Chapter I: Front Matter

AUSTRALIAN ARMY
MEDICAL CORPS
IN EGYPT

BARRETT and DEANE

THE AUSTRALIAN ARMY
MEDICAL CORPS IN EGYPT

]

THE AUSTRALIAN ARMY
MEDICAL CORPS IN EGYPT

AN ILLUSTRATED AND DETAILED ACCOUNT OF
THE EARLY ORGANISATION AND WORK OF THE
AUSTRALIAN MEDICAL UNITS IN EGYPT
IN 1914-1915

BY

JAMES W. BARRETT
K.B.E., C.M.G., M.D., M.S., F.R.C.S. (ENG.)
TEMPORARY LIEUT.-COL. R.A.M.C.

LATELY LIEUT.-COL. A.A.M.C. AND A.D.M.S. AUSTRALIAN FORCE IN
EGYPT, CONSULTING OCULIST TO THE FORCE IN EGYPT AND REGISTRAR
FIRST AUSTRALIAN GENERAL HOSPITAL; OPHTHALMOLOGIST TO THE
MELBOURNE HOSPITAL, LECTURER ON THE PHYSIOLOGY OF THE SPECIAL
SENSES IN THE UNIVERSITY OF MELBOURNE

AND

LIEUT. P. E. DEANE, A.A.M.C.

QUARTERMASTER FIRST AUSTRALIAN GENERAL HOSPITAL, EGYPT

H. K. LEWIS & CO. LTD.
136 GOWER STREET, LONDON, W.C.1
1918

DEDICATED TO
SIR HENRY AND LADY MACMAHON,
IN GRATEFUL RECOLLECTION
OF THE SERVICES RENDERED BY THEM
TO THE
AUSTRALIAN SICK AND WOUNDED
IN EGYPT

CONTENTS

CHAPTER I
THE AUSTRALIAN ARMY MEDICAL CORPS AT THE OUTBREAK OF WAR
The Call for Hospitals--Appeal to the Medical Profession, and
the Response--Raising the Units pp. 1-10

CHAPTER II
THE VOYAGE OF THE "KYARRA"
Lack of Adequate Preparation--Difficulties of
Organisation--Ptomaine Poisoning pp. 11-18

CHAPTER III
ARRIVAL AND SETTLEMENT IN EGYPT
Disposal of the Hospital Units--Treatment of Camp Cases--The
Acquisition of Many Buildings--Where the Thanks of Australia
are Due pp. 19-31

CHAPTER IV
THE RUSH OF WOUNDED AND RAPID EXPANSION OF HOSPITALS
Saving the Situation--Period of Improvisation--Shortage of
Staff and Equipment--How the Expansion was effected--The Number
of Sick and Wounded pp. 33-54

CHAPTER V
CONVALESCENT DEPOTS
Evacuation of Convalescent Sick and Wounded from Congested
Hospitals--Keeping the Hospitals Free--Libels on the Egyptian
Climate--Discipline pp. 55-65

CHAPTER VI
EVACUATION OF THE UNFIT
Relieving the Pressure on the Hospitals and Convalescent
Depots--Back to Duty or Australia--Methods adopted--Transport
of Invalids by Sea and Train pp. 67-81

CHAPTER VII
SICKNESS AND MORTALITY AMONGST AUSTRALIANS
The Dangers of Camp Life--Steps taken to prevent
Epidemics--Nature of Diseases contracted and Deaths
resulting--Defective Examination of Recruits--Ophthalmic and
Aural Work--The Fly Pest--Low Mortality--The Egyptian Climate
again--Surgical Work and Sepsis--Cholera--Infectious Diseases
pp. 83-111

CHAPTER VIII
VENEREAL DISEASES
The Greatest Problem of Camp Life in Egypt--Conditions in
Cairo--Methods taken to limit Infection--Military and Medical
Precautions--Soldiers' Clubs pp. 113-133

CHAPTER IX
THE RED CROSS WORK
Its Value and Limitations--Origin in Australia--Report of
Executive Officer in Egypt--Red Cross Policy--Defects of Civil
and Advantages of Military Administration--What was actually
done in Egypt pp. 135-185

CHAPTER X
SUGGESTED REFORMS
Defects which became Obvious in War-time--Recommendations to
promote Efficiency--Dangers to be avoided--Conclusion pp. 187-205