World War, 1914-1918 -- Canada; World War, 1914-1918 -- Nova Scotia
During the latter part of July, 1916, an arrangement was made with Dr.
F. A. Miller, of the Kentville Sanitarium, to deal with tuberculosis
patients; for a great number of the men returning from Overseas were
pronounced tubercular. Within a very few days Kentville Sanitarium was
full of patients, and although from time to time large additions were
built to the Sanitarium, it was always taxed to its utmost capacity. In
fact during the summer of 1917, many hospital tents were erected on the
Sanitarium grounds, for the accommodation of tubercular patients, and
when autumn with its cold winds became too severe, many patients had to
be sent to their own homes, to be treated until room was available at
the Sanitarium, when they were recalled. Great credit is due to Dr.
Miller for the splendid manner in which he dealt with the patients under
his control. Capt. A. G. Forster, a returned officer, was in charge of
Administration and Discipline of the Kentville Sanitarium and was a
conscientious, hard-working officer.
On July 1, 1917, “B” Unit had on its strength 1,886 officers and other
ranks all receiving medical treatment. About 50 per cent. of this number
were out-patients, with home leave. These men were recalled to the
Hospital from time to time as their physical condition demanded.
About this time New Brunswick became a separate Military District, and
it was decided to organize a separate M.H.C.C. Unit for New Brunswick.
This was accordingly done, and the transfer of men and documents was
completed in July, 1917.
In the early spring of 1917 construction work was begun on a
Convalescent Hospital at Camp Hill, Halifax, and by October 1, 1917, the
building was completed sufficiently to receive patients. This hospital
was fitted up with all modern medical appliances and proved a Godsend to
the people of Halifax, when on December 6, 1917, the city was shocked by
the terrific explosion.
At the opening of Camp Hill Hospital, Lieutenant Blackwood was placed in
charge by the M.H.C.C. and Major (now Lieut.-Col.) C. Morris was Senior
Medical Officer. An efficient Staff was soon organized which carried on
until the Hospital was transferred to the A.M.C. on December 6, 1917.
Immediately after the explosion all patients able to walk were given
home leave and the Hospital and Staff complete was turned over to the
Medical Relief Commission for the purpose of dealing with the sufferers
of the explosion.
The writer of this article has visited Casualty Clearing Hospitals in
Flanders on “Clearing Day” but never has he seen such human suffering as
he saw at Camp Hill Hospital when he walked into the Hospital at 4 p.m.
on December 6, 1917. The Hospital at Pier 2, also the offices of the
M.H.C.C. were destroyed by the explosion. The Hospital was quickly
rebuilt, but the offices were removed to Leith House, Hollis Street,
Halifax, and these offices were retained until the Unit was disbanded.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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