Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-11-14
HEALTH AT ARMY POSTS
SURGEON GENERAL O'REILLY
SUBMITS A SPECIAL REPORT.

In q special report in regard to the SAN
itary and hygienic conditions of the vari-
Gus army posts, Surgeon General O'Reilly
does not speak very highly of the health
fulness of the posts in this vicinity. In
table in regard to typhoid fever it is shown
that there was a decided increase in the
number of such cases last year at Fort
Myer, where the number increased from
to 20. and at Washington barracks, where
the number increased from II to 10.
AS to Fort Myer, Gen. O'Reilly says:
1.-The water supply at this post is taken
from the Potomac and filtered at the post;
1t is abundant and Of excellent quality.
The drainage is poor in some parts Of the
reservation. On account of the excessive
rainfall 1t was impossible to prevent the
breeding of mosquitoes last season. Fiji
teen cases Of typhoid fever occurred during
the period August 10 to October %. 1905.
Out of twelve cases admitted between Au-
gust 10 and September Z, seven belonged to
to another organization, messed with this
troop. From this fact 1t was believed to be
a case Of food infection, source undetermin-
ed. Three cases were admitted between
October and %; one was a private of the
Hospital Corps, occurring from direct con-
tact in nursing. The patients all recovered.
Orders were issued August 2, 1905, after
the occurrence fthe last previous case, di-
recting all men not to drink from wells,
springs or other sources Of water supply in
the neighborhOod
Eleven cases of typhoid fever were re-
ported at Washington barracks during the
deaths. Three of the cases were admitted
from camp while at target practice at
Saunders range, near Baltimore. No con-
nection could be established between any
lions at the post to account for the spread
of the disease, says the surgeon general,
except that 1t was prevalent in the District
of Columbia. Water for drinking purposes
is boiled before use.
Down the River.
Malarial fever was prevalent at Fort
Washington Md. during the late summer
and fall, the large increase in the number
of cases being due to an unusually heavy
rainfall the numerous deep ravines and
gullies traversing the reservation. which it
Is difficult to drain. and the topography of
the country Immediately adjacent. which,
Gen. O'Reilly says. lends itself to the for
The surgeon general says that the sewer
outlet at Fort Hunt. Va, is Objectionable,
not having been carried out far enough
under the dock, SO that 1t is~ In shallow
water and gives of offensive smells. He
says a new outlet should be provided when
the new dock Is constructed. The drainage
is not entirely satisfactory. he adds, rain
water running into two nlarshy places, one
east. the other south OF the post: both
places should be reclaimed by dttehing and
filing. . :
According to Gen. O'Reilly, all. the build
ings attached to the general hospital, WASH
ington barracks. are In poor repair and in
adequate in every way for their purposes
Constant repairs are necessary to the heat
ing and plumbing systems to keep the
buildings habitable.- No new construction
has been undertaken during the year The
surgeon general says II will be necessary
to keep these old buildings in fair repair
and fit for occupancy for about two years
before the new general hospital. authorized
during the last session OF Congress, is
completed. During the past year 52l cases
were treated at the hospital.
The act approved March 8, 1905, appro-