The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1898-10-11
SPLENDID RECORD
OF the Medical Corps Of me Navy-Tho
Foresight Exhibited.

VI tue 4outelt l0fP1 Of AAAo AN8Ny-Ano
Foresight E1hiblisd.
WASHINGTON, oct. s.-Probably no
better illustration can be found Of the
foresight exhibited by the navy in pre-
pairing for the war than is AFFORDED by
the history Of the medical corps during
the struggle. This is set out In the an
nual report Of Surgeon General. W. K.
Van Reypen, which Is the first of the
navy bureau reports submitted for pub
LEGATION. Surgeon General Van Reypen
begins with q modest tribute to the
good Judgment and foresight Of his pre-
decessor, General Tryon, who in puttiEg
In order and equlpplng the several naval
hospitals was OF incalculable service to
the bureau, enabling It to properly care
for the sick or wounded Of the navy dur
ing the war.
When the Maine was blown up, Sur
geon Reypen was In charge OF the bu-
reau and began preparations imme-
diately for any contingency. The hos
pitfalls were fully equipped; plans were
prepared for pavilion wards, the naval
labratory prepared TO furnish medical
and surgical supplies in any quantity.
No additional expense was incurred un-
til war seemed imminent; then every
vessel likely to be engaged was given a
full outfit OF medical supplies for war.
In anticipation OF large increase OF the
navy, proper outfits we're made ready
and boxed for large number OF ships
ready for call. There has not been an
Instance during the war" says the SUR
geon general, ''of any vessel having had
to walt for her medical stores"
ItwaB known that the medical corps
was inadequate In number for war, yet
there was no law authorizing the en-
ployment of volunteer medical officers.
But medical boards were sent out in an
ticipation to the principal cities to ex-
anime applicants for appointment and
as consequence when war broke out
the medical department had at hand
from which to make selections OF vOlun-
teer surgeons long list Of well edu-
Gated men, sand thirty-seven of these
were appointed out of 1000 applications.
Sturgeon General Van Reypen says;
''They have rendered efficient service,
have been a credit to the navy. Some
have had unusual and trying experi-
ences, but they have accommodated
themselves to their environments and
have justified their appointments"
Only one medical oflcer was killed
during the war, Assistant Surgeon John
Blair Gibbs. who fell at Guantanamo
serving with the marine battalion.
The medical department had long de-
sired to establish hospital service at
sea on a specially selected vessel and
the approach OF war gave 1t an OPP
portunity to demonstrate the wisdom
of It's propositions and the efficiency Of
It's methods. The steamer Creole was
purchased and with the valuable as
slstance OF Naval Constructor Wood
ward was converted into an ambulance
ship within sixteen days, fitted with
every application OF modern surgery,
dlslnfecting apparatus, cold storage,
laundry and elevator. She was a pioneer
In her work. indicating step in adj
vance that 1t well became the United
States to take. The report gives sue
cinct history of the valuable services
rendered By the Solace In caring for
the sick and wounded. On every trip
she went loaded with medical stores and
supplies and also with delicacies and
comforts which had been supplied in
abundance for the sick and wounded
by generous and patriotic individuals
and societies from every part OF the
United States. Says the surgeon-gen-
eral: I'm this war woman has done
her perfect work and the medical de-
partment of the navy Is profoundly
grateful for the money contributed and
supplies furnished for the aid Of the
sick and wounded OF the navy.