The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1900-03-05
ARMY TEETH NEED REPAIR
SOLDIERS IN PHILIPPINES REQUIRE
A DENTISTS SERVICES.
Climate Has Il Disiptegrating Eject
Upon Their MoInrs-It Is Thought
Each Regiment VIII Furnish
Work for One of the Graft.

The mail report received from Gen.
Otis contains an alarming statement re-
gardng the troops I'm the Philippines,
which will receive prompt attention from
congress, IL the recommendations Of AdJt.
Gen Corbin approved already by the
secretary OF war, are followed out. Gen.
Otis says that the teeth Of nearly every
man in the islands are in bad stag 3 Of
decay, and recommends that a number
OF dentists be sent from the United States
to look after the molars and the grinders
of the lighting men OF the Philippines
He states that after a careful investi-
CATION he finds that a year OF life in the
tropics. living on army rstlons has al
most completely ruined nearly 30 per cent
OF the teeth, while those Of the remain
Ing soldiers are in various bad stages
OF decay.
Adjt. Gen. corbin has discovered that
there IL no way by which dentists can
be Gent 10 the Philippines TO look after
the teeth OF the men, unless congress pro-
vides for such appointments. They can
not be sent as medical surgeons, with the
rank OF captain or major because the
law expressly limits the number OF sur
geons and there are not enough surgeons
to supply the medical demand In the
Philippines. Adjt Gen. Corbin, therefore.
recommended that the matter be sub
mitted 70 Surgeon Gen. Sternberg OF the
United States army, who has replied to
Secretary Root heartily indorsing the pro-
jet TO appoint dentists to the army, one
TO be attached to every regiment. and per-
haps more. II necessary.
Necessary Expedient.
II am OF the opinion" writes Surgeon
General Sternberg, that the appointment
81 competent dentists 70 the army IL an
absolute necessity. | have long been Of
the opinion that there should be some sys1
tematic way by which the teeth OF every
enlisted man could be Inspected at least
once year. and preferably once In six
months. There are few civilians who per-
mit their teeth to be neglected for 30 long
a period six months This condition
Of the teeth is reflected in the physical
condition OF the individual II the teeth
are bal, ache much or do not perform
their functions properly In mastication OF
food, the health Of the soldier Is materially
impaired | strongly indorse the prnpnsl-
ton, and suggest that one dental surgeon.
with the rank Of major. be appointed for
each regiment
A bi.l has therefore been drawn by the
direction % the secretary az war which II
is believed will be passed By congress with
m few weeks prohAhly days The btu
provides that the surgeon genera. Of the
army with the approval Of the secretary
q war. shah employ and appoint dental
surgeons 20 serve the officers and enlisted
men ia tho regular ana volunteer army
In the prnpogtion Of one dental surgeon 20
every 100 men IN the SAID army
These dental surgeons shall bo employed
as contract dental surgeons under the
terms and conditions applicable 20 army
contract surgeons. and shall - graduates
% standard medical or denta. colleges
trRiaet In the several breaches ~ Aertfe-
try ~ roed moral and professional char.
actsr and shall pass a satisfactory profess
sipnal examination. These examinations
LED a. al Ha.
ineton. Chicago. Denver ard San Fran
cisco. ana possibly elsewhere a. soor a.
the pr0p0ssd hil becomes a law Tt VIII
then ~ possible to appoint TIE GENITAL st-.
seoas Immediately. and they VIII h. sent
e. the Philippines. where 80 u1uch work
awaits them, on the earliest available
transports or passenger ships
Question Go Rank.
There has heen sorue discussion o. ts
what rank the dental Surgeons shoulg
have The accepted unArrstauIIur Is
that they wsii get the rank corresponding
90 that of the medical surgeons-that fs.
Tor battalion surgeon. the rank az M fav
There are however, surgeons attached
20 the battalicrs ard regiments whita
q Is proposed 60 Gselgnatc dcHtal sur-
geons on a schedule of one only for each
regiment Thar would make him rank
with yhe medical reSimental surgeon. ana
ne would therefore get a commission as
na1oF The SALARY for a major 81 the
regular srfuy Is approximately t1U
month. or s. saa q year. with quarters ara
rations- IL VIII ;herefQre be seen that
there viii soon be nearly four score Fra
army hNlets Go De az the disposal az the
war department for which uuly comne-
tent dentists VIII be eligible
This VIII b. good chance for some
of 3he Struggling young dentists rg ia.
United States Old established dentists
~ COURSE. make much more shan me
probable income af an army dentist but
there may be expected a rush for these
coveted Apo lntmeuts that VIII remind
one % tho rush 20 secure appointments
hi the volunteer army when the war