Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1914-11-07
Disease Minimized and Mill
tary Prison Fumigated for
First Time in History.
PEST OF FLIES BANISHED,
WAR ON WHITE PLAGUE
Story of the Changes Wrought I'm.
der American Occupation Told
by Charles Jenkins.

When Uncle Sam wlthdraws his mill
tary force from Vera Cruz he will turn
over renovated city. seaport where
vice has been minimized, a military
prison that was thoroughly fumigated
for the first time in its existence of
several centuries.
The American occupation not only
cared for the immediate sick and des-
titute and buried the dead consequent
upon the seizure of the port by the
United States, but the entire city
was thoroughly cleaned. pure water
was provided. disease spots drained,
the pest of flies banished and the
white plague fought.
These are some of the sanitation
works Which have transformed Vera
Cruz under American occupation, as
described by Charles jenkins, director
can Red Cross. in signed article pre-
pared for the survey press service.
This is an association whose object Is
to find out and interpret the facts OF
living and working conditions and TO
promote Intelligent effort for social ad =
vance. Mr.. Jenkins paper on the fight
against dirt and disease in Vera Cruz
follows:
Review of Sanitation Work.
The early withdrawal of the American
military forces from Vera CluZ makes
1t opportune to review some of the
social consequences of their occupation
to the native population-in norma l
times a community of, roughly, $4,000
people.
From April %, two days after the oc-
cupation of the port, to September .
Ay1p rif. Ra1 ii
headquarters and carried on an active
work of relief This was early limited
to cases of suffering, due either directly
or indirectly to the American occupa-
ton of Vera Cruz.
For example, many of the federal SOL
dlers became panic stricken upon the
entry OF the American soldiers and fed,
leaving their wives and families ~ des-
titute circumstances. Others remained
with the army. but inasmuch as the
various companies We're detailed to diff
ferent parts and no accurate records
were kept of individuals, families were
unable to locate the husbands or faith
ers.
Relief Work Outlined.
Families of wounded soldiers must
sustain life until the soldiers had re-
covered sufficiently to support them by
other means: families Of the dead must
he cared for; families who had main
tanned themselves by the sale of lot /
terry tickets must be helped to find
other employment. since the Americans
prohibited the sale of such tickets So
too. the workers along the water front
must be helped. those who had depend
ed upon the passenger traffic, and also
the political prisoners who had been
released by the American authorities
from the notorious prison of San Juan
de ulloa
Where medical or surgical attention
alone was requested this was given OF
refused as examination Indicated ne
cessity. Where food. money or cloth
made to the home and the statements
of the applicant were verified. Where
| money was asked for to cover buria
expenses the death certificate was eX-
amined and the body was personally
seen by worker. This was found tC
| be necessary because a few attempts
had been made by neighbors to collec,
money from the Red Cross under diff
| ferent names for the burial of the same
| body.
Wherever employment was desired
! this was usually given as soon as the
right place could be found. Through
the cooperation of the American army
officers. who had been given charge OF
| Ill pupiH lllStIluJiOuS anu WHO neeQeG
| native help. the Red Cross was able tc
| place practically every applicant
The 5000 medical and surgical cases
dealt with in the succeeding weeks GOV.
cred all the ailments Of the native pop
! ulation. ordinary and extraordinary
and the records show that more thar
200 varieties of illness received atten.
ton.
Mexican Burial System.
! A few remarks about the burials (o1
which f1fty-fve were paid for by the