New-York tribune., 1898-10-10
WORK OF NAVAL SURGEONS.
GENERAL VAN REYPEN'S REPORT OF
OPERATIONS DURING THE WAR.
INFORMATION HITHERTO UNPuBLsHED-RAPiD
AND EFFECTIVE WORK OF THE BUREAU
STAMPING OFT YELLOW FEVER
At KEY WEST
NJ MI " III

STAMPING OFT YELLOW FEVER
AT KEY WEST.
my TELEGRAPH To THE TnIBrSE.l
Washington Oct e-The annual reports oi
the chief STAFF officers OF the Navy and Army
for the present year with the official records oil
the war, promise to be unusually interesting ana
valuable. as they will not be confined to mere
resume Of operations which have already become
well known to the public, but will give an insieht
into what was accomplished behind the scenes. ana
for the first time disclose the true inwardness oil
many affairs which have been hitherto covered WIN
more or less mystery. in order that the enemy
might not profit by the information.
The first of these reports 10 be completed this
year is that OF Surgeon-G General william h van
Reypen. OF the Navy the Chief of the Bureau
which has enjoyed such a remarkable record ior
efficiency throughout the war, not only so as 10
escape any adverse comment at home, but TO eicit
the admiration Of foreign governments. Inc
achievements Of the naval surgical corps III '"e
with Spain have been everywhere recognized
altogether unique. and though the head OF 'he
corps in his report has modestly recorded the
work ACCOMPLISHED the efficiency of the Medical
Department Of the Navy is shown to be wholly
above crit cism.
PREPARATIONS BEFORE WAR BEGAN.
After referring in high terms TO his predecessor
DR. Tryon. who also was instrumental In preparing
the medical service for war, and giving TO Dr'
Boyd the credit OF ably conducting the office ne
tween DR.. Tryons departure from the Bureau sep
tember TO- 1897. and October % last when the pres
ent Surgeon-General assumed the duties DR.. Van
Reypen continues:
In this report precedence Is naturally given 10
the operations OF the Bureau during the war win YIN
Maine in the harbor Of Havana, on February l5
1855, preparations were made by the Bureau pro,
f hospitals % were @ eauipped to- their fun capacity
plans prepared for building pavilion wards on
number Of sick or wounded that the Bureau might
be called upon to care for. The director o, me tne
surgical supplies in any quantity. at any place ana
Immediately No additional expense was incurred
until w,r seemed imminent; then the vessels tnat
were likely 10 be engaged were supplied with iuti
outfit OF supplies for war In ancipa,ion OF for
service. medical and surgcal outfits OF a KIM KIM
bought. assembled and boxed. ready to be shipped
anywhere as soon as called for. There mas la,, moi
having to walt for her medical stores
II was known that corps of volunteer medIcai .a
declared ora or any y law passed authorizing their en-
ployment medical boards Of examination were es-
Washington, Norfolk and Mare Island Ccal), to
examine applicants for appointment such apron ON
required. As the result II their examinations a
waiting list of we-educated medical men was
soon as their services required after the dec
lara,ion Of over 1900 applications were re-
of this number thrty-seven were appointed assist
surgeons They have rendered efficient ser
have had unusual and trying experiences but
they have accommodated themselves 10 their en-
vironments and ha We Justified their appoin tments
one Of their number Assistant Surgeon John
Blair Gibbs. killed in the action at Guantana "a
was the only medical officer killed during the war.
FITTING OUT THE sOLACE.
The question Of proper and transportation
OF sick or wounded at had long been a subject
Of consideration by the Bureau. The coming Of
war gave II opportunity 10 demonstrate the
wisdom OF its propositions and the efficiency OF It's
methods. BY dire ,tion OF the President and by
the authority Of the Secretary Of the Navy, the
steamer Creole. of the Cromwell Line, between
New-York and New Orleans. purchased and
designated as ambulance ship. The vessel was
sent TO the yard of the Newport News Shipbuilding
and Dry Dock Company. and there fitted out on
under the Bureau of Construction ard Repair, and
under the immediate superintendent of Naval
Constructor J. j. Woodward. to whom the Bureau
is under lasting obligations for his advice. assist
art MS encfgy IN b ing
ambulance ship SOlace in sixteen days, fitted with
large M ana ib foT moeEn IN
gerry. steam disinfecting apparatus. an ice ma
ng an Saor O na pSs om the
a ting room ana upper deck to the wards below.
The Soace Is fitted out under the requirements Of
the Geneva convention and flies the Geneva cross
flag. She Is the pioneer In her work. and indicates
States to take. Her fitting easy OF accom-
pishment The chief Of every bureau in the De-
partment having 10 do with the vessel gave. his
cordial support and assistance TO the work. They
gave the SOace everything she needed. The vessel
has been fortunate in her personnel. Commander
Dunlap is an ideal commander. and the medical
officers Of the vessel. Surgeon Streets and Passed
shown themselves thoroughly competent and eff
Gent in caring for the many sick or wounded who
ards. of whom was skilled emDalmer: eight
trained nurses. cook four messmen and two
N the Medical Department.
DESCRIPTION OF THE VESSEL
The Solace Is built Of steel. 1901 tons 375 feet
ong a feet BEAM draws 2 feet and has "A con-
nuous speed of IS knots. She can comfortably
two hundred patients. either in
,erths swinging cots or staterooms. The hurri-
,ane deck aft is inclosed with canvas. for a
contagious ward. II required She carries 1900
gallons OF fresh water in tanks and go in
Ter double bottom. Disters and evaporators keep |
lp the supply.
As soon as the solace received her stores she
ailed for the blockadins squadron, and arrived |
n time TO take on board the wounded at the bonn
'ardneni OF san Juan, 7he men coieGeu ,me so
nd sailed for New-York where; on June ). hfty- !
PRESENT TO take on board the wounded marines IN |
As soon a. the Spanish fleet was destroyed In the |
,attle Of July 3 She took on board the wounded |
nd gave them The and attention that have !
leVer before been given to the wound OF friend or |
-iven by an ambulance ship. As IL was the policy !
4 the Department To bring all tn" sick or wounded
rom Southern waters to Northern naval hospitals |
= soon practicable. so that they might have a !
etter chance for recovery. and there was sun /
pace left on the Soiacc for wounded men, she went |
o SIboney ana took on board forty-four Army
and sailed for Hampton Roads on July Il.
IN July l6 she landed forty-four Army wounded az
'ortress Monroe and nfty-hve Navy sick or wound
d and forty-eight Spanish wounded at the naval
osnitaI Norfolk. She then went to NewYork
or coal stores and an additional EGGPLANT. ana
alled on Angus; . for Key West. where she took
n board the sick from The hospitals and vessels
iockade around Cuba. taking off their sick and
rounded and leaving stores After receiying at
rom the vessels around Porto Rico she sailed for
.oston and on August % landed seventy-four SICK
ron, tho NAVY and two sick soldiers at the Chelsea
annl Hnsnitnl. She then coaled and wont 10 Now