HOSPITAL UN PREPARED NESS : AN OBJECT-LESSON EOR AMERICA 



In the early days of the war, before the French Red Cross had fully organized its 

 resources, it frequently happened that straw strewn upon marble flags was the only make- 

 shift for beds which could be provided for the wounded. This straw proved most unfortu- 

 nate for the wounded, as it was often infected with tetanus germs. Here, beneath the altar 

 of their faith, in the Church of Aubigny, converted into a hospital, the fighting men of France 

 reconsecrated their lives to the cause. 



It is not necessary to give the details 

 of the experiments of these two scientists. 

 Today, by the application of the Carrel- 

 Dakin method of sterilizing wounds, one 

 amputation is performed where formerly 

 twenty were necessary, and where there 

 were ten deaths one now occurs, and the 

 time of convalescence is reduced from 

 three to six months to four or, at the 

 most, six weeks. 



It has been found that the method of 

 Doctor Carrel applied to the formula of 

 Doctor Dakin has not only shortened con- 

 valescence, but in consequence reduced 

 the strain on doctors and nurses and the 

 cost of hospital maintenance ; also it has 

 minimized pain. But more than all this, 

 it has resulted in a great saving of limbs 

 and lives to France. 



THE HEROISM OE THE FRENCH WOMEN 



Turning from the purely military side 

 of war to the economic side, we find an- 



other picture of French sacrifice. In this 

 picture the French woman holds the fore- 

 ground. 



In the time of war every physically fit 

 male in France can be called upon to 

 shoulder rifle and fight the battles of his 

 country. When this call sounds, it might 

 be thought that the agricultural and in- 

 dustrial structure of the nation would be 

 reduced to chaos. 



But for the sturdy heroism of the 

 women of France such might have been 

 the case. When the men were called to 

 the colors, the women came forward to 

 fill the gaps in the farming and manufac- 

 turing armies. 



French women, aided by their children, 

 plowed the fields, sowed the seed, har- 

 vested the crops that during two years 

 have fed the soldiers of France. French 

 women tended the vines, gathered the 

 grapes, and pressed the wine which 

 France exports throughout the world. 



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