l: "^^ ^v#. !¥»' »:» *^ ^^N viiC. N-s^^iA mVV «\^^^ CORNELL UNIVERSITY LIBRARY THE MONAGHAN COLLECTION The Gift of Frank Monaghan Cornell 1927 Cornell University Library UH551 1866 .E92 1868 Sanitary institutions during the Austro- olin 3 1924 030 750 115 Cornell University Library The original of this book is in the Cornell University Library. There are no known copyright restrictions in the United States on the use of the text. http://www.archive.org/details/cu31924030750115 SANITARY INSTITUTIONS DURING THE ADSTRO-PRDSSIAN-ITALIAN CONFLICT. CONFERENCES OF THE INTERNATIONAL SOCIETIES OF RELIEF FOR WOONDED SOLDIERS. AN ESSAY ON AHBULANCE IVAGONS. UNIVERSAL EXHIBITION REWARDS AND LETTERS. CATALOGUE OF THE AUTUORS SAHITART COLLECTION. BY THOMAS W. EVANS M. D., Aulhor of " The United StRtes Sanitary Gominission, its origin, history and resullii., ' " An Uncles letters to his nephew, on the Gonstilution of the United Slates., ' ' etc., etc. Oflicer of the Legion oi Honor., Surgeon Dentist to the Emperor Napoleon III ' and to the blmperor of Russia., United States Commissioner to the Universal Exhibition Member of the International Jury. THIRD EDITION. +1 PARIS : PRINTED Rl SIMON RAQON AND C". .N° 1 ,R UE ER F UR TH. 1868. ^H:kak((: DEDICATED TO MY WIFE AGNES JOSEPHINE DOYLE EVANS In dedicating In you this book, dear Ai^nes, I do not propose lo give yoii only a proof of my unalte- rable affection. I desire also to recognize publicly the part which belongs to yo i in this work, written with the thought of contributing to the dinninution of human suffering. Was it not you, in fact, who even before our marriage, in the time of our childhood, gave me already at Philadelphia our birth place, the example of an indefatigable charity? Was it not you, who after our union, for good or for bad fortune, never ceased to assist our fellow creatures, to take care of the sick and to console the afflicted? Was it not you also, who inspired me with something of your christian charily, and who have VI DEDICATED TO MY WIFE. constantly aided and approved me, when I have searched the means to render less terrible the sufferings which are caused by war among the human family. It is therefore with a sentiment of profound gratitude, dear Agnes, that this book is dedicated to you. Tho.mas Wu-LiAM Evans. Bella Rosa, avenue de I'lmperalrice, 41 . Pans, 1868. PREFACE The work which is now ol'fered to Lhe [jublic has seemed to the writer a proper se- quel to La Commission Sanitaire des £tats- Unis, which was published towards the close of the year 4864, and extensively cir- culated in Europe. The history and exam- ple of the United States Sanitary Commis- sion, has exerted a powerful influence upon the organisation and growth of kindred in- stitutions. Old prejudices have been cor- rected, the practicable and the possible demonstrated, and the friends of humanity and progress everywhere encouraged to new VIM PKliFACE. and moi^e vigouruiis elt'orls. Tliese weie rewarded during the late Auslro-Prussian conflict with many splendid results, and have more recently, effected important mo- difications in the rules of war as practiced among civilised nations. It was my purpose in the present work to indicate these efforts and results, to show, so far as possible, the actual condition of the recent movements in favor of amelio- rating the miseries of war. ■ No lime seem- ed more favorable to such an undcilaking, than when the Great Exposition had as- sembled at Paris, whatever was most remark- able in connection with modern civilisation, and was offering as it were a new starting- point ior every progressive enterprise. The volume, under the title of Les imti- lutions saniiaires pendant le conflit Aiistro- Prnssien-It alien, was published in May last. PREFACE. IX The reception which it at once met with was most gratifying, and in again giving it to the public, I am but yielding to the advice of many friends, who see in an Enghsh version the means of a wider and more general circulation. With reference to the execution of the work, I must claim the generous indulgence of the reader. Many of my notes, as well as the volume itself, were originally written in French, a circumstance which must ex- plain certain faults which could not be avoided without entirely rewriting the book, which in view of my extensive professional and general engagements has been impossible. A few new facts have been added to the French edition, both in the body of the book and in the appendix. I most sincerely trust that in its new form, the volume may serve lo make better known 1 X PREFACE. how much has been done in every part of the world to popularise a great public charily, while not the least among the many pleasant thoughts which it may always suggest in my own heart, will be the remembrance, that while it was my privilege to first repeat in Eu- rope the eventful story of the United States Sanitary Commission, to me also has it been permitted, to signalise to my countrymen and countrywomen, how large and universal has become the interest awakened by that memorable record of patriotism, unselfish devotion, and Christian humanity. Thomas William EVANS, M. D. Paris, 1868. SANITARY INSTITUTIONS THE AUSTRO-PRUSSIAN-ITALIAN CONFLICT CHAPTER FIRST THE SANITARY COMMISSION OF THE UNITED STATES AND THE CONVENTION OF GENElfA Disposition ot modern nations to mitigate sufferings occasioned by war. — Sanitary Commission of the United States. — Initiative of American women. — Conferences of Geneva. — Principles of the Geneva Convention analogous to those expressed in the sta- tutes of American Sanitary Commission. — Establishment of in- ternational relief societies favored by several sovereigns. One of the most touching and at the same time consoling characteristics ^ which can presentilself to the consideration of anyone observing with attention the evils occasioned by war among nationSj is the faculty huma^ 2 SANITARY INSTITUTIONS nity possesses of gathering useful inslruc- lion from the very misfortunes that strike it, the marvellous intelligence exhibited by people afflicted with war, to invent measures, for mitigating incalculable suffe- rings and for opposing boundaries to the power of the scourge. A memorable example of the kind was offered us in the United States, during the great civil war, which came so unexpectedly to desolate that prosperous country. From the outset of this struggle which was to assume gigantic proportions, a generous impulse thrilled the heart of the nation; a grand and sublime thought shone forth in every soul ; since it is a question of war to the dire extremity, said the people, let us render it less horrible by surrounding with our attentions and our solicitude, those who fight to sustain the rights of the nation. Such DURING THE AUSTRO-PRDSSIAN-ITALIAN CONFLICT. 3 was the sentiment which animated every loyal heart; to the American women however re- dounds the honor of having given the first im- pulse to this magnificent popular movement, resulting in the organisation of the Sanitary Commission of the United States, a com- mission which has rendered inappreciable services to the country, and which we consi- der one of the greatest blessings the senti- ment of charity and humanity has ever given birth to. Although, in a preceding work, I have related the history and explained the organi- zation of this institution, 1 may be permit- ted to retrace here in a few lines its origin and results. I deem it the more useful to recall them briefly to the recollection of the reader, since the American Sanitary Com- mission has been in reality the type or form upon which are modelled, in a manner more i SANITARY INSTITUTIONS or less faithful , similar societies subse- quently created in Europe, particularly the sanitary institutions organized in Germany during the late Austro-Prussian conflict. When the rebellion broke out in the United States by the attack on fort Sumpler, and President Lincoln had made his first call for the levying of 75,000 volunteers, so many recruits presented themselves, that great confusion was occasioned in the war depart- ment, especially in the Medical Bureau. To provide for the wants of an immense multi- tude of men recruited indiscriminately, and ignorant of the most elementary rules of dis- cipline, would have been a difficult task even for experienced officers; what then must have been the inextricable embarrassment of em- ployees, unacquainted with the means to be employed for procuring indispensable pro- visions! As for the surgeons, the most DURING THE AUSTRO-PRCSSIAN-ITALIAN CONFLICT. 5 zealous and provident, were often precisely those who increased the difficulties, and caused most perplexity to the Medical Bu- y^ reau, because they were not furnished with the instruments and supplies which they de- manded with importunity. | It was in the midst of this general confu- sion that associations were formed over all the vast territory of the Union : in the cities and even the most remote villages, meetings were held, inquiries instigated, and mutual information exchanged, upon the manner of preparing lint, bandages, and other objects, necessary for nursing the wounded. Still these were, to a great extent, isolaf-f- Aed aspirations , local efforts , assemblies which did not act in concert. It was soon understood that if these efforts of the nation were to produce expected and desirable fruits, it was necessary to create a central office, 6 SANITARY INSTITOTIONS charged with the duty and responsibility of collecting the offerings, and of distributing them judiciously at the moment and at the place, where they would be the most useful, directing attention to whatever defects might exist in the sanitary service, while at the same time offering the concurrence of a na- tional chainty to the Medical Bureau. On the 25"" of April 1861, at the very be- ginning of the war, about a hundred ladies, belonging to the most distinguished famihes, assembled at New-York, for the purpose of ascertaining the best means for the realisa- tion of this thought. They drew up a paper addressed to their fellow-lowns-women; and appealing afterwards to all their compa- triots, interested in their undertaking a num- ber of the most distinguished men of the country, among whom were some of the most celebrated physicians and surgeons. DURING THE AUSTRO-PRUSSIAN-ITALIAN COiNFLICT. 7 Through the persislent efforls of these noble women, and the energy of these men of cou- rage and action, all obstacles were finally overcome, the work was realized, the United States Sanitary Commission organized, and the Medical Bureau itself, abandoning the beaten path of routine, united its efforts with those of the Sanitary Commission. From that moment this institution, without precedent in the history of any people, did not cease to propagate its benefits throughout the land ; and' during the long struggle which strewed the country's soil with innu- merable victims, every voice united in bles- sing a work whose benevolent action was felt wherever a soldier suffered, or wherever the blood of a combatant flowed. To resume in a word, the results obtained by the Sanitary Commission of the United States, I will slate that it is known at this 8 SANITARY INSTITUTIONS time to have distributed relief representing a sum of the pecuniary value of one hundred and twenty five millions of francs ; while it has probably preserved for the service of the United States, an army of more than one hundred thousand men, by its attentions, rendered to the sick and wounded. A work so powerful, so fruitful in happy results, could not fail to attract the attention of other people, and to interest all those who are affected by the thought of human suffe- rings; hence it was that when 1 had pu- blished my book upon the origin and results of the Sanitary Commission of the United States, I received from all parts of Europe tes- timonials of the warmest sympathy for this in- stitution, and several sovereigns, more quali- fied than private individuals to propagate, and especially to realize the idea of an analogous work in Europe, conveyed to the author assu- DUBIiNG THE AUSTRO-PRUSSIAN-ITALIAN CONFLICT. 9 ranees of the admiration which they enter- tained respecting the nation, that had known how to bring to a happy issue an enterprise as grand as it was original. In 1863, at the very time when the Sa- nitary Commission, after having surmounted every obstacle, was developing itself in all its force and vigor, an international confe- rence assembled-at Geneva, to deliberate upon the means for establishing a sanitary organi- zation, which should mitigate the horrors of war and prevent"for the future the recurrence of those heartrending scenes which charac- terized the battle field of Solferino, scenes which no one can forget, who witnessed them, and which, at the time of these deliberations, were still fresh in the memory of every friend of humanity. In the discussions which took place du- ring this memorable meeting, several mem- 10 SANITARY INSTITUTIONS bers of the conference expressed the opinion thai a sanitary organization based upon in- dividual initiative, or the spontaneous efforts of the people was an impracticable chimera. The reader, who now knows to what prodi- gious results the American Commission had arrived at that period, will understand my astonishment on becoming acquainted with the debates of the conference. Was it not indeed strange that such opinions should be asserted when a glance upon what was pas- sing on the other side of the Ocean, might have convinced any one of the marvellous power which lies in the free and spontaneous action of individuals? Nevertheless, certain members of the conference did finally call attention to the Sanitary Commission of the United States ; in short, the project which emanated from the dehberations of the con- ference, rested upon principles and senti- DURING THE AUSTRO-PRUSSIAN-ITALIAN CONFLICT. 11 ments similar to those that had given birth to the American institution. In fact, it must not be forgotten that several articles of the Geneva convention of 1864, though expressed in other terms, are found in the statutes of the American association, and that, if the Ge- nevese convention stipulates that wounded soldiers shall be collected and cared for regardless of their nationality, the Sanitary Commission of the United States had acted upon the same principle, by distributing indiscriminately its resources to friends and enemies lying side by side on the bed of suffering. The recognition of the neu- trality of all hospital corps, admitted by the Geneva convention, is a reform prolific in results, and which, during the late war in Germany, rendered inestimable services and preserved the lives of thousands of sick and wounded. 12 SANITARY INSTITUTIONS 1 cannot omit remarking that this thought of neutralizing the wounded was entertained, before it was discussed in the Geneva conference, and even before it had been realized by the Sanitary Commis- sion of the United States, as may be seen by the decree which the emperor Napo- leon III promulgated during the Italien war, a short time after the victory of Mon- tebello. This memorable fact is related by the Mmiteur of the 29* of May 1859, in the following terms : " The emperor Napoleon III, wishing to diminish, as much as is in his power, the evils occasioned by war, and to give the example for the suppression of unnecessary rigors, has decided, May 28"', that all wounded prisoners shall be delivered to the enemy, without exchange, so soon as their DURING THE AUSTRO-PRUSSIAN-ITALIAN CONFLICT. 15 condition may permit them to return to their country. " The spirit of this decree is, we see, entirely conformable to the principles which were subsequently accepted in America and in Eu- rope. However, before exposing the applica- tion which these principles have found in Eu- rope, and especially in Germany, we wish to speak of the noble part taken by the women everywhere, in the work of sanitary reform. I have already mentioned with what spirit of charity and devotion, the American women, consecrated themselves to the sani- tary work, and with what perseverance they conducted their admirable enterprise to a happy end. Does not this work which, humble at its beginning, stretched little by little its branches over a large portion of the new world, to extend them afterwards over the whole of Europe, recall to mind the 14 SANITARY INSTITUTIONS mustard seed spoken of by the scripture, which, humble at its beginning, became a tree under whose shadow suffering humanity reposed ! In Europe as in the new world, the thought of a sanitary reform, destined to bring relief to the wounded and to render less cruel the inevitable sufferings produced by war, has inspired acts of devotion, not only in men who, by their fortune or position, were able to act efficaciously, but has espe- cially animated the women with a noble and holy ardor. Among them many prin- cesses and more than one sovereign have dis- tinguished themselves by the abnegation, zeal and intelligence which they have placed in the service of the humane work to which they dedicated their time and energy. It may be said, I think, that if the reform proposed by the Geneva conference has been welcomed DURING THE AUSTRO-PRUSSIAN-ITALIAN COiNFLlCT. IT. and immediately put in practice by a large number of European powers, it was due par- ticularly to the happy influence of a number of female sovereigns. They knew how to in- spire those who surrounded them with so- mething of the spirit of charity that animated them, and of the ardent sympathy they felt for the projected work. We know that the Em- press of the French was peculiarly favorable to this sanitary reform; indeed it could not be otherwise with a princess who, during her whole career, and even before she wore an imperial crown, has ever been ready to alleviate, by personal attentions, the suffe- rings of the sick and needy. As evidence of this fact, I could cite several examples, but it would be superflous ; for have we not seen in these past few years, this sovereign, foun- ding asylums, visiting the hospitals in the very midst of epidemics, reviving and chee- 16 SANITARY liNSTlTUTlOMS ring the sick, and thus meriting the name of sister of charity (sosur grise) which the people have given her'? Another great European power had signed the Geneva convention at the same time with France : it was Prussia; here too it was the Queen who came forward, and placing herself at the head of the sanitary movement, with a zeal as persevering as it was admirable, insu- red its triumph over evei"y obstacle. I shall show in the following pages the part taken by this sovereign in the hospital reforms of the kingdom, and the reader will have an oppor- tunity of appreciating with what intelligent activity, and inexhaustible goodness she inau- gurated and consolidated the sanitary organi- zation in Prussia,which has rendered and still renders such great services to that country. ' since writing Ihe abovo I aiu permitted to make public an interesting letter written by the Empress, in the Spring of 1862. See Appendix^ page 195. CHAPTER II ORIom OF TBE PRUSSIAN SOCIETY OF RELIEF FOR THE WOUNDED Sympathy of Ihe King and Queen of Prussia for the work of the Sa- nitary Commission of the United States. — Autograph letter from the King. — Groups of voluntary hospital attendants at the diffe- rent railway stations. — First appearance of the Prussian relief society. — Its activity during the Schleswig-Holstein campaign. — Sending of commissioners to Schleswig. When war broke out in Germany, my attention was directed naturally, and in a manner quite special, to the hospital and sanitary organizations of that country. It appeared to me that by studying these organizations in belligerent countries, and comparing them with similar institutions which I had investigated in America and elsewhere^ some useful information might 18 SAlNITARV INSTITUTIONS be ohtained. By repairing lo tlie theatre of events in order to better examine the questions which had occured to me, I considered that I was fulfiUing a duty, the more so because, belbre the war, their Ma- jesties the King and Queen of Prussia, had repeatedly expressed lo me their unqualified sympathy with the work accomplished by the United States Sanitary Commission, and had deigned lo encourage me in the efforts I was making to propagate in Europe the idea of a sanitary enterprise, similar to thai which in America had rendered so great services lo humanity. The following is the manner in which the King expresses himself in an autograph letter : To Mr Thomas W. Evans M. D. ' ' Accept the assurance of the great interest derived from the work which you have trans- DURING THE AUSTRO-PRUSSIAN-ITALIAN CONFLI(]T. 19 mitted me through the agency of the Queen. She has conveyed to you in my name the token of esteem which 1 destined for you on account of your important medical resear- ches; but I wish, by these Hnes, to slate the purpose which honors them : the allevia- tion of suffering in general, and the ame- lioration of the sanitary condition of ar- mies. " " William. " Baden, this \5lh October 1865. " Would the principles adopted by the Ge- nevese convention answer general expecta- tion, now that they were put in practice upon a vast scale? How were the relief committees going to operate? Will they have adopted same of the measures tried and found good during the great wnr in the 20 SANITARY INSTITUTIONS United States? And if ihey have profited by the experience of the United Slates, what improvements or modifications will they have introduced in the American work, to adapt it to the customs of Europe and to the exigences of a war undertaken under diffe- rent circumstances ? Such were the ques- tions which presented themselves to my consideration; such was the problem I pro- posed to investigate. One of the first things that struck me when I had entered upon the territory where important events were being unfol- ded, was the presence of large numbers of volunteer hospital attendants at most of the railway stations. They wore upon the arm the badge of the international society ; the red cross upon a white ground. They were there awaiting each convoy , and ready to render assistance to whatever woun- DURING THE AUSTRO-PRUSSIAN-ITALIAN CONFLICT. 21 ded soldiers, friends or enemies, the train might bring. I was reminded of the volun- teer hospital attendants of the American Sanitary Commission, who also prepared at the stations '" Refreshment Rooms," and "■ Homes, " for the sick and wounded, re- turned from the fields of battle. But while recognizing with an unfeigned satisfaction the similarity existing between the two or- ganizations, I remarked immediately a dif- ference which seemed to me important. In America female attendants were seen every- where even at the railway stations, rivalling in devotion the men, while here, there were none. This deficiency struck me, and more than once in the course of this work, 1 shall have occasion to speak of the absence, re- grettable according to our ideas, of women in the hospital service of Germany. But be- fore communicating the reflections which, 22 SANITARY INSTITUTIONS the operation of the new hospital and sani- tary institutions in Germany may suggest, it is advisable perhaps to offer a few expla- nations, of the manner in which they have originated in that country and particularly in Prussia. It is known that this power was one of the first to sign the Geneva convention ; it was also destined to inaugurate the reform and make the first practical experience of it. Although the King of Prussia signed the treaty on the 24"' of August 1864, as early as the month of February of the same year, a relief society had been formed at Berlin ; — the Central Prussian Society, — which entered into active service the following month, — the campaign of Schleswig-Hols- tein having commenced. This campaign, undertaken during the winter, had brought forth sufferings that forcibly invoked public DURING THE AUSTRO-PRUSSIAN-ITALIAN CONFLICT. 25 attention. The Central Prussian Society, whose headquarters were at Berlin, made an appeal to the people, and in a few days had at its disposition four thousand thalers. This certainly was not a very considerable sum, nevertheless the comniittee were pre- pared to make such a judicious use of it that, from the commencement, the army felt the beneficent action of the institution ; and shortly afterwards contributions in kind were received in sufficient abundance, to relieve effectively the most urgent neces- sities. This committee found itself at the head of an institution without precedent in the military annals of Europe ; consequently it became necessary for it to advance pru- dently and, if I may so speak, gropingly. It commenced by sending to the theatre of war one of its most distinguished members, Doctor Gurit, professor in the faculty of 24 SANITARY INSTITUTIONS Berlin. This delegate had more particularly for his mission the studying of the ways and means for transporting the wounded from the field of battle. It was not long however before it was discovered, that it was indis- pensible for the society to be represented in a permanent manner upon the field of opera- tions. For this purpose Colonel de Malo- chowski and Major de Witje, were sent as delegates of the committee, and, through the devoted activity of these intelligent men, a depot was immediately organized in the city of Flensburg, the very center of mili- tary operations, so that hnl, instruments of surgery, bedding, medicines, and alimen- tary supplies, could be delivered to the physicians of the army instantaneously and as they required them. Although the number of wounded did not exceed the foresight of professional men, DURING THE AUSTRO-PRUSSIAN-ITALIAN CONFLICT. 25 yet the military hospitals contained more sick and wounded than the space which they could dispose of admitted, and consi- derable mortality followed. In presence of this fact, the relief society appealed to all the rural proprietors of Schleswig-Holstein, to ascertain if they would be disposed to receive at their homes wounded soldiers. To this appeal the population responded with such eagerness that it was impossible tor the society to accept all the offers made. From that moment over crouding ceased in the hospitals, wounds healed more re- gularly, and the proportional rate of mor- tality decreased considerably. In addition, the central committee, with resources still restricted, found the means of delive- ring sums of from twenty to one hundred francs to most of the invalids who left the hospitals. 26 SANITARY INSTITUTIONS Such were the acts which the Prussian Sanitary Commission was able lo accom- plish during the Schleswig-Holstein war. We do not see in this, it is true, brilliant and unexpected results like those which signalized the beginning of the United States Sanitary Commission, still it would be un- just to disparage the spirit which the people exhibited, from the commencement, in a work for which they were not prepared. The central committee of Berlin accom- plished, in a sphere restricted in appea- rance, a very great and very considerable work in view of the resources possessed, and the novelty of the enterprise which it was inaugurating before attentive Europe. I purposely say that Europe was attentive, for we must not forget that at the time when the central committee entered upon its work, the statutes of the Geneva conference IJURING THE AUSTRO-PRUSSIAN-ITALIAN CONFLICT. 27 were still untried, and the realization of the principles which they enunciated appeared scarcely probable, if not impossible to some of the persons who had assisted at Ihe de- bates of the Conference. Consequently great interest was attached to the enterprise at- tempted by the Prussian Relief Society; and the happy results obtained have strongly contributed to the general adoption of the international treaty which was signed in the city of Geneva. After the Schleswig compaign, the central society, faithful to an article of that treaty, remained in active service with the view of preparing during peace the means of succo- ring the wounded, should war again break out. CHAPTER III TBANSFORMATION OF THE CENTRAL SOCIETY INTO AN INTERNATIONAL RELIEF SOCIETY Resources of War Departement, however considerable, are generally insufficient. — Necessity of spontaneous action on the part of po pulations. — The Prussian Society of Relief to the sick and wounded obtains the privilege of corporation. — Appeal of the central com- mittee to the nation. — Central depot of Berlin — Reflections suggested by it to the author. — Statutes of the Prussian Relief society. It has been seen in the preceding pages that, during the campaign of Schleswig- Holstein, ihe hospitals were encumbered, and the surgeons obliged to make great efforts to render assistance wherever their presence was required ; and yet one would have supposed that it would have been otherwise, since not only were there 30 SANITARY INSTITDTIONS no great battles fought, during this war, but the organization of the medical ser- vice of the Prussian army, particularly its hospital organization, is one of the most complete in existence. Indeed every corps of the Prussian army is amply provided with the material and persons, necessary for the service of three field hospitals and three ambulances (leichte und schwere Feldlaza- rethe). Independently of the Medical corps and a considerable number of nurses, there are sanitary companies in each body of the army ; that is to say, detachments of troops specially detailed to take up the wounded and transport them to the ambulances or temporary hospitals. But however numerous may be the hospi- tal employees, and however perfect the or- ganization of the medical service of an army, there will always be, in the course of a cam- DURING THE AUSTRO-PRUSSIAN-ITALIAN CONFLICT. 31 paign, moments when these employees and this organization will be found insufficient. It is, in truth, absolutely beyond the power of the official administration to provide, on the spot and immediately, for the necessities created by a bloody battle, when many thou- sands of wounded are demanding succor, as I have lately seen. Where to find in this trying moment surgeons in sufficient num- ber, where to find bandages and lint to dress so many wounds, where to find nurses to attend to so many victims, and when the hos- pitals are filled with wounded and the sup- plies of the Medical corps have been consu- med, as sometimes arrives in a few days, how, in these moments when the country is exhausted, the population hostile, and com- munications difficult, how to find medi- cines, bedding, food and apparatus, are ques- tions which constantly arise and difficulties 32 SANITARY INSTITUTIONS which often present themselves. These obs- tacles may be removed, for itis in these deci- sive moments that the sanitai-y institutions which constitute the subject of our work, intervene efficaciously, it is then that they offer their co-operation to the Medical corps of the army, that they send forward their vo- lunteer nurses, distribute their supplies, and share the invaluable treasures confided to them by the people. Thus it was, that the services rendered by the Prussian Sanitary Society were appreciated by the war department to such an extent, that after the Schleswig-Hols- tein campaign, and in time of peace, the government not only resolved to protect this institution, but to give it a greater develop- ment. As early as the month of April 1865, the Central committee was advised that the King and Queen took the work under theii immediate protection. This determination DURING THE AUSTRO-PRUSSIAMTALIAN CONFLICT. 33 was announced to the committee in the fol- lowing terms : ' ' Upon a proposition which has been pre- sented to us the IS"" of this month, we have resolved to place under our special protection the Prussian Society, founded with the view of succoring, in time of war, sick and woun- ded soldiers ; we give our protection to this Society in consideration of the elevated and important aim it pursues. ■ ' ' Signed : William and Augusta. " Berlin, 15«;i April 1865." After the war with Denmark, the funds at the disposition of the central committee were nearly exhausted: yet new contributions were made, and on the 1st of January 1866, a short while before the Society was transfor- med and entered upon a new sphere of acti- 54 SANITARY INSTITUTIONS vitY, the condition of its resources presented the following : RECEIPTS: SPECIE. STOCKS. RECEIPTS. 1. Assets, according to proceding Thi. Sgr. Pfg. Thi. inventory 261 05 10 5,500 2. Annual contributions. . . . 1,261 5. Contributions of local socie- ties 2,M2 21 02 4.. Offerings 927 13 07 Divers receipts : 5. Product of the sale of 2 gold weddings rings. ... 5 20 — 6. Product of the sale of dif- ferent stocks 5,855 24 — 7. Product of capital placed at interest "438 Total RECEIPTS 11,197 27 07 Among the expenditures of this year of peace, 1865 to 4866, we remark with satis- faction ihat the largest, about 6,000 francs, was consecrated to assistance given in specie to the wounded and invalids of the Holstein campaign. To sum up the financial condition DURING THE AUSTRO-PRUSSIAN-ITALIAN CONFLICT. 55 of the Prussian Society of relief to the woun- ded, when war was about breaking out with Austria, it possessed : In specie, about ^ 1,400 In different stocks 4 8,000 Total # 9,400 It was in the month of April 1866. Ah^eady the political horizon was darkening with storm clouds, and minds accustomed to soun- ding the future, foresaw the possibility of a conflict with Austria. At this time the Prus- sian Society received from the King the right of corporation. This was a great privilege ac- corded, for, from the moment it was recogni- zed as a corporation by the State, its indivi- duality was established, and it possessed thereafter the power of selling and buying, of building and endowing, of pleading and defending. 56 SANITARY INSTTTIITIONS At the same time the Government made known that it would be desirable for the Central committee, whose head-quarters were at Berlin, to become for the future the cen- tral organ of public charity, in order to avoid the conflict and confusion which had marked the first efforts of the society at the commen- cement of the Schleswig campaign. After different communications with the govern- ment, and especially after the proclamation in which King William called all Prussia under arms, the central committee modified its sta- tutes and addressed to the nation an energetic appeal, from which we quote a few passages. " Our king has told us, that faithful to his duty, he has called to arms all his people. These words of our king exhort us to exert an incessant activity, and to assemble during the days of peace which we still have, all our resources, so that if war breaks out we may DDRING THE ADSTRO-PRUSSIAN-ITALIAN CONFLICT. o7 be ready, with the blessing of God, to help our brothers, sons, relations and friends, who will go forth to defend the country. " A few weeks later, the central committee added : " The army is under arms, the mo- ment has arrived when we must put the principles of the Geneva convention in prac- tice. To attain this end we rely upon the de- voted cooperation of the entire nation. " This cooperation was not wanting to the central committee. On all sides local relief so- cieties were organized, which attached them- selves to the mother society; and gifts in money and kind were sent forward to Berlin from all parts of the monarchy. When 1 visited the Prussian Capital, — the war was then at its height, — the central depot of this institution was established in one of the most opulent quarters of the city; but the premi- ses appeared lo me a great deal loo limited 58 SANITARY INSTITUTIONS for the use to which they were destined. Of- ferings had arrived there in abundance, enor- mous boxes obstructed the passages, objects of every nature, mattresses, oilcloths, instru- ments, bandages, etc., etc., were laying about without order on the stairways. In the same room persons were busy in receiving the supplies which arrived and in shipping others to the theatre of war ; the workmen who packed, labored side by side with those who were unpacking. They were nailing and shouting, the noise of the hammers mingled with the voices of superior employers, who were replying to the comers and goers; orders and demands were addressed on all sides, and at times even violent discussions arose. All that reminded us of the confusion and tumult which reigned during a few weeks in the medical department at Washington, at the beginning of the civil war. While contem- DURING THE AUSTRO-PfiUSSIAN-ITALlAN CONFLICT. 39 plating the noisy and somewhat confused scene, which presented itself to me at the central depot of Berlin, I could not dispel a sentiment of sadness, in thinking how easy it was in the midst of such a tumult, for an order to be misunderstood, or an ur- gent expedition retarded. For in like occu- rences, does not the least delay, or the least error, compromise hundreds if not thou- sands of existences? I hasten to add, howe- ver, that my apprehensions were not foun- ded, and that after having seen closely the difficulties in detail, against which the cen- tral committee had to contend, I have been only the better able to appreciate the great things it accomplished, and to recognize with what promptitude, with what order and precision, it distributed the trea- sures of which it was the depositary. It is proper also to remark that, to enlighten it AO SANITARY INSTITUTIONS upon Lhe needs of the army, and to aid it in producing the greatest amount of possible good, the central committee had at its side an essential organ; indeed, as soon as it was realized that war was inevitable, the central committee put itself in correspondence with Count de StoUberg, whom the Government had just named commissary general and in- spector of the volunteer hospital service of the Prussian army. The government had made a happy choice in appointing to this post the Count de Stollberg, whose devotion to the sa- nitary work was well known. He became in this manner the medium between the relief society and the medical bureau of the army, and through his solicitude and vigilance, the committee was always made acquainted with the movements of the troops, and its at- tention always directed in good time to the points where assistance was urgent. DURING THE AUSTRO-PRUSSIAN-ITALIAN CONFLICT. 41 The organization of the Prussian Relief so- ciety seems lo me excellent, and as its statutes may be usefully consulted whereever simi- lar institutions are organized, I deem it my duty to reproduce here entirely this useful document. Statutes of the Prussian society of relief to wounded soldiers. § 1. The Prussian society of relief to soldiers sick or wounded in campaign, has for object : 1" In time of war, to aid the royal admi- nistration of ambulances and hospitals, in providing for sick and wounded soldiers ; 2'' In time of peace, to prepare suitable means for the accomplishment of this object. The society must accordingly, in time of 42 SANITARY INSTITUTIONS peace, do all in its power to prepare and per- fect the asylums destined to receive the sick and wounded during war ; it must also inte- rest itself in securing the services of (he per- sons required, and in procuring the necessary materials. In time of war it shall place at the disposition of the military sanitary authori- ties, its forces and resources. The society bases its action and relations, with analogous societies of other countries, upon the Geneva convention, of the month of October 1863, and particularly upon the in- ternational treaty, of the 4"" of January 1864, signed by the king on the 22"'' of August 1864. The society has for motto : Militi pro rege et patria mdnerato. DURING THE AUSTRO-PUUSSIA.N-ITALIAN CO^iFLICT. 43 The central commitlee has its head-quar- ters at Berlin. Provincial and parish societies will be formed : considered as subdivisions of the Prussian society, they will be reunited in a single vast corporation. The central coiuinitlee maintains constant and regular correspondence with the pro- vincial and parish societies. As soon as, in any province whatever of the monarchy, a provincial society shall have been organized and provided with regular statutes, the members of the old Central So- ciety, silting at Berlin, who belong to the said province, will become members of the society of the province where Lhey reside. The old Central Society which operated at Berlin, will form hereafter, a provincia 44 SANITARY INSTITUTIONS society, that of the province of Brandebourg, and will represent at the same time the local society of Berlin. § 3. The supreme direction of the corporation is intrusted to a central committee, charged at the same time with representing the Prus- sian society abroad. The committee is composed of at least 24 members. Fifteen of these members must reside at Berlin. The government appoints three commissio- ners to the central committee, who have for mission, to aid the committee by their coun- sels, to serve as mediums between the society and the war department, in order that the committee may distribute its succors accor- ding to the wants of the army, and connect DURING THE AUSTRO-PRUSSIAN-ITALIAN CONFLICT. i'.< its hospital and sanitary service, with that of the ambulances and hospitals of the army. The commissioners of the government, are considered members of the committee and take part therein. The provincial committee of each of the pro- vincial societies, has the right to send one of its members as deputy to the sessions of the central committee, and each of these deputies of the provinces has a voice in the delibera- tion of the central committee. The central committee chooses among its own members, its president and two vice-pre- sidents; a secretary and vice-secretary, and lastly its treasurer. The president convokes the committee ; and the committee is under obligation to assemble each time that three of 46 SANITARY INSTITUTIONS its members shall make the demand for it. The decisions of the committee are deter- mined by a majority of voices ; in case of an equal division the voice of the president decides on the vote. §5. The central committee is charged to hold conferences v^dth the authorities, whenever the interest of the society requires it. It is authorized : To look after, in the name and in the inte- rest of the society, business of all kinds; par- ticularly : To make arrangement and pass contracts ; To cede and abandon rights and privileges belonging to the society ; To give receipts ; To begin suits ; DURING THE AUSTRO-PRUSSIAN-ITALIAN CONFLICT. 47 To name and accept arbitrators ; To take oath ; To give power of attorney. All which the coramiltee will have done in the name of the corporation will be obli- gatory for the latter. All documents emana- ting from the committee, must be signed by the president and two members of the com- mittee. §6. Among affairs also within the province of the comniitlee are : 1 . The international relations of the So- ciety with foreign societies and governments ; 2. The arrangements to be taken in concert with the Prussian authorities on the subject of the operation of the Society ; 3. All which concerns the organization of the Society; 48 SANITARY INSTITUTIOiSS 4. The convocation and direction of gene- ral assemblies ; 5. Making oul the balance sheet of the So- ciety ; 6. The deliberations and resolutions on the subject of the employment of the funds in time of peace ; 7. The urgent measures to be taken at the commencement of war and during its preva- lence. 8. The general administration of the So- ciety's funds ; 9 . The measures to be taken for augmenting the resources of the corporation ; 10. The correspondance with the provin- cial and parish societies, unless the statutes of the provincial society specify that the Central committee must correspond directly only with the provincial committee and not with the local or parish societies. DURING THE AUSTRO-PRUSSIAN-ITALIAN CONFLICT. A9 The membei's of the Central committee were elected among the most respected and estee- med men of the monarchy; they were : Prince de Reuss, president; Messrs Abeken; Count d'Arnim Boytzenbourg, formerly Minister of State, vice-presidents ; Bleichroeder, coun- sellor to the Minister of Commerce; Caspar, counsellor at the Court of Appeals ; de Dec- ker, court printer; Lieutenant general de Derenthall; Professor Firmenich-Richart : de Gruner, Doctor de Langenbeck, Doctor Gurlt, etc., etc. CHAPTER TV COMBAT OF LANGENSALZA Obstinacy of the strugj;le. — The town of Langensalza encumbered with wounded. — Complete insufficiency of resources in the me- dical service of the Hanoverian army and the Prussian detachment. — Distress of the surgeons. — Their joy at the sight of the relief sent forward by the central committee of Berlin. Hardly had war been inaugurated before the central committee of the Prussian society had the opportunity of demonstrating to all , how powerful was the organization created by the corporation, and with what favor its appeal to patriotic and humane sentiments, had been received by the entire nation. On the 28"* June, a detachment of Prus- sian troops, about five thousand strong, 52 SANITARY INSTITUTIONS and almost all natives of Berlin, had marched to meet the Hanoverian army, which was mo- ving towards the South in order to effect a junction with the Bavarian troops. The shock between thePrussian corps and the main body' of the Hanoverians was very violent; both sides fought with extreme obstinacy, and the contest lasted for five hours. The Prussians, after displaying prodigies of valour, were obliged to fall back, which they did in good order. The Hanoverian army experienced enormous losses; and the day, although glo- rious for the flag of Hanover, proved clearly theinutilityofaprolonged struggle against the Prussian forces. The Hanoverians retired upon the town of Langeusalza, and the Prussians camped in the neighborhood. The bloody combat was not yet terminated, when the in- sufficiency of resources which the Prussian medical Corps could dispose of, was felt in a DURING THE AUSTRO-PRUSSIAN-ITALIAN CONFLICT. 53 cruel manner; and as to the resources of the Hanoverians, they were nearly nothing, as we are going to show. Such was the situation when the royal tiommissioner to the central committee of the Prussian Relief Society, Count de Stollberg, received information at about 5 o'clock in the afternoon, that there were fifteen hundred wounded at Langensalza,who were absolutely in want of bread. Immediately, the central committee, with a most commendable acti- vity, responded to the call ; after midnight, three special convoys left the Berlin station, bearing the succors of the Sanitary Society upon the field of battle. Among the supplies sent forward, were 1072 bandages, represen- ting all together a length of 8125 yards of linen ; 150 plaster preparations, 4 bottles of chloroform, 124 mattresses, 150 compresses, 500 shirts, 102 towels, 100 pairs of socks. 54 SANITARY INSTITUTIONS lint, slippers, wadding, drawers, surgical instruments, chocolate, and a host of other things destined to relieve or revive the woun- ded. "We see that the committee had shown itself provident and was ready at the first appeal to fulfil its duty nobly and wor- thily. One of its members accompanied the expe- dition, as also eight physicians, and several male and female volunteer nurses, among whom were six deaconesses of the Institution of Protestant Sisters. At Magdebourg several other physicians and nurses united themselves with the members of the Relief Society. The central committee had taken care to telegraph to the local committee of Gotha, the order to prepare vehicles for receiving the supplies shipped, so that no delay was encountered and the convoy reached the little town of Langensalza early in the morning. Here was DURING THE AUSTRO-PRUSSIAN-ITALIAN CONFLICT. 55 a sad spectacle. Langensalza was still occupied by the Hanoverians, and although a considerable part of their wounded had al- ready been removed out of the town, there still remained more than a thousand of them, and about three hundred Prussians, distri- buted in fifteen different quarters. The Hano- verian surgeons were endeavoring to make up by their zeal, for their insufficiency in num- ber ; under the skilful direction of their chief, Doctor Stromeyer, one of the most eminent German military surgeons, they accom- plished prodigies of devotion, but they were in want of everything which couldhave rendered such efforts useful . Neither were the Prussian surgeons in sufficient number to give necessary atten- tions to such a multitude of wounded. In- deed no one was prepared for so terrible a carnage; the hospital service was wan- 56 SANITARY INSTITUTIONS ting not only in nurses, but, strange to say, it (lid not even possess the necessary ma- terial for arranging a single ambulance hospital ; so the wounded Hanoverians and Prussians were placed upon such straw as could be hastily procured ; some were laying upon the ground ; few were they to whom a bed, furnished with a straw malting, had been given. The army surgeons, exhausted by fatigue , were distressed at the sight of so much suffering which they were powerless to alleviate. We may judge then of the satisfaction experienced, when they saw the arrival of a long train of wagons which brought them all those different things so much needed : bedding, lint, bandages, com- presses, and provisions! We may fancy their gratification when they saw coming to their aid, the male and female nurses and the physicians the Relief Society had sent! DURING THE AUSTRO-PROSSIAN-ITALIAN CONFLICT. 57 Every thing was soon transformed and a better aspect of affairs followed. All the wounded Prussians and Hanoverians were installed in good beds, order was established and anxieties ceased. CHAPTER V THE BATTLE OF SADOWA Magnitude of the struggle. Heart-rending scenes. — Large numbers of wounded remain several days without dressing of wounds. — Activity and devotedness of Prussian physicians. — Ambulances in the villages surrounding the battle field; — Solicitude and kind- ness of the surgeons in the field hospitals. — The wounded in the hospitals of Milowitz and Sadowa. It has been shown in the preceding chap- ter, with what intelligence and energy the central committee of the Prussian Society gave aid and assistance to the medical department of the army, at the first con- Uict between the hostile forces. Yet that, was so to speak, only the first trial made by the institution of its forces. From that mo- ment it became conscious of what it could 60 SANITARY IINSTITUTIOINS realize, and when graver and more decisive events occurred to astonish Germany and Europe, almost immediately after the combat of Langensalza, the Prussian Society proved in a splendid manner the great services a work based upon the free cooperation of a united people can render in these solemn moments. The Prussian troops had penetrated into Bohemia by the narrow defiles of Saxony and Riesengebirge. A. series of bloody battles had conducted them to the banks of theElbe before the fortress of Konigsgraetz. Here upon the hills and in the vast plain which are near that city, the grand and memo- rable battle took place, which will remain in the annals of history as one of the grea^ test events of the 19"" century. More than five hundred thousand com- batants confronted each other on the mor- DURING THE AUSTRO-PRLSSIAN-ITALIA.N' CONFLICT. 61 ning of the S** ol' July. The shock was terrible ; from eight o'clock in the morning until five in the evening, the roar of cannon was incessant; and when, towards evening, the Ring of Prussia, who had directed the battle, put himself in pursuit of the formi- dable Austrian army that he had just con- quered, more than forty thousand wounded strewed the immense space which stretches from the village of Sadowa to Chlum, and from Nechanitz to the fortress of Konigs- graetz. The bloody scene of Solfermo, however cruel and terrible it was, can- not be compared to the immense carnage which characterized the day of Sadowa. When the Sanitary companies of the Prussian army explored the field of battle an indescribable spectacle was witnessed. Thousands of Austrians, whole squadrons of men, were lying upon the soil in the alti- 62 SANITARY INSTITUTIONS tude which they had at the moment when, arrived within reach of the Prussian projec- ' tiles, they had fallen overwhelmed by the deadly fire; m the midst of the dead, innu- merable wounded were lying and implo-. ring assistance at the hands of their con- querors. Among the Prussians the scene was not less heart-rending. Thousands of men were laying pell mell upon the ground, some destroyed by the Austrian squadrons which had charged with reckless impe- tuosity ; others wounded by the conical balls of the infantry, or mutilated by the shot of the artillery, which, placed upon the heights of Chlum and Nechanitz, had swept the Prussian ranks. AVe may easily fancy the work which the Austrian and Prussian surgeons had to do on this bloody day ; the Prussian surgeons particular- ly, for we must remember that the Aus- DURING THE ALSTRO-PRUSSIAN-ITALI.O COMFI.ICT. 65 trjan army in its retreat left almost all its wounded upon the field of battle, abando- ning to the generosity of the enemy the task of picking up and providing for them. The surgeons of the Prussian army did not fail in this duty, as will be seen further on ; they took care of Prussians and Austrians with an equal solicitude; in acting thus, Prussia was not only obeying a natural senti- ment of generosity and humanity, but was fulfilling the engagements to which she had subscribed in signing the treaty of Ge- neva. To have fulfdled such engagements con- scientiously after this day of carnage, was a glorious work, but oneof exlrcme difficulty. During three days and nights the sanitary companies explored, without intermission, the battle field, taking up the wounded with solicitude and tenderness; yet however ear- 5 tU SAMTARY I:\ST1TUTI0NS iiest may have been Ihe disposition lo cariv succour lo all indiscriminately, many woun- ded died before they could be transported lo the temporary hospitals. How, indeed, was it possible to organize immediately hospitals in sufficient number to receive so many thou- sands of wounded? These had been pi- cked up and placed in carts and wagons hastily collected; but where were they to be transported now? A part of these unfortunate beings had to remain in vehi- cles and endure for a long time unheard of tortures, in spite of the assiduous at- tentions of the Prussian surgeons, who, worn out with fatigue, sustained themsel- ves by a supreme effort and by the sen- timent which they had of the grandeur of their task. When I arrived upon the lield of battle, a little order had commenced to show it self. liURING THK AUSTKO-PKUSSJAN-ITALIAN CONFLICT. 05 Volunteer physicians had arrived from all quarters, and the benevolent influence of the central committee of the Prussian So- ciety began to be sensibly felt. I did not meet a wounded man who had not already received intelligent attention. Besides, if a large number of wounded, had remai- ned in the transport wagons, or upon the battle lield two entire days without having their wounds dressed, we must remember (hat the carnage took place over an immense extent of ground; that many wounded, ha- ving sought shelter in the houses aban- doned by the countrypcople, had become exhausted there, and that it became neces- sary to explore villages several leagues dis- tant from each other in order to discover them. As soon as the first duties were fulfilled, the surgeons organized the hospital service 60 SANITARY INSTITUTIONS with an admirable precision, and with an appearance of uniformity which left nothing to be desired. Those who were slightly woxm- ded were immediately conducted, some to the neighboring towns of Reichenberg, Hor- silz, andGitshin in Bohemia, and others to Prussia and Saxony. Those who w^ere severely wounded and could not endure the journey, were established in the villages situated on the battle ground; and five days after the fight there was not a village within the circum- ference of four leagues that was not filled with wounded. I visited with the liveliest solicitude these extemporaneous hospitals, and I can not express the profound im- pression I felt every lime when I saw, at the entrance of one of these hamlets, sadly floating upon the principal house of the ])lace, the while flag, which indicated to the passer by, that there were here, lying DUUING THIi AUSTRO-PRUSSIAN-ITAUAN CONFLICT. 07 upon beds of suffering, the victims of a scourge which is said lo be indispen- sable to humanity. Still in each of these asylums 1 had occasion also to admire the admirable devotion of the Prussian sur- geons and nurses. They were there, ad- ministering affectionately to the wants of those entrusted to their care. In each asy- lum there were at most, about twenty pa- tients; so the physicians knew them all by name, questioned them with care, attached themselves to them, and became in turn beloved by these unfortunate suffe- rers. I shall never forget a scene which I witnessed in the little village of Milowitz. In a wooden house, composed of a giound floor or single story, about twenty wounded were collected in a large room. The hall was well lighted and the air circulated freely. On entering this room I was received by 1)8 SAiNlTARV INSTITUTIONS the physician in charge, with thai courtesy, to which all the Prussian mihtary surgeons I had met, had accustomed me. He con- ducted me to a bed where a young Hunga- rian soldier was lying; a wound received full in the breast was not looking badly, but the leg was swollen. There was evi- dently a bone fractured near the ankle, and the ball hud remained in the wound; still there existed some doubt on this subject. When I arrived in the hospital, the chief of the medical service of the Prussian army, Pro- fessor Langenbeck, the celebrated surgeon, had just entered; he went immediately to the wounded young man, near whom were three other physiciaus. Nothing could be more touching than the solicitude with which the surgeon in chief and the other physicians examined the patient. Mr de Langenbeck, while probing the wound, addressed words I)IIMI,N(J THU AUSTRO-PRILSSIAN-irALIAN CONFLICT. C9 lull oridndiiess lo the sufferer ; he encoura- ged him lo support palienlly a pain which he could not spare him. I followed with undisguised admiration the skilful hands of the surgeon, when suddenly turning towards us he said: '' The ball is here". Then ad- dressing himself to the patient he added : " Now be at rest, my boy; you shall soon return home to those who love you. " This fact is cited not simply to exhibit a trait of goodness and humanity, but because I believe tliat in a large number of cases, an encouraging word renders less cruel the sufferings of the wounded in foreign coun- tries, far from those who bear them interest and attachment. In hospitals where the sick are nursed by women, they will often find opportunities to speak of the absent country and those they have left there; but in the military hospitals that I visited in the vil- 70 SANITARY INSTITUTIONS lages of Bohemia, there were none of ihese women by the bedside of the wounded. To see the gentleness and goodness of the nurses and physicians, one would say that they wis- hed to assure to their patients the same cares and attentions that sisters of charity would have shown for them. An example of this de- votion of the surgeons in the Prussian army is still present in my mind. Count Harrach possessed in the village of Sadowa a large sugar refinery. During the battle this esta- blishment, for a moment the center of a struggle, was riddled with shot. After the action the manufactory was transformed into a hospital ; the beds were in the large work shop on the ground floor, placed against the walls and the machines, and also in the upper galeries. All this was organized with so perfect a knowledge of sanitary prin- ciples that, on entering the establishmenl, DURING THE AUSTRO-PRLSSIAN-ITALIAN CONFLICT. 71 I discovered myself in a spacious hos- pital, well lighted and provided with an excellent ventilation. Here were placed about fifty wounded, whom a physician and his assistants were attending, with fraternal so- licitude. There was among other patients an inhabitant of the place. Afew moments before my arrival this man had picked up a bomb, in the court, which he supposed extinguished and the projectile liad.burst in his arms, and woimded him frightfully. He was lying upon his bed of pain, and death near at hand. But, after all, he had the satisfaction of being surrounded by his wife and children in that trying hour. The surgeon of the establish- ment who accompanied me said : " Cer- tainly that man is to be pitied, but the young Italian you see yonder, and who is going to die, is still more unfortunate, because he will die far from his friends and his country. 72 SA.MTADY liNSTITIITfONS It especially is our duty to mitigate as much as possible, by the affectionate attention we give him, the poignancy of such a death. " All these hospitals scattered in the vil- lages of Bohemia, were in communication with each other through the medium of daily reports. Sanitary inspectors visited them fre- quently, and Mr de Laiigebenck particularly, indefatigable in the accomplishment of his duty, was continually present in these esta- blishments, to encourage the zeal of the sur- geons and to aid them by his knowledge and experience. CHAPTER VI ' ACTIVITY np THE PRUSSIAN SOCIETY Imp'ortiint convoys shipped to the theatre of war. — Depots establis- hed in Bohemia and on the banks of the Mein. — International character of the Prussian ReUef Society. — BM/fe-1TAL1AN CONFLICT. 7o Ihe Prussians had been victorious, from Na- chod to the town of Gitschin, A part of the goods, nevertheless was reserved for the wounded that were constantly brought back from the ditferent battle fields. The convoys of wounded formed a long line of carriages advancing slowly and with difficulty. When the delegates of the Society met these woun- ded a sad sight was offered them : in heavy wagons, men were lying upon straw, who, after having received a first dressing of their wounds, had remained from thirty to forty- eight hours without food. All the resources of the country had been exhausted, and one cannot think without shuddering, of the fate which had inevitabily befallen a portion of these men, if the commissioners of the Relief society had not arrived ihere, at the decisive moment, to offer provisions to the sufferers, and recall them, as it were, to life. 76 SANITARV liN'STlTUTlONS A few days after, a more considerable train started out from Berlin. The battle of Sa- dowa had been fought, and the Prussian army was moving rapidly upon Vienna. An- other battle not less bloodv was anticipated, and it was necessary at the same time to face the double exigences of the moment. One of the convoies forwarded by the Society on receiving the news of the great battle, had an approximative value of 60,000 dollars, and among the things composing it, were i tons of ice, destined for the service of the hospitals. The committee sent forward every day, during a fortnight, a train of sup- plies for Bohemia. To introduce order in an enterprise so great and so difficultj the ne- cessity was felt of establishing grand de- pots upon the very theatre of operations. From tliese the field hospitals could be aided according to (heir wants, anrl relief DIJKING THE AUSTKO-PKUSSlA.N-n\LlAi\ CONFLICT. 77 carried promptly to tlie wounded wherec- ver a sei'ions engagement should demand the solicitude of the Society's delegates. Such depots were speedily organized at Turnau, Gilschin, and especially at Koeniginhof,Trau- tenau, Brunn, Pardubitz, Wurzbourg, and Wertheim. But in spite of the precautions and wise measures, which the central committee had taken, the supplies destined for the army of Bohemia experienced often regrettable de- lays, on account of the encumbrance which existed on the rail ways. I could not resist a feeling of sadness at the sight of the numerous wagons which remained whole days in the railway stations from Dresden to Prague. These delays were the more lamentable from the fact that while considerable shipments of provisions were spoiling in the stations, pressing wants were felt in the hospitals of Brunn and the vicinity, where the cholera 78 SAMTAUV IiNSTlTUTIOKS wiis raging with violence. It would have been easy to have sent the shipments of the Society to Prague, by organizing a transport service on ' the Elbe; but unfortunately the Saxon com- mander of the fortress of Koenigstein, a for- tress which commanded the river, had decla- red that he would sink every transport that passed under the guns of the place. This was a deplorable decision in every respect, for it must not be forgotten that the So- ciety of Relief to the wounded was based upon an international principle; and in for- bidding it the free navigation of the Elbe, precious succor was withheld not only from the sick and wounded Prussians, but also, and particularly, from the Austrians and Saxons themselves, who were in considerable number in all the hospitals of Bohemia. At the same time that the society was exerting an incessant activity in assisting the DURING THE AUSTRO-l'RUSSIAN-ITALlAN COjNFLKJT. 70 sick and wounded of llie armies thai were operating in Austria, it exhibited a foresight and solicitude no less great, in regard to the troops that were acting in Bavaria and upon the banks of the Mein. Always acquainted iii good time with the movements of the army, tlie central committee of the society directed its shipments, provisions, and nurses, upon |)oints where engagements were likely to take place. In this manner sixty convoies were at different times despatched to those quarters, so that, through the active and intelligent intervention of the Relief society , the army surgeons had at their disposal abundant re- sources during the bloody days of Kissingen andWertheim. What particularly struck me in the manner of acting of this society, was that, notwithstanding the enthusiasm exclu- sively Prussian and patriotic, which animated every soul at this time, and conducted the 80 SANITARY INSTITUTION'S Prussians to brillianL successes, il did not abjure an instant its international mission. Il distributed its aid impartially to the children of Prussia and to their adversaries. I might simply call to mind the fact that, in the field and regular hospitals, among which the society distributed its supplies, there were always two and even three times as many Austrians as Prussians, but more distingui- shing circumstances show to what extent the society was influenced by the sentiment of its international duties. It sent repeatedly, con- siderable sums of money to the Austrian relief societies, particularly that of Prague. A large number of volunteers, belonging to the first families of the country, accompa- nied, without any remuneration, the trains despatched by the society. These volunteers watched over the articles forwarded, and nndertooM the distribution of the different bUKING THE AlSTRO-PlUiSSIAN-lTALlAN CONFLICT. 81 objects, according to the inslruclioiis of the central committee. When the goods could not continue their route on the railway, the agents of the society obtained horses and wagons, andby reason of perseverance arrived in opportune time at the place of destination. For this object, upon the order of the Queen of Prussia, sixty horses and thirty carriages were placed at the disposition of the agenls of the society to effect the transportation of materials, sent by the committee of Berlin, from Dresden to Bohemia. In general, the beneficent action of the Queen was often fell when it became desirable to aid the society in accomplishing its mis- sion in an effective manner. Sometimes this sovereign and the princess royal , came to the bureaux of the society, to encourage by their presence, the ladies occupied in preparing linen and vainous objects which were to be 82 S.\!N1TAUV INSTITUTIONS lorwardcJ lo the army; al other Limes Ihey visilod the large lowns of Ihc couiilry in order lo sliinulale the zeal oi' the local societies. In this way it was, that the shipments from the pi'ovincial societies came to be occasio- nally very considerable. The stales allied to Prussia, also placed al the disposition of the central committee the products of public benevolence. The free city of Bremen for instance, despatched to Berlin at one time, 8,000 dollars in specie, 400 casks and 1,300 bottles of wine, 380 bottles of port, 900 pounds of tobacco, 47,000 cigars, 2,000 pounds of sugar, and 1000 of rice; the days following, shipments as consi- derable arrived from this same city and ihe grand duchy of Oldenbourg, while the city of Hamburg sent immense quantities of ice. The central committee distributed with intelligence and without parsimony the re- DURING TUE AUSTRO-l'RUSSIAN-ITALIAN CONFLICT. 85 sources it posessed. After the battle of Sa- flowa, and shortly after the treaty of Nickols- bourg, it made a shipment to Prague which, by its proportions, reminded me of 'those forwarded at times by the United States Sani- tary Commission to the federal army. This train or convoy was composed of 22 wagons, and 1 notice among the supplies then sent 50,000 pounds of meat, 34,000 bottles of red wine, 1 ,500 bottles of cognac, 20,000 pairs of slippers, 5,000 flannel belts, 62,000 cigars and a host of other things as useful as varied. Independently of the depots where it stored its supplies, the Relief society had organized at the principal railway stations, particularly at the branchline or junction stations, grand buffets where its agents were busied in dis- tributing succor to the wounded who were passing, as well as to the field hospitals esta- blished in the vicinitv of these stations. 8i SANITARY INSTITUTIONS Pardnbitz, for example, is a railway sta- tion on the line leading from Dresden to Yienna and forms a point of junction for se- veral-branch roads. From eight to ten thou- sand men were in garrison there, and towards the end of July the military hospitals of the place were crowded with cholera patients. At this important point the society had esta- blished a principal depot which was able to supply the hospitals with every thing neces- sary for their sick and wounded, and with all the food suitable for convalescents. In ad- dition it had fixed in the railway station one of these buffets of which 1 speak, in order to be belter able to distribute its help to the troops that passed, or were temporarily sta- tioned there. It gave daily to each soldier, convalescent or suffering, beef soup, meat, a large glass of wine, a small glass of cognac, with sugar or fresh water, bread, cigars, and, DURING THIi: AUSTRO-PRUSSIAN-ITAUAN CO^FLICT. 85 in the morning, a cup of coffee and sweetened bread. From the month of May to July, the number of soldiers passing through Pardii - bilz, and assisted by the society amounted, on an average, to three hundred daily. Another branch ofthis kind, established at Bodenbach, an important station on the railway from Dresden to Vienna, distributed in the same manner, and in Lhe same time, refreshments to 5,500 convalescents, and to 5,000 well men, fatigued from long travel. This branch establishment, entrusted to the direction of M' Auerbach, a distinguished professor of Ber- lin, who had voluntarily offered his services lo the society, this establishment, I say, pla- ced each day 500 rations at the disposal of the troops who pa> sed, and each ration con- sisted of a half pound of meat, a loaf of while bread, agobletof wine, a small glass ofbrandy and a glass of sugared water, for the soldier so SANITARY INSTITUTIONS in health : if the soldier was unwell or con- valescent, he was offered another soup or broth. It is lo be regretted that in such cases, these branch establishments did not have at their disposition the excellent beef extract of Borden, which makes one of the best broths that can be offered to convales- cents. The foresight of the society was not res- tricted to establishing these grand buffets; in most of the places which were points of junction for branch railways , thfe central committee had established hospitals destined to receive sick soldiers arriving at the sta- tion and unable to continue their route. These establishments , provided with everything necessary for the treatment of the sick, and conducive to their comfort, rendered im- portant services to the army, particularly when the cholera came lo add its horrors to WRim THE AUSTRO-PRUSSIAN-ITALIAN CONFLICT. S7 those of war. At Ihe same time that the so- ciety was in this manner succoring the sick and wounded upon the very theatre of war, it also distributed its benefits among those crowding the large hospitals of Berlin, Bres- lau, Dresden and most of the principal towns of Prussia. The directors of these hospitals and the sick whom I had occasion to question on the subject, willingly and unanimously acknowledged the services, for which they were indebted to the relief society. Always ingenious in finding an opportunity lo fulfil its mission nobly, by giving every possible comfort to the sick, it appealed to the book- sellers and publishers, to engage them to furnish, as offerings to the society, such books as might enable the sick and wounded to support their sufferings more patiently, by affording them attractive or profitable reading. A response to the appeal of the SS SANITARY IINSTITUTIONS central committee was made and a large number of books sent, which were classed with intelligence. A committee, appointed by the society, and composed of booksellers and men of learning , formed very varied collections of these donations and distributed them in the field hospitals, as well as those of Berlin and other cities. I was particularly struck, while looking over the list of the various books, with the happy idea manifested by introducing in these improvised libraries a very large number of Italian, Hungarian and Sclavonian works; the sick and wounded of the Austrian army, nursed by Prussia, being much more nume- rous than the Prussian sick, and composed in part of Italians, Hungarians and Poles, it was determined that they should profit alike by the benefits of the measure adopted. This measure had been taken especially with a DURING THE AUSTRO-PRUSSIAN-ITALIjVN CONFLICT. 8!i view lo the convalescents. Indeed the society proved itself constantly, as interested in aiding them, as it was attentive in lavishing its cares upon the sick. It employed a sum of about 150,000 francs (30,000 dollars) to send convalescent soldiers, officers and surgeons to watering places; and the day the Prussian army entered Berlin, it deli- vered to every convalescent soldier in the hospitals of that city, regardless of nationa- lity, 8 francs in specie, and two bottles of red wine. In short, at the end of the war, the Prus- sian Society of Relief to the wounded, liad expended in specie a sum of about two mil- lions of francs, for completing its supphesof provisions, and in relieving the wounded ; on the other hand it had received in kind, and distributed articles of a value eslinialed at six million francs. Certainly tliose are con- 90 SANITARY INSTITOTIONS sideiable sums; but the intelligent manner in which these treasures have been distribu- ted, has, so to speak, doubled the value of them. It is proper to add moreover that, if the Society has been able to obtain so great results, it has been especially due to the energy and self-sacrifice of its agents, who have fulfilled everywhere, voluntarily and without remuneration, their noble and dif- ficult mission with a perseverance as admi- rable as it was unfaltering. In justice also we must observe, that the Prussian Govern- ment seconded powerfully the efforts of the Society, in authorizing it to use gratuitously the railways, post and telegraph. To place itself in communication with the public, the Prussian Society of Relief to the wounded, had founded a special organ, the Kriegerheil (Soldiers Salute), an organ in which it gave the public an account of all its DURING THE AUSTRO-l'ilUSSlA.NlTALlA.N CONFLICT. 31 operations, and made Irequenl appeals lo the patriotism and humanity of the Prussian people. This organ continues to appear j it rendered good service during the war and no doubt, now, in lime of peace, is still useful in engaging the po[)ulations to pre- pare, during days of tranquility, that which will benefit suffering humanity when the day of trouble ariives. CHAPTER VII KNIGHTS OF THE ORDBRS OF SAINT JOHN AND MALTA Services rendered by these orders during tlie war. — Hospitals of Berlin. Activity of the Queen and Princess Royal of Prussia in favor of the relief societies. If I have exhibited in the preceding pages the services rendered by the Prussian Society of Relief to the wounded, it is not because it was the only institution of this kind organi- zed by the spontaneous concurrence of the people; 1 have enlarged upon the results obtained by this society, because it was the one established upon an international prin- ciple, and the one possessing also, the most considerable resources* Besides it, there were 04 SANITARY IMSTlTUTiOlNS other jelief societies, such as the society of Kmnig Wilhelm, and the Society of rehel' to ihcarmyj which had likewise for their mis- sion the succoring of the wounded. Endea- vors were made, without success, to effect a coalition between these and the Prussian society; the society Kcenig Wilhelm., never- theless, charged the central committee ot Berlin with the distribution of the relief in kind, which it forwarded to the army. An institution that rendered great services in the hospitals, during the whole war, was the order of the Knights of Saint John. This order, restored in Prussia in 1812, had until latterly, been only honorary. It is still necessary to be descended from noble parents in order to become a member of it. Ah^eady at the time of the Schleswig- Holstein campaign the members of this order, recollecting the elevated mission of DURING THE AUSTRO-PRUSSIM-ITALIAN CO.N'FLICT. 95 the ancient Knights of Saint John, of whom they considered themselves the continuators, wished to be useful by consecrating them- selves to nursing the sick and wounded sol- diers. During the campaign against Den- mark, the order of Saint John had organized a sanitary service, and had sent several of its members to the hospitals and to the battle- field. When the war broke out between Prussia and Austria, the former government confer- red on the grand master of the order of Saint John, Count Stollberg-Wernigerode, the title and powers of commissary general and mi- litary inspector of the volunteer hospital service. He was also appointed government commissioner, to the central committee of the Society of Relief to the wounded. This society, through the earnest and cordial concurrence of Count StoUberg, contracted un SANITARY INSTITUTIONS an inlimale alliance wilh the order of Saint John. A member of the order received the special mission of maintaining relations of fraternization between the Society and the order of Knights. By this union the Reliaf Society was enabled to extend its operations greatly, for every where, upon the wide field of events the Knights of the order of Saint John were present as delegates of their Grand Master. By a special combination, these Knights were almost always delegates at the same time of the Relief Society. It was these Knights who were most frequently placed at the head of the numerous depots which the Society had established in Austria ; it was they who in their quaUty of hospital vo- lunteers, acquainted the Relief Society with the wants of the different hospitals in which they were serving. DURING THIi AUSTRO-l'KUSSIAN-lTALlAiN COMFLICT. 97 The order of Saint John is an evange- lical proleslant institution. Throughout the whole war it did not cease to render emi- nent services; it generously accepted for its line of conduct the principles of the international convention of Gene\a, and lavished its attentions without distinction upon friends and enemies. Since it has thus been, since it has become, by the very force of circumstances , the most important hospital institution of Prussia, would it not be desirable, to better ac- complish the end in view, that it should not remain purely an aristocratic order, but on the contrary enlarge its lists by permitting that every man who should have distinguished himself by personal bravery or by services rendered to suffering humanity, might obtain the honor of being a Knight of the order, and might bring to 98 SANITARY INSTITUTIONS it the cooperation of his experience and devotion. Rivaling in zeal the Knights of the order of Saint John, were the Knights of the ca- tholic order of Malta. Associating them- selves in the arduous efforts of the sanitary companies, the members of these two or- ders have courageously done their duty upon the battle fields, and in the field hospitals, as well as in their quality of commissioners intrusted with conducting I he trains sent by the Relief Society and with distributing the supplies forwarded. I have remarked that, the Prussian Rebel Society had not succeeded in centralizing in its own hands the resources of the other analogous societies which were in ope- ration at Berlin. It is proper to add however thai there did not exist between these socie- ties any antagonism, and that all carried into DURING THE AUSTRO-PRUSSIAN-ITALIAN CONFLICT. flO the accomplishment of their task the same earnestness and the same ardor. Spontaneous offerings^ the efforls of pu- blic benevolence, are not however limited to relief societies. They are reproduced elsewhere and whenever local circumstances exact a certain independence in the assi- stance given. It is thus that in the single city of Berlin, when some ten or more great military ambulances and seven permanent hospitals were in operation, twenty-three private hos- pitals had been improvised in the space of a few weeks; a large number of families in all the provinces had asked for and adopted either the sick or convalescent, and in addition many landed proprietors had tran- sformed their chateaux into hospitals, and had taken convalescents to their homes in order to surround them with kind attentions. 100 SANITAKV INSTITUTIONS The samedevoledness and the same solici- tude which we had observed among ihe Prus- sian surgeons in Ihe field ambulances, wc again discovered at Berlin in the civil and military surgeons who had united their efforts to attend to the thousands of wounded distributed in all the quarters of the capital. In general the Berlin hospitals were neatly kept; but almost always something was wan- ling in the way of a proper system of venti- lation : this serious inconvenience was remar- ked especially in the great Charily hospital ; an immense edifice in which a multi- tude of sick and wounded .were collected. The air did not circulate sufficiently, and to make it penetrate throughout the building, it was necessary to open the windows and thus create currents of air always dangerous in such circumstances. A Hospital well aired and lighted, was the IJURING THE AUSTRO-PRUSSIAN-ITALIAN CONFLICT. 101 provisional hospilal established in ihe callio- jic house of the Sisters of Sainl-Hedwig. Here at last we found, thai, the. absence of which had so painfully impressed us in most of the hospilal establishments of Prussia, females to nurse the sick. Here, in the house of the Sisters of Saint-Hedwig, we saw the sisters assiduous in attentions to the sick ; and the surgeon relieved of great res- ponsibility, knowing that the prescribed dres- sing would be performed with promptness and gentleness. Indeed, I have assisted at dressings undertaken by these holy women; and avow in all sincerity that, in my opi- nion, it would have been difficult for even the most expert surgeon to have accomplished them more skillfully and intelligently. There were also in this house reserved rooms, very clean, well aired, and well furnished, where wounded officiers received all the attentions 102 SANITARY INSTITUTIONS necessitated by their condition. At the. time we visited the eslabhshment all the rooms were occupied by Austrian officers wounded at the battle of Sadowa. 1 have just said that the absence of female nurses was painfully felt in most of the Prussian hospitals. It must not be under- stood however, that they were missing there entirely. Far from it : evangelical deaconess, a large number of sisters of Charity and ca- tholic nuns, had been spontaneously directed wherever their holy mission became neces- sary, and to their eminent services, was joi- ned the cooperation of women of every rank in society, who voluntarily look part in the admirable and arduous task of aiding the physician, to restore to health those whose death seemed inevitable, or to render less painful the last hours of those visited by death. There was in Prussia a woman DURING THE AUSTRO-PRUSSIAN-ITALIAN CONFLICT. 105 who, by her goodness, her intelligence and position, knew how lo cheer the heart of the faltering and inspire other women of her country with the noble ardor that animated herself. This woman was the Queen of Prus- sia. She did not limit herself to patronizing the relief societies that were established in all the provinces of the kingdom, at Breslau and Magdebourg; but often accom- panied by the Princess Royal, she herself vi- sited the sick and wounded ; and we shall ne- ver forget the emotion experienced when, at Berlin, having permitted us to accompany her, we saw her address to the wounded, to the Austrians as well as to the Prussians, words of kindness and consolation. The sick regarded her with admiration and all without exception blessed her for her good- ness. In short, it must be acknowledged that du- 1(14 SANITARY INSTITIJTKIA'S ring ihe brief period of lliat great campaign on the Mein and in Bohemia, Prussia made energetic and efficacious efforts to provide for and comfort her sick and wounded sol- diers, and has never departed from the international obligations imposed upon her by the Geneva convention. She has nursed always and everywhere in Bavaria, Saxony and in Austria, her own chil- dren and her enemies with the same solici- tude. It would be difficult for me to forget the affecting scene I witnessed at Radeberg, a small town in Saxony noted for its mineral waters. A number of Austrian convalescents had arrived there for the purpose of using the waters. They were accompanied by some of the Prussian surgeons who had attended them while in the hospitals. When the time came for bidding farewell to the surgeons, the nten, gathering around those to whom DURING THE AUSTRO-PRUSSIAN-ITALIAN CONFLICT. 105 they were indebted forthe preservation of life took their hands and kissed them affectiona- tely and then, by a spontaneous movement formed a circle around them, and saluted them three times with the heartiest acclama- tions. CHAPTER VII RELIEF SOCIETIES IN SAXONV AND SOUTHERN GERMANY The Saxoii Relief society. — General de Reitzenstein. — Sanitary society o( Wuilembourg. — Elevated views of the Queen of Wur- tembourg upon the mission of sanitary institutions. — The Ba- dlsclier Fraumverein.. — Zeal and devotion of the Grdnd-Duchess and Princess Wilhelm. — Sanitary movement in Bavaria. In olher parts of Germany engaged in the struggle, the efforts for succoring wounded soldiers were not less vigorous than in Prus- sia ; only, the field of action being more res- tricted, and Prussian intervention having taken place from the beginning, these efforts could not manifest themselves in a manner as forcible and characteristic. Ill Saxony, from the first news of the enga- 108 SANITAHY INSTITUTIOKS gemenLs that had taken place in Bohemia, several relief societies were voluntarily orga- nized at Dresden, Leipzig, Chemnitz and Zit- lau. The women especially distinguished themselves by their eagerness in preparing lint, and placing at the disposal of the diffe- rent committees which they had instituted, Hnen, refreshments and provisions. When the trains of wounded arrived at Dresden, such a number of women pre- sented themselves at the hospitals, that the medical officers had to intervene and refuse Lhem access; they brought their offerings pell mell, moved by a noble sentiment of compas- sion, but without order and without discern- ment. And then, they demanded at times that the refreshments which they came in person, to offer to the wounded, should he given in preference either lo the Saxons or the Austrians. Little by little order was establish DURliNG THE AUSTR0-I'RUSSIAl\-1TAL1Ai\ CONFLICT. lOU bed, the service of volunUiry relief centrali- sed, and through the judicious efforts of the President of the Saxon society, the excellent and indefatigahle General de Reilzenstein, they were enabled to distribute advanla- giously to all the wounded , the relief in money and in kind which arrived abundantly from all the districts of Saxony. The regular hospital of Dresden having become insuf- ficient, the military school and several other establishments, particularly a large public school, were converted into hospitals. Thus transformed, the latter building seemed to me to satisfy all exigencies, as a well aired and well ventilated hospital. The civil physicians of Dresden rivaled in zeal the military ones of Prussia, and 1 doubt whether wounded soldiers ever received more intelligent and kinder attentions than those in the hospitals of Dresden. As much 110 SANITARY INSTITDTIONS could be said of those in the hospital of Ziltau, where the ablest physicians of the district came by turns to give their assistance to the military surgeons. If we now direct our attention to Sou- thern Germany we there see also energe- tic endeavors to organize and centralize the sanitary service upon the principles of the Geneva convention, and even a certain tendency to profit from the example given by the United States Sanitary commission. This tendency was manifested particularly in Wurtemberg, where several local relief societies were organized in the different towns of the Kingdom, as soon as the con- flict appeared inevitable. The service of all these societies was centralized at Stutt- gart under the direction of the Sanitaets- Verein, an international society that was placed under the direct patronage of the DUBING THE AUSTRO-PKUSSIAN-ITALIAN CONFLICT. HI Queen. There was, besides, a greal en- thusiasm in all classes of the population, on account of the energetic impulsion gi- x ven to the movement by both the King and Queen ; indeed it could hardly be otherwise, since Wurlemberg had been one of ihe first powers to sign the Geneva Convention. « The Queen manifested m this undcrla- ?C king a continued and commendable acli- A vity. It was she, who so lo speak, ini- tiated the country in this humane work. By her efforts , meetings were inaugu- rated at Stuttgart and in the principal towns of the country, in which all classes of society were made acquainted with the aim and utility of relief societies. And when the conflict had commenced and hospitals were established for receiving the wounded, Ihe Queen did not fail in ihc H2 SANITAfiY INSTITUTIONS duly which she had voluntarily imposed upon het'self, but went frequently to sti- mulate by her presence the courage of the patients, as well as the zeal of those who had spontaneously offered themselves to nurse them. Seldom have we heard expressed, upon the part that sanitary institutions are des- tined to perform in time of peace and war, more elevated and just views than those which the Queen was pleased to communicate to us, when we had the honor of conversing with her about the results accomplished by the United States Sanitary Commission. Never, said she one day to us, had she experienced a senti- ment of greater satisfaction than when, having recognized how many services avo- man could render to humanity by taking ])art in the Sanitary movement, she had bUiUiNG THE AUSTRO-l'RySSlAN-lTALlAN CUKKLltiT. 1 15 consecrated herself Lo the mission of acti- vely propagating the sanitary reform in her Kingdom. Through the concurrence of all those who, by their position or knowledge, could influence the population, the resources of the Sanitary Society rapidly augmented, and during the short campaign in wliicii the troops of Wurtemberg were engaged, it was enabled lo render important services by sending relief of every kind, as well as male and female nurses, to the held hospi- tals established at Tauberbischofsheim and the neighboring villages, after the bloody battles which had taken place upon the banks of the Mein. It even sent assistance to the wounded of Bohemia, the hospitals of Vienna, of Berlin, and of Munich. In the Grand- Duchy we noticed an activity not less intelli- gent, and an excellent organization of the 14.4 SANITARY liNSTlTUTlONS international Society of Relief. Bui what is curious and especially lo be obser- ved, is that in the Grand-Duchy it was, as in the United Slates, women who first had the generous thought of founding a society of relief to the wounded. As early as 1859, ihe Badischer Frauen- verein, an association of ladies of the coun- try of Baden, was organized at Carlsruhe, through the initiative of the Grand-Duchess Louise, with the object of succoring the wounded during a war which seemed im- minent at that period. Although the threa- tened scourge was diverted, the association, which had spread throughout the coimlry, continued its activity by adapting itself to the less imperious exigences of peace, without however abandoning its original purpose. The central committee silting at Carlsruhe under the Presidency of the DURING THE AUSTRO-PRUSSIAN-ITALIAN CONFLICT. 115 Grand-Duchess, and having under its direc- tion seventy-four collateral committees in the country, instituted, in 1861, a work which we could not sufficiently recommend to the attention of other Sanitary Societies; it founded Schools for the nurses to bo employed in taking care of sick and wounded soldiers. These female nurses are instructed in the hospitals of Carlsruhe, Pforzheim, and Mannheim. I see in an interesting work which Her Royal Highness has forwarded me, that these devoted women, after an appi-enticeship of. three months under the vigilant eye of physicians who give them daily theoretical and practical teaching, undergo an examination, and the central committee gives them certificates according to their capacities. When they have termi- nated their instruction, those who return 110 SAMTARY INSTITUTIONS home in the cily or country remain never- theless under the direction of ihe local Sanitary committee. A part of the nurses stay in the hospitals where they perfect themselves. Lastly some are employed in an establishment at Carlsruhe , founded by the Society, and nurse the sick at home gratuitously in time of peace. Such was the situation of this relief Society when the international Convention of Geneva took place, and to which the Grand-Duchy of Baden was one of the first adherents. The end proposed to be ac- complished had already been foreseen by the Society of the ladies of Baden ; it had even already organized one of the branches of service most strongly recommen- ded to the congress of Geneva. So that there was no necessity of creating in the Grand Duchy a new association especially char- DUIIING THE A.USTR0-PRUSS1AN-1TALIAN CONFLICT. 117 ged to represent the international con- vention. Bnt, when in the month of July 1866, the hope of preserving peace had disap- peared, the Grand Duchess Louise proposed to the minister of war to intrust to the Society, over which she presided, the func- tions of an International Society; this de- mand having been accorded without hesi- tation by the Grand-Ducal Government, the Badischer Frauenverein became from ihal time one of the International So- cieties of Relief to the wounded, and it must be admitted that, during the war, it constantly proved how well its mission was understood and has most worthily fulfilled the noble duties intrusted to il. From the time when the Baden troops first began to experience the fatigues of for- ced marchs, even before they had engaged -118 SANITARY INSTITUTIONS in the combats of the Mein and Tauler, the international society under the Presi- dency of the Grand Duchess ably seconded by the Princess Wilhelm displayed a con- tinued activity. To stimulate the interest of all, the Grand Duchess accompanied by the Prin- cess was seen to labor with the other ladies of the committee; both overlooking wilh extreme attention and solicitude the operations of the society. On this account relief in abundance reached the army from the commencement of the campaign; first cigars, eatables, and refreshments of all kinds were sent; but after the engagements of the 25"' and 28* July, in which the Ba- den division had taken part, the central committee of Carlsruhe forwarded lo Wer- iheim and Tauberbischofsheim a number of its female nurses, who rendered eminent DURING THE AUSTRO-PRUSSIAN-ITALIAN CO.NFUCT. -119 services in the ambulances or temporary hospitals where wounded Prussians, Ba- varians, Wurtembergians and Badoises were lying side by side. " They fulfilled" says the work I have cited " their arduous duties to the full satisfaction of the physicians and the wounded, and succeeded in conquering the distrust which they encountered on their arrival. Some of them belonged to the hig- ^st classes of society. Besides, the mate- rial services which they rendered, their excellent iniluence full of gentleness, the order which they knew how to organize in the small hospitals committed to their care, and the consolation which they dif- fused in the hearts of the suffering, show of what great importance it is that wo- men, whose education places them above the ordinary level, should consecrate them- sislves to the care of the hospitals. The ■120 SANITARY INSTITUTIONS assislanl surgeons who had to do the heavy work oC attending the wounded, too difficult for woman's hand, gained much by association with the lady nurses and fnlfdled their difficult duties with greater care and consideration". The resources which the association pos- sessed, by reason of the emulation that the central committee, had inspired in the country, were so considerable that at the end of the campaign it had still vast sup- plies in its possession, although it had for- warded considerable assistance to be distri- buted in the military hospilals of Bohemia, Vienna and Bavaria. In Bavaria also the sanitary movement was considerable, and there too were associations of women especially who organized the ser- vice of relief to the wounded ; and, by the ac- tive intervention of these associations, the DURING THE AUSTRO-PRUSSIAN-ITALIAN CONFLICT. 121 physicians of the Bavarian army, after the affair of Kissingen, had at their disposal a large quantity of lint, linen, bandages and instruments, at the same time that refresh- ments and provisions of every kind were sent to the hospitals. After having exhibited the efforts which were tried in Prussia and southern Germany for nursing and succoring the wounded, I think I can truly say that nearly everything was done it was possible to do in a cam- paign which scarcely lasted three months, and I will add that, in an international point of view, all the obligations contracted by the signers of the Genevese conven- tion were scrupulously fulfilled , particu- larly in Prussia and the grand-duchy of Baden. CHAPTER IX AUSTRIAN RELIEF SOCIETIES The Patriotischer Oamenverein. — Princess deScliwarzenberg pla- ces her palace at the disposition of the ladies association. — De- votion of Madame de l.owenlhal. — lUa Patriolic Society renders great services to the army. — The Hohlwspital. — Heroic con- duct oF two women. Now whal has been done in Austria? Here we find ourselves as it were upon quite different ground ; for it is no longer a ques- tion of national duties, and of the neutraliza- tion of hospitals. Indeed it will be remembe- -*^d that, for special reasons the Austrian government had refused to sign the treaty of Geneva. But what would it have done if the fortune of arms had been favorable to / V -124 SAMTARY INSTITUTIONS it; if, instead of leaving innumerable sick and wounded in the hands of Prussia, it had been called upon lo provide for at the same time, both its own wounded and a number equally as considerable of Prussians? Would it have been in condition to fulfil in a com- plete and irreproachable manner a task so heavy? It must not be forgotten that Prussia was enabled to fulfil everywhere and to the end, towards numberless sick and wounded, the difficult task imposed by victory itself, not only by means of the superior organiza- tion of its military medical service, but espe- cially through the spontaneous and continued cooperation of sanitary associations ; and I will add that the force and grandeur of such institutions consisted in their having an \\^ ternational character which enlisted their sympathies alike for friends and enemies. After these preliminary reflections, which DURING THE AUSTRO-l'RUSSLW-lTALIAN CONFLICT. 125 I cannot refrain from, having been upon Ihe theatre of evenls when the two armies were still under aims, I will state that at the close of the disasterous campaign, ener- getic and persevering efforts were made at Vienna and in a large portion of the empire to provide for the sick, and supply by the free effort of individuals, what in the sani- tary service of the army had seemed in- complete and defective. After the battle of Sadowa, most of the wounded who had not been abandoned to % the care of the Prussian army were trans- ported to Prague and Vienna ; the lirst having been left in the hands of Prussian physicians, public solicitude was directed principally to Ihe multitudes of wounded in the capital. From the beginning of hostilities an asso- cialion which had already been in operation during the campaign of Holstein, reentered 126 SANITARY INSTITUTIOWS into active service with increased vigor and under anew form. U was called the Patriotischer Bamen- verein, patriotic society of ladies ; as soon as war was delermined upon, it placed itself under the presidency of princess Scharzen- berg, and appealed to all persons in the em- v pire known for interesting themselves spe- cially in works of public benevolence, in order to engage them to participate in the association and accord it iheir earnest cob- peralion. The first reunion of the associated ladies took place at the princess' residence and immLcred only twenty seven persons, a few days later however a second meeting assembled forty, who obligated themselves to procure a thousand florins each for the society. These Indies exerted themselves with so much zeal and devotion thai, shortly af- "S Ler this second reunion, the society had al DURING THE AUSTRO-PRUSSIAN-ITALIAN CONFLICT. 127 its command a sum of one hundred and ten thousand floi'ins instead of the forty-eight thousand which it had asked for. When the trains of wounded arrived, the emperor placed at the disposition of the Patriotischer Damen- verein, two physicians, |one of his palaces in Hungary to be used as a hospital, and surgi- cal instruments; while the sisters of charily, ever present where there are sick to be cared for, offered their services to the association. Thus it was that the association of Austrian ladies became one of the principal sanitary societies of Austria, and rendered great ser- vices to the country, under the presidency of a distinguished woman who had given up to the society for hospital purposes, her handsome palace, with its riding house and stables. This lady undertook besides, the lighting and warming of the establishment, so that the association was charged only 128 SAKITARY INSTITUTIONS with the expense of feeding the sick and wounded. It could consequently dispose of its funds more freely in favor of the sick and convalescent. The society gave to each convalescent, leaving the hospital Schwar- zcnberg which contained one hundred and Lwenly beds, ten florins, and to those who had suffered amputation of limbs, it gave liom one hundred and fifty lo two hundred (lorins ; while to the officers, who left the chateau before being entirely reestablished, it delivered, according to circumstances, four hundred and fifty and even six hundred and fifty florins. Notwithstanding these libe-** ^ ralities it still possessed sufficient capital lo assure to soldiers who had undergone grie-^ vous operations, a life income of sixty florins. But the solicitude of the ladies of this as-^ sociation was not confined alone to the Schwarzenberg- hospital; even before the DURING THIi) AUSTRO-PRUSSIAN-ITALIAN CONFLICT. 129 lasl sick of this temporary establishment were transferred to the hospital of the order of Saint Frangois, one of the members, the Baroness de Lowenthal, whose indefatigable exertion was the admiration of the popula- tion, had already called the attention of the society to this institution sustained by the li- berality of the Imperial family ; and which the emperor Maximilian had endowed with a sum of twenty one thousand florins. In this hospital, of the order of Saint Frangois, Ma- 7^ dam de Lowenthal by the attentions which she gave to the wounded, and especially by the manner in which she lavished them, stimulated a laudable emulation among the hospital employees, and again proved the happy influence always exercised in such circumstances by the presence of ladies belonging to the higher classes of society. If this society of ladies rendered good ser- 150 SANITARY INSTITUTIONS vices, by reason of the deyolion of its mem- bers, the Patriotic Society, from which women were excluded , was the one , of all the Austrian institutions organized and in operation during the war, which most resembled, in its organization and manner of operating, the American society. It had its central committee at Yienna, and local asso- ciations in most of the cities of the empire. IL selected its members among men of readiness and willingness in all classes of society; and, like the sanitary associations of Prussia and the United States, it had organized volunteer hospital corps, who were in waiting at the })rincipal railway stations to give the first at- tentions to the wounded who arrived, and distribute refreshments among them. Under the firm and able direction of its president, Prince Colloredo-Mansfield, this association, sprung from the free concurrence of the po- DURING THK ADSTRO-PRUSSIAN-ITAUAN CONFLICT. 151 pulation, renrlered such important services to the army, that, one of the first measures of archduke Alberl when he had taken com- mand of the army of the North, was to make sure of its cooperation. When, some time after the battle of Sa- y dowa, I visited the Austrian sanitary esta- blishments , the hospitals of Vienna were crowded with wounded, and most of them, being insufficiently aired and lighted , en- couraged a very great mortality. One hospital however contrasted advanta- geously with the others, by its cleanliness, the disposition of its halls, and its good ven- tilation. Yet it was an improvised hospital, called at Vienna [he Holzliospital, because it had been established in a wooden edific6, destined for the agricultural exhibition which took place at the Prater. This hospital was intrusted to a ladies society under the presi- 132 SANITARY INSTITUTIONS dency of Madam Ida von Schmerhng. Founded lhe20it/iof June, this society, called Damen Cmnite, had about fitly members. Some of these established themselves in the hospital confided to their care. They had a diflicult task to discharge, for there were in the large hall alone of the building more than five hundred sick to provide for. This esta- blishment with a single story well aired and lighted, reminded me forcibly of the wooden hospitals such as were constructed in the United Slates. The immense influence exercised upon the means of treatment by a proper ventilation in the hospitals, is demonstrated by the fact ihatin the establishment of the Prater, there were but twelve cases of cholera, only two ' of which proved fatal, while the epidemic raged cruelly in the other hospitals. But a fact still more striking is, ihat, out of five DURING THE ADSTRO-PRUSSIAN-ITALIAN CONFLICT. 153 thousand wounded treated in that establish- ment, only sixty-two were lost. Besides, only two cases of mortification were observed and cases oipyxmia were very rare. It is proper here to add that the director of this hospital, Doctor Abl, constantly gave proof of a zeal and intelligence beyond all eulogy. The members of the Damen-Comite, ser-/ vingin this establishment, rivaled each other in devotion ; yet when the epidemic broke out there, their courage gave way. One after ano- A ther they withdrew from the hospital until at last there remained only two undaunted wo- X men whom nothing could cause to abandon the post of honor which they had freely and spontaneously accepted. I think it advi- sable here to mention the names of these noble women. They were Madame Anna Stolz and Mademoiselle Pelz. Left alone after the retreat of their associates, these brave la- y~ 134. SANITARY INSTITUTIONS dies exhibited courage and devotion in every trial, occupied as they were for several weeks in nursing the suffering, or cooking for tMO or three hundred persons. We see that acts of devotion in the cause of humanity were not wanting in Austria ; here, as in the rest of Germany, the popula- tions contributed their offerings in order lo succor those who had been wounded in bat- tle. The Austrians resident in France, thanks lo the active intervention of Madam the Prin- -j- cess of Metternich, sent forward considerable shipments to the relief societies of Vienna ; while more than one hundred and thirty packages were shipped in like manner from Brussels to the same destination. Still, I re- peal, the Austrian Sanitary institutions were wanting in that cooperative character which was the glory of similar enterprises orga- nized in the United States and in Germany. CHAPTER X THE ITALIAN SOCIETY OF RELIEF TO THE WOUNDEn Medical society of Milan, under the impulsion of its president, or- ganizes the first local Relief Society. — Appeal of this association to Italy. — Committee of the Milanese Society recognized as cen- tral committee of the Italian Society of Relief to the wounded. At the time of war the Florentine committee estahlishes itself as central committee of the societies situated South of the Po. — Discussions following this incident. — Services rendered by the Italian Society of Relief to the wounded. If, in Austria, in spite of the incontestable energy and enthusiasm of a portion pf the population, the Relief societies, from the fact of their not being based upon a principle of reciprocity, were lacking in that vigor and initiative which the societies of Prussia , Saxony, and Southern Germany manifested, we meet again in Italy, although under a 136 SANITARY INSTITUTIONS different form, this same enthusiasm, this same power of popular initiative, thanks to the foresight and activity of the Italian So- ciety of Relief to the wounded. At the conference of Geneva, the Italian members took an active part in the debates, and the King of Italy was one of the first to adopt the agreement emanating from those deliberations. As soon as the project of the convention had been determined, the medi- cal society of iMilan, under the inspiration of its president, Doctor Castiglioni, named a commission charged with preparing the statutes of a Relief society. This commission engaged with spirit, in the accomplishment of the task committed to it, and, on the 15 th of June 1864, the Milanese committee of the Italian Association of Relief for sick and wounded soldiers was constituted. This was not only the first Italian committee DURING THE AUSTRO-FRDSSIAN-ITALIAN CONFLICT. 157 of the kind, but, in general, one of the first societies organized upon the prin- ciples of the Genevese convention. To jus- tify its name of Milanese committee of the Italian Society, a name which indicated that it was only a member of a Society more vast and important, the committee of Milan made a spirited appeal to all the medical societies of Italy, urging them to follow its example and build up relief socie- ties. At the same time that it communi- cated its statutes to the Medical Societies, it published them, and invited citizens of all classes to give their cooperation in the pro- jected work. This appeal was heard ; relief societies were organised at Bergamo, Como, rJ° 6. A model of a Railway Ambulance, or « Hospital Car, » made by Messrs. Cummings and Son, Jersey City, from specifications furnished by Dr. Elisha Har- ris of New- York. This model is a facsimile of the Hospital Cars employed during the war by the U. S. Sanitary Commission on the railway between Wa- shington and New-York, as well as on several other military railways in other portions of the United States. The model, constructed on a scale of 1/4, shows in detail every thing, — couches, dispensary, wine IN Tllli UNITEU STATliS SAWTARV COLLECTION. '205 closet, water closet, systems of ventilation and hea- ting, etc., — employed in the construction and equip- ment of the Sanitary Commission Cars ; while at the same time externally it perfectly represents the construction of an ordinary American passenger car. To it is attached a patent safety break, as well as a set of self-acting ventilators, furnished by W. Crea- mer, of New-York. 7. N" 7. A Horse Litter; made by F. P. Woodcock, of New- York. This litter, for one horse or mule, is designed to carry either one or two wounded men. If necessary Ihe brancard can readily be removed, and the saddle and straps employed to secure the transportation of forage or other material. The litter is light, strong, and simple. 8. 8 . A set of Hand Litters ; folding ; — a form extensively used by the U. S. .Ambulance service. 9. 9. A set of Hand Litters constructed by Dr. B. Howard of New-York. In these litters the canvass is secured to the shafts by loops. The design is to obviate the some- times cruel necessity of lifting the patient from the litter; as, by detaching the sacking, it can be readily '204 CATALOGUE OF ARTICLES slipped out from beneath the patient, after he hasbeen placed upon his mattress. 10. N° 10. A Hand Litter; made by S. S. Stevens and Sons, of Baltimore. GROUP SECOND. — Ambulances of Supply. 1. 11. A Medicine Wagon ; known as Autenrieth's, — the fixtures having been furnished by G. Autenrieth, of New-York. The wagon is intended to carry for field service a full complement of the medicines authorised by the " supply table" of the Medical Bureau, also a set of Hand Litters, as well as a light compact Am- putating table. Wagons of this construction were fa- vourably regarded and most extensively employed by the U. S. Government during the late war. 2. 12. A Medicine Wagon ; known as Perot's,— construe^ ted byT. Morris Perot, of Philadelphia. In this wagon the drawers and compartments are adapted to the carriage of medicines in bulk, in parcels, and in bottles; the system of packing being such as to secure the latter against fracture in certain instances by the employment of springs; in certain cases by the em- IN THE UNITED STATES SANITARY COLLECTION. 205 ployment of columns of compressible air, obtained by a simple device. The rear of the wagon is so constructed as to shel- ter the surgeon, while dispensing in the fiel4, from rain and wind. A set of Hand Litters is carried , aS also a strong Amputating table. This wagon is a little lighter than the Autenrieth wagon, and was usually drawn by four horses. Wagons constructed by Mr. Perot were used to a considerable extent by the U. S. Medical Bureau du- ring the late war. 5. N° 13. An Ambulance Kitchen; invented by Mr. Pinner, ofNew-York. The special purpose of this Kitchen is to furnish soldiers, — particularly the sick and wounded, while on the march or on the battle field, — with hot cof- fee, soup, and cooked food of various kinds; while possessing all the necessary apparatus of a well-orga- nized Kitchen, it can be used with great advantage at all temporary encampments and Hospital sta- tions. It is so made and furnished as to be used, — if needed, — as an Ambulance of transport. 4. 14. A Collee Wagon ; invented by J. Dunlon, of Phila- delphia. TIic wagon exhibited, — designed to furnish 206 CATALOGUE OF ARTlCLliS thesoldier on the march and on the field of battlewilh hot coffee and tea, — was one of several in the service of the U. S. Christian commission during the last months of the war, and was actually employed by that Commission , — furnishing hot coffee to thewounded of both armies, — on the day of the surrender of Gen. Lee, at Appomatox Court-house. 5. 1N° 15. A Field Medicine Pannier Basket, furnished, — made by T. Morris Perot, of Philadelphia, 6. 16. A Medicine Pannier, furnished, — made by Jacob Dunton, of Philadelphia. The bottles in this Pannier are of block tin, — inter- nal and external surfaces of tin, between which is pla- ced a thin lamina of wood. The bottles are light and strong, well secured at the month, and, as was gene- rally the case when economy of space was desired, — square in form. 7. 17. Two Medicine Panniers, — made by G. Autenrielh of New-York. These Panniers, as well as Nos. 5 et 6, were extensively employed by the U. S. Medical Bureau. 8. 18. A Hospital Knapsack, — furnished, made by J. I.N THE UNITED STAIES SAAITARY COLLECTION. 207 Dunlon, of Philadelphia. It is intended that this Kna- • psack should be carried in the field by a steward, with a suitable provision of medicines, stimulants, dres- sings, etc. The Knapsack. is so conslructed as to rest to a considerable extent on the small of the back and hips, and by its weight rather assists than otlicrwise the soldier in maintaining an erect position. y. ^° 19. A Hospital Knapsack, furnished, — made by T. Morris Perot, of Philadelphia. It is designed to serve the same purpose as the hospital Knapsack already described . 10. A U. S. A. Pack Saddle; old pattern. 11. ,, , A U. S. A. Pack Saddle; new pattern. '21. CLASS II. — HOSPITALS. GROUP FIRST. — Models and Flans. 1. 22. A Block Model, —of the U. S. General Hospital at West Philadelphia, giving a general view of the grounds pavilions, kitchens, etc., connected with that hospital. 14 •208 CATALOGUE OF ARTICLES 2. N° 25. A Diagram, — of ground plan of the same hospital. 3; 24. A Lithographic View, — of the same Hospital. 4. 25. A Block Model,— of the U. S. General Hospital at Chesnut-Hill, Philadelphia, giving a general view ot the grounds, pavilions, corridors, kitchens, railways, drains, etc., connected with that Hospital. 5. 26. A Lithographic View, — of the same hospital. 6. 27. Model of a Pavilon, — of the U. S. General Hos- pital at Chestnut-hill, scale, 1/24. This model shows, in fac-simile, the exterior and interior construction of a ward pavilon, the mode of ventilation and hea- ting (Leed's system), the latrines, bath-rooms, and offices, together with the arrangement of beds, fur- niture, etc. 7. 28. A Model, fac-simile, of the log-houses employed in the construction of the U. S. General Hospital at City Point, Va.; made by Capl, Isaac Harris, Bi'ooklyri, New-York. IN THE UNITED STATES SANlTARV COLLECTION. 209 N 29. A Lithograph, giving exterior and general appea- rance of theU. S. hospital steamer Elm-City. GROUP SECOND. — Hospital Tents. 1. 50^ A Field Hospital Tent; square. — Sample of those generally issued by the U. S. Government during the war, 2. 31. A Field Hospital Tent, called " the Umbrella- tent, " made by Wm. Richardson, of Philadelphia. It is claimed that this tent occupies less space when packed, is more readily unpacked and erected, and when erected is more convenient and secure, than cither the square (wall), or Sibley tents , which have hitherto been regarded with most favour. GROUP THIRD. — Hospital Furniture. (within teht n" 3o). 1. 32. Eight Hospital'Beds, furnished,— \ii., 8 iron bed- steads; two patterns. 7 bedsacks, 1 water bed, 8 pillows, 8 pillow slips, 16 sheets, 8 blankets, 8 coun- terpanes, 8 mosquitoe bars. 210 CATALOGUE OF ARTICLES 2. N° 33. A Head-rest; made by S. S. Stevens, Baltimore. 3. 34. A Bed-table; made by S. S. Stevens, Baltimore. 55. Gamp stools. 36. Camp tables. 5. 6. 37. A Hospital Mess Chest; made by T. Morris Perot, of Philadelphia, — containing; — 6 tin cups, 1 tin dipper, 1 pepper box, 1 salt box, 1 grater, 6 knives and forks, 1 meat fork, 1 basin, 1 bowl, 6 iron tea spoons, 6 iron table spoons, 1 fry pan, loval teapot, 1 iron tea kettle, 1 stew pan, 1 oval boiler, 6 round tin pans, 6 tin tumblers, 1 coffee boiler, 3 tin boxes for coffee, tea, and sugar. CLASS III. - SURGICAL INSTRUMENTS AiND APPARATUS 1. 38. Staff Surgeons' capital Operating Set ; containing, two amputating knives, 2 catlings, 4 scalpels, 1 car- tilage knife,! bow saw, 2 blades, 1 metacarpal saw, IN THE UNITED STATES SANITAIiV COLLEGTlOiX. 2H i Hay's saw, i conical trephine, 1 small crown tre- phine, 1 Liston's bone forceps, 1 Liston's bone for- ceps, curved, 1 rongeur, 1 sequestrum forceps, 1 artery forceps, 12 surgeon's needles, 1 tourniquet, 1 chain saw, 1 tenaculum, 1 scissors, 1 chisel, 1 gouge, 1 mallet, 4 drills and handle, 2 retractors, 1 raspitor, 1 elevator, 1 brush, 12 yards iron wire, 1 oz. silk ligature, i oz. wax. 2. N" 39. Regimental Surgeons' Field Set; containing — 2 amputating knives, 2 catlings, a scalpels, 2 bis- touris, 1 hernia knife, i finger knife, 1 bow-saw, — 2 blades, 1 matacarpal saw, 1 Hay's saw, 1 conical trephine, 1 Liston's broad edged bone forceps, 1 se- questrum forceps, 1 artery forceps, 1 ball forceps, 1 dressing forceps, 1 dissecting forceps, 1 set of Mott's needles, 1 tourniquet, 1 tenaculum, 2 scissors, 2 retractors, 1 trocar and canula, 1 elevator, 1 raspitor, 1 director, 6 bougies, — silver plated, 3 silver catheters, 6 gum elastic catheters, 12 yards iron suture wire, i oz. silk Hgature, i oz. wax, 12 surgeons' needles. 3. 40. Staff Surgeons' Minor Operating Set; containing, — 1 amputating knife, 3 scalpels, 4 bistouris, 1 artery forceps, 1 ball forceps, 1 Galle's forceps, 1 dressing forceps, 1 dissecting forceps, 1 artery needle, 212 CATALOGUE OF ARTICLES 12 surgeons' needles, 4 tenaculnm, 2 scissors, 1 trocar and canula, I Belloques canula, 1 bullet probe, 1 director, 6 silver-plated bougies, 3 silver catheters, 6 gum elastic catheters, 12 yards iron wire, I oz. silk ligature, J oz. wax. 4. N° 41. Staff Surgeons' Pocket Set ; containing — 1 scalpel, 8 bistouris, 1 tenaculum, 1 gum lancet, 2 thumb lancets, 1 small razor, 1 artery forceps, 1 dressing forceps,! artery needle, 12 surgeons' needles, 1 ex- ploring needle, 1 tenaculum needle, 1 scissors, 1 director, 3 probes, 1 caustic-holder, 1 male and fer- male catheters, C yards iron wire i oz. silk suture, J oz. wax. 5. 42 . Hospital Pocket Set ; containing — 1 sharp pointed bistouri, 1 probe pointed bistourie, 1 scalpel, 1 te- naculum, 1 abcess lancet, 1 compound catheter, 1 pair scissors-straight, 1 pair scissors-angular, 1 dressing forceps, 1 artery forceps, 1 spatula, 1 director, 2 probes, 6 needles, ligature, silk, wax, etc. These five sets of surgical instruments, made by George Ticmann and Co., New York, were issued luring the war by the U. S. Government in large quantities to the surgical officers ot the army. IN THE UNITED ST\TES SANITARY COLLECTION. '215 6. 40. A case of Surgical Instruments ; a Field Set, — made by D. W. Kolbe, of Philadelphia. The packing of this set is alone peculiar, the com- mon rose- wood case being dispensed with. 44. A case of Instruments, made h] George Tiemann and Co., showing some of the most recent improve- ments in American surgical mechanics, viz.. Tray iV°'l. — 1 Simonowsky'ssaw, 1 parallel knife, 1 hard rub endoscope, 1 Scattergood's passary, 1 Thomas perforator, 1 Tiemann and Co.'s throat and bullet forceps, 1 Emmelt's improved uterine adjuster. — TrnyN° 2. — 1. Hammond's electroceps, 1 Steam's dilator, I, uterine hypod syr carrier, 4 Thiebaud's stricture dilator, I Edwards caustic carrier,! Surge's throat forceps, 1 Tieraann's elastic bullet forceps, 1 White's hysteratome, 1 Peter's stricture cutter, i Elhott's uterine sound, 1 Tiemann and Co.'s bullet forceps. — Tray N° ."). — ! Tiemann and Co.'s ton- silatome, 1 uvula scissors and clamps, :l uvula guil- lotine, 1 hard rubber and drill'd steel cork for cham- pagne bottle, 1 Chisolm's chloroform inhaler, 2 rub pill bougies, 1 sponge carrier for finger, 1 Church's tongue depresser, 1 Ellsburg's do., do., 1 Carrol's knot tightener, 1 Stock's eylid compresser, 1 Noyes 214 CATALOGUE OF ARTICLES irridictomj' scissors, 1 Tiemann and Co.'s entrapia tome and forceps, i fenestra and artery forceps, \ entrap and forceps (Morton's), 1 Fisher's phymosis forceps and screw, 1 Sand's needle forceps, 1 Ri- chardson's sponge holder, Thomas and Co.'s irridic- tomy and ptrigion forceps, 1 Altrap's forceps. — Tray N" 4. — 1 Phair's 3-bladed speculum, 1 Thomas' new ditto, Emmett's ditto, i Tiemann and Co.'s 5 valve ditto, 1 Thomas and Co.'s 4 valve ditto, 1 Sims' rectum dilator. — TrayN"^. — 1 handle, 1 ampu- tating saw, 2 knives, 1 handle and 7 pocket instru- ments (Tieman's patent). 8. 45. A set of Splints, made by A. M. Day, of Benning- ton Vt., viz., extension bar and gaiter, 1 large double inclined plane, 1 medium double inclined plane, 1 small double incHned plane, 8 radius splints, 6 fore arm, 5 inter-osseous, 3 joint arm, 5 condyle and humerus, 2 clavicle, 5 dressing splints, 4 patella splints, 12 ankle splints. 9. 46. A Set of Splints, made by the " Surgical Splint Co." Winsted. C. 10. 47 . Perforated zincSplint and Shears ; furnished by the U. S. Sanitary Commission. IN THE UNITED STATES SANITARY COLLECTION. 215 II. N° 48 A Fracture Apparatus, made by Dr. Gurdon Buck, of New- York, accompanied with a bed and manikin, showing the mode of applying the same. 12. 49. A Fracture Bed; invented by Dr. M. M. Latta of Goshen, Indiana. 13. 50. .\n Apparatus, for fractures of the inferior maxil- lary, made by Dr. C. S. Bean, of Baltimore. 14. 5 J . An Invalid Bed, invented by Dr. Josiah Crosby, of Manchester, N. H. The design is to secure a change of linen and a fulfilment of certain natural offices without a change of position on the part of the pn- tient. Many of these beds were used in the U. S. Ge- neral Hospitals. 15. 52. An Invalid Elevator; made by Mr. Marx, of New York. Design similar to that of the Invalid Bed. 16. 55. A set of Artificial Limbs, for amputations of the fore arm, arm, thigh, and foot, together with Appa- 2IG CATALOGUE OF ARTICLES ratus I'or ex-sections at the elbow and shoulder joints ; made by Dr. Hudson, of New York" 17. 54. An Artificial Leg ; made by D. W. Kolbe, of Phi- ladelphia. 18. 55. An Instrument for the better anaesthetic admi- nistration of sulphuric ether, invented by Dr. F. D. Lente, Cold Springs, N. Y. 19. 56. An Apparatus, for the production and administra- tion of nitrous oxide gas, with the view of thereby inducing anaesthesia, — prepared by Dr. J. Q. Coltnn, of New York, who claims that he has first successfully demonstrated the anaesthetic properties of the nitrous oxide gas, and the special advantages of its employ- ment in a large class of cases, as a substitulc for chloroform and ether. 20. 57. A Preparation illustrating a method of operating in cases of compound fracture, — prepared by Dr. B. Howard, of New York. IN THE UNITED STATES SANITARY COLLECTION. 21 : CLASS IV. — SANITARY SUPPLIES. GROUP FIRST. — Clothing. SAMPLES OP THAT USED BY THE U. S. SANITARY COMMISSION. I. N°58. Blankets, and Bed quilts 2. 59. Bed sacks. 3. 60 Cushions. 4. 61. Drawers. 5. 62. Handkerchiei's. 6. 63. Mittens. 7. 64. Sheets. 65. Shirts and dressing-gowns. 9. 66. Socks (cotton and woollen), and slippers 10. 67. Towels. 2i8 CATALOGUE OF ARTIPXES GROUP SECOND. — Food. SAMPLES OP THAT USED BY THE U. S. SANITARV COMMISSlOn. 1. ?S° 68. Apple butter. 2. 69. Barley. 5. 70. Beef, dried. 4. 'l- Beef stock (Martinez). 5. 72. Broma (Baker's). 6. 75. Cabbage, pickled. 74 Canned fruits. * 75^ Canned meats. 7(j. Canned vegetables. 77. Catsup. 78. Cheese. 9. 10. 11. IN THE UNITED STATES SANITARY COLLECTION. 219 J2. !N° 79. Chocolate (Baker's). 13. 80. Cocoa (Baker's). 14. 81. Codfish. 15. 82. Coffee-extract (Borden's) . 16. 83. Condensed Milk (Borden's). 17. 84. Corn, dried, sweet. 18. 85. Corn, pop. 19. 86. Crackers and biscuit. 20. 87. Dried fruits. 21. 88. Eggs, desiccated (Lamont's). 22. 89. Extracts, flavoring (Woodruff's). 23. 90. Farina (Hecker's). 220 CATALOGUE OF ARTICLES 24. N" 91. Flaxseed. 25. 92. Groats. 26. 93. Hickory nuts. 27. 94. Hominy . 28. 95. Iceland Moss. 29. 96. Jellies. 30. 97. Julienne soup. 31. 98. Lemonade condensed (Morris'). 32. 99. Lemon extract. 33. 100. Lemon syrup. 34. 101. Lemons. 35. 102. Lime juice. 36. 105. Maccaroni. '\- IN THE UNITED STATES SANITARY COLLECTION. 221 37. iN" 104. Maizena. 38. 105. Molasses. 39. 106. Mustard. 40. 107. Nutmegs. 41. 108. Oatmeal. 42. 109. Oranges. 45. 110. Oysters, pickled. 44. 111. Pickles. 45. 112. Potatoes. 46. 113. Prunes. 47, 114. Rice. 48 115. Sago. iQ 116. Sardines. ^xo t i t t t 222 CATALOGUE OF ARTICLES 50. IN" 117. Spices, assorted. 51. 118. Sugar b. and w. 52. 119. Tapioca. 53. 120. Tea b. and g. 54. 121 . Tobacco (Messrs. Gail and A.x, Baltimore, and Du- mont, New-York). 55. 122. Vegetables, desiccated. 50. 125. Vermicelli. 57. 124. Veast powder. 58. 125. Ale, pale (M" Pherson and Donald Smith, New- York). 59. 126. Blackberry brandy. CO. 127. Brandy (F. S. Cozzens, New-York). IN THE UNITED STATES SANITARY COLLECTION. 2i5 61. N° 128. Cider, Champagne (J. Kierman, New-York). 62. 129. Extractor Jam. Ginger, (Fred. Brown.) 65. 130. Rum, Jamaica (F. S. Cozzens,) 64. 131. Raspberry vinegar. 05. 152. Syrups. 06. 133. Whiskey ;two Star, Old Rye, Bourbon, (F. S. Coz- zens.) 07. 134 Domestic Wines; F. S. Cozzcns, viz. Los Angeios Madeira, Los Angeios Sherry, Native Claret, Pride of Sandusky, Cabinet Catawba, Dry Catawba, Empire P. B. sparkling Catawba. 68. 155. Foreigu wines : Port, sherry, etc., F. S. Cozzens. IS 224 CATALOGUE OF ARTICLES GROUP THIRD. — Miscellaneous. 1. ^° 156. A Sanitary Commission Tool Case , containing — a large axe, 2 hatchets, 3 hammers, 2 saws, 1 auger, 2 wrenches, half a dozen gimlets,! sardine opener, i corkscrew, 1 pocket corkscrew, 1 ice pick, 1 spring punch, 1 farrier knife, 1 butcher knife, 1 drawing knife, 1 pair shears, 1 polished steel box opener, 1 pot brace, 1 Jenningsbit, 2 chisels, 1 firmer chisel,! Ames spade, nails and rivets. 2. 157 A Sanitary Commission Mess Kit, viz. ; — a iiest of camp kettles, 5 mess pans, ! Dutch oven, | dozen knives and forks, | dozen table spoons (iron), | dozen tea spoons (iron), cups, dippers, tin basins, tin plates, a wine cooler, a water cooler, knives and forks. 0. 1 38 . An Officer's Mess Chest ; — T. Morris Perot, Phila- delphia ; containing, ! camp stove, ! oven, 2 mess- pans, ! boiler, ! mess kettle, ! saucepan, ! teapot, ! coffee pot, ! knife case, !2 knives and forks, ! spooncase, 6 tea spoons, 6 table-spoons, 6 tum- blers, 6 cups, ! frying pan, 1 gridiron, ! tin-tray, 2 tin dishes, ! tea kettle, ! pepperbox, ! saltbox. IN THK UNITED STATES SANITARY COLLECTION. 225 6 tin basins, 2 washhand basins, 6 plates, 1 dipper, 1 ladle, 1 grater, 4 boxes for butler, tea, coffee, sugar, 4 mugs. 4. 139. A Field Mess Chest ; T. Morris Perot, Philadelphia, containing — 2 large iron boilers, 5 camp kettles, I knife case with 2 dozen knives and forks, 1 spoon case with 1 dozen iron spoons, 1 meat fork, 1 dozen plates, 1 dozen cups, 5 dippers, 1 gridiron, 1 salt- box, 1 pepper-box. 5. 140. A Mess Pannier; J. Dunton, Philadelphia ; con- taining — stove, coffee pot, pepper, salt, and butter box, cups, plates, knives and forks, etc. SAMPLES USED BY THE U. S. SANITARV COMMISSION. 6. 141. 142. Adhesive plaster. Alcohol. 7. 8. 143. Bandages. Baskets. Brooms. 10 226 CATALOGUE OF ARTICLES H. N" 146. Brushes. 12. 147. Buckets. 15. 148. Buttons. 14. 149. Candlesticks. 15. 150. Combs. 16. 151. Chairs. 17. 152. Coffeepots. 18. 153. Cologne. 19. 154. Comforts. 20. 155. Cotton batting. 21. 156. Crulclies. 22. 157. Envelopes for s soldiers' letters. 25. 158. Eye shades. IN TIIR IlNITRn STATKS SANITARY COLLECTION. 227 24. NM59. Fans. 25. 160. Feeding cups. 26. 161. Feeding lubes. 27. 162. Games. 28. 163. Lanterns. 29. 164. Letter paper (Colli ns Brothers.) 30. 165. Lint. 51. 166. Oakum. -)2. 167. Oil silk. 35. 168. Pens and pencils for soldiers. 34. 169. Paper bags. 35 170. Pins. 56. 171. Pipes. 228 CATALOGUE OF ARTICLES 37. N" 172. Sponges. 38. 173. Spit cups. 39. 174. Yarn. 40. 175. The American combined Knife and Fork ; for the use of those having but one hand. CLASS V. - MATERIAL, HISTORICAL, AND CO-ORDINATE. GROUP FIRST 1. 17f)_ Histoiredela Commission Sanitaire des Elats-Unis, by Dr. Thomas W. Evans. 2. 1 77. Discourse of the Rev. Dr. Bellows, President of the U.S. Sanitary Commission. 178. Reply to the question "Why the Sanitarv Com- mission need so much money, " by Mr. Knapp. IN THE UNITED STATES SANITAIU COLLECTION. 229 4. N° 1 79. Memorial of the Great Central fair held in belialf of the U. S. Sanitary Commission, by Mr. C. J. Stille. 5. 180. Mihtary Statistics of the United States, by Mr. Elliot. 181. Tribute book, by Mr. Goodrich. 7. I 82. Essais sur la chirurgie et la medecine militairc 8. 183. Three weeks at Gettysburg. 9. . 184. A brief history of the operations of the U. S. Sa- nitary Commission. 10. 185. History of the U. S. Sanitary Commission. H. 1 86. Essais d'hygiene et de therapeutique militaire, by Dr. Thomas. W. Evans. 12. 187. Les Institutions sanitaires pendant le conflit Aus- tro-Prussien, by Dr. Thomas W. Evans. 230 CATALOfiUE OF ARTICLES 15. A° lo8. Military medical and surgical essays, edited by Dr. Hammond. 189 Charts, Diagrams, etc., of the U. S. Sanitary Commission. 15. 190. Photographs of places made memorable by the war. 16. 191. Guerre d'Amerique. 17. 192. Model Libraries, furnished Camps and Hospitals, by the U. S. Christian Commission. 18. 195. Five groups m lerre cuile,by Rogers. 19. 1 94. Lithograph of the bazaar of the Sanitary Commis- sion at Philadelphia. 20. 195. Photograph of Pinners kitchen ambulance. 21. 196. Ticlic's given by the Christian Commission to each IN THE UiMTED STATES SANITARY COLLECTION. 251 soldier bearing his name, age, number of regiment, etc. 22. N° 197. A roll containing the autographs of 19,108 per- sons who have undergone surgical operations without pain while under the influence of nitrous oxyde gas, administered by Dr. J. Q. Colton. 23. 198. Plan of the Chestnut Hill Hospital at Philadel- phia. 24. 199. Picture frame made bya wounded soldier. 25. 200. The wounded soldier. 26. 201 . Tribute from Dusseldorf artists to the ladies of New- York. 27. 202 . Frame enclosing various photographs, medals, etc. , of the U. S. Sanitary Commission. 28. 20."). De la decouvertc du caoutchouc vulcanise et de la priorite de son application a la chirurgie ci- vile ot militaire. Brochure, by Dr, Thomas W Evans. 2r.2 CATALOGUE OF ARTICLES 29. 204 Treatise on military surgery, Hamilton. 30. 205. Army Regulations (U. S.) 31. 206. Various publications of or pertaining to llie U. S. Sanitary Commission . 32. 207. Ambulance and sanitary material, by D'' Thomas W. Evans. 35. 208. Dentistry and the material it employs, by D' Tho- mas W. Evans. 209. Platform scales. 210. Balances. 211. Anthropometre . 212. Spirometre. 54. 55. 56. 57. N" .52, 55, 54, 55. — (Instruments used by Inspectors of the Sanitary Commission while conducting dbser\ations to deter- mine the weight, strength, physical dovelopement, etc., of IN THE UNITED STATES SANITARY COLLECTION. 235 soldiers recruited in different sections of the country, or representing different elements of population or social con- dition.) 38. N° 243. A Sanitary Commission mail-bag of the Army of the Potomac. 39. 214. Flags of the U. S. Sanitary Commission. 40. 215. Rubber loops; used in one of the U. S. Sani- tary Commission Hospital cars. 41. 216. A Rebel canteen. GROUP SECOND 1. 217. An "Umbrella tent; " Officer's, — made by Wm. Richardson, Philadelphia, constructed as No. 30. 2. 218. An " Umbrella tent, " Officer's ; — height 11 feet, diameter at base 15 1/2, form octagonal, supported by a telescopic centre pole, slender T iron rafters, and eight light wooden props. The same advantages are claimed as for No. 30; maker, N. Walton, of Saint-Louis. 234 CATALOfillE OF ARTICLES 3. i\° 219. A Hospital Tent ; square (wall), similar to No. 50, 4. 220. A Lifeboat; made of gutta perclia. 3. 221 . A model of a California stove ; illustrating a mode of heating tents, employed in the American Army. The system was generally regarded by medical officers as purticularly adapted to the heating of Hos- pital tents, where a uniform temperature was espe- cially desired. 6. 222. Samples of clothing issued by the United Stales Government during the war to infantry soldiers, namely, overcoat, coat, trowsers, shoes, stockings, shirt, drawers, cap, etc. 7. 225. Spike candlestick. 8. "'^^^ Combined splint and fracture bed, Dr. J. Langer. 9. 2-40. Bed and pillow for the sick or wounded, Madame Petiteau. CONTENTS CHAPTER FIRST. — Tiie Sanitauy Commission of tjie United Sxsies AND THE CONVENTION OF Geneva. — Disposition of modem nations to mitigate sufferings occasioned by war. — Sanitary Commission of the United States. — Initiative of American women. — Conferen- ces of Geneva. — Principles of the Geneva convention analogous to those expressed in the statutes of American Sanitary Commis- sion. — Establishment of international Relief Societies favored by several sovereigns I CHAPTER II. — Origin of the Prussian Society of uelief fou the WOUNDED. — Sympathy of the King and Queen of Prussia for the work of the Sanitary Commission of the United States. — Auto- graph letter from the King. — Groups ol voluntary hospital attendants at the different railway stations, — First appearance ol the Prussian Relief Society. — Its activity during the Schles- wig-IIolslein compaign. — Sending of commissioners to Schles- wig . . . . n CHAPTER III. — Tbansfobmation of the Central Society into ax INTERNATIONAL RELIEF SociETY. — ResouFccs of War Departemeut, however considerable, are generally iusufhcicnt. — Necessity of spontaneous action on the part of populations. — The Prussian Society of relief to the sick and wounded obtains the privilege of corporation. — Appeal of the central committee to the nation. — Central depot of Berlin. — Reflections suggested by it to the au- thor. — Statutes of the Prussian Relief Society. . 29 256 CONTEiNTS. CHAPTER IV. — Combat of Langensalza. — Obstinacy of the struggle. — The town of Langensalza encumliered with wounded. — Complete insufficiency of resources in the medical service of the Hanovrian army and the Prussian delachment. — Distress of the surgeons. — Their joy at the sight of the relief sent forward by the central committee of Berlin. . . •, . • • 51 CH.4PTER V. — The battle of Sadowa. — Magnitude of the struggle. Heart-rending scenes. — Large number of wounded remain several days without dressing of wounds. — Activity and devoted- ness of Prussian physicians. — Hospitals in the villages sur- rounding the battlefield. — Solicitude and kindness of the surgeons in the field hospitals. — The wounded in the hospitals of Milowitz and Sadowa. . . 59 CHAPTER VL — Activity of the Prussian Society. — Important con- voys shipped to the theatre of war. — Depots established in Bohemia and on the banks of the Mein. — International character of the Prussian Relief Society. — Buffets established in the sta- tions of the railways to distribute refreshments to the troops. — Prussian Society distributes books. — Disinterestedness and devo- tedness of the agents of the Society. — The journal Krieger- lieil. .... . ... 75 CH.APTER VII. — Knights of the orbees of Saint John anb Malta, — Services rendered by these orders during the war. — Hospitals of Berlin. Activity of the Queen and Princess Royal of Prussia in favor of the relief societies. ... .... 93 CHAPTER VIII. — Relief Societies in Saxony anb southern Gerhani. — The Saxon Relief Society. ^ General de Reitzenstcin. — Sani- tary Society of Wurtemberg. — Elevated views of the Queen of Wurtembourg upon the mission of sanitary institutions. — The Badischer Fraueuverein. — Zeal and devotion of the Grand- Duchess and Princess Wilhelm. — Sanitary movement in Ba- varia 107 CH.APTER IX. — AnsTKus Relief Societies. — The Patriotischer Damenverein — Princess de Schwarzenberg places her palace at the disposilion of the ladies association. — Devolion of madame de Lowenthal. — The Patriotic Society renders great teivices to the army. — The Holzhospital- — Heroic conduct of two women 125 CONTENTS. 2S7 CHAPTER X. — The Italian Society of relief to the vvodnded. — Medical Society of Milan, under the impulsion of lis president, organizes the first local Relief Society. — Appeal of this association to Italy. — Committee of the Milanese Society recognized as cen- tral committee of the Italian Society of Relief to the wounded. At the time of war the Florentine committee establishes itself as central committee of the societies situated south of the Po. — Discussions following this incident. — Services rendered by the Italian Society of relief to the wounded 155 CHAPTER XI. — Conclusion. — Relief Societies in operation during the last war have not offered any marked progress or improvment upon the proceedings employed by the United Stales Sanitary com- mission. — UtilJly of sanitary collections. — The author's Ameri- can sanitary collection. — Russia's adhesion to the Geneva conven- tion. — International exhibition of Societies of Relief for the wounded — Happy results of this exhibition 147 .AprEKDix. — Essay on ambulance wagons. . 167 Universal exhibition — rewards and letters.. . . . 183 Catalogue of articles pormisg the United States sanitark collection OF D' Thomas W. Lvjns 19'' — rHlNrtD DY SlMOv ]lAi;OS ASD C", I. t]'.FUl;TM ^T1\EE1. NV.V' ^*X' V < \N n\ \ \ 4. ^ \ \ *