The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1898-05-20
GUARDS AGAINST FEVER.
Simple PrecautiOn That Soldiers
Should Take in Cuba.
Philadelphia Record.


DR.. Charles E. de M. Sajous, the editor
of the Annual and Analytical Cyclopaedia
of Practical Medicine, and well-knoWn
medical expert, in discussing the war yes
terday, pointed out the fact that Cuban
fevers may be more dangerous to our troops
than Spanish bullets, and dwelt on the
necessity of taking the most vigorous pre-
cautions against disease.
THE many hands through which medical
supplies have to pass before reaching the
surgeons, the possibility of being cut off
from the base of supplieS-whether this oc-
ours to squad, company, regiment,
brigade, etc, irregularities in -transporta-
ton, quartermasters' mistakes-in short, the
innumerable factors which go to make up
the needs of an army are as many con-
tions, the most conscientious endeavors.
But we must realize that whatever be the
cause the fatalities will be none the less,
and we must expect severe losses from dis
ease if we do nothing to prevent them.
But are there any means by which we
can thwart the unforeseen, the many I'M
efforts of the army medical corps? A care
full study of the literature of the question
has shown that it can be accomplished If
each man is from the start supplied with
all the necessaries for his protection in
case the prophylactic measures instituted
by the army medical department should fail.
The reports of explorers, expedition sur
geons, ETC., show that small parties we'll
provided from the start with everything re-
quired have traVersed some of the worst
regions OF Africa unscathed. mainly because
each man depended upon his own watchful-
ness for his health and took care to do what
was necessary. If our men were thus pro-
vided and told how to avoid the evil in
fiuences, climatic and telluric, which they
will meet in many parts of Cuba, there is
no reason why they should not likewise go
through the campaign with safety, even II
the means employed by the army bureau
should fail One ounce of hydrochlorate of
quinine will take UP but a speck of room
in the knapsack, and still it will afford pro-
lection for two months to it's owner by pre-
venting the development in the blood of the
81 10 1nI1n rrcsf NTH Of
this salt will thus protect ten men. Are
there not thousands of people who would
gladly contribute to a fund that would thus
protect the life of one man to every dollar?
1T is important to bear in mind, how
ever, that the protection afforded by quiz
nine is often prevented by excessive ex-
posture, or, rather, by the neglect of other
measures The reports OF explorers, ex-
petition surgeons, etc, already alluded to,
have shown that malarial infection may oc-
cur through the air passages. the stomach
and the skin, and that the following main
precautions must be taken;
Several feeO above the ground. GThe
War Department has already purchased
hammocks.)
marching through malaria-laden forests,
swamps, etc, so as to inhale through the
';ThirdETo drink pure water (the local
water being boiled or filtered when pure
water is not available)
Fourth - To avoid bathing in malarial
ever, to wash the body with a cloth. pro-
vided carbolic-acid soaps are used.)
There are other features, such as digging
trenches or working the SOIL etc, that are
particularly dangerous to unacclmated
men, but this will doubtless be intrusted to
natives of the commanding officer under all
with camp sites, which should always be
located high possible and windward
of any swamp that may be in the neighbor-
hood-if practicable.
AS to the hydrochlorate of quinine, it
should be taken In capsules, four grains
during breakfast and four grains during
the evening meal. A smaller dose is useless
a larger one is hurtful. If administered as
indicated, the hydrocholorate of quinine can
be used for long time without causing
the least trouble. This statement is based
upon the observations of physicians who
speak from extensive personal experience.
1t is important, however, that the capsules
be employed, pills often unreliable,
while cachets are swallowed with difficulty.
The two-gran size being the most conVen-
lent, the soldier would thus take two cap
sules each time. They should be packed in
a small screw-top or emery-stoppered bot
tie, which can be sent by mail.
There 'only remains the question of how
to get the quinine to the men. A Subscrip
ton would soon furnish the required funds.
In the meantime the best plan would doubt
less be that each person having a relative
or friend among the troops send him at
once at least the stated quantities, with the
directions just given.
'1f no drawbacks attend the prophylactic
means of the Army Medical Bureau, every
IElHS Will DC TlSnl, buI IL the contrary
should be the case the plan proposed might
save many valuable lives and perhaps con-
tribute its share toward the success of the
campaign. 1t Will not only protect the
troops against malaria, but also greatly
contribute to the prevention of yellow fever
thus assisting Drs. Sternberg. Van Reypen,
Wyman and Guiteras in their humane
work
with a gun on his shoulder and an ounce
of hydrochlorate Of quinine in his pocket
the American soldier will be thoroughly
armed against Spain and her strongest al
w