Reports received in Washington, prior to the sailing of the American Red Cross Commission to Greece, laid emphasis on the needs of the Greek hospitals, which were said to be overcrowded and short of supplies and equipment. Following up this information I made a careful study of the hospital situation as one of the first duties of the commission. The policy of detailed inspection was followed, and information secured at first hand regarding the situation.
The natural independence of the Greek character, and pride in Greek institutions, often masked the real need, and we discovered early that it was necessary to visit each hospital and to learn the actual conditions from personal investigation. The casual visitor was usually told by those in charge that, while there were many things they could use if they had them, they were getting along as well as the situation would permit. The true condition