Evening star., 1898-12-05
THE CARE OF TROOPS
DR.. @ Reilly to Investigate the Method Of
the British Authorities.
Ordered to Go TO kinGston. Jamaica,
and 10 Then Proceed to
Santiago.

Lieutenant Colonel r. NJ. ORciiiy chief
surgeon. and Lieutenant Weston will start
in Il day or two on the hospital steamer
Bay State from New York for Kingston,
jamaica, To make a thorough investigation
of the British method of caring for troops
in tropical climates. Surgeon O'Reilly is to
be the chief surgeon at Havana under the
temporary occupation. The scope of his in
vestisa;ion in Jamaica Is detailed in the
following order just issued:
Lieut.. Colonel X. NJ. O'Reiiiy Chief Sur
geon. L. $. Volunteers Washington l.. G.:
Sir: In compliance with instructions con
tanned in letter from the adjutant general
Of the army, dated December > 1sas. you
are expected to make careful inquiry
with reference to the methods now in use
in The island of Jamaica for protecting SOL
diers of the British army stationed upon
that island from fatal infectious diseases
and from the deleterious effects of climatic
influences. You should ascertain. as far as
practicable, the results attained by i'm
proved methods which have been adopted
as the result of experience. and full details
az regards the housing. clothing and feed
ing Of British soldiers in semi-tropical and
tropical climates; also the methods found
most satisfactory for the disposal of sX-
creta and for ,ne protection of troops from
infectious diseases. and especially yellow
ieFef dyscntcrN, camp diarrhea and the
y
Ia&iS adopted and the results of such meas
ures should be fully investigated
Especial attention should be given to the
question of rdtionS and clothing which have
been found suitable for the climate Of ia
naica; also as to the construction of bar
racks found by experience to be most suit
able ana conducive to the health of sol
diers in garrison; also to everything per
tanning TO camp equipment and the sani-
tatlon of camps as practicei and as re-
quired by army regulations and orders.
You are expected 70 make to the adiu-
tant general OF the army It full report u0On
these subjects
Very respectfully,
CSigneD GEO. NJ. STERNBERG,
Surgeon General. L. s. Army
Upon the completion of the investigation
at Kingston. DIR. O'Rcilly viii proceed to
Santiago to land some medical supplies for
that department, and thence repair to Ha-
yana, where the Bay State will remain
under Dr. O'Reillys orders for permanent
duty. This vessel has been purchased by
the government from the state of Massa-
chnSettS. and Is equipped as hospital and
relief ship. From her light draught. only
eight feet, she is admirably adapted for
service in the shallow Cuban harbors. and
it is the purpose to employ her in distribute
ing medical supplies among those ports,
ard in transporting sick soldiers to the
large hospitals and home ports.
The big hospital ship Missouri Is now
ready for sea, and Surgeon General Stern
berg has given orders for her to proceed to
Savannah to take on an additional quantity
of medical supplies and then to go to Ha-
vana. She will remain in Havana harbOr as
a floating hospital and depot and supply
ship. She Will serve base of the Op-
erations Of the Bay State, ana the medical
department feels that these two vessels Will
be Of great value in caring for the Ameri-
can troops who will garrison Cuba.