The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1901-03-01
NO ABSOLUTE NEGLECT.
REPORT of the Enquiry Board on the
Death of Hobart Green

Inc court of enquiry appointed to en-
puire INTO the circumstances surrounding
the death of Hobart Green. late a private
III the Marine Corps, has submitted its
report to the Navy Department. The
record has been revised by the Judge
Advocate General of the Navy, and his
opinion, with recommendations. has been
transmitted to Secretary Long. Among
other things, the Judge Advocate General
SAYS:
Private Green, who with other marines
was quartered on board the Santee at
annapolis, pending the completion of the
barracks there, was admitted to the sick
bay of the ship on the 18th of December
last, with grippe, and three days later
his illness IN the mean time having been
diagnosed as pneum0Dia, was removed -
Separate enclosure. where he died caily
Saturday morning, the 18th The Judge
Advocate General concurs in the findings
of the court that during his Illness Green
received careful and skillful attendance
and treatment Of medical officers and
was provided with proper diet and hos
pital attendants but expresses doubt
whether these attendants gave .he case
the constant attention its seriousness de-
marded. He further states, endorsing
the finding Of the court on these points,
that the quarters for the sick on the
Santee are probably better than on cruis-
ing vessels of the navy except those of
modern type, and that the general condi-
tions affecting the health and comfort
of the enlisted men on said vessel are
not open to adverse comment.
Criticism is made, however. of the
flooding of the floor of the sick bay,
aston during the general cleaning of the
ship. The Judge Advocate General also
cohcurs in the finding that. while i'll,
Green was not required to perform duty
or unnecessarily disturbed, and that
when it became advisable to remove him
from his cot to the separate enclosure
due care vas exercised in his removal,
except that doubt is expressed as to the
propriety of allowing the patient to walk,
though assisted, ffhm one cot to the
other.
THE finding that the funeral of Green
was conducted in all respects In accord
ance with the navy regulations is con-
CURED in by the Judge Advocate General,
who. however. criticises the haste with
which the funeral ARRANGEMENTS were
made and the manner in which the re-
mains were prepared for burial
In passing finally upon the case, the
department states that it does not lose
sight of the fact that subsequent devei-
ouments often suggest the propflety OF
precautionary measures or the exercise
of greater care than seem to be called
for at the time by the circumstances
known to those upon whom responsibility
rests. and that while in this instance II
now appears that in some respects add
tional precautions might have been taken.
il IL only just to consider that the fatal
termination Of the case. which was not
foreseen. must necessarily influence III
some degree any review of it, Subject to
this observation. and to the Department
inability to concur fully with the remarks
of the Judge Advocate General upon the
of Private Green from his cot TO
a separate enclosure the afternoon pre-
ceding his death. the opinion and recon-
mendatiou OF that officer are approved.