Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1899-04-20
ABOUT HOSPITAL LIFE,
W. c. Seaton Writes Of His Smallpox
Experience.


CALooCAN, Luzon Island, March $, =
New Years day was relieved from
guard with a terrible headache.
had seen the old year out and the new
year in while on top Of the officers
quarters. 1t would be impossible fol
me to write regarding all | have beer
told by eye-witnesses Of our warfare
here, When my turn comes to talk,
| think | can throw all fathers civil
war stories in the shade.
Since New Years day | have been
in two fights and have been most
most fortunate in both. The first
lasted until February II when | was
released from quarantine Of a small
pox pest house, and it was fight fol
life. Then a weeks rest and ther
the second fight which was with the
insurgents for Uncle Sam.
From January lst to 9th had a ter
rible headache, sore breast and chest
and worst Of all shooting pains
through small Of back. The battalion
doctors said | had malaria fever. The
doctor with the ambulance said haC
smallpox. thought my time hac
come so gave Gibson my money TIC
send home, and Ed Gamble took care
of my other traps.
had never heard anything good
about smallpox, and thought the end
of my life was close at hand. On
reaching the pest house | saw conval.
escents sitting around on steps and
cushioned chairs and | changed my
frightened mind, concluding If some
could pull through ! would surely try,
The beds are spring cots. All my
clothing was stripped off ard burned
| was then placed naked on a sheet
with a sheet over. The fever was
from normal to 105 degrees. Ten
days tells whether you live or die,
BY that time the pustules are all over
the body about as large as the end Of
a lead pencil and an eighth Of an inch
high. # the pimples form all over
the body extremely close together and
looking like red rash the disease is
fatal, and should they be scratched
with the poisonous finger nails or
break inside hemorrhages are caused
and blood flows from all parts.
The less serious case is when the
pustules are large and filled full OF
matter as mine were. The pain is
severe while the matter is gathering
in the pustules. 1t is under these
conditions that scratching proves
fatal. When these pnstules get ripe
they must be lanced.
A convalescent Spanish prisoner
lanced me from head to foot. can
think Of nothing that ever gave me
more ease than the lancing Of those
sores. The palms Of the hands and
the soles Of the feet cause the most
suffering as the skin is so thick to cut
through. 1t is a sight to see pa
tient lanced all over. A powder
something like -four medicated, is
sprinkled over the sores to keep the
sheet from sticking to the body.
Bloody sheets are burned every morn
ing. Twice day patient is given
a medicine bath which consists Of
laying warm, wet towel over the
body. My eyes we're swelled shut fol
over two days. A dope is9put on the
face consisting Of vaseline, glycerine,
tar, etc. This Is to prevent pits as
far as possible.
am now as spotted as leopard
all over, but in month they will al
be gone, so am told. My face il
slightly pitted but J have hopes they
will soon disappear. don't thinl
you could tell at a glance ! had hat
the smallpox. Ny face is red AM
healthy looking. Food was Of thre'
classes. First, liquid diet--malte'