. Davidson.
N war-time service. either in th e military hospitals or with the civil popul a tion it willl be found that a conside rable proportion of patients are in a state of high nervo u s tension. The need for a res torative food be verage, which is completely nourishing and easily assimilated , becomes urgent.
, Ovaltine' meets this necessity ill a highly satisfactory manner, both as an emergency measure and as a regular routine. The nutritive and energismg constituents of 'Ovaltine' are rapidly assimilated, providing all the essential food elements and, at the sa me time, allaying nervous tension in a most helpful way.
Now, as in 1914:-1918, 'Ovaltine is widely used T in the wartime hospital service, both in England and overseas. It is of exceptional value as a regular supplement to the dietary ; it is designed to meet abnormal demands on the n er v ous sy stem, and its use at night is an effecti ve aid to sound, restorative sleep .
, Ovaltine' possesses man y outstanding advantages. It is h ighl y con centrated and is prepared b y exclusive s cientific processes , from m a lted b arle y , full-cream milk and eggs from th e world-famous , Ovaltine' farms. It cont a in s v aluable mineral elements, "first-class" pro t ein, carbohydrate and fat in carefully adjust e d ratio. Mo r eover,' Ovaltine' po ssesses special properties which make milk more digestibl e and thus easil y assimilated, even by patients who are seriously ill
Supplies are available to Hospitals and Public Service Organisations in special packings and at special priGes.
Write for details to A. W ander, Ltd., 184, Queen's Gate , London, S W.7.
which is stressed the importance of the work performed by members of t h e Brigade.
Rea d ers will find the information given very interesting an d at such a cost we recommen d the booklet to all members of the O r d er.
No. 8 (D UKE OF CONNAUGHT'S) DISTRICT ADDIS COMBE
M ter months of pain borne patiently and with the cheerfuln ess so characteristic of him, Ambulance Officer A. Scott his parade on Monday, September 15, :vh en his mor tal remaillS were carried to their res ting place 1n Mi tcham R oad Cemetery, Croydon, by Officers an d N.C. O. 's of the Addiscombe D ivision.
Memb ers of the D ivision, together with Nurses of t h e East Croydon an d Norbury D ivi sions, forme d a Guard of H ono u r in trib u te to one who h ad en d eare d himself to so many t hroughout h is life.
. His life was of service for others . Joining the Division l ?- 1916, he worke d with convoys of wounded and from that scarcely missed a parade or duty. One of his chief att n bu tes lay in that spirit of welcome and friendship that ra di ated from him
CAMBERLEY
Last month Viscountess Lady Garnock was welcomed by: of, the Camberley and Windlesham Nursing 1?lvlslO n as the Ir newly appointed President of the D iviSIon.
In the of past and present members and cadets, Lady D lvlslOnal Superintendent Miss bck welcomed L a d y Garnock, who charmingly responded, saying how proud she was to become their President. She had been very impressed with what she had already seen and she hoped that all members would regard her as a friend.
Among those who attended the funct.ion were Divisional Surgeon Attenborough, Mr. \X'arren (Deputy O.c. Casual ty Service), Mr. Brazier ( .R.P. Officer), and Mrs Colley (late Lady Divisional Superintendent).
o. 9 DISTRICT
COUNTY OF NORTH, EA T AND MID DEvo
A most successful Conference of the Presidents and Officers of the Nursing Divisions in Ed Devon was held at Newton Abbot on October 18. Mrs Arthur Templer, P resident,. presided, supported by County ComffilSSlO n er H J. Vlck, La dy County Supt. Mrs. D e la P ryme Lady County Officer Miss D. \Vhitehead. The latter was respons ible for the organisation of the Conference 5? Officers were present. The County ComffilsSlOner , In welcoming the D elegates, referred to the Red Cross P eTI?-y-a-Week Fun d, the 1942 National F lag D ay an d the P nsoners of War Relatives Association. He asked the D ivisions to give their active support to these schemes.
T he L ad y Cou n ty Superintendent brough t a message f ro m t h e L ad y Su perin ten d ent-in-Chief and gave a report of t h e recent Staff meeting in Lond on.
D r. Margare t Wells outline d the functions of Divisional Co mmittees and emphasise d that these were n ot executive co mmittees, and t h at t h e fi n al d ecisio n s in all matters wo uld r est w i th t h e L ad y Su p erintendent.
Miss Whitehead spoke abou t th e work of the Div i sions and asked th e O ffi cers to see that the Brigade u niform was worn correctly . y ari o u s ques tio n s were aske d ab out proce d ure an d
Bnga d e F o rm s ; and a very helpful m eeting ended w it h a tea kindly provid ed by M rs. Te mpler
A ir Rai d Precautions
Th e E v ol uti on of Teachin g First A id in t he De ve lopment of A .R.P. Casualt y Ser v ices
There is a tendency for personnel to comp lain of so many changes in our instructions, circulars, han d books, etc We do not complain when our children grow out of their baby clothing, or childish ways o-we rejoice in so good a sign of healthy growth and development.
A R. P. is 7 years old, and it has had rather a long period of baby nursing and growth. Now it is coming into its school age and much teaching is needed during the years of school growth, and it is not changes so much as the healthy evolution of growth and experience which we are experiencing, and which is enabling it to grow into the young life of a permanent service, for as indicated this month in the B.B.C. and public press, the A.R.P. service will not be disbanded after this war!
Let us glance at the salient points of growth and evolution which the critical complain of as changes.
193 6 First Aid Text Book,s of S.j.A.A and B R C.S.
In this year, 1936, after considerable discussion it was decided that these standard Text Books be adopted for the teaching, examination and certification of A.R.P. personnel. This decision recognised that the drawing up of new Text Books would take much valuable time and work At the same time it was recognised that the system of lecturing, examination and certification was well established by these two voluntary Organi ations and so it was decided that these two books should be taken as the standard of the "basic training " (This procedure has been confirmed in the last fanual of Training, o. 2, Page 27')
193 8 The Long Course and the Short Course
This was an early deviation of teaching for the purpose of especially including four groups of workers to whom a short course would be valuable in emphasising the peculiar circumstances of aerial casualties that might require their help. The four groups were :-
(a) Personnel of First Aid Posts who are not required to take the full course.
(b) All Air Raid Wardens
(c) Ambulance D rivers.
(d) Members of other A.R. P. Services who are not considered to require knowledge of First Aid.
A detailed Appendix was issued for this Course on J an uary 26, 1939. This Course did not suggest either an exami n ation or a certificate an d this Appendix was not merely a suggestion of cutting out certain of the six lectures but suggesting a somewhat different procedure in the approach that the teacher should make, giving great em phas is to the practical points an d those which involved life and death The value of this short course h as p rove d to b e great, altho u gh regu lar F irst Ai d ers were rather inclined to d eprecate i t When properly tau gh t wit h suitab le p ractical d emonst r ations, it has b een in valuable t o th e classes of vo lun teers for whom it was su gges ted
The lo n g co ur se co n tinues u nch ange d except tha t there has b ee n a ri gh t tendency t o cu t out t hin gs of less im p or t-
245
ance in A .R P ., such as bee stings, fish hooks in the hand, etc., etc. -
1939. Training and Work, of First Aid Parties Handbook, No . 1 0
The issue of this instituted a big step forwa rd and officially lays down the approa ch o f leaders of F i rst Ai d P arties to the pe culiar circumstances asso ciat ed w ith aeria l rai ds, possibly causing large numbers of casualties under black -out circumstances. This Handbook is full of most valuable instruction and guidance for those who hav e to supervise the handling and disposal of air rai d casua lties and there should be n o leader of a First Aid P arty who d o es not know this from cover to cover perfectly . I n fact, Government ordained that leaders of First Aid P arties should have special courses on this book and those who did so have proved the high value an d worth of t hat specialised training for leadership.
1940. Higher and Team Training
These were summarised in Training Manual Jos. I and 2 and they bring out, especially o. 2, the differen ce between individual training of the higher or second stage and the team training as being an advanced and different proced ure to that of the early or basic training. This led also to combined training and the evolution of special exercises in peace-time most carefully drawn up to represent an aerial incident with special instructions for producers, umpires, markers, etc., and many examples of such exercises were published in " A Guide to Combined Exercises with Examples," copies of which were supplied to thos e people responsible for this higher and combined training. 1941. Training Based on Experience in Blitzes
Valuable lectures by high authorities have been give n throughout the country to those responsible for trainin g and have drawn attention to developments resulting from the experiences of the large blitzes in different parts of the country and have proved most valuable to those who ha d carefully followed the evolution of teaching in First Aid matters related to such e)."Periences
1941. Special Training Schools for Leaders of First Aid Parties and Rescue Parties
These have grown up in the gradual development of the work, and such Schools are formed in each of the Regions in this country and large numbers of the L ea d ers have already attended these courses and it shoul d always be remembere d that their instru ction is no co n tra dic tion to basic training but is merely an a daptation of that early education to the particular needs of aerial warfare . It b y no means contradicts any of the fundamental t eaching of the certificati n g course but it d oes show that the method of carryin g o u t those i d eas may vary u n d er t h e differ ent con ditio n s which may be d eman d ed.
Continu al growth an d experience is sure to show further proced ures whi ch will be ne cessary and we should always ho ld o u rselves ready t o fo llow all su ch a t the ea rli es t p oss ible m o m en t an d und er n o circu ms ta n ces sho uld such alteratio n s b e criticised or d epre cate d.
The Ambulance Committee of the Priory fo r \'7ales, which met under the chairmanship of D r. D. Rocyn Jon es, CB.E., at Priory House on October 2.1, ap proved the employment of women to replace men engaged in the operation of the Priory Arnbulance Transport Service called for Military Service. The only alternative to this wartime measure, necessitated by the de-re servation of ambulance drivers, would have been the closing of certain Ambulance Stations; and as most of the cars are rendering contractual service to group s of collieries, and the Service is recognised as supplementary to A. R.P requirements, curtailment is undesirable in the general interest. During the September quarter the ambulances at 2. Stations carried 4,874 cases, involving a total mileage of .84,182.
The Committee appointed Mr. C T. Allan to succeed Profes sor George Kno x as one of the three P riory Repr esentatives on the Welsh Home Service Ambulance of the J oint Council of the Order of St. John and B ri ti sh R ed Cross Society, which is responsible for the administration of 14 Ambulances operating chiefl y in agricultural distriGts, 10 being under the control of local Units of the St. John Ambulance Brigade.
During the first nine months of 1941, 987 examinations in First Aid and Home Nursing llad been arranged by the Priory. In illustration of the increas ing de sire for ambulance instruction, reference was made to the sanction given by the Priory to a class of an unique character in Llandudno, where the local Officers of the St. John Ambulance Brigade had arranged jointly with tho se of the British Red Cross Society for a class of 200 men and women of both bodies to receive a course of twelve lectures by a rota of doct ors assisted by instructors.
The appointment of 4 medical men as Lecturers in the special " First Aid in Mines" course, which is making a satisfactory appeal to students in the mining district s, was endorsed.
For gratuitous services over a long period as Lecturers, Dr. D onald Henry Isaac, Divisional Surgeon, Port Talbot, and Dr. Ivor Hughes Llo y d, Arfon, Corps Surgeo n (CaernarvG}l1shi re), were elected Honorary Life Members of Priory for Wales.
A list of 94 Brigade appointm ents which was approved included that of the as Lady County Officer, Monmouthshire Centre. Sanction was g ive n to the formation of the Ruperra Corps consisting of 12. Divisions and of the Silurian Corps of 5 Divisio ns, in the Monmouthshire Centre, and of the Andrews Corps comprising 12. Divisions in the Merthyr Tydfil Centre. The followin g new Divisions were registered :-AmbulanceNew D ock, Llanelly (Carmarthenshire), R.O.F. Fire (Carmarthenshire), Trethomas (Monmouthshire). Cadet Tre-cynon <Aberdare), Cwmtw.ifch and District (Brecknockshiie). Nursing-Trecynon (Aberdare),
Erwood (Brecknockshire), Argoe d, (Mo nmo uth.s hire), PanteD' (Monmouthshire). The pr ov1S1onal formatlor: of the Mawr Cadet Ambulan ce Division, East D enblghshire, was noted.
A vote of thanks was pas se d to Sir Leonard Twis ton D avies, K.B.E" on the gift of a valuable volume to the P riory Library.
The Chairman expressed the deep fee1111gs of pleasure and gratitude of alll'nembers of the Priory on the to activity of Captain S. T. the ComrrusslOner for Monmouthshire, after hIS long Illness.
At the subsequent m eeting of the Council, Ir. Kenneth Inaledew so n of the late fr. l-Iu gh Ingle dew, the first Solicitor who was mainly responsible for the drafting of the Priory con titution, was norrunated for
It was noted that the ub-Prior, the Earl of Plymo uth, had approved the appointment of the Lady K er:yo n Lady Pr esident of the Flintshire Centre of the Pnory, 1? su ccess io n to the Lady Gladstone of Harwarden. ThIS appointment is particularly in view of fact that the late Lord I enyo n held ex OjjiCIO office as Re g Istrar from the date of the establishment of the Priory in 19 18 to 192.7·
CENTRE REPORTS
Al GLESEY CENTRE
Dr. Graham P. \X1illiams, Divisional Surgeon and Medical O fficer, Firs t Air Serv ice and Casualty Bureau, has dr awn th e attention of the P riory to the ex cellent conduct of t wo members of the Holyhead Brigade during very trying circumstances on D ecember 2.6, 1940 of the incident are as follows :-" Four boys, varyrng 1n age from 12. to 15 years, found an bomb or h an d grenade on a shooting range a few rrules from Holyhead. They took this grenade to a small on .an extremely lonely part of the coast and, after with it for some time, it exploded, killing one boy outught and causing severe to the other three boys, Mr. a nd Mrs Burdon J ones happened t o be a walk the scene, and h earing the explosion th ey deCIded to Investigate and shortly afterwards heard crie s fO,r help. then discovere d the four boys in a ternble conditlOn and promptly rendered first aid which included five tourniquets. Mr. Burdon J o?es then sent his to the nearest farmhouse, about a nule away, from wluch she dispatched a messenger to obtain help and returned to the scene of the incident w ith bandages and blankets. The Holyhead Ambulance w ith several members of arrived as quickly as possible an d after great 111 getting t he boys up cliff, they l oaded the ambulance and taken to hospital where I was waitIng for their arrival. Two boys were desperately injured, one having both knees shattere d, the both feet shattered and severe facial injQties. They dIed some hour s after admission to hospital. The third boy, although less
severely injured, had received damage to an important artery and' had bled more severely than the ,boys with the greater injuries. I hav e no doubt that any slight of life in the cases of the first two bo ys was due entirely to the splendid work of Mr. and Mrs. J ones., that the third boy who recovered certaInly owes his life to their prompt attention. It is parti.cularl'y interesting and praiseworthy that under such tryrng circumstances, the two members of the Brigade were able to assess the injuries and to realise that one boy, le ss intensively injured than the other two, was In greater danger from hremorrhage and that they dealt with this case first. His Majesty' s Coroner for Anglesey highly Mr. and Mrs. Burdon Jone s for their prompt and effiCIent action."
EA ST DE B1GHSHIRE CENTRE
A m eeting of East D enbig h shire Centre Committee was held in th e County Buildings, Wrexham, on Thur sday, October 2., 1941, at which the Commissioner, Col. Su Charles B. Lowther, Bart., D.S.O., presided report was given by the Chairman and Hon. Secretary on the formation of the Brymbo and Divisions. The proposal of the Cefn Mawr DlVISlOn to form a Cadet Division was unanim o u sly approved, the Division being congratulated on its enterprise and activity.
The Hon. ecretary, Captain R. G. Evans, reported that all secretaries or organisers of First Aid Classes in the area had had their attention drawn to the leaflet issued by the Pri ory for \'7ales, on the rules governing the of clas ses in the subject of " First Aid in Coal Mrnes:" Members of the Centre Committee undertook to do alllD their pow e r to assis t in the matter which wa,s cor:sidered t b e a mo st important development, and satIsfaCtion was expre ed on it being reported that a number of classes covering the new course have already been arranged.
Mo MOUTH HIRE CENTRE
Nfo lllJJolltbsb ire Jo int C017'lJlJittee.- The J oint COU?ty Comm.ittee of the Red Cross and St. John War Orgarusation operates in Monmouthshire under chairmanship of Dr. D. Rocyn Jones, CB.E., J.p., Duector ofAmbulance of the Prio ry for \'Z!ales. A" Statement of W?rk" f or the period March 2.,1940, to Jun e 30, 1941.' Just punted gives an excell ent account of the extent to which the many activities d elegated to J oint County Committees have been develop ed in ionmouthshire. has been made for all eventualities and va illable serVIces have already been rendered in many directions
The relief of air raid distress has occupied the clo se attention of a Special Advisory Committee, the total amounts disburse d und er this heading to June 30, 194 I, being £117 14s. 8d. The Iational Flag Da y Collections in the years 1939 and 1940 realised £ 1,4 II .6s 9d. A Count y Appeal for Funds for the War OrgarusatlOn :vas initiated at a public meeting addressed by Lord I liffe , Chairman of H.R.H. the Duke of Gloucester's Appeal Committee, and the organisat.ion of the P enn y-a- \X1eek Scheme is proceeding throu ghou t the county. the services of six Hospital Liaison Officers vISltlng relatives have been assisted on ten occasions. Instruction in Ward Industries is being given to ho spital patients, while much has been accomplished in providing literature for the hospitals in the cOllnty. Cor:siderable and assistance has beep rendered to relatIves of mLss111g men and prisoners of war, 830 enquirers having been interviewed and I, 132 letters despatched from office responsible for this work. A of ho.sl?ltal comforts were requisitioned and dehvered, In addmon to the
provlslOn of many articles from th e C.H.S.S. Sto re. There are 37 C.H.S.S. Depots in the county which collectively made up 16,966 garment s and 3,900 b andag es a nd swabs from material supplied from Headquarte r Sto res , and in addition sent a total of 15,639 ga rment s a nd b andages as gifts to Sick Bays, Hospitals, etc The adapta ti o n of a convalescent ho spital of 40 beds is ne a ring co mpletion, and the Committee accepted respon sibility for the operation of three ambulances.
A concluding p a ragraph pays t r ibute to th e se rv ices rendered to A.R.P. authorities by personnel of the tw o constituent bodies, the comparative strength of each in the county being 584 adults and 264 cade ts , and St. John, 2,609 adults and 798 cadets.
V iscountess Tr edegar at S t. Me llo ns .-A t St. M ello ns
tor of th e Class , w ith an umb rella in re cogni ti o n of his valu able services, and ad va ntage was taken of the occasi on to expr es s th e g r a titude of all pr ese nt t o Mi ss M uriel Da v ies f or all she ha d do n e t o b r ing the n ew u n it int o exi s tence.
The V iscou nt
for her attendance b y Dr. N athan
arks were endo r se d
Dis trict Councillo r A . A . W illiam s. AberfJ'sS71Jg P res entationJ.- The Commissi o n er for Wa les (th e H o n . J o hn H. B ruce) a nd L a d y Staff Officer for \'Vales (the H o n. Mr s J. H. B r uce) w ere t h e g u es ts of the Ab e rt yss w g A mbula nce and N ursi n g Div isi ons a t the Amb ul ance R
and Cad ets, who forme
--EQUIP YOURSELF FOR WAR EMERGENCIES--
Essential treat successfully ALL possible injuries
THE HOUSEHOLD PHYSICIAN
few of the subjects treated !at;length :: PEACE-TIME SUBJECTS:Air Raid Precautions Influenza, etc., Measles, Mumps Gas Warfare (Special Chart) Catarrh
Hc:emorrhage Corns and Warts
First Aid What to Do in Emergencies
Bandages Skin Diseases
Splints Anatomy, Pharmacy
Burns Homceopathy, Neurasthenia
The Principles of Nursing
Famtmg Child Welfare
375 Prescriptions, etc., etc.
ACCIDENTS - What to do in all cases. HOW TO DIAGNOSE Diseases from appearance of Head, Face, Tongue, Throat, Chest, etc., etc.
THE YOUNG WIFE will find just the information she requires 1 To VIRTUE & CO.,
on THE HOUSEHOLD
HUNDREDS OF TESTIMONIALS
" I have gai ne d 100 % in each of the 8 test examinations ..• the knowledge of which I attribute to your volumes, I have yet to meet my defeat in Ambulance Examin a tions."
WALL CHARTS ANATOMICAL DIAGRAMS AND OSTEOLOGY
FOR LECTURE
FLAG DAY EMBLEMS, BUTTONS AND BADGES
Captain D. G. Richards and Mr. E Miles, Organising Secre
FieJd Day and Sheep Dog Trials held at Treorchy,
£ r2 5 r8s. rd to the Hon. John H. Bruce J.P
British Red Cross Society and
Women's Institute, Miss Muriel Davies, acting Lady Superintendent of the provisionally formed St. Nursing Division, presided at the first I?resenta tlOn of awards which members were pleased to receIve at the hands of Lady County Officer, the Viscountess Trede&ar. Her Ladyship congratulated the members on theu smart appearance for the first time in the uniform of the Brigade and upon the enthusiastic way in which they had taken up ambulance work.
County Officers W. Price, S. Bloomfield and Corps Superintendent G. E. J?avies emphasised in their remarks the importance of qualified ambulance men. C. c.. L. Williams, County Chairman, W.V.S., gave an intereStIng address.
The Lady County Superintendent presented Mr. William G. Cox, who had kindly a:cted as practri"cal instruc-
Officer K. D. Woolley pr es ided, supp o rt ed by Co unty Officers S. B roo mfield, W. Pri ce, L a dy Co un ty Office r Mr s M Hug h es a nd Corps Secre tary E J o n es.
The Commiss io n er fo r Wales in his addr ess referred to the desirability of f o rming cla ss es in the new " Fir st Aid in Mines " co ur se. H e presented Warrants o f appointment and efficiency a wa rd s to male officers and member s
The H o n. Mrs . B ruce, in distributing warrant s and awards to the Nur sing members wa s pleased to obs erv e the Civil Nursing Reserve Badges worn by the majority of the Unit, and congratulated them also on the provisional formation of a Cadet Nursing Division.
County Officer Broomfield spoke on the subject of A.R.P., and a presentation was made to Mrs. F. M. Woolley to mark her promotion from Divisional to Corps rank.
Progress Report of the Nursing Personnel
Each m o n th a P rogress R eport is t o be issue d from t h e Lad y Superintendent-in-Chief's office, and that for October contai n s the followin g items :-
On Saturday, October I I, a d emonstration -Jras organised b y the Northampton Coun ty and held. at Cottesbrooke Hall, the home of the Hon. Mrs. M acdonald-Buchanan (Coun ty vice-presid ent of the Nursing Divisions). The dem onstration was held for the benefit of the nursing perso nn el o f rur al First Aid Points all over the Cou n ty. It is hoped to arran ge others at later da tes.
Among the spectators was the Lady Superintendent-inChief (Mr s. St. J ohn Atkinson), and among the large gath ering o f officers to meet her were Countess Spencer (Co unty Vice-president), Lady County Superintendent Mrs. Jennings, L ad y Count y Officer Mrs Shaw, County Commissioner Dr. L. W. D ryland, and County Secretary E. Clayp ole
Lady Chetwode, wife of Fidd -Marsha l Sir Philip Che t wo d e, Chairman of the Joint \"'V'ar Organisation, was recently appo int ed Lady County President for Buckinghamshire, a nd the Viscountess D awson of P enn, Vicepresi d ent.
On October 23, H.R.H. The Duche ss of Kent paid an informal v isi t to Units of the St. John Ambulanc e Briga de staffing th e Westminster Hospital First Aid P ost, Dolphin Square Casualty D epo t, .and Bessborough Street \"'Xlelfare Centre.
On September 2 5, Mrs. St. J o hn Atkinson presided over a special meeting o f Lady County Presidents and Vice-presidents, L ady County Superintendents and L ady County Officers
The Lady Superintendent-iii-Chief expresse d h er admiration of and the pride in the work being d o n e b y members everywhere, saying that wherever she went she foun d unanimous admiration of th e training, di scipline and general efficiency of the St. John Nursing members.
Several items of importance were di scussed, and a report was given of the excellent work carrie d out at the St. J o hn Training Centre .
The Marchioness of Willingdon has accepted the Presidemcy of the St. John Nursing Divisions in the County of Middlesex , and the Hon. Mrs. L owso n, the Vicepresidency.
Staffordshire reports the formation of four new Cadet Nursing Divisions and 5 Cadets enr olled. At its first meeting; one small mining village enrolled 75 Cadets.
In Northumberland and Durham 1,040 members have joined the Civil Nursing Reserve and 2, 159 are giving their services to Local Authorities.
The total number of Brigade Nursing members working in First Aid Posts, Shelter First Aid Points and Rest Centres in the London area during September was 2, 157 : First Aid Posts 1,739
First Aid Points in Tl!lbe and other large Air Raid Shelters 316 Rest Centres 102
Meritorious Awards
following have b een brou g ht to the notice of the
Div.
F. J. Warren Private Devonport Div.
Two O fficers and a Private of the St. John Ambulance Brigade have been awarded the -Ieritorious Service Certificate of the Brigade for the following incidem :-
\'(Ihilst on duty at a serious fire of a number of oil tanks a request was made for a Stretcher Party to remove a fireman who had been tra pped and severely burnt. The Party were told of the serious danger of going near the tanks on account of the burning oil and danger of explosion. The firemen were temporarily withdrawn and the Party proceeded with stretcher and blankets and removed the fireman,who, unfortunately, was beyond ajd Shortly after the Party were clear the tan k at the spot on which the Party had previously been standing boiled over and burst into flames.
Found
Silver Medallion No. 475269, together with 1941 label; also Miniature (Bronze) Medallion No 387199, b eing found in the Holb orn, London, area.
Owner s can obtain same o n application to the Brigade Office, St. John's Gate, Clerkenwell, London, E.c. 1.
Brigade
Annual Return Forms
The 1942 annual return form s have now been sent out.
A n y Div i sion not having rec eived th eir supp ly, or those requiring further copies, should app l y to R ecords D epartment, St. John's Gate, Clerkenwell, London, E.C. 1.
On Active Service
The County Commissioner for B edfor d shire regrets to report the underme nti one d m ember s of t h e Luton Town Division of the Brigad e, as casualties :Private J Corke, killed wh.ile o n service with the R .A.F. , July 10, 1941.
Private A. J. Cornish, p oste d as "Missing."
: ful REV I VA L DEPEN DS SdCCBSS . ON PROMPT ACTION
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The St. John Ambulance Association. Itl Hiltory and its Part in the Ambu
to eVCf)'Olle ill the Ambulance {OV(/J/tll/ "51. Job n 1:ll1ltllll.lIlcc (J;aJl':lle Price 3 6 Postage M BWrlll Dlp\. 8 T. J 0 H N '8 QAT E LON DON, It. C.
CLASSIFIED ADVERTISEMENTS
A dvertisem en ts with remit/once should be sent to t he St. John Ambulance Gazelle, II/I3, Bream's Buildings, Chancery Lane, E.C.4. 2d. per word, minimum 3S'
SCE
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p ENCILS OF SUPE RIOR QUALITY, printed with your Corps Name and announcement, s e ll easily. Sample free.AIREDAL E PRESS , Bradford.
URGENTLY WANTED.-Several copies of this Journal for Mar ch Apri l , August and September, 1941. Send copies vvith price to Publisher , THE ST JOHN AMBULANCE GAZETTE, 11 /13, Bream's Buildings, Chancery Lane, London, E.CA.
WANTEp. -Urgently r )q uir ed, abo u t 20 Ambulance Cadet Second-hand UnifOlms in good co ndition State pTice required and any particulars to CADET SUPERINTENDENT 1. J PRIC E, 1, Hillside, Risca, Mon.
EVERYTHING FOR SAFETY EVERYWHERE
'NOVOX' and 'NOVITA' Oxygen + CO, 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. ALL A.R.P. EQUIPMENT
DUST and SPRAY MASKS and all other Safety and Protective Devices.
SIEBE, GORMAN & Co., Ltd. LONDON,
PRACTICAL
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In
Stomach Disorders
The acute discomfort of recurring 'indigestion: the pain of flatulence ap.d distension associated with acid dyspepsia, will yield to treatment
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na king' t he preparat ion acceptable I I to the sen s itive patient a n d at the same I I time, proviJi :r;:g a valuable c arm i na t ive, Relief , is experienced soon after the do s e is taken. ))\
Samples are offered} fre e on \ request, to A mbulance Me n Ltd., 12 CHENIES ST., W.C.I in
THE JOURNAL OF THE VENERABLE ORDER OF THE Vol. 14. No. 12.
The above, taken at a dexnonstration held in the West of England c1earl illustrates usefully, and how efficiently, the younger generation of the Brigade can 6e trained to their part should the occasion arise. ay
CHILDREN do not dread the application of" Iglodine," because, unlike many other antiseptics, it heals without hurting. It is ideal for cleansing and sterilising all surface Injuries, and hastens healing quickly leaving a scar. It is recommended extensively by the medical profession.
7d., I ltd., 1/9t, 1/1 I. From all Chemists and Boots Branches
. tHE IGLODINE CO., LTD., NEWCASTLE UPON TYNE
HOBSON & SONS
I'OUND.D 1850. (LONDON), Ltd. SPECIALISTS IN UNIFORMS . 'MANUFACTURERS OF EVERY DESCRIPTION OF UNIFORM CLOTHING AND EQUIPMENT .for St. John Ambulance Brigade.
JACKETS, TROUSERS, GREATCOATS, CAPS. BELTS, GLOVES. HAVERSACKS. WATERBOTTLES, ETC.
E.STlMATE.S AND SAMPLES ON RE.QUEST All enquiriel to-
THE ST. JOHN AMBULANCE GAZETTE is published on the 15 th of each month. The annual subscription is 4S., post free; single copies, 3d.
Brigade reports and photographs shot-lid be addressed to the Editor: St.John's Gate, Clerkenwell, London, E.C.I. Reports and photographs should reach him not later than the 28th of the mont h preceding the date of issue .
Subscriptions and' Advertisements should be forwarded to the Ptlblishers:
Messrs. British Periodicals, Ltd., 11-13, Bream's Buildings, London, E.C.4.
CONTENTS
EDITORIAL:
THE GAZETTE and its Readers
Home Nursin g Page:
The Layman's Advice and Diagnosis
First Aid in Asphyxia
Stretcher Drill for Nursing Personnel
The St. John Ambulance Brigade News
Interesting Case Reports
Questions and Answers:
Blanketing Stretcher
Effects of Blas
Treatment of Fractured Leg
Shortening with Fractured Forearm
Humour in First Aid
Treatment of Fractured Jaw
St. John Emblem
London and North Eastern Railway
Civil Defence Services
Marking Sheet
Honour
On Active Service
Items of Information
Priory for Wales
Review
Overseas News
"The Gazette" and Its Readers
This being my initial Editorial in the ST. JOHN AMBULANCE GAZETTE, I would like firstly to pay tribute to the ground work done by my predecessor, Mr. Peter Cheyney. During his edit;orship THE GAZETTE became firmly established as the official organ of The Order; and to-day its usefulness in the First Aid world is to a large extent due to his efforts.
The future policy of THE GAZETTE will be (I) to report on the activities of the Order of St. J OM and its Establishments and Foundations; (2) to further stimulate the study and practice of First Aid, Home Nursing, and allied subjects (3) to keep readers abreast of all matters appertaining to these subjects; (4) to give readers articles, advice, etc., by the recognised authorities on First Aid, Home Nursing, Civil Defence and kindred subjects.
In future issues there will be a regular team of contributors whose names in the St. John world, and in fact throughout the whole country, are accepted as authoritative-Dr. N. Corbet Fletcher (Surgeon-in-Chief, S.J.A.B.), who will continue his voluntary work as Honorary Medical Correspondent; Dr. W. C. Bentall (Assistant Surgeon-in-Chief), who will contribute each month articles on Gvil Defence Services; Dr. A. C. White Knox and Dr. M. M. Scott (members of the Textbook Revision Committee), who will contribute articles of general interest. In addition, the usual features of THE GAZETTE will be continued.
THE GAZETTE will also give readers the opportunity of asking advice, venting criticisms, making suggestions, and generally pooling experiences for the common good, and to act as the platform in all matters relating to St. J OM work. Readers are asked to co-operate to make this possible by (I) sending in their contribution; (2) by submitting problems and queries; (3) by passing on their copy of THE GAZETTE when it has served their purpose so that more members may read its contents. This last request is due to paper shortage which necessitates restriction in circulation. Finally, I wish to thank those readers who have forwarded letters and messages of welcome to myself on taking over the Editorship of GAZETTE. It is not possible to answer p ersonally all these; but I do appreciate the \kindly thoughts and the expressions of good will.- THE EDITOR.
HOME NURSING PAGE
THE LAYMAN'S ADVICE AND DIAGNOSIS
by
ALICE M. PENNELL, O.B.E., B.Se., M.B., B.S. (London)
I am always thankful that I was born with a sense of humour, and that I owe much gratitude to my lay acquaintances and friends for their unblushing ventures into medical territory in the way of wild diagnosis and most delightful explanations of symptoms ,and signs in their own and other people's bodies.
Going up in th(; lift of an important building, where I pack for Prisoners of War, I was greeted byan old acquaintance-the lift porter-with" Bile, bile, all day it's bile! " For a moment I was startled, not realising that he was talking of himself, but turning to look at his sour exp-ression, I noticed his fr(;e hand was firmly implanted on a part of his anatomy that could scarcely be said to be under the control of the secretion he named. Being chary of depriving him of his own comforting diagnosis, I hesitated before mildly suggesting an overhaul by his own doctor.
At home-nursing classes I find quite intelligent people have no idea where to feel for their heart-beats, or pulse, or how to discover whether a person is or is not breathing.
I would suggest, therefore, that you-yes, I mean you -should on reading this article, find your heart-beat, count the beats, write down the number, then feel the pulse at the wrist, and wherever else you know it can be felt, and count it at each point and record it. Then count your respirations and record them, just as you should for any patient you were looking after, or any victim of an airraid or accident in which you were privileged to help.
Then, E.or practice, run through the several points of examination necessary in dealing with casualties, in the o(der in which you must take them. Remember how essential it is to deal with the seriously bleeding, the badly injured and shocked, the fractures of skull, spine and pelvis, the wounds of head and abdomen, before sprained ankles or fractured wrists! Remember to find out immediately which of the victims are alive; and just go over in your mind now (while reading this) the factors that would show you that a person is alive and therefore needing attention, even if unconscious.
In your Brigade or team you have frequent practices uo,der the eye of your instructor or doctor to make yourselves perfect in recognising these vital differences, in dealing with the various injuries suggested above, and in transporting the injured without damaging them further, or increasing their suffering. Then get charts from which you can learn the positions of organs in the body; and having got the charts study them, and where possible, practise hearts and pulses on the members of your household. Don't let the unfortunate victims be your trial in these matters. Acquire confidence by practice, and so ensure that in an emergency you will not go fumbling and bungling, and so risking a victim's life or chance of speedy Jreatment.
By knowing something of the position of organs you may feel that you are being ridiculous when you point to impossible places for organs that you are blaming. A voluble lady in a train told me with gusto that it was a valve under the control of a germ in the nape of the neck that caused the contortions of whooping cough 1 You will hear your friends and neighbours blaming their CC livers " for the most amazing symptoms. (I have found this is a favourite scapegoat in this country.) So may I advise you to add to your usefulness (even if you lessen your value as a mirth-provoker) by studying all the charts you can get, with a skeleton if possible, to fix positions; and then to read up the functions of the heart, the lungs, the digestive organs, the liver and gall bladder, and the kidneys, in your textbooks. If you have done your nursing under an intelligently helpful matron, you will be able to tack diseases on to the organs really involved, and you will have, I hope, learnt enough abo ut germs and causes of common complaints not to make wild shots at improbable explanations
To the Editor, ST. JOHN AMBULANCE GAZETTE
DEAR SIR,-I ·enclose details of the" record" of Mr. Bates, 46, Greenstead Gardens, Woodford Green, and I would be glad if you would publish it in the GAZETTE.
Railway Ambulance: First Certificate 1B99; Second Certificate 1900; Medallion 1901; Railway Competition 1900 to 1922; Railway Shield two years; Detraining Wounded at Stratford (1914 to 19IB); Instructor and Second Officer (1923 to 1926); First Officer (1926 to 193 I); Long Service Medal and four Bars.
St. John Ambulance Brigade: Joined IB99 (May); Corporal (1910); Sergeant (1912); Stiff Sergeant (1927) ; resigned 192.9, etc. Total number of years' service, 30; Captain of winning team-Massey Mainwaring Cup1907, 1909 and 191 I; Captain of winning team-Osborn Shield-19oB and 1910; twice member of team Dewar Shield Final; twice member of Efficiency TeamWinning Team.
Instructor: West Ham Council (three years); Nursing Division (five years); Boys' Brigade, Boy Scouts, Girl Guides, and Girl Life Brigade; winner of all-England Shield; one Gas Certificate 1937; member of A.R.P., F.A.P., two years.
Yours, etc.,
G. WOOLLCOTT, F.A.P., A.R.P.
FIRST AID IN ASPHYXIA *
By M. M. SCOTT, M.R.C.S., L.R.C.P.
(Member of the Textbook Revision Co 'tt d D' mmz ee an lVlszonal Surgeon, S.J.A.B.)
the of view of first aid, asphyxia is a satisfactory conditIOn to treat, because no equipment is and the operator is literally ready for action ImmedIately.
First aiders are usually taught that artificial respiration should be. cases where breathing has or IS failIng. This IS not strictly correct, because It IS contradlcted (I) there are gross pathological lung e.g., lung 1rrltant war gas asphyxia (phosgene, chlonne); (2) when the movements involved may consequences, e.g., as with fracture of cerVIcal spIne.
THE MECHANISM OF RESPIRATION
ItJs to little of the physiology of respIratIOn O xygen IS essentIal to life, and is obtained the au. Pure Inspired air contains 79 per cent. 2I per ce1?-t. .oxygen of other gases, l1lcluding carbon dIO XIde. ExpIred aIr contains 16 per cent. oxygen and 1 per cent. carbon dioxide, the interchange of beIng through the alveoli (air-sac) walls of In conj the pulmonary circulation. or breathing, IS therefore essential to effect the contl1lUOUS oxidation of the blood.
The normal rate respirat!01?- is 15-18 times per minute, although are slight vanattons of this even in health. The rate IS Increased by muscular exertion emotion and fevers, during sleep.
IS, ordinarily, an involuntary or reflex action, beIng con.trolled by the Medulla in the brain. It is unaccompall1ed by consciousness or exertion' but on the ?ther respiration (e.g., forced breathing as 111 exerCIses) soon tlres.
I .do 1?-0t propose. to give tb,e figures of the amount of a.J.r ?r expIred on each occasion, although the study th!s IS .extremely interesting.
ReSpIratlOn IS. normally effected by the action of the diaphra!5m and rIbs, the former ?eing the more important.
You. WIll that the diaphragm is the muscular por.tlOn wh!ch diVIdes off the thorax from the abdominal caVIty At Its. it is tendinous and dome shaped, the conveXIty pOIntIng towards the thorax. On inspiration the ?Juscle contracts and the dome-shaped centre becomes stralghtened out, thereby increasing the cubic capacity of .chest from above downwards. The ribs are normally l1lclined downwards and forwards, but in inspiration rise and upwards, thereby increasing the cubic capacio/ of the from front to back. The muscles for this are the" External Intercostals." normally involves no muscular contraction and IS due tc: the relaxation of the respiratory muscles. It may be aSSIsted, however, by the internal intercostal and the a?dominal muscles, which by diminIShing CUbIC capacIty.of the ab?ominal cavity force the organs up agaInst the diaphragm. In" forced" breatlung many other muscles in the neck and chest are also brought into action.
• A synopsis of a talk given to members of the Hospitallers' Club 2.57
How ASPHYXIA IS PRODUCED is the condition produced by insufficient oxygenatton of the. blood. In the Earry Stages there is a ?ecrease of oxygen 1Il the alveolar air and a corresponding Incre.ase of carbon therefore, the blood takes up too little oxygen and gIves off little carbon dioxide.
. The early of carbon dioxide (C0 2) in the blood sttmulates the respIrato.ry centre in the medulla, leading to (or forced difficult breathing). Eventually the excess of CO 2 and lack of O 2 (oxygen) cause paralYSIS of the medulla, and respiration ceases.
SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS OF ASPHYXIA Asphyxia may be diyided into three stages :_
" (I). of activity: The face becomes anxIOUS .the patIent experiences a fullness in the There IS S111g1I1g in the ears, the eyes protrude, the veIns. the head and neck become engorged, the features are li":Tld, and. respiration becomes deep and laboured. ConSCIousness IS soon lost.
(2) In this stage t here .is an exaggeration of the signs and descnbed ill (I), and in addition there are convulsions with relaxation of the sphincters (1.e. urine and freces).
(3) This stage is reached insidiously. Respirations are slow and uregular, and gasping; the convulsions feebl.e and of a stretching character, and eventually the pattent dies.
T?e .heart continues to beat for a few minutes after respIratIons have. entirely ceased and the pulse becomes mo.re. and m?re lrregular and feeble until that also fails.
1.S Interes,t,Ing to note that the right side of the heart gIves out first, so that the lungs become enlarged with blood.
SIGNS OF RECOVERY is by a slight decrease both 1Il the faClal cyanOSlS and In the enlargement of the neck ve111S.
The actual return of respiration may be observed in movem.ent of the Thyroid Cartilage (Adam's Apple), IS sometunes accompanied by a sob. Muscle twitch111gs the cheek may also indicate that improvement is occurrillg.
CAUSES OF ASPHYXIA
These you will know already and therefore there is no need for me to dwell upon them; briefly they are ._
(I) Obstruction of air passages.
(a) By drowning.
(b) By strangulation, hanging and other outside pressure.
(c) Interference with of air into gas respirator.
(d) By the. tongue, falling back, especially in an unconsClOUS patient; and in certain jaw injuries.
(e) By food, fals.e teeth, etc., becoming lodged in the throat, choking.
(j) By swelling of the tissues of the mouth and thr.oat caused by inf,iammation, scalds, corrosive pOIsons, etc.
(g) By the upper air passages being This is caused occas1Onally by the chin bemg forced into the chest by d.ebris, or by faulty posturing in insensibility.
(2) Inhalation of poisonous gases (not war gases), such as coal gas, smoke, fumes from coke fire, motor exhaust fumes, sewer and lime kiln gases
(3) Pressure on the chest caused by sand, debns or even a crowd.
(4) Interference of the nerve supply of the muscles as may be caused by p01sons, respiratory depress.ar:ts a,lcohol), also by high voltage electriC1ty or (5) Blast caused by bomb explos1On.
TREATMENT OF ASPHYXIA
The first principle of all treatment is to the active cause from the patient, or vice versa, happer:s to be the more expedient. Ha:mc:>rrhage from wounds m cases of asphyxia is usually of little or no consequence because the pulse is either feeble or absent, but as the patient begins to recover, may recur on an appreciable scale calling for ImmedIate
Resuscitation may be attempted by resplration; (b) administration of ca7bon d10Xide wIth alr or oxygen; (c) by (a) and (b) combmed.
(To be Continued)
Stretcher Drill for Nursing Personnel
Whilst stretcher drill is not advocated for women, there are many occasions when it could be done by them.
The Weaverham Nursing Division realised early that there would J?e a shortage of men for air raid duties in their village, and two teams of w?men volunteers were trained as stretcher-bearers. PartIcular care was taken that all points which might arise regard to strength, size, etc., of women were taken account. Subsequently the following drill was deVIsed.
WEAVERHAM LADIES STRETCHER DRILL FOR PARTY OF SIX
On the command " Stand to Stretcher» bearers take up positions as follows (RIGHT SIDE NO.3 HEAD NO.4 LEFT SIDE No. 5 MIDDLE No. 6 No. 1 FOOT No. 2
Captain or leader is NO.5 at the middle of right side. No.1 takes leader's duty if necessary.
ADDITIONAL DUTIES of Nos. I, 5, 6 on arrival at the scene of incident :-
NO.5. The leader will supervise generally diagnosis, necessary treatment, loading of stretcher, transport to and loading into she herself directing the outward and Inward Journeys from and to the clearing stations.
No. 1. For all loading and of will occupy leader's position as lll1ddle nght bearer, giving orders if necessary, and resummg her normal position at right foot for transport. If land to be traversed is difficult or dangerous No. 1 must be the guide, giving necessary commands for such transport and leaving the leader free to attend to patient during transport.
This must depend on the weight of the patient for six may be requited.
No.6. Middle left bearer mllst see that stretcher and full first aid kit are ready for instant tlse on arrival at the first aid point and kit replaced after the patient has been l,?aded on to the stretcher. For all other dutles Nos. 2, 6, 4 \ (left side) retain normal positions.
LOADING STRETCHER
Squad kneel on left knees, patient is lifted on to the right knees of the left-hand bearers.
If the patient's injuries make it to load from the rio-ht side all bearers kneel on the nght knee and is lifted on to the left knees of right-hand bearers. Nos. 2 and 4, carrying stretcher by the .handles in their respective positions, put it under the patient, and No.6 stands clear while tbis is done.
LOADING AMBULANCE and in all situations where it is necessary to move by side paces, the squad in their own positions must face. each over the grasping poles firmly WIth straIght arms, and hft and move off as directed by the leader.
For all marching with loaded stretcher the four bearers start with the left foot and the last two with the right foot.
When the head has to be supported it is done with the arm corresponding to the knee on which the supporting bearer is kneeling being stretched over and across .the patient. The bearer's other hand under the patle.nt engages with hook-grip the first hand of h.er OppOSIte number. The second hand of , her OppOSIte number likewise engages the first hand of. the middle bearer the far side and so on. TIus leaves the end bearer With a hand free'to steady the feet. It is advisable to test this prbcedure by trying it over patient first.
With a very broad patient the bearers on the side take him, when he is prepared, on to then The stretcher is placed ready and the three standing bearers take the hands of the kneeling bearers and lower patient on to the stretcher. On arrival at hospital to put him on a bed when the stretcher has to be on the floor it is easier, when the bearers on the urunJured side have taken him on to their knees, for the others to remain standing and join hands the standing bearers receiving the and so glvlllg kneeling bearers greater comfort In rIs111g. The use of handkerchiefs when using the "hook-grip" is advised.
The suggested drill was submitted to the Surgeon-inChief (Dr. N. Corbet Fletcher), who made the following comment :-
" The Weaverham Nursing Division merit our thanks for and congratulations on their fotesight
It is questionable, however, how far thea suggestl,?ns will be acceptable to the and of NurSIng members; and, further, this IS not the tlme to start a complete innovation. On the. other the matter should receive a wider circulation, and It would be a good move tJ te ?t and perhaps to public opinion by publishing suggested dnll In an e.arly issue of THE GAZETTE, with a request for suggestlOns and criticisms." /
We shall be pleased to receive any comments on the drill, especially from Nursing who have been engaged in ambulance work dUrlDg au ralds.
II The St. John Brigade News
HEADQUARTER NOTICES
Uniform Rationing
A Special Brigade Order (UCE) has been issued and a copy sent to all Divisions of the Brigade. Any Officer-inCharge who has not received a copy should make immediate application to Brigade Secretary, St. John'S Gate, Clerkenwell, London, E.c. I.
It is now illegal to purchase any uniform or part uniform covered by the Rationing Order other than by Coupon Equivalent, or surrender of coupons to the supplier.
Any alterati ons in Uniform Rationing will be published from time to time in the ST. JOI-IN AMBULANCE GAZETTE.
I C.N.R. Red Star Award
At the request of the Ministry of Health and in order to bring officers and members of the Brigade who are registered in the C.N.R. and receive the red star award into line with Nursing Auxiliaries who do not belong to the Brigade the C.N.R. red star award is only to be worn on the indoor dress and may not be worn on the jacket. The notification regarding the position of the red star on the jacket is therefore cancelled.
Brigade Leaflet NS jAj65
The Lady Superintendent-in-Chief would like to remind Nursing Divisions that the Brigade Leaflet NSjAj65 giving full particulars of the different forms of service fO.r which members can volunteer is still available. Copies WIll be supplied from her office on application.
No. I (pRINCE OF WALES'S) DISTRICT CAMDEN
On Saturday, November 22, 16 members of the No. 146 (L.M.S., Camden) Division competed for the " Purves" Trophy, presented by Mr. S. A. Purves (L.M.S. Ambulance Secretary) for individual championship. The competition of a practical test (judged by Mr. G. E. Craft, editor of the ST. JOHN AMBULANCE GAZETTE) and a viva voce (judged by Mr. H. R. Potter). Most of the competitors were new to such work, but the standard of efficiency was very high and keen interest was taken in the tests.
Divisional Secretary A. J. L. Wood (in t he unavoidable absence of Ambulance Officer W. J. Taylor) announced the result, which was: 1st, K. Small; 2nd, H. G, Aldridge; 3rd, W. Dix. He also expressed thanks to Mr. Purves for his encouragement to the work.
Mr. Dix expressed thanks to the judges, who stated that they had enjoyed the afternoon's work because all competitors had shown much keenness.
HAMPSTEAD
In four years time the Hampstead Division will have completed 50 years service; it is hoped to celebrate the occasion by raising sufficient funds to build its own headquarters. Superintendent Flatman made this announcement at an entertainment held last month in aid of Brigade funds.
Officer Collins observed that the Hampstead DIVISIon was the oldest in the Area and that they always
seemed to provide prominent men in the Brigade-the Surgeon-in-Chief, the Area Commissioner, and the preceding District Officer all being Hampstead men. The awards for the "Victoria" Cup Efficiency Competition were presented as follows: Senior Competition (for members with over three years' service), Sergeant G. Astridge. Junior Competition, Private L. Moss. The competition had been judged by Acting County Surgeon Farman and the cups presented by an anonymous donor. No. 2 DISTRICT
BATH
Saturday, October 19, was a "red letter day" in the annals of the Bath Nursing Division, for it saw the culmination of the efforts of the "Bladud Ambulance
The ladies of the St. J OM Civil Defence Depot realised that their A.R.P. ambulances did not meet the needs of the Depot, and as the ma jority of members were also members of the Bath Nursing Division it was decided to launch an appeal to the public for funds to buy an ambulance to be given to the Division, so that it would be available for the Depot for the duration of the war.
A very live committee was formed, under the chairmanship of Mr. W. Sutherland Read, supported by their indefatigable secretary and treasurer, Mr. Barrow, assisted by Miss P. Read. The result of the appeal was the " Bladud Ambulance" bought with the funds, and an American ambulance generously sent by the British-American Ambulance Corps through a friend of Ambulance Sister Miss J. Horstman.
The ambulances were handed to the Bath Nursing Division by the Mayor (Alderman Aubrey Bateman)a transfer symbolised by the delivery of the keys by His Worship to Lady County Officer Miss F. St. Lo Wilkinson. Among the company were the Acting Mayoress (Mrs. Carpenter), Miss Helen Corbett (vice-president, Nursing Division), County Officer F. R. Stent, Divisional Surgeon A. Leech- Wilkinson (Men's Division), Divisional Surgeons Madeline Baker and Heygate Knowles (Nursing Division), Dr. B. Astley Weston (Commandant, Casualty Service, Civil Defence), and Mr. Head (Administration Officer, Casualty Service, Civil Defence).
The" Bladud ' Ambulance" is a Humber chassis with " Lytecraft" body which can be decontaminated in two minutes, and is fitted with "Carter" stretcher fitments which make the loading so much easier. The American ambulance is a Chevrolet.
BRISTOL
The Bristol East Nursing Division was regi stered in 1935 with 12 members, which number has now increased to 32. Nine are doing full time work at F.A.P.s and Mobile Units, whilst four are full-time on hospital duties.
Attached to the Division is a section at \Vestbury, the members of which are also doing hospital work and F.A.P. duties.
The Division also has ' a Cadet Division attached with 20 members, so the future of the adult Division looks very promising.
PORTSMOUTH
The annual inspection of tHe Portsmouth City Corps was held on November 2 at their temporary headquarters; Assistant County Commissioner Dr. John C. Glen, accompanied by County Surgeon H. H. Warren and County Officers Lieut.-Colonel P. H. Marshall and Miss A. Agar, being the inspecting officer.
On parade was Corps Surgeon L. M. Maybury, Acting Corps Superintendent F. B. Fleming, Corps Officer Lieut. G. Blackman, R.N. (retired), Corps Superintendent Miss V. A. Reading, Divisional Surgeons W. Meikle, B. A. W. Stone and B. V. Megarry, Police Surgeon H. H. Fisk, Assistant Chief Constable A. W. Wilson, and P0lice Superintendent A. Baker.
Dr. Glen expressed appreciation on the smart appearance of th€ officers and members and the manner in which the inspection had been carried out. He had noted that they had had a trying time in air raids on the city, but the first aid parties and the nursing personnel had never let the authorities down. Some members had received the Merit0fious Certificate for devoted service.
Warrants of Appointments were presented to: President of the Corps, Councillor Sir Denis L. Daley (Lord Mayor) ; Vice-Presidents', Dr. A. B. Williamson (Medical Officer of Health); and Chief Constable Charles West.
Sir Denis said the Corps had risen nobly to the occasion during the war and he hoped in his presidency to uphold the dignity of the Corps and the high standard it had set.
Dr. Williamson recalled that in 1935 Port,smouth was one of the first places in the country to initiate a Cas.ualty Sel1vice, and ne expressed his indebtedness to the Bngade for the a:sistance given in that connection, in conjunction with the British Red Cross Society.
The Chief Constable said he was delighted to know that for many years the City Police had been associated with the Corps and he had been told they formed a very efficient part of it.
The Corps gave a good appearance as they marched past the saluting base on their way to church, headed by the band of the Home Guard. The service was conducted by the Vicar (the Rev. P. H. Duke Baker), and Canon H. A. Knight, Chaplain to the Corps, gave the ddress.
No. 3 (EASTERN) DISTRICT
NORTHAMPTON
To mark the" coming-of-age" of Mrs. S. Lievesley as Lady Divisional Superintendent of the Northampton Spencer Nursing Division a church parade was held. Instead of a party to celebrate her" coming-of-age" Mrs. Lievesley decided to present to each member of the Division a commemoration copy of a photograph recently taken. Before presenting these to the members Lady Spencer (vice-president) surprised Mrs Lievesley ",:ith a presentation to her of a handsome oak clock a silver inscribed plate, and a parchment scroll, the comblned gift of all nurses in the Division.
Among others present were Lady County Superintendent Mrs. Jennings, Mr. Lievesley, Lady Corps Superintendent Mrs. Carpenter.
No. 3 (WESTERN) DISTRICT
POWICK
The newly-formed Powick and District Nursing Division continues to increase its activities. One of its first was the equipping and staffing a voluntary F.A. point in the village. An emergency bed and first aid material was provided out of Divisional funds. During the recent hop-picking season a crib was booked by members where first aid was available. Several cases were treated by A/S. Tooby, who was in constant attendance. This effort realised £ 12 to Divisional funds.
The Division consists of 21 members, 18 of whom are C.N.R. ; 9 are working full time at the nearby Hospital; 6 others do part-time voluntary work. A library at the Emergency Hospital is still managed by Lady Superintendent Mrs. Hiscock, there being 1,800 volumes available.
No. 4 (LANCASHIRE) DISTRICT
ST. HELENS
At a recent demonstration, the Mayoress (Mrs. Burrows) presented awards to members of the St. Helens Nursing Division. The proceedings opened with a "march past" and drill, under the direction of Lady Ambulance Officer Miss G. Luckett, which was followed by demonstrations of first aid and home nursing. Among the guests were Dr. Merrick, Mrs. Merrick (lady president), Miss Pearson, Lady Superintendent Miss Hutchinson (Prescot Division).
Lady Superintendent Miss M. Luckett ex pressed thanks to the Mayoress, and also to Dr. and Mrs. Merrick and Dr. Campbell for all the help they had given.
No.8 (DUKE OF CONNAUGHT'S) DISTRICT
SURREY COUNTY
A meeting of County Staff was held at Guildford on November 15 under the chairmanship of County Commissioner W. G. Pape, who expres sed his delight on having the opportunity of meeting his officers. He especially welcomed Lady Harcourt (Lady County President), who had worked hard for the cause for many years.
Tribute was paid to the work of Mrs. Lievesley by Divisional Surgeon James Orr, who said: "In my experience with the Brigade I have never met a more efficient woman." The Rev. H. W. Janisch also referred to her good work, as did Lady District Superintendent Mrs. Harvey Reeves, who recalled the fact that the Division, formed in 1918, received its name because Lady Annaly, then Lady Lavinia Spencer, was one of its original members. 260
The Chairman remarked that Surrey held a hig h place in the country. Work was being well done and the spirit among the personnel was of the hi g he st standard. It was some 15 months since the No. 8 D.istrict was placed on a county basis. During that time, alth o u g h no startling devel opments had taken place, over 400 new members had been enrolled in Surrey Re sig nat ions had been but some pers o nn el had been lo st to serv e with the Forces The demands m a de up on the service s of the personnel were increasing and a corre sponding increase in membership wa s neces sary. The whole county w as w orkin g some divi sions better than other s It was important that County Officers should k eep in touch with all Divisions under their charg e and arrange for each to be visited at least once a quarter.
Many items were discu ssed and the debates which ensued proved of g reat interest and value, Such item s as the value of press publicity, the importance of Cadet Divisions, etc., were fully entered into.
BRIGHTON
The Ambulance and Nursing Divisions of the Brighton Corps are assi sting the local authorities by staffing some of the Public Cleansing Stations.
Their recent activities include assistance in an anti-gas course for the training of instructors. The object of the course, which was org ani sed by County Secretary F. A. Trott, was to provide at least one instructor for every divi sion in Su ss ex. Some 80 men and women attended the course, which wa s gi v en by a team of twelve expert instructors.
Members of the Brighton Nursing Divi sion recently took charge of a stall at the Michaelmas Market held in aid of the Royal Sussex County Hospital. They have also been assisting at the shop opened to aid the new Sussex Hospital.
GODSTONE
A competition between F.A. Points, Division 2, was held la st month at Bletching le y Godst o ne, with a total of 370 marks, gained first place. G o d s tone F.A, Point is staffed by members of the Godstone Nurs,ing Division, and Miss Shepherd Payne (Matron, Redhill Hosp ital), who judged the work, complimented the team not onl y on their work but also o n their whole turnout. Their
uniform was correctly worn and they were a credit to the Brigade to which they belonged.
The competition, which was organised by Mrs. Bush James, R.R.C. (F.A. Commandant), was in four parts: Casualty problems in writing, bandaging (triangular and roller), lifting patient from stretcher on to a bed, and a question.
No. 10 DISTRICT
BERKHAM STED
Members of the Berkhamsted Division regret to record the death, in a flying accident, of Pilot Officer Maurice Bunn. Before jo ining the R.A.F. Pilot Officer Bunn was a keen and popular member of the Division and of the local F.A. Parties.
Members attended the funeral in uniform.
CROMER
The Cromer Division re g ret s to announce the death of Pri v ate Edward Walter Allen, who died whilst on duty as a member of the Cromer L ifeboat Crew.
He joined the Cromer Ambulance Division on January 29, 19 29, and was an efficient member for 13 years. He was signalman on the lifeboat and was responsible for first aid rendered on the boat.
The occasion of his death was on October 26, when the lifeboat went out in very stormy weather and four of the crew were swept overboard. It was only after the most strenuous exertions that they were rescued, but Allen died from shock, caused by the immersion in the icy waters. During 31 years the lifeboat was seldom launched without" Walter" being aboard, and he was recognised as being a most efficient member of the crew. His work was acknowledged by the R.N.L.I. by the presentation of bronze medals for service at the loss of the Fernebo on January 9, 19 17, for the Georgia on November 22, 1927, for the M onte N evassa in October, 1932. During the first 18 months of the present war Allen had many men to treat rescued from torpedoed or bombed ships. They were suffering from fractures, wounds, machine gun bullets, and scalds. It will be difficult to replace him.
The West End Church, where he was Poor Steward and Sidesman, was well filled at the funeral service, conducted b y the Rev. E. J. Nuttall, M.A., and the Rev. G. A. Barcla y, M.A., Vicar of Cromer.
[By cOurtesy" Bath and Wiles Chromcle and Herald."
Presentation of the "Bladud Ambulance" by Alderman A. Bateman (Mayor) to Lady County Officer Miss F. Lo who received same on behalf of the Bath Nursmg DiViSion.
CASE -REpORT No. 192-:-The Officer-in-Charge of the County of Nottingham S.J.A.B. reports the efficient performance of first aid by a member of his Staff in the following circumstances :
On July I Lady County Officer Mrs. Paling happened to be in the street when a boy on a push-cycle ran into the -side of a bus and, after being carried along some yards, was thrown off with great violence. Mrs. -Paling correctly diagnosed his chief injury as a fractured base of the skull and concentrated on keeping the head still. At the same time she treated an injured eye with a cold compress and applied a loose dressing to a bleeding ear.
With the help of a bystander she telephoned for a police ambulance and so got the boy admitted to hospital within twenty minutes of the accident. Meningitis set in some days later; but after seven weeks the boy was able to leave h0spital when the doctor informed his parents that it was only due to the immediate care which he received, and the speed with which he was conveyed to hospital, that his life was saved -!
CoMMENT.--:This report tells its own story; and all that remains is to tender cordial congratulations to Larfy County Officer Mrs. Paling on her highlY successful handling of a criticallY injured patient-wbereby bis life was preserved.-N.C.F.
CASE REpORT No. 193.-The Officer-in-Charge of the Northern Ireland District S. J .A.B. reports the efficient performance of first aid by a member of the Harland and Wolff Nursing Division in the following circumstances:
- During the evening of July 17 twenty-three patients wf-re injured in the worst wad accident in the history of the Northern Ireland Transport Board at Dundonald near Belfast; The vehicles involved were a double-decker bus proceeding towards Belfast and a single-decker bus going in the opposite direction. One of the buses skidded and, swerving across the road, crashed head-on into the other so violently that the vehicles were locked and damaged each other seriously. The seats and bodywork in front of each bus were wrecked and twisted, glass and splintered wood beisg scattered all over the road. Indeed, the structural damage caused those who saw it to wonder that the injuries to the passengers were so slight.
One of the: first on the scene was Ambulance Sister E. Boyd, who heard the crash in her home. Organising the work of rescue, she took an active part in releasing the passengers from within the buses and in carrying them to a nearby garage where their wounds were Afterwards the injured were conveyed to Ards Hospital, where it was found necessary to detain only seven, the others being sent home after treatment.
CoMMENT.- The need to treat many patients with varying injuries exercises fufly the qualifications of first aiders and especialfy their discrimination and resourcefulness. In these czrcllmstances Ambulance Sister E. Boyd merits cordial congratu'lations on the successful wcq in which, when the opportunity came, she organised the work of rescue and protected her numerous patients from aggravation of their injuries.-N. C. F.
BLANKETING STRETCHER
_ J. H. (polesworth),-Will you please be good enough to let me know the correct way to start to blanket a stretcher in to-e St. John way? Does the length of the blanket cross tl1e stretcher, or does the length of the blanket go the long way of the stretcher? I ask for this information because there has been a little discussion on the matter; and I know that you will only be too pleased to give me an answer.
Both methods oj blanketing the stretcher may be considered as correct. The usual procedure, however, is to appfy the blanket lengthwise. This gives enough material jor the double jold and enables you to wrap the lo wer end round the patient's legs and feet, which are thus kept warm.-N. C.
F.
EFFECTS OF BLAST
G. H. (Hull).-The members of my: Division will be grateful if you will tell them : (1) what is the effect on the human body of blast from a H.E. bomb, and (2) is the cQrrect treatment of a patient rendered unconSCiOUS by blast and obviously in a dangerous condition though without signs of external injury.
The effects of blast on the human boct:y still. under investigation, the onlY positive fa ct thus jar establtshed bemg that the borfy withstands the effects better than bricks and mortar. Another difficulty arises because post-morte"! not necessari£y held in jatal cases, death bemg certified as the result of enemy action. JJ
At an actual incident it is doubtful if a'!)' of us COJdd decide whether the injuries present were the resuit of blast or some other form of violence. In these circumstances we 1JJou.td have t? the conditions and inj",ries jound in accordance with the prmclples offirst aid by the exercise of our qualifications as first aiders.-
N. C. F.
TREATMENT OF FRACTURED LEG
J. M. (D the May: of GAZETTE in your intereSting and informatIve and Answers " column, a subject is discussed which I have oft.en felt like raising myself. It is the single-handed one-splInt treatment of fractured leg. In reading the question I had hoped that you would disagree with the Textbook; but no I I fear, that for many years I have ?een guilty of teaching the wrong method, though not Without some reason I
The text is clear. When single-handed the bandages must be passed round both legs? re.ference to the figure relating only to the order of application.
My attention was drawn to this a pupil who pointed out the error which I made in passmg bandages A and B round one leg only after the feet were tied. I confess that I had overlooked this point-but somewhat chagrined I looked at my. pupil, typical stocky stronglybuilt bowlegger! I put hin1 on hiS back that his uninjured leg was incapable of bemg brought Into opposition with the injured leg. It was not, therefore, a splint. My pupil protested that he was abnormal. So I asked him to try it out on myself and I am not bow-legged. The best he could do was to have my calves just touching with very tight bandages. We wear shorts in this country, and so there is no padding of trousers.
I have from time to time discussed this point with my surgeon friends. All say, pointing to the diagram, " That's
the correct method." I have consequently continued to teach it.
Of all the fractures the double fracture of the leg is the easiest to convert from simple to compound. This I stress firmly, for I have seen it occur on an operating table after the splints had been removed. I feel that the change in the method when single-handed adds confusion to the treatment. Pupils never remember which is which! I used to teach that both ways were right, but advised pupils to stick to the Textbook in th eir examination. Since, however, I saw one being docked marks for fumbling, changing properly applied bandage s from the injured leg to include both legs and getting fussed in consequence I have advised students to stick to one method.
I wonder what behind the minds of the originators of the two-legged bandages. Was it fear of difficulty in getting up the loops when the feet were tied? I have not experienced this difficulty. I can think of no other reason for altering the method used when assistance is available and only one splint. Can yo u tell me ?
It seems that you are considering the problem from the point of view a surgeon who is concerned with the actual treatment of the fracttlre and not of a fir .It aider TJlho merelY seeks to prevent aggravation of the injury, at the place oj the emergency and during transport to hospital.
It is true that the Textbook teaches two methods of treating fracttlres of the leg. Personalfy, I think the reason for this is that first alders are drawn from ali classes; and that, while some can be trusted to manip14late their bandages 1'JJitho14t causing displacement of the fragments, others may be less fortunate and cause serious harm. Hence in the single -handed treatment of fractured leg the Textbook recommends first aiders to pass their bandages round both legs after the feet have been tied together.
I agree that the unbroken leg cannot usualfy be brought into close contact when the feet are tied together; bllt the proposition would be very different when one tibia is broken. In a'!)' case, in the singlehanded treatment, as st/ggested in the Textbook, the sound limb ')1)ill give a measure of support almost equal to that provided by the inner splitlt.-N. C. F.
SHORTENING WITH FRACTURED FOREARM
J. B. (Bath).- A case was brought to my notice the other day in which both bones of the right forearm were fractured and the broken ends of these were overlapping one another. The overlap of the bones would, I think, cause a certain amount of shortening of the limb, but I should like your opinion on this point.
According to Rule NO.4 of the General Rules for Treatment of Fractures one only makes extension in the case of a fractured lower limb when shortening is observed and the instructions for a fractured forearm state that the treatment is the same for one or both bones. Should, however, shortening be present in the case mentioned, would you consider it necessary to make extension and, if so, how would you apply it? Your ruling on this point will be much appreciated.
Person alfy, I am not in favour o.f first aiders attempting extension 0.( fractured limbs. In the case of the lower limb, hmvever, thry have the unbroken limb as a guide and are told to " pui! evenly until the limb regains a more normal length" (Textbook, p. 66). With fractures of the tipper limb there is tJO sim ilar guide; and it is practically certain that harm result from attempts to applY extension.-N. C. F.
HUMOUR IN FIRST AID
D. N. (Edgbaston).-At a recent examination ' I asked a candidate to tell me the treatment of a bleeding varicose vein. He replied: "Elevate the bleeding limb; apply
direct pressure to the bleeding spot; and send for the bleeding doctor."
The reply was a bit cryptic, though otherwise good. So I pass it on to you because I know how fond you are of good first aid stories. What is your comment?
Good I Next, please I-N. C. F.
TREATMENT OF FRACTURED JAW
R. B. (Paddington).-At a recent examination of my Division the surgeon-examiner informed the class secretary that the double bandage for a fractured jaw has now been discontinued and replaced by the barrel bandage. I have no knowledge of this; and shall be obliged if you will tell me if this statement is C0rrect.
I am afraid thatyour surgeon-e>faminer was misinformed when he stated that the barrel-bandage now replaces the two bandages recommended in the Textbook for treatment of fractured jaw.
PersonallY, I would accept either method in an examination, especialfy from A.R.P. personnel, even though the barrel bandage is not to be found in the Te xtbook or in A.R.P. Handbook No. 10 I-N. C. F.
ST. ] ORN EMBLEM
T. D. (Barnoldswick).-I have been asked what the lion and the unicorn represent on the St. John Emblem; and though I have made enquiries I have not obtained a satisfactory explanation. In these circumstances I ask your kind help.
The lion and the unicorn are the supporters of the RO)la l Arms of England (and the British Emp ire ); and some eighty years ago thry lvere incorporated in the Emblem of the Order of St. John as the peculiar sign of the Langue (or Branch) of the Order in England (and the British Empire).-N. C. F.
London & NorthEastern Rail way
EASTERN
AREA
The Centre Secretary's report for the year ended June 30, 1941, shows that 201 classes were conducted during the year, from which 3,882 awards were gained. Although these figures are below those of previous years, owing to staff having joined His Majesty's Forces, they definitely show that the ambulance movement in the Area is still much to the fore. Since the Centre was formed in 1895, nearly 71,000 awards have been gained, and almost 2, 00,000 cases received attention from members.
Honours: During the year Dr. H. Fallows (Redcar), Dr. C. D. \'<7ilson (Darlington), Mr. W. B. Webb (York), and Mr. E. H. Whipp (Heaton) were admitted as Serving Brothers to the Order.
Competitions: Owing to the international situation, the Group and other national competitions were discontinued, but it was agreed to hold the District and " \\'Tharton " Shield competitions. These events proved a great success, and were witnessed by large numbers of interested spectators.
S ervice Awards: During the year 46 medals for 15 years' service, twenty-eight 20 years bars, nine 25 years bars, four 30 years bars, three 35 years bars, and two 40 years bars were approved.
Thanks: Mr. S. Cooper concludes his report by extending thanks to the Centre President eMr .' c. M. Jenkin Jones), the District officers, Centre Chairman, District Secretaries, and others for their assistance, so readily given at aU times.
Civil Defence Services
By W. C. BENTALL, O.B.E., F.R.C.S., F.R.G.S. Assistant Surgeon-in-Chief, The St. John Ambulance Brigade
Last month much was written of the evolutionary chang€s necessarily occurring in the growth of our work for the war. Note especially that" Air Raid Precautions," with its familiar" A.R.P." has now passed from the stage of Precautions to actual Warfare, which means the actual Defence of the Civilian Population. We are, therefore, told that" Civil Defence" will be the name of the services we now work under-the letters of which" CD. " will replace A.R.P.
Further changes are acutely affecting the personnel of the CD. Services. We have very rightly been proud of the large number of voluntary personnel both in our Brigade and that of our joint voluntary organisation of the British Red Cross Society. Now women from 20 to 30 years of age are to be enrolled in one of the Services, and unless our women within that age limit are full-time and paid employees in Civil Defence they must join one of the other Services. In practice, this means that quick action must be taken to secure as many of our volunteers within th@ recruiting age on a paid basis, otherwise the numbers of our CD. Services will be greatly reduced, and may have t(') be replaced by less experienced, less trained, and less enthusiastic personnel. What an unspeakable loss that would be to the Civil Defence Services. It would take a long time before an equal experience and value could be acquired in the other Services. It would also largely destroy the esprit de corps that our Brigade has built up which has not only been a happy co-operation for our members, but a greatly enhanced value to our Services. O\lr Chief Commissioner has always upheld that when possible units should be taken on intact for First Aid Posts by the local authmities, and in a large number of cases that has been done to the great advantage of all concerned.
Members of our Nursing Divisions who are unmartied and between 20 and 30 years of age will be taken into the Services and paid in the larger majority of cases, under tbe G(')vernment New Scheme-what a loss to the nation's war effort if the experiences gained in one Service is thrown over a:nd a new training has to be undergone before attaining anything approaching an equal efficiency in a new Service! And this national need, of course, overrides all desires of sticking together in team work, great though that appeal must be to many of our Nursing Divisions.
So, with our great Prime Minister's, words in the House of Parliament ringing in our ears, we go forward to 1942 and 1943 with ever-increasing efforts to the great world victory for freedom and liberty for the enslaved nations and ourselves. Found
At Hastings, medallion with label attached dated 1913. Medallion No. 152,331. Owner should apply for return to Miss Story, Hon. Secretary, Hastings Nursing Division, Flat 4, 42, Cornwallis Gardens, Hastings.
METROPOLITAN POLICE ELIMINATI NG COMPETITION
Judge: CAPT. F. E. BENDIX, L.R.C.P., M.R.C.S.
INSTRUCTION CARD.-You are collecting your equipment in the First Aid Room at the Pavilion of a Sports Ground, where you have been on first aid duty for a Police Athletic Meeting. The caretaker is in attendance and waiting to lock up the Pavilion.
STAGING.-At side: near door-Pavilion First Aid Room-Full First Aid Kit. Centre: Scene of bomb explosion-Debris around patient-small crater at convenient distance.
ACTION.-Team to be conducted to Pavilion First Aid Room (care not to bring team within view of centre staging). Instruction card handed to team leader and time allowed for same to be read.
LOUD EXPLOSION
Caretaker says :_cc Gosh I That unexploded bomb! and Harry went over there a few minutes ago. Come on, boys." He runs across to patient and becomes rather excited and hysterical about his injured friend.
NOTE FOR TIMEKEEPER.-Time allowed-I5 minutes from time of explosion. Warning after 10 mlnutes.
PATIENT.-Lying face downwards in debris-right forearm beneath trunk-moaning-complaining of pain in left thigh and right forearm-if interrogated he agrees that he feels faint, weak, cold and sick. Pale face-conscious-but listless.
INJURIEs.-Large lacerated wound front of right forearm (arterial hremorrhage)-see Chapter IX (page 104). 2. Swelling on centre of muscle on front of left thigh.
Quick actio n
With equipment
Warning to patient and caretaker-no movement 2
Careful investigation-further danger-(No)
To patient with reassuring and encouraging words
Eliciting symptoms-Ear£y and tactful
Very careful handling and support of injured parts from 110111 olllvards
Complete examination for hremorrhage-now
Eliminate fracture signs, forearm and thigh
Carefully turning patient on to back
Head low and to side-maintained
From heart side? (DifJicult to determin e)
I.d.p. to brachial maintained. (Yes)
Pad-suitable size, shape and firmness applied to brachial +
Narrow bandage gradual£y tightened until (after repeated enquiry) blee:ling just controlled +
For speed in arresting hremorrhage 5
Further examination of left thi g h, swelling, loss of power? (Yes)
Is pain cramp-like? (Yes)
Complete examination for degree of shock-face, pulse, breathing, skin, symptoms
Eliminate head injuries
Loosen clothing
Cover warmly
Smelling sali:s to nose .,
Elevate lower limbs and maintain
Send Caretaker-ear£y-to telephone doctor and ambulance.
Complete message Doclor here in 15 minutes +
Examine wound-foreign bodies? (No)
Obviously dirty? (Yes)
As no doctor available-stated Pour sterilised ]vater freely over, etc., etc
For cleanliness in preparing dres s ings
Antiseptic over and around wound
Dressing and cotton wool
Bandage firmly
Support-test-on splint-sling
Relax pad and bandage. (Recurs)
Tighten bandage just suflicient£y
Ensure freedom from anxiety and worry
Avoid discussion of condition and injuries
Transport to Pavilion
Hot water bottles-correctly applied
Wrap in blankets
Eliminate signs of internal hremol'l'hage
Ensure pulse feeble
Is bleeding still controlled n01V ? (Yes)
Hot tea or coffee, etc.
Place and support left thigh in comfortable position
Apply hot compress
Re-examine pulse, colour, skin, etc. (Impro uU1g)
Do not rela:x pad and again (less than 20 minutes) attItude to patIent- encouraging him to rest--allayIng hIS fears, etc
Identification, etc.
Informing headquarters of incident
:rhe Chief of the St. John Ambulance
Bngade has been adVIsed by the Medical Director-Genera l of the Navy that the under-mentioned member of the Royal Naval Auxiliary Sick Berth Reserve has had conferred on him by the President of the Polish Republic the W ALESZNYC;H (CROSS OF VALOUR) in recogmtJ.on of his servIces during the withdrawal of Polish Forces from France in 1940: Sick A--ttendant X6991 Alfre d Spencer, Handsworth DIVISIon.
On Active Service
The Chief Commissioner of the St. John Ambulance Brigade learns with deep regret of the death while on Active Service of the under-mentioned members of the Royal Naval Auxiliary Sick Berth Reserve: Sick Berth Attendant Xn04 Norman Westwood Morley Division. ' Sick Berth Attendant X7408 Clarence Whelan, Ardwick Division.
Items of Information
!'ield . Cap.-A Service Cap, approved by the Chief ComffilsslOner of the Brigade, is available for members, and may be worn for certain dut.ies. The Brigade Field Service Cap is similar in de sign to that worn by the Army and other services, being of black cloth with white piping round the crown and side, with the Brigade badge. The obtainable from the Stores D epartment. Badge on A.R.P Uniform.-There is a special badge which has been approved for Brigade members, but other A.R.P. workers in possession of the senior first-aid certificate of the Association may wear the Association badge on their A.R.P. uniform. Application for the badge must be made on form A.R .P.F9, and sent to Bngade for non-members application must be made to the Stores Departm ent, St. John Ambulance \'V'illey Park, Broseley, Salop, giving names, with date and place of examination, of the persons for whom badges are required. \'X7ith this information a remittance calculated at 8d. per badge, plus postage, should be sent.
Haversack/or First-Aid Equipment.-There is available a black haversack similar in size to the rationed haversack wh!ch contains the following: Dettol, Sal Volatile, RaIlway Tourniquets, Roller Bandages, Safety Pins, Triangular Bandages, Cotton Wool, Boric Lint, Plain Lint, Scissors, Pencil, Small Splints. It is known as the cc Lana-ley J " Haversack, as it was designed by County tmsslOner H. Langley Jones (Hertfordshire), and can be obtained from the Stores Department.
Dr. D. Rocyn Jones, e.B.E., J.P., presiding as Director of Ambulance at the monthly meeting of the Priory for Wales, held at Priory House, Cardiff, on Tuesday, November 25, extended a welcome to the Hon. Mrs. Alastair Cooper and Mrs. A. W. Anderson. Mrs. Cooper is Lady President of the Brecknockshire Centre and County Controller of Voluntary Aid Detachments in the County. Mrs. A. W. Anderson, wife of the Surgeon-in-Chief, needs no introduction to Ambulance Units in the Ogmore Vale area particularly, as they have benefited by her ).l1ost generous support of all their activities for many years.
Honorary Life Membership was conferred upon Dr. William McKendrick, Colwyn Bay, in recognition of gratuitous service over long periods as Honorary Lecturer to First Aid Classes. Dr. W. McKendrick was appointed also a member of the Examining Staff of the Priory, and Miss Elen Davies, S.R.N., Alltwen, Pontardawe, was eleeted to the Panel of Home Nursing Examiners.
The 75 examinations in First Aid and Home Nursing arranged by the Priory throughout Wales during the month of October brought the total for 1941 to 1,062.
The Principal Secretary (the Hon. John H. Bruce) was authorised to convey the commendation of the Committee to Mr. and Mrs. Burdon Jones, members of Brigade Divisions at Holyhead for meritorious service in aiding a party of small boys badlY"' injured when an unexploded bomb with ,which they had been playing exploded. The details of the case were reported to the Priory by Divisional Surgeon Graham P. Williams, Holyhead.
Sanction was given to the registration of the following new Divisions of the Brigade: Pontardawe Nursing Divi$ion (Glamorgan); Llandyssul (Cardigans hire) and Penygraig (Rhondda) Cadet Ambulance Divisions; and the Pentre (Rhondda) Cadet Nursing Division.
At the subsequent meeting of Council it was decided to recommend to the Sub-Prior (the Earl of Plymouth, P.e.) the appointment of Sir John W. Beynon, Bart., C.B.E., as Chairman of the Monmouthshire Centre, in successi5n to Mr. R. Wilson Bartlett, resigned. Sir] ohn Beynon, a Knight of Justice of the Order and Librarian of the Priory, has been a staunch supporter of the Priory from its establishment; and his acceptance of office as Chairman of the Monmouthshire Centre is warmly welcomed throughout the county. The Hon. Mrs. J. H. Bruce, Lady Staff Officer for Wales, was authorised to represent the views of the Priory for Wales at a Brigade Advisory Sub-Committee dealing with the revision of Girl Cadet regulations to be held in London. The total Boy and Girl Cadet personnel in England and Northern Ireland is 12,390, and Wales has an active Cadet strength of over one-third of this number, viz., 4,674.
2.66
CENTRE REPORTS
BRECKNOCKSHlRE CENTRE
The annual meeting of the Brecon Division was held recently, being formally opened by the Secretary, Mr. P. Poulston, who spoke of the good work done in the Division by Councillor F. M. Thomas, who had resigned from the office of Superintendelilt on leaving the district. Mr. W. Coombe was elected chairman for the evening.
The Secretary's report for the year was considered very satisfactory, particularly in view of the large number of members serving with H.M. Forces.
The balance sheet, which showed the Division to be in a fairly good financial position, was presented by the Treasurer, Mr. H. Gant. Messrs. A. Ashcroft, H. Carden, Harvey Price, and H. Gant were elected to represent the Division on the Ambulance Car Committee.
GLAMORGAN CENTRE
Red Cross and St. John Fund-A concert promoted by the Czechoslovak Centre for South Wales was held at the Reardon Smith Theatre, National Museum of Wales, on Saturday, November 29, in aid of H.R.H. the Duke of Gloucester's Red Cross and St. John Fund. Through the good offices of Mr. J. E. e. Francis, South Wales Organiser of the British Council, the Centre was brought into contact with the Glamorgan Joint Committee; and the event was organised by joint secretaries representing the three bodies, under the patronage of the Lord Mayor of Cardiff (Alderman James Hellyer, J.P.). It is hoped to organise a further performance in February under similar auspices.
Neath Corps.-County Commissioner D. M. EvansBevan, J.P., presided at a meeting of the Neath Borough Corps of the St. John Ambulance Brigade when the insignia of Serving Brother was presented to Mr. Ernest Trott, Skewen, and that of Serving Sister to Mrs. Lilian L. Jones, Briton Ferry. Mr. Trott, Corps Treasurer of the Neath Corps, commenced his active connection with ambulance work during the Great War, when he formed a first aid class from which he raised the.Skewen Division. In 1923 he was appointed Ambulance Officer, promoted Divisional Superintendent in 1929, since when he has held Corps rank. The establishment of a Cadet unit is mainly due to his energies, while he was chiefly responsible also for the Skewen Hall. Mrs. Lilian Jones joined the Briton Ferry Division in 1920 and held the office of Superintendent from 1928 to 1930, when she was promoted Lady Corps Superintendent. Throughout the Neath Area Mrs. Jones has given considerable assistance in organising Nursing Units and co-operating in the raising of funds.
Service Medals were presented to Dr. E. P. Coyne and Messrs. Tom Thomas, Alfred Jeffs, Len Kittle, Arthur Stephens, Hartley Gardner, and I vor Gardner, on their
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completion of fifteen years' efficient service Mr. Ogley David, J.P., was presented with the warrant of Honorary President of the Corps in sucG:es sion to the late Mr. J. Cooke Rees.
BOROUGH OF MERTHYR TYD FIL CENTRE
Centre Chairman Honour ed. -Well-d eserved h o nour h as been accorded to Mr. Tom Andrews, J.P., Treharris, the veteran miners' leader, in the n omenclature o f the new Corps, comprised of the Treharris, Merthyr Vale and Ab€rfan Divisions, which is to be known as the Andrews Corps.
Few men in South Wales can point to a better record of service to their fellows than Mr. Andrews, and as Captain W. J. Canton, Dowlais, so aptly put it at a function held at Treharris on November 22 to l aunch the new Corps, " He is like Peter simply refused to grow old." Mr. Andrews has been general secretary of the T reharris Joint Lodges, S.W.M.P., for half a centur y. Ambulance work has always been dear to him, and in addition to being Vice-President of the Treharris Divi sion, he is Chai rman of the Merthyr Centre. It was larg el y through the efforts of Mr. Andrews that the Treharris Division became owners of Pantanas Hall, their fine Headquarters. Mr. Andrews has signalised his appreciation of the new honour conferred upon him by presenting the Corps with a magnificent challenge cup for competition.
Practical Test for A.R.P. Personnel.-Bri ga de personnel at the F.A P. Depot, Merthyr Vale and Aberfan, under the Officer-in-Charge, Divisional Superintendent W. R. Rubbery, rendered efficient and prompt service in connection with an accident at Merth yr Vale in w hich two R.A.F. aeroplanes were destroyed, two members of the R.A.F., and three oceupants of a house were killed. The Commissioner, Captain W. J. Canton, LL.B., reported in terms of highest praise on the conduct of the members under very distressing conditions, and the Ambulance Committee of the Priory agreed that the party, consis ting of Corps Secretary T. Lewis, the Divisional Superintendent and ten men, together with Corps Inspector of Stores R. Rees and Divisional Superintendent W. Bray, of Treharris, were deserving of the highest commendation.
MD., J.P ) D.L., visiting Air Raid Casualties reGUperating at one of the six Convalescent HQspitals set up by the Glarnorgan Joint Red Cross and St. John Committee at a South Wales seaside resort.
CITY OF CARDIFF CENTRE
Air Raid Shelter ' Work.-An interesting account is supplied by Miss 1. E. Woodward, Lady Ambulance Officer and Secretary of the Cardiff Nursing Division, of 268
the voluntary services rendered by members of four Nu rsing Divisions in Cardiff at the two main shelters in th e centre of the City, which are provided with bunks and each accomll1odate two or three hundred people from the D o cks an d other vu lnerab le areas every n.ight. In addition to th e pai d amb ulance attendant on duty continuously a rota of vo lunt eers has been arranged and no difficu lty is b eing experienced in obtaining the services of Nursing Members for this addit.ional all-night duty.
Nursing Members are co-operating wholeheartedly also in th e provision of First Ai d attendants, jointly with m emb ers of the B.R.C.S. Detachments, for the 79 Rest Cent res organise d in Cardiff.
An Enterprising Unit.-All credit is due to the Ely and Fairwater Nursing Division for the progressive manner in which this youngest Nursing Unit in the Cardiff and District Corps (formed two years ago) is adaptin g its energies to the needs of the times. A War Savings Group was organised amongst the membership and the savings already amount to £ 15 o. A more recent undertaking on th e p ar t of the energetic Lady Divisional Superintendent, Mrs. A M. R ees, is the promotion in the area of the P enny-a-Week Collection in aid of the R ed Cross and St. John Fund. Each of the 35 members has undertaken to enrol a dozen subscribers, which will produce a total contribution of 35 s. per week for the Fund.
NEWS IN BRIEF
It is greatly regretted that the issue of the Control of P ape r (No. 36) Ord er, 194I, has prevented the production of the attractive P riory Chris tma s Card whic h included a photograph commemorating th e visit of H.R.H. the Duchess of Kent, Lad y Superintendent-in-Chief for Wales, to South Wales in Jun e last. Though the order had been placed with the printers and the materials reserved some time in a dvance, the Ministry of Supply are unable to grant any relaxation of the Order.
Review
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This is a compact folding chart which can be carried in the pocket f or ready reference in an emergency, or for close study at o dd moments; and it is now in its second edition. It d eals with all aspects of first aid, and will prove particularly useful to certificated pupils of the Association. It is printed in three colours; and it is well illustrated by many clever d rawings and di agrams which serve to empha sise its teaching and to fix th e various points firmly in the memory. On these grounds it is commended to all readers of THE GAZETTE, who will find it interesting and instructive.
A Message from Guernsey
We are pleased to report that the following message has been received from District Officer J. W. Dear of Guernsey:
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In reply we send our best wishes to our colleagues in the Channel Islands and trust the day is not far distant when we shall all meet again.
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I ' OVERSEAS NEWS
CHIEF COMMISSIONER'S REPORT FOR 1940
During 1940 the Brigade Overseas had a record increase both in personnel and new divisions formed. Personnel increased by 25 per cent., and at December 3 there were 24,9 1 I men and 10,772 nurses on the roll-magnificent figures which is proof that t?e !3rigade bei?g run by efficient and enthUSlastlc officers. DIvISIons Increased by 300, there being 1,23 8 (79 1 Ambulance, 447 Nursing) at the close of the year.
The younger generation has also taken up the work in greater numbers; 32 new divisions and 657 new members brought the grand total of cadets to 301 divisions (17 8 Ambulance, 123 Nursing), with 6,410 personnel (3,89 1 boys, 2,519 girls).
CoL J. L. Sleeman, referring to these increases, places on record his appreciation of the splendid efforts of all those who have helped to make this possible.
Service Medals and Bars: During the year 343 Service Medals and 173 Service Medal Bars were awarded to members.
• Other Awards: During the year 42 Grand Prior's Cadet Badges were awarded, bringing the total of such badges awarded to Overseas to 199. 593 Service Chevrons and 347 Cadet Proficiency Badges were also issued during the year.
The Chief Commissioner, in his report, refers to the work carried out by the Dominions or Colonies, from which it can be seen that the Brigade Overseas continues to perform immense usefulness in the Empire Overseas.
The Lady Superintendent-in-Chief Brigade Overseas (The Hon. Mrs. Copland-Griffiths) in presenting her report of the Nursing Divisions, refers to the increases in personnel and divisions. Pride of place goes to the two smallest districts, in size, namely, Gibraltar and Malta, where personnel are carrying on the work of the Order as did the knights of old. ,
EMPIRE OF INDIA
SIR CAMERON BADENOCH AT ]AMSHEDPUR
On July 30 the Chief Commissioner for the Empire of India visited ] amshedpur, and undertook a round of inspections from early morning to late at night. Accqmpanied by Asst. J.. ] Ghandy (No:. 9 (Singhbhum) Sub-DIstnct), and DIstnct Officers, VISitS were made to the Main Hospital, where nurses of the Cavell Nursing Division (under Lady Supt. Mrs. A. Parkinson) were on duty; to the Tata Iron and Steel Co., where First Aid hospitals, A.R.P. First Aid posts, manned by members of the Brigade, and ambulances, were in- . spected; the Mines Dispensary, where a Mobile Squad and the medical arrangements for A.R.P. were inspected; two First Aid posts and the Indian Cable Company Ambulance Division also received visits. Before completing the morning's wDrk, Sir Cameron also' visited the Graham Club, where new ambulance and nursing divisions were inspected, and awards distributed, and the Emergency Hospital, housed at the Club, with Mrs. L. K. V. Aitken in charge. The party called in at the King George V
Maternity Clinic, where members of the Brigade were on duty.
After luncheon the Chief Commissioner and his staff attended a nursing display at the Town Hall, where Mr. Ghandy entertained the party to tea, during which the drum and fife band of the NO.9 Singhbhum Sub-district played selections.
The next point of assembly was the Milanee, where all members of the Ambulance and Nursing Divisions, together with a large number of visitors, were assembled to witness presentations of three members to the Chief Commissioner for their commendable service in rendering first aid, thereby saving the lives of their fellow workmen injured whilst on duty.
Prior to the presentation, Mr. Ghandy thanked Sir Cameron for his kindness in visiting Jamshedpur .
The presentation was followed by a short play, written and produced by District Officer Major E. C. J. Cunningham, at the conclusion of which the Inspecting Officer congratulated him on his magnificent production.
The Chief Commis sioner, addressing the gathering, said: "I can assure you that there is nowhere in the Empire of India, and there can be few places in the British Empire, where the work of the Order is pursued with more enthusiasm and more efficiently than in Jamshedpur.
I think that all of you will agree that if anyone person is to be thanked more than another, it is your Assistant Commissioner, Mr. Ghandy. I take this opportunity of congratulating him on the honour (of a C.LE.) which His Majesty the King has recently conferred on him. Of Mr. Ghandy's work for the Brigade I cannot speak too highly. I thank him for the shield he has presented for competition in this sub-district.
SOUTH AFRICA
THE NATAL DISTRICT
The annual report from this 'district cintains several interest. All Nursing Divisions ale busy with their ordinary work as well as the extra calls made upon their time by war work. Wherever possible members ate helping in hospitals, some are acting as drivers and attendants for the St. John Ambulance, whilst a considerable amount of time is given to making comforts for the St. John Depot. Cadets have been collecting silver paper and members of the Ambler Cadet Nursing Division have knitted strips of different coloured wool and made it into a blanket.
The Edith Cavell Nursing Division reports that, although new and membership small, some members are doing full-time hospital work.
The Durban Nursing Division has increased its membership by 40 during the year and 7 members are on active service. Lady Smith (President) inspected the Division on May 6.
Members of the Kloof Nursing Division have volunteered for the Blood Transfusion Service.
A REMINDER
Corps and Divisional Secretaries are reminded that B.F.5 should be in the hands of their County Commissioner by the first week in January; that is not later than January 10, 1942
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