Western liberal. (Lordsburg, N.M.) 1887-1919, 1916-08-18
GUARDING HEALTH OF MIUTIAMEN
SURGEON-GENEWAL'S GREAT TASK
Col. Henry P. Birmingham, Who Made the Health Record With
10000 Men Of the Maneuver Division at San Antonio
Tells How II is Oone-Frst Obligation of Sanitary
Corps Is to Keep Men Fit for Duty.

New York.-The surgeon general OF
the United States army md his medi-
cal officers have suddenly had placed
upon them the additional responsible
ity for the health and physical well
fare of approximately 100000 men,
nearly All green and unseasoned. com
prlslng the members Of the National
Guard mObilized on account OF the
Mexican situation. How they are per
forming this new task Is a matter OF
deep concern to the relatives and
friends Of the Guardsmen.
The acting surgeon general is Col.
Henry r.. Birmingham. who kept the
camp Of the maneuver division OF
10000 men at San Antonio In . and
later the military expedition at Vera
Cruz free from contagion and the men
In better general health than is usual
Ga well-managed municipalities. To a
representative Of the New York Sun
he made the following statement:
'The first obligation upon the sanl-
tary corps Of the army is TO keep the
men In such physical condition that
they will be at all times ht for duty.
and since In the natural course of
things some may be expected to be III
aud I'm case OF war some Will be
wounded, provision must be made for
the care of the sick and the wounded
but prevention of disease and the
maintenance Of health are Of the first
military importance.
mo such loss from contagious as
that which developed during the Span
ish a can be repeated In any con-
centratiOn Of troops on u southern
borders or I'm state camps, although
the problem Of caring for the National
Guard troops, who know very little
about taking care OF themselves. Is
not easy Of solution. These men num-
her more than twice the whole mobile
army of regulars. and have had but
little experience in campaign life. Few
of them had camp service this year
before they were called to the federal
army and most Of them lacked sea-
soning and, in It's extended sense, dis
cipline.
For five years we have been engaged
I'm looking after troops along the south
ern borders we know the diseases we
must expect, and we are prepared to
meet them. If an epidemic breaks
out. or many men be taken seriously
iIl, II will be because green men under
inexperienced officers. with sanitary
companies containing many recruits
have neglected or failed to comply
with the orders and instructions Of tn,
federal sanitary officers.
Made Up Of Experts.
1.-THE regular army medical corps II
made up Of highly specialized physl
clans. surgeons and sanitarians. Mel
from all parts Of the country, grad
yates Of the best medical schools. re
ceIve %tentnntive appointments onl!
after winning them in competitive ex
aminations which test their profes
sional, physical and moral fitness ant
are open to all the profession who ar
below thirty years Of age. They mus
then take n special course In the Arm.
Medical school In administration, mil
itary sanitation. bacteriology and Othe
subjects before they receive their con
missions as United States medical OF
ficers. They have to serve with tn
forces in the field and by actual wor
with responsibility learn their profe'
sion.
Attached to each organization, rel
iment, brigade and division is a med
cal officer and staff responsible for tn
health OF the men Of that command
In addition are the ambulance con
panies, whose duty 1t is to gather I
the wounded and remove them to III
field hospital. "a evacuate II by reno
ing the wounded as soon as possibI
20 a base hospital and the field hosp
tails, whose work is to care for ii
sick or wounded and keep as close