The Indianapolis journal., 1898-09-02

to his calling and the department he repre-
sents. | fear 1t is a lack OF the proper milf
tary spirit IN some of the medical officers
in the regular army that is responsible for
well recognizable cleft between them and
the officers of the line and field. If this is
true in the regular army it is only too OBJ
the medical officers and their standing in
military and social circles suffers when
they are regarded and treated as an ordi-
nary doctor. The medical ofncer is entitled
TO recognition as a military man, and If
tA1S is not accorded to him voluntarily he
must resort to measures that will enforce
it, The lack of military dignity on the part
of the medical staff is due largely to q lack
OF the proper military spirit in the MEM
familiarity between the surgeons and the
officers and men.
The men that accomplish the most are
always ready and on time The medical
officers must be made to understand that a
due regard for punctuality in performing
Their duties, in meeting appointments ana
one of the most essential features OF a sue
cesstul military career.
ITO the credit of the medical officers OF
this and other wars it must be said that
they showed no fear. either in facing the
enemy, or, what is vastly worse, disease.
among the troops around Santiago every
man remained at his post and faced the
danger without flinching Men from the
North who had never seen the disease ac-
cepted the detail for duty in the fever hos
pitfalls without a word of complaint.
''1he first and most important duty OF
the military surgeon is tc prevent disease.
This can often be done more effectively by
example than by precept. He must be-
come permanent object lesson in incul-
eating the Importance OF cleanliness IN per-
son and in dress. His tent should be the
cleaneSt and most orderly in camp, Tenn
perance in eating and drinking can pc
taught more successfully by action than by
words. A military surgeon under the snf1n-
erce of liquor will do more harm in en-
couraging the vice of intemperance than
can be undOne by weeks of lecturing. Pro-
family is prevalent in every camp, ana,
while it is not the duty of the surgeon to
supplant the chaplain in suppressing it, 1t
should receive no encouragement by MS eX-
ample. Overwork and disordered diges-
tion are poor excuses for treating sub
ordinate in an undignihed, ungentlemaniy
The military surgeon must be known in
camp as a gentleman, not only by the o1n-
GERS. but by every man Under his charge,
if he expects to be respected and TO DO
justice to his high calling and responsible
pc sition.
"The first and most important duty of the
military surgeon during active warfare IS
to prevent disease and unnecessary SUI
fering by giving early advice and resorting
to timely precautions. The location OF
camps policing of the same. the water
supply, food and clothing are SUBJECTS
which must receive his early ana earnest
attention. In this work he should receive
the hearty cooperation of the officers In
command, and il this is not the case he has
the moral and military authority TO de-
mand it.
''It was not the medical department, but
the arrogance or stupidity of the command
ing general of the invading army that is
responsible for the extensive outbreak OF
yellow fever during the Cuban campaign
This experience is sufficient to teach COM
harding generals that 1T is unsafe IN the
future to follow such an example, as an I'M
prudence of this kind, giving rise to mex
cusable slaughter and indescribable suner.
ing, will meet with universal indignation