Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1917-10-05
SICK PERCENTAGE
AT HANCOCK SMALL
Only Thirteen Men Out of
Every Thousand Require
Medical Attention
TRAINING IS HEALTHFUL
"Noncoms" to Be Recommended
4 at Once for Promotion as
Second L;eutenants

CAMP HANCOCK, Augusta, Ga, Oct. 5.
An average of only thirteen men out of
every thousand soldiers at Camp Hancock
require medical attention daily. This is an
abnormally low sick percentage and the
report which has been turned over to
Brigadier General Price, acting commander
of the Twenty-eighth Division, by Lieu
tenant Colonel Crookston, division surgeon,
is a source of much satisfaction to officers.
1t has a double significance it attests the
remarkable physical qualities Of the $4,000
Pennsylvanians composing the division and
the wisdom of selecting camp site such as
is offered on the sand hills above Augusta.
There is virtually no sickness in camp, says
Colonel Crookston. The majority of COM
plants are from major intestinal disorders
and 1t is regrettable they have to be listed
and spoil report that otherwise would be
almost fiawless Surgeons of the various
units have been watching closely the effects
of the rigorous physical training upon the
men and have agreed 1t is not too strenuous,
Early in the sixties medical officers dis
covered a soldiers heart" an affection
developing from overexercise and tending
to weaken cardiac muscles. Such plants
were noticeable principally in men who
were sent to the army from offices, men
who were unused to rough and tumble life
IN the field.
The division at Camp Hancock Is COM
posed of men of divergent occupations and
the surgeons have been anxious to see how
Nney WOulQ MlIntIdnQ tne DnySlCdl course.
There hasn't been a single case Of man
who suffered from calisthenics or arduous
work of the drills, said Colonel Crookston.
There was general stiffness among men
at first. but now they are limbered up and
we can't give them enough work
A number Of noncommissioned officers in
the infantry o. -ganizations Of the twenty
eighth division stand a chance of winning
commissions as second lieutenants immedi-
ateiy Brigadier General Price has stated
Ir will ~ "a War
before the end of the week a sufiicient num-
Der to fill the necessary complement of
tnnior lieutenants for the two brigades He
said the men would gain his recommenda-
tion solely on the ground OF meritorious
service.
mo social distinction will influence my
Recommendation" declared the General,
'sand wire pulling will do no good. / don't
intend that worthy boys be kept in the
ranks holding down noncommissioned jobs
while some fellow walks into a commission
through a political pull"
Captain Lee A. Stone. who will school the
division in gas defense, gave his first lecture
here 70 the ranking medical officers OF the
t1rious units.
Colonel H. c. Fisher, of the Medical
Corps. is inspecting the camp. Colonel
NIFher visited the camp about month ago
First Lieutenant ID. L. Houston, OF Gen
tral Prices stan. has gone TO Philadelphia
Oh leave Of absence. Lieutenant Houston
E.fFfd IN France as an American ambulanc,
1fIter<and was decorated by the French
HIIh thf war cross for distinguished work
oI1telt are selecting their mounts at III,
Ifn|o1ht station. A dark hay horse, about
{1< handa was selected for Brigadier Gen
&I1I Frederick w, Stllwell. commander Of
I||t FIfiy-nfth Infantry Brigade by FRS
lieutenant Randolph W. Chids, one Of IN.
4|19 The horse win 90 nameless until IN.
#&I develops an American naval hero. Gen,
E|H st|IINe|i has named his horses fol
navy Idols ana POW awaits some action b,
|4 #H<NN Meet Thar probably viii allow
| | H| H1It nan&I Dewey and