Omaha daily bee., 1899-07-30
OMAHA ILLUSTRATED BEE.

lurched heavily against a desk. The next
moment he was prone on the floor. The
agent knew from certain symptoms Just what
was the matter and he hastily m a
native doctor living in the neighborhood.
An hour later the stricken man was resting
in a boarding house back of the cathedral.
Then the doctor, according to the ruies, made
his report at the palace.
ut is pernicious malaria, senor," he said
to General Wood. The patient has all the
early symptoms of a severe case. There is
intense pain in the back and shoulders, a
temperature of 105, structure in the throat
and black vomit-"
Have that man removed to the island
within an hour or l will put you in the
Cabildo," interrupted General Wood sternly.
And remember-it is malaria, do you un-
derstand?'
When the man left the hospital GONZALES
cent several weeks later he carried a certifi-
cate wrung from the surgeon bearing the
significant words: Discharged cured of
yellow fever
Anticipated the Epidemic.
In October General Wood drew up an
elaborate plan to be followed when the an
t~icipated return of the fever in epidemic form
occurred. 1t was now that his training as
Il phySlCidH plONeu ihNdludDle.
He understood the disease in all it's phases,
and he knew just what precautions were
rational and efficient. There were three
principal points as outlined. These were,
first, the immediate breaking up of the vari-
Gus regiments into small squads and their
being kept constantly on the move from
camp to camp outside of the city; second.
the absolute maintenance of sobriety among
all Americans; third, the establishment of
a rigid quarantine.
II look upon rum or any alcoholic beverage
as the greatest factor in the contraction of
yellow fever" he said in explaining his
plan. Heating the blood with bad whisky
is simply creating a hotbed for the propoga-
ton of the germs. A man cannot drink and
face the fever unscathed."
1t is the rule that General Wood is now
enforcing so strictly in Santiago. His action
in closing the saloons and summarily arrest
ing any American found under the influence
of liquor is simply a part of his carefully
arranged plan of campaign against Yellow
Jack.
The idea of dividing the various regiments
On duty in and about the city into small
bodies of from one to three companies each
and keeping them moving from camp to
camp is considered absolutely necessary from
a sanitary point of view. 1t also affords
occupation and diversion to the men, which
is extremely essential to their well being
under such circumstances.
The maintenance of a rigid quarantine in
the city, the third item in General Woods
plan, is, of course, followed wherever con-
tagious diseases are to be combatted. In
Santiago the task Is comparatively simple.
There are only two railways, that running
to San Luis, twenty miles inland, and the
ore railway owned by an American mining
company. Both are easily controlled and it
is within General Woods power to seize
them If necessary.
The arrival and departure Of vessels from
the port of course rests entirely with Moro
castle at the entrance. If our hostile fleet
could not enter without permission, GER
talnly no fever ship could.
OF wagon roads and paths there are not
a bakers dozen, and these approaches could
easily be guarded by one company of
soldiers. 1t will be seen from the fore
going that General Wood found no trouble
in completely stopping all travel within a
few hours after his recent return to San
tiago from the United States.
The peculiar condition OF affairs, in fact,
in Santiago, would make it possible to C n
troll even interminal travel. There are no
street railways, only a score or 80 of pub
lie carriages, and the construction Of the
city Is such that a Few well-placed troops
could coutine the inhabitants to their
houses.
Method of Treatment.
1t has been remarked that the percentage
of casualties in the medical department in
Santiago has so far been excessive. This
can be only explained by the fact that all
the victims had been exposed for some time
to the enervating tropical climate, thus
rendering them more susceptible to the
disease.
The question Of adequate medical attend
ance in case OF an epidemic visiting Santi-
ago was carry considered by General Wood.
1t is his intention, If necessary, to call upon
the native doctors. There are a number in
the province who have had practical and ex-
tended experience in the treatment of yellow