The National tribune., 1902-04-10
SOLDIERS. HOME AT HOT SPRINGS, SD.

hOMh Al hO1 N'NtoB S'b.
Comrade III. f. Palmer of Nebraska,
has been in Washington making a vigOr-
ous fight for an appropriation for a
branch of the Soldiers Home at the Hot
Springs, s. u. COmrade Palmer has been
working at this with the greatest indefati-
gability for Il number of years, and accom-
plished enough to move anything less OBJ
durate than the Congress of the United
| States. There can be no doubt that the
establishment of such an institution would
be of incalcuable benefit to the veterans
of the country, very large proportion Of
whom suffer from rheumatism, which if
cured would do away with the other all
fents from which they suffer. As to the
curative qualities of the Dakota Hot
| Springs, the evidence is overwhelming.
The House Committee on Military AT
fairs has again reported strongly in favor
of the bill, and in its report calls atten-
| tion first to the need of more aCcOmmoda-
! ton in the Soldiers Homes. or the 120
! barracks in the various branches all but
one have now more inmates than they
were intended to accommodate. The ex-
4 ception is in the newly-opened Home at
! IN. ht ifppLl says.
"Of the survivors of the war of the re-
bellion, estimated as of date June 30,
! 1902 at 93O.3SO il is estimated that prac-
/ tically 100000 reside in the States and
/ Territories between the Mississippi River
and the Rocky Mountains. In all this
| vast territory there is but one Branch OF
! the National Home, known aS the West
ern Branch, located near LeavenwOrth,
Kan. This Branch has been for years
| in an overcrowdcd condition. The mem
bership on June 30. 1900, was 3 3424, and
on June 80, 1901, was 3,G01, showing an
increase during the year of III. or this
number, DOG at time of last inspection
were sleeping in places other than dormi-
tories, 2J6 sleeping in easements, and 40
! in other unsuitable places"
The Board of Governors has repeatedly
urged an increase of accommodation for
| this region.
As to the curative effect of the waters
the report says:
''The prevalence Of disease among the
members of the Home, particularly rheu-
matte troubles, has caused the Board of
| Managers to investigate for several years
Il means of aifOrdng relief During the
! year 1901 1,O25 members of the Western
Branch alone were afflicted with rheuma-
| iism in its various forms and 401 in the
Z DluDtu, 1T NlllNduktt,
! Wis. Attention was early called to Hot
Springs 5. D., by reason of the many
remarkable cures of people eEeking the
benefits OF the medicinal springs at that
place. An official test was made in 1893
by Gen. w. w. Ayerill, Assistant Inspec,
| tOr-Gcncral of the National Home, by di-
rectiOn of the Board of Managers. Thirty
members of the Western Branch were
taken from Leavenworth to Hot Springs
and kept there a period Of 60 days. The
most serious cases were selected. At the
end of that period A per cent. of those
/ treated for rheumatism were pronounced
entirely cured and the balance are very
much benefited. DIR. Il. ID. Jennings, Sur
geon in charge OF the test, in his official
report said:
'''As will be seen, almost every man
was afflicted with rheumatism or nervous
/ troubles, the same being cured in almost
I every instance. | am satisfied that a care
/ full inspection by the Medical Board on
/ the return Of the men will bear me out
/ in saying that, all things considered, age
/ of patients, shattered constitutions of some
of them, variety and complication of dis
eases, and the chronic nature OF all, the
result of this test, as shown by detailed
report, is IN every substantial sense highly
satisfactory. A realization of all the
! claims put forth by the promoters of this
experiment as TO the virtues Of the waters
the desrabIity of this place for the loca,
tion of a United States sanitarium for the
treatment of such chronic disease as most
usually affect the old soldier is fulfilled"
The project has been indorsed by the
Annual Encampments of several Depart
ments, and by the National Ehcampment
of the Grand Army of the Republic.
The appropriation asked for is $150,00O.
IT is interesting to see the new bOgy
to which "Mexicanization" applies. Dur
ing the rebellion 'Mexicanization meant
a mixing of the races. and perpetual reyo-
lutions and intcrnecine war among the
States. Now it is being made to mean the
concentration of all power in the hands of
the President.
| WE SHALL all now watch with palpitat-
| ing interest to see whether an Indian with
] his hair cut is any better Indian.