The Denison review. [volume] (Denison, Iowa) 1867-current, 1918-04-17
DOCTORS MAXIM,
DETERMINED FIGHT
Noted Physicians Are Determined te
Locate the Source and Stop Pneu.
monia at Camp Dodge
FARMERS TO GET FURLoUGHs


FARMERS TO GET FURLoUGHs
Those Having Pressing Agricultural
Duties Viii Assist at Home Dur .
ing Planting Season.
DIVISION HEADQUARTERS, Camp
Dodge, April 15-(Special to the Re-
view)-While there is nothing alarm
ing on account of the scourge OF pneu-
monia that is prevalent at Camp Dodge
nevertheless most determined fight
is being made to ascertain the source
of the disease and to this end the
most noted physicians in the United
States are battling with the deadly
visitor. AS stated in previous letter
the large number OF cases of pneu-
monia are attributed to the dusty con.
lition of the camp. No rain of any
consequence has fallen since the fer
tile farms along the Beaver were con-
verted into the abode of thousands OF
men last fall. The only real wetting
the ground has received was from q
snow fall in February. That was be-
fore the frost was out OF the ground
and only the surface was thoroughly
wet. Grass seed has been sOWn over
all of the loose, hare ground ana
sprinkling from innumerable hose noz-
zles will soon convert the dust centers
into beautiful lawns. 1t is believed
that the dust element as far as 1t may
contribute toward the presence OF
pneumonia has been eliminated.
Two noted specialists have Joined
the medical corps at the base hospital
Capt. George L. Bates has been order
ed from FIT. Riley as division tuber-
culosis specialist. Capt. Kent f. Will.
iams has also been ordered from Ft
Riley for duty.
Every precaution possible is taken
to prevent the further spread OF pneu-
monia, which caused some twenty
deaths the past week. Wards are all
under quarantine. Caps and gowns
and masks are worn by every person
who enters the wards, visitors not ex'
cepted. Doctors put on freshly steri-
lized clothing before entering each
separate ward. Thousands OF pneu.
monia masks are being made in Red
Cross work rooms throughout the
country for use In the contagion wards
OF military hospitals.
The masks consist of several lay
ers OF gauze with tape at the four
corners and are tied over the nose and
mouth. They are 'sterilized each time
before they are used. Sheets are hung
between every bed. When a patient
reaches the stage where he is able to
walk again he is also given mask.
The nurses are girls who have been
especially selected for this work after
years OF training. They are patrl'
otic and are willing to sacrifice; other
wise they would not be willing to re-
linquish better salaries to serve in the
military hospitals.
Mai. F. G. Todd, commanding the
base hospital at Camp Dodge, says:
IN the pneumonia ward where our
worst cases are confined, it is almost
impossible to pass down the length OF
the room without being moved to tears
when one sees the tender care which
is given these terribly sick boys
some Of whom, perhaps, may never re-
cover. All our nurses have the smile
habit and it is the most contagious
thing In the hospital. Its value is i'll
estimable."
Major Todd says it would be i'm
possible to establish system OF care
taking and supervision in a civilian
hospital equal to that maintained III
military hospitals in the United States.
In every ward besides corps Of
nurses, there is a ward surgeon and
his assistants who are constantly III
touch with the most minute develop.
ments of each case. Over three wards
there is another supervising surgeon
who is so assigned because OF sheer
professional ability. In addition sur.
geons are appointed to manage groups
Of wards. BY this system Oversights
and mistakes are practically lmpOs-
sible.
inspection Required.
Orders issued at headquarters of the
Eighty.eighth division at Camp Dodge
provide for the inspection of all Y. NJ.
c. A., Knights Of Columbus and other
buildings OF like nature, for sanitary
defects. Surgeons Of organizations
within whose areas these buildings are
located make these inspections.
Every civilian employed in the camp
has been ordered inOculated with ty-
phoid serum.
About 400 soldiers at Camp Dodge
attending the officers training school
will have completed the work April
10Th. They will not be given commits
sions Immediately, but will remain for
time as privates. According to re-
port ut headquarters it will be but
short time before they are commits
stoned.
Col. r. b. Parrott is in charge of the
school.
Furioughs for Farmers.
Orders have been received at Camp
Dodge making it possible for those
having pressing agricultural duties on
hand to get furloughs during the busy
planting or harvesting season. The
application for a furlough must come
from the applicant himself, or from
relatives even though his services may
be needed by some one not related.
The soldier while on furlough must be
paid the customary farm wage. but
his nay as soldier is stopped during
such furlough except enough to keep
UP his insurance and Liberty bond
payments. A list of questions must
be answered by the person making ap-
~wl1