I can only offer info(medical or otherwise) affecting MY limited world, made up of 5 rugged Marines on a 75mmGun Half-Track that for the greater part either camped or operated in mostly isolated areas: Guadalcanal was a jungle-like, hot, damp mosquito-infested island blessed further with heavy downpours and lightning flashes that at times could not be distinguished from that of enemy Naval gun flashes! An island that rocked back and forth as a broadside of 14" shells from a Jap battleship sunk deep within its innards! An island that trembled almost daily from heavy enemy bombings(and head-bashing falling coonuts!). An island continually invaded by an increasing number of Japanese troops, predetermined to have their say!!

'Front line' battle wounds were treated with the topical application of a moderate coating of Sulfanilamide Powder sprinkled directly into the open wound. Sulfathiazol Tablets given orally (if not an abdominal wound!) for the additional fight against bacterial infection. Then a dry padded 'battle dressing' was applied. If patient was in extreme pain, Morphine Sulfate(1/4gr) was injected intramuscularly(into deltoid if practical).      

The Morphine Solution was in a small squeezable tube affixed with sterile needle, ready for immediate use! I carried in an emptied Jap gas mask case (quite large!)various first aid items ranging from simple Band Aids to Morphine Sulfate. Many other items necessary to maintain a healthy fighting crew, were also carried in that case,or in my 'Unit Three' ( pouches with shoulder harness).     

Symptoms of malaria (chills--fever--chills--fever,etc.) were referred to the Regimental Aid Station as were any and all cases that I could not handle in isolation. PREVENTIVE MEDICINE: Atabrine Tablets administered semiweekly to suppress malaria symptoms; salt tablets prior to or after excessive perspiration; proper hygiene--the 'whore's bath' accomplished with helmet shell filled to capacity with rainwater. The all-purpose helmet shell also substituted as washtub for our 'delicate' undergarments (that
in time rotted away!)          

As the cry went out: "There's fungus among us", I admonished the men to keep themselves as dry as possible.(You could hear their sharp, snide retorts echo throughout that clammy, steaming, rain- drenched jungle: "YEAH"!! "RIGHT"!!)      

One of our crew was reluctant to leaving his private foxhole at any time. He ate, slept,(ETC.!!) there until his sparse clothes began to mold. After several unsuccessful attempts to entice him out, we forcefully took him to the Regimental Surgeon for evaluation. (He was immediately replaced.)      

Evacuation of casualties by Field   Hospital was initially by Higgins Boats to off-shore ships. Later with the availability of the airstrip on Guadalcanal, military transport planes evacuated patients to rear area hospitals, some distance from the island.     

Used my shelter-halved 'Sick Bay" area as 'Headquarters' for poker playing; gripe sessions and sea story telling. In addition to medical treatment for various conditions, I also believed in dispensing MEGA-DOSES of much needed "Positive Thinking" to help neutralize the debilitating affect of surrounding and never ending CHAOS!! +++++ "SAVING ONE'S DIGNITY" +++++ During a Japanese air raid on Guadalcanal, our newly formed Half-Track coastal defense position was completely leveled wounding a Marine crew member and blowing "Yours Truly" out of my shallow foxhole. The man, a no-nonsense type of rugged Marine, whispered in my ear as I treated his very extensive wounds: "Doc"! "I think I 'DID IT' in my pants"!! Knowing of his macho image, I reassured him that under similar circumstances, 'DOING IT' in one's pants is par-for-the-course. Besides, none of the Half-Track crew now knew nor need EVER know it happened to him!! With this assurance, the apprehensive tension on his face suddenly disappeared as he was then transported to a medical facility in the 'rear'.(as if there ever WAS a safe 'REAR' on Guadalcanal!!)

John Francis Richter
HM1 USN (Ret.)
Guadalcanal/Cape Gloucester/Korea
1stMarDivFMF SEMPER FI!!
http://rt66.com/~korteng/SmallArms/gyrendoc.htm