Miscellaneous WWII Medical Kits & Related Items
(Pouch, Large First-Aid Dressing – period 1943-1944 – from the collection of Alain Batens)
Description: 1 X Rectangular Khaki/Olive-Drab Canvas Pouch, closing with 2 Lift-the-dot buttons, and provided with the std. hook system for attachment to eyelets of either Pistol or Cartridge Belt, this item looks suspiciously like part of a 2-pocket, or 3-pocket grenade carrying pouch, in which the Large First-Aid Dressing fits rather well, (customized at Unit-level, or Rigger-made ?) the latter is Item #92050, U.S. Army Carlisle Model, manufactured by Handy Pad Supply Company, Worcester, Mass., Contract No. W 603 MD 15119, M55890, the rectangular white box is covered with a protective wax layer
(Packet, Individual, Chemical Prophylactic – period 1940-1944 – from the collection of Alain Batens)
From L to R and horizontally: 1 X War Department Leaflet "Sex, Hygiene and Venereal Disease" ref. 254247° U.S. Govt Printing Office:1940, issued August 1, 1940 (16 pages), 1 X E.P.T. (Pro-Kit) Vocabulary No. 1-468, mfd by G. Barr & Co., Chicago, Ill., USA, Lot No. 10,126 (full), 1 X PRO-KIT, Item No. 9N588-10, mfd by G. Barr & Co., Chicago, Ill., USA, Lot No. 7513 (full), 1 X PRO-KIT, Item No. 9118000, mfd by Evans Chemetics Inc., New York, N.Y., USA, Lot No. 091 (open), + Direction Sheet "How to use the PRO-KIT" with 6 Instructions, Soap Impregnated Cloth, Cleansing Tissue, & Tube containing 5 grams Ointment (stating For US Army Use Only) ingredients are: 30% Calomel + 15% Sulfathiazole – this is Item #91180 (paper wrapper is mfd by Tension Envelopes Corp) – Remark: while the Individual Chemical Prophylactic is Item #91180 (for treatment of infected individuals), there’s
also an Individual Mechanical Prophylactic (or condom, for protection against venereal infection) i.e. Item #91181
(Bandages, Pads & Sponges – period 1942-1944 – from the collection of Alain Batens)
From L to R and horizontally: 1 X Dozen Bandage, Flannel, All Wool, Roller, Red, 3-inches x 5 yards, Contract No. W-30-084 MD 12 M-5070, mfd by M. Wenglinsky & Sons Inc., New York City, 50 X Combination Pad (also denominated Surgical Pad), 8" x 10", Item #92119, from American Red Cross, Natick, Mass., 1942, 100 X Curity Lisco Sponges (or Surgical Sponges, i.e. Item #92105), Not Sterilized, No. 315 (2" x 2"), Type II, Class B, Bauer & Black, Division of The Kendall Co., Chicago, ref SFE 13 G, Lot No. 406096, 1 X "Wool-Co" Red Wool Flannel Bandage, 3 inches x 5 yards, Style #20030, mfd by S. Woolman Inc., New York City, 1 X White Cross Canton Flannel Bandage, 5 yards x 5 inches, mfd by The American White Cross Labs Inc., New Rochelle, N.Y. – Cape Girardeau, Mo., 200 X Surgical Sponge, 2" x 2", Item #92123, from American Red Cross, Clifton, New Jersey, 1942, 2 X Bandage, Canton flannel, 3 inches x 5 yards, mfd by Marsales Co Inc., New York, N.Y., (MARCO), 1 X "Gerbro" Muslin Bandage, 5 inches by 5 yards, Stock No. 2-009-000, Gerstein Brothers Mfg. Corp., New York, N.Y. - Remark: last item is postwar, see item numbering
(Syringes - period 1942-1944 – from the collection of Alain Batens)
From L to R and horizontally: 1 X Syringe, Glass, Luer, 10 cc, Stock No. 3845000, mfd by Becton, Dickinson & Co., Rutherford, N.J. w/ Cardboard Box + Syringe, 10cc, ref 6304G, B-D & Needle w/ Protecting Cover, 1 X Urethral (Prophylaxis) Syringe, ¼ Oz., Bulb of (black) Neoprene, Item No. 38610, mfd by Medbridge Supply Company, East Cambridge, Mass w/ Cardboard Box, 1 X Syringe, Luer, 2-cc, Stock No. 6515-514-2395, East Rutherford Syringes Inc., East Rutherford, N.J., ref N-62851-1488 w/ Cardboard Box + Syringe Ideal Property of the U.S., 2 cc, ref J 3327 & Needle w/ Protecting Cover, 1 X Glass Syringe, 10 ml, GVG, w/o Needle, 1 X Syringe, Urethral Prophylaxis, Glass (red bulb), ¼ Oz., Blunt Tip, Becton, Dickinson & Company, Rutherford, N.J. Item No. 38610 w/ Cardboard Box, 1 X Syringe, 2 cc, Glass, Luer, mfd by Becton, Dickinson & Co., Rutherford, N.J., Item No. 38440 w/ Cardboard Box, + Syringe B-D, Property of the U.S., ref 6408G & Needle 19-M, 1 X Syringe, 2 cc, Glass, Luer, mfd by Becton, Dickinson & Co., Rutherford, N.J., Item No. 38440 w/ Cardboard Box + Syringe B-D, ref 6480G w/o Needle – Remark: Syringe, Luer, 2-cc is Item #38440, 10-cc is Item #38450, 30-cc is Item #38460 – while Syringe, Luer, Needle, 15-Gage, 3" Canula is Item #38530, 17-Gage, 3" Canula is Item #38520, 19-Gage, 1 ¾" Canula is Item #38510, 20-Gage, 1 ½" Canula is Item #38505, 22-Gage, 1" Canula is Item #38500, 22-Gage, 3" Canula is Item #38503, 23-Gage, ¾" Canula is Item #38490, 25-Gage, ¼" Canula is Item #38470, and 25-Gage, ½" Canula is Item #38480
(Foot Powder – 1941-1944 – from the collection of Alain Batens)
From L to R and horizontally: 1 X Foot Powder Olive Drab Can, Stock No. 1245800, Net Wt 3 Ozs, Dist By US Products, Memphis, Tenn, ref 38102 (for tired perspiring feet, apply once or twice each day), 1 X Ounce Foot Powder, Stock Number 1203990, in Paper Envelope, mfd by The Scholl Mfg Co Inc., Lot No. M191 w/ Separate Paper Envelope + Contents inside, 1 X Brass Foot Powder Can, Contents 1 ¾ Oz (probably WW1 issue), 1 X Foot Powder, 1/5 Ounce, in Paper Envelope, mfd By Hynson, Westcott & Dunning Inc., Baltimore, Md., Lot No. FP-146, Contents: 2% Salicylic Acid, 6% Boric Acid, 3% Zinc Stearate, 1% Exsiccated Alum – Remark: there is also a ¼ lb Foot Powder Container, Item #12040 & a 2 Oz. Foot Powder Can, Item #91096
(Bag, Personal Effects, Olive Drab – period 1941-1945 – from the collection of Alain Batens)
From L to R: 5 X Personal Effects Bag, Tubular-shaped Khaki Cotton Bag, 7" in diameter and 8" in height, provided with a drawstring at the top, made from water-repellent cotton to protect contents, 1 X Field Manual 10-63, War Department Field Manual, GRAVES REGISTRATION, 15 January 1945 – Remark: the Personal Effects Bag is Stock No. 27-B-250 (Army item), the Quartermaster Supply Catalog QM 3-4, Headquarters, Army Service Forces, 1945 describes it as follows …Bag used to return the small personal items of deceased soldiers to their relatives … while FM 10-63 states … Bag used to pack effects found on remains only and which will be regarded as personal effects … the white form stitched to the side of the Personal Effects Bag lists: Serial No.- Name – Grade – Rank – Organization – Address – Nearest Relative – Killed in Action – Date – Battle Area – Died of Disease – Hospital – Information – Place of Burial – Point of Coordination – Description of Body – Members Missing – Signed - Procedure: each article of personal effects removed from the body of a deceased member of the military forces or civilian personnel under the jurisdiction of the War Department, will be listed on Graves Registration Form No. 1 (=Burial Report) and on an Inventory List (=WD AGO Form 54) – after sealing the Personal Effects Bag, same will be placed in a Personal Effects Pouch, which is to be used as a registered shipping container for Personal Effects Bags, to be shipped from the Theater of Operations to the Army Effects Bureau, Kansas City, Missouri (Pouch, Personal Effects, looks like a std. Canvas Mail Bag, it measures 24" x 23 ½", it is made from water-repellent OD duck material, it has a double bottom, it is equipped with a padlock, and bears following markings US War Department – Registered Personal Effects Pouch No….
Remark: please do not confuse Bag, Patient’s Effects (Item #99045) with Bag, Canvas, Valuables, Numbered, w/Tag, Metal, Identification (Stock No. 24-B-1183) and the above, they are totally different items ! The first item belongs to the Medical Department, the second to the Army, and the one described above is from the Graves Registration Service (=QMC)
(Bag, Personal Effects, OD – Bag, Patient’s Effects – Bag, Canvas, Valuables, Numbered, With Tag, Metal, Identification – period 1943-1945 – from the collection of Alain Batens)
From L to R: 1 X Personal Effects Bag, tubular-shaped bag, 10" x 8", made from water-repellent khaki cotton, equipped with white cotton drawstring at top, provided with white 5" x 5" label (to fill in by GR personnel), the Quartermaster Supply Catalog QM 3-4, 1945 describes it as follows: …Bag used to return small personal items of deceased soldiers to their relatives … 1 X Patient’s Effects Bag, olive drab muslin bag, " 8" x 6", equipped with drawstring closure, provided with small square white label, subdivided into 2 compartments, of which one is rubberized, mfd by Edlen Herman Products Inc., … Bag used for safe-keeping personal belongings & valuables of patients, while being hospitalized, or undergoing medical treatment … 1 X Valuables Canvas Bag with Numbered Metal Identification Tag, 11" x 12", made from durable khaki cloth, equipped with white drawrope at top, to which is attached a white cotton neckband with numbered (596) metal tag, mfd by Dade Awning Co. 1943, the Quartermaster Supply Catalog QM 3-4, 1945 describes it as follows: … This bag is required for safe-keeping of valuables while men are being processed through the bath unit – the numbered metal tag with neck band is placed around the neck while bathing or showering, and is required as a check and receipt for the bag … - Remark: Bag Personal Effects is Stock No. 27-B-250 (Army QMC item), Bag Patient’s Effects is Item #99045 (MD item), Bag Canvas Valuables is Stock No. 24-B-1183 (Army QMC Item)
(Bag, Waterproof, Double Texture, General Purpose, Type I – period 1943-1944 – from the collection of Alain Batens)
Description: 1 X Rectangular Bag, made out of a double layer of waterproof khaki cloth, rubberized inside, with rubberized throat + drawcord, and closing straps w/ square buckle, size 20" x 16" x 16", mfd by Phil-Mart Products Company, M.15405 P.O. 15705, 3-3-45 – Remark: this is Stock No. 24-B-1258 (Army item), the Quartermaster Supply Catalog QM 3-4, 1945 describes it as follows … This bag is an all-purpose item used for carrying miscellaneous equipment such as blankets, surgical equipment, dressings, etc. … there’s another similar Bag, size 24" x 24" x 42", Stock no. 24-B-1260, which also belongs to the range of 6 Special Purpose Waterproof Bags, used for amphibious operations (i.e. Stock No. 24-B-1263-200, No. 24-B-1263-500, No. 24-B-1264-150, No. 24-B-1264-400, No. 24-B-1264-450, and No. 24-B-1265-250 in black rubber.
WWII Litters
(Litter, Folding, Wood – period 1943-1944 – from the collection of Alain Batens)
Description: 1 X Litter, w/markings introduced in 1943, i.e. Red Caduceus + Red Markings, i.e. Medical Department, US Army, on White Circular Background, Squared Wooden Handles, Folding System, Manufacturer Zimmer-Thomson Corp. (no date), Khaki Canvas Bed – Open view of subject item – FM 31-30 Tactics and Technique of Air-Borne Troops May 20 1942 states … The Regimental Medical Detachment (of a Parachute Regiment) has the std. equipment of an Infantry Regimental Detachment and uses in addition, folding litters – since the equipment taken into combat is limited, two Delivery Units Type A-5, carry the medical equipment used in combat . Each one contains blankets, canteen holding alcohol, small operating case, flashlight, splints, bandages, first-aid dressings, cotton, iodine, miscellaneous drugs and ampules, and one folding litter … - Remark: this is Item #99362 – Complete Elements of Litter, Folding, Wood Item #99362 are: Spreader Bar & Stirrups is Item #99364, Strap is Item #99383, Litter Securing Strap is Item #99386, Canvas is Item #99363, Wooden Poles & Handles is Item #99375, Litter Bolt, Stirrup-Securing is Item #99359
(Litter, Folding, Wood, Item #99362 – period 1943-1944 – from the collection of Alain Batens)
Folded view of subject Litter (folding mechanism and compact size of Litter are clearly shown)
(Litter, Straight, Aluminum – period 1943-1945 – from the collection of Alain Batens)
Description: 1 X Litter, w/markings introduced in 1943, i.e. Red Caduceus + Red Markings, i.e. Medical Department, US Army, on White Circular Background, Tubular Aluminum Poles & Wooden Handles, Manufacturer, Zimmer-Thomson Corp. (no date), Olive Drab Canvas Bed, no reinforced part at stirrup height, Litter is supported by 2 X Stirrups, firmly bolted to both poles, this secures the stirrups to the poles and prevents the canvas from slipping – Remark: Litter Straight Aluminum is Item #99350 – Complete Elements of Litter, Straight, Aluminum Item #99350 are: Canvas is Item #99352, Wooden Handles is Item #99353, Spreader Bar & Stirrups is Item #99356, Litter Bolt, Stirrup-Securing w/Bushing, Nut & Washers is Item #99357, Litter Drive Pin, Handle Securing is Item #99361, Litter, Cap Screw for Swivel Block is Item 99371, Litter, Swivel Block for Stirrup is Item #99374, Strap is Item #99384, Litter, Base Block for Stirrup is Item #99369
(Litter, Straight, Aluminum, Item #99350 – period 1943-1945 – from the collection of Alain Batens)
Folded view of subject Litter (strap folds around poles, canvas and stirrups, holding everything together)
Litters = markings: until 1942 – plain Red Cross + MED. DEPT. U.S.A. + date 3-16-42 in black; from 1943 onward – Red Caduceus on White Circle + US ARMY – MEDICAL DEPARTMENT all in red; from end 1943/early 1944 – Red Caduceus (or Maroon, or Black) w/o Circle + US ARMY – MEDICAL DEPARTMENT in Red (or Maroon, or Black) the Circle disappears for camouflage reasonsmaterial: for obvious reasons of shortage of certain strategic materials, wood, steel, and/or aluminum will be used – while for reasons of space, folding systems will be introduced – 1940 standardization of Litter, Canvas, Folding & Litter, Canvas, Aluminum Pole; 1941 new version of Litter, Canvas, Folding – spring 1942 Litter, Canvas, Steel Pole; 1943 Litter, Straight, Wood & Litter, Folding, Wood – summer 1943 Litter, Straight, Aluminum (Item #99350), Litter Folding Aluminum (Item #99380), Litter, Straight, Steel (Item #99376), Litter, Straight, Wood (Item #99366), Litter, Folding, Wood (Item #99362) – early 1944 ONLY Litter, Straight, Aluminum + Litter, Folding, Wood will remain standard issue, all other versions become ‘limited standard’ also in use in 1944 are Litter, Metal, Airplane (Item #99385, also called Litter, Metal, "Stokes") and Litter, Canvas, Semirigid (Item #99360) and Litter, Mountain (Item #9938550), also important to note is the existence of a Carrier, Field, Collapsible (Item #99175) or folding wheeled litter carrier
COTS, FOLDING
(Cot, Folding, Mountain, Medical, Item N° unknown – period 1943-1945 – from the collection of Alain Batens)
Description: 1 X Folding Cot, approximately 25 ½" x 71", made from khaki canvas, with loops for holding a metal tubular frame and a kind of supporting stirrups (frame consists of 4 parts + 4 supports), subject cover is light canvas cloth and metal parts are light, for easy transport, markings show the std. Red Caduceus + Red Markings on White Circular Background and Red Markings i.e. 10th Mountain Medical Battalion (pertaining to the 10th Mountain Division) – Remark: above Item was purchased some years ago, and its exact whereabouts could not be traced, I’ve seen another similar cot with only the medical marking and without metal parts … if anyone can enlighten me, kindly contact the Webmaster – many thanks
(Cot, Folding, Mountain, Medical Item unknown – period 1943-1945 – from the collection of Alain Batens)
Assembled view of subject Cot, showing metal tubular frame used for mounting
(Set, Pajama, Coat, Summer – period 1940-1944 – from the collection of Alain Batens)
Description: 1 X Pajama, Coat, Summer, size medium large, on a Blanket, Wool, Medical Department, light gray color shade, w/ white ‘frogs’ closure (white cotton buttons & loops), straight upright collar, single breast pocket (left), long sleeves, mfd by The Stuart Keith Mfg Co., Cont W-669-qm 17416, Dated April 13, 1942, Type I, Medium Large, Fed. Spec. No. DBD-P-76, Dated12/17/36, Phila Q.M. Depot (trousers missing) – Remark: this is Item #97791 (Army Service Forces Medical Supply Catalog MED 3, 1 March 1944), Set, Pajama, Trousers, Summer is Item #97792) - there is also a Set, Pajama, Coat & Trousers, Winter (Item #97793 & Item #97794 respectively)
(Packboard, Plywood + Pack, Unit, Medical Equipment – period 1943-1945 – from the collection of Alain Batens)
Description: 1 X Plywood Packboard (2nd pattern Packboard), for multiple use, including medical equipment as well, olive drab color, w/olive drab colored canvas cover & web suspenders, mfd by American Seating Co., O.I. 5603-4X-C, 1-20-44 (black markings) + 1 X Pack No. 5 (?), Unit Medical Equipment, olive drab canvas, no date, no manufacturer, subject Pack is introduced as a substitute for the M.D. Chests, too heavy for transportation, used by forward Aid Stations – Remark: the Packboard is Item #97787 (or Army Stock No. 74-P-27-20), the Canvas Cover is Item #97788, the Packboard Adapter is Item #97789, while the Pack Unit No. 5 is Item #97948 (there is also a Pack No.1 (item #97941), Pack No. 2 (item #97942), Pack No. 3 (item #97944), and Pack No. 4 (item #97946) – looking for additional data re the use of Pack Units ! – the above item slightly differs from the Pack on the experimental ‘special’ Yukon Packboard, as illustrated in the Army Service Forces Catalog MED 3, 1 March 1944 ! but, then I assume modifications did occur, before subject item was ever introduced and standardized … it would be interesting to learn more about contents !
(Gloves, Impermeable, Small – period 1943-1945 – from the collection of Alain Batens)
Description: 1 X Pair, Gloves, Rubber, Protective, Impermeable, Small (10 ½), black rubber w/yellow markings ‘do not use for electricians’, + 1 X Rectangular Cardboard Box, mfd by Miller Products Co. Inc., New York, N.Y., Q.M.C.T.S. – P.Q.D. No. 163 C, Contract No. W669 QM-27861, Date April 13, 1943, Philadelphia Quartermaster Depot, S.G.O. Reqn. No. R-661-B General – Remark: while the Army Service Forces Medical Supply Catalog MED 3, 1 March 1944 refers to it as Item #99263 (before July 44) and Item #9926300 (after July 44) the Box indicates Stock No. 99263-20 (while still being dated April 43, this numbering scheme depicts a variant within an identical range of goods)
(Blanket, Wool, White (Medical), Item #71580 – period 1944-1945 – from the collection of Alain Batens)
Description: 1 X Medical Blanket, ivory-white/maroon color, showing M.D. US Army maroon script, large maroon band, and 1944 maroon marking – above blankets were apparently only used behind frontlines and mainly in fixed installations – this particular item has no label, but other blankets showed following markings: US Army Spec 8-111A, Type II, Dated 7-27-44, P.O. N°642, Phila QM Depot, mfd by Chatham Manufacturing Co., Contents 100% Virgin Wool, or US Army Spec 8-111A (w/ exception), Dated 4-28-44, Phila QM Depot, mfd by Marshal Field & Co., 100% Wool – Remark: there’s also a Blanket, Olive Drab (90"x 66") which is Item #99090, while the Army also uses a Blanket, Wool, OD, M-1934, 3 ½ lb, which is Army Stock N° 27-B-678
(Set, Blanket, Large, Item #97455 – period 1943-1945 – from the collection of Alain Batens)
Description: 1 X Large Case for Blankets, made from OD Canvas, mfd by Indianapolis Tent and Awning Co., June 9, 1943 (red markings), Contract No. W431 QM14839 (O.I. 14647-3X), upper flap closes with 3 straps + buckle, 4 sides have khaki web handle each for transport, while the 2 narrow sides are adorned with a medium-size Red Cross, the front panel has following black markings in thick block letters "Medical Department, U.S. Army", "Blanket Set Large" - Remark: while the complete Set is Item #97455, the empty Case is Item #97460, it should be further noted that there is also a Set, Blanket, Small which is Item #97465, while the empty Case for same is Item #97470; the Large Blanket Set consists of 24 X OD Woolen Blankets, while the Small Blanket Set consists of 8 X OD Woolen Blankets (the latter can also hold 150 Hand Towels OR 50 Bath Towels)
(Set, Blanket, Large, Item #97455 – period 1943-1945 – from the collection of Alain Batens)
Overall view of subject Case showing various markings
(Tray, Food, 6-Compartment, Plastic & Tray, Food, 6-Compartment, Metal – period 1942-1944 – from the collection of Alain Batens)
From L to R and horizontally: 1 X Food Tray in Rust-Brown Plastic, upside down, manufactured by Mack Holding Co., 1944, + markings U.S.A. M.D. , 1 X Food Tray in Aluminum, no markings at all (?), 1 X Food Tray in Rust-Brown Plastic, only markings U.S.A.M.D., with E (in a diamond) followed by digit 2, and 1944 Remark: Plastic Food Tray is Item #99584, while Metal Food Tray is Item #99586 (cups are also available, and were still used in the 1970s – mine is mfd by Halsey Inc, Scranton, Pa, it bears U.S. and digit 3 – no date - can anyone help with this ? thanks
(Plate, Dinner, Chinaware & Plate, Supper, Chinaware, & Tray, Food, 6-Compartment, Plastic - period 1942-1944 (?) – from the collection of Alain Batens)
From L to R and horizontally: 1 X Dinner Plate, width 10 ¼ ", white china w/Maroon Medical Department emblem, markings; Shenango China, Newcastle, Pa., 1 X Food Tray, 6-Compartment, Plastic, rust-brown plastic, mfd by Mack Holding Co., 1944, markings; U.S.A.M.D., 1 X Supper Plate, width 9 ½ ", white china w/Maroon Medical Department emblem, markings; Syracuse China, Economo-Rim, Trade Mark – Remark: Item # unknown, also period is not certain … any additional data are welcome – thanks for your help
(Case, Linen Set, Small, Olive Drab (Item unknown) – period 1944-145 – from the collection of Alain Batens)
Description: 1 X Small Case for Linen, made from OD canvas, mfd by Tweedie Footwear Corp., USA, 1944, flap has a black Caduceus flanked by block letters U and S, and closes with 3 straps + buckle, the case is equipped with 2 canvas carrying handles at both ends, subject item may contain linen, towels and/or blankets