New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1898-09-06
KINDNESS THAT KILLS.

To the Editor Of The Tribune
Sir VII you kindly call the attention OF the pub
lie 10 the fact that through the kindhest OF mo-
tives great mistakes are being made by visitors at
Camp Wlkon? The newspapers have raised such
cry about our soldier boys being slowly starved 10
death by nhuman physicians. nurses and officers
that people are loading down baskets OF food Of
every conceivable description and rushing out 10
camp with them. This is causing untold harm.
Having In the interests Of the association rep
resent spent many days and nights In the closest
investigation Of conditions al camp. and watched
the careful giving out OF supplies. feel in posi-
ton 70 speak emphatically.
The two diseases our Army surgeons have been
fighting are malarial fever and dysentery. both OF
which require the utmost care In diet. Can you
imagine anything more disheartening than TO get
your patient on mis- feet, past the critical period
and by act OF mistaken kindness have your
work for nothing? This is brought about by bas-
kets sent by relatives and friends.
Every housekeeper In the country has met the
trial Of lack Of ice milk. ETC. and things going
wrong generally right in the path, TO speak, Of
us miles from a market large enough 20 supply
thousands u mouths the milk should sometimes
This is not the fault 81 so-called Government in
believe believe 20 10 '''''''' az ''''''
OF he detention hospital can positively say tina,
could BE- The Major is a whoe-souled, great heart
and nothing ever escapes his keen eye. Hundreds
Q, chickens are being cooked by the camp COOK
\ diet kitchen is In operation. and the most care,
iu feeding Is going on Every tent mas goou
board floor. and nearly every tent has n.y.
Things 20 wrong some times as they 90 IN the
best regulated homes and in most favorable con
or rs officers or surgeons for these conditions.
From close observation | ind that there are
ment to authorize being done which would simplify
and facilitate the work Of the hospital surgeons
great degree such as the doing away with GER
tan features Of the red tape. The men out OF me
hospitals In the various regiments are not being
starved Il Is true that they do not have the hos
piia fare. but they can draw ration money amount
Ing TO about 60 cents per day. and buy anything
they wish and 80 i've well better than many Of
me soldiers ever lived prior to entering me ARMY
In my visits 10 the various Army departments
limit Of his authority In furnishing things. Colonel
) al Brown has ever responded instantly 10 any
esns ior medical supplies when asked lor even OI
OF regular channels. and In 90 doing MADE himself
responsible 70 the Government Coonel hlmbhl mas
Deen ready 10 act upon the slightest suggestion OF
needs through his department. and II is equally true
Vi al the others.
One more thing. ard tina, an earnest appeal TO
the public 10 temper their kindness OF heart with
thursday AT o'clock left Camp Wikon on Inc
sSrain were Eve men who had been suffering witr
oysentery. They had been brought 10 state OF
recovery through long nights ~ close watching ana
MeIe over their Illness. only weak and needing tne
t., number OF people were on the tran with nnPoi-
nnails water fruit. milk and sandwiches. Their
one thought was They looked so hungry. ANY
e ~ VINO thinks for moment VIII see ihat tnese
shinss were not proper food for late dystentery
gauent ana no wonder that from the excessive
neat and harmful food they collapsed. Ambuinces
from various hospitals were rung up. and all the
poM watching OF physicians and nurses wen, lor
nothing One man, I understand died yesterday. .
..Mshy. cannot people with these big hearts send
sne!, 1000 or It's equivalent In money 10 any one
Sth e women's association that have been WORK
Ing over these boys and would render them intei-
ngent assistance? Let me beg Of the good people
VI Inc country not TO feed sick man unless they