New Zealand Herald, 21 August 1944 SAVING LIVES DOCTORS IN WAR ZONE SERVICE REDUCES LOSSES It is a remarkable fact that in. this war, in spite of the increased destructive power of modern guns and bombs, the percentage of casualties is nothing like that of previous wars, and the percentage of recoveries from even the most severe wounds is far greater than ever before, said Major-General F. T. Bowerbank, Director-General of Medical Services (Army and Air Force);in a a broadcast address last night. Major-General Bowerbank, who was in Italy when the New Zealand Division was fighting at Cassino, said the two most important reasons for the decreased death rate and the high recovery rate had never been sufficiently emphasised. They were the previous military training and the teamwork of the medical services during the fateful hours after the soldier had been wounded, until he had arrived and been treated at the casualty clearing station. Speed in evacuation, care in handling, constant supervision and correct treatment during those first few hours might mean the difference between life and death, or complete recovery and chronic invalidism. Nurses Near the Front A comprehensive description of the various sections of the medical services was given by Major-General Bowerbank, who also described the New Zealand mobile casualty clearing station during the attack on Cassino. The casualty clearing station was the most advanced unit, at which there were nursing sisters and voluntary aids. In spite of the dangers and discomforts, and at times the very heavy work, it was the ambition of every sister and voluntary aid to be on its staff. The New Zealand casualty clearing station was about 12 miles from the front line. One of the wards I visited contained the most serious cases, and I saw patients who had been wounded and operated on some only a few hours before and others a few days, said Major-General Bowerbank. From the medical point of view their condition was satisfactory and they would recover. One difference from the war was their appearance. Their skins looked clear and their eyes bright, yet not too bright. Above all, it was seldom one saw an anxious, restless expression on the patients face. It is an expression difficult to. define, but when present it is very ominous and a source of great anxiety to the doctor. Health of Troops Major-General Bowerbank dealt with the advances that had been made in the treatment of war casualties, and referred to the health of the troops, apart from the battle casualties. During February and March the weather in Italy was variable, with cold and wet spells. While the men were attacking they might be lying out in exposed positions on the hillside, frequently wet to the skin and with little or no opportunity for a change of clothing. Shelter was most primitive, yet during the whole month, of approximately 1000 cases admitted to the casualty clearing station. 900 were battle casualties and only 21 of those died. There were 99 medical cases, some being very severe, but not one case died.
Posted on: Thu, 21 Aug 2014 12:16:54 +0000
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