Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1899-08-18
IN PORTO RICO ISLAND
Chief Surgeon Hoff's Report on the SAM
tary Conditions.
The Governments Military Policy
Upon This Will Depend Many
Important Questions.

Surgeon General Sternberg of the army
has received the report of Maj John r.
Hoff, chief surgeon of the military depart
ment of Porto Rico. giving a complete sur
vey of the conditions throughout the island
from the standpoint of a medical man and
officer. Besides giving the technical
features of the situation. Maj Hon dis
cusses in an interesting way the permanent
military policy toward Porto Rico and the
need of shaping all military action with
that permanent policy in view.
1.-The question of what will be the mill
tary policy of our government toward this
island" says Maj. Hoff. lis interesting to
consider, for upon it will depend numerous
sanitary questions relating to the troops
presumably the permanent garrison will
not exceed two batteries of artillery, a
regiment, mounted or foot, and battalion
of native troops. with staff troops, etc,
making q total strength of about 1000. If
we to follow home customs, these
troops will ultimately be located at posts
near strategic points, but in open country,
with ample space for military purposes.
mo post Is so located now; indeed, the
barracks are all in the midst of towns and
some closely surrounded by a dense and
unhealthy population.
Healthy Habitntions necessary.
Il trust we will not be actuated by any
pennywise, pound-fooiish policy of trying
to make what we have now do for the fu-
ture. We need not the experience of Great
Britain in the West Indies to teach us that
healthy habtations a sine qua non to
healthy living in the tropics, and l hope
it will never be said of our possessions
here that they are the graveyards or
United States soldiers. But to avoid this
possibility it would be well to move away
from touch of elbow with a population
which is physically degenerate. 1t be-
hooves us to set our houses in order against
the wrath to come, not forgetting that
suitable hospital accommodations form
part of the scheme
Mai. Hoff gives in detail the condition of
the many hospitals turned over to the
United States forces by the Spaniards. He
does not think much of them, and says
1.-The sanitary arrangements were Spanish,
which may be construed TO mean that they
We're everything insanitary." He recon-
mends the purchase of a site opposite the
hospita, at Ponce for new buildings.
The chief surgeon speaks of contro-
versy which has arisen with the Roman
Catholic authorities over using part of the
hospital at San Juan. The church and city
set up the right to use thirty beds in the
hospital for the poor of San Juan.
He says that if any legitimate claim ever
existed it has been quoted by repairing
the old riding school at the expense of the
United States and turning 1t over to the
city for hospital purposes. He adds that
of San Juan be mingled with our soldiers.
Maj Hoff pays high tribute to Miss
Chandler and Miss Bouigny for their SER
vices as nurses. He says women nurses
undoubtedly have a place in military
hospitals, as there is no nurse like good
woman nurse, adding fervent official
God bless them
Distribution of Supplies.
Maj. Hoff says considerable trouble has
resulted from distribution of supplies,
owing to delays in shipment by the quar-
termasters department He states that
robbery was rife, and it seemed at one time
as though no box marked with red cross
Gas all medical supplies are marked) could
pass without paying toll. Maj. Hof says
in conclusion
THE work of the medical department of
the army during the last year has been
arduous beyond description and its officers
have devoted their strength, health and
their lives to it's accomplishment.
Blame has fallen upon it where no
blame was merited and communication has
come slowly and grudgingiy Its officers
have reaped no material advantage, for
they are without honors or promotions.
But | predict that in the cold light of
history the results of the work of the med
ical department Of the United States army
in the war of 1898 will be accepted as one
of the most remarka BILE outcomes of that
war.