The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1916-03-20
DISEASE
Medical Corps at Front Wag-
ing ITS Own Battle.
Soldiers Vaccinated Against
Typhus and Smallpox.

Columbus, N NJ, March 2O.-In-
creased activity on the part of the
troops stationed here and the arrival
during. the night of a number of
troop and supply trains, indicated to-
day additional forces shortly Will be
on their way to augment the punitive
American eXpeditionary force now in
the field in Mexico
One of the problems which the COM
missary department has been striving
desperately to solve is that of food
supplies. For several years the in
ternal strife practically has stifled the
agricultural interests in that district
through which the American troops
are passing. AS a result neither food
for the men nor forage for the ami
mails can be obtained in Mexico and
must be transported from here The
large motor trucks, the equipping of
which has occupied military and
civilian mechanics for two days, were
ready for service today. The addi-
tionaI hospital and signalling devices
were also to be ready for service.
One Tubs Cents a Plunge.
Indications that a number of de-
tachments stationed here expect to
move shortly, were noticeable by the
increased amount of outgoing mails
handled by the local postoffice and
the large demands on the part of SOL
dierS for baths The only bath tub
in the town for which a charge of IS
cents a half hour is maintained is kept
busy all day and night.
Major w. r. Sample, commandant
here, kept in wireless communication
with General Pershing's forces. In
structions have ben issued that not
only communications sent out by
newspaper correspondents must be
censored, but also those of officers
and men of the army and those of the
civilian population of Columbus.
I -ieal
day for a cantonment hospital. The
hospital is to cooperate with the field
hospital and ambulance companies
now with the expeditionary force and
with the base hospital at FL Paso.
Test Desert Water.
Nor has the possibility of members
of the expedition becoming infected
with the diseases been overlooked.
Every soldier has been Vaccinated
against smallpox and given the early
prophylaxis treatment to prevent
typhoid fever. Especial attention also
is being given by army medical Off
GERS to prevent typhus. Medical Of
ficers with the troops are taking thor
ough sanitary measures at each stop
ping place and all water supplies are
being tested for traces of poison
The troops here were so busily en-
gagged in preparations for eventuaIities
that religious services yesterday were
impossible. There were no chaplains
in camp, all available religious off
GERS having been taken with the ex-
petition.
The aeroplane squad was kent busy
throughout the early part of the DAY
making practice flights. There was no
indication, however, as when the
planes will leave to join the troops in
the field.
Censor News Dispatches
Among the radiograms received
over the army wireless, were the first
news dispatches from correspondents
with the force. Although they had
been censored by General Pershing
they were censored again here, then
were relayed directly to the news or
ganization, the correspondents sta
toned here being refused permission
to examine them. Five additional cor
respondents today were accredited to
the expeditionary force and left under
the escort of lieutenant to join the
! forces now in Mexico