The British Interned in SwitzerlandPicot, Henry Philip
History
The British Interned in Switzerland
Picot, Henry Philip
World War, 1914-1918 -- Hospitals; World War, 1914-1918 -- Prisoners and prisons, Swiss
A large proportion of the sick were drafted to Château d'Oex, or Mürren,
as completely cured, after a residence at Leysin from six months to a
year. The percentage of incurables was small, and there is no doubt in
my mind that the treatment, as practised in the Swiss Sanatoria, is of
immense advantage to those not far advanced in the disease.
As regards an important branch of treatment, viz., that of dentistry,
provision was made by the "Médecin d'Armée" as part of the ordinary
medical work. This, however, owing to the strain imposed by the
mobilization of the Swiss Army, proved totally inadequate, and it was a
great relief to me when, in June, 1916, I received a letter from Mr.
Joseph A. Woods, M.D.S., L.D.S., offering me his personal service in
Switzerland. He wrote to me as follows:—
"My proposition would be to go to some suitable centre for, say, one
month. I would take all necessary instruments and supplies and would
attend to any Interned who would care and need to have such treatment.
The whole service would be entirely gratuitous, whether to officers or
men, and, as far as possible, I would, in addition to operative
treatment, fit artificial dentures or make splints or other appliances
in any cases of jaw injuries. I would be personally responsible for the
expenses. I should, of course, accept any regulations or conditions
which may be in force and would loyally fall in with them."
This generous proposition naturally commended itself to me, and with the
approval of the "Médecin d'Armée," and the sanction of the War Office,
Mr. Woods was appointed Head Dental Surgeon to the British Interned. He
immediately closed down his private practice at Liverpool, and exactly
three weeks later reached Berne, bringing with him a large stock of
instruments and general dental supplies. It was a good thing he did so,
for all such stocks had run very low in Switzerland, and the problem of
supply has since then become increasingly difficult. Mr. Woods, at my
request, made Mürren his centre, and within a few days most of the
officers and 200 men were on his register as prospective patients. His
original offer to remain one month was extended to three, and then as
the work increased, owing to fresh arrivals from Germany, he decided, on
my representations, to remain for a much longer period, and in fact only
left the country when the camps were closed down on the repatriation of
all Ps. of W. in the autumn of 1918, having thus completed two years and
four months voluntary service with British troops in Switzerland. The
camps at Interlaken (where he fitted up an additional surgery), Gunten,
Meiringen, Seebourg, Leysin and Château d'Oex, also came within his
purview at one time or another. Leysin and Château d'Oex were
subsequently, in August, 1917, placed in dental charge of Mr. W. I. Law,
L.D.S., where the work was almost as heavy as at Mürren. Mr. Law's
expenses were defrayed by the North-Midland Branch of the British Dental
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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