The Medical Chest

Four American soldiers demonstrate one method of transporting the Medical Chest during a training mission in the Zone of the Interior. Photograph taken 1942. Of special note is the early-war markings and Chest style.

| Introduction | The Medical Chest | Tray Sets | Medical Packboard Packs |
| Markings & Colours | Chest Contents | X-Ray Chests |

Introduction:

The series of MD Chests was introduced to the Medical Department in 1942 as a means by which to transport large unit medical supplies and to enable medical units to easily redeploy. Each Chest was designated using a number, and each holding supplies for a very specialized role. Depending upon the function of the Chest, a number of “Tray Sets” was also introduced in 1942 as a means of better packing equipment for prompt establishment. This Article aims to look at the various types of Medical Chest, their respective contents and their roles within the Medical Department.

The Medical Chest:

The standard variation of Medical Chest was designated as Item # 9754000 – Chest, Field, Plain. Having interior dimensions of 28 inches long, 16 ¼ inches wide and 14 ½ inches deep, the Chest occupied a space covering 5 cubic feet. The Chest had a large hinged lid (using three strap hinges), which closed using two clasps, and later examples also featured a hasp and staple fixture, to allow the Chest to be locked (for use when the Chest was to act as a Dispensary). It would appear that during WW2 two versions of the Chest were produced, each with inherently different features.

Early examples of the MD Chest have leather strap handles on each end of the container, whereas by 1943 the boxes were fitted with two 'cabinet-style' folding metal handles. Both variants were constructed using plywood boards, edged with metal strips and cornered using pressed metal hardware. The interior of the Plain Chest was free from any form of divider or shelving system, thus allowing it to be used for a multitude of purposes.

Photograph showing Item # 9754000 - Chest, Field, Modified. The two large drawers are also shown in this image, and assembly pictured represents the MD No. 1 Chest.

In addition to the Chest, Field, Plain, a number of other variations of the MD Chest were produced. Item # 9754000 – Chest, Field, Modified, while appearing identical in exterior appearance, featured a central interior divider to accommodate two large wooden containers. The lid of this Chest contained a folding table-top, constructed of wooden ply material, having tubular steel supports. This specific chest was designed to be used when constructing a field operating table (by placing a litter atop two upended MD Chests). To accommodate for this, the Modified Field Chest contained metal supports for the litter. These were constructed of channeled steel and were stored in the lid when not in use.  These supports could be fitted to the Chest by inserting them into the slotted hardware flanking each end, and would support the weight of the patient.

This illustration clearly shows the stowage of the litter supports inside the Modified Field Chest when not in use. Private Collection

Tray Sets:

As mentioned above, a series of Tray Sets was also introduced by the Medical Department in order to extend the versatility of the Medical Chest. Each of these Tray Sets performed a specific role, and was designated as Type #. Below is a brief list of the various types of Tray Sets being used, and the components thereof:

African-American medical personnel collect supplies from the Tray Set Type I. As can be seen, the Table Top component has been covered using a towel to improve sterility.

Item # 9789000 - Tray Set Type 1:
9789000 was a four-tier folding Tray Set designed to hold medical supplies. It consisted of one each of the following:

• 9784000 – Table Top
• 9785000 – Tray No. 1
• 9785500 – Tray No. 2
• 9786000 – Tray No. 3

Each of the trays had two folding upright supports, which would fold down inside the chest during packing.   This item was exclusively used to hold supplies in the MD No. 2 Chest.

Item # 9789500 – Tray Set Type 3:
The Type 3 Tray Set was designed as an administration insert for the standard Plain Field Chest. It consisted of a large inner chest (9751000 – Cabinet, Stationary), featuring a fold-out table (9784500 – Table, Typewriter), a separate folding table, accompanied by four small folding chairs (9783500 – Table and Stool Set).
The Type 3 Tray Set was exclusive to the MD No. 4 Chest, and was used mainly to perform field administration of medical units and stations.

Illustration showing Item # 9789500 - Tray Set Type 3 erected. As can be seen, the folding typewriter table was designed to slot into the large Cabinet, Stationary to produce an alternative field desk.

Item # 9790500 – Tray Set Type 5:
Tray Set Type 5 was used in the MD No. 60 Chest, to hold supplies sufficient for establishing a field Dental Laboratory.  It was a three-tiered system, with a flat table-top shelf atop two folding chests. In addition to the Chest, Field, Plain, the Type 5 tray set consisted of one each of the following:

• 9784000 – Table Top
• 9787500 – Tray No. 8
• 9788000 – Tray No. 9
• 9792000 – Tray, Tool

Each of the tray's construction (with the exception of the Table Top) is identical to that described above; the only difference being the placement of several dividers within each tray.

Field use of the MD No. 60 Chest. The dental clinic has been established inside an M1943 Pyramidal Tent, and the Tray Set has also been placed on top of the Chest, Field, Plain in order to make its height more convenient for the clinic.

Item # 9791000 – Tray Set Type 6:
The Type 6 Tray Set consisted of several large cabinets, each designed to hold tools and supplies for the aforementioned Dental Laboratory. The cabinets were designed to be placed inside a standard Chest, Field, Plain, and featured a large shelving unit with several smaller drawers being used to hold dental dressings and instruments. The official designation for this Tray Set's make up is one each of the following:

• 9750500 – Cabinet, Dental, Laboratory
• 9783000 – Table, Laboratory

Due to this set's specific use, it only appeared as part of the Chest, MD No. 61 assemblage.

Illustration showing Item # 9791000 - Tray Set Type 6. As can be seen, the cabinet consists of a number of drawers, into which the various tools and instruments would be placed.

Item # 9791500 – Tray Set Type 7:
This final Tray Set was once again used to hold material for the field Dental Laboratory. It consisted of a single folding tray and table top component, and was once again designed to be placed inside the standard Chest, Field, Plain (Item # 975400). The Tray Set officially consisted of one each of the following components:

• 9784000 – Table Top
• 9788500 – Tray No. 10

This particular Tray Set formed an integral part of the Chest, MD No 62, and was not used for any other application.

The above illustration shows the contents of Chest, MD No. 62, along with Item # 9791500 - Tray Set, Type 7. Also shown in this picture is the Chest, Field, Plain, into which the Tray Set would be placed. The divider in the bottom tray can clearly be seen, stacked on top of the Chest.

Medical Packboard Packs:

Due to the heavy weight and cumbersome size of the Medical Chest, by late 1943 the Medical Department began to look for alternative methods of transporting medical supplies and assemblages. A solution to the problem was discovered in the form of a canvas duck pack which was designed to be placed upon the Packboard (both the early Yukon and later Plywood models). Two of these particular packs were designed to replace one Medical Chest, and it was envisaged that they would allow the units to move more effectively and quickly.

A photograph showing the subtle differences between the Yukon-style Packboard Pack (left) and the regular Plywood version (right). The large loop as mentioned in the text can be seen placed over the wooden upright of the Yukon Packboard.

For obvious reasons, the introduction of these packs in late 1944 meant that the various Tray Sets which had previously been used to hold supplies were no longer appropriate. As a result, the Medical Department introduced a series of zipped compartments which could be placed into the pack to hold supplies. Since the US Army was already using both types of Packboard by the time the Medical Pack was introduced, two variants were manufactured, one designed specifically for the Yukon Packboard, Stock No. 74-P-25 (having large canvas loops on each top corner, designed to be placed over the upright supports of the packboard). The second variant was manufactured specifically for the Plywood Packboard, Stock No. 74-P-27-20, and the main difference was the absence of these canvas loops. A comparison of both of these variations can be seen in the illustration below.

An illustration showing the Medical Pack, complete with zipped inserts. This particular example contains the M2 Gas Casualty Treatment Set, but a similar set up would have replaced a Medical Chest by 1945.

Chest Markings and Colours:

It would appear that the designated colour for the Medical Chest was changed mid-war (approximately June – August 1943). Early examples of the Medical Chest featured silver painted metalwork and fixings, while the wooden paneling was painted a flat black. The Chest had a large white circle, inside which was placed a 3” Red Cross symbol. On the left hand side of this insignia were painted the block letters MD using white paint. Opposite to this was stenciled the number of the chest, thus easily identifying its contents. Identical markings were featured on both ends of the chest for identification when the chests were staked in a store room or dispensary.

The two variations of markings and colour schemes can clearly be seen on the three Medical Chests at the bottom of this Battalion Aid Station pack. The variation in handle styles can also be seen in this image. The equipment is believed to be packed inside a 1 Ton Trailer (Ben Hur) in preparation for shipping to Normandy.

In late 1943, a new version of Medical Chest was standardized, this one, as has already been outlined featuring the all-metal 'cabinet style' handle. New markings were also introduced. All areas of these later chests were painted using OD #7 paint. On each end a decal of the Medical Department insignia was applied. This insignia featured a Maroon Caduceus in the centre, with the text “U.S. ARMY” above the caduceus, and “MEDICAL DEPARTMENT” below. In addition, a decal was applied which featured the letters MD in Maroon. Opposite to this was stenciled the Chest’s number, to identify it. As was the case with the earlier examples, markings were applied to both ends of the chest.

Coloured illustration showing the difference in the early and late designation markings, as mentioned above.

Chest Contents:

The lists below give the contents for various US Army Medical Chests used by the Medical Department during World War 2. All of the lists here are based on data from March, 1944. A more detailed study of the Medical Chest, and the variants thereof (including Tray Sets)  can be found in a separate Article dedicated to the subject by clicking here.

A large part of the unit medical equipment of Division Medical Units was packed in standard chests.
With the exception of the pack equipment (Chests designated by letters) and Chest No. 6, inside dimensions of each Chest were 28 inches long, 16 ¼ inches wide, and 14 ½ inches deep. Such a Chest would occupy approximately 5 cubic feet of space.

Since the Chests underwent slight development, the main contents listed here are taken from 1944 publications. As a result of this, 7-digit item numbers have been used to represent items. Wherever possible, illustrations have been included to show the contents of the various chests, but in some instances this has not been possible.

In addition, a list of quantities has also been included for each respective Chest, indicating the allotted total of each Chest for various Medical Department Stations and Hospitals. This list has been generated largely from 1942 documentation. The authors would be keen to receive any information about adjustments in the allotment for later war years (1943 onwards), and should you be able to help with this, please feel free to contact us.

The following offers an overview to the various Chests covered in this Article, giving a short description of the various contents, the Chest's overall weight and its designated MD Number:

Note: Despite his best attempts, the author has been unable to locate any information relating to Chest Nos. 6 and 7. No edition of the Medical Department Supply Catalog (1942, 1943 and 1944 editions reviewed) make mention of such chests. The only small piece of data available was taken from the 28 March 1942 publication of FM 8-10 : Medical Service of Field Units, and reads as follows:

Chest No. 6 is shaped to accommodate the particular lighting unit supplied.

9756500 – Chest, MD No. 1, Complete:
The MD No. 1 Chest formed the central component for the Regimental Aid Station, along with Chest No. 2. The former was used mainly to hold the basic surgical dressings and compresses for use on minor injuries. It also contained the necessary administrative components for maintaining a Station Log.  In larger establishments however, the MD No. 1 Chest was replaced by means of several No. 2 Chests, with an MD No. 4 containing the necessary administrative resources.

Photograph showing field use of the Chest, MD No. 1. Notice how the litter is placed on top of the two Chests. 7th Infantry Regimental Aid Station (3d Inf Div), Sant'Agata, Sicily, 9th August 1943

Station Quantities:

• Battalion Aid Station: 2
• Regimental Aid Station: 1
• Evacuation Hospital: 2
• Station Hospital: 0
• General Hospital: 0

 Show Chest, MD No. 1 Contents

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9757000 – Chest, MD No. 2, Complete:
Item Number 9757000 contained components for the treatment of more severe wounds in forward areas (for example at the Battalion or Regimental Aid Stations). In addition to the standard surgical dressings, the assembly also included drugs and instruments for conducting minor surgery. Typically these would be used  by the Battalion Surgeon in forward locations. Also included in the Chest were the necessary tools for the administration of first aid to prophylactic patients.

Interesting photograph showing a dentist pertaining to the Dental Clinic of the 48th Quatermaster Truck Company. Of special interest is the fact that he uses a Type 1 Tray Set for the storage of various dental equipment. Photograph taken in Queensland, Australia, 1942.

Station Quantities:

• Battalion Aid Station: 1
• Regimental Aid Station: 1
• Evacuation Hospital: 2
• Station Hospital: 3
• General Hospital: 0

 Show Chest, MD No. 2 Contents

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9757500 – Chest, MD No. 4, Complete:
As mentioned above, the Chest, MD No. 4 was used mainly for performing administrative roles in larger establishments of the Medical Department for example mobile and semi-mobile Hospitals. The role of this Chest was seemingly to replace the necessity for a separate Field Desk, by accommodating all of the required office equipment into one Chest.

Station Quantities:

• Battalion Aid Station: 0
• Regimental Aid Station: 1
• Evacuation Hospital: 2
• Station Hospital: 0
• General Hospital: 1

 Show Chest, MD No. 4 Contents

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* Depot Officers assembling unit are responsible for inclusion of proper part to fit item for which intended

The following Chest (MD No. 5) has been represented using the 5-digit Item Numbering method, since it appears to have been deleted from the 1944 edition of the Medical Department Supply Catalog, thus indicating that the Chest was no longer being issued (since its contents had been replaced with new and improved items – see description below).

97580 – Chest, MD No. 5, Complete:
Chest MD No. 5 contained the Field Autoclave which was to be used in mobile and semi-mobile Hospitals of the Med Dept. for the sterilization of medical instruments and inexpendable dressings or surgical supplies. By March, 1944 however, it seems to have been replaced by Item # 9950000 - Sterilizer, Dressing and Utensil, Horizontal.

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9502500 - Chest, MD No. 60, Complete: 
The M. D. Chest No. 60 occupied 5 cubic feet, and weighed from 157 to 187 pounds, depending upon variations in the constituent items. Total cost was approximately $305. This chest contained a wood, aluminum, or steel folding chair, a foot-engine, an alcohol sterilizer, and routine operative and surgical instruments and supplies to a total of about 160 different items. It contained no prosthetic equipment as such supplies were packed in other chests not available to the smaller units. Issued to the Dental Officers of each tactical command allocated dental facilities, it provided the minimum equipment needed for operation of a dental service where mobility was essential. When restrictions were placed on the shipment of more elaborate outfits overseas, Chest No. 60 was also supplied to General and Station Hospitals and General Dispensaries of the Communications Zone. It lacked many of the refinements which made for convenience in operation, but contained the basic elements needed to meet routine needs in the combat zone. Patients requiring major oral surgery or prosthetic replacements had to be sent to more fully equipped installations, such as mobile or semi-mobile Hospitals.

1941 picture showing the Chest, MD No. 60, and an improvised Medical Chest (bottom). Again, note how the Table Top has been covered with a huck towel.

During the campaigns of late 1942 - 1943, and in particular those in the MTO, the MD No. 60 Chest was in extremely short supply, with the Dental Corps having only 63% of its total allocated Chests, with the situation being particularly bad in North Africa, where it is believed no No. 60 Chests were issued. These serious deficiencies of supplies and equipment involved shortages of important items including Dental Burs and heavier lab equipment. During the early part of the war many units were sent overseas without field dental equipment, or with Chests which were incomplete in essential items. This particular deficiency was one of the most critical encountered since it was extremely difficult to make any informal arrangement for obtaining dental care in the areas first occupied by American troops.

Station Quantities:

• Battalion Aid Station: 0
• Regimental Aid Station: 1
• Evacuation Hospital: 2

 Show Chest, MD No. 60 Contents

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* Depot Officers assembling unit are responsible for inclusion of proper part to fit item for which intended.

9502600 – Chest, MD, No. 61, Complete:
The WWII Dental Field Laboratory set consisted of 2 MD Chests (Nos. 61 and 62), which occupied 10 cubic feet of space with a combined weight of 332 pounds. The cost of the complete outfit was about $600. This equipment included a casting machine, a hand-operated lathe, an assortment of teeth, and all the supplies needed for fabricating or repairing the ordinary types of bridges or full or partial dentures. It could be set up well forward in the combat z