June 25, 1916.
I went over for Margaret H—— in the motor. She went with me to the cemetery near the hospital and I put some roses on the grave of one of our St. John boys. I wish his mother could see how well cared for it is. Margaret came back to tea with us.
To-day I have been specializing a man who has developed tetanus. I would almost wish that he would die, for he has no hands, and has a great hole in his chest and back, but strange to say he wants to live, is so patient and so full of courage. When I have cases like this one I am always so grateful to the people who have helped me in my work. If they could see the comforts that can be given by a bottle of cologne or a dozen oranges they would be rewarded.
Our medicine chef was a prisoner in Germany for eleven months. The things that he tells us makes one’s blood boil. One cannot imagine human beings as brutal as the Germans are. When they came into the town where he had his hospital, they shot all the wounded that were left and eight of his orderlies who stayed with him. He expected to be shot also, but they needed his services so took him prisoner.
July 16, 1916.
Another rainy day and as cold as the dickens but we are glad to get through the summer without extreme heat or a pest of flies.
My tetanus case is really getting better.
Last week I went to a concert given at R—— for the soldiers who are resting. It was one of the nicest I have ever been at. I did not want to go, for I don’t feel like any kind of gaiety, but Mrs. T—— insisted. There were only three ladies present, the rest of the salle was filled with soldiers just from the trenches. The concert was held in a stable.
Some English and Canadian officers, who are on construction work near here, have been coming to see us. One is Major H——, who was on the Courtenay Bay work at St. John.