Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1916-07-23

back to the base hospital a. soon -
this can be favorably done. In every
case this will be done as promptly as
possible that the field hospital may fol-
low close to the mobile troops.
II the army should be engaged IN Q
hard country. such. for instance, A. the
tableiands OF northern Mexico. rough
and arid. because there Is SO great heat
and so little water. motors will sup
plant the horse-drawn ambulances now
used by the army. In many instances
the streams are long days march
eighteen miles apart-and the process
of slowly taking the wounded by horse
such a journey is unmerciful COM
pared with rushing them. even II the
road be rough, in motors to the base
hospital
Aside from the saving In time and
pain, the motor ambulance will take
the place Of four or six horses or mules
at the vehicle and double that number
required for the ambulance onicers and
attendants.
In an extremely sanguinary conflict
many surgeons more than those now
in the regular army and those already
connected with the militia would be
needed. The surgeon generals bureau
six years ago forsaw the need OF pre-
paredness in this respect. and then
and there got busy. They knew that
medical and surgical men are always
ready to help those in need of their
skill. and the military surgeons called
upon their civilian brothers to form q
medical reserve to cooperate with
them in emergency.
Their confidence was not misplaced:
responses came from all parts Of the
country, and today over 1000 surgeons
are ready to answer the call. They
have taken the required examinations:
shown their fitness and received their
appointments. They number some OF the
brightest of the younger men and some
of the best known in their profession.
Any organization which carries on the
lists the names Of Able. Mayo. Murphy.
Brewer, Coe and a number OF others
in all branches of the profession pre-
sents a guarantee of it's soundness
In event of a call these are the men
whose experience and skill are assured
to supplement the military surgeons in
caring for sick and wounded. II will.
in view of the nature of any threatened
conflict, probably be unnecessary to
call upon this reserve: but 1t serves
to show how thoroughly the army is In
this respect prepared to care for the
guardsmen who have gone into the fed
eral service
For each divisional or base hospital.
under the United States Army system.
there are four field hospitals and four
ambulance companies Each ambulance
company will contain twelve motor am
balances. one motor repair wagon and
two baggage motor cars.
The purchase OF these cars at this
time in this hasty way is not eco
nomical. but Uncle Samuel" when he
wakes up to the need of a thing. Is
very liberal with his money. However.
the people who pay the bill need not
fear extortions from the dealers. Care
full investigation finds nothing but
willingness to deal on fair basis.
The European war has made high
prices for all articles needed by an
army. but beyond the artificial value
created by the abnormal demand there
is no tendency on the mapufacturert
part to extort fancy prices. Motor am
balances will cost far more purchased
now than they would have a couple Of
years ago. and more now, because they
will be purchased under contract for
rush delivery. but they may be needed
for some of the young guardsmen. and
therefore they will be bought with
rush orders attached.
Medical and surgical supplies have
been accumulated for a reserve sum-
needed for six months. and in that time
il any additional amounts should be
required they can easily be secured,
but. at a high cost for some Of the in
dispensable drugs costing. prior to 1914.
a few cents a pound now can be bought
only for as many dollars.
Not only has the sanitary corps of the
regular army had experience in dealing
with difficult health situations in Cuba,
Porto Rico and the Philippines. but for
the past five years 1T has been looking
after the health of military bodies all
along the Rio Grande. 1t knows those
places their food products. their insects
and their diseases and how to prevent
them or. at worst. to cure them. In
event of trouble these same officers will
direct the campaign for sound health.
health 80
The'-p.hoie situation may be summed
up in this way: The regular army san
itary organizations are prepared for
any probable emergency. The sanitary
companies from the militia troops will
be well equipped. will contain excellent
men: but lacking a large military ex-
perience, such as those of the regular
army have.