The Cape Girardeau Democrat. (Cape Girardeau, Mo.) 1876-1909, 1899-01-21
SANITATION IN U B
Little Sickness Now, But Has Serious
Apprehension for the Sickiy Season.

Nv SAsAA S~~
Washington, Jan. 17.-Surgeon-Gen-
eral Sternberg has just returned tc
Washington from inspection OF the
United States military camps in Cuba
His purpose was to see that every ar
rangement is made for the protection
of the health of our troops garrisoning
the island before the expiration of the
present dry season. He summed up
the results of his trip as follows:
II find the sanitary condition OF
troops now stationed in and near Ha-
vana, Matanzas and Pinar del Rio to
be very good at present. There is very
little serious sickness. but medical Of
ficers generally apprehend that there
will be a very considerable increase in
the amount of sickness as the I'M
healthy season approaches, and stren-
uous efforts are being made to prepare
for a large number of sick in case the
military situation makes it necessary
to retain a considerable body of troops
in Cuba during the summer months.
At Havana orders have been given for
the preparation of the Spanish hos
pital Alfonso MIL, which has a capac-
ity of 1000 beds; also for an officers
hospital at Nedado, and for another
hospital for infectious diseases. AT
Mantanzas the military hospital and
barracks, which are substantial stone
buildings well adapted to the climate,
are being thoroughly disinfected and
prepared for the use of our troops.
In the meantime a suburban villa, adj
mirably adapted to the purpose, is be-
ing prepared for use as a hospital. The
troops in the vicinity OF Matanzas are
encamped on high ground overlooking
the bay, in a location which consider
quite favorable from a sanitary point
of view. The camps at Marianao are
well located. and every effort is being
made to preserve the health of the
troops.
I'm Havana Gen. Ludlow is exhibit
ing great energy in organizing the
civil government and in preparing to
carry out necessary sanitary measures.
the sanitary regeneration Of Havana
is, however, n difficult problem and
one which will require time as well as
money and energy. / consider il en-
tirely impracticable to place this city
in such a condition that it will be safe
for non-acclimated persons to remain
there during the coming summer with
out serious risk, especially if they fire.
quent the more unhealthy parts of
the city. Occasional cases of yellow
fever occur in this city throughout the
winter months, but the epidemic pre-
valence of this disease does not usual
" before the month of May.
and the extent of an epidemic depends
entirely upon the number of unaccii-
mated strangers exposed in the in
fected localities during the unhealthy
season. Yellow fever is epidemic at
Havana, MatanzaS. Cardenas, Cienfue-
O Trinidad and various other sea-
port cities. 1t occasionally prevails al
Puerto Principe, Holguin, Pinar del
Rio. Remedies and several other in
terror towns"
The colossal task of putting into
proper sanitary condition every dwell
ing in Havana began yesterday. Sur
geon-General Davis hiring 100 resident
physicians for a house-to-house inspec-
ton to compel obedience to the rev
regulations. All cesspools under
houses are to be closed and sealed.
Garbage is to be removed daily. It is
expected that the city will be iii n
fairly sanitary condition within three
months. without underground sewer
age. The old residents regard the new:
health regulations as unnecessary and
meddlesome and even some well-to-do
and well-informed persons when max
ing their objections describe them
selves as healthy enough" To-day a
thousand people are engaged in the
work of cleaning the streets and pub
lie buildings.
DNy TrINH HAVANA