The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1905-02-04
Japan's Military Triumph Over Dis
ease.


The report of the Chief Surgeon OF
the Japanese forces in the field under
Gen. OKU not only confirms the earlier
reports OF the marvellous efficiency OF
the medical department of Japan's army.
but indicat es plain duty as to the re-
organization Of the medical branch Of
ell modern armies, especially our own.
in September last Major LOUIS L1v-
INGsToN SEAMAN, fresh from a brief
visit TO the military hospitals in Japan
made the surprising statement tefore
the congress Of military surgeons at
the St. Louis worlds fair, that less than
per cent Of Japans diseased soldiers
had died. while fully 10 per cent. of the
sick cases OF our army In the Spanish
war had been fatal.
Major SEAMAN also pointed out that
the English army in the Boer war had
sui cred as severely as ours in the short
struggle with Spain. He also declared
that military students, quoting no less
an authority than NAPOLEON, had said
that disease was greater foe than bull
let's in war, and that AN army fights on
it's belly and he called attention to the
fact that Japan's wonderful saving Of
the lives Of her men might mean final
victory for her cause. The loss OF sew
enty sick soldiers in other armies to only
enc in Japan's presented a situation that
was little short of astounding and suG-
gested the need of instant improvement
in our own service.
Gen. OkU's chief surgeon more than
confirms the accuracy of Major SEA-
MANS Investigations From the land
ing Of OKU's army in Manchuria on May
last up to Dec. there had been only
forty deaths from disease, There had
been p, 042 cases OF sickness treated. Of
which it was necessary to send 5000 back
to Japan or those sent home just forty
died. considerably less than per cent.
More than 1880 cases recovered on the
field, and the men we're ready for service
in a short time. There we're only 1873 cases
Of typhoid and 342 Of dysentery in 0KU's
army. The lamentable showing made
by our own army in typhoid alone in
the Spanish war lends an emphasis to
this wonderful achievement OF the Japa-
nese that suggests immediate emulation
OF their methods.
The chief factors in the success OF
the Japanese have been implicit obedi- !
ence TO the laws of scientific sanitation
and the use Of q ration that does not
breed intestinal troubles. Military men
in other armies than the Japanese az
feet to despise the medical branch OF the |
service, "Sawbones' is relegated to an
inferior place. The fighting man is the |
unit on which they depend. and Japan
medical men have shown the world how /
to keep lighting men at the front and not !
in the hospitals
Every precaution that science knows
was used by the Japanese against disease. |
Wells were tested, infection guarded |
against, regular bathing, frequent hair
cutting, and even pairing OF the nails we're |
required. The food put in the stomachs |
of her men was nutritious and not irri- |
tating and was varied according 10 cl- |
matte conditions. The medical branch Of |
the army OF all times has been regarded as |
OF equal RINK with the fighting branch. =,
These facts are especially pertinent |
because Congress is about to pass upon
a bill presented by Surgeon-General |
O'REILLY for the improvement Of the |
medical branch OF our army. That /
measure purposes to Increase the medi- /
cal force TO some extent deals chiefly
with the matter Of rank and pay-a sub |