Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1916-04-28

'rYou hear a great deal about the de-
structive work of the soldier, just as you
spoke, a moment ago. Let me tell you
something in a few words with reference
to the constructive and self-saving work
which has really been a principal func-
ton since the close Of the Spanish War;
and it was one Of the principal activities
during that war.
start with Porto Rico. We find that
principally due to the efforts of a medi-
cal officer of the Army. Major Ashford,
tropical anaemia or hook worm disease
has been about eliminated. Not only was
this discovery of value in Porto Rico but
it was made use of through our own
southern states with the result Of re-
vitalizing and re-energizing hundreds and
thousands of people afflicted with this
dreadful disease. The annual death rate
in Porto Rico alone was reduced to a
number exceeding the total number OF
men killed during the Spanish War and \
recent inquiry made of all planters in
the land with reference to their workers
indicate in their opinion the average in
crease in efficiency as 60 per cent.
Passing on to Cuba where we find the
wonderful discovery of Major Walter
Reed and his associates which resulted in
the discovery and means of controlling
yellow fever and the elimination of that
dread disease not only from Cuba but
from all America, with the result OF a
saving in life which runs into many
thousands every year and saving IN
money so vast it is difficult to estimate
it for the disease of yellow fever with
the consequent quarantine which tied up
number of men and materials through
| the entire South limiting the number OF
ships coming from Yellow Fever coun-
| tries and the costly disinfectants resulted
| in an expenditure running into hundreds
| of millions. 1t is safe to say that the
saving from yellow fever alone every
| year in lives and money has exceeded by
! far the cost of each of the Spanish wars
and the Philippine Rebellion.
| "In the Philippines splendid sanitary
work has been done by the army and
! leaders for the civil government under
control of the army. Beri beri. one of the
most dreaded of eastern diseases, has
been done away with. And this was done
by the army under Major Chamberlain
an officer from the good old State OF
Maine Thousands and thousands of lives
! N-->
| workmen has been increased, from all re.
ports received from different officials
from 50 to 10 per cent.
malaria has been brought under con-
troll and infant mortality has been halved
And nearly all of this work has been done
under army doctors. In Panama we see
the direct effect of this work in the com
pletion Of the Panama Canal. This great
and splendid piece of engineering, re-
markable as it is from an engineering
standpoint and conducted with wonderful
efficiency by General Goethals and his
assistants could not have been brought
about had it not been for the application
by General Gorgas of the result Of the
sanitary discovery made in Cuba, which
made it possible to continue on this great
work.
THE same is true in regard to typhoid
| fever. Today it is practically eliminated
in the army and that has become true
over all the United States and from re-
ports which we receive from the Euro
pean war typhoid fever has been prac-
tically obliterated, due to discoveries
made by what some people consider the
destructive work of the soldier.