THE AUSTRALIAN ARMY MEDICAL CORPS IN EGYPT.•
Turn record of the fine work of the Australian Army Medical Corps, work which saved the medical position in Egypt, is worthy of careful perusal by all those interested in the development of the Red Cross organization. The book is both a record and a criticism. The great European war found Australia medically if anything rather less prepared than the Mother Country ; but considering how distant the Com- monwealth is from the seat of the major operations, the unpre- paredness was more excusable. The consequent difficulties that had to be overcome were very great : but they were magnificently overcome, and the final result was splendid work, of which every Australian should be proud. Starting with accommodation for five hundred patients, this was increased in six months to accommodation in eleven hospitals and convalescent homes for ten thousand six hundred patients—truly a stupendous work performed with such foresight and despatch that room was available for the patients 118 soon as they arrived, which they did in a steady stream from the opening of the Gallipoli campaign. Although good organization was able to provide hospitals, it was impossible to provide sufficient staff, especially nursing staff, and the strain on the nurses during the earlier mouths must have been very severe. Criticizing Red Cross organization, the authors express their opinion that Red Cross hospitals and convalescent homes are not advisable, and that all hospitals should be provided by the Government. This opinion may be right in respect to hospitals for the forces abroad, but at home tilos, maintained by the Red Cross have earned golden opinions from the War Office, and have certainly been much appreciated by the 'soldiers. The view is put forward that the Red Cross should be ancillary to the Army Medical Service, providing comforts' and other things the Govern- ment cannot supply, while at the same time being prepared to act promptly in the provision of medical stores at critical momenta. It is, however, difficult to see how the Red Cross is to fulfil the latter requirement if it is not itself to establish hospitals. The necessary enthusiasm, of so great importance in voluntary work, would be likely to fail if the definite object of the workers effort were not visible. This record is not without its humorous passages, as in the descriptions of discipline and of the work of Medical Boards ; but the value of the book lies in its serious study of the problems with which Red.Cross organization is faced.
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