The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1898-05-19

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throughout the lowlands OF Cuba, but
one rarely finds tho severer forms, such
as the chaeresfevers of Panama Around
the swamps of Zapata (the southern
party possibly such forms might be met
with, bat not along the northern coasts
or among the hills. Sporadic forms of
dysentery exist throughout the island,
but more especially in the cities and
villages Lavage Of the lower bowels
With solutions Of tannic or nitrate Of
silver and large doses Of ipecac seem to
have been the most efficacious remedies
used by the Cuban physicians Sun
stroke in Cuba is very rare, but have
no doubt it would not be uncommon
among recently arrived troops unless
properly clothed and II the men were
too much exposed to the tropical sun
without the opportunities for frequent
bathing. This ! consider very important
From personal experience in Cuba !
found it necessary to bathe after pro-
longed exposure to the sun
"Now as to food. The native popula-
tion live principally ON animal food and
consume large quantities of fat Plan
tains, bananas, sweet potatoes, corn,
beans and rice form the principal arti-
cles Of vegetable diet There is little
beef used by the people of the country,
but large quantities of pork are con-
sumed; but the pork in Cuba (if there
be any left) is quite different fDonf that
obtained i'm the United Styles, land /
consider it decidedly more wholesome
and palatable. ] should unhesitatingly
that = mixed diet with an
excess of nitrogenous food, be used by re-
Gently arrived troops ON the island rath-
er thAiran excess of vegetables. Plenty
Of meat, few vegetables and generous
quantity of coffee and no alcohol for
few weeks at least is the most sensible
plan to be followed in regard to the
feeding Of recently arrived northern
troops in Cuba during the summer
months.
"a few words as to clothing. Cloth
Of any kind or description is not to be
thought of in the island of Cuba. Light
linen or cotton, both in color and weight,
is the proper clothing to be worn; thin
undershirts and drawers, and every
man should have at least one extra
change of underwear, stockings and
shoes The fall of dew and the damp
ness are so great that the men will be
wet below the knees daily until 8 or 9
O'Clock in the morning if marching any
distance during the early morning
hours, the most seasonable time at
which to work them. Wool, although
recommended by the English authori-
ties as the proper clothing in the trop-
los, is certainly not so desirable in Gu
la from the fact that 1t retains the,
dampness much longer than either cot
ton or linen.
"As to hats, should certainly pre-
fer TO use straw or linen one to any
felt, no matter how light, but the Span
ish rural guards all wear Cor used to)
light felt hat, the soldiers straw or what
are called panamas, with broad brims,
white, and Of very light weight. The
Cuban insurgents and in fact the people
who live in the country wear over their
undershirts shirt with pockets called
q chamarreta, dispensing thereby with
coats and vests. 1t is decidedly the most
comfortable dress for Cuba. Every SOL
dier should be provided, of course as !
believe he is, with waterproof coat.
A hammock is isalsQnecessary. It is, az
q rule, too damp to sleep ON the ground,
and it would be decidedly safer to sleep
in one than even ON a rubber blanket.
"There is no yellow fever in. the coun-
try districts of Cuba, and the forms Of
malaria are Of a mild type, except along
the southern borders in the swamps Of
Zapata Rain and dampness are the
great obstacles to a summer campaign
in Cuba, and not yellow fever, as Amer
leans have been led to believe. The
Spanish soldiers have died in Cuba more
from bad treatment and insufficient food
and clothing than from the effects of
climate and disease. New York Sun.