Awards for members of Czechoslovak field hospital in Korea
Source: VHA_MNO-HKS_90-1_1953
19 officers received awards for their service in Czechoslovakian field hospital in Korea. Signed by Ministry of Defense Alexei Cepicka on February 21, 1953.
Compensation for work of POWs, irrecoverable debt, 1953
Source: VHA_MNO-FS_266_44-4-1-29_1953
Compensation for work of POWs; list of irrecoverable claims. The list was issued by Czech Ministry of National Defense on May 30, 1953, in response to Decree 21273/FS, dated May 7, 1952. The list contains 21 cases of farmers who at that time still owed the state compensation for work of POWs but could not repay the debt because their property was confiscated by Czechoslovak state. The total sum of money was 107.775 CZK. This debt is considered irrecoverable by the Ministry of Defense which advices other ministries to write it off. From the documents it is not clear when this work was carried out; whether this was during the war or after the war and who they were.
Czechoslovakian hospital in North Korea, part 5
Fund HT ZS; 100/1; 1952
DOC 1: List of medical material shipped to Czechoslovakian hospital in Korea. Ministry of Health did not yet approve amount of penicillin and therefore this is not listed. Surprising is large amount of DDT shipped as medical material together with medicines and surgical and roentgen material.
DOC 2: Ministry of National Defense, act No 00613, HT/ZS; 11 Feb 1953; to Chief of Czechoslovakian Red Cross hospital in North Korea MUDr Josef BARTAK.
In response to report 045 from January 12, 1952, thank you for your help for colleagues whose possessions were destroyed by fire. I did not receive any coded communication in this matter. Chemical laboratory shall be left in place and handed over to the new group. New group will be equipped with gas masks; arms will be handed over to them upon arrival. I am sending injections of TUBOCURARINE requested by you in coded messages. Some aggregate material is shipped at the same time (including spare parts etc). I have no objections against the planned visit of BEIJING and MOSCOW.
New group which will replace your team:
- MUDr PLACAK, chief surgeon
- MUDr EISELT, orthopedist
- MUDr PIETROVSKY, surgeon, gynecologist
- MUDr NESPOR, phthisiologist (specialist on tuberculosis)
- MUDr TRAVNICEK, anesthesiologist
- MUDr STYBR, dental surgeon
- PhMr KOVAR, medical supplies
- HLAVON, assistant to the hospital chief
- 2 drivers, 3 nurses (all above shall arrive in February)
- 2 surgeons, 1 war surgeon, 1 internal medicine specialist, 1 X-ray specialist and internal medicine specialist, and 2 more drivers and 3 nurses (departure mid-March)
Undersigned Brigadier General MUDr Frantisk CERNY
DOC 3: List of medical and support staff in Czechoslovakian hospital in North Korea, 1952
DOC 4: List of surgical equipment shipped to the hospital. Items shipped separately per special request (Devenan Forte injections, Norman gtt, tubocurarine chloride).
DOC 5: List of items for shipping for the Ministry of National Defense. As per verbal order received from Gen PhMr NEMEC, undersigned PhMr Frantisek SOUCEK presents an itemized list of all materials prepared for shipping. Date: 8 March 1952.
Medical material:
Pharmaceuticals:
COMMENTS:
Osteosynthesis in 1950's:
Osteosynthesis was technique which was used at that time already, and greatly advanced over the following years. Bones are very sensitive to infection and strict aseptic operational technique is essential. First surgical treatment provided to war casualties was provided by the Koreans in field hospitals on the front line. Transfer hospitals including the Czech one mostly dealt with re-operations. Czechoslovakian doctors mentioned that their main contribution was in hospital hygiene and aseptic techniques. They also mentioned that the main problem in Korean hospitals were post-operational complications and deaths resulting from sepsis. The absence of amputees, as noted at POW exchange, can easily relate to this lack of aseptic operational technique.
Experimenting with DDT for medical us in 1950's:
There was large amount of DDT shipped to the hospital as "medical material". In the 1950's, DDT was widely used as pesticide and insecticide especially in areas with endemic malaria and Yellow fever. Malaria was endemic in Southern provinces of North Korea. Also, some of the reports mentioned that several members of the Czechoslovakian team contracted malaria despite all efforts to prevent the infection. At that time, DDT was considered a "miracle molecule", and was used rather liberally. Its acute toxicity (neurotoxicity) was well known at that time. Information on its cumulative toxic effects came much later. DDT was used in 1940's against epidemic of typhus. There are several reports of the use of DDT (p.o.) for the treatment of barbiturate poisoning. More evidence is needed to prove or disprove hypothesis that DDT was used in mixture with antiseptics to be applied on surfaces and possibly for wound cleaning in cases of myiasis.
Curare:
In the 1950’s – 1960’s, tubocurarine had medical use for anesthesia as a muscle relaxant (Liverpool technique). "The use of curare-like preparations has been found to be highly beneficial in traumatic and orthopedic cases prior to repositioning and correction of contractions in orthopedic patients. They were also used in patients with tetanus and shock. Intubation is recommended when using curare-like medications." (Lepakhuu B: Therapy of traumas with preparations with curare-like action. Zdravoolhraneniye Sovetskoy Estonii, No 4, Jul-Aug 1962, pp 9-12)
Agreement between Czechoslovakian Ministry of Health and Ministry of National Defense on administration of civilian health care in Hradec Kralove after takeover of the state faculty hospital in Hradec Kralove by military administration
Source: Military Historical Archive in Prague (VHA); Fund: Sekr. Min.; 94/1, 1952.
Summary:
I. Establishment of VLA (Military Medical Academy) by Presidential order: Military administration takes over namely clinical and theoretical departments including pharmacy MEDICA.
II. VLA (Military Medical Academy), in cooperation with the peoples’ administration, is responsible for:
1) VLA (Military Medical Academy) staff (doctors, teachers, chiefs) will serve as advisers and experts to civilian sector
2) VLA (Military Medical Academy) will provide hospital beds for district Hradec Kralove
3) Until the civilian part is built, the VLA (Military Medical Academy) will provide health care for civilians
4) VLA (Military Medical Academy) will share their expertise with civilian colleagues within clinical departments providing this brings no additional expenses for the Ministry of National Defense.
5) VLA (Military Medical Academy) will allow completion of existing civilian research projects within their facilities.
6) VLA (Military Medical Academy) will contribute to lifelong education of civilian doctors.
7) VLA (Military Medical Academy) will supervise traumatology in Hradec Kralove and poliomyelitis department in JANSKE LAZNE (pediatry, neurology, orthopedy)
8 ) Hygienic and epidemiological departments in Hradec Kralove will remain under the administration of District National Committee; virology and laboratory diagnostics will operate from VLA (Military Medical Academy) facilities.
9) Transfusion station will be transferred to VLA (Military Medical Academy)
10) VLA (Military Medical Academy) pharmacy will provide service for civilians until end of 1952
11) Hospital in NECHANICE will be taken over by VLA (Military Medical Academy)
12 )Individual and socialist commitments of VLA (Military Medical Academy) staff remain unchanged
III. Ministry of Health is responsible for:
1) Peoples’ administration cooperates with VLA (Military Medical Academy) to provide service for civilians
2) All material equipment for Hradec Kralove subsidiary of Medical faculty of Charles University and state faculty in Hradec Kralove for 1951-52 will be transferred to the Ministry of National Defense
3) Financial resources allocated to the hospital will get transferred from the Ministry of Health to the Ministry of National Defense
4) Civilian expenses will be paid by the ministry of Health
5) Epidemiological service will remain intact
6) Help with VLA (Military Medical Academy) pharmacy staff
7) Information campaign among the locals
8 ) Nuns who currently work in the hospital will be replaced by civilian nurses
9) Ministry of health will transfer the relevant buildings to the Ministry of National Defense
IV. This status is temporary only. The final objective is to build a new hospital in Hradec Kralove.
Undersigned: Ministry of Health and Ministry of National Defense
Czechoslovakian field hospital in North Korea part 3
Report on activities of Czechoslovakian field hospital in North Korea
From: Czechoslovakian consulate in North Korea
To: Czechoslovakian Ministry of foreign Affairs
Date: 15 July 1952, report reference number 571/1952
Summary:
Czechoslovakian hospital in North Korea is located in SOGAN, 40 km from FENJAN. The location is relatively safe with regards to the danger of aerial bombing by UN forces. Czech medical personnel were initially forced to stay in light Korean barracks which do not fulfill even the most elementary criteria of hygienic standard and safety against bomb shells. There is a large lake near the hospital which is used by the UN forces as a landmark. Enemy air power concentrates on the main road which is 3 km away and town SUKCHON which is roughly 40 km away from the hospital. Location of the hospital is likely known to the UN forces because on several occasions spies were captured in the area, and some parachutes were found the paratroopers did not have time to dig in.
Underground accommodation was completed on July 10, 1952. The hygienic and health standard of these barracks is higher than that of the original Korean accommodation what positively affects morale of the medical team. Currently the team can only use one operational and one X-rays room which are both unfit for purpose. After reorganization which was conducted 3 weeks ago in the presence of Deputy Ministry of Health Brigadier General RY-DON-HA and Soviet advisers of Minister of Health, Czech team was given responsibility for the whole surgical department. There are 450 patients who require surgical treatment what means 70 patients per doctors. From Soviet perspective, this is normal, and Czech team can expect even more patients in peak times. These days, after the bombing of FENJAN, there are additional 400 patients in the hospital.
The organization of this hospital was also clarified in the meetings with our Soviet and Korean counterparts. Czechoslovakian group does not represent an independent field hospital as Czechoslovakian doctors and especially MUDr BARTAK assumed. Czechoslovakian team is a part of the Korean hospital which has got capacity of some 1.200 patients and has director who is Korean military staff. This hospital is a TRANSFER hospital. The difference between FIELD and TRANSFER hospital is that FIELD hospital operates on the front line and provides first aid to the patients who are then transported to TRANSFER hospitals for further treatment .After that they are either returned to front line or discharged as incapable of military service. Czechoslovakian hospital is located 220 km from the front line and receives patients who already did receive primary care .All allied hospitals are TRANSFER hospitals.
To date, Czechoslovakian surgeons performed 196 operations. Some of them are wounded soldiers or civilians, but many are patients with conditions which require surgical treatment. Some advanced surgery was performed here as well, e.g. hip surgery performed by MUDr MERGL. Czech doctors lead surgical teams which consist of one Czech nurse, Korean doctor, and a Korean nurse. Relationship between Czech and Korean medical staff is very cold. This is attributed to the attitude of MUDr BARTAK who initially did not how enough respect to Korean colleagues. It was proposed that MUDr BARTAK was called off back to Czechoslovakia because of his inability to lead the team effectively. MUDr BARTAK, his political delegate, and several other doctors were invited to see comrades in Soviet and Romanian hospitals to learn about their friendly relationship with Korean colleagues. After consultation with Soviet, Romanian, and Hungarian consulates, a meeting was called to promote good relationships between colleagues.
Bulgarian medical group sent their equipment to North Korea in advance before their medical staff arrived. Upon arrival, this group found none of their equipment in place and has to work with great difficulties.
The hospital is divided in three centers which are 7 km apart. This requires light vehicles which the Czechoslovak team does not have. Czech staff can only use 10 heavy trucks. Korean Ministry of Foreign Affairs spoke to KIM IR SEN and the Czechoslovakian team got two trucks for this purpose. One of the vehicles was then returned to the Korean team. Czech cars are also used by the Koreans what causes difficulties with repairs.
There was also serious problem with food supplies. When Czechoslovakian team found out that Korean side is unable to provide necessary food, they used their money to get supplies from ANTUNG in China. Special permits were then negotiated with the Korean side.
Czechoslovakian team has got sufficient supply of Marxist and other political literature including history of VKS/b. Political education is adequate.
Czechoslovakian doctors often encounter difficult medical cases which require high specialization and expertise which they haven’t got. Hungarian team is led by professor from a clinic in Budapest, and both Romanian and Bulgarian hospitals are led by highly qualified docents and scientists. This helps other doctors to learn improve their skills.
Czechoslovakian group does not have experienced X-ray specialist and orthopedist. There is also significant language barrier. The team will get 4 interpreters. The Czech team did eventually win respect and appreciation of Korean colleagues and patients. Czech doctors also significantly contributed to training of Korean doctors, especially when it comes to hygiene and aseptic conditions during surgery and post-operative care. In the past, post-operational complications caused by infection often resulted in death. In this sense, efforts of Czechoslovakian doctors are adversely affected by hygienic standard of the building which is totally inadequate. Patients also suffer from diseases caused by dark and humid environment and lack of sunshine.
Comrade FRANTA, a political delegate, contributed to the common effort by cultural and political program which bonds Czechoslovakian and Korean colleagues. Comrade BARTAK asked Deputy Minister of health RY-DON-HA about rotation of Czech teams. He assumed that Czechoslovakian team would be rotated after 6 months like the Romanian and Bulgarian teams. RY-DON-HA mentioned this to Deputy Minister of Foreign affairs LI-DON-GEN. BARTAK’s assumption was fundamentally wrong because Romanian and Bulgarian teams have already been working in the area much longer and this was their third deployment, whilst the Czechs did not even start working properly as their hospital has just been built. Czechoslovak teams’ tour of duty lasts 12 months. In fact, Romanian and Bulgarian teams extended theirs to 8 months.
Undersigned
Charge d’Affaires BABKA
03.05Volunteers
Volunteers
Veronika Valdova
Source: National Archive in Prague, fund NUKU-L 13
This series of documents obtained from the National Archive in Prague brings a little bit more light in the popular belief that Czechoslovak refugees who managed to escape from Nazi occupied Protectorate Mahren und Boehmen were lining up in front of Czechoslovak consulates abroad eager to join army which was forming there under the Czechoslovak government in exile. ,How voluntary this decision was for a person whose only choice was to become stateless and be sent back to Protectorate?
To put things in context, Edvard Benes fled the country following his abdication after the Munich crisis. Only after a meeting with Roosevelt in May 1940 he put himself in charge of foreign anti-Nazi resistance.
These documents show what choice the people who attended the consulate in order to extend their identity documents had.
DOC1: Consulate of Czechoslovak Republic in London
Number ………………………………………………… In London on …………………..1942
Matter: Passport operations – fulfillment of compulsory military service.
Attachments: 1
Mr. ………………………….
To your application from (date) …………1942 in the matter of passport operation the Consulate responds that according to the decision of the Ministry of Interior it cannot respond positively to your request unless you proof (by recruitment ticket, confirmation of the Ministry of Defense, etc) that you have fulfilled your military obligation.
In case you have not already reported to the Czechoslovak Army in England and did not comply with the requirement of military service like a dutiful Czechoslovak citizen, this bureau is advising you to do so at the Ministry of National Defense, which is located at 134 Piccadilly, London, W.1, and announce this to the Consulate. You can submit your application on the attached form.
Should you refuse to comply with this summons or you hesitate to fulfill you military obligation, the Consulate will have to reject your application and report your refusal to fulfill your military service to the relevant Czechoslovak authorities.
DOC2
Consulate of Czechoslovak Republic in London
No …………………………………………. In London on 1942
Matter: Report on refusal to fulfill military obligation
Attachment: 1
To the Ministry of Interior in London
Consulate announces as per decree 2252/2/42 from April 22, 1942, that above mentioned Czechoslovak subject born on — in — domicile in — district — address —
was on the occasion of submitting his application for passport operation asked whether he is willing to voluntarily join the Czechoslovak Army in Great Britain.
To this request, the office received response as per the attached copy.
With regards to the fact that the concerned person refused, or hesitates, respectively, to fulfill his military obligations in the sense of above mentioned decree, his application for extension of passport (or issuing of a new passport) was rejected by this bureau.
The concerned person is a holder of regular – temporary passport No …………issued in ……………on ………..
Which expires on……………………………………..which was returned to him without extending it and without registration stamp.
This is sent to the Ministry of National Defense.
DOC3
Consulate of Czechoslovak Republic in London Questionnaire
No Date 1942
Matter: Response to your letter from: Attachment:
The Consulate is asking you for:
- Produce evidence of Czechoslovak state citizenship (that is certificate of Czechoslovak state citizenship, citizen’s identity card, domicile certificate, or other documents, respectively, proving your Czechoslovak state citizenship;
- Fill in and return the attached passport form;
- Send two photographs signed by you from the back side
- Produce your Police certificate of registration ;
- Produce your birth certificate, baptismal certificate, and marriage certificate;
- Produce official certificate that you voluntarily reported to Czechoslovak Army in Great Britain or your statement that you are willing to do so now.
- Consular fee including postage. On behalf of the consulate
DOC4
Application to Czechoslovak Army in Great Britain
To the Ministry of National Defense, 134 Piccadilly, London, W.1
The undersigned….
Born on in
District domicile
District occupation
Current address
Voluntarily and unconditionally reports to Czechoslovak Army in Great Britain and asks to be presented to medical exam (recruitment).
In on 1942
Signature
DOC5
Consulate of Czechoslovak Republic in London
No /42 in London on 1942
Mr.
The Consulate announces that it does not have in its files any evidence that you voluntarily reported to the Czechoslovak Army in England and fulfilled this way your duty as a Czechoslovak citizen.
The consulate is therefore asking you to reply by return whether and when you voluntarily reported to the Czechoslovak Army in England, and in case you haven’t done so already, I you would be willing to do so now.
On behalf of the ambassador
Czechoslovakian field hospital in North Korea II
VHA Fund Sekr. Min. 94/1 1952
DOC1: Consulate of Czechoslovak Republic in Korea, No 331/52, Secret, Fenjan, 26 February 1952; to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Prague. The consulate reports that on February 20, 1952, they visited So-gam where a Korean hospital already exists. Most important problems of his site: So-gam is located roughly 350meters from main road Fenjan – Sinindzu. There is no accommodation for medical personnel; and there are no facilities for a pharmacy, storage area, canteen, or anything else. Deputy Ministry of Health wanted to build barracks for Czechoslovak medical staff. Facility No 5 is approximately 5km from the central facilities. Facility No 5 is located approximately 1.5 km from a village on a railroad, near the railroad station; and is subjected to constant aerial bombing. Facility No 3 is hidden in a valley covered by forest. From security point of view, the location is rather good. Decision will be mad in 15 days. Undersigned: charge d’affaires, April 17, 1952.
DOC2: Consulate of Czechoslovak Republic in Korea; No 332/52 Secret, Fenjan, 8 February 1952; to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Matter: Field hospital in Korea. The consulate states the following: Czechoslovak consulate offered to build a field hospital in Korea and this intention was announced to the Korean Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Before this meeting I visited Romanian field hospital which was recently moved to Fenjan area. Romanian hospital was placed in a small village near railroad and major route. Chinese volunteers have got temporary storage sites around this village. The site was already bombed during the time when Romanian doctors worked there. Working conditions of the Romanian team are nearly impossible, and accommodation is horrendous even for Korean standard. Due to this, morale of the Romanian team is low. Czechoslovak field hospital is located 35 km from Fenjan, roughly 4km from the road Fenjan – Sinidzu, in hilly terrain covered by forest. There was only a military map available showing location of the front lines and Korean and allied field hospitals. Just like other allied hospitals, our hospital won’t get fresh patients, but only those who survived transport and previous phases of treatment. Phased treatment will be provided in hospitals along the front line which estimated about 300 km from the front line to Fenjan. Most of the patients will require surgery, or internal medical care; and can suffer from eye and neurological diseases. Approximately 50% of new patients are likely to suffer from tuberculosis. I would recommend building the hospital near the consulate which can provide both material and political support.
Equipment: stable X-rays, mobile X-rays, laboratory; quartz lamp, SoLux lighting, diathermy, gymnastic equipment; apparatus for removal of fractured bones; apparatus for transfusions and storage of blood; wound dressings; chamber-pots; generators which can receive 100 V and can still function when the power drops to 85 V; truck and a van for transport of patients; 50 hospital beds – the smallest size available; four-wheel drive car and 5 bicycles for staff; and basic equipment for living quarters and the kitchen.
DOC3: Mobile field hospital; 28 April 1952; regular report; Attachment 1; Ministry of National Defense – HT/ZS, to the hands of Col MUDr Cerny. Report on transfer to the target area. First transport of material was sent out on April 19 1952 in a convoy of four Korean cars. The transfer was completed in two days in a convoy of 12 cars. Towns on the road (Sinidzu, Sukchon) were leveled by bombing. Czechoslovak transport was not attacked. Chinese volunteers who are there stationed in roughly 2 km intervals watch for any approaching aircraft. The hospital has character of evacuation hospital with majority of patients suffering from chronic diseases and wounds. Transports are usually shipped at night by Korean comrades who handle the load rough because of fear of air strikes. The cars have fuel consumption 50 to 60 liters of petrol per 100km because of terrain and inability to travel at normal speed. Morale of the team is good; MUDr Skalicky was promoted to Captain and MUDr Mergl, Krakoraa, Zachvej, Pavlus, and Vlasak to SCpt. Comrade Babka visited the hospital on April 28, 1952. Living conditions of the Korean people are horrendous but their morale is exemplary. Undersigned MUDr Josef Bartak.
DOC4: Map of the hospital
DOC5: Request of the Chief of Pharmacy of the 56th Korean hospital (dated 13 June 1952)
Acidum acetosalicylicum pulv. 15 kg (Current indications & profile)
Phenaceticum 6 kg (phenacetin profile, no longer in use, painkiller)
Chininum Sulfuricum pulv. 15 kg, (quinine – used to treat malaria)
Atebrin pulv 3 kg (quinacrine – used to treat malaria)
Amidopyrin 6 kg (aminopyrine profile, methotrexate type of painkiller, no longer in use)
Opium pulv 1 kg (Opium history and use)
Codeinum phosphor. 500 g (Codein use)
Phenobarbital 2 kg (Phenobarbital – treatment of seizures and addictions)
Aether pro narcosi 15 kg (aether – general anesthesia, no longer in use)
Sulfapyridin pulv 20 kg (sulphonamide antibacterial used for pyoderma gangrenosum, community acquired pneumonia, history. This group has been in use since early 1940’s. )
Sulfanilamid 30 kg (sulfanilamide; elixir of sulfanilamide deaths 1937)
Penicillin 200.000 UI / amp, 1.000 amp (antibiotic, used i.v. and i.m.; history)
Santonin 150 g (anthelminthic medication)
Magnesia usta 15 kg (talc, used to treat recurrent pleural effusion and pneumothorax)
Menthol cryst 500 g (antipruritic)
Oleum jecoris As 100 kg (vitamin A, D, E)
Rivanol 300 g (Ethacridine lactate – antiseptic, also used for abortions)
Jodum 3 kg (antiseptic)
Chloraethyl 10 kg (Kelen, analgesic, minor injuries)
Novocain pulv 1.5 kg (procaine, local anesthetic)
Caffeine 3 kg (CNS stimulant, also used in patients who require ECT therapy)
Liq. Potassium acetate 10 kg (homeopathic medicine; solution for infusions, could be used in combination with thiopenthal as part of truth serum)
Coffeinum natr. Benz. 5 kg (CNS stimulant, also used in patients who require ECT therapy)
Adrenalin sol. 1.000 g (CNS and CVS stimulant)
Oleum ricini 15 kg (Castor oil; laxative, induction of labor)
Magnesium sulfuricum 15 kg (magnesium oral: laxative; i.v.: prevention of seizures in pre-eclampsia, hypomagnesemia)
Tanninum albuminatum 20 kg (treatment of diarrhea and poisoning with heavy metals; tannins in veterinary medicine, tannins handbook)
Calcium chloratum 10 kg (solution for infusion, treatment of hypocalcaemia)
Sodium salicylate 15 kg (NSAID analgesic, antipyretic)
Alcohol 200 kg (disinfectant, antiseptic)
Liquor cresol sapon. 100 kg (cresol toxicity – neurotoxic agent; disinfectant with corrosive actions)
Acidum boricum 30 kg (mild eye disinfectant; cockroach insecticide)
Zincum oxidatum 20 kg (treatment of skin conditions)
DDT 500 kg (insecticide used to control malaria. It has both acute and chronic toxicity. Significant neurologic toxicity; used on humans to treat typhoid fever; Communists experimented with other uses for DDT; WHO draft assessment; )
Oleum zinci 100 kg ung. (skin conditions, minor injuries)
Vaselina flava 100 kg (skin conditions)
Extr. Hepatis amp. 500 amp.
Natrium citricum pulv 1.5 kg (anticoagulant, blood transfusions, laboratory – for plasma)
Glucosae pulv 100 kg (solution for preparation of infusion)
Sapokalin 100 kg
Bacterial reagents
Czechoslovakian field hospital in North Korea
Selection of documents from fund 94/1, (Sekr. Min.), 1953, VHA (Military History Archive), Prague
DOC1: Chief of Staff to the first deputy of the Prime minister and Ministry of National Defense Alexej Cepicka
Act No 002506/NOS1953 (Top secret); dated December 14, 1953
Expansion of activities of field hospital of Czechoslovak Red Cross in Korea
Report in response to order No 0011046/Ga from August 20, 1953
Czechoslovak government decided that the Czechoslovak field hospital in Korea will stay but will be moved from Chicon to Con-dzin and more staff will be sent there in cooperation with the Ministry of Health (deputy Ministry of health Dr Stich). Original facilities would be handed over to the Koreans. Four junior doctors will be sent back home. Minister of National Defense will provide assistance and cooperation to the Ministry of Health in this matter. The whole mission will be from now on finance by the Ministry of Health. During the first phase of building of the hospital, civilian sector sent 38 doctors and nurses, and 6 recruits in compulsory service.
DOC2: In Prague, November 1, 1953, Act No 0789; Ministry of foreign affairs. Comrade Placak from the Czechoslovak consulate in Fenjan provided some information on Czechoslovak hospital in North Korea. He stated that he does not have enough information which would allow him to make an estimate of required resources for the hospital. There was a requirement to provide equipment for X-ray, dermatology and venereal diseases, gynecology and obstetrics, and pediatric departments. Comrade Placak cannot understand the demands as the hospital does not have any department for internal diseases, only surgery. He also stressed the need for laboratory equipment.
DOC3: September 5, 1953: expansion of the Czechoslovak Red Cross field hospital in North Korea. All shipped supplies arrived safely (material for wooden barracks). Five staff members fell ill with malaria despite all precautions. Junior staff members are coping well. Our hospital has 500 beds and serves as surgery under Korean evacuation hospital. The hospital was temporarily seriously overloaded. On August 25-28, 1953, international conference of surgeons took place in Fenjan. Contributions of Czechoslovak doctors are highly praised by both Soviets and North Koreans. North Koreans asked Comrade Babka for establishment of yet another Czechoslovak hospital with 400 beds in Con-dzin with 90 staff in total (59 doctors and 23 nurses). The hospital would include surgery and internal medicine, laboratory, and X-rays. Due to experience with civilians I am asking for permission to select cadres from the military. Undersigned Gen. Maj. MUDr Frantisek Cerny.
Malaria distribution map
Malaria in Korea (source):
| Country Name | Malaria in Country | Drug Resistance | Malaria Type | Prophylaxis for Areas with Malaria |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| North Korea | Present in southern provinces. | None | Presumed to be P. vivax 100% | Atovaquone/ proguanil, chloroquine, doxycycline, mefloquine, or primaquine (prior to primaquine use, all patients must be tested and documented to have a normal level of glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase activity) |
Czechoslovak field hospital in North Korea – accommodation for staff
DOC4: May 15, 1953, top secret (declassified 17 June 2009); Ministry of National Defense on establishment of clinical hospital, Military Medical Academy, Hradec Kralove. Military Medical Academy in Hradec Kralove was organized by Soviet model. 41 departments were created, 21 of them clinical. Total capacity is 1.700 beds. Ing Cermak prepared estimate of expenses for both variants (extension of existing hospital and building of a new one). The hospital would transfer its civilian functions elsewhere (district and regional hospital for civilians) and serve as hospital for military personnel from garrisons in the area.
DOC5: Reactivation of 1.000 medical officers in reserve for extraordinary military exercise as per §39 of the Military Service Act in 1954-55. Ministry of National Defense approved reactivation of 250 medical officers in reserve for extraordinary exercise for the period of 3 years, and 1.000 medical for the 2 month retraining in 5 lots during 1954. This proposal was consulted with MUDr Zdenek Stich and it will be executed by Alexej Cepicka.
Discussion on ethics in medical science
This sign represents modification of the ancient symbol of Asclepios, a short rod entwined by two snakes, which turned wild. Rod changed into a sword and a snake into venomous and deadly cobra.
There is a discussion group on ethics in medical science at Linked In, where I am presenting my research on this topic, and ask for feedback. The book I am currently working on includes review of well documented abuse of medical science in the past, namely experiments on non-consensual subjects during the WW2, Korean and Vietnam wars, and the Cold War; and review of declassified records of testing of biological and chemical warfare on human subjects.
The main purpose of the book is to discuss conditions which led to profound shift of perception of human rights within the medical and scientific community in Nazi Germany and elsewhere. This is a discussion on anatomy of mass murder, and conditions in society which lead to dehumanization of population subgroups and their eventual utilization and killing for profit.
It is a hot topic which could be of interest to professionals from other industries, and I would appreciate your opinion and input.
http://www.linkedin.com/groups?gid=4312115&trk=hb_side_g
Veronika Valdova
McCrae complains about switched evidence
High Court Prague, G F McCrae, February 8, 2012
Court hearing with Gilbert Ferguson McCrae, on February 8, 2012, in front of High Court at Prague Pankrac, the Czech Republic:
The voice recording was obtained in the courtroom immediately before the start of the hearing, in the presence of the Judge, Associate Justices, the State Attorney, the Defense Attorney, Co-Defendant (McCrae’s wife, who can also be heard in the recording), and the attending public.
McCrae: You are trying to seal evidence switching in this case, bullet and (inaudible) case; I have got a comparison here that it is missing from the (…) report. I want it to be seen by the press what they have done. They are trying to switch evidence in this case! And remove the fact that the gun was not used in the crime! There’s evidence here! And I want that to be seen! I want it to be seen what the judge (…) did, with 15-16 years in prison with no evidence that my gun was used in this crime, and evidence switching to the fact! I am tired of that bullshit! And want it to be seen and looked at by this jury how it is in this frikkin’ ballistics report. I want evidence switching to be exposed! (Inaudible) I am tired of that bullshit, a photograph removed! I am tired, what a joke! Evidence switching was done in this case!
It has got to be exposed! Evidence switching was done I this case! This is a comparison with the other ballistics report. It shows the bullet, it shows microphotograph of the cartridge case. Where it is in the report, jury? Where it is in the report? Where is this page number? I am tired of that crap! Evidence switching has got to be exposed here, it has to be exposed! Evidence switching has got to be exposed here!
They removed pages from the ballistics report to conceal the fact that the gun was not used in the crime! They removed photograph! With a page number!
…
Soudní jednání s Gilbertem Fergusonem McCrae, 8.února 2012, před Vrchním Soudem v Praye na Pankráci, Česká Republika:
Zvuková nahrávka byla pořízena v soudní síni bezprostředně před zahájením slyšení, v přítomnosti soudce a přísedících, prokurátora, obhájce, spluobžalované (žena McCrae, kterou je na nahrávce taktéž slyšet), a zúčastněné veřejnosti.
McCrae: Pokoušíte se tady zpečetit zámenu důkazů, kulka a (…) nábojnice, mám tady porovnání že to ve zprávě chybí! Chci aby to tisk měl možnost vidět co udělali! Pokoušejí se zaměnit důkazy! A odstranit fakt ž eta zbraň při zločinu nebyla použita! Tady je důkaz! Chci aby to bylo vidět! Chci aby bylo vidět co (…) soudce udělal, s 15 či 16 lety vězení bez důkazu že moje zbraň byla při zločinu použita, a záměna důkazů k tomuto faktu! Jsou z té lumpárny už fakt unavený! Chci aby to porota viděla jak je to v téhle zatracené balistické zprávě! Chci aby tady byla odhalena manipulace s důkazy. Jsem z toho unavený, vyjmutá fotografie! Už mě to nebaví, to má být vtip? Zaměnili v tomhle případě důkazy!
Tohle musí být odhaleno! Záměna důkazů byla provedena v tomto případě! Toto je pro srovnání ta druhá balistická zpráva. Ukazuje kulku, mikrofotografii nábojnice. Kde to je v téhle zprávě, soude? Kde to je v téhle zprávě? Už mě ten bordel doopravdy nebaví! Tady je potřeba odhalit záměnu důkazů! Odstranili z balistické zprávy stránky aby zakryli skutečnost že ta zbraň nebyla při tom zločinu použita! Odstranili fotografii! I s číslem stránky!