Evening star., 1918-08-25
Official History of Americas Part in the War

America :
There Is at present in existence a set
of books dealing with the medical
history Of the civil war. which was
complied by medical authorities of
that time. This work has been of
emphasize the necessity of making a
separate work OF the medical and sur
gical phase OF this war.
Specialists in various lines of medi-.
cine and surgery. including all the
new aspects which have entered into
this war. have been detailed to care
for the various branches which the
work will embrace. The volumes on
the medical and surgical history of
the civil war treat that conflict from
both the standpoint of a general his
tory OF the medical situation and the
technical aspects Of all questions per-
tanning to the care and treatment of
diseases wounds. etc.
In the PRONUNCIATION of this work
circulars have been issued by the
surgeon generals Office to base hos
pitfalls for the purpose of securing
medical and surgical material which
Will be of value In the completed his
tory. In addition. accounts are to be
sent In OF such epidemics or group
diseases. or unusual surgical cases as
may occur. BY this method 1t will be
possible to accumulate much material
or great value during the actual
hghting OF the war. instead of having
to resort to files at its conclusion.
~
In addition arrangements have been
completed for taking care OF material
of historical interest accumulated on
the western front and in Italy while
friendly relations have been estab-
lished with the military authorities
controlling the medical history OF the
war in Great Britain. France and Eng
land.
This division has since September.
cerning the movement of preventable
disease. based upon telegraphic re-
ports made to the division Of sanita-
tion from the thirty-one separate can
tonments. This material will be made
first installment of the history Of
mobilization of the United States
Army.
One of tll. most active branches Of
the Signal Corps Is that pertaining to
the compilation of.a pictorial history
of the war This work, already well
under way. Is at present in process
tional corps Of photographers. Men
are trained for this work at the Signal
Corps School Of Photography at Co.
lumbia University. New York city.
The work of the Signal Corps is the
actual taking Of all such pictures as
may have any value in pictorial his
tory Of the war.
In addition to writing the history
OF the war the historical division OF
the general STAFF is also making a
collection Of photographs. These. in
most most instances, are photographs
the public is being kept in touch with
the conflict in Europe tas well. as the
training Of men In this country by
means OF pictures many Of those
among the files Of the historical d.
not passed the censor" but which are
OF great value In the collection which
Is being made by that branch of the
government
**
BY far the greater portion Of the
records Of the past military activities
IT this country are in the record and
pension Office of the War Department.
These records include such important
data as the old muster rolls and re-
ports which must be kept by all mil
itary organizations. as well as the
hospital reports and reports of bat
ties, troop movements. etc. Here also
are kept the records which have been
captured by the federal forces. such
as the archives of the Confederacy.
In writing histories Of any of the
previous wars of the United States
there would be. in addition. much ma
terial necessary to it's compilation
among the archives Of the other de-
partments.
In fact. the archives Of the govern
ment have become so voluminous that
almost any out-of-the-way crevice
has been pressed into service. not
alone in the department buildings
themselves. but in warehouses and
other rented buildings as well. In
View Of the present urgent need for
desk space In all branches of govern
ment activity officials have voiced the
fear that many of the valuable
archives of the government will re-
ceive scant attention II they occupy
space which might be put to use for
present needs.
So alarming. in fact. has the situation
become that long agitated movement
FOR the erection OF national archives
building Is being given new emphasis.
and bill has been introduced recently
IN the Senate looking toward the full
fillment of such plans as would erect a
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