Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1898-11-21

make the men comfortable or to rene
ditions were brought to the attention
of the Secretary OF war by inspectors
sent out from the War Department
Then the camps held for so long were
abandoned, but not before the mani
festations of typhoid infection were
rife in them. New sites were carefully
selected, regimental camps were ex-
banded, company tentage increased
and board flooring provided. Then,
for the first time, the troops went into
camps suitable for continued occupa-
ton.
ONE PROMINENT CAUSE
of the increase of sickness in the early
camps has been commented upon by
only a few of our medical officers.
These cite the prevalence of drunken
ness and Of venereal disease due to the
facilities and temptations afforded by
the proximity of cities to larger camps.
They hold that if the systems of the
men had not been weakened by dissi-
patton they would not have sue
cumbed so readily to the other in
fluence which affected them.
1t was typhoid fever which broke
down the strength of the commands
generally, the outbreak becoming dis
tinctly manifest in July.
1t is well known to the medical pro-
fesion that this fever is propagated by
a contaminated water ,upply.. To pre-
vent Transmission by the water supply
| recommend the use of boiled and fl
tered water and field filters of approved
construction were issued on my re-
commentator.
CARE OF SICK IND WOUNDED.
The seriously sick were to be treated
in division field hospitals (unless their
transfer to a general hospitaD under
the care of the most experienced ply
sicians and able surgeons on duty
with each division. Medical officers
left on duty with their regiments were
to exercise sanitary supervision over
the well men and to determine whether
a soldier reporting himself sick should
be sent to hospital or remain as a
trivial case under treatment in quar-
tiers. This consolidation of the medi-
cal force by divisions implying as it
did the breaking up of the regimental
hospitals, met with a strong opposi ,on
from regimental medical officers.
THE FIFTH ARMY CORPS.
Long before this corps embarked 70
Cuba its field hospitals were in condi-
ton for efficient service. Subsequent
events, however, rendered valueless
these preparations of the medical de-
partment. OF the property and sup
plies carried to Cuba a portion was not
available for service at the time it wa9
most needed, to wit, on July 1st, End
and 3rd, when the wounded from Ell
Caney and San Juan were coming to
the front for care and treatment. This
was because, in general, no opportunity
was afforded to land the medical pro-
perty.
After the capitulation of Santiago,
the troops at the front broke down
rapidly under the fatigues they had I'M
dergone and the malarial influences to
which they were exposed.
The transfer Of troops from Santiago
to Montauk Point, N. Y, was an emer-
gency measure
TROOPS IN THE HOME CAMPS.
The method of hospital organization
in all these camps was practically the
same. Chief surgeons began the Or
ganization and equipment of their field
division hospitals and ambulance com
panies, but they were met at the out
set by the apparent impossibility of
securing men for service as cooks,
nurses, litter bearers, ambulance driv-
ers, teamsters, etc.
As a rule, the hospitals were kept
in campaigning condition, that is, the
tents were neither framed nor floored
until the increased prevalence of ty-
phoid fever. attracted attention to
their crowded condition, when the OBJ
ject Of their existence became sud-
denly changed from a school for field
service to hospital for the treatment
of a local outbreak Of disease. Special
diet kitchens under the management
of capable individuals were opened at
most of the hospitals. Money for this
purpose was sent to them by me from
funds contributed and placed at my
disposal Money was also sent direct
ly by individuals and representatives
of aid societies; and the Red Cross
committees supplied quantities of ice
and milk, chickens. eggs, lemons, etc.
Pajamas, night shirts and other articles
of hospital clothing were also r-oyid-
ed by Red Cross and other aid socie-
ties. Subsequently the order authoriz-
ing the Communication Of the sick SOL
diers's ration at sixty cents rendered
these hospitals wholly independent Of
outside assistance.
GENERAL HOSPITALS.