From Convent to Conflict; Or, A Nun's Account of the Invasion of Belgium — John Shaqi
From Convent to Conflict; Or, A Nun's Account of the Invasion of BelgiumMarie Antoine, Sister
History
From Convent to Conflict; Or, A Nun's Account of the Invasion of Belgium
Marie Antoine, Sister
Couvent des Filles de Marie (Willebroeck, Belgium); World War, 1914-1918 -- Campaigns -- Belgium
The services rendered by the Red Cross in time of war is simply
inestimable. “When circumstances permit, there are three different posts
or places where the wounded are treated,” said the village doctor who
assisted in training the young lady volunteers to the Red Cross army.
“The first post is only a few yards distant from the battle field and as
near as possible to the firing line. This post is very dangerous. Only
volunteers are sent there, as a rule. The members go out on the field in
search of the wounded, amid the continual bursting of partially exploded
shells. One careless step may cause serious wounds or instant death.
Then again, after a battle has been fought, there is occasional
shooting, even in the night; but the members of the Red Cross have
consecrated themselves to the service of the sick and wounded soldiers,
and God gives them strength and courage according to their necessities.”
When found, the wounded are brought into the first post on stretchers or
in ambulance wagons, and only those attentions which are absolutely
necessary are given. Then they are taken to the second post or hospital,
where a more thorough examination takes place and the necessary
operations are performed, which consist principally in the extraction of
bullets, setting and amputation of broken limbs, etc.
Here they remain until they become convalescent, unless the number of
wounded soldiers increases to such a degree as to prevent proper care
being taken of them, in which case they are taken away to a third
hospital, where they are supposed to remain until their wounds are
entirely healed. Then they ardently desire, if not maimed, to return
again to the front.
When a seriously wounded soldier is brought into the hospital, he is
stripped of his clothing, wrapped in a sheet and carried to the
operating room. This service is rendered by the gentlemen of the Red
Cross. One or more of the lady nurses assist at the operation. If the
soldier is mortally wounded and there is apprehension of immediate
dissolution, he remains in the sheets and is lovingly cared for by these
gentlemen until death occurs. Then the body is rolled in the sheet,
placed in a coffin and buried the next day.
Coffins were provided by our village for the soldiers who died in our
hospital. One day nine were carried away to the cemetery; another day,
two; then one or two. Several were dead or at the point of death when
they were brought into the hospital.
One poor factory woman came inquiring for her husband. We did not dare
tell her that he died immediately when brought in, but left this sad
task for Rev. Mother Superior.
On another day a woman and her daughter-in-law came from a great
distance inquiring for her son, the young woman’s husband. Heart-rending
was their anguish when they were told that he was already a week buried.
These and numberless cases of like character indicate what war is, even
when viewed from a favorable standpoint.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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