CONFIDENTIAL
No. 71.
RESERVELAZARET ROTTENMUENSTER
Date of visit: January 13, 1943.
Stabsarzt Dr. Essig, Chefarzt.
B.S.M.O. and Man of Confidence: Capt. Gilder, R.A.M.C.
I.) GENERAL DESCRIPTION
There is no change in this hospital which has already been described in previous reports.
II.) CAPACITY AND PRESENT PERSONNEL
On the day of the visit, there were here the three British doctors already mentioned in last reports, 12 medical orderlies, including the interpreter, and only 30 patients, among whom no officers.
III.) INTERIOR ARRANGEMENTS
The interior accommodation of this lazaret can be considered as very satisfactory.
IV.) BATHING AND WASHING FACILITIES
No remark.
V.) TOILET FACILITIES
No remark.
VI.) FOOD AND COOKING
No complaint.
VII.) MEDICAL ATTENTION AND SICKNESS
About half of the cases here are medical ones, the other surgical ones. Several cases of Beri-Beri picked up in Salonica, presenting still signs of polyneuritis, and some cases of gastric troubles form the major part of the medical cases. Patients with shot-wounds, amputated and deaf form the surgical cases.
The X-ray facilities are satisfactory now and X-ray examinations can be done without delay. Stomach examinations can only take place in the town hospital, whilst all other X-ray work is effectuated in the nearby German lazaret.
Drug supply from the German side is still small, but, as the incoming of Red Cross medical supply is still the same, although the number of patients has decreased, the drug reserves are sufficient at the present time.
The Mixed Medical Commission was at Rottenmuenster on the 16th of October, 1942. Two out of five patients presented to that Commission were selected for repatriation.
Most D.Us. have been transferred to Stalag VIII B, and the officers to Oflag IX A/Z.
Urgent dental treatment is performed by the dentist of the nearby German lazaret. Prosthetic work, when needed for medical reasons, is carried out in the dental station of lazaret Villingen.
VIII.) CLOTHING
No complaint.
IX.) LAUNDRY
No complaint.
X.) MONEY AND PAY
No complaint.
XI.) CANTEEN
No complaint.
XII.) RELIGIOUS ACTIVITY
No change since the last report.
XIII.) RECREATION AND EXERCISE
Adequate.
XIV.) MAIL
The Australian mail is now coming better.
The regular number of letters and postcards, that is respectively 2 and 4 per month, is now authorised for each patient in the lazaret, and this shortly after the last visit of the delegates of the Swiss Legation in Berlin.
XV.) WELFARE WORK
Nothing to mention.
XVI.) COMPLAINTS
After the visit of June 13, 1942, the S.B.O. collaborated with the S.B.M.O., but now there are no more officers in this lazaret and Capt. Gilder acts as Senior British Medical Officer and as Man of Confidence.
As it had been found out that Surgeon-Lieut. Singer at several times penetrated in a locked room to listen to ration emissions, his position in this lazaret was at the time of the visit rather difficult. The Chefarzt, who had always worked together with the British doctors in a comprehensive way, was very much distressed by what had happened and had lost the confidence he had put in Doctor Singer. The case of Doctor Singer was being investigated by the German Authorities, and it was not known yet whether he would only receive a disciplinarian punishment, or be sent in front of Court-Martial, as he had had a false key made to enter that room. In any case, it would be better for each and all that Lieut. Singer were transferred to another camp or lazaret.
XVII.) GENERAL IMPRESSION
This is certainly a good lazaret, and but for the incident mentioned above, the spirit of the British here is very good.
Fred. O. Auckenthaler.
Dr. Aloys Schnieper.
