The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1898-10-10

quantity. Additional expense was IN
CURED until war seemed imminent, then
every vessel likely to be engaged was
given q full outfit of medical supplies
for war. There has not been an in
stance during the war;" says the sur
geon general, ''of any vessel 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 en-
ployment Of volunteer medical officers.
But me ical boards were sent out i'll
anticipation to the applicants for ap-
pointment. When the war broke out
the medical department had on hand
from which to make selections a long
list Of we'll educated men, and thirty
seven Of these were appointed out Of
1000 applicants.
THE medical department. says the
surgeon general had long desired to
establish a hospital service at sea on
specially selected vessel, and the ap-
preach of war gave it an opportunity
to demonstrate the wisdom of its pr0pO-
sitions and the efficiency Of it's methods.
The steamer Creole was purchased, was
converted into an ambulance ship with
in sixteen days, and fitted with every
appliance. She was a pioneer In her
work, indicating step in advance that
it we'll became the United States to
take"
The report gives a succinct history
Of the services rendered by the Solace
in caring for the sick and wounded.
On every trip she went loaded with
medical stores and supplies and also
delicacies and comforts which had been
supplied in abundance for the sick and
wounded by generous and patriotic in
dividuals and societies from every part
Of the United States. Says the surgeon
general:
WOMAN'S WORK.
"In this war woman has done her
perfect work. and the medical depart-
ment Of the navy is profoundly CRATE
full for the money contributed and sup
plies furnished for the aid of the sick
ard wounded of the navy. Patriotic
women have ably supplemented the eff
fCrts Of the government, and their as
sistance has been thoroughly appre-
ciated."
In this connection the report calls
attention to the fact that as soon as
war was declared the daughter Of Sec
rotary Long and three of her associates
at the Johns Hopkins Medical school
volunteered their services as nurses
| and were assigned to duty in the hos
pital.
In conclusion the surgeon general
| says: Il cannot close this portion of
| the bureaus report without bearing
| testimony to the efficiency, skill and
| devotion to duty OF the personnel of
the medical department. Not a word
but of praise has the bureau heard of
any Of them, regulars or volunteers
When war was imminent they We'd
with each other to get on fighting ships
Some had greater opportunities than
| others, but all have done we'll the work
assigned to them.
= Surgeon Edgar saw h associate.
Assistant Surgeon Gibbs shot by his
| side in the Spanish attack, and he con-
tinued his work alone, doing it thor
oughly. The medical officers Of the
vessels in the fight at Manila and in
the battle Of July shared the danger
OF their comrades and should particl-
! pate In the praise accorded to them
The medical officers Of the SoIace
| have the honor of inaugurating the first
| complete system of antiseptic surgery
| at sea. They have adapted means to
ends, have improvised apparatus. have
| been fertile in expedients and have the
satisfaction of having demonstrated
| that, with skill and intelligence. the
| percentage Of mortality among the pa
| tients on a well equipped ambulance
| ship would be no greater than in the
| hospitals on shore.
Medical Inspector Persons suddenly
| found himself confronted with DOG
| Spanish sick or wounded prisoners in
| a hastily established hospital. He was
equal to the emergency, and he and
| his associates were complimented by
| Admiral Cervera when he visited the
| camp.
| 1.-THE medical officers of the other
hospitals have had sudden large Access