New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1916-08-30
GUARD In PERIL
OF PARATYPHOID
Seven Cases of Disease
Are Found Among the
Troops at Mission.
[By Telegraph TO The Trlbun. ]


Headquarters Sixth Division, L. S.
A., McAllen. Tex, Aug. 29.-Seven cases
of paratyphoid have developed in the
camps Of the New York division at Mis-
sion, six miles west Of McAllen. The
situation is engaging the closest atten-
ton of Lieutenant Colonel w. s. Terri
berry, division surgeon, although para
typhoid is entirely distinct from ty-
phoid and under such conditions as
prevail here has a mortality of only
2 or 3 per cent.
Colonel Terriberry to-day made the
following report to Major General
Organ regarding the situation:
According to reports received from
the Southern Department, there was
one case of paratyphoid in an enlisted
man Of the 2sth Infantry, L. S. A., at
Mission in the month Of April, 1915;
one case in May, civilian teamster
employed by the quartermaster. There
were no cases in June or July.
"Since August there have been four
cases in the 14th Infantry, one case in
the 69th Infantry, and by telegraphic
reports from the base hospital (Ssn
Antonio) yesterday, ] am informed
there are two cases there from the
18th.
Seek to Prevent Epidemic.
"This disease is similar to typhoid
fever. but milder. The incubation
against typhoid is without effect in pre-
venting paratyphoid. Up to the pres
ent time, no vaccine has been devised
that will prevent it. All cases showing
rise in temperature, the cause OF
which cannot be exactly determined,
are being forwarded to the base hos
pital. where a complete and accurate
diagnosis can be made, by reason of the
laboratory facilities at that point. No
cases have appeared at McAllen or
Pharr."
Colonel Terriberry has taken the
most complete precaution against the
spread of paratyphoid to McAllen and
Pharr, where all the New York troops,
except the Cd. 14th and seth Infantries,
the I'd Field Hospital and headquarters
Of the First Brigade, are stationed. lt
is believed an unknown carrier of para
typhoid is employed at Mission in some
work, where he handles food or drink,
and every effort is being made to lind
him so he may be isolated.
Soldiers Carefully Watched.
The soldiers are being carefully ex-
amined. Twenty-Five patients who had
developed temperatures of 101 degrees
for causes not positively Identified were
sent to San Antonio to-day to establish
the nature of the fever. Fifteen other
such cases had already been sent. Two
cases of paratyphoid were found.
The regiments Of infantry not sta
toned at Mission are all going through
that town on the hikes now under way.
Each regiment spends eight or nine
hours there, in which the men are given
the freedom of the town. The precau
lions are made more rigorous on this
account.
A laboratory is being installed in the
base hospital here, which has been put
into partial use. A regular army sur
geon will be in charge of it and By the
end of this week the test for para
typhoid can be made here.
The 18th Infantry marched TO Mis-
sion this morning on the start Of its
hike. 1t made the best first day show
ing yet, only one man dropping out.
Colonel Gordon Johnston held his men
to the strictest road discipline. At
Mission he found all the company COM
manders of the I'd and Sd battalions
had not inspected the food before It
was served Those that had neglected
this were ordered confined to camp for
the remaining ten days Of the hike and
Majors William f.. Downs and Henry +.
Ouackenbos, commanding these two
battalions, will stay in camp with the
captains.
More Officers Resign.
Colonel Frank II. Norton brought
the 23d into McAllen from Pharr this
morning, with the loss OF but two men
from the ranks during the march. The
Eth went 10 Young's Ranch to-day, the
furthest north of the route. It's show
ing has been fine.
designations Of officers under the
pressure of business conditions con-
tinue. Captain Philip A. Sayles, Com
panv b. 18th, went home to-day. Ma
Tors Frederick W. Baldwin and Charles
+. Hader. of the l4th, have put IN
their designations. effective Septem-
ber /. Captain William R. Jackson,
adiutant Of the l4th, has been noml-
mated for Major Baldwin's place.