Exeter Emergency Hospital was closed on November 11, at which time Dr. James Dixon was the physician in charge. There had been nine Graduate Nurses and three practical nurses on the staff, three volunteer nurses and, for a part of the time, three orderlies. Influenza patients to the number of 90 and pneumonia patients to the number of 79 (making a total of 169) were admitted, of which number 42 pneumonia patients died—13 dying within twenty-four hours after their admission to the hospital.

Nanticoke Emergency Hospital was closed on November 13, at which time Lieut. C. E. Yates, U.S.A., was the physician in charge, assisted by Miss Olwen Williams, Graduate Nurse. The staff had comprised four physicians (including the Chief), three medical officers, U.S.A., three Graduate Nurses, forty-three volunteer nurses, one medical student and seven orderlies. Thirty influenza and 121 pneumonia cases had been admitted, and forty-one of the latter had died—fourteen dying within twenty-four hours after their admission to the hospital.

Wanamie Emergency Hospital was closed on November 14, at which time the physicians in charge were William H. Corrigan and Lieut. L. W. Frederick, U.S.A., assisted by W. R. Stewart, a medical student. Nine Graduate Nurses and five Practical Nurses (at different times), eleven volunteer nurses, thirty nurses’ aids, thirty-one Sisters of Mercy, seven orderlies and one medical student were members of the staff at one time and another. Thirty influenza patients and 157 pneumonia patients were admitted to the hospital. Forty-nine of the latter died—twenty-one dying within twenty-four hours after their admission.

The Wilkes-Barré Armory Emergency Hospital was closed on November 14. As previously noted, this hospital was opened for the reception of patients on October 16, with the following staff: Capt. E. L. Hendricks, U. S. Marine Corps, physician in charge; Mrs. J. Pryor Williamson of Wilkes-Barré, a Graduate Nurse, as chief nurse; fifteen Graduate Nurses, nine aids and two civilian orderlies.[[6]]

[6]. During the existence of the hospital the total number of physicians (including the Chief) on the staff was five; the number of Graduate Nurses was fifteen; the number of volunteer nurses was twelve (three Graduates and nine aids); the number of orderlies was ten, and of enlisted men, fifteen.

The preparing and serving of food for the patients and the entire staff of the hospital were in the hands of the Red Cross Canteen service, under the capable direction of Mrs. E. Birney Carr. For the cooking and baking of the food the services of Mrs. P. J. Higgins were obtained, and under her expert directions the quality and quantity of food served were beyond criticism.

A system was early inaugurated for the purchasing of materials and supplies, under which system all materials and supplies needed, with the exception of food, were purchased by Lieut. Charles A. Trein (of the 2d Infantry, Pennsylvania Reserve Militia), acting as Purchasing Agent. Under this system accounts rendered were promptly approved by Col. S. E. W. Eyer and ordered to be paid, with little confusion and no elaborate system of bookkeeping. With this system, and the coöperation of the medical officers and Graduate Nurses in charge, everything moved along with smoothness and regularity.

On October 24 Captain Hendricks was recalled to his unit at Camp Crane, Allentown, for oversea’s duty. Unfortunately he was taken ill when about to leave Wilkes-Barré, and for three days thereafter was confined to his bed at the Hotel Sterling. On October 25 Lieut. Joseph Goldstone, U. S. Marine Corps, was assigned to the Armory Hospital and remained in charge until October 31, when he, too, was recalled to Camp Crane to report for oversea’s duty. Thus the hospital was deprived, for the second time, of a faithful, conscientious, tireless worker.

On October 28 Mrs. J. Pryor Williamson, a Red Cross worker in Wilkes-Barré on extended leave, who was serving as chief nurse at the Armory, was recalled to Washington. With her knowledge of hospital work, her energy and her untiring efforts, she had, in her twelve days of service at the Armory, placed the hospital upon a working basis which left no room for doubt as to her ability and good judgment with respect to the matters under her supervision. Mrs. Williamson was ably succeeded at the Armory by Miss Antoinette Schofield, Graduate Nurse, as nurse in charge, which position she held until the closing of the hospital.

On November 1 Capt. Evan S. Evans, U.S.M.C., was assigned to the hospital, and remained as physician in charge until November 14, when he, too, was recalled to Camp Crane. Captain Evans, with his sunny disposition and jovial smile, made many friends among the patients and others with whom he came in contact.