The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1894-01-14
WHERE THE SICK CADETS GO.
The Handsome and Str ct y Governed Hos
Iitpi AT West Point.


The cadet hospital at West Point is one
of the finest on any military post in the
country Built In 1883 at a cost of $780,
900, and completely equipped with every
apparatus known to medical science. IL
stands pre-eminently at the head OF all
similar institutions i'm the world. The
material used in its construction was
West Point granite, duarried on the
Kinsley estate, which has since been pur-
chased by the Government, and is now
known az parl Il the military reserva-
ton. The hospital stands on an elevation
over looking the Hudson, and commando
magnificent views OF the river and sur
- D.ua1ly. ne Military Academy
stands little 20 the north, while stretch-
ing a.oug me main road TO the south
are the officers quarters. Across the
river the little village of Garrsons lies
sleepiy at the foot Of Sugar Loaf, ana
the beautiful Summer residences OF the
Osbornes the Soanes, Hamilton FISH,
John NJ. Toucey. and dozens Of others
are plainly visible.
The main building IS three stories IN
height. In the basement are kept the
stores. medicines, and bedding. The first
floor contains the Post Surgeons private
office, Hospital Steward Lailys Office,
the dispensary, rotunda, cadet dining
room. and kitchen. A flight OF stone
steps leads up to this floor from hospi-
tai grounds. The second floor contains
the conyaiescent ward and eye-examlna-
ton ward. with bath and wash rooms
Two rooms for isolating patients W IN
contagious diseases are also on this nOor
The third story is occupied by the
members Of the hospital corps, the nine
rooms being divided into hospital stew
ards. quarters. and dormitories for the
privates, together with dining-room'
kitchen. and bathroom A wing III the
north end. which is connected with the
main building by covered passageway,
contains the two main wards. The orig
inal plan Of the HOSPITAL contemplated "A
second wing, on the south side, similar
to the one mentioned, but, owing TO
lack OF funds, II was never completed.
The duties OF the Post Surgeon and,
| In fact. OF the whole hospital corps, are
more varied and arduous than Al any
other military station I'm the service.
Surgeons call is sounded at A. M..
when all cadets vino feel too i'll to stand
the strain Of the days duties repair 10
the hospital and are supplied with medi-
| eiues and excused by the surgeon from
any duties that they may feel unable
to perform. When the cadet imagines
that he is sick. and the doctor cannot
find. by rapid pulse or fevercd brow.
the symtOms which he describes. the
steward Is instructed to put the patient
on lieht diet. Within twenty-four hours
IL is known if he is ''dead-beating" some
obnoxious drill or puzzling lesson. A
former doctor here was partial TO treat
ing such cases with two-ounce doses of
castor oil. which had soothing effect.
I'm fact the sight Of the dose was sufiic-
lent 10 cure many cases promptly ana
efficiently without further treatment.
n should. however, be borne IN mind
that an ordinary headache. which would
not affect soldier In the performance
of his duties handicaps the cadet VINO
has some SIXTY pages or chemistry &c
study. with practical military engineer
ing. riding, drills, dress paradcs, guart
mountings. and many other exercises t
perform When cadets are admitted e
the hospital they are required to stricus
conform 10 the rules and regulations
Governing IL. They are required to en-
ter the time of their departure and re
, turn when out for studies or exercise
A failure TO do this brings down uDoI
them the iron hand OF the authorities
a little over year ago a cadet mad
a wrong entry knowingly in the register
He was tried by court-martial ant
, promptly dismissed from the academy
| Cadets are not allowed 20 visit III
hospital without first obtaining permits
sion from the commandant, who. d
turn, notifies the surgeon that the cade
! is a fl subject for treatment.
: The capacity OF the hospital Is fort
beds. which could be increased 10 fift
p II necessary The present epidemic Q
grip is responsible for the large numbe
!. OF men who are now on sick repor
y New quarters for the steward wi
+, shortly be built in the rear OF the he:
ffnf