The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1899-05-14
.SNUFFED THE BATTLE
Sick Reused Themselves and
Rushed into Line.
SMALL P0X AMONG MEN
TOTAL NUMBER OF DEATHS TO
DATE SEVENTY-S SEVEN.
DYSENTlRY, DlARRHOeA, RHEUMATISM
These Diseases Rarely Cured in the Philippines
Chief Surgeon Lippencot.'s Report on
Hospitals, Food, Clothing,
Prevention Of Diseases.
Prevention cf Diseases.

Washington. May 13-Chicf Surgeon
Lippincott, at Manila, has made Il mail
report to the War Department giving
some interesting facts relative to the
health of the American troops in the
Philippines and Of the precautions taken
to ensure the proper treatment of the
sick and wounded. He says that the
effect of the first battle with the in
surgents upon the sick was marvellous,
and many men hardly considered fit
for duty were soon in the lines when the
attack OF the insurgents upon the Ameri-
can lines became general.
Surgeon Lippincott says that since the
beginning of the outbreak the men have
had every possible comfort and the sur
gical care has been excellent \ full de-
scription is given of hospitals main
tanned by the army. The conyaleScent
hospital on Corregidor Island is said to
be of great benefit, but cases Of dySen-
terry and diarrhoea have rarely been
cured. The experience of the surgeons
is also that rheumatic affections do not
recover III that climate, but the cases
must be sent to the United States
Touching the prevalence of smallpox
ut the date of the report. it said:
Smallpox began to appear in this
command about September Bird. Since
that time we have never been entirely
free from it, although our cases greatly.
diminish for Il season. The entire Eighth
corps has been yaccinated over and oyer
again This was commenced iii Sitn
Francisco: it was kept UP ON the ocean
am hnp wa h.lXo
rerslstently repeated the vaccinations
and re-yaecinations and are still do
ing so.
Many Of our cases of smallpox have
been Of the most virulent type. and al
though the utmost care was taken OF
them death was not to be prevented in
quite Il number. We have every reason
to hope for cessation of this disease,
because our surgeons will never cease to
labor with that end in view The total
number of smallpox cases to date is i'll:
deaths II; cases of varioloid, 50:
deaths, ..
The greater portion of this command
has gone through a hardening process. so
to speak. Many of the men are now able
to withstand disease fairly we'll, and
have learned to avoid well known causes
OF disease. This is a matter that must
be gained by experience, in Il great mea-
sure at least The greatest pains have
heen taken TO instruct men as to the
care of their health, and circulars for
this purpose have been supplied most
generously. Still diarrhoea, dysentery,
typhoid fever and malarial affections
arise among us.
OF course Il large number of cases
might have been avoided under certain
circumstances, but this was hardly to
be expected in an army hastily recruited.
However, this corps has come through
thus far with very fair record in re-
gard to health, and its spirit under the
NEST trying circumstances has been SUI
perb. The food supply for the com
mand has been good from the time of
arriving here. OF course, there may
have been some defects, but these We're
few. The issues for the troops for ten
days are: Fresh beef. seven days;
bacon, = days; salmon, / day; potatoes,
onions aud tomatoes daily, 1915 and 10
per cent. respectively. Two ounces each
Of rice oatmeal and dried fruits are is
sued them when desired i'll lieu of four
ounces of fresh beef on days when
fresh beef is issuing.
1T is difficult to see how a better
list can be furnished and III my opinion
it is ample.
''The clothing is certainly improving.
and now men, as, Il rule, are provided
with proper uniform. The campaign
hat, although warm, will never be
abandoned even in this hot climate.
Nevertheless il light broad brim covered
helmet should be furnished. Shoes.
underwear, etc, now issued seem to
answer quite WELL but time will de-
termine this.
1.-TWO hundred and fifty-sx wounded
Filpinos, including four women, were
received into the hospital during Febru-
airy and March OF these ~ including
Il woman. died. These people received
the best Of care and treatment and seem
to appreciate the efforts made in their
behalf. 1t is interesting to note the
different results of treatment between
our men and the F'ilipinos. In the latter
suppuration of wounds is the rule, while |
we rarely see it in our cases. Many
causes account for this. but the chief |
reason Of course, is infection before
coming into our hands. Besides they |
have an inordinate propensity to tear off
dressings and finger their wounds when
offers"
Washington. May 13.-The Navy De
a