Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1914-04-23
PREPARE TO CARE
FOR The INJURED
Army and Navy Medical
Branches Complete Plans in
Event of Long War.
RED CROSS ALSO READY
Has $500 Trained Nurses Enrolled
for Service-Wili Make National
Plea for Money.

medical department of the army, the
medical bureau of the navy and the
Red Cross are prepared for action in
event of war.
Statements to this effect We're made
today by Supreme General Gorgas of
the army, Surgeon General BREASTED of
the navy, and Miss Mabel Boardman,
chairman of the Red Cross.
There viii be no repetition of the
epidemics of typhoid and other dis
eases which characterized the Spanish
American war volunteer camps.
The three diseases which under old
conditions would scourge any camps
are yellow fever, malarial fever, and
typhoid fever. But under the new con-
ditions, resulting chiefly from the work
of General Gorgas in the canal zone,
the medical department of the army
is prepared to fight and rout these dis
eases with efficiency equal to that of
the line on fighting and routing any
foe.
Typhoid Preventive for Soldiers.
Should the president issue a Jall for
volunteers, every man who is accepted
into the army will be efven the typhoid
prophylactic. This is an absolutely
certain preventive against a typhoid
epidemic.
During the Spanish-American war
there were more than 10000 cases of
typhoid in the army camps and be-
tween 1000 and 5000 deaths. The
deaths from typhoid exceeded the num-
Der killed and wounded in the field.
Yellow fever is the most dangerous
of all Mexican fevers. Yet the army
surgeons and physicians are not afraid
of it. General Gorgas' study in the
canal zone convinced him that yellow
fever can be stamped out anywhere.
The disease is spread by mosquitoes.
The mosquitoes are active chiefly al
night. The use of nets when the men
are sleeping or in camp at night will
prevent yellow fever. 1t has done so
in the Philippines, and it will do so
if the army is ordered into Mexico.
Malaria also is spread by the mos
quitoes and the same preventive works
against them.
Will Have Sanitary Camps.
Sanitary regulations for the camps
will be the same as have been en- |
ployed on the Texas borders. They |
assure not only convenience, but COM
fort for the men.
In case of battle the wounded are |
first picked up from the field if they !
can be reached by litter bearers. They
are carried to dressing and ambulance |
where they are treated. The |
slightly wounded are treated on the |
ield, and, if able, are returned to the |
iring line Those needing further at
ention are taken to the stations. There
after treatment, if able to return to the
iring line, they are sent back. If not,
hey are taken to the fed hospitals
made up of tents. Those who are una
lie to return to the colors are sent to
he rear hospitals and then to their
zones or to safer places if they can
tot resume work.
OF necessity, the dead are buried on
he field CT action, but the graves are
marked so the bodies MAJ be removed
ater.
nto the field. the militia surgeons will
e pressed into service. Also the med
cal reserve corps of about 1000 viii
e available for field work. Other sur
cons and physicians will be received
n examination and commissioned for
ctive field work.
Navy to Follow Suit.
In the navy similar procedure is
ollowed with regard to the treatment
men wounded. First aid is given
lie wounded on the warships and then
S soon as the cessation of action per
hts, they are removed to port hospi
rs. and, if there 1t develops they can
OF return to their ships shortly, they
re carried to base hospitals. which
re located at the naval bases of the
nited States.
The Red Cross is fully prepared to
i'd the medical department of the
rmy in Mexico on a moments notice.
ccording to Miss Boardman, who said
er organization can put $500 nurses
the field Immediately.
The American Red Cross is fortu-
ately equipped today with over $500
,rvice." Miss Boardman said today,
md the number required for war
it'll Mexico can be Immediately mobil-
ed. From among the ,arge number
men especially instructed In first
d an adequate corps of hospital or
rifles can be quickly procured
I'm the event of serious develop
ents between the United States and
exico the Red Cross will take steps
organize reserve hospitals in the
nited States. to which the sick and
ounded could be brought.
Under the circumstances 1t may be
visable for the Red Cross TO supply
o hospital ships. one for the army
d one for the navy. The medical per-
mel OF these ships would be organ
ID along the same Eies OF the re.
rye hospitals"