The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1905-12-31
Humane and Businesslike.

"a
w than anybody else in promoting conditions
where disease is most eectually prevented or most
successfully connbated- From standpoint it looks
as if the doctors cutting themselves out Of bust
ness, and doubtless they are to extent when
they endeavor to promote conditions which will les
sen the demand for their services But there is no
unselish and helpful class Of men than those
who compose the medical profession, none which
contributes Of it's in the shape Of time and
skill so literally as it.
The doctors just now back of movement
to influence congress in support Of bill for the
increase Of the medical staff of the army The
American Medical association has taken action on
the matter and members Of the association in various
parts Of the country have been delegated to bring
this matter to the attention Of their respective
gressional representatives and urge them to take
favorable action. - "|>.: ~ -
Mr.. Fletcher interviewed with reference to
this matter during his recent visit at home and ex-
pressed complete sympathy with the proposition So
tar this district is concerned, there is no doubt
but that its representative will stand for the in
asked for by the surgeon general and recon-
mended by former Secretary Root present Secretary
Taft and President Roosevelt. -. ..-'
Our army is differed for a strength of 100000
except in the medical department., where the
organization is sufficient only for $4,000. There
of medical department was skeleton in time of
peace to be filled out in time of war by contract
surgeons We ought to know better than that in this
country by this time, going further back for in
formation than experience in the Spanish
can war, when regiments organized and the
army recruited by volunteers with medical officers
enlisted appointed from civil life who were all
right in the hospital, but who had had experience
in military sanitation. The time is not far back
that readers of the newspapers do not remember
the frightful mortality in the camps at Chickamauga
and in Florida and even here in own state. The
surgeon general Of the army insists that training in
military sanitation is absolutely necessary and that
the army should be equipped adequately in this
spect.
A very effective argument is made by citing the
practice and experience Of the Japanese in their
cent war with Russia. No army ever carried on a
campaign Of year and half with such small
percentage of deaths from disease and wounds The
number slain in battle relatively much larger
than usual the proportion Of deaths from other
causes remarkably small. This condition Of things
is attributed entirely to the attention paid by the
military administration to sanitary measures. Camps
selected by the sanitary authorities the water
supply thoroly inspected; and the whole con-
duct Of the medical department. reflected the highest
degree of Intelligence and efficiency.
When Japan, nation Of 40,00O,O00 Of people
went into this with Russia, nation Of 40 900,
900, she realized that the individual soldier was
worth to her than to her opponent Russia
might lose 100000 men and replace them without
difficulty: Japan could not do so, but was forced to
preserve the efficiency Of every individual soldier
to the utmost degree. Viewing the matter from this
cold-blooded standpoint, Japan's policy was emf
nenty wise, but wiser the part Of Japan than
it would be the part Of any other government our
own included Not only are the people who furnish
the men from among their fathers sons and brothers
for the army entitled to the assurance that the
American soldier is going to have the best possible
medical and surgical treatment and sanitary care
but nothing else can be regarded as prudent, eco
nomical and busnesske in military administration
The municipal ferry between New York and Staten
Island has failed to pay expenses during its first
weeks and there is much g]ee in the camp OF the
monopoists large part Of the deficit is due to the
fact that employees required to work eight hours
instead Of twelve and that for the safety of passen
gers larger number of employees is used than was
the case under private ownership. And then d GOOD
many privately owned lines have not paid in the frst
seven weeks. Give it little time. ss rs
Mr.. Odel could not be madden lie his grocery store
had taken bad bill in the Saturday night rush.