The Anaconda standard. [volume] (Anaconda, Mont.) 1889-1970, 1898-10-10
THE NAVY WAS PREPARED
REPORT on MEDICAL SERVICE DUR
ING THE WAR.
The Hospital ships Were Great Sue
cess-Noble Work Done by
the Women.

Washington. Oct. 9.-Probably no
better illustration can be found Of the
foresight exhibited by the navy in pre-
pairing for the war han Is afforded by
the history OF the medical corps during
the struggle. This Is set out in rhe
annua report Of Surgeon General w.
X. Van Reypen. which Is the first OF
the navy bureau reports submitted for
publication.
Surgeon General Reypen begins with
a modest tribute to the good judgment
and foresight OF his predecessor, Gen.
eral Tryon. who. In putting In order
and equipping the several naval hos
pitfalls. was an incalculable service to
the bureau. enabling 1t to properly care
for the sick or wounded OF the navy
during the war. When the Maine was
blown up Surgeon General Var Rey-
pen was I'm charge of the bureau and
began preparations Immediately for
any contingency. The hospitals were
fully equipped: plans were prepared for
pavilion wards, the naval laboratory
prepared to furnish medical and surgi-
cal supplies In any quantity. No add
tional expense was incurred until war
seemed imminent: then every vessel
likely to be engaged was given a full
outht of medical supplies for war. In
anticipation OF a large Increase OF the
AAN - HN'INN ~ - $500
and boxed for a large number OF ships
ready to call.
There has not ben an instance dur
Ing the war" says the surgeon general.
"of any vessel having TO wait for her
medical stores"
1t was known that the medical corps
was inadequate In numbe for war, yet
there was no law authorizing the en-
ployment Of volunteer medical officers.
But medical boards were sent out In
anticipation to the principal cities to
xamine applicants for appointment.
and as a consequence when war broke
out the medical department had on
hand from which to make selections
of volunteer surgeons. a long list OF well
educated men and 81 OF these were APP
pointed out of 1000 applicants. Sur
geon General Van Reypen says: They
have rendered efficient service and
have been n credit to the navy. Some
have had unusual and trying expert
ences. but they have accommodated
themselves and their environments and
ave justified their appointments.
Only one medical officer was killed
during the war. Surgeon John Blair
Gibbs. who fell at Guantanamo, sew
ing with the marine battalion.
The marine department had long de-
sired TO establish a hospital service on
sea on "A specially selected vessel and
the approach of war gave IL an oppor-
tunity 20 demonstrate the wisdom OF It's
propositions and the efficiency OF its
methods.
The steamer Creole was purchased,
and with the valuabl assistance Of
Naval Constructor Woodward. was
converted into an ambulance ship with
in 16 days. filling every appliance OF
modern surgery. disinfecting apparatus.
laundery and elevator. She was
a pioneer in her work indicat-
inc n Gtan In advance that Al Npll
became the United States to take The
report gives n succinct history OF the
valuable services rendered by the Gre
ole in caring for the sick and wounded.
Says the surgeon general: In this
war woman has don her perfect work
and the medical department of the navy
Is profoundly grateful for the money
contributed and supplies furnished for
the aid OF the sick and wounded of the
navy. Patriotic women have also sup
plemented the efforts of the govern
ment and their assistance has been
thoroughly appreciated
In this connection the report calls at
tention TO the fact that as soon as war
was declared the daughter Of Secretary
Long and three OF her associates at the
Johns Hopkins medical school volun-
teered their services as nurses and
were assigned to duty In the hos
pital.
In conclusion the surgeon general
says: 81 cannot close this portion Of
the bureaus report without bearing
testimony to the efficiency. skill and
devotion 20 duty Of the personnel of the
medical department. Not a word but
OF praise has the bureau heard OF any
OF them-regulars or volunteers. When
war was imminent they We'd with one
mother in their efforts to get on fight
ing ships. Some have had greater OPP
portunities than others. but all have
AAaA nHnll tho work nGGtOnad thRnN
Surgeon Edgar saw his associate, As
sistant Surgeon Gibbs. hot by his side
In the Spanish attack and ne continued
his work alone. doing II thoroughly and
well. and Il was known he would.
The medical officers on the ships at
the battle of Manila and In the battle
OF the I'd Of July shared the dangers
Of their comrades and hould partici-
pate in the praise accorded them.
The medical officers OF the Solace
have the honor Of naugurating the
first complete system Of antiseptic sur
gerry at sea. They have adopted means
to ends, have improvised apparatus.
| have been fertile in eNpedients and
have the satisfaction Of having demon
strated that with skill and intelligence
the percentage Of mortality among the
Z patients on a we~ll-eQuipped ambulance
shin will be no greater tina In the hos
pitfalls on shore.
Medical Inspector Persons found
himself suddenly confronted with 22e
Spanish sick or wounded prisoners In a
partly established hospital. He was
equal 20 the emergency and he n mis-
associates were complimented by Ad-
miral Cervera when he visited the
/ camp.
The medical officers Of the other hos-
pitfalls have had sudden large Access
sions 81 patients. They We're always
ready and always cared for them
we'll"