“The stillness of the night was broken by groans, by stifled sighs of anguish and suffering. Heart-rending voices kept calling for help. Who could ever describe the agonies of that fearful night … There were few doctors, no nurses, no trained medical personnel. Dressings and the most essential medicaments were also lacking.” What Henry Dunant saw on the field of battle caused him to ask the question: “Would it not be possible, in time of peace and quiet, to form relief societies for the purpose of giving care to the wounded in war-time by zealous, devoted and thoroughly qualified volunteers?”.