The Worcester spy. [volume] (Worcester, Mass.) 1898-1904, 1898-10-20
Be
fore Board.
SEVERAL EXAMINED.
DR.. Frye Condemns Some
Methods in Hospitals.

Jacksonville, Fla, Oct. 19.-The war
investigating commission held its ses-
sion in the city hall today, examining a
large number of regimental and other
officers. One of the most outspoken
witnesses of the day was DR.. Frye of
the Sd division hospital. He condemned
some of the methods in vogue in the
hospitals, and said that in many cases
the contract members, hospital physi-
clans and members of the hospital
corps were Incompetent The commits
sion has decided that one of it's mem
bers should be in the commissions
office at Washington, and Col DENLY
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.
Maj. Noble H. Creiger depot quarter
master, was the first witness. He said
there never had been any serious short
age of supplies in the 7th corps, and he
was sure there had been no suffering
caused by deficiency of supplies. In
the beginning Of the history of the
camp there had been some complaint
as 70 the quality of clothing, but there
naa neen an improvement in this re-
spect in recent months.
MAJ. Creiger was followed by Con-
sressman James H. Campbell. colonel
OF the 9Th Illinois volunteers. who was
questioned in regard to the general
treatment of the troops in the field
ana asked for suggestions for the bene-
NJ OF the service. He spoke in com
plmentary terms of the officers of the
army saying that acquisitions of all
hlnuS mad been promptly filed and
that the quality of the articles supplied
was generally good. There had been
some complaints, however. as To thA
character of the refrigerator beef bIt
investigation had developed the fact
mat while the meat had been received
N good order it had spoiled because
OF exposure in hot weather The diffi-
for beef ms nam
Col. Campbell expressed the oninion
mat the principal cause of sickness in
lIe camp was the drilling in the early
morning When the dew was m The
ground. He did not believe more thar
per cent of the soldiers would NOT re-
urn III perfect condition to go to Cuba
II given a chance,
lieut. ou, Moore, acting commissary of
the 9th illinois, was questioned in 70
gard to the quality of rations Ha said
mere mad been no difficulty except as
70 the fresh beef, and agreed with Col
Sanlppeil that there had been no trou-
Die on account Of that since tha an
rangement had been made 70 talxe
hams instead of beef
Lieut.. oliver of the quarternaste
e es OF the same regiment, also testi-
,iuo tavorsoiy as TO the quality and
quantity OF the supplies reaching fine
command Nii0
he said that the tent material was
poor, but he had made no reouisition
for other tents.
Commissary Sergt Lay of Co. A of
inns regiment suggested that there
should be a greater supply or variety
~ vegetables than the present rations
DR. R. D. Frye, major an executivo
officer of the Sd division hospital tes-
tiled as to the management of this in
sututlon, and also as to the manage
ment OF the I'd division hosnital al
Montauk Point, and the military hospi-
tai at Fort Mcpherson, Ga.
he said the Montaul5 patients lacked
Tor nothing. and were exceliently taken
care OF by both physicians and nurses.
Al Fort Mcpherson there was at one
time 925 patients. There was no mater
laI shortage in drugs or foot at this
point. Occasionally there was a SLIGHT
| denciency, but It was quickly overcome
Speaking of the hospital In which he
IS engaged here he said the location was
as good as could be secured in this vic
unity, but that the general surround
| lngs were not suitable to hospttaI- cav.
vice tif11ac he
slightly overcrowded, as many as seven
or eight naen being occasionally stored
in one tent
This was due to emergency. The ma
TENTS, however, had been well cared
for, and the hospital supplies were
| abundant and good. Many of the nurses
were women and were generally very
competent There was always one on
duty for every three patients, on the
average.
Up to date 100 patients had been
treated at the hospitals. There had
been only 70 deaths. About 80 per cent
OF the cases were from typhoid fever.
This was a smaller percentage than
the average mortality in civilian hos
pitals
Resuming his testimony, Dr.. Frye
spoke OF causes of the prevalence of
typhoid fever in the Jacksonville camp.
He attributed it largely to the age Of
the men, young people being more sus-
ceptible than those more advanced in
age to this disease. He also thought
much was due to the carelessness of
the men themselves.
DR.. Frye said that in all the hospitals
with which he had been connected,
there had been a deficiency of bed lin
en-. This had been especially true at
Fort Mcpherson. There had been or
ders to prepare beds there for a thou
sand patients, but this demand had by
no means been met. The hospital here
had also been short Of lighting facil-
tiles
There was not a sufficiency of candles
or lanterns. acquisitions had been
made for them, but they could not be
secured from the government stores
owing to the construction Of orders
Hence it was necessary to depend upon
the Red Cross for these articles.
DR.. Frye expressed the opinion that