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Halifax Disaster Record Office Chronicle Building
Halifax, N.S.
When Miss N. went to the V.G.H. she was asked "Can you wash cuts? Go in and get to work." Went into room on left hand side. The injured were mostly children -- with slight cuts on the head. Saw a house surgeon pour iodine into a wound in a woman's neck -- which was still bleeding. Woman lived in Willow St. The iodine gave her great pain. Patients simply covered "with blood and dirt." Miss N. was faint for lack of food and returned to School for the Blind about dark. Was busy washing, dressing, and putting children to bed.About ten o'clock the soldiers who had been helping in every way were fed. One man did the cooking, They had to run round by candle-light, as the gas was turned off. The broken glass from the windows was not properly gathered up. Miss N. saw a man at the entrance injured -- part of his clothing blown off and barefooted. A working-man. He was afraid to step on the broken glass. Miss Nichols took off her coat for im to walk on and was astonished to hear him say "Not exactly Sir Walter Raleigh." Got home with Mrs. Hussey to Edward St. about twelve o'clock. Did not undress -- did not sleep until six a.m. - Awoke at seven to hear the fire-bells and was back at teh School for the Blind by daylight. All the patients had to be fed and washed. They suffered from cold. The windows had been stuffed up in various ways, but they let in the cold. Persons were sent out to beg more bed-clothes--sheets, blankets, night clothes. Tried to keep patients warm with hot-water bottles. Fed the men patients, One sailor called Caforth -- nicknamed "Scotty", off the "PICTON" had a broken arm which has been broken a second time since he left the School for the Blind. He had a very great appetite -- almost impossible to satisfy him. Enjoyed being fed -- said "Wasn't every day he had a girl to feed him". Caforth was chaffing a Chinaman and making fun for the whole ward. Very talkative -- is still in Hospital. Fed all the ward again at noon. Patients included soldiers, sailors, workingmen and one Indian.