This book is a reprint of an account written in 1900 by Sir Frederick Treves, a highly regarded surgeon who volunteered for service in the Boer War as a consultant to the British Army Medical Service.
The account details the activities of No.4 Stationary Field Hospital during the three months of the Ladysmith relief expedition in late 1899 and early 1900. As such it covers the battles of Colenso and Spion Kop from a medical point of view and how No. 4 hospital cared for the majority of the casualties of both actions.
The style of writing is typical of the period and rather wordy at times however there is a great deal of useful information on how a field hospital operated and the conditions behind the lines and there are also a number of fascinating photos included. There is even a short chapter on the hospital's pet dog including a photo!!
As is to be expected from a book written so soon after the event there is a lot of patriotic praise for the British soldier and his endurance under difficult circumstances. Strangely however, there is no mention of the medical work performed by the author whatsoever.
Overall an excellent first hand contemporary account, although rather limited in scope, of an interesting aspect of the Boer War.
You certainly have a diverse library Tony, which is good to see. Not my sort of thing but it is always good to see what others read and what is out there. Thanks for sharing:).
ReplyDeleteHi Steve...Strangely I have always thought my library is rather limited in scope...most of it is military in one form or another !!!! However if you think it is diverse that's good enough for me.. Regards
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