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Page 139 from Ethel Moir Diary, Vol 1

Moir, Ethel, 1916, Document
Page 139 from Ethel Moir Diary, Vol 1
Page 139 from Ethel Moir Diary, Vol 1
Page 139 from Ethel Moir Diary, Vol 1
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Library Item
Item no
25167
Title
Page 139 from Ethel Moir Diary, Vol 1
Description
Newspaper cutting dated December 16 1916:

SCOTTISH WOMEN IN
DOBRUDJA
___________

STORY OF FINE WORK UNDER HARD
CONDITIONS.
____________

WHOLE UNIT RECOMMENDED FOR
MILITARY MEDALS
_______


News by letter has come from the
Scottish women who have been nursing
the wounded in the Dobrudja.
The Transport Column did extraordinary
work in conveying ambulances from the
firing line to the base hospital along a
roadless country, which was mud all the
way, slippery as glass up the hills, and
often under fire. The chauffeuses needed
more than the average amount of Scotch
determination, merely dealing with the
elements. The base hospital was set up at
Medgidia for the Serbs, but the patients
were a medley of Serbs, Russians and
Roumanians.
The Serbs knew the Scottish women,
and almost appreciated what seemed at
first a fanatical belief in fresh air and soap
and water. The Russian patients suffered
from depression, which is an unusual com-
plaint in these hospitals. The matter was
looked into.
"Kasha (a sort of bean porridge) is what
they want," said a Sister of a neighbour-
ing Russian hospital.
"Then kasha they shall have," responded
the Scotch cook, and proceeded to take
lessons in its preparation.
"They do not love to be so clean, and
they do not love open windows." reported
another. But somehow the patients got
over that.
"It is so good here, I am in no hurry to
go back to Russia." said one.
This hospital was only able to work for
three weeks, and then the evacuation be-
gan. The adventures of the unit are a
long tale of patience, cheerful endurance,
immensely heavy work, and kindness and
consideration from the Allied officials.
After some five days the unit was at work
once more; some had found a hospital of
11,000 wounded Roumanians needing help,
as they had but seven doctors to attend
them, and only one of whom was a sur-
geon. Temporary dressing stations were
opened. Some of the unit carried on a
hospital of 100 beds for
Artist / maker
Date
1916
Size
20.4 x 16.0 cm
Type
Location
Edinburgh and Scottish Collection