Rutland weekly herald. [volume] (Rutland, Vt.) 1859-1877, 1862-01-16
SANITARY CONDITION OF THE YER
Lax MONT TROOPS,n


To His Excelleney, Hon. Frederick Hol'
brook, Governor of the 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
number REUSED srom duty on account OF
sickness, and feel quite sure that the char
acter of disease is NOT so ma ignant rs At the
date of my former report on this subject
Typhoid fever, TYPHOID pneumonia, brol chi
lis and other catarrhal affections OF the throat
and head, rheumatism, jaundice and dipthe-
ria, are the complaints that prevail. Otthese
typhoid fever is by far the most common in
the 9th and 9th regiments,--the proportion
of fevers being less in the 4th than heretofore;
diptheria of rather mild form is seen in
most regiments, but il only occurs now and
then for few days, No new cases are seen
in any regiment, Several deaths have oc-
Cured from this disease, but as compared
with New England diptheria, il is more man
ageable,
TIE new recruits who came 10 camp IN
October aud early in November, are now
getting typhoid fever and its kindred diseas-
es, pneumonia and iaindice; but | think
those who go into camp at this season and la
ter will acclmate safely. would suggest to
your Excelency the expediency of keeping
the regi ents now raising in barracks, as
long as possible in Vermont. or else use such
influence as possible, TO have them sent south
of Vireinia. A position near the coast south
Of Washington would be favorable one, and
! even North Of that the coast would be more
favorable than the 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 220 to $50 ex-
cused from duty, with so or 60 in hospital,
and in the 9Th about the same number ex-
cused from duty with more in hospital. In
| the 81 and 4th the number excused from du-
! ty is from 80 TO 1870, with less than 90 in the
hositaiin the 80 and about 60 IN the 4th.
The relief furnished recently by the State
IN the way OF Assistant Surgeons, seems to be
nearly or quite ST ifcient. Assistant Surgeons
Porter and Phillips are in the field, and As
sistant Surgeon Hazelton was expected to re.
port himself for duty on the LIST of January
The Government Assistant Surgeons Shaw
and Goodwin will now very & on, it is eX.
pected, return to their posts. The medicines
Ordered from Philadelphia are daily EXPECT
ed, and in my absence / gave the proper in.
slrucliOns 10 ASsistan, Surgeon llaz"lton to
take them in charge, AMI to deliver them tC
any Surgeon, upon written requi,itiou mp
on cert hcate OF their being needed in his
regiment, such Qnani'y not exceeding on'
fifth, a8 he ay name, for W ich the Surgeon
is 10 give his receipt Ia tbs way all tb,
medicines will be accounted for.
Since my former visit there have beer
nearly compleed, 80 thai ev viii be Orcu
pied Ibis week, some log-6ospital structures
one in the Oh regiment, ona in the 81, an
ore IN the course OF con>u uet'Ou in the AtN
These when Ompletrh, arr, in my opinion
, be most perfect hospital arrangements tina
, can be made for FILA service; and can as
sure our citizens that although the nam
" log-hospital" sounds little rough, the
are warm, dry and can be kept perfect
neat They have good board floors end
tight board or shnpled root. The shlnge
; are Of Virginia chestnut, worked into ohap
= by the Green Mountain Boys / 3eem thes
? buildings better than close houses, where tn
. ventilation is imperfect and only takes plaC
at intervals, and generally to the di>coiniol
of the patients In these three regiments Wi
Immediately be accommodated. The 81
> regiment has large and extensive houses
h which the patients are we'll cared for, In Il
1 81 the small number of patients are we'll pr
Il vided Tor in hospital tents With board floor
The house near Chain Bridgp, once used
4 a brigade hospital, is now occupied by II
~ 9th regiment for hospital uses, but It's remot
q ness from camp will probably cause IT'S aba
-, ,lonment As coon as the lJa-hosptal is cor
'' pIe'ed
- The Great want now Is more crmple
IA corps of nurses. There IS great need Of We
in trained and skilful nurses and ward master
and would urgently request Of your Exc
hncy to supply them. | think at least Z
ar rpeded Al once. Men are prsed
d. from tha regiments that arr GOOD, but We
I 90 4 ones are rare and j, makes vast
ference wit the sck whether the nurse
Il ouI, good or very good. We nave Sol
H. nalnra already furnished, and the lis can
e increased. Oh female nurses there Is ala'
u la, k, but spprrhend ii will be very dithc
r. 10 find Them well adapted to the severe du'
C. imposed upon then-
En-. E. PHELPS
%. Wu4sor, Jan 2, 1862