— 81 — 
saw, 1882). Mr. Gepp writes that the Czechs have two modified “l’s,” this 
one being printed by the Poles like a “t” with the cross oblique, and it is this 
modified “ 1 ” which has given rise to the transcription “ Chatubinskia.” 
17 St. Matthews Parade, Northampton, England. 
THE AMERICAN RED CROSS WANTS INFORMATION 1 
Regarding Supplies of Surgical Sphagnum 
George E. Nichols 
Sphagnum moss is being used by the Allied armies on an enormous scale 
as a substitute for absorbent cotton in surgical dressings. The British are 
using nearly 1,000,000 sphagnum dressings every month. The Canadian Red 
Cross is making over 200,000 per month. The American Red Cross, in March, 
1918, officially adopted sphagnum as a standard dressing material, and it is 
now being used in many American military hospitals. 
As yet, for various reasons, the number of sphagnum dressings that is being 
called for in this country is comparatively small. The raw material from which 
these are being made is secured mainly from the Pacific Northwest, where there 
are large supplies of excellent moss. But it is anticipated that at any moment 
the call may come for the American Red Cross to furnish sphagnum dressings 
in immense quantities. In order to be able to do this, raw material must be 
available in large amounts. Where are we going to get it? To be sure, there is 
an abundance of it in the Pacific Northwest. But our eastern chapters must not 
be compelled to depend on this: transportation is too uncertain and too expensive. 
Here is the problem! Unquestionably, there is plenty of good surgical 
sphagnum to supply our needs right here in the east. But there is this diffi- 
culty: Until very recently the surgical value of sphagnum was not realized 
in this country, although it has been used in Germany since 1880. Conse- 
quently, nobody has searched for it particularly. Hence, while we know that 
there is plenty of it scattered about here and there throughout much of the 
east, we do not know (except for a limited number of localities) where to place 
our hands on it. Our problem, then, is to locate definitely as many good sources 
of supply for surgical sphagnum as is possible. And we must do it now 1 When 
the demand comes for sphagnum dressings in vast quantities, we must be pre- 
pared to provide the goods at once. It will be too late then to start in exploring. 
Can you help? There may be enough good moss in your neighborhood 
to at least satisfy your local needs. You may even find enough to warrant 
the collection of raw material for shipment to less favored communities. You 
can only find out by prospecting. Locate the bogs and explore them. 
Here are a few pointers. Surgical sphagnum commonly is very local in 
its occurrence. It grows in bogs, but may be absent from nine out of every 
ten. The tenth bog may be full of it. Wet, quaky bogs, open and mossy or 
with scattered grasses and bushes, are best. Dry, firm bogs, bushy or wooded, 
are least favorable. 
lc 
'ee note, bottom p. 84. 
