The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1898-10-10
NAVAL MEDICAL CORPS
ITS EFFICIENT SERVICE DURING
THE LATE WAR WITH SPAIN.
Surgeon General Van Reypen's Report
Tribute to Women Who Supplied
DeIicacies for Hospital Ship.

WASHINGTON, Oct. 9.-Probably no bet
ter illustration can be found Of the fore
sight exhibited by the navy in preparing
for the war than is afforded by the his
tory of the medical corps during the
struggle. This is set out in the annual re-
port of Surgeon General w. K. Van Reypen,
which is the first of the navy bureau re-
ports submitted for publication.
Surgeon General Van Reypen begins with
modest tribute to the good judgment and
foresight of his predecessor, General Tryon,
who, in putting in order and equipping the
several naval hospitals was of incalculable
service to the bureau, enabling it to prop
erly care for the sick or wounded of the
navy during the war; When the Maine was
blown up Surgeon General Van Reypen was
in charge of the bureau and began prepara-
tons Immediately for any contingency. The
hospitals were fully equipped; plans were
prepared for pavilion wards and the naval
laboratory prepared to furnish medical and
surgical supplies in any quantity. No adj
ditional expense was incurred until war
seemed imminent; then every vessel likely
to be engaged was given a full outfit of
medical supplies for war. In anticipation of
the large increase of the navy proper out
fits were made ready and boxed for large
number Of ships ready for call. There has
not been an instance during the war;" says
the surgeon general, ''of any vessel hav-
ing 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 a consequence when war
broke out the medical department had at
hand from which to make selections of vol
unteer surgeons long list Of well-educated
men, and thirty-seven of these were ap-
pointed out Of two thousand applications.
Surgeon General Van Reypen says ..They
have rendered efficient service and have
peen credit to the navy. Some have had
unusual and trying experiences. but they
have accommodated themselves to their en-
vironments and have justified their appoint
ments."
Only one medical officer was killed during
me war, Assistant Surgeon John Blair
GinDs, VINO Tell at Guantanamo, serving
with the marine battalion
The medical department had long desired
to establish hospital service at sea on
specially selected vessel and the ap-
proach OF war gave it an opportunity to
demonstrate the wisdom of its proposition
and the efficiency of it's methods. The
steamer Creole was purchased and with the
valuable assistance of Naval Constructor
woodward was converted into an ambulance
ship within sixteen days, fitted with every
applcatlon or modern surgery, disinfecting
apparatus. cold storage. laundry and ele-
vator she was pioneer in her work. in
Ucatlng step in advance that it well he
comes the United States to take. The re-
port gives Succinct history of the valuable
services rendered by the Solace in caring
for the sick and wounded On every trim
she went loaded with medical stores and
supplies and also with delicacies and com
forts which had been supplied in abund-
ance for the sick and wounded by generous
and patriotic individuals and societies from
every part of the United States.
Says the surgeon general: I'm this war
woman has done her perfect work and the
medical department of the navy is pro-
foundly grateful for the money contributed
and supplies furnished for the aid of the
sick and wounded of the navy. Patriotic
women have ably supplemented the efforts
been thoroughly appreciated In this con-
necton the report calls attention 10 the fact
daughter of Secretary Long and three of
her associates at the Johns Hopkins Med
ical School VOLUNTEERED their services as
nurses and were assigned to duty in the
hospital.
In conclusion the surgeon general says:
1 cannot close this portion of the bureaus
report without bearing testimony 20 the eff
cheney, skill and devotion to duty of the
personnel of the medical department. Not
word but of praise has the bureau heard
of any of them-regulars or volunteers
When war was imminent they We'd one with
another in their efforts to get on fighting
ships. Some have had greater opportunities
than others, but all have done well the work
assigned them Surgeon Edgar saw his as
sociate, Assistant Surgeon Gibbs, shot by
his side in the Spanish attack, an lie con-
tinued his work alone. doing it thoroughly
and well. as 1t was known he wo.irI.
1.-THE medical officers of the vessels in the
fight at Manila and in the battle of the Sd
of July shared the hangers CT tfeir ccrn-
rades and should participate in the praise
accorded them.
The medical officers of the Solace have
the honor of inaugurating Il he first complete
system of antiseptic surgery at sea- They
have adapted means to ends, have inn
provised apparatus, have been ferti,e in ex-
pedients ard have the sati5fa crion Of hay-
ing demonstrated hat with skill and in
teligence the percentage os mortaity
among the patients on a wcll-eIu.pDed am
bulance ship will be no greater than in the
hospitals on Shore
Medical Inspector Parsons found himself
suddenly confronted with 226 SPANISH sick
or wounded prisoners IN q hastily estab-
lished hospital. He vas equal to the emer-
gency and he and lis assoela.es wee
complimented by Admiral Cervara Wien he
visited the camp. The medical Cfsit ers of
the other hospitals have n so had large
accessions of patients. They were alNs rs
ready and always cared for them weil''