The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1898-04-24
DANGERS OF YELLOW FEVER.
Army Surgeons Think That They Are
Exaggerated.
New York Evening SUM

More than one PROMINENT hllltdlH dh-
thority has expressed the opinion that 4
the United States government sends an
army of invasion to Cuba in the rainy
season that is now almost at hand the
mortality resulting from yellow fever
would he much greater than that caused
nv the bullets of the enemy. 1t is gen
orally admitted that under ordinary cir
cumstances an army of NorthenerS
would fall more easy prey
to the disease that is the
scourge Of the coast cities of
Cuba than would the Spaniards, but it
is believed that the sanitary precautions
which would he taken by the medical
staff of our army would more than Offset
the climatic advantages possessed by the
enemy.
The majority of the present army Of
occupation in Cuba is to large extent
acclimated. but any reinfOrcemcnts that
| Spain might send to the island in the flu
| ture would probably suffer from the af-
| fccts of disease more than our men.
| Spaniards are VIGOROUSLY careless about
| enforcing sanitary regulations Medical
men say that the city of Havana is On
endemic focus of yellow fever for no
other reason than that the city authori-
| the disease.
| 1t was long ago suggested to the au-
| thorities at Havana that if'a second en-
trance were cut into the harbor, thus
giving the tide free play. the sanitary
condition of the city would be greatly
| improved. Although the plan was quite
| feasible from an engineering point Of
view. and admittedly would have result
i II. lN,Tt ..Ea
generally. it was never undertaken. The
harbor of Havana contains the accumu-
lated filth of centuries. and with its
present small outlet to the sea is little
better than a stagnant pond.
As long as this state of affairs exists
the city of Havana is likely to continue
to foster yellow fever germs. Yellow
fever epidemics are known TO have oc-
Cured in Massachusetts and others Of
our States some fifty years before there
is any authentic record of the existence
of the disease in Cuba 1t was carried
to Cuba by trading vessels. and only oh
tanned its present firm footing there
through the neglect of the inhabitants
to take proper precautions against it.
Native Cubans are. almost without ex-
ception, exempt from the disease, and
negroes are. seldom victims of it. Our
negro regiments. it Is thought, will be
as little. affected by the climate of Gu
ba rs the Cubans themselves.
For the rest of orr navy, much will
depend on the nature OF the country in
which it viii be obliged to camp. If the
men can be kept on high ground and in
the neighborhood of running water the
army surgeons think by exercising prop
er care the soldiers may he kept in Il
fairly healthy state. even in the rainy
season. If for strategic reasons, how
ever, it becomes necessary for them to
occupy a low and marshy district for any
length of time it may 90 hard with
Them.
Statistics show that in the war of the
rebellion twice as many men died from
disease as were killed in battle. Dyson
terry was then the chief foe of the army.
The drinking water and improper food
on which the soldiers had to 6ubsist in
the first years of the war were RESPONSE
bic for much Of the sickness that thin
ned the Federal as well as the Confeder-
ate ranks.
While there will be danger of a recur-
renee of dysentery among our soldiers in
case of war with Spain, in Cuba. it is
thought that the experience gained dur
ing the late war will enable our sur
geons to keep the army comparatively
free from the ordinary maladies that be-
set large camps.
To guard against an epidemic of yell
low fever. however, will he the chief aim
of the medical CORPS of our army if we
invest Cuba. Yellow fever. while it is
v:ruently infectious. is not contagious
In many respects it is like cholera or
typhus.
An army surgeon, in speaking of the
disease this morning, said that much de
pended on the ability of the medical off
GERS to isolate patients. IF | had
charge of the health of n body of men in
Cuba" he said. II would move the entire
camp upon the discovery of the first
case Of yellow fever. to point from one
to three miles distant, leaving the pa
tient, with proper attendants behind. !
would do this because the breaking out
of the disease would be proof that the
first camp had become infected ANY
further cases that developed within the
first two or three days at the second
camp. would be brought back to Join the
first victim of the disease and isolated
with him. These cases would i'm all
probability be the result of infection
from the first camp. If however. after
five days there were additional cases. il
would be necessary to move the camp
again. as it would be clear that it, also.
was infected. OF course it would not al
WAYS be possible to do this. The gen
eral in command would establish his
camp in the best strategic position. with
ont regard to its hygenic advantages,
and it might he impossible to change
the position of the camp even few
mles. In that case there would be
nothing to do but trust to disinfectants
and careful health regulations.
"When the army takes possession of
the Cuban Capital the medical staff will
have its hands full There will be much
greater danger of an epidemic in the city
Than in the open country. The whole |
force of men would probably be set to
work to clean the streets and the city
generally. The strictest possible health
Regulations would have to be established.