Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1861-12-19
THE SANITARY CONDITION OF THE
VERMONT REGIMENIlR

soldiers now in the field will read with interest
the subjoned Report from DR.. L. T.. Phelps, of
the Vermont Board of Medical Examiners. in
relation TO the physical condition of the men
our State has put in the field. DIR. Phelps has
recently been at Camp Griffin, where he made
an extended examination into all the matters
embraced in his report he is therefore fully
competent TO give us reliable information which
in these days of runners, is all the more valua-
lie.
10 HIS EXcELLENcY Hon. FREDERICK HoI-
BROOK, GOVERNOR OF THE STATE OF YER
MONT:
Having by your advice visited the Camps of
the five Vermont Regiments at Camp Griffin,
some ten or twelve miles from Washington CT
ty, with the view of ascertaning with accuracy
the amount and character of sickness there eX-
isting, together with the causes of mortality. and
this with view of learning in what way efici-
ent aid could best be furnished, am now pre-
pared to report as follows
The total strength Of the five Regiments was
at the date Of my last inspection 1889; of
this number little less than one fourth or
1885, were excused from duty on account Of sick
ness; OF this last number something more than
haif were not confined to their tents, but we're
able If called upon, to do light duty, such as
assisting in the care Of those confined to tents.
They would not be liable to detailed for camp
guard, or picket duty, yet some would probably
appear at company or Regimental drill or pa
rades the number of this class as nearly as |
could estimate them was about $50.
vi the remaining 536 some were in hospitals
presently to be describcd) to the amount of
POI, and others to the number of 24j were in
company tents, often times the sick of this class
being all in one tent-a company sick tent
The sick then are to be grouped as iollows
LIST, Excused from duty, but on foot and not
wholly confined to tent, $50
I'd, Excused from duty, and mostly confined
to tent, or in company sick tent, 2i5
Sd, Excused from duty and sick in hospital, 29l
Total, 1856
Those of the first class were complaining of
colds, ordinary catarrhs, affection of mucous
membrane of lungs, throat, and head, such as
usually arises from exposure to cold and mois-
ture, especially at night this was the most COM
mon complaint much more than half were Of
this character and it is common thing with new
troops who have not learned how to discharge
their duty well, and take care of themselves
Dlarrhea, rheumatism and some variety of
diseases of mild form exists in this class of
persons. 1t includes quite number of men
who were not of sound constitution when they
entered service, and from their freque appear
ance upon the sick list will soon be discharged
from service.
In the SecoHd class the diseases are measles,
which still exist in some Regiments TO a consider
able extent, remitent, intermittent and TYPHOID
fever. From want of sufficiently extensive Hos
pitai accommodations they cannot in all cases be
I bo oi 4baT II
pltal. The remittent, intermittent and even ty-
phoid fever is often times very mild and can be
treated, even at this season in such climate as
Camp Griffin, to very good advantage in com
pany tent If not crowded Jaundice and some
other affections Of the liver and digestive or
gans, especially dyspepsia in some form or 9th
er, confines men TO tent very few days, but the
symptoms are not OF so acute character as to
unit them for taking The medicines prescribed
| Tor them without the assistance of nurse and
OF course are not sent to the Hospital. When
any of this class do not soon improve, or when
any considerable evidence presents itself to the
surgeon that the case is to be one of severe fever,
they are promptly removed to the Hospital. 1t
may properly be said Of those sick in company
tents that under existing circumstances the best
is done for them that an overtsaked, but faithful
and accomplishing medical staff can do; they
would be glad il they had more room for these
patlents and tins they expect soon TO have.
IN the hdd class the diseases existing are ty-
phold fever, typhoid pneumonia jaundice,
rheumatism, dysentery, bronchitis as sequel
to measles, very rarely diptheria, phthsis,
and some variety of disease of no very danger
Gus character which may nevertheless render it
best for the subject to be discharged; these are
technically "in Hospital" The Hospitals are
OF various kinds; the ordinary field Hospital OF
camp is large tent and such exist in all the
Resimental Camps of the Vermont troops and
to this ordinarily those sick and incapable of
taking care Of themselves are sent Although
these Hospitals are sufficient generally to meet
the wants of the Regiment they are not sufici-
ent when an epidemic breaks out in camp. The
additional hospital arrangements now made and
making, and which necessarily demand an in
crease of the medical staff in all its gradations,
and which cannot be properly carried out until
such increase is effected, consist of temporary
structures and houses now given up by the in
habitants or that are hired of the reputed own
ers. The temporary structures are log houses.
usually GO feet by 20, and which accommodate
from 80 to 40 patients each. Attached 10 each is
a corps of male nurses, the best that can be OBJ
tanned some of them are men on light duty.
Others are able bodied men in good health, who
have some tact as nurses. Watchers are called in
from the company or sqnad to which the pa !
tients belong, and it is very pleasant to see how