The evening times., 1899-11-20
WOUNDS TO BE STUDIED.
Surgeon Hodges Special Mission In
the Philippines.

Surgeon Hodges Special Mission in
the Philippines.
DIR. E. r. Hodge. of the United States
Army Medical Museum, sailed today from
New York on the transport Logan, bound
for Manila. He left Washington yesterday
morning. DR.. Hodge is ordered to the
| Museum in order to secure anatomical
| specimens of wounds which have been in
ficted by modern firearms. He WILL also
note the effect of such wounds upon the
| individual. the rapidity with which a
wound inflicted in this manner heals, and
will secure all general information relat-
| ing to the soldier which will tend to en-
| tighten the department upon the effect
proudced by high-pressure guns. AS fast
| as specimens are secured they will be
shipped to the Army Medical Museum in
this city, and mounted for examination.
DIR. Hodge will make his headquarters
| at the First Reserve Hospital in Manila.
\ which is said to be the first to receive
| the wounded from the field. 1t is thought
| by the authorities here that at this hos
pital the best specimens can be obtained
and that cases Of peculiar nature, which
will be of special interest from a surgical
| DR.. Hodge also expects to be on the fir
! ing line part of the time, in order to be
| in touch with the field hospitals. In every
war, it is said, there have been many cases
i where men have been apparently mOrtally
wounded but have afterwards fully rec0v-
cred
record will be kept by Mr. Hodge OF
, such cases, should there chance to be any.
and he will also be prepared to assist the
regular staff N the hnenitalS
1t is said that considerable doubt has
| arisen among the army surgeons as to
whether the modern rifle OF small bore is
as effective in stopping an enemy as the
old-time Springfield. 1t is claimed by
many that the modern rifle does not have
| the knock down. power Of the Spring
field, but that a bullet from a Mauser or
other modern rifle passes through the part
hit and does not Immediately effect the
/ fighting ability Of the soldier
This is one of the points which which Is
expected to be cleared up by DR.. Hodge in
his Investigations. The material secured
by DIR. Hodge for medical research will be
What is known as live" specimens. Here
tofore. ii is said the department has been
compelled. in its Spaish- American war in
vestigations, to confne their researches
among the unclaimed dead. which is said
to have brought very unsatisfactory re-
suits Now 1t is thought that through DIR.
Hodge many theories regarding the use
Of high explosives in modern warfare will
be either verified or disproyed.
An expedition to the Philippines for the
purpose of investigating diseases and for
conducting researches in surgery. with
view of obtaining specimens. was planned
some time ago by Surgeon General Stern
berg. The party was to consist OF five or
six surgeons. including DR.. Hodge and DR..
Walter Reed as chief in command. but.
owing to the reports recently received from
the Philippines. which intimate that hos
tilities are apt to cease at any time, 1t was
thought best to send DR.. Hodge in advance.
that the opportunity for surgical investi-
cations might not be lost. DR.. Reed. with
his party is expected to sail by December
Is. and his work in the Philippines will be
confined to the study of diseases. The par
ty will be Joined by DR.. Hodge upon their
arrival. II is understood that a year viii
be consumed in this work.