The times., 1899-07-15
THE YELLOW FEVER IN CUBA.
Its Origin and Spread Described by
Major Huyard mt Santiago.

Surgeon General Sternberg has received
the following communication from Major
Havar1, Chief Surgeon at Santiago, who
reports on the appearance OF yellow fever
there. Major Havards letter is dated July
3, and says:
in my last letter 1 was expressing the
hope that we might get through the sea-
son without yellow fever. but l was quite
too sanguine, and we have been terribly
disappointed. 1t broke upon us suddenly,
almost without warning. the first case In
a dirty lodging house in town, but the
second and third cases almost simulta-
neously in the barracks. We have no doubt
that the city is infected in various places,
but specially in the barracks lately occu-
pied by four companies and a band OF the
Fifth Infantry, from which have come the
great majority of our cases. This COM
mand had no hospital of its own, the sick
being sent directly to the general hospi-
tai which is conveniently near. The bar
racks and hospital have been evacuated, as
well as all other public buildings, and all
our troops are in camps. The first two
companies are now free from yellow fever,
but the last two have continued to furnish
many cases. On the I'd and 80 these in
feeted companies were disinfected and sent
into the foothills, five miles away, where
We expect good results. They will be
moved again day after tomorrow to very
good site All our moves have been pre-
ceded by an attempt at complete disin-
fection-clothing, baggage, and abby
steam, formaline, and corrosive sublimate,
availing myself to large extent OF the
disinfecting plant of the Marine Hospital
Service, whose surgeon has given us his
most Jealous cooperation. Up to this eve
ming We have about 104 cases, including
fifteen civilians, with total deaths of twen-
ty-three Poor Major Clendennin, who was
in charge OF our general hospital, died last
evening of yellow fever, the victim of
duty. He was a most able, Jealous, and
estimable medical officer, and it is ter
rible blow to us all. The presence of his
wife at his bedside in spite of all our en-
treaties, made the scene very sad indeed
As you already know Contract surgeon
Fabricius died of yellow fever on June a.
by all odds the brightest man for his years
that we had. Another contract surgeon,
Hadra, is down with it, but his case does
not appear severe. Three chief clerks
Hospital Steward Lourmell, a most excel
lent man, whose services have been inval-
| uable and whose absence from my office
leaves me badly crippled, are also pros
trated.
Our general hospital is now under
canvas, but ! hope to be able to have a
frame structure put up, which in this ell
mate will be much more comfortable The
hospital building will be thoroughly over
hauled, and l think we may safely return
to it in November. All our cases, with the
exception of Cuban and a Spaniard, are
Americans. and as all our troops are out
| of the city. we necessarily expect prompt
decrease of the epidemic for want OF ma
terial to feed upon. 1 have but high
praises for all the medical officers on duty
here in this city. Assistant Surgeon Shi-
mer has shown great capacity for admins
| trative work, and 1 propose to leave him
I for the present in command OF the general
hospital