Evening star., 1898-08-30
ONE THOUSAND SICK
Startling Report About the Troops
in Porto Rico.
OUT OF THE ARMY OF $1,000 men
One-Half Are Cases Requiring
Prompt and Careful Attention.
THE LIST Is INCREASING
OUT OF THE ARMY OF $4,000 MEN
THE LIST IS INCREASING

PHILADELPHIA. August 30.-The yacht
May, which arrived in this city today from
Porto Rico, via Newport News. brought the
report Of the representatives of the national
relief commission-ex-Mi Minister to Italy VIM
Potter, Wm.Van Rensselaer, Louis c. Van
uxem and DR.. G. G. Graff-who went TO
Porto Rico to superintend the distribution
of the supplies sent to the sick soldiers by
the commission.
The May, which was loaned to the gov
ernment by Mr.. Van Rensselaer,, left this
city on August G, and reached Ponce, Porto
Rico, August II. The report states that
the commissioners reported to Gen. Miles
and were by him referred to Col. Greenleaf
chief surgeon of the army in the field. Col.
Greenleaf ordered the seventy tons OF med
ical supplies to be taken from the May and
placed in the lower floor OF the custom
house, which is now being used as the head
quarters Of the army in Porto Rico
After giving details of the distribution of
the supplies. the report says:
In almost every instance we found the
army surgeons most anxious to have at
their disposition money for the purchase of
needed luxurIes for the sick, such as fresh
milk, ice (when obtainable) and canned
goods and We are happy to report that in
every case we have been able to meet the
demands made upon u.s.
The Sick List
There are about 5000 American soldiers
in Porto Rico, and on the day of our de-
parture, August 90, there were over l.O60
men on the sick list. OF this number one
half were cases requiring prompt and care
ful treatment. There was a large number
OF typhoid cases; but on the 22d instant
this disease was not on the increase-a fact
which indicates that the malady had been
carried from the camps at home and moi
Indigenous to Porto Rico.
however, there was a very large increase
In diarrhoea, dysentery. Gengue. or break
bone fever, and malarial disorders, due to
the not, unhealthy rainy season, just conf
mencing, which causes the water supply TO
De hlled with rS larial germs from the con-
slant decaying vegetation.
All medical authorities in the army IN
forto Rlco agree that the sick list is in
cfeaslng, and that an alarming conditl N
may be expected un.ess the War DeDar:-
nent promptly arIar gts barracks for tie
army Of occupation and Immediately pro-
wees additional transports uhe hospital
snip Relief being insuffcienD TO remove
such of the sick as can be safely trans
ferred home, the conv2lescents and those
enervated by climatic conditions III is
impossible for men from a northern c'ima:e
TO recUperate in tropical country during
Its most unhealthfEl season.
Related Medical Supplies.
In conclusion. we are glad to report tina.
We reached Porto Rico with our medical
and hospital supplies just at the time when
they were most needed. as owing TO The
lack OF steam launches with which to un-
lead the vessels in the harbor, and those
hard aground on the coral reef the med
ical department. could not secure its sup
plies promptly, and our consignment had
been most carefully selected containing
many tseful articles not supplied In the
hospital equipment of the United States
army.
We cabled to the rational relief COM
mission on the 22i instant to forward 10
Porto Rico a consignment of light gro
ceries. such as condensed cream, cereals
canned soups; clam broth. &c. a'so paja-
n as and underclothing, all of which are
much needed in the hospitals and are not
obtainable in the Island"
Attached TO the report is letter from
Gen. Niles thanking the commissioners on
behalf of the army for the supplies ana
Tor big consignment of American flags:
also letter from Col. Greenleaf express
ing thanks for the gift of an ice-ma kim,
m nachine, In which he says:
Il cannot adequately express the salts
faction with which the results of this dona-
tion Will be received by the sick. Ice in
this country is an expensive luxury cos.
ing $50 per ton in Porto Rfcan money.
which necessitates the exercise of rigid
economy on the part of our medical officers
In its use. To have the output of such a
machlnc at our disposal is a Blessing the
tenefits of which can only be appreciated
by those who have served in these hos
pitals."
The Mays Passenger.
In addition to tEe three national relief
commissioners, the following officers and
men returned on the May:
Colonel john w. Clous, deputy Judge aG-
vocate general, United States army; Col
onel John Biddle of General Wilson's stan.
who with Captain Harry Alvan Hall OF the
10Th PENNSYLVANIA and Lieutenant Il
Fuliington. also Of sGeneral Wilson's staff
are commissioned by that commander 10
present to the President of the United
States the royal Spanish ensign. cap
tured August o. in the engagement at
Coamo; Mr.. James Wolcott Wadsworth.
congressman from the thirtieth New York
district; Major Clayton Parkhiil, chief sur
geon, 1st Division, LIST Army Corps; on sick
leave, Lieutenant John Workiser, 18th
United States Infantry; Lieutenant w
Howard Pancoast. with privates A r.
Chester and Wilson Potter. all of Light
Battery A, Philadelphia; James c. Clark
and Herbert Childs of Troop A, New York;
on furlough, Addison Kelly. p L. Over
field. Joseph knight and Samuel Boyle, all
of Battery A, and Myron r. Stowell, war
correspondent, Pittsburg Times.
DR.. Graft will remain temporarily in
Porto Rico. and will cable from time to
time the needs of the commission in the