The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1898-10-02
WOUNDED OF THE NAVY.
PERFECT SYSTEM ron ATTENDING
TO DISABLED MEN.

The Best of Care, Comfortable Quar-
tiers ana Pleasant Surroundings
Make Jacks Lot an Easy One-The
sharp Contrast Between Army and
Navy In This Respect.
Washington. Sept. 3o-Whue the whole
country has been agitated by the discus
sion Of alleged neglect and carelessness
in the treatment Of our sick and wounded
soldiers. not a word Of complaint has been
heard in regard 10 the administration Of
the medical department Of the navy.
Jack is proyerbially a GROWER. He
never loses an opportunity to take ex-
ception to things. and a service must be
Immaculate indeed to escape his at least
partial condemnation. Yet he has nothing
but good 70 say OF the arrangements pro-
vided by the medical department for his
care and comfort during the past trouble
with Spain.
II is true the various naval battles were
fought with maryelCusiy few casualties to
the rank ard file Of the navy, but those
who were wounded and those who fell i'll
because of climatic changes and the long
sojourn under tropical suns, were looked
after with the solicitu3e Of mother.
War brought a decided increase in the
navy. and new ships meant new crews and
greater responsibilities for the medical
department. There were few changes.
however in the system followed for many
years Surgeon General Van Reypen,
from his Office in Washington, boldly con-
fronted the different problems created by
the war. and laid his plans so carefully
that not one iota Of criticism has be "a
made on the results. Il was he who f [
OF. ginated the idea Of a naval hospital
ship. and today the "Solace' floats the
sea. the embodiment of one OF the most
important steps ever taken for the hu-
name and scientific treatment OF wounded
and III sailors in time of war.
The general pan followed by the medical
department of the navy may be considered
under three divisions-first the local med
ica1 staff attached TO each vessel in com
mission; second. the naval Hospital ship,
and third. the naval hospitals on shore.
For Sick and Wounded.
Every vessel in the service carries at
least one surgeon. an apothecary and
a bayman or nurse. The larger ships
medical officers. and iagships with three,
one being the fleet medical inspect or
These officers are part of the stan. and
to them is relegated everything connected
with the care Of the sick and the general
sanitary arraEgenlents of the ship. They
are appointed from civil life after a most
rigid examination held by a competent
hoard. and are given relative rank with
other officers OF the navy.
Every war vessel has an apartment
known as the sick bay which though
small in size is well fitted out as a local
hospital In times OF peace when there
is no danger from projectiles. Il is gem
orally located on the forward berth or gun
deck, although its precise location varies
with each ship. A sick bays equipment
consists of a dispensary for the apothe
corv. a SPACE for swinging cots, and the
most necessary Of the appliances 10 be
found in every well-eonducted shore hos
pital The limited space confines the med
ical outfit 10 the absolutely important ar
ticles the more complicated accessories,
such as steam sterilizing apparatus
and modern operating tables having to
be omitted.
During time Of war it is necessary TO
locate the medical department in a place
removed from the possibility of accident
and where the surgeons and attenanCs can
work undisturbed by shot or shell In