The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1861-12-27

VI, i'hoiW iWatioH "hlcn IN theSc DAYS OF ru-
morS, Is all the more valuable.
10 Ills Erceicncy linn. Ee,{elich Uoljrooh
GoctrAof 81 Tie stutc Of I'etwoM:
Having by your advice visited the camps
of the five Vermont regiments at Camp Grif-
TN. some ten or twelve miles from Washing
ton City,wlth the view Of ascertainins with ac-
curacy the amount and character of sickness
there existing, together with the causes of
mortality, and this with view of learning in
what way efficient aid could best be fur
nlshed, am now prepared to report as fol-
lows:
The total strength Of the five regiments
was at the date OF my last inspection 1899
OF THIS number little less than one fourth.
or 1856, were excused from duty on account
OF sickness; OF this last number something
more than halt were not confined TO their
tents, bat We're able, il called upon, to DO
hight duty, such rs assisting in the care of
those confined to tents. They would not be
liable to be detailed for camp guard or pick
ct duty, yet some would probably appear at
company or regimenta drill or paraues the
number OF this Class as nearly as | could es-
innate them about JJO
Oi the remaining jj6 some were in hospi-
tails (presentiy to be descrhed) to the amount
OF 29l, and others 10 the amount of 30 were
III company tents, often times the sick of this
class being all in one tent--a company sick
tent Inc sick then are to be grouped as
follows
lst, excused from duty, but on foot and not
wholly confined to tent, 90
I'd, excused from duty, and mostly con-
flned to tent, or in company sick tent. 24j
Sd, excused from duty and sick in hospi-
tai, o9l
Total, 1856
Those Of the first class were complaining
OF colds. ordinary catarrhs, affection of mu-
cons membrane of lungs, throat and head.
such as usually arises from exposure to cold
and moisture especially at night; this was
the most common complaint: much more
than half were of this character, and it is a
common thing with new troops who have no:
learned how to discharge their duty well, and
take care of themselves. Diarrh~a rheuma-
tlsm ana some variety Of diseases of a milder
form exists in this class OF persons. 1t i'll
cudes quite a number of men who were not
Of sound constitution when they entered SER
vice, and from their frequent appearance on
the sick list will soon be discharged from
service.
In the second class the diseases are meas
les, which still exist in some regiments to a
considerable extent, remit,ent, intermittent
and typh old fever. From want of sufficient
ly extensive hospital Accommodations they can
not in all cases be carried upon the suspic-
ion of fever) to the hospital The remittent,
intermittent. and even typhoid fever is often
times very mild and can be treated, even at
this season in such Il climate a, Camp Griffin,
TO very good advantage in a company tent if
not crowded. Jdundlce and some other atiec-
tons of the liver and digestive organs, espe-
caly dyspepsia i'll some form or other confines
men to tent very few days, but the symp-
toms are not Of 50 acute character as to I'M
tit them for taking the medicines prescribed
for them without the assistance OF nurse
and Of course are not sent to the hospital.
When any Of :his class do not soon i'm
prove, 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 tor them that an Overtasked, but
faithful and uncomplaining medical staff can
do; they would be glad if they had more
room for these patients, and this they expect
soon to have.
In the Mid class the diseases existing are
typhoid fever, typhoid pneumonia, jaundice,
rheumatism, dysentery, bronchitis as seq uel
to measles, very rarely dipthe:ia, phthisis,a
some variety of disease Of no very dangerous
character, which may nevertheless render it
best for the subject to be dscharged these
are technically "in hospital" The hospitals
are of various kinds; the ordinary field hos
pital of camp is a large tent, and such ex-
Ist in all the regimental camps of the Yer
mont troops, and to this ordinarily those sick
ana incapable of taking care of themsel, es
are seat Although these hospitals are sutii-
cient generally to meet the wants Of the regi-
ment they are not sufficient when an epidem-
ic breaks out in camp. The additional hos
pital arrangements now made and making,
and which necessarily demand an increase 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
inhabitants or that are hired of the reputed
owners. The temporary structures are log
houses, usually 60 feet by 20, and which ac-
commodate from 50 to 10 patients each. At