New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1899-05-14
DISEASE IN THE ARMY.
CAUSES OF ITS INRoADs IN THE CUBAN
CAMPAIGN
AN IMPORTANT CHAPTER IN THE BEEF COURTS
REPoRT-RATIoNs AND CLOTHING UN-
FIT FOR THE TROPICS.

APPROPRIATIONS AND CLOTHING UN-
FIT FOR THE TROPICS.
Washington May 13 (speciaD.-One Of the most
important chapters in the report OF the Beer
Court Of Inquiry and the one which has, curious
ly attracted the least attention, though IL con-
tains more valuable comment on fatal weak
nesses of those demoralized War Department ou-
reaus which have not materially improved after
years experience, is that entitled THE FOOD
SUNNY as a Cause of Disease" 1t contains
much of the most valuable evidence. interesting
historical data and the clearest account yet fur
nished regarding the Santiago campaign. which
Is rapidly and deservedly coming 10 be looked
upon as one of the most remarkable military
movements ever made by American troops. In
pursuing this branch Of the inquiry the court
gathered the testimony of surgeons. inspectors
end other officers participating In that cam
paign. and OF those who had charge of the sick
soldiers on the return to the United States. win
a view to determine what diseases prevailed In
the Fifth Army Corps. to what extent they pre-
vailed what causes operated to produce them
and how much the quality and quantity Of the
food supply contributed as determining cause
The report says:
The surgeons serving with the troops before San
tiago and those In charge Of the general hospitals
In the United States. including those az MontauS
Point agree In describing the diseases prevalent IN
the Army as typhoid and malaria fevers; dysen-
terry. darrhna and Intestinal disorders OF siinId.
character are declared by them to have constituted
but a small part of the cases which passed under
their observation, amounting TO from 10 10 ~ per
of the entire number treated AS to the ex-
tent to which the above-described diseases pre-
vailed during the stay Of the command o M C omt
break OF the the regiments constituting the
regular military s were Of wbcb had
been selected with especial regard to their SAUL
brity and freedom from unsantary conditions e,o
Although the troops arrived at Tampa IN me
physical condition there was some enervatlon az a
result Of their stay that place wh,ch Mas On
transports, during which as adequate cooking IA
ctes were not available FOR their use they were
an unfamiliar and unpaaa6le trayel ration md TINS ms
difficult and tollsome advance upon siboney and
Santiago, through an almost Impossible Jungle;
and and the exhausting labors incident to siege
operations conducted in IA tropical climate at the
most unfavorabe season of the year
TROOPS ovERwoRKED.
The clothing of the troops was inappropriate TO
food supply. by reason of inadequate transportation
facilities not only insufficient but Irregular.
There were no reserves. and the length OF the po-
stion occupied made II necessary TO maintain the
entire command on the firing line or to employ II
In the construction OF trenches. This resulted In
undue strain upon both officers and
men, which tended to their further debllitation and
which they were exposed from the moment OF their
arrival Daiquri Major Reade, inspector general
of Kents division. In describing this period OF the
campaign. says:
'sThey dug their own trenches: slept in them: en-
dured the blazing, torrid. MONDAY sun. the un,
varying transforms each afternoon, and the chill
night damps without shelter save such a dog
tent afforded. Some had blankets, but no ponchos;
some had the reverse; some had given up both 70
shroud the dead to litter the wounded and sick.
and all this time the quantity and quality OF their
nutrment was decreasing or deteriorating. Their
reserve strength was exhausted-fortunatey, not
30 entirely the Spanish-but earthly men
could fail to show marked evidence OF privation
and hardship"
Lleutenan Colonel Miner commanding the 10th
United States Infantry. under date OF July % says:
fhtf HARDsHIPs ENDURED
"since the landing of the regiment at Siboney
June g. II has cheerfuy endured almost every
hardship known TO military life Sickness has made
inroads upon the strength and efficiency OF the
the control of the regimental commander: In the
first place. the rations here have been OF the most
meagre description. For weeks the command has
subsisted upon bacon bareback. sugar and coffee.
Canned meat several times furnished. but
without salt vegetables IL had no SAVIOR. scant
nutrment and was but little liked. Once three or
four potatoes to man were issued and once
onion was given to about every two men on sew
eral occasions soldiers were without anything TO
eat II was impracticable always 10 boil water.
In the trenches fires could not be lighted and not
only was the water unboiled but the ration OF
and dug trenches by night. The climate Is hot.
The men necessarily confined closely to their
during most OF the time Facilities were lacking
for change Of underclothing
Under the fervid heat OF tropical sun, also In
torrents OF rain. they have marched toed and
fought unsuitable rations The close conhne-
ment In freshly dug trenches. the unavoidable
from rain, sun and dew. and the sleeping in wet
clothing on the ground In mud. swamp and
trenches the enforced personal uncleanllness have
all contributed TO render the men weak and unable
10 resist the fever and other diseases peculiar to
hot climates. Every rule Of hygiene has been UNI