The Iola register. [volume] (Iola, Allen County, Kansas) 1875-1902, 1898-10-14
COT READY FOR IT.
Foresight Exhibited by the Naval
Medical Corps in the War.
REPORT OF THE SURGEON GENERAL.
van Roypen States That when the Maine
Was Blown Up His Department Began
! Preparations for Any Emergency
Naval Medical Onicers Praised,


Washington, Oct 1O.-Probably no
better illustration can be found of the
foresight exhibited by the navy in pre-
pairing for the war than is afforded by
the history of the medical corps during
the struggle. This is set out In the
annual report of Surgeon General w.
X. Van Reypen, which is the first OF
the navy bureau reports submitted for
publication.
Surgeon General Van Reypen begins
with a modest tribute to the good
judgment and foresight of his prede-
cessor, Gen. Tryon, who, in putting in
order and equipping the several naval
hospitals, was of incalculable service
to the bureau, enabling 1t to properly
care for the sick or wounded of the
navy during the war.
When the Maine was blown up Sur
geon General Van Reypen was in
charge of the bureau and began prepa-
rations Immediately for any con tim
gency. The hospitals were fully
equipped, plans were prepared for pa
vilion wards, the naval laboratory
prepared to furnish medical and sur
gical supplies In any quantity. No
,eddltional expense was incurred until
war seemed imminent, then every YES.
sci likely to be engaged was given a
full outfit of medical supplies for war.
In anticipation of large increase of
the navy, proper outfits were made
ready and boxed for large humble
of ships ready for call. "There has
not been an instance during the war"
says the surgeon general "of any ves-
sci having had to wait for her medical
stores"
1t was known that the medical corps
was inadequate in number for war,
yet there was no law authorizing the
employment of volunteer medical
officers. But medical boards were sent
out in anticipation to the principal
cities to examine applicants for app
pointment, and as consequence when
war broke out the medical department
had at hand from which to make selec-
tions of volunteer surgeons long list
of well-educated men and % of these
were appointed out of 9, 900 applicants.
Surgeon General Van Reypen SAYS:
"They have rendered efficient service
and have been credit to the navy.
Some have had unusual and trying ex-
periences, but they have accommo-
lated themselves to their environ
-, 'nts and have justified their appoint
ts."
Nv, medical department had long
-, to establish hospital service
- 80 specially selected vessel,
ny -, 7proach of war gave it an
to demonstrate the
, ia. is propositions and the
on o;o smethods. The steamer
,.a~Ia chased, and with the
,aI,,aLlo - nee of Naval Con-
$500 Do0,suS WAS converted in to
tructor Woodkvipf, hin IA g. ar
n ambulance VIA uays' M
ng every appliuA ue ra
urgery, disinfectiuls 'pp r Gu
torage, laundry aut1 -. I'll. 9"o
7as pioneer imher Wa nou Icing os
step in advancsthati iti\ ,rt,o
he United Statcs to. tHiA ~ &c
ort gives succinct histtN W .ne
aluable services rendered. ~ .n
olace in caring for the ~ "nu
Iounded. Stores and supFilN , u
lso delicacies and comforts aB6 go
applied in abundance for tho, '"
nd wounded by geaerous andi pM
tic individuals and societies frN
very part of the UniSed States SayN
nc surgeon gene rat H. ''ln this war;
oman has done he4r perfect work, and
le medical department Of the navy is'e
grateful fJv the money
and supplies furnished for
ne aid of the sick AID wounded OF She
ayy. Patriotic women have about
the efforts of the gov
rnment, and their assistance has besn'i
appreciated"
In conclusion the surgeon general
avs: ,.-....,.l
i cannot close this portion o. The bureaus
enort without bearing testimony In the en-
.ieney. skin and devotion 10 duty OF she per
,onnel of the medical department. Neou woru
MT of praise has the bureau hiaFd Of any OF
NO hon, -regulars or volunteers This medi-
,aI onirers OF the vessels In the hghL 1
A. Manila and ia the batde 70 july [
4 shared the dangers OF their cNhfaueS |
and should participate In the praise
them. The medical ohcers OF inc -.
,oce have the honor OF luaugurntsng the htS-
,s,,,nlete system of antjseptic surgery al sea h
Tbcv have adopted means to ends, have I'M
,rovised apparatus, have been fertile VA oApe- Z
dients and have the satisfaction Oh naNlhs
demonstrated that VITA skill ahd lhIeiilsehuS
N %
tients on a well equipped ambulance snip Will
he no greater than in the hospitals on shore,
Medical Inspector Persons found himself
suddenly confronted with s2o Spanish slek or
Wounded prisoners In partly estaohSheu nos
- ne was equal to the emergency, ana he
and his associates were complimented by Ad-
,,irol Cervera when he visited the camp The
medical officers of the other hospitals nave
had sudden large acceSsi0ns or patients ihoy
.,'are always ready aud always cared for theD
well
Evacuation win soon CSC Accomplished
Madrid. Oct. II. 1t is SAID mere tha'
the evacuation of Porto Rico Will 10
completed next week and that the
evacuation of Cuba will be accom-
plished by the end OF November inc
government is employing 81 vessels 81, IN
the repatriation OF the troops Inc
soldiers have received their pay Tor
In, Gnaiu thnV will re-