The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1898-08-11
SHAMEFUL TREATMENT.
Sick at Chickamauga Being Horri-
bly, Neglected.
HOSPITAL ROOM AND EVEN ORDIN-
AIRY MEDICINE REFUSED.

The Story of Santiago Repeated With
Much Less Excuse for the Evils Exist
ing-Maine Boys Arc Dying Without a
Hand Lifted or Effort Made to Save
Them.
ESPECIAL TO THE PREss.j
First Maine Regiment,
Chickamauga Park,
August 4th, 1898.
Circumstances compel me to draw pub
lie attention to q much needed reform In
the hospital accommodation and treat
menu. Men sick are not getting the ad-
vantages which poverty stricken Spain
offers her soldiers. 1t is nothing less than
disgraceful to the country which has al
WAYS succeeded in setting many Christian
examples to other nations. But let us
take the mote rom our own eye. for here
are men, brave, patriotic, loyal and true
who left the comforts of home to prosecute
the claims of their government AS such
men are they to be denied in this fever
stricken Park medicines to keep body and
SOul bOG0UuSI WlUA SuluC lOuU uQIS1IlS w
restore siren 9Th, for this regret to write
they have never received, and grave dis
con tent exists on this account. Poor
fellows suffering from internal cramps so
common here to us northerners, rheuma.
tism, malaria, typhoid fever and other
ailments are supplied with pills for each
complaint. then returned to Eight duty"
in their respective companies. I say with
out fear of contradiction and with every
mans support inclusive of officers, that
there are many performing duty who
should be occupying cots in hospital re-
ceiying the necessary care and attention
which their cases demand. On the con-
trary their needs are not met and the con-
sequence is many fall from exhaustion.
Repeated calls for advice by the men or
admission to hospital has been not with
the response: "We have no room, !" and
unable to compound prescription be-
cause the drugs are lacking" So one has
to remain contented with the internal
presence of dose of Squibbs mixture,
and variety of pills. The men walk
away with aching bodies to seek some
good comrade. who might be fortunate to
have in his possession some patent con-
coction to alleviate pain.
Al cannot refrain from writing when l
| witness such common occurrences. A
comrade of my company has been suffer-
ing from hiccoughs for the last four days
and often every meal seized with an at
tack of vomiting. He has attended
hospital daily, but what have they been
doing for him? Injecting morphine to
such an alarming extent that he, patrols
his company IS street in an exhausted con-
dition with his sight somewhat impaired,
and his mind gradually giving away
under his sickness. He was admitted to
the hospital two or three days ago after
receiving many refusals. His condition
is serious and he claims at the present
time that nothing is. being done for his
relief. The men are completely dazed at
the treatment accorded the sick. "Why
is it that such state of affairs should be
permitted TO exist?" Is the exchequer
exhausted. Are there no means in this
rich country Of ours to provide sick
soldiers with sufficient nursing and treat
ment to restore them to health and
strength? This is just grievance and
one that needs immediate investigation.
There is another case which came under
my observation of q m an who applied at
regimental hospital for some aid. He was
told to return after he had recovered from
his intox ication. Later ne had to be re-
moved to adivision hospital suffering from
typhoid fever. Another instance of which
know was that of a comradeswho had to
be placed on the sick report list. 1t hard
1y seems. credible, but is nevertheless true
A few days ago a non-commissioned
officer was removed to regimental hospital
in light state of fever. He returned to
his company, yesterday to all appearance
treatment or attention was being given
him with the exception of q quinine pill
once in while. He quickly arrived at
the conclusion that his chance of recovery
would be better if back to his company
However, he hads unfortunately to be
taken back within two hours of leaving.
There are many other cases which could
be quoted, but space will not permit. 1
maintain that men who have sacrificed
their bright future prospects and comforts
of home to engage In the casa of liberty
should identified to some degree of con.
sideration especially as to their treatment
while sick. trust that some action will
be taken to discover who is responsible
for this state Of affairs and redress for
this gross neglect shown towards the Sons
of Maine.
HERBERT d. LAMBOURNE.