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Y. M. C. A. Military Hospital, December 14th., 1917.
From E. A. Codman, M. D., S. M. O.
To Capt. A. R. Goodman, Asst. to Lt. Col. Bell, McCurdy Building, Halifax.
Dear Sir:
The situation at the Y. M. C. A. Hospital on the evening of December 14th., 1917, with a brief statement concerning the use of the Y. M. C. A. Building, since the accident on December 6th.
Dr. Codman's connection with the Hospital.
On Thursday, December 6th, after hearing of the accident from the Boston Newspapers, I telegraphed to Dr. Thomas Walker, of St. John, to say that I would gladly give my help if needed at Halifax. On Friday I received a telegram from Dr. Walker saying that Halifax needed my help, and at a little over an hour's notice, I took the 7.30 train from Boston with Dr. H. V. Andrews, Miss W. L. Stevens, Miss M. Adams of my own Hospital staff. On the way I was joined by Miss L. Allen, formerly of Halifax, now a trained nurse working in Massachusetts, and a Miss Bridge who was recommended to me by Dr. Walker of St. John, and is not a regular trained nurse, but has had experience for a year at a Military Hospital in Leeds, England. On the train I was joined by Dr. L. M. Crosby and Dr. C. W. DeWolf.
When I arrived in Halifax early Sunday morning, I reported as directed by Dr. Walker of St. John, to the Victoria General Hospital. At the suggestion of Dr. McDougall of the staff of Victoria, I came to the Y. M. C. A. Building, and finding Medical service was needed, applied to Col. Weatherbe at the City Hall, for authority to take charge there. I accordingly went to the Y. M. C. A. Building, and have since then, continued to direct the hospital without any further written authority, but with the consent of the Directors of the Institution, and the various emergency committees. During this period a number of Doctors have served temporarily under me, namely - Dr. Ford of Liverpool, N. S., Doctors De Normandie, Swift, Kellog (Obstetricians of the Red Cross Unit from Boston), Doctors Rolfe & Dole of the Surgical Red Cross Unit, Dr. VanWart of Fredericton, and Dr. E. R. Faulkner of New York. Most of these gentlemen have now returned home, so that my present staff consists of the following.
H. V. Andrews, Surgeon. C. W. DeWolf, Asst. Surgeon. L. M. Crosby, Specialist, Eye, Ear, Nose and Throat. E. R. Faulkner, recently assigned to me to do general surgical work, and nose and throat.
This staff has to care for 58 patients, of which 8 are obstetrics, 9 are eye and rest surgical or trivial.
In addition to these patients, we have now 50 empty beds. Female Ward. 15 Beds, 2 of which are vacant. Eye Ward. 12 Beds, 4 of which are vacant. Male Surgical Ward. 45 Beds, 28 of which are vacant. Obstetric Ward. 48 Beds, 14 of which are at present vacant.
The Obstetrical ward is composed of single rooms, some of which have two beds in them, and the reason why there does not appear a larger number of vacant beds, is that some are occupied by Doctors and Nurses.
In addition to the beds which we have now ready to receive patients, we have the beds and equipment for about thirty more, which could be set up in the present dining room, if this seems best to your committee. I have decided not to put up these beds, until it has [developed]