The Pioche weekly record. [volume] (Pioche, Nev.) 1877-1900, 1897-10-20
THE Nays WORK.
surgeOn-0eneral Van Reypen
Makes Official Report.
HIGH PRAISE FOR HIS MEN
when the war Cloud Finally Broke the
Medical Branch was Rs-.dy for Act
i've Service.

i've Service.
Washington. Probably no better
illustration can be found Of the fore
sight exhibited by the Navy in prepar-
ing for the war than is afforded by the
history OF the medical corps during
the struggle. This Is set out in the
annual report of Surgeon-General w.
X. Van Reypen, which is the first of
the Navy Bureau reports submitted for
publication.
Surgeon-General Van Reypen begins
with modest tribute to the good judg-
ment and foresight Of his predecessor,
General Tryon, who, in putting in
order and equipping the several naval
hospitals, was Of incalculable service
TO the bureau, enabling it TO properly
care for the sick or wounded of the
Navy during the war.
When the Maine was blown up, Sur
geon-General Van Reypen was in
charge Of the bureau, and began prepa-
rations Immediately for any contin-
gency. The hospitals We're fully
equipped; plans were prepared for
pavilion wards, the naval laboratory
prepared to furnish medical and surgi.
cal supplies in any quantity. No all
ditional expense was incurred until
war seemed imminent; then ever vessel
likely to be engaged was given full
outfit of medical supplies for war. II
anticipation of large increase of tn,
Navy, proper outfits Were made read,
and boxed for large number Of ships
ready for call.
''There has not..been an instance dur.
ing the war;" says the Surgeon-Gen-
eral, "oi any vessel having to wait fol
her medical stores.p
1t was known that the medical corps
was inadequate in number for war, vet
there was no law authorizing the EN-.
ployment Of volunteer medical officers
But medical boards We're sent out in
anticipation to the principal cities t.
examine applicants for appointment
and as consequence when war broke
out the medical department had at hand
from which to make selections of vol.
unteer surgeons long list Of well.
educated men, and thirty-seven of these
were appointed out Of 1000 applicants
Surgeon-General Van Reypen SAYS,
''They have rendered efficient service
and have been credit to the Navy.
Some have had unusual and trying
experiences, but they have acconumo.
dated themselves to their environments
and have justified their appointments. y
Only one medical department had
long desired to establish hospita
service at sea ON specially selected
vessel, and the approach OF war CAV,
it an opportunity to demonstrate tn,
wisdom Of its propositions and tn,
efficiency Of its methods. The steamer
Creole was purchased, and with tn,
valuable assistance OF Naval Construc
tor Woodward was converted into nj
ambulance ship within sixteen days
filling every appliance of modern sur
gerry, disinfecting apparatus, cold stor
age, laundry and elevator. She was
pioneer in her work, indicating stel
in advance that it well became tn
United States to take. The repor
gives succinct history of the valuable
services rendered by the Creole in car
ing for the sick and wounded.
Stores and supplies and also delica
cies and comforts had been supplied il
abundance for the sick and wounde,
BY generous and patriotic individual
and societies from every part OF tn
United States. Says the Surgeon G en-
eral: I'm this war woman has don
her perfect work, and the medical de
partment Of the Navy is profoundl
grateful for the money contributed an,
supplies furnished for the aid of tn
sick and wounded Of the Navy. Patri
otto women have ably supplements,
the efforts Of the Government, an,
their~assistance has been thorough
appreciated.
In this connection the report call
attention to the fact that as soon a
war was declared the daughter of Secre
tary Long and three Of her associate
at the Johns Hopkins Medical Schoo
volunteered their services as nurses an,
We're assigned to duty in the hospital.
In conclusion the Surgeon Genera
says: II cannot close this portion a
the bureaus report without bearing
testimony to the efficiency, skill an,
devotion TO duty Of the personnel q
the medical department. Not wor,
but OF praise has the bureau heard O
any of them-regulars or volunteers
When war was imminent they vie,
with one another in their efforts /
get on fighting ships. Some have ha,
greater opportunities than Others, bu
all have done we'll the work assigne,
them. Surgeon Edgar saw his associ
ate, Assistant Surgeon Gibbs shot b
his side in the Spanish attack, and h
continued his work alone, doing j
thoroughly and well, as il was know
he would.
The medical officers of the vessels i
the fight at Manila and in the battl
Of the 3d Of July shared the danger
Of their comrades and should particj
pate In the praise accorded them.
WORK OF WAR SURGEONS.
SsasrAi stsrnbsrg sends Letter Of k,