Macon beacon. [volume] (Macon, Miss.) 1859-1995, 1898-10-15
FORESIGHT OF THE NAVY.
The Medical Department, Especially, Fore
handed at All Preparations for
All Emergencies.

Washington, Oct. 10.-Probably no
| better illustration can be found OF the
foresight exhibited by the navy in pre-
pairing for the war then is afforded by
the history of the medical corps dur
ing the struggle. This is setront in
the annual report of Snrgeon-General
| W. X. Van Reypen, which is the first
of the navy bureau reports submitted
for publication.
Surgeon-General Van Reypen begins
with a modest tribute to the good
judgment and foresight of his prede-
ccssor. Gen. Tryon, who in putting in
order and equipping the several naval
hospitals was of incalculable service
to the bureau, enabling it to properly
care for the sick or wounded of the
navy during the war. When the Maine
was blown up Surgeon-ieneral van
Reypen was in charge of the bureau
and began preparations Immediately
for any contingency. The hospitals
were fully equipped plans were pre-
pared for pavilion wards, sand the naval
laboratory prepared to furnish medlcai
and surgical supplies in any quantity.
No additional expense was incurred
, until war seemed imminent, then every
vessel likely to be engaged was given
full outfit of medical supplies for war.
, in anticipation of large increase OF
the navy, proper outfits were MADE
ready and boxed for large number
of ships ready for call. There mas
not been an instance during the war,
, saws the surgeon-g general" of any YES
sci having had to wait for her medica
. stores
IT was known that the medical corps
was inadequate in number for war
vet there was no law authorizing the
employment of volunteer medical ON
i GERS, But the medical boards were
t, sent out in anticipation to the prlnci
n pal cities to examine applicants fo
d appointment, and as a consequence
n when war broke out, the medical de
J. partment had at hand. from which II
Or make selections of volunteer surgeons
~ n long list OF well-educated men, an
ID 81 of these were appointed out OF 2'oo
" applicants. Surgeon-GeneralNa Van Key
n. pen SAYS: They have rendered e
4 ticient service, and have been cred
to the navy. Some have had unusu;
, and trying experiences, but they hay
= accommodated themselves to their ei
" yironments and have justified their al
Il pointments.'
y" "Only one medical officer was kille
during the war, Assistant Surgeo
John Blair Gibbs, who fell at Guant
is namo. serving with the marine ba
IL talon"
rn The medical department had lol
lie desired to establish IA hospital servl
n at sea on specially selected vess'
NJ and the approach of the war gave
is an opportunity to demonstrate Z
)s- wisdom of its proposition and the
ws fciencv of its methods. The steam
on Creole was purchased. and, with I
to valuable assistance of Naval Constr'
lte tor Woodward, was converted INTO
S a ambulance ship within l6 days, fitt
he with every appliance of modern 81
ng gerry. disinfecting apparatus, &C
,rn storage. laundry and elevator ;
ujs was pioneer in her work. indicatl
he step in advance that it well becal
I'D the United States to take.
The report gives succlnct hlstc
of the valuable services rendered
the Solace in caring for the sick n
~ wounded.