note: transcription publicly contributed - please contact us with comments, errors or omisions

MG 1 VOL 2124 number 233A

HALIFAX DISASTER RECORD OFFICE
CHRONICLE BUILDING

HALIFAX, N.S.

late on the 6th, became a director of the institution. Found doctors and helpers and injured people. He himself did first aid work, mostly binding up cuts. People were blackened as if immersed in some black fluid. Mistook one woman for a negress, There was only one small kitchen, with a gas and coal range. The gas was cut off, and the women had to cook on the coal range. They kept a big tin of soup going. It was canned tomato soup. They served also bread, butter and cheese for the first day or so, to patients, helpers, etc. Mrs. W. A. Henry, Miss Florence Blackwood, Mrs. Fred Hart, Mrs. McCallum Grant and Mrs. Dr. McDougall, with other women and girls, attended to the food. "Admirable piece of work". One woman on the job all night. In the upper story [sic] there are between thirty and forty rooms occupied by young men. They found other quarters. "Take my room". Patients were put in young men's beds just as they were. The large room to the right as you go to the assembly room was turned into a ward and dressing station. The library used as an operating room. Alan Cunningham nucleated an eye there. Large wounds were stitched up. MacNutt, the lawyer, looked after the food supply and sent us food. Mrs. McDougall, who had been a nurse in the Royal Victoria did most efficient work. Every one went to her for direction. she had done no nursing work for sixteen year. W. Described Dr. Codman as tall, blue-eyed, Yankee, with a peculiar disposition. Got to admire him and be quite fond of him. Masterful and peremptory. An authority on hospital management,. Has a hospital of his own, conducted according to his method, which aims at what he calls "end-results", that is, following up cases to a cure if possible. Resigned from the Massachusetts because his method was not adopted. Codman took hold and organized and got the Y.M.C.A. on a hospital basis in a very short time. Brought his own nurse and operator. Found out the capabilities of the building. Got a plan and studied it.