Evening star., 1914-11-17
Death Rate. However, Is High
eF. Surgeon General Gorgas
Shows in Report.
TYPHOID STAMPED OUT:
ALCOHOLISM DECREASES
Shortage OF Mobile Hospital Units
Termed Glaring Defect in Or
ganization.

According 10 Surgeon General ". 9.
Gorgas. in his first annual report. the
health of the United States Army last
year was better than ever before. He
saws that the constantly non effective
rate is the true index of the loss of ef-
tici,ncy of the army from disease and
injury This rate indicates the aver
age number OF men in each 1000 inca
pacitated for duty each day during the
year For the American army in 1913
tie rate was 1897, the lowest rate re-
corded for our army. Comparing the
non effective rate for disease only for
troops in the United states. 1861, with
ne best previous rate of the army,
which was 1913. in 1896. there is re-
durtion of over &c per cent. This rate
is highest in the Philippines. o6.s4, and
lowest in Alaska. 913
Death Rate Higher.
Tu- death rate is slightly higher than
for last year. the increase being due to
the accident to the coast artillery COM
panies. wrecked while travelling. at
Rarrows creek, Mississippi. October u,
J0i:: with seventeen deaths
Sr4tistical statements show that typhoid
fever virtually had been stamped out :
.I,y time in the arrny's history. and that
in suite. OF the large number OF men on
duty in southern latitude :he malarlai
fever rate was the lowest since 1898,
when American troops were first per
,nanertlv stationed in the tropics.
Special attention was D6id by the sur
.-eon general 10 the high hygienic stand
ard maintained i'll camp where a con-
siderable part of the amy had TO live
curing the year.
Lacks Mobile Hospital Units.
shortage Of mobile hospital units was
poir,ted TO as 4 slarine defect in the
aruy's organization. "Our present per-
sonnel.'' said the report permits only
one-half of the regular army in the heid
TO lee served by the sanitary units pre-
,crineG by field service regulations In
view OF the great battle losses TO De ex-
pected IN modern wars, 1t is a serious
responsibility TO rely upon improvlsed
units that must serve at the front.
Gen ,iorgas urged the adoption of a
CosnDrchensive plan for keeping medfcai
officers abreast Of the times in their pro-
fessiou. and also the reorganization of
the Hospital Corps.
Local Institutions.
Regarding two local Institutions.
SURGEON General Gorgas says:
The Army Medical School occupies 4
rented building in the city OF Wash
ington, al rental of $3.50 per annum-
As il il one OF the permanent service
schools il would he much more eco
uornical as we'll as more fitting and
convenient, for II to be housed in
buildings erected by the government
1t is proposed TO locate these on the
tract of land Occupied by the Walter
Reed General Hospital. so that the stu
dents may have the clinical advantages
ana the instruct ion in administration
afforded by the hospital, and that the
hospital may enjoy the laboratory con-
Veniences of the school These build
ines are estimated to cost $780,
The Walter Reed General Hospital
is one of four general hospitals, and is
located in the District of Columbia. 1t
is one of the most Important, and is
used for the treatment OF officers, re-
tired officers. patients from Washington
barracks, enlisted men. special cases,
observation of patients under consider
atIor for discharge on account of dis
ability, and for the education of stu
dents attending the Army Medical
School. New buildings and additions
have been erected from tIne TO time. A
new oue-Story ward has lately been
added 70 the west end of this hospital,
and a similar ward is now being added
10 the east end. These two ward wings
require additional stories on each to
complete them. The additional room is
necessary. and these improvements are
estimated TO cost $4,000.