Evening journal., 1918-10-23
PNEUMONIA SPREAD
CHECKED BY SERUM
Army Surgeons at Dix
Highly Gratified With Re-
suits of Experiments
NO LIQUOR AS CURE,
FOR THE MALADY

CAMP DIX, n. j., oct. 23.-The vac
cine treatment, as a preventive OF
pneumonia, adopted here experiment.
ally by the Government during the re-
cent epidemic, when pneumonia COM
plicated many influenza cases, is dem
0nstrating it's real value. Judging from
early records Of soldiers who have been
inoculated. The Medical Department
offered the treatment free TO any sol
diers volunteering for the experiment.
In the camp, $3.50 officers and enlisted
men have taken the treatment and at
the base hispital $50 members Of the
Medical Corps. In this total OF t0,iS0,
not one case OF pneumonia has devel-
0ped, despite the fact that this disease
has also been epidemic here. While
medical officers say the treatment is
still too much in an experimental stage
to draw definite conslusions, they are
delighted with this record and Lieu
tenant Colonel Beery, camp surgeon, IL
planning TO renew the offer Of treatment
this week for at least another 10000
soldiers.
The vaccine treatment has not been
adopted as a cure of pneumonia and
is given, as a preventive measure5 only
to men I'm perfect health. Surgeons
say that in the treatment Of more
than 10000 soldiers there has been no
serious reaction and that It's reacting
effects are much milder than those
following inOculations against typhoid.
Should the experience of this and other
camps prove cOnclusively the value OF
the pneumonia vaccine this third "shot"
will probably be added to the anti
typhoid and anti-smallpox treatment
now given recruits.
Congressional Investigation OF the al
legged disloyal activities Of liquor inter
ests will find a sensational feature I'm
connection with stories circulated
through New Jersey and nearby States
TO the effect that soldiers here were
piled with liquor by army surgeons
during the recent influenza epidemic, |
both as a preventive and cure for the /
plague. Major General Scott COM I
mander Of the camp, issued an en- /
phatio denial Of the widely circulated (
stories; officers Of the camp branded /
them as a new and pernicious form OF
propaganda designed both
to undermine civil faith In the military /
which have made all camps |
dry zones. and TO weaken the morale
OF the soldiers themselves, while hos
pital authorities produced records to
show that during the entire epidemic |
not a drop Of whisky was prescribed
for patients here.
The favorlte story OF the propa-
gandists was TO the effect that the MIL
itary authorities had conflscated large |
quantities OF liquor In Philadelphia and |
in New Jersey towns and were rushing
it TO Camp Dix by the carload to be /
given soldiers stricken with influenza. |
Wholesale liquor dealers In nearby |
towns, who remained open despite the /
by the State Board OF Health /
closing saloons, also are said to have
used the story extensively In promoting
trade among epidemic-fearlng GUS
toners.
In issuing an official denial OF the
stories Major General Scott declared
hem lies without even a semblance OF
as no liquor whatever had
,een brought into Camp Dix. He d.
ected attention 90 base hospital rec s
rds TO show that whisky and other in
oxicants are now taboo In the treat 3
nent OF all diseases.
In announcing to the Adiutant Cen
raj the lifting OF the quarantine on
amp Dix, Major General Scott pays a
Ilgh tribute to The surgeons, orderlies {
nd nurses who fought the epidemic 4
lere. 81 desire at this time to signify
ny high appreciation Of the services c
endered by the officers. men and
,urses Of the medical department dur 5
ng this epidemic" he says. ~ tre- B
nendOus responsibility was thrown y
suddenly upon them; they have one and
al labored tirelessly day and night
md have met It in a spirit Of most adj a
mirable seif-sacriilce with skill and
which has the admiration ,
Of all.
So well is the situation in hand here
that during the 2i hours preceding the
lifting OF the quarantine there was not
a patient suffering with influenza adj
mtted to the base hospital.