On the Geneva Convention of August the 22nd, 1864 : with some account of the national committees formed for aiding in ameliorating the condition of the sick and wounded of armies in time of war : a lecture delivered at the Royal United Service Institution.

  • Longmore, Sir Thomas, 1816-1895.
Date:
[1866]
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: On the Geneva Convention of August the 22nd, 1864 : with some account of the national committees formed for aiding in ameliorating the condition of the sick and wounded of armies in time of war : a lecture delivered at the Royal United Service Institution. Source: Wellcome Collection.

Provider: This material has been provided by The Royal College of Surgeons of England. The original may be consulted at The Royal College of Surgeons of England.

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    received such assistance as could have been given them. There is one subject on which I feel extremely anxious myself in regard to what has been brought before us ; that is, that if we take a part in this interna- tional work, our own Government should not consider themselves in the least degree freed from the responsibility which in my opinion attaches to every Government, that of taking care of the sick and wounded in time of war. I believe it is true that no Government can be prepared beforehand for all circumstances that are likely to take place, in case we are engaged in a future war. It would, indeed, be a matter of great regret, and a great misfortune, if any Government should think itself liberated from its own first and most imperative duty, and I rejoice much to know that in the international exposition which is to take place in France in the course of the year 1867, a special depart- ment will be organized in this most humane and admirable cause, and that persons will be invited to exhibit any machines or instruments, or means of providing for the care of the sick and wounded in time of war, and that every facility will be given to afford information upon this most interesting and important subject. I see also that the- Prussian National Committee has offered a very handsome prize for suggestions upon this subject, and I hope some papers will be sent from this country. But the practical object which, I under- stand, Professor Longmore desires to bring before us, is rather that we in this country should establish a Committee to co-operate with our own Government, and I suppose also with foreign Govern- ments, for the promotion of this work. And if the lecture which Pro- fessor Longmore has given, should lead us to form such a Committee, I am sure we shall all rejoice in that which may relieve the distresses of war, and which may, under Divine Providence, have even the effect of preventing war. General Sir William J. Codrington, G.C.B: There is one point upon which I desire to ask a question. Every person must be gratified with the intelligence with which Professor Longmore has characterised «his lecture. I think I heard him mention that no country would go into war better prepared for the succour of the wounded than our own.- It would be interesting to know what those preparations actually are for the care and removal of the wounded from the field to the field hospital, and from the field hospital to the more permanent hospital in the rear. Professor Longmore : In reply to the question, I would beg to say that the arrangements which have been made by our own Government, including those for the care of the wounded on the field of action itself, as well as others, for the transportation of the wounded from the field to the ambulances, or field hospitals, and, thence, to the hospitals in rear, are now defined in the authorized army medical regulations. I consider that these arrangements have been made on as liberal a scale as those which exist in any European country. General Codrington : I only want to know what is the actual preparation ? Are there men told off for the purpose ? I want to come to the practical part of it. Professor Longmore : As regards the men, I can only practically