The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1898-08-31
THE SICK IN PORTO RICO
RETURN OF THE YACHT MAY FROM
HER RELIEF EXPEDITION.
Out of the Army of 10000 Men 900
Are Already I'm HOspitaIs-The
Terrible Climate

PHILADELPHIA. Aug. SO.-The yacht
May, which arrived in this city to-day from
Porto Rico via Newport News. brought the
report of the representatives of the National
Relief Commission, ex-Minster to Italy
William Potter, William Van Rensselaer,
and Louis Vancumn, who went to Porto
Rico to superintend the distribution of the
supplies sent to the sick soldiers. TIE May
left this city on Aug. 6. and reached Ponce,
Porto Rico, Aug. H. The report states that
the commissioners reported to General Miles
and were by him referred to Colonel Green
leaf, chief surgeon of the army in the field.
Colonel Greenleaf ordered the seventy tons
of medical supplies to be taken from the
May and placed in the lower floor of the
customs house, which is now being used as
the headquarters of the army in Porto
Rico. After giving details of the distribu-
ton 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 obtanable) and canned
goods. and we are happy to report that in
every case we have been able to meet the
demands made upon us.
There are about 5000 American soldiers
in Porto Rico, and on the day of our de-
parture, Aug. ~, there were over LOCO men
on the sick list. OF this number one-half
were cases requiring prompt and careful
treatment. There was a large number of
typhoid cases, but on the 22d inst. this dis
ease was not on the increase-a fact which
indicates that the malady had been carried
from the camps at home and is not in
digenouS to Porto Rico However, there was
a very large increase in diarFhoea dysen-
terry, dengue or breakbone fever and ma
larial disorders, due to the hot, unhealthy
rainy season, just commencing, which
causes the water supply to be filled with
malarial germs from the constantly decaying
vegetation. All medical authorities in the
army in Porto Rico agree that the sick list
/ is increasing, and that an alarming condi-
ton may be expected unless the War De-
partment promptly arranges barracks for
the army of occupation and Immediately
provides additional transports (the hospital
ship Relief being Insufficient to remove
such of the sick as can be safely transferred
home, the convalescents and those ener-
waited by climatic conditions. 1t is impos-
sible for men from a northern climate to
recuperate in a tropical country during its
most unhealthful season.
I'm conclusion we are glad to report that
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-
load the vessels in the harbor and those
hard aground on the coral reef, the medical
department could not secure its supplies
promptly and our consignment had been
most carefully selected, containing many
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equipment of the United States army.
I'VE cabled to the national relief COM
mission en- the 22d inst, to forward to Porto
Rico a consignment of light groceries, such
as condensed cream, cereals, canned soups,
clam broth, ETC.; also Undertaking, all of
which are much needed in the hospitals and
are not obtainable in the island
Attached to the report is a letter from
General Miles thanking the commissioners
on behalf of the army for the supplies and
for big consignment of American flags;
also letter from Colonel Greenleaf, ex-
pressing thanks for the gift of an ice-mak-
ing machine, in which he says: II cannot
adequately express the satisfaction with
which the results of this donation will be
received by the soldiers. Ice in this country
is an expensive luxury, costing $50 a ton, in
Porto Rican money, which necessitates the
exercise of rigid economy on the part of
our medical officers in it's USE To have the
output of such machine at our disposal is
a blessing, the benefits of which can only
be appreciated by those who have served in
these hospitals.
In addition to the three national relief
commissioners, the following officers and
men returned on the May: Col. John w.
Clous deputy judge advocate general,
United States army; COL John Biddell of
General Wilson's staff, who, with Capt.
Harry Alvan Hall, of the Sixteenth Penn
sylvania, and Lieut.. E. M. Fullington, also
of General Wilson's staff. are commissioned
by that commander to present to the Presi-
dent of the United States the Spanish royal
ensign, captured Aug. 9, at Coamo; Hon.
James A. Wadsworth, congressman from
the Thirtieth New York district; Major
Clayton Parkhill chief surgeon of the First
Division, First Army Corps on sick leave,
Lieut.. John Yorkshire, Nineteenth United
States Infantry; Lieut.. w. w. Pancoast,
with Privates A. r. Chester and Wilson
Potter, all of Light Battery A, Philadel-
phia; James G. Clark and Herbert Childs,
of Troop A, New York; on furlough, Addi-
son Kelly, p l.. Overfeld Joseph knight
and Samuel Boyle all of Battery A, and
Mr.. A. r. StoWell, war correspondent,
Pittsburg Times. Dr. Garff will remain tenn
porarily in Porto Rico and will cable from
time to time the needs of the commission in
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