Evening star., 1898-08-27
WELCOMES AN INQUIRY
The Medical Record Espousss the Cause Of
the Army Physicians
Editor Shrady Says Camp WikoH is
the Worst Managed of All
the Camps.

Members of the medical profession are
taking a deep interest in demanding that
something be done at once to better condi-
tions in the camps. The Medical Record.
which more than a week ago called for an
inquiry in strongest words, demanding that
blame for the terrible state of affairs in the
camps should be placed on those who were
guilty, follows up its demand in the fol-
lowing editorial, published in today's issue:
I'VE are happy to learn that Surgeon
General Sternberg has demanded from the
Secretary of War investigation of the
numerous charges Of neglect of the sick
and wounded during the late campaign,
with view of fixing the responsibility of
wrongdoing upon the actually guilty par
ties. This is the course the Medical Rec
ord has urged from the first as the only
means of vindieating the medical depart
ment of the army. No explanations YET
made have covered the essential points in
the scandal. The only way to settle the
questions at issue is by thoroughly i'm
partial court of inquiry and the wide publi-
cation of its verdict. Such an inquiry
would cover not only the cases of neglect
on the battlefield, but also those in our va
rious home camps.
It is too late to stave off further discus
sion by dodging facts, by impugning mo-
tives of criticism and by accepting testi-
mony from interested and necessarily
biased witnesses. Either the facts must be
Drought out III d perfectly "diu
ana legitimate way by properly empow-
cred tribunal, or, failing this, the public
and the profession must be left in grave
doubt. But for the good name of the sur
geon general, for the credit Of his corps
and for the honor of the profession. we
cannot afford to have any doubts in the
matter.
I'VE have every hope that General Stern
berg will be able to defend his course on
all the points in the public indictment, and
will have the opportunity of proving to
the satisfaction of all that he did the best
that could have been done under the cir
cumstances. Even If the worst case is
proven, we can at least have a grim satis-
faction of benefiting in future campaigns
by the failures of the past one. We trust
the report that the inquiry is to be held
Is based on something more than a news
paper statement"
Anxious for the Truth.
Believing that the scathing public ar
raignment of the authorities for the way in
which the soldiers who are camped in this
country have been and are being treated
is reflection 'on their profession, physi-
clans everywhere are anxious to learn the
whole truth about the matter. They agree
with the public that some one is to blame
for the suffering Of those who offered to
risk their lives for their country, and are
anxious to learn who it is.
No one has taken a deeper interest in the
welfare of the soldier than DR.. George F.
Shrady. editor Of the Medical Record. He
believes some one is at fault for the way
in which the men of the army have been
neglected. and, for the credit of the pro-
fession. in which he holds a high position,
believes that the truth should be known.
Dr. Shrady said to me yesterday:
Il am frank to say / hardly believe that
Surgeon General Sternberg is responsible
for all this, and it is for his vindication. as
well as for that of the medical department
of the army and the whole profession, that
this inquiry seems necessary. 1t will be a
lasting disgrace If the question is allowed
to remain open one.
prominent officials like the Secretary of
War. the adjutant general of the army, the
surgeon general and the quartermaster
general have all apparently taken their
turn in a way to explain certain incon-
trovertible and damning facts, but the pres
ent position is that the soldier, who had a
right to be guaranteed the tenderest care
on the part of the government has had no
decent consideration whatever.
What encouragement is that for the SOL
der of the future? Why. he might better
take his chances in the field, where bullets
are flying, than with the care his country
gives him after he has risked his life for
its honor. 1t seems to me just as necessary
to have medicines and supplies at the front
as to get the soldiers there themselves.
And it Is a hard thing to understand,
too, in spite of excuses about the difficulty
experienced in landing soldiers that sup
plies should have found their way to the
front, while necessary medicines were left
behind and even sent back home.
Wikof the Worst.
I'VE had a great deal to expect from the
apparent pains taken in the selection of
Camp Wikoff, and it seems unfortunate
that after the surgeon general had picked
out the site. under the direction of the Sec
retary of War. it is now the worst man.
aged camp of the whole category. That is
saying great deal, too, is 1t not?
THE Secretary of War, evidently in
luenced by public opinion, visits this camp
and uses his authority in stating that the
water Is pure enough for any one, because
he tasted it himself It's one thing going
up to men and say, What can do for you
as individuals? and quite another thing to
rise to the situation of viewing the calam-
ity as whole.
I'm the civil war there were no such
scandals connected with the care of the
sick. OF course it was expected that the
fever. because of the climatic changes. The
surgeon general could not, of course, be
held accountable for that but in the hcme
camps no such excuse is possible.
sanitation is the great question of camp
life today, but the mere tasting of water by
the Secretary of War does not settle
whether 1t contains germs or not. The
Secretary of War is perfectly capable of
getting at the bottom Of this trouble and
fixing the responsibility.
1T Is all very well to say that the SOL
diers do not complain to the Secretary OF
War. Good soldiers never complain, but
that is no argument that they do not suf-
fer.
"An these statements I have given you
are my reasons for urging an investigation
for the honor of the army and my profess
sion. No one who knows DR.. Sternberg as
do will question his motives in the matter
or his good intentions, but this in itself in
no way explains the grave questions that
are being asked on all Sides"