Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1898-11-21
HEALTH or ARMY.
CONTINUED from page H.

y
were brought to the attention of the
secretary of war by inspectors sent
out from the war department. Then
the camps held for SO long were aban-
doned, but not before the manifesta-
tions of typhoid infection were rife in
them. New sites We're carefully select
ed, regimental camps We're expanded,
company tentage increased and board
flooring provided. Then, for the first
time, the troops went into camps suit
able for continued occupation.
One prominent cause of the increase
of sickness in the early camps has
been commented upon by only few
of our medical officers. These cite the
prevalence of drunkenness and of We
nereal disease, due to the facilities and
temptations afforded by the proximity
of cities to the larger camps. They
hold .thatif the systems of the men had
not been weakened by dissipation they
would not have succumbed so readily
to the other influences which affected
them.
1t was typhoid fever which broke
generally, the outbreak becoming dis
tinctly manifest in July. Sporadic
cases dppedIeu III IlOSl VI lHC lCSt-
ments in May and June, these cases
having been brought in many instances
from the state camps. In fact some
regiments, as the 18th Minnesota. suf-
fered more from this disease at their
state rendezvous than any of the regi-
ments in the large federal camps. 1t
appears from general review of the
sanitary reports already filed that the
prevalence of the disease was proper
toned to the insanitary camp condi-
tions which I have referred to.
The probability of it's communication
to soldiers in camp through the agency
OF flies was pointed out as reason for
Insisting on a sanitary police of the
strictest character. 1t is well known
to the medical profession that this
fever is propagated by a contaminated
water supply and it is now recognized
that the great prevalence of this dis
ease in an aggravated form in the
camps of the Civil War, was due to the
use of surface and shallow we'll waters
infected by typhoid excreta.
To prevent transmission by the water
supply recommended the use of boiled
and filtered water when pure spring
supply could not be ordered and ten
able and efficient liberation of suspec-
ted waters to be made, field filters of
Eapproyed construction were issued on
Emy Recommendation by the quarter
masters department
The seriously sick were to be treated
lin division field hospitals (unless their
transfer to general hospital was ad-
kvisable), under the care of the most
Experienced and able surgeons on duty
With each division. Medical officers
left on duty with their regiments We're
Ito exercise sanitary supervision over
the well men and to determine whether
IA soldier representing himself sick
|ehould be sent to hospital or remain
rs a trivial case under treatment in
Quarters. This consolidation of the
medical force by divisions, implying as
did, the breaking up of the regimen
al hospitals, met with strong oppo-
ttion from regimental medical officers,
PARTICULARLY from those who were not
etailed for special service at the d.
rision hospitals.
The 5th Army Corps: Long before
Ibis corps embarked for Cuba its field
hospitals were in condition for efficient
serytce.s Subsequent events, however,
Rendered valueless these preparations
f the medical department. When the
5ommand embarked on the transport
Vessels, the baggage wagons and
mules were left behind. The ambu
ance trains of all the divisions with a
arge part of the outfit Of each of the
hospitals were left behind. Three am
ulance wagons were taken apart and
fored on one of the vessels. These
Id excellent service at San Juan ana
81 Caney. Ten of the ambulances of
he third or reserve divisional hospital,
were subsequently shipped to Cuba
where they arrived, July 2, and were
81 value in moving the sick and
tnufded to the hospital at Siboney and
q the hospital ships and transports.
Ofsthe property and supplies carried to
ubasia portion was not available for SER
cexat the time it was most needed, to
it. on July /, 2 and g. when the wounded
koyn kCaney and San Juan were COM
q fr0X the front for care and treat
Sent Khis was because, in general, no
kts3fty hity was afforded to land the med
" 5perty Earnest efforts were made
medical officers to have supplies at the
ont with the troops. During and after
e battles of Ell Caney and San Juan
Sere was an insufficiency of tents. cots,
Hiding and medicines, due to the causes
ateu, but all the hospitals were well
Ripped for surgical work.
liter the capitula ton of Santiago the
ops at the front broke down rapidly
Her the fatigues they had undergone
b the malarial influences to which they
4 exposed, but by this time an ample
kply of tents, furniture, bedding, cloth
and medical stores had reached Sibo-
together with a corps of trained
les and a force of surgeons, those
to duty at the yellow fever hospital
& immune to that disease
kanwhile, to relieve the pressure on
Hello Dspitals. such convalescents and
as Could bear the journey home were
to the United States on transport
els. This was an emergency measure
elieve the hospitals at Siboney and
bit of the transfer to them of the
who were sick in regimental camps
transfer of troops from Santiago
Dntauk Point was also an emergency
nire, and the great responsibility OF
ding yellow fever infection from
transport rested on the medical
rs who had charge of the embarka-
Had they failed In this duty the