New-York tribune., 1899-06-09
SANITARY LESSONS OF THE WAR.
ADDRESS BY sURGEoN-GENERAL STERN
BERG BEFORE AMERICAN MEDICAL
ASSOCIATION

American Medical Association was the largest IN
attendance Of the convention. The interest centred
largely IN the presence Of eon-General Stern
berg Of the United States Army. He secured close
attention and was warmly applauded. The sub
ject of bis address Sanitary Lessons OF the
War" He said in part. that. compared with the
Civil War and with other great wars In the pres
ent century. the mortality from wounds and dis
among troops in the war with Spain had
been low. Our wounded had. a large extent.
the advantage OF prompt treatment with antisep-
tic dressings and considerable proportion OF
those who were not killed outright had re-
covered without any mutilating operation or septic
complication.
The total number of deaths reported including
Regulars and volunteers. from May 1. 1895. TO
April 80 1899. 6.4O6. OF these 5,4Ss died or
disease. and 96S killed in battle or died OF
wounds injuries accident. In the civil war
the number Of deaths from disease was ls6,Zlo
The number who killed in battle or died oil
wounds was 33o69 or about one-half Of the
deaths from disease. The total deaths from dis
in the Union Armies from the beginning OF
the TO the 31st Of December. 1862, was aS20'
and in the Confederate Armies In the same PERIOD
3l,23s
COMPARISON OF DEATH RATES.
General Sternberg presented table giving the
monthly death rates from disease in our armies
from May /. 1s9s. to April 80. 1899. and, for com
parison the rates for the same period during the
first twelve months OF the Civil War, showing that
the percentage TO 1000 for the last year was %.
and in the first year of the Civil War 1t was 40
After comments upon these figures he continued
But the comparatively small number Of medical
officers of the Regular Army available Tor duty IN
the large camps occupied by our volunteer troops
adequate to control the sanitary situation in these
camps and as result or the conditions exSung
during the Year ending April 80, 1890, has been
more than twenty-five times as great as the an
nual mortality in our Regular Army during the
decade Immediately preceding the war period
As compared with the first year of the Civil War,
typhoid mortality for the frst year OF the Civil
War having been 1911 per 10000 OF mean 5a strength
900 Moreover, the vigorous sanitary measures
seTes from e Of this Infectious disease
and while the line OF typhoid mortality % eonunged l
and G 'e RAPIDLY eS f "a after the middle
OF September last, and for the last six months OF
bly, low Indeed, in the history, of large armies
the record has never heretofore been equalled.
recent experience may be stated as follows;
trained medical corps hardly adequate for an
situation when this army Is quickly expanded 70
o and serse0ms from civil ys ge
not prepared to assume the responsibilities OF med
zeal officers charged with administrative duties and
the sanitary supervision OF camps. The proper per-
formance OF such duties cannot be expected from
no matter how distinguished a position he may
Courage and patriotism on the part Of line off,
GERS and enlisted men cannot take the place OF
knowledge and experience. New levies Of troops
camp sanitation and reckless as to the conse-
quences OF their neglect Of prescribed sanitary
essential factors in the preservation OF the health
OF soldiers in garrison or in the field
pare for war has received additional support:
This preparation should include corps Of trained
for the army peace basis. and systematic in
Tdqn ea cepi II @y @ e Saosa fns m Ts oT as
for those Of the Regular Army; also instruction OF
cay pf in rsmp 1n sa9atoH It T should also inede
the establishment OF camping grounds in various
Pare PareS S He PROPER yst Of sewers %
our volunteers could have been assembled in such
would have resulted which would without doubt.
have demonstrated the economy Of such prepara-
ton for war in time OF peace
ELECTION OF OFFICERS.
The business session Of the Association to-day
was full Of interest, and considerable feeling was
developed. The Nominating Committee made its
report. which was adopted after the name Of DR..
Walter wyman Of the Marine Hospital Corps,
was added TO the Judiciary Council The officers
elected were as follows
President-pr ", W Keene. Philadelpha. :.
First Vice -Presdent-Dr. c. A wheaton, 81.
Second vice-President-Dr. E. Fers lson, N'w-
Third Presdent-Dr. C. NJ. Allen. Liberty.
Fourth vice-President-Dr. W. E Middleton
Secretary-Dr. q. II. simmons, Cnlcaeo
Treasurer-Dr II. G. Newman, Chicago.
Assistant Secretary-Dr. J. A. Jay. Atlantic City,
n. J.
Chairman Committee OF Arrangements-Dr
judiciary Councillor J. Edward Griff1;hs, Kan
sas City; DR.. J. f. Cook, Cleveland: Dr.: j. H.
Baillaiche Washington; Dr. J. B. Lewis, Topeka
DR. J. w. Irwin. Louisville: DR.. F. H. Wiggin
New York; Or. Walter Wyman, Marine Hospital
Corps.
Atlantic City. y. j.. chosen as the place Of
the next meeting.