Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1862-01-09

n. L., on saturday, dec. ~. lie was appOln-
ted Postmaster at Keeseville on the incoming
of the present administration.
THE SANITARY CONDITION OF THE
VERMONT TROOPS.
To his Erceuency Hon. Frederick HolJrook Gorernor
ofhe State Of Vermont;
have again made an examination of the
sanitary condition of the Vermont Volunteer
Regiments at Camp Griffin, and am happy to
say that there is an improvement in most re-
spects. There is less mortality, a smaller num-
Der excused from duty on account Of sickness,
and | feel quite sure that the character of dis
case is not so malignant as at the date Of my
former report on this subject. Typhoid fever,
typhoid pnumonia, bronchitis and other ca
tarrhal affections Of the throat and head, rteu-
matism, jaundice and dphtheria, are the COM
plants that prevail OF these, typhoid fever
is by far the most common in the 9th and 9th
regiments, proportion Of fevers being less
in the 4th than heretofore diphtheria of rather
a mild form is seen in most regiments, but it
occurs only now and then for several days. No
new cases are seen in any regiment Several
deaths have occurred FRI m this disease but as
compared with New England diphtheria it is
more manageable.
The new recruits who came TO camp in Octo-
Der and early in November, are now getting
typhoid fever and its kindred diseases, pneumo-
MIA and jaundce; but think those who go in
TO camp at this season and later will acclimate
safely. l would suggest to your Excellency the
expedency of keeping the regiments now rails
ing, in barracks as long as possible in Vermont,
or else use such influence as is possible to have
them sent South of Virginia. A position near
the coast south of Washington would be ia
vorable ore, and even North of that the coast
ould be more healthy than the fiat upland of
Virginia.
The amount of sickness in the 9TH and 9th
regiments is greater than in either of the 9th
ers-in the 9th ranging from 900 10 $50 ex-
cused from duty, with 80 or 60 in hospital
and in the 9th about the same number excused
from duty with more in hospital. In the Sd
and 4th the number excused from duty is from
80 to $50, with less than 90 in hospital in the
Sd and about 60 in the 18th.
The relief furnished recently by the State in
the way of Assistant Surgeon, seems to be
nearly or quite sufficient. Assistant Surgeons
Porter and Phillips are in the field, and Assis-
tant Surgeon Hazleton was expected to report
himself for duty on the LIST of January. The
Government Assistant Surgeons Shaw and
Goodwin will now very soon, it is expected, re-
turn TO their posts. The medicines ordered
from Philadelphia are daily expected, and in
my absence l gave the proper instructions TO
Assistant Surgeon Hazeton to take them in
charge and to deliver to any Surgeon, upon
written requisition upon a certificate of their
being needed in his regiment, such quantity
not exceeding one fifth, as he may name, for
which the Surgeon is 10 give his receipt. In
this way all the medicines will be accounted for.
Since my former visit there have been near
~ completed, so that they will he occupied this
week, some log hospital structures--one in the
9th regiment, one in the 2nd, and one in the
course of construction in the 4th. These,
when completed. are, in my opinion, the most
perfect hospital arrangements that can be made
for field service and can assure our citizens
that although the name "log. hospital sounds
a little rough, they are warm, dry, and can be
kept perfectly neat. They have good board
floors and a tight board or shingled roof The
shingles are of Virginia chestnut, worked into
shape by the Green Mountain Boys. ! deem
these buildings better than close houses, where
the ventilation is imperfect and only takes
place at intervals, and generally to the dscom-
fort of the patients. In these three regiments
will Immediately be accommodated. The 9th
regiment has large and extensive houses in
which the patients are well cared for In the
Sd the small number of patients are we'll pro-
vided for in hospital tents with board hoors.-
The house near Chain Bridge, once used as
brigade hospital, is now occupied by the 9th
regime Mt for hospital uses, but its remoteness
from camp will probably cause its abandon.
ment as soon as the log hospital is completed.
The great want now is more complete corps
of nurses. There is great need of well-trained
and skillful nurses and ward masters and
would urgently request of your EXceency to
supply them. l think at least six are needed
at once. Men are picked up from the regi-
ments that are good but very good ones are
rare and it makes a vast difference with the
sick whether the nurse is only good, or very
good. We have some names already furnished,
and the list can be increased. OF female
nurses there is also lack, but l apprehend it
will be very difficult to find them well adapted
TO the severe duties imposed upon them.
ED T. PHELPS.
Windsor, Jan. 2, 1862.