In the early period he was able to supply this hospital, which never had less than 400 patients transferred in moribund conditions from the badly equipped and temporary hospitals in the two camps, with bread, milk, medicines, etc. This he did quite openly from the Japanese Medical Headquarters, but finally the Japanese Military Authorities closed this opening and he never again succeeded in obtaining their approval for this route although he visited them himself on several occasions.
The only other method of sending in supplies left open was that of weekly parcels and it was in this connection that the lady helpers did such good work. As it became evident that the Japanese officer-in-charge of the hospital was prepared to close his eyes to large supplies being sent in by parcels, the ladies took greater risks and increased the numbers and bulk of the parcels. These supplies eventually cost as much as 5,000 Dollars weekly on foodstuffs alone but owing to the great need of the patients in question, more would have been sent if that had been possible. The types of food sent in were as follows:·
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Soya Bean Milk Powder 90 catties, Full Cream Milk Powder Peanut Oil - 30 catties 1 tin, Pork Dripping 40 lbs., Butter 5 lbs., Barley for Porridge - 60 lbs. Quaker Oats 50 lbs., Sardines 90 x 15 oz. tins, Lacovomalt - 6 ins., Tomato Puree 42 lbs., Haricot Beans Marmite 24 ozs., Common soap 20 bars, Toilet soap - 50 Peanuts 60 lbs., Cigarettes - 6,000, Towels -
24, Honey 20 lbs., Sugar 120 lbs., Eggs Duck - 500, Soya Beans in Sauce 60 x 20 oz. tins.
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These bulk supplies started reaching the hospital about August last year and continued until the time of our internment. Many different kinds of medicines were included in these parcels and it is known they reached the Medical Officer safely.
In the early part of last year Dr. Selwyn-Clarke decided to stock large supplies of bulk foodstuffs and these included eggs which he preserved. Anything from between 500 and 1,000 eggs were sent in weekly to this hospital and it was most fortunate these eggs had been preserved as latterly it had not been advisable to show that funds were still available by purchasing fresh supplies.
In about December, 1942, the I.R.C. agreed to refund expenses connected with supplies to this hospital, but unfortunately this concession did not last for any length of time as Mr. Zindel, the Delegate, feared he might become involved if the Japanese discovered the method of despatch of these medicines, etc.
The Japanese from the very commencement have not contributed to this hospital in the form of essential medicines and so far as I know have only supplied one small quantity of Nicotinic Acid. The bulk supplies were all obtained by Dr. Selwyn-Clarke, and it was due to his efforts and to those of his lady helpers that there has been so considerable a reduction in the previous very heavy death rate. This hospital has, I know, sufficient Vitamin B.l to last for over a year, and also a supply of Nicotinic Acid. The available balance of these medicines and foodstuffs have been left in the charge of perhaps the most gallant of the lady helpers, and I am fully confident she will do all in her power to see they reach the hospital safely.
G.
SHAMSHUIPO PRISONER-OF-WAR CAMP.
The work connected with the despatch of supplies to this Camp was both difficult and dangerous but was of
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70lbs.,
60lbs.,
cakes,
such