The record-union. [volume] (Sacramento, Calif.) 1891-1903, 1898-04-30
THE SOLDIERS AND THE YELLOW
FEVER.

FEVER.
Surgeon-General Wyman, in the
Providence Journal" has expressed
himself fully concerning the liability
of our soldiers, if sent to Cuba, falling
victims to the yellow fever scourge.
In brief the General says that the
chances of yellow fever infection de-
pend upon the thoroughness of prevent
tive measures taken; upon the topog-
raphicaI disposition of the troops; upon
the selection Of proper camping sites
and their thorough sanitation, and upon
the rigid enforcement of modern hy-
/ gienic measures.
| He says that the army surgeons thor
oughly understand these matters. and
that the medical chiefs in the army
have had much experience with yellow
fever. The General thinks it will be
difficult to predict whether there will
be much danger from the fever or not.
We have never had an American cam
paign involving such danger-the near
est approach to it was the invasion of
Mexico. But we have advanced knowl-
edge how to treat and how to fight and
prevent the fever, and, assuredly, this
will be all availed of
Of course the necessities of war will
to some extent interfere with the pre-
ventive measures the medical staff win
order, so that the sanitation system
they will direct will not be as complete
as it would be in settled community.
If the soldiers are made to under
stand that the success of our forces in
arms, and the health of each individual
soldier are dependent largely upon fol-
lowing the directions Of the surgeons,
a large measure of immunity can be
assured to the men. If there is rigid
observance of the regulations which
viii be laid down, there will be re-
moval Of the greater danger to be
feared from the fever
A prolonged residence in the tropics
enfeebles the system and predisposes to
assaults of disease. But with frequent
relays and movements of the troops
this can be largely overcome and dan
ger much averted In short, the Gen
eraI believes that with rigid sanitary
discipline the danger from fever will
be reduced to the minimum. and that
the men can be kept in the pink of
condition and rendered comparatively
safe from sickness
There is no yellow fever of much ac-
count in Cuba now, and none need be
expected before July. By that time the
war may be at an end. Yellow fever is
seldom prevalent in the high grounds
in Cuba back of the shore lines. 1t
prevails chiefly in those sea ports that
are filthy have i'll or no sanitary sys-
TENS, and enforce no regulations as to
disposal of filth. Insufficient nutrition
and the congregation of Spanish troops
mainly at sea ports have been the rea-
sons the armies of Spain have suffered
so severely from the disease.
There need be no such causes in the
case of American occupation. At Ha-
vana, for instance the bottom of the
harbor is so foul as to be an invita-
ton to fever. The army surgeons have
complete maps of the harbor showing
where the sewers empty, and points
that are particularly dangerous because
of foul conditions, and these troops
must avoid.
It is worthy of note that American
residents in Cuba have not been much
subject to the fever Our Consular
forces have seldom been afflicted with
it. This fact is due to the precautions
taken, and they are just those which
would be enforced upon an American
army of occupation. The experiments
| with yellow fever anti-toxin in Cuba,
| though interrupted by the disturbances
! there, have been very successful, and
to this preventive the medical corps
looks with much satisfaction.
| But we do not apprehend that any
large body of American volunteer
troops will be taken to Cuba, or if
taken that they will be retained any
great length of time. There will be
frequent changes and relays Of troops
The Surgeon-G General evidently believes
| this, for he dwells extendedly upon
camps of detention and quarantine
for returned relays" of troops to pre-
vent infection at home.