South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1918-01-26
MORE LIGHT SHE'D
ON CAMP HEALTH
GOrgaS Says Clothing Short
age Not Big Factor in
EpidemiCS.
Associated Press Service

WASHINGTON. Jan. 25.-From
Surgeon Gen. Gorgas, the senate
military committee Friday sought
light upon health and sanitary con-
ditions in the army. resuming the
investigation suspended a few days
ago to present the reorganization
legislation about which centers the
committee row with the admins
tration.
Gen. GOrgas reiterated statements
made in his official reports 10 the
department. after d tour of iuspec-
ton, that the crOwding of men into
cantOnments and camps not ready
to receive them was largely respon-
sible foo the epidemics of disease
which have ragged at some of the
posts. He agreed with other Off
GERS who have preceded him on the
stand. however. as TO the necessity
for hurried training.
Would not it have been better TO
have waited until the environments
were ready?" asked Sen. Freling.
huysen.
From a physical standpoint,
yes the general replied. but I
think the training of these men
should not have been delayed"
Sanitation Conditions Improved.
Hospital construction was stopped
last summer that barracks might
be erected faster. he explained. ard
no camp hospital is complete now.
though sanitation conditions are
improving as shown by recent NOR
tally reports
Gen. Gorgas emphasized the need
for observation camps. the estab-
lishment of which is being consid-
cred. saying much sickness could
have been avoided had there been
such places where men reporting 1t
camp could be kept Il days.
While he said men should be
dressed i'm warm clothing, the gen
eral told the committee he did not
consider clothing shortages as inn
portant factors in the epidemic. ex-
planning that control or avoidance
of the germ was the principal point
TO be considered.
Approves Camp Sites.
Gen. Gorgas said he did not lack
authority and had not been inter-
fered with. He said he was not
consulted in the selection Of camp
sites but that with the exception
of Camp Funston, Kansas, all were
admirably located from sanitation
standpoint. Hospital plans are
drawn by his department, he said,
but that under a plan of decen-
tralization he had nothing to do
with selection of the place in camp
where hospitals are located
Sen. Wadsworth suggested that
lack of central power could be held
largely responsible for overcrowd-
ing and inadequate clothing sup
plies. He said he had been inform
ed that the war department eX-
pected 10 send the national guard
TO France before winter but had not
cooperated with the shipping board
70 the extent of requisitiOning tom
mage 10 send it across.
Questioned about hospital ships
Gen. Gorgas said the question had
been taken up by him seven or
eight months ago and was expecting
a decision every day. He had been
told il was decided that the navy
should collect these ships. 1t will
take from two to three months, he
said. to refit a transport so that 1t
could be used for a hospital ship.
The general described the extern
sive plans being made for army hos
pitfalls outside the camps. 1t is hoped.
he said, TO provide 100000 beds and
established hospitals have offered
the department. as many as 10000
besides.
Have Best of Doctors.
The 1900 physicians in the ser
vice. he declared, are ample 10 take
care of the men now under arms.
re said the army had the cream
of the profession and when Sen.
Weeks suggested civilian doctors
might have TO help out. Gen. Gorgas
said, the shoe is on the other foot
as army doctors might be called
upon to do the work OF civilians.
OF the new psychological board,
which is studying qualifications of
officers and men. the general said
he had little confidence in the sys-
tenn when first undertaken. but now
regarded il a really efficient asset
to the department.