Burlington free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1827-1865, 1862-01-17
THE SANITARY CONDITION OF
THE VERMONT TROOPS.

To has EroeilsHcy. Hon. FreGsrick Hobr9ot
GoreTn0r Of The StGte Of IcmoHt
have again made an examination OF the
sanitary condition Of the Vermont Nolun-
teer Regiments at Camp Gritln, and am
happy u say that there is an improvement
in most respects. Ine-e is less mortality,
a smaller number excused from duty sn
account Of sickness, and feel quite sure
that the charsc er Of disease is not 90 malig-
nznt g. ~ the date Of my former report On
this subject. Typhoid fever, typhoid pneu-
mJuia. tronchius, and other catarrhal al
iec;ions Of the throat and head, rheuma-
tism. jaundice and diptheria, are the COM
plants that prevail. OF these, typhoid
fever is far the most common IN tie 5th and
9th regimen;s,-the proportion Of ieTe-s
beng less in tie 4-h than heretofore dip
rheria Of rather mild form is seen in most
regiments, but It occurs only now and then
Tor several days. No new cases are seen in
any regiment. S,vera! deaths have occurred
iron this disessc, but rs c5mparet with
Nsw England diptheTis it IS more manage
ale.
The new recruits wh1 cane 20 camp 10
October and early IN November, are now
getting typhoid ever and its kindred de
eases, pneumonia and jaundic-s but
think those who 70 into camp at this sea
son and later will acclimate safely.
would suggest to your Excellency the ex-
pedieney Of keeping the regiments now
raising. in barracks, as long as possible in
Vermont, or else use such Influence IS is
possible 70 have them sent South Of Virgi-
mia. \ position near the coast south Of
Washington would Be a favorable one. aud
even north Of that the coast would BE- more
healthy than the ilat upland of Virginia.
The amount Of sickness III the 5th and
9th regiments Is greater than IN either o; the
othes.-ln the 9th ranging from 900 to $50
excused from duty, with 50 or 60 IN hospi-
tai. la the 81 and 4th the number excused
from duty is from % to 1870, with less than
20 in the hospital in the 3rd 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 sufficient. Assistant Sur
ceons Porter and Phillips are in the field,
and Assistant Surgeon hazleton was expect.
ed to report himself for duty on the lst OF
January. The Government Assistant Sur
geons Shaw and Goodwin will now very soon,
il is.expectcd, return To their posts. The
medicines ordered from Philadelphia are
daily expected, and m my absence | gave the
proper instructions to Assistant Surgeon
llazleton 10 take them in charge and to de-
liver to any Surgeon, upon written Iequi-
atiOn upon a certificate Ol their being needed
in his regiment. such quantity not exceeding
one-fith, a. he may name, for which the
Surgeon Is 70 give his receipt. In this way
all the medicines will be accounted for
Since my former visit there have beon
nearly completed, b that they will be occu-
pied this week, soma log hospital structures
Que IN the 9th regiment, one IN the End
and one in the course Of construction IN the
4th These when completed, are IN my
opinion. the most perfect hospital arrange
ments that can DO made for field service; and
| can assure our citizens that although ths
name "log hospital" sounds little rough,
they are warm, dry, and kept perfectly neat.
They have good board floors and tight
board or shlngled roof. The shingles are of
Virginia chestnut, woIk ked into shape by the
Green Mountain Boys. deem these build.
ings better than close houses, where the ven~
tilation is imperfect and only takes place at
intervals. and generally 10 the discomfort of
the patient. In these three regiments will
be accommodated. The 5th regiment has
anu GAtcuelNG AO0cCo III
tients aye we'll cared for. Ia the Sd the
small number Of patients are we'll provided
for in hospital tents with board doors. The
house near Chain Bridge, once used as a
brigade hospital, is now occupied By the 9th
regiment for hospital uses, but its remote
ness from camp will probably cause its
abandonment as soon as the log hospital is
completed
The great want COW is a more complete
corps OF nurses. There is a great need of
weil-trained and skillful nurses and ward
masters; aud l would urgently request OF
your Excellenoy to supply them. | think
at least six arc needed at once. Men are
picked up from the regiments that are good,
but good ones are rsre 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 | appre hend it will be very Diff
cult to and them well adapted to tho 5eveve
duties imposed upon theu.
II. z fzrrFs.
Windsor, jan. .. 1889.