of the Daughters of the American Revolution Hospital Corps, and stating that we were prepared to receive the applications from female nurses. On Tuesday, May 3d, the Surgeon General of the Army referred to us for examination, action and filing, about 600 applications and letters from women and organizations of women offering services. Many of these had been addressed to the President and the Secretary of War. Batches of applications continue to arrive from the War Department almost daily.

On May 16th the Surgeon General of the Navy referred to us 142 applications from women, and he also continues to send them, from time to time. In addition, many nurses apply to us direct, and the total number of applicants from all sources is now over 2,000. The majority of these are from women, with abounding patriotism, but without hospital training. We have written to about 800 of them, who gave some indication of being eligible to appointment, and we have sent them blanks, with questions, to be filled out and returned. While not making it obligatory, we have requested endorsements and have referred applicants to some Daughter of the American Revolution in their city or State. Our object in suggesting this to applicants who did not come to us direct, was as an additional safeguard against the selection of a person of unsuitable character. About 100 trained and graduate nurses have already responded, and fully a score are being added to the list daily.

I am happy to state that last night every one of the applications and letters requiring answer had been answered. In addition to this all have been filed in uniform envelopes properly labeled. To accomplish this, I have been at the office daily from ten to six o'clock, and the other officers have given most freely of their work. We have also been fortunate in having the assistance of many volunteers, and whom I wish to thank most heartily. Some of them have devoted several entire days to the work; many others have kindly offered to help and will do so shortly.

Visits from nurses, from those wishing to endorse nurses and making inquiries, have been almost constant, and have formed a feature to which I have necessarily given personal attention. During the past week progress has been much facilitated by the kindness of the Washington Loan and Trust Company, which has given us the temporary use of room 46, free of charge.

On May 7 the Surgeon General of the Army called for the names of three-afterwards increased to four-trained surgical nurses, to go to the Army Hospital at Key West. At that date there were few names on the eligible list, but we were so fortunate as to have among that small number two who were members of our Society, Miss M. Agnes Lease, of Maryland; Miss Alice Patton Lyon, of Pennsylvania (member of Pittsburg Chapter). Mrs. Johnetta B. Sanger, of Virginia, (member at large), and Miss Margaret E. Shaffer, of Pennsylvania,

were selected, and on May 13th they were enrolled in the United States Army and left for Key West. On the same day we were asked to select six surgical nurses for the army hospital ship now fitting out at New York, and the following were later reported as suitable and accepted: Miss Amanda J. Armistead, Ohio; Louise J. Block, Louisiana; Amy B. Farquarhauson, Maryland; Esther V. Hassan, Connecticut; Elsie H. Lampe, New York; Lucy A. Sharp, North Carolina. None of these ladies were Daughters at the time of their selection, but I learn that Miss Hassan has just joined the "Mary Clap Wooster" Chapter. It is impossible at present to predict when, or in what manner, nurses will be called for, but whatever be the fortunes of war, we feel confident that the great trust reposed in our Society will be justified by the ability and activity of the women who have the honor of directly serving our country in its time of need. We expect, in time, to see these nurses wear a small badge as a souvenir of the Corps. Meantime, Chapters in the District of Columbia, Connecticut, New York and Massachusetts have aided us, so that we have been enabled to present one dozen uniform aprons to each of the nurses so far selected. We hope that in view of the comparatively small salaries paid, and of certain expenses which the nurse necessarily meets herself, that this feature may be continued throughout the war. The small contributions asked for to defray expenses of the Hospital Corps have not poured in in such amount as to give us any surplus fund, but the Corps Treasurer's report shows that attention to this detail has not been limited to any one State.

To Mrs. Draper has been especially delegated the work and pleasure of responding to the enthusiastic letters that have been called forth from State Regents and Chapters by the war circulars. It would make this report too long, or I should delight in including these letters and telegrams. Suffice it to say that their tenor is most gratifying, and that we feel indebted to many officers and committees for assistance in what is, in fact, the most important part of the work.

In conclusion, a few questions must be put to the Board for action. The first is that of a war fund, which has been proposed from many quarters. Would it not be advisable to have such a fund, subject to call, whenever necessity should arise? Sums are already offered from several Chapters.

We wish also to suggest the desirability of reviving the special committee to consult the Surgeon General, which was reported at the last meeting. It should now be a war committee to cooperate with and advise the officers of the Hospital Corps; and I am permitted to add a personal suggestion to the effect that another member be made Chairman thereof.

This committee could, acting jointly with the Corps officers, direct the war work of the National Society during the summer vacation of the Board, and could order calls upon the war fund whenever necessity arose.

We also request formal authority to address the Surgeon General of the Marine Hospital Service regarding his appointments of female

nurses.

I append to this report the names of those who have assisted in clerical work, and the report of the Treasurer.

Respectfully submitted,

(Signed)

ANITA NEWCOMв MCGEE, M. D.

List of those who have assisted the Daughters of the American

Revolution Hospital Corps in clerical work:

$26 45

Balance cash on hand May 24, 1898,

In addition to the money received for incidentals, one Chapter contributed money to pay for apron material; others have made aprons, paying for the material themselves, and several individuals have made aprons, the material being furnished them. As some of the first to pledge aprons are holding them at the request of the Hospital Corps until it is decided to what place to send them, it would be unfair to make any report of the apron fund until the returns are in from all une Chapters.

Respectfully submitted,

BELL M. DRAPER, ·
Treasurer.

Miss Temple moved to accept this report without the questions. Carried.

Dr. McGee stated that letters had been received by the Daughters of the American Revolution Hospital Corps, showing a desire that the National Society should have a war fund, and that the committee had been at a loss as to how these letters should be answered. This matter was submitted by the Director of the Daughters of the American Revolution Hospital Corps to the Board for consideration.

The President General asked for suggestions on this subject.

Miss Forsyth said: "I find that there is a great interest in what has already been done by the Board, but there is a strong feeling, in many cases, that the Chapters, when they appear to have local work right