Our soldiers are very well situated in all the camps, from the point of view of access to specialists. Berne, Lucerne, Montreux, and Lausanne contain most distinguished surgeons—many of them of international reputation. Careful inquiry proved to my satisfaction that whenever really necessary a consultation was allowed. These consultations, as long as recommended by the Directing Medical Officer, were never charged to British officers or men. I questioned the medical officers as to the specialists recommended, and was satisfied they were well-known men. If officers desired to consult any special man other than the person recommended by the D.M.O. no objection is taken to it, and so long as the D.M.O. thinks the consultation necessary, no charge is made for it. Occasions sometimes arise when an officer visits a specialist without consulting the D.M.O. and in that case he pays his own expenses. It is always advisable that the officer should consult the D.M.O. before seeking the advice of the specialist, as it sometimes happens that the officer chooses a surgeon with a brilliant abdominal reputation, when he should have consulted a specialist versed in bones. I had a long talk with the officers on this subject, and explained to them that they were as well off in the matter of expert opinion as if they lived in London.
The nursing was mostly of a comparatively unskilled type. Women nurses were not encouraged, and the duties were performed by orderlies who had undergone instruction. The disadvantage of this was largely counteracted by the fact that the surgeons themselves dressed their cases.
There are too few masseurs. I spoke of this, and I learn that the shortage is to be remedied. The Swiss authorities are to start a School of Massage, which several of our men will attend. This may easily prove to be a vocation of advantage to them after the war.
I visited several of the hospitals where the more serious cases had been removed for operation. I found the surgeons keen and very interested in their patients, and the hospital accommodation quite good. The food was excellent, and I could hear no complaints. In these various hospitals every type of operative work is done, such as bone-grafting, tendon-transplantation, brain and nerve surgery, and complicated plastic operations. I had long conversations with the staffs, and am now well aware of their views and methods of procedure. They seemed thoughtful, conscientious and careful men, and I feel our wounded are safe in their hands.
I found the British officers wanted encouragement, and I trust I was able to cheer many of them by truthfully assuring them of their recovery after the war. I endeavoured to instil into them a spirit of confidence in the doctors with whom they had to deal. In certain more complicated cases I suggested that the final operation should be performed upon them on their return. I think I examined every officer.
In respect of the general condition of the men, Colonel Jones writes:—
The newly arrived seemed indifferently nourished, many of them dazed, and some apprehensive of those in authority. After a very short time, so I am informed, these conditions are overcome, and the men become cheerful and trustful. The condition of those who had been in camp in Switzerland for longer periods was very satisfactory. They looked well and felt happy, and I had opportunities of examining their charts, and noted that they soon began to fatten after arriving in camp. Indeed, they represented generally a well-conditioned body of men. Many spoke well of their treatment by the Swiss officials, and seemed to fraternize with the villagers, with whom they were in general accord.
The three camps (Mürren, Château d'Oex, and Leysin) are admirably chosen … and the residential establishments for the men comprise most of the well-known hotels of the district. It would be difficult to conceive of more appropriate or delightful surroundings for men who have returned from German prisons.
Summarizing his experience of the camps, Colonel Jones stated that:—
The sanitation and housing were excellent; the feeding good in quality and plentiful; the Swiss doctors in charge well trained and attentive, and quite competent; the specialists extremely good, and every reasonable facility afforded for consulting them; the General Hospitals for serious cases were staffed by competent and often distinguished surgeons.