Omaha daily bee., 1919-04-05
SAYS TYPHOID
IN ARMY IS DUE
TO NEGLIGENCE
Chief Surgeon Cites Many In
stances Where Epidemics
Prevailed Among Troops;
Fail to Grasp Reports.

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Washington, April 4.-Charges of
gross earelessness and negligence
in preventing and controlling the
spread of typhoid and paratyphoid
fevers in the army are made against
many medical officers serving with
the forces overseas in a circular pub
lished by the chief surgeon of the
American expeditionary forces and
made public here today by the pub
lie health service in connection with
a warning that vaccination does not
give complete immunity from ty-
phoid.
The chief surgeon cites many in
stances where epidemics prevailed
among troops, especially during the
last offensives on the western front,
and points out that the occurrence
and distribution of diseases was con-
stantly brought to the attention of
the medical officers through weekly
bulletins.
1T would appear" the circular
continues, that many officers ut
terly failed to grasp the significance
Of these reports and warnings. = =
Neglect Duties.
Notwithstanding the fact that
typhoid and paratyphoid fevers are
epidemic in the United States and in
spite of our extensive experience
with these diseases during the
Spanish-American war and later
during the period of mobilization on
the Mexican border, it is evident
that many medical officers have
gained but little knowledge OF the
fundamental principles underlying
prevention and control. 1t is also
quite evident that some medical Of
ficers are grossly careless and neg
lectful OF their duties and respon-
sibilities as medical officers and
sanitarians."
1t is fully recognized, the circular
says, that conditions brought about
by the mobilization of millions of
men and the active participation in
the war of 100000 of these have at
times rendered sanitary control ex-
tremely difficult.
The chief surgeon warns his sub
ordinates that now the excuse
there is a war on" no longer will
be tolerated and that they will be
held responsible for proper super
vision of the health of troops, near
~ all of whom are now in station
airy training areas or in the army of
occupation, where proper instruc-
ton and measures can be instituted
and enforced.
Disregard Rules.
In brief review of the occurrence
OF typhoid and paratyphoid fevers
in the expeditionary forces, the chief
surgeon says that until June, 1918
few cases occurred, and the rate was
within the expected limits. From
then on, however, it appears the dis
ease spread through many units.
During the Chateau Thierry Of
fensive, the circular discloses, ap.
proximately ! IS per cent Of the
troops engaged we're afflicted with
diarrheal diseases. such as simple
diarrhea, bacillare dysentery
typhoid and paratyphoid.
"The high incidence of the in
festival diseases in this sector" the
chief of surgeon says, was due to
entire disregard of the rules of can't
tation."
Both dysentery and typhoid-para-
typhoid fevers were demonstrated to
have prevailed to some extent after
the St. Mihiel offensive, but the cpl
denies of pneumonia and influenza
prevailing at that time overshadow.
ed all other medical admissions.
Infected Water.
Following the offensive in the Ar.
gonne, typhoid and paratyphoid be.
gan to be reported from virtually
all divisions engaged, and, according
to the chief surgeon, it was quite evi,
dent the initial cases were due ir
large part to the drinking of infected
water. In some instances either the
initial exposure was not great. the
organizations were under good dis,
cipline, or the medical officers had
proper conception of their duties
and responsibilities, and but few
cases occurred. In other instances
the contrary was true, and man,
cases occurred.
In July, 1918, a replacement uni
consisting of 24S men from Camp
Cody, N. NJ, reached England with
typhoid prevailing extensively; g
men, or 1915 per cent, had the disease
and the death rate was 8.42 per cent
Fail to Report.
From the investigation it was con
cluded that the men were exposed t.
infection through drinking watel
while travelling ACROSS the United
States The unit had been vaccin
ated few months prior to the cpl
denic.
The chief surgeon declares that il
many instances patients, some o
whom were wounded, passed sue
cessively through camp, field, evae
uation and base hospitals withou
any documentary evidence that ty
phoid or paratyphoid was even sus
pected in their cases. In not few
cases It remained for pathologist
to make Z diagnosis at the autops,
table.
A number of new regulations re
curing all medical officers in force
overseas to report Immediately evel
suspected cases of typhoid have beel
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