Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1885-11-04
HEALTH OF THE ARMY.
Report of Surgeon General Murray.

MORTALITY IN YEAR OF PEAcE-PREcAU-
TONS AGAINST CHOLERA-THE NEW ARMY
MEDICAL MUSEUM AND LIBRARY BUILDING,
ETC.
Gen. X. Murray, the surgeon general of the
army, in his annual report to the Secretary of
war, states that the money value of medical
ana hospital supplies issued during the year
was $171 ,2O5.34. An appropriation of $780,
900 will be required for the supplies of the
department for the fiscal year ending June So
1887. The strong possibility, if not probable
ity, of an invasion of cholera before the close of
the ensuing fiscal year makes it de-
sirable that Congress may make pro-
vision to enable the medical department
to adopt every means within its province to
prevent POSSIBLE, the spread of this disease in
the army: The general health of the army has
been good; the rate of admission to sick report
being decidedly lower than in the previous
year and preceding decade. Diseases of the
respiratory group were most prevalent The
coored troops continue to suffer in a greater
degree than the whites from malarial fevers
and conditions resulting therefrom, due prob
ably to endemic causes pertaining to posts at
winch they were stationed. The report shows
that the death rate for commissioned officers
was slightly higher than for enlisted men.
Among troops of the line the cavalry shows
highest death rate, followed by infantry and
artillery. The guilt region furnished the highest
rate OF admission to sick report, The north
Pacific the lowest.
CASUALTIES IN YEAR OF PEACE.
There were 6,622 cases of wounds, accidents
and injuries reported during the year in a
mean strength of "a, O35 officers and enlisted
men. Deaths from wounds and other violent
| causes numbered SO. Nocasualties from actual
! warfare were returned, the year having been
one of peace. The list Of accidental deaths and
injuries at rifle range has increased since the
last report.
The total number of official calls upon the
record and pension division during the year
for information as to the cause OF death of
soldiers and for hospital record of invalids was
Al, COS, being 81 1899 less than the previous
year. The total number of cases to he disposed
of was so 2S9. Replies were furnished in 49,
$40 cases, leaving 3,349 to be reported on
During the year 6,4Sl volumes and 1920
pamphlets were added to the library. The
tota! number Of volumes now in the library is
12.2I9, and of unbound theses and pamphlets
95,923. The manuscript of the third medical
volume of the medical aud surgical history of
the war, and the last of the series, is now well
advanced toward completion, and will probably
be ready for Issue during the coming winter.
THE NEW ARMY MEDICAL MUSEUM
The report says, in regard to the new build
ing for the army medical museum and library
that the plans have been approved by the COM
mission, consisting of Secretary of War, secre-
tary OF Smithsonian Institution. and. archi-
tect of the Capitol, and the contract for the con-
struction of the building awarded to Messrs
Bright & Humphrey, of Washington. The
original estimate of the cost of construction
was S25O,OOO, and some changes in the plans
were necessary as only 100000 was appro-
priated. These changes make the building a
very plain and simple one, and somewhat re-
duce its size from that originally prepared but
it Is believed they have not in any way i'm
paired its security, and that it will afford space
sufficient for all absolute necessities for some
years to come. Estimates have been forwarded
for the necessary shelving, cases, &C., to fit up
the building and it is hoped that it NAV he
completed, and the invaluable collections for
which it is destined to provide removed from
their present dangerous situation and safely
stored in it by the spring of 1897.
The contract with the Providence hospital for
the care, support, and medical treatment OF rs
transient pauperS and patients, for which
Congress appropriated SIS, OOO was fulfilled TO
the entire satisfaction of the surgeon general
and without complaint on the part of persons
sent there Tor treatment and cure. In view of
the
THREATENED APPROACH OF AsIATIC CHOLERA,
more than usual attention has been paid to the
hygiene of the troops and to the improvement
of the sanitary condition of military posts and
stations, and it is believed that an epidemic in
resist it. Attention is called to the tendency to
overcrowd barracks and quarters, the evil re-
suits OF which will be found in the impaired
efficiency of the army.
SANITARY RECOMMENDATIONS.
The surgeon general recommends that means
be devised for the proper instruction of army
cooks, believing that bad cooking is an essen
tial cause of much of the digestive disorders
among troops.
He also recommends that ice machines be
furnished Tor military posts in the hot regions
OF TeXas and Arizona, believing ice not lux
ury, but necessity for the comfort of troops
and indispensable for the treatment of the sick.
The system of disposal of post garbage by Gre
nation Is recommended for adoption, as being
q certain method for absolute destruction OF
material which may become deleterious to
health
Remarks are made upon the growing neces-
sity Tor regularly organized hospital corps to
PROVIDE trained cooks, nurses and attendants
for the service of army hospitals. A combine
ton or such hospital corps with the ambulance
corps now authorized by army regulations in
time OF war, will place our army on most excel
lent lootlng for proper care, handling and
treatment OF sick and wounded at all times,
without lnpairing the effective strength by de-
tails for this service. The necessity for reserv-
ing the hospital building at military posts for
It's strictly legitimate purpose-the treatment
OF the slck-is urged, and appropriation tor the
ards, who are now generally Quartered in hos
pital buildings, is asked.
There are now no vacancies in the medical
corps of the army.
The FOrtifcatiOns Board.
THEIR TOUR OF INSPECTION OF STEEL WORKS.
Mr. Jay Stone, of the War department, the
secretary OF the Notifications board, returned
last evening from o tour of inspection made by
the board OF the different iron and steel works.
with view OF ascertaining the facilities of the
works for producing steel for armor plates and
defensive purposes generally, the plants Of the