The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1898-10-13
CAMP ALGER SICKNESS
GEN. GRAHAM's STATEMENT BEFORE
THE ARMY PRoBERs.
Says the Medical Depa rtment Was Adj
ministered I'm a Competent Manner
--Assignment of stan Officers.

WASHINGTON. Oct. 12.-General Graham
continued his testimony before the war in
vestigating commission to-day. He fur
nished the commission with a statement
showing the percentage of sickness in his
command from the LIST of May to the 3Oth of
September. The statement showed gradual
increase for the entire period, the highest
percentage being per cent, towards the
end of September. General Graham believed
that the proximity of the tents to one an
other at Camp Alger was responsible more
than any other cause for the sickness there,
and said the medical officers all were of
this opinion. He thought the want of water
for bathing purposes and the habits of the
men in eating other food than that pre-
scribed by the regulations had had a dele
ferrous influence In the beginning of the
history of the camp there were no bathing
facilities, but later the men were marched
seven miles in brigades for baths The di-
vision hospitals were soon established and
he considered these hospitals superior to
legimental hospitals, as they were always
in the hands of experienced army physi-
clans. There had been no lack of medical
supplies, but some Of the medical attendants
were inexperienced and inefficient por-
ton were especially negligent in furnishing
descriptive lists when patients were sent
from regimental to division hospitals. and
these were very essential in promoting the
welfare of the men.
General Graham stated that while the
commissary supplies were plentiful, the men
were often without the prescribed food be-
cause the regimental officers were not suffi-
GENTLY impressed with the importance of
drawing their food. This was especially true
an officer of Kansas regiment had refused
10 draw the fresh beef raIions until he
The general also found many of them TO
be ignorant of the methods of preparing
the acquisitions. Notwithstanding a school
had been regularly organized for their edu-
cation in these matters. He said the corps
was for a time short of wagons for trans
portatlon owing to shipments to Florida.
This deficiency had occasiCned some hard
ships to the men.
General Graham testified to temporary
shortages of hospital linen, ice and other
supplies at Camp Alger, but did not believe
any deaths had been caused thereby. He
positively denied that surface drainage had
found it's way into the wells. There had
been complaint of the hospital at Dunn Lor-
ing. charging drunkenness on the part of
medical attendants, but the attendants We're
entirely INDICATED in the investigation that
followed. Taking 1t all in all General Ora
ham said he had no doubt that the medical
department. at Camp Alger was adminis-
tered in competent manner. No doubt he
neglect. but they were not the rule. With
tn reforms inaugurated Camp Alger would
bttn very ISdllHAul, ana the removal
to camp Meade was largely sentimental and
in obedience to public clamor. General Graz
han declared Camp Meade to be an ideal
camp and we'll supplied.
Gneral Graham said that he would
recommend that in the future there should
be egular officers in all volunteer regf-
MEMS that camp tents should be farther
apat than now. that arrangements should
be fade for cremating all effete matter
1ieneal Graham said some of the officers
fromcivil life had proved efficient but that
other We're incorrigible. Some of them
were,he said, too old to learn. He had no
complint to make as to the management
of thtWar Department. but he thought the
war as such an emergency that the de-
partmnt was not at first prepared to meet
It's demands as promptly desirable He
though however, that the criticisms of
either concerning the conduct of the war
were ae to the Ignorance of the people who
meddls without sufficient information 10
enable hem to speak wisely