The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1898-06-27

To the Editor of the indianapolis Journal.
Durlng the war Of the rebellion, as shown
by the most conservative estimate. the loss
.es on the federal side were 10000 killed in
pattle and died of mortal wounds: while
Is9'zo died of disease, nearly two to one in
favor or disease. While modern antisentic
surgery may make a better showing in the
present war, notwithstanding the increased
destructiveness of modern arms orr SOL
uerS are TO invade a country under tropi-
cal climate the habitat of two of the
greatest scourges of modern civilization.
VIZ, yellow fever and smallpox with prac-
ucally no Improvement in the medical de-
partment on thirty-three years ago. Hence
the SAD fact faces us that much more than
TWO TO one of our brave boys must succumb
10 disease in the present war Thousands Of
patriotic, thinking people to-day are abso-
iutely sure that this enormous death rate
or war could be reduced at least so per cent.
For this large and intelligent citizenship. 1
take the liberty of asking to speak
In my humble way. For the con-
struction of war Ships munitions.
equipments, commissary supplies, for
everything in the field of competition, save
and except one, the United States govern
ment avails itself most carefully. Strange
a n +
matter or medicine and surgery, in which
1T allows an absolute monopoly
There are four schools of medicine as rec
recognized by the laws of Indiana. as wei
as, most Of the United States Three of
these are grouped under the general term
of new school of medicine the other is
pathic." Each practice strictly on different
views as TO the causation and nature of
disease. and use either different or the same
remedy in different doses. and conditions.
in accordance with their medical philoso-
phieS or disease. The fact that all of the
new schools of medicine have increased in
numbers and influence more than a thou
sand fold within the last thirty years ought
TO attract the attention of the government
to the matter OF the health and life of those
who sacrifice all for country. AT least 90
per cent. of volunteers in the present war
have, as family physician, one of the three
new schools. Yet as a soldier he is deprived
of his liberty absolutely when sick or
wounded. The surgeon general of the
United States army is to-day, and that Off
Ger always has been, old school phy-
stefan; and, so far as the writer is informed
neither in the war of the rebellion or the
present war has any physician nor surgeon
or the new schools been regularly commits
stoned as medical officer by the United
states government. While it is true that a
very few irregular" contract surgeons
have been employed yet they are so thor
oughly handicapped by the government SUD-
pies or exclusive remedies, and control of
their superior medical officers as to render
their special school practice of little value
such medical men enter the service wholly
through patriotism.
While we are now wagng warfare on
the broad principle of human freedom and
emancipation from intellectual benighted-
ness, would it not he eminently in unison
with these lofty aims to correspondingly
broaden our views of army medical and sur
gcal service? Why not so adjust the army
medical regulations as to say to our brave
boys when they take the oath to face death
in any form, Choose for yourself what
kind of medical or surgical service you will
have should you be laid helpless by disease
or wound"
In the writer's opinion the United States
government could save in disability pen
sions at least enough to pay the total ex-
penses OF an army corps by thus throwing
medical service. And the Governor of a
State who shall take this advance step in
supplying volunteers with medical service
Will become more famous than the s.war
Governor of Indiana"
]. M. THURSTON.
Richmond, Ind, June %.