The Lakeland evening telegram. (Lakeland, Fla.) 1911-1922, 1918-01-21
GORGAS.
The Base Hospital,
Camp Bowie,

Camp Bowie,
Fort Worth, Tex, Dec. 3, 1917.
From: The Surgeon General of the
Army.
To: The Chief of Staff, War Depart
ment, Washington.
Subject: Conditions Thirty-sixth Divi-
sion, Camp Bowie, Tex.
/. We have had in this camp during
the past month Al deaths from pneu-
monia with 400 cases admitted.
About 1900 cases of measles in the
same length of time. The causes of
this condition are much the same as
in the other camps reported upon.
The great number of cases of measles
is due to the fact that the men come
from the sparsely settled States Of
Texas and Oklahoma and have not
had measles in childhood but the
basic cause is due to the overcrowd-
ing of the camp. We have at present
nine men to a tent. | recommend
that the division commander be di-
rected to furnish sufficient accommo-
dations so that each man will be al
lowed so feet of floor space. This
would give not more than five men to
a tent
g Measles and other epidemic dis.
eases are introduced into these camps
by cases being brought by the incom
ing troops. To provide against this an
observation camp should be estab
lished, where all newcomers could be
kept under observation for at least
ii days, and no new men should be
placed in general camp until it is free
from infection. | recommend that the
division commander be directed to es'
tablish such observation camp and
that no fresh men be sent in until he
is ready to receive them under the
above instructions.
3. The command, until recently, has
had nothing but their summer cloth
ling. This has caused great deal of
discomfort and probably increased the
tendency to pneumonia, Most of the
command has recently been issued
wooden underclothing, and am in
formed that the thick clothing for the
whole command is now in camp, with
the exception of overcoats, and are in
process of being issued. | urged expe-
diting the forwarding of overcoats as
rapidly as possible.
A. The base hospital is in an unfin-
ished condition; no water in the hos
pital, no plumbing or sewer connec-
ton. With the large number of pa
tients in this institution this lack of
water plumbing, and sewer connec-
ton causes serious inconvenience to
, the sick and increases greatly the bur.
den of caring for them l recommend
that telegraphic instructions be sent
to the division commander at once to
put in plumbing, water and sewer
connection. l also recommend that
telegraphic instructions be sent to put
in electric cookers in the diet kitchens
in all of the wards.
5. | met by appointment last night
the governor of Texas and the health
officer of the State. They made sew
eral criticisms of conditions which
thought were justified, but they were
satisfied, | think, when l pointed out
the impossibility of meeting in all re
spects the conditions that have beer
suddenly forced upon us and that we
were trying in every way to correct
these conditions. A copy of the rec
concentrations of Gov Hobby, ad
dressed to the division commander
was furnished me at our interview
which is inclosed herewith.
6. There is a great deal of uneasi
ness and criticism among the people
with regard to conditions here, which
are worse from a sanitary point Of
view than in any of the camps l have
visited.
! z. l think the recommendations
have made will tend to correct the
existing sanitary errors, but l can moi
urge too strongly that they be put in
to effect at once. The camp site and
surroundings are all that can be de
sired. The troops and general condi
tons are good, with the exception Of