The evening times. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1895-1902, 1901-12-21
DANGER TO
PUBLIC HEALTH
Soldiers in the Philippines
Face Many P0riIS.
VICTIMS OF THE POISONOUS VINO
Existing Con itlons Reviewed by
the Taft Commission - To Lo-
cate An Consu1nptives
Resident in Manila.

Almost every army transport coming 20
this country from the Philippines has on
beard a number Of insane soldiers whose
mental conditions are charged against
climatic poisons Of the Islands It IS a
subtIer poison and more dangerous one
than any inhabiting land OF water that
has wrecked the minds and bodies Of
these unfortunates according TO the lat
est report of the Taft Commission The
Filipines have mixed for Western threats
= drink called vino" dsadIier in its eff
feet thar a stirrup cup made of the vodka
OF Russia, the meseaI Of Mexico, and the
sake Of japan.
The Commission sets forth its views
or the question as follows:
1T has been stated that large numbers
Of soldiers have become insane here. and
Il some quarters this fact has been At
tributed to the climate The truth IS
that the large majority OF eases of in
sanity among the soldiers have been pro
dueed by drinking so-caIed vino which
has been shown by chemical analysis 10
eontatz in some instances as high as II
per cent Of fusil oil, and is therefore
deadly poison
Consumption and Leprosy-
The great white plague. consumption.
RACES in Manila among the poorer classes.
owing TO the -frighutui squaIcr and filth
in which they I've IT is the greatest
source OF mortality" says the report,
and IN the last two months 16S persons
have Gied from pulmonary tuberculosis.
Measures are now being taken TO ascer-
tain tie exact whereabouts of all persons
in Manila suffering from this disease. with
view to he possible establishment of 2
consumption colony outside the city limits
for those cases where danger of injecting
Others IS greatest"
Regarding ieprosy the Commission says:
The number Of lepers N the archipelago
has been estimated TO be as high as 80 00
but the commissioner of public health.
who has had wide opportunity for observa-
ton, expresses the belief that there are
less than l0.00O of them
a Ieper census Of the islands IS being
taken, with a view to the eventual segre-
CATION Of all persons suffering from this
disease on the Isolated bat fertile and
healthfuI island of Cagayan de JoIc, where
they can Be given better care, allowed
greater liberty. and made more eontented
than when confined in hospitals
Menaces Of Disease.
The constant presence OF the bubunic
plague in Manila and adjacent towns,
smallpox in a number Of provinces. to-
gcther with rinderpest among the cattle
and scoUrge OF IocusJs over the land,
causes the Commission to say that the
insuIar board appointed to have general
charge OF the health interests of the
archipelago have plenty Of work to do.
The Commission urges the establishment
OF Government laboratories as a valua-
bic adjunct TO the insular board in the
diagnosis OF different diseases They
ask that such provision also be made for
The board OF health in Manila and give
this as one e their reasons:
Sometime since the Manila Board OF
Health had under consideration a ques-
ton involving the destruction OF $4,000
worth Of alcoholic drinks, alleged to con-
tain very harmful impurities" they say.
"A mistaken analysis night have resulted
IN the necessity OF the boards paying
very heavy damages
Weather Reports Needed.
Among the many needs Of Manila is
thoroughly equipped public hospital as
well as weather bureau. The Commits
sion says:
The maintenance of an adequate
weather service and the issuing Of daily
storm warnings is of unique Importance
IN the Philippine Islands because of their
position with reference TO what may be
called tie breeding ground o. typhoons.
Capital Awaiting Opportunity.
On the subiecz of mining. the report
says: Capital is only awaiting the op-
portunity to invest in these properties.
Cur pTospectors have been an exception
ally good class of men They have never
caused any serious disturbance of public
order. but on the other hand have often
pushed into the mountains In advance of
the army anG have established friendly