The Calumet news. [volume] (Calumet, Mich.) 1907-1938, 1911-12-14
ASK RESTORATION
OF THE CANTEEN
MEDICAL LEADERS JOIN IN URG.
ING CONGRESS TO REVIVE
1T IN THE u S.
ARMY.

Washington. Dec. 1i.-Some 275
leading physicians Of the large cities
of the United States have signed and
submitted TO the senate and house OF
Representatives petition asking for
the passage of house bill No. 80, intro
duced by Representative Bartholdt of
81 Louis, to re-establish the Can
teen" in the United States army.
Michigan Doctors Approve.
Among the signers are: Profs. r.
Patterson, c. p. q. de Nancrede and
Victor c. Vaughan. OF the University
of Michigan; DIR. A. s. Warthn OF
Ann Arbor; Drs. Theodore A. McGraw
and A. p. Ohlmacher, Detroit: Dr..
William ]. Mayo, famous surgeon. Ro-
chester, Mimi; his brother, Charles
II. Mayo. and many others Of standing
in Philadelphia. New York, Baltimore,
Chicago. Washington and elsewhere,
The petition says:
Since the abolition OF the canteen
tmony of general officers and post
commanders from Gen. Leonard Wood
formerly an army surgeon) and Gen.
Fred d. Grant Ga total abstainer) down
is that intemperance has been increas-
cd with a corresponding increase in
infractions of discipline and in deser.
tions.
But we wish to urge the re-estab-
lishment of the canteen chiefly for
medical reasons, as to which we may
claim to have expert knowledge,
For the last six years very nearly
one-hfth of the entire army has suf-
fered from vicious diseases every year
and to that extent, while ill., have dim
inished it. effective force. These fig
ures.' says the surgeon general, are out
of all proportion to those which obtain
in the European armies, the rates for
the latter being according to the lat
est obtainable information:
British Cat home 6.S per
cent? ........ ........,.I6 per cent
Austro- Hungarian .......5.4 per cent
French Cat home 2,s per
cent? ..... .....'..3.o per cent
Prussian .....4i3.. .As...s1-9 per cent
Bavarian ..... ......1.5 per cent
what are the remedies proposed
by the surgeon general? In his report
of July /. 1910, he urges proper sun
gical treatment. but especially proven
ton and education% The organiza-
ton of soldiors' clubs, capteens, etc,
where enlisted merts can find amuse-
ment andreerestidns uffisssn uyattract-.
i've to keep them at home tand away
from vile resorts. The formation OF
temperance associations among the en-
listed men. the association Of intern
perance and vicious indulgences being
well understood. instruction of the
men by lectures and by informal adj
vice whenever the opportunity offers
as to the nature of diseases. and the
grave peril to families and posterity.'
soldiers aresrequired'byfth the special
conditions of military life TO give up
their home life, and the moral protec-
ton of marriage and to life of enforc-
ed celibacy. Is It wise to diminish
the attractions Of their club and toI
increase the moral and physical risks
of their environment by act of con-
gress?
'In view of what we have set forth
we respectfully pray your honorable
bodies in the interest of temperance;
of military order and efficiency; and
of the health and happiness of our SOL
diers and of their future wives and
children to re-establish the canteen in
the United States army by passing the
Bartholdt bill (H. r. No. SO)."