The Anaconda standard. [volume] (Anaconda, Mont.) 1889-1970, 1898-11-21


hospitals. Money for this purpose was
sent to them by me from funds contri-
buted and placed at my disposal. Money
was also cent directly by individuals
and representatives of aid societies: and
the Red Cross committees supplied
quantities of ice and milk. chickens,
eggs, lemons, etc, night shirts and
other articles OF hospital clothing were
provided by the Red Cross and other
aid societies. subsequently the order
authorizing the commutation OF the sick
soldiers rations at SO cents rendered
these hospitals independent of outside
assistance.
About July 20. the troops for the in
vasion OF Porto Rico embarked and
sailed. The field hospital accommoda-
tion with this expedit,onary force was
ample. and the supplies abundant.
Troops ON the Pacific Coast.
To the precautions taken to secure a
good sanitary condition on the vessels
PRIOR to embarkation, and the sanitary
supervision exercised over the men
during their long voyage must be
credited the excellent condition of
the troops at Manila. The want OF
hospital corps men was the main cause
of the failure OF chief surgeons to es-
tablish their divisions promptly Instead
time was occupied and their energies
spent in endeavoring to procure the
necessary men by enlistment or trans
fer. After a time. when sickness in
vaded the camps and the division hos
pitfalls became filled, operations for field
service had to give place to the immed-
late necessity of caring for the sick
The division hospitals became expand
ed as at Siboney and Tampa into base
hos fol x.rtsA
creased responsibilities.
General Hospitals.
Up to Sept. 30 IL general hospitals
were established and fully manned and
equipped. These had a capacity of
nearly 1000 beds. At the same time,
certain post hospitals having good ac-
commodations were used for the treat
ment of army cases generally. without
alteration of their official status as post
hospitals.
My report presents tabulations COM
piled from monthly reports of sick and
wounded received from May to Septem-
Der. Inclusive. and representing a pres
ent strength of 1916 men. These fig
ures give full particulars: LIS deaths.
OF which number $40 were occasioned by
typhoid fever. 81 by malarial fevers and
1893 by diarrhoea and dysentery. The
death rates for May and June. .46 and
~ were not IN excess or the army IN
time of peace. In July the rate became
somewhat higher than that of most
well cared for cities, 2.15 for the month,
or the equivalent of an annual rate OF
$3.50 per 1000 living. In August IL be-
came excessive. 4.0s. equal TO an annual
rate of 1896 per 1000. In September the
influence of measures taken in July and
August to improve the health of the
army becomes manifest in the falling
of the death rate to 2.45. or the equiva-
lent of an annual rate of 29.40. The
same progression TO an acme in August
with a sudden fall in September in var
ious ratios given under the specific IT,
ties. typhoid fever. malarial fever and
diarrhoeal diseases. This Is exceedingly
gratifying and must be credited as
stated TO the sanitary measures adopt
ed, for our experience in the civil war
that in the absence of
these measures the high ratio for Aug
ust would have been continued for
many months to come From the ta-
bles of absolute numbers and of ratios
by which the incidents of sickness and
of the regular and volunteer
troops may be contrasted II will be
seen that the exposures of the regular
troops in the Santiago campaign gave
them from June to September a higher
death rate than the volunteers. and
that the rate of the latter for August.
1862. as compared with 5.s3 among the
regular troops.
Volunteer Relief Work.
My guiding principle throughout the
war has been that relief when needed
should be promptly accepted without
reference to the source from which IL
came. The relief afforded by the ma
tional Red Cross at Siboney was
accepted by the surgeons on
the spot. but IL is evident that IL was
entirely Inadequate to meet the emerg-
ency. This association has had full au-
thority to send agents and supplies OF
various kinds in a most liberal manner
for the use Of our field hospitals. other
organizations which have also rendered
service are the National Re-
lief association. having its headquarters
in Philadelphia. and the Massachusetts
Volunteer Aid association. with head
quarters in Boston. Both OF these or
fitted out hospital ships.
which were placed at my service for
Of sick from Porto Rico.
and I take pleasure in testifying to the
services rendered by the
mission and the hospital ship Bay State
sociation.
Before concluding my report Of the
operations Of the medical department.
during our short and glorious war with
Spain. feel IL my duty to call special
attention to efficient services rendered
by the medical officers OF the army in
the various responsible positions which
the exigencies OF the service have made
IL necessary for them to fill