Middletown transcript. [volume] (Middletown, Del.) 1868-current, 1918-08-31
ARrIIi HEALTH RATE
BEST EVER KNOWN
DEATHS FROM DISEASE REMARK.
ABLY FEW, BOTH AT HOME
AND IN FOREIGN LANDS.
TWO NAVY HEROES ARE CITED

TWO NAVY HEROES ARE CITED
Rowed Through Flames to Tescue
Men From Burning Spanish Steam
ship-Work Of chiIdren's Year is
Proving Very Effective.
4 health rate which as far as known
has never been surpassed has been es-
tablished by the American armies both
here and overseas, according to re-
ports received by Surgeon General
GOrgaS.
For q recent week the combined re-
ports of the American expeditiOnary
forces and Of troops stationed in the
United States show an annual death
rate for disease of 10 per 1000, less
than two men per 1000 per year. The
annual death rate from disease of
men of military age in civil life is e.
per 1000.
This new rate is based on approx
mate strength of 2.5OO.OOO men, and
includes men living under abnormal
conditions. The overseas record was
made while American soldiers were
participating in the heavy fighting in
the Marine salient. when they were
compelled frequently to sleep and eat
antIer the most primitive conditions.
That this record is truly representa-
five of the general health Of the troops
Is shown by the combined reports
which indicate the figure Of % per
1900 as the average death rate from
disease during the past two months.
An idea Of the progress being made
In military sanitation is gained by
comparison with the following: During
the Mexican war the annual death rate
from disease was 100 per 1000. Dur
ing the American Civil war the rate
in 1862 was 40 per 1000. while during
1863 the rate jumped to GO per 1000.
The disease death rate for the Spanish
American war was Is per 1000. AS
far as available records show the low
rSt figure heretofore recorded was 20
rr 1000 during the RussO-Japanese
war.
Two men of the American navy
proved themselves heroes and won
roumendation from Secretary Dam
ic.s for the rescue Of seven men from
.ic burning Spanish steamship Seran-
trS July IL last. They IRE William E.
King. seaman. and Clarence F. Ready,
Sarlinist's mate. second class, U. S.
N. II, f., Of the U. s. S. Isis.
The two men took the port launch
ef the Isis to the side of the burning
ship and rescued from the burning
tOrrcaStIa seven men who were
htsnmed in by flames and who were
Go panic stricken t~:ump into the wa
ter.
The launch's trip to the Serantes
MAS made through an area Of burning
e. s,line and the rescuers were in con-
slant and imminent peril. Their COM
WaRt'ing officer reports that the con-
iIct Gf King and Ready during this
!iale Was cool and courageous. They
I,ss,i'ably owe their own lives and the
i've. of those they rescued to their
steady nerves and cool judgment. Their
ssxnlncntiation was for bravery and
their initiative in undertaking the res
cue.
III" army general staff has complet-
ct plans for expansions at some OF
the camps ard changes at training cen
tors. Additional! plans are being
worked out and will be put into ef-
feet
Camp Hancock, Georgia, is to be a
Rlnci,ne gun center and will be en-
hsgcd to accommodate between $1,000
ant, $4,000 men. The officers training
school now housed in tents at this
ramp will be provided for in barracks
xIal quarters similar to those at other
environments. These improvements
~niSislc of enlargement of the camp,
VIII cost about S-,OUU,UUO.
II has been decided to make Camp
Grant an infantry replacement camp
to accommodate between $1,000 and
e0.0D men. The present capacity of
this camp is about $4,000. The altera-
sicns and changes necessary will he
m.sde after the division now located
,i.ere has been removed.
Field artillery firing centers are to
be located at West Point, Ky. Camp
Jackson. S. c.. and Fayetteville, N. c.
Ox,sions on sufficient land for this pur-
posc have been secured d: all these
places. 1t is planned to locate six
hFigades at Fayetteville. six ut West
Pain, and four at Jackson.
Z. has been decided also to erect |
yx.rxaanent buildings for the officers
trimming schools at present housed in
tents at Camps Lee. Gordon and Pike. |
These schools have a capacity OF about |
5000 men. The estimated cost of |
these improvements is about $GOOO,-
GO.
Az q result of the immediate and |
growing needs Of the army for trained |
Nurxcs. Miss Jane A. Delano. director |
sf the department Of nursing OF the
Red Cross. has sent an appeal for en-
6xtnents from this years graduating |
Glasses ut 5000 nurse training institu-
li0Hs throughout the country. 1t is
expected that about 1900 students |
will 10 nratlllated rs nurses between |