The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1898-10-20
INVESTIGATION OF THE WAR
Dr.. ftys Severely Criticised the
Nork Of Contract Surgeons.
The HOSPITAL CORPS DfSouSctD
The Doctor Says They Were scrb-
Ivy Loolxinx Lot--OthrrA ExtoIied
the Beauties % the Camp.

e -
Jacksonville, ria, October l9.-The war
investigation commission held its sessions
in the city hall today. examining a large
number of reg.mental and other officers.
One Of the most outspoken witnesses OF
the day was Dr. Frye. of the Third division
hospital He condemned some OF tie meth
DDS 10 vogue In the hospitals and said that
in many cases the contract physicians and
members Of the hospital corps were incorn- |
petent. The commission has decided that
one Of Its members should be in the com
missions office IN Washington and Colonial
Donby has been selected for this service
He was selected partly for the reason that
his health has not been as robust as when
in Washington.
The war investigation commission began
Its work in is new quarters in the jack
sonville city hall To-Day With Major Noble
II. Creager depot quartermaster, as wit
ness. He said there never had been any
serious shortage OF supplies in the Seventh
corps and ne was sure there had been no
suffering caused from a deficiency OF sup
plies. In the beginning Of tire history OF
the camp there had been no complaint as
u the quality OF the clothing. but there had
been an Improvement in this respect In re-
cent monues. He had also some little diff
ficuty in securing proper assortment OF
sizes. but had been able to meet the de-
mands OF the men in tais respect
Major Creager was followed by Congress-
man James r. Campbell, colonel of the
int xfg.ittu IN tt1S HOS
toned in regard to the general treatment
OF the troops In the field and asked for
suggestions for THE benefit OF the service.
He spoke In complimentary terms of tae
administration OF the officers OF the army
saying that acquisitions OF all kinds had
been promptly filled and that the quality or
the articles supplied was generally good
There had been some complaints, however.
as to the character Of the refrigerated beef,
but investigation had developed the fact
that while the meat mad been received in
good order It spoiled because OF exposure
in hot weather. The difficulty was over
come by exchanging tho beef for ham. no
fresh beef being now taken by No reBi-
ment. Colonel Campbell expressed the opin-
ion that the principal cause OF sickness
in camp was the drilling in the early morn
ing wien the dew was on the ground. This
was the mistake OF his regiment. az the
command had been anxious to excel. but
they had now secured revocation OF the
order for the drill AMI had discontinued
the practice. lie said very few OF ms men
were now Aomesick. He did not be-
lieve that to exceed per cent OF the sol
diers would return home in preference 10
going TO Cuba II given an opportunity 10 do
so He hall no suggestion TO make beyond
q request that his regiment be supplied with
the krag- Jorgensen rifles as his regimsnt
had taken fourth place for mar ksnlanship'
Hat. "a ~ .aA fvayN md
OF the army, but made no specifications.
He said he had been granting furloughs
anil Inc thought 1t had "a good influence in
quieting tho apprehension OF friends at
home.
Lieutenant Tolliver. quartermastcr OF the
Ninth Illinois regiment testified as 10
the quality and quantity of the supplies
reaching the command through his office.
DR.. K. d. Frye, major and executive Of
ficer OF the Third division hospital, testi-
fled as to the management of this inSutu'
ton. aud also as to the management or inc
Second division hospital at Montauk Point
from which place he was transferred 10
this camp. and the military hospital at
Camp Mcpherson. where he was also stu
toned for time. He said the Montaul
patients had lacked for nothing and were
excellently taken care OF by both physiciaas
and nurses. At Fort Mcpherson there were
at one time g2b patients. There was ~
material shortage in drugs or food at I'M
point, but occasionally there was s'lyh
deficiency. which was. however, quickly
overcome. Speaking OF the hospital In
which no was engaged here, he said tina
the location was as good as could be Be
cured in this vicinity. The patients ha'
been we'll cared for by both physicians ar'
nurses. and the hospital supplies were
abundant and good. Up 70 date 400 pa
tients had been treated at the hospitals
There had been only seventy-three deaths
About 80 per cent OF the cases were iron
typhoid fever. This was q smaller pei
cent than the average mortality in eiyli,al
hospitals
Resuming his testimony. DR.. Frye spok
OF the causes for the prevalence OF typho
fever In the Jacksonville camp. He at
tributed 1t largely to the age Of the mei
young people being more susceptible tina
those more advanced In age to this dis
ease He also thought much was due TO III
careleesness OF the men themselves.
DIR. Frye expressed the opinion that !
several instances convalescents hal bee
sent away from the hospitals with yNic
he was connected before they ware sIif
ciently advanced to permit them 10 go
safety. He had no personal knowledge
any individual cases OF this kind. but vi
satisfied that such cases had occurred. II
thought these instances were due 10 insu
ffclent supervision. to ignorance Of phys
clans and to desire TO clear toe ware
OF the hospitals for new patients.
DIR. Frye spoke IN very unemployment
terms Of tho men engaged in tho hospit
corps saying they had been picked up
random over the country ana were ger
orally "a scabby looking lot" unfit {
adorn any walk Of life. He also spoke DEF
catingly Of the contract surgeons, sayir
he would not be willing to trust his FAM
or friends to SO per cent Of them. '.Mnr
OF them are recent graduates from medic
institutions and do not consider the ~
erage medical graduate capable OF taxi.
charge Of from twenty to fifty typhoid few,
cases
There was, he said. no proper oppo
tunity for consultation with superior Off
Gers, as the latter WERE as a rule. &c,
orally SO occupied with their admins n
tive duties 40 to prevent their giving clos
attention to professional matters unlei