Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1902-10-16

The first annual report Of Surgeon General
Rixey shows that the health of the Navy
and Marine Corps was good throughout the
De st fiscal year, the percentage Of the sick
and death rate being lower than for sew
eral years. The most important recon-
menda ton Of the report. perhaps. Is that
Congress provide for the establishment Of a
woman's Nurse Corps for the navy, to con-
sist at first Of one superintendent nurse,
eight head nurses. sixteen flrst-class and
twenty-four second-class nurses, these
numbers to be Increased at the discretion
OF the Secretary.
.sThat women" says the surgeon general.
'.are the superior OF men for the work Of
nursing there can be no question, and the
objection that they are not compatible with
military conditions can scarcely apply to in
situations of the character Of our large ma
val hospitals" The surgeon general also
makes a strong plea for the appointment of
many otherwise good recruits for the serv-
ice are lost for lack of dental care.
Medical Force Inadequate.
The principal feature OF the report, how
ever is an earnest statement by Admiral
Rixey Of the present entirely inadequate
medical force under his command He
SHOWS IndC WneTedS SlICo the spanish war
the medical corps Increased only Is per
cent In numbers the naval strength in
creased 70 per cent. and the examination
for re-enlistment 102 per cent. He sub
mits conservative estimate for the ap-
pointment of $50 more medical officers and
refers to a number of designations during
the past year owing to dissatisfaction with
the personal outlook and to the fact that
the corps Is undermined. A post-gradu-
ate course for the novitiate in the medical
corps Is said to be simple necessity, and
the first step has already been taken in the
the transferring of the medical school from
New York to Washington. Carrying out his
idea of the educational development of med
ical officers. Admiral Rixey further recon-
mends that after each cruise the surgeon
should be given period of duty either at
home or abroad in some Of the great medi-
cal centers. where he would have opportu-
mites to get in step with the march of prog
ress which has gone on in the work of his
profession while he has been at sea.
Two Permanent Hespital Ships.
Based on the experience Of the Spanish
war is the recommendation that at least
two permanent hospital ships one for the
Atlantic and one for th% Pacific, should be
constructed. These shoSld have the right
to fly the Geneva flag and be used for no
other purposes than hospitals.
Other recommendations fnSthe report look
to the creation of Saaitarium for the
navy for the treatment of tuberculosis like
that established by the IA frffS at Fort Bay
ard, n. NJ. for the Improvement Of the
sick quarters aboard ship. and for the rep
resentation Of the meafta4f corps in the
naval boards which design the ships, in or
der that sanitary conditions may be i'm
proved. > - 7aaS-- :" ssaSf@9 -ssi~' SE
The Local NAVAL Hospital.
With regard to the Naval Hospital, Wash
ington, Admiral Rixey Says
mo important changes were made at this
hospital. and only minor repairs have been
undertaken, the most extensive having been
In refitting some of the eutbuildings. The
porch and main entrance to the hospital
were repaired a new entrance was made
through the fence on the Pennsylvania ave-
nue. side. and the grounds received such at
tention as was required to maintain them in
good condition.
For many years need has been felt for
a naval hospital in Washington commensu-
rate with the Importance and dignity of the
station. The present building is antiquated
and insufficient and conforms in no respect
to the conditions of modern hospital require
ments. Its quarters are cramped, the oper-
ating room small and Of a makeshift char
acter and the only provision made for sick
officers is one small room originally intend
ed for restraining room for insane pa
tients. There is no proper provision made
for the isolation Of contagious diseases, and
it has been found necessary within the year
to transfer diphtheria cases to the cOnta-
gious disease department of a civil hospital
for treatment. An estimate for a new build
ing, planned on modern lines of hospital
construction. is submitted. and site Of