AWM41 970 - [Nurses Narratives] Sister Dowling

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SISTER DOWLING.

[*[970]*]

The Official War Historian of the Commonwealth

Government (Dr. C. E. W. Bean), after his study of the
collection of private war records preserved in the Australian

War Memorial Library, wrote :

"The private diaries in this collection furnish some of its most 

valuable historical records, but, like all private memoirs which were

not compiled with any historical purpose, they should not be
regarded as first-hand evidence except where it is certain that they

are so. The diarist is almost always sincere in his desire to record

accurately, but he is subject to no obligation or inducement to

indicate whether he is recording his own observations or incidents

told him by friends or heard as third or fourth hand at the mess-table.

Then, in some of the diaries in this collection, scenes described with

vivid detail and without any warning that they are told at second

or third hand have been found to be completely inaccurate in 

important details. A certain number also have been written up

or revised long after the events, though doubtless usually from notes 

made at the time. In most cases the student must rely on his

experiences and on internal evidence to guide him in judging what is

and what is not likely to be historically accurate." 

 

I
Dowling
Salonica  29/102

"Personal Experience."

Left Australia, by the "Kamala", on September

15th, 1916, for India. (Bombay.)
Nursed, at the Victoria War Hospital for 

ten months, British troops, from Mesopotamia.

They were badly wounded, and we were 

kept very busy for the first six months., as 

convoys, came frequently.
The troops, were also very sick, with Malaria
The hours, of working in India; were good
Three hours, off duty, one day, and the next 

day, a half day.
A whole day, once, a month.

The climate, was unbearable at times.
The heat, was a moist, heat, and very 

trying.

Our quarters, were very comfortable, and 

the food good.

Left Bombay, July 25th, 1917, for Salonika.
Had ten days, in Egypt. 
On duty, for five days, at the 19th,

British General Hospital., Alexandria.
Most of the patients, were convalescents.

Left Port Said on Aug. 16th, 1917 for Salonika 

by the, "Sans Rito". (A neat boat).

II

This boat, did not carry passengers, but 

it had two spare cabins and ^so three in 

each cabin, had to fit in.

We were well, looked after, and very comfortable. 

We were convoyed over, and I believe were 

in sight, of submarines once, or twice.

Arrived in Salonika Aug 23^rd,  a day, after the 

Great fire.

Arrived at the 52nd, General Hospital.

 (Hut Hospital).

Went on duty, in the morning, equipped

wards and received convoys.

British Troops very sick, with Malaria, 

mostly M.T. Malaria.

The hours, of working, were good.

Had three hours off duty daily, and a 

day, once a month.

When busy, no hours off at all.

Our quarters, were comfortable, and our 

food fairly good.

"Iron Rations", twice a month, during 

the first six months.

The heat was terrific at times, but 

a dry heat.

Very cold in the winter. Blizzards, snow

 etc.

 

 

III

Was transferred, from this Hospital to 

the 42nd General Hospital, "Usharta". 

Ten miles from town, and up in ‘the Hills’.

Here I nursed Dysentery.

A canvas Hospital, of one thousand 

five hundred beds.

I remained there for nine months.

The work, was very heavy, but interesting.

On the whole, we nursed successfully.

In this Hospital, the M. Officer, took 

the Inventory, every Monday, morning.

which was a great help! by keeping 

the Orderlies up to ^it, & not letting the Australians 

stray from one Marquee, to another. 

The usual treatment, to an ordinary

Dysentery patient, was.

First specimen of stool noted, and 

kept, for the M. Officer, and reported.

After being seen by the Medical Officer.

Sodi- sulf 3T, hourly, for eight doses.

If much blood in stool. Serum

Anti-Dysentery C.C.60. at once. and

if necessary, by the M. Officer noting the

stool, serum repeated next day.

Diet - Drinks of coffee, tea, beeftea

Lemonade, soda water. every

two hours.

 

IV.

This diet, was ordered by the Medical

Officer, and increased, by noting the stool

from day to day.

Specimens were saved, twice a day for

the Medical Officer, and the Sister and

Orderly, were responsible for them.

The Dysentery pts, were at first, all

put together, excepting Amoebic Dys.

but after, there were, so many Marquees

for Shigas, Flexoners, & Clinical, Dysentery

Amoebic Dysenteries were isolated, -

and kept, in Hospital, for Months.

Left Salonika in Feb!

Arrived at Sutton Veny, No. 1 Australian

General Hospital. Feb. 20th, 1919.

Sister Dowling.

27/6/19

 

 

Australian War Memorial 

005172215