The times., 1899-05-14
THE HEALTH OF The
TROOPS IN MANILA
Chief Surgeon Lippincott's Re-
port to Sternberg.
The Condition of the Sick and
Wounded Soldiers.
Fail Details of the Hospital Service
and Character of Supplies
for the Army.


"Since the outset the greatest care has
been taken TO secure accuracy of record,
both in the first and second reserve corps
hospitals, and in the regiments as well.
Nearly all of the wounded are brought to
the first named hospital at once but a
number were taken to the second reserve.
and many who are recovering are sent to
the latter hospital from the first reserve.
On the night of the 4th of February the
first of a long series of engagements be-
gan. Total number OF United States troops
killed or who have died from wounds re-
cieved since February 4. is 1872 Total
number OF wounded during the same pc
riod and not included in the above is
SAT. OF the slight wounds many OF the
patients have returned TO duty and quite
q number have gone 10 quarters. Several
lost little. II sry, time. and were soon or
the fighting line again. The effect Of the
battle was marvellous on the sick. for ii
is n faet that many men who were hardly
considered well enough for duty were soon
In the line when the attack on our front
became general. The severe cases are do
ing well and il is believed that many Of
them will soon be in condition TO be return
ed 10 the United States. A number OF the
wounded. together with the sick men and
the convalescents, were ordered home on
the Arizona, which left here on the 10th
instant. These patients will all do well
on the way and il was quite possible that
many of the sick who could not recover
here, will be fit for duty by the time
the transport arrives at San Francisco.
Many of the wounded have nearly re-
covered. but it is not considered probable
that they will be ready for duty for some
time. During and since the beginning of
the outbreak, our men have had every
possible comfort and the surgical atten-
dance has been excellent. The time has,
perhaps, hardly arrived when a full his
tory of the first aid offered our men should
be written. / may say, however, that the
surgeons have not been taken unawares.
The medical officers of the command
had been making preparations for pos
sible attack on our forces, and when 1t
did come were ready for all emergencies.
The first aid packages have proven TO be
of the greatest possible value; indeed, our
whole equipment reflects the highest honor
on our department Litters, pouches,
medical and surgical chests were in readi-
fneass; easily prepared articles OF food,
ftimulants, and water were on hand and
.pur ambulance company reassembled for
this work did, and still is doing, excellent
service. The signal corps put the hospitals
in communication with the troops at the
front and thus We were able to send sup
plies al a moments notice For this we
are all grateful, well knowing that much
suffering was thereby prevented. Our
transportation is greatly improved by US
ing freight cars for wounded from Caloo-
can ana Malalos, and by running the hos
pital boat up the river for those in the
vicinity Of San Pedro, Macati, and Pasis.
Two horse litters were hastily constructed,
bamboo poles being used. Coolies act as
litter bearers under direction of members
of the hospital corps. We have sixteen
ambulances and a number of the kind of
carriage known as quilez, and also many
oarramattis.
Well Provided With Essentials.
Referring TO supplies generally. it is
simply astonishing that so far off from
cur own country we have been able to
find ourselves so well provided for in every
essential. We have had abundance of
supplies of every description. the greater
part, OF course. brought from the United
States, but many articles were purchased
here. Besides medical stores obtained in
Manila, we have been able to get a large
number Of rattan chairs and lounges.
These were absolutely necessary for the
comfort OF the sick and wounded and !
knew my action would be approved by the
Surgeon General. These chairs and lounges
are used chiefly out of doors. in shady
places, and are much enjoyed by patients
ample funds to meet all demands. These
were used chiefly for medical supplies that
were running low prior to the receipt of
stores from San Francisco. When obliged
10 purchase here, We were able TO procure
good articles and at reasonable rates. We
have three large storerooms; better are
not found anywhere and ] believe / can
say that none in the United States is bet
ter stocked. II has been the greatest pleas
ure to me that we have been able 10 meet
the Surgeon Generals wishes in regard TO
sufficient medical supplies for this army
They have been and are now abundant and
good. Among other articles purchased
here was a large lot of pajamas Many
have been issued and more soon Will be-
and they are a great comfort to the pa
tients.
THE chief hospitals are four in number,
and are known as the first reserve corps
hospital tCrosby's), the second reserve
corps hospital tKeifers), the convalescent
hospital (owen's), and the district hos
pital, at present under the care of Acting
Assistant Surgeon Titus The first two are
located in Manila. but beyond the walls.
The convalescent hospital is on Corregidor
Island, situated about thirty miles from
Manila The district hospital is in Cavite
and was the first established by our
troops. Surgeon Crosby has done an ex-
trsordinary amount of work on these build
ings and grounds, SO that the entire
tablishment seems to have taken on new
life and appears somewhat worthy OF our
department. The wards are fairly well
ventilated and electric lights have been
supplied. This hospital, originally intended
by the Spanish to accommodate not less
than 500 patients. has never been filled to
that extent by us. We have had that many
men in the hospital, but the buildings were
re-enforced by a large number of hospital
A fFFar1- has
made In the water closets; the wretched
old vaults have been cleaned out and sealed
and metallic cans supplied. These are
carried off. cleansed. and brought back 10
place twice daily by native laborers en-
ployed about the establishment so that an
immense amount of filth is taken away in
stead of continuing to pollute the soil as
has been going on everywhere in Manila
for ages.
The Native Labor.
This seems to be proper time to refer
more particularly TO the native labor. II
is absolutely necessary TO employ a num-
Der Of these people in and around our hos
pitals. They are now employed as laborers
because ii is wholly impossible for our
men 10 do the work the natives are used
for. They do a great deal of the policing
Of the grounds and assist in keeping the
wards clean II will always be necessary
TO employ natives, for the reason that the
white man cannot labor in the sun, and
II is already shown that Fiiipinos are re-
quired for work that the American soldiers
should not be called upon to do.
THE Second Reserve Corps Hospital
opened as such September %, ls9S-is
really a fine establishment. II was erected
for use as a seminary for young women,
and for two years the school was in oper-
alton. II was closed before our arrival