It has been said that perhaps the greatest need of the medical work for the Adana refugees was the lack of sufficient supply of milk. Accordingly the most encouraging day of our work was the day, ten days after our arrival, when arrangements were made to secure huge quantities of goats’ milk from peasants at less than half the famine price of cows’ milk that prevailed in the first days of the camp life. Distribution of the milk and soup in the camps had been early assigned to the Misses Webb, of the American Girls’ School in Adana. The work of these two ladies in their constant, tireless devotion to the relief of discomfort, sickness, and trouble incidental to the distressing conditions of the camp life, calls for the warmest admiration. To the sufferers, whose constant appeals to them were never slighted, these sisters were veritable ministering angels of mercy. Another assistant in this relief work was Mrs. Kuhne, of Mersine, who, while her health permitted, helped in the work of the upper camp.
BUILDING TO BE ALTERED FOR MORE PERMANENT AMERICAN RED CROSS HOSPITAL.
On Monday, May 17, twelve days after we reached Adana, medical assistance was arriving in such force that I felt justified in returning the three medical students who were with me to Beirut, where their approaching examinations necessitated their early return. On this day, in addition to the helpers already enumerated, Dr. J. T. Miller, surgeon of the American cruiser North Carolina, arrived with four first-aid bluejackets. Dr. Gogel, of the British cruiser Minerva, arrived with four marines to take the place of the Swiftsure marines, who were leaving.
International Feature of Relief Work.
I remained in Adana five days longer to make sure that the work was all apportioned and running smoothly. When I left, on Saturday, May 22, the medical work was well in hand and fully manned. Dr. Miller was in charge of the medical hospital, which it was agreed to call the American Red Cross Hospital, and also in charge of the sick children in the measles camp. Dr. Gogel was in charge of Mrs. Doughty-Wylie’s surgical hospital, and a ward for sick babies that had been instituted in an adjoining building, under the care of Miss Alltree. The patients in the hospitals were improving and being discharged, but other patients had been admitted, so that the original numbers were maintained. Some wounded had come in from outside the city. The German hospital, under Dr. Phanouriades, had not taken in new patients, and the number there had diminished to 25. Responsibility for the German encampment was turned over to the French clinic and pharmacy. On May 20 the French opened a little hospital of 12 beds, for medical cases, near their pharmacy. In the Yenemahalle camp rounds were being made by the Turkish and Armenian doctors; the Armenian pharmacy was in full operation and two daily clinics were being held.
THE ADANA RELIEF COMMITTEE IN SESSION. MR. CHAMBERS ON LEFT AND MAJOR DOUGHTY-WYLIE ON RIGHT.
The Turkish military doctors were continuing the clinic at their pharmacy near the measles camp. There were thus in operation four hospitals—English, American, German, and French; four dispensaries—Turkish, Armenian, French, and American, and five daily clinics—English, French, Turkish, and two Armenian. The staff of workers included 25 doctors—English, American, French, Greek, Syrian, Turkish, and Armenian; 11 trained nurses—English, German, and Armenians; 8 first-aid men from the English and American ships, and 12 Armenian assistants. In all this work one of the pleasantest features was its international character. No friction or international jealousies were seen. Before the great need and common aim, distinctions of race or nation fell away, and one helped another with a single desire for service. While I have spoken of the surgical hospitals as English and the medical hospital as American, the distinction is only in name, for the English and Americans have worked together indiscriminately in both hospitals.