The Washington herald., 1908-06-09
CITIZENS HONOR
GEN. STERNBERG
Distinguished Septuagena.
rian is Dined.
HIS BIRTHDAY ANNIVERSARY
Prominent Men OF the Capital City
Pay High Tribute TO BacterIOIOEist,
Investigator, Author, and PhIIan-
thrOpiSt, Who Reaches Seventieth
Milestone I'm Journey of Life.

sembled at Rauscher's last night TO honor
former Surg. Gen. George NJ. Sternberg,
on the occasion OF his SEVENTEEN birth
day
The banquet was a complimentary af-
fair TO one who las earned fame. not only
on the battlefield in the cause of his
country. but to one whose services to
the medical science have been recognized
by many countries
More than fifty men, prominent in all
walks OF life were present TO greet Gen.
Sternberg and listen 20 words Of praise
offered the guest by prominent officials.
The eloquence Of the speakers In refer
ence to his who has lived and labored
in the cause OF humanity was greeted
with prolonged applause.
Given "A Loving Cup.
Aside from the speechmaking, the fea-
ture OF the evening was the presentation
10 Gen. sternberg OF large silver loving
cup by the citizens Of Washington. and
the presentation Of an American flag by
the stan and attendants OF the sana-
torium established by him for tubercu-
losis patients.
the walls and with flowers and palm
branches. the setting Of the banquet hail
was In keeping with the spirit of the
diners.
After a repast had been served, Hon
John ", Foster, as POSTMASTER. opened
the speechmaking with a brief address Of
welcome.
MAJ. Walter d. McCaw, L. S. A., the
first speaker. told Of the career of Gen.
Stcrnberg as a physician and soldier
He said Gen. Sternbergs brilliant service
70 the United States had never been ade-
Quately rewarded.
Or. George NJ Kober. dean OF the Med
ical School OF the Georgetown University,
treated of the career OF the guest Of
honor as scientist. investigator. and au-
thor. He made the principal address OF
the evening. He said. In part:
TO have been one Of the pioneers In
bacteriOlogy is a distinction of which
any man may be justly proud. and when
this distinction has fallen in America to
the lot OF our friend and fellow-citizen.
Gen. Sternberg. we may be sure that in
honoring him we honor ourselves
Dangers He Faced.
81 do not know OF a single medical Off
Ger who has faced cholera and yellow
fever epidemics as often and courageously
as our distinguished guest. During the
cholera epidemic at Fort Harker. Kans..
in 1867. he lost beloved wife, and. by a
strange coincidence. he was also the
post surgeon when yellow fever gained
a foothold among the troops at Fort
Columbus, n. Y, in 1871.
Having witnessed the devastating
effects of these hydra-headed diseases.
and realizing that medical science had
not yet discovered the real cause Of these
scourges, which had carried off countless
victims and paralyzed the commerce of
seaports and inland towns, both at home
and abroad. IL Is perfectly natural that
a man Of Dr. Sternberg's sympathetic
nature and truly scientific spirit should
have determined to devote his life and
energy 10 the study Of these mysteries"
DR.. Kober then gave a sketch OF Gen
Sternberg's career I'm working against
epidemics
The eradication Of preventable dis
eases Is the highest aim OF scientific medi-
cine to-day continued the speaker. and
in this field Or. Sternberg was one OF the
foundation builders You will ask with
Prince now King Edward, If certain dis
eases are preventable, why are they not
prevented? My answer is that while
every scientific physician familiar with
biolOgic research knows fun well that II
the methods of prevention recommended
by Gen. Sternberg and his school were
adopted, these diseases would be reduced
10 a minimum. and probably eradicatel in
the course OF few years. The facts are.
these recommendations have not been
generally adopted because the knowledge
gained by experimental research Is not
sufficiently diffused even among physi-
clans.
Had Il been otherwise the lessons Of
the civil war and the note OF warning
sounded by Surgeon General Sternberg
in his famous circular OF April 25, 1898.
four days after the declaration Of the
Spanish-American war would have made
a deeper impression upon the volunteer
medical officers and the disgraceful un-
sanitary scenes Of our military camps
would not have been observed. Notwith-
standing these disadvantages we are al
ready reaping the benefits of his bened-
cent work"
Justice Brewers Address.
Justice David J. Brewer. Of the United
States Supreme Court. in his speech said:
Judges are more familiar with words
Of condemnation than words Of praise,
but I am compelled on this occasion TO
voice the sentiment Of all present in con-
graduating our guest by saying his un-
ceasing study, honesty, and truth have
already gained him admission into the
temple Of fame. Instead OF retiring from
active duties at the expiration Of his
ofhcial career as head OF the Medical
Corps OF the United States army. Gen.
Sternberg IS still giving his life TO helping
his fellow-man."
The justice enumerated the various
philanthrOplc works in which the general
Is now engaged. and predicted better
sanitary conditions among the poorer
classes Of the country IN the near future
as the result of his efforts In this regard
Commissioner Macfarland complimented
the guest Of honor upon his model citi-
zenship and untiring efforts to benefit
humanity.
Hon. Simon Wolf presented the general
with the silver cup and flag.
Gen. SternberE'S Response.
In responding to the honors paid him
by the speakers and the citizens present.
Gen. sternberg said in part
L am overwhelmed by your kindness
To enjoy the esteem Of the leading citi-
zens Of a community in which one has
lived ana labored Is the highest reward
s-,h,Ho.t come TO an individual whose
a perma -. -. In - 'OPe Ao'
worlds -. '''o '1'ii'i' VI 'Ho
more s; .,.S,-l s Vp'i''V" IL d
the hora - rs ie"'Iu tllah would De
as one % aPpetiil's III iu1ure RECORDS
rltsbod OF the many who have accom-
20 49,, something for the advancement
od,,a~s,an knowledge or for the material
s,,eb lage Of the human race Not that
tbo 4mbition is unworthy. but because
-, nowledge that our feeble efforts