Evening star., 1932-02-28

the hardships of the jungles of
Nicaragua during the recently
completed survey of the proposed interoceanic
canal route
That thoughtful Government anticipated
the possibility of fatalities in the ranks OF the
American group in its struggle against fever,
poisonous reptiles untoward climatic conditions
and physical hardship is evidenced by the fact
that consignment of collins formed part OF
the tons of supplies and equipment shipped to
the survey unit in the Central American re-
public.
Fortunately the efficiency of Army organiza-
ton and American medical sanitary and
hygienic methods proved more than a match
for the situation. The collins were not needed.
Eventually they were used for storing onions,
potatoes and other groceries protection
against equatorial dampness.
A prime consideration at all times with mill
tary forces in the fields and especially in the
tropics, is the health of the men. Malaria and
dysentery must be guarded against provision
must be made to handle any kind Of acute
aiment. Treatment must be accorded at once
In cases Of snake bite or the sting Of poisonous
insects. And where the work Is Of an ex-
tremely hazardous nature, such as that Of the
Nicarauga Canal Survey large portion Of the
admissions to base hospitals come as the result
Of injuries.
The majority OF injuries consisted of wounds
from machetes the huge knives used in chop
ping a way through the dense jungle. 1t was
not uncommon for a man walking along trail,
machete IN hand, to trip over root or vine
and In falling cash himself. When he fell in
this manner the point Of the machete would
stick in the ground, and the individuals hand
slip downward from the unguarded hilt along
the blade
Other causes of admission were acute 1nfec-
items such abscesses disease Of the feet
and groins, caused by fungus and a parasitic
inflammation Of the middle The men were
very fortunate in regard to intestinal diseases.
only two cases of bacillary dysentery were
reported, and these were due to drinking un-
boiled water, since to boil water was not al
ways possible. Both cases responded like magic,
however, to administration of anti-dysenteric
serum.
When the troops first arrived, quinine
prophylaxis, the treatment for malarial pre-
vention, administered by roster. Contrary
to expectations the maarial fever incidence
was exceedingly low.
If man were taken i'll in an outlying camp
or injured on the trail, the route for evacuation
was the same as that for supplies. He would
be taken on a litter to one Of the streams
navigable for a cayuca canoe and In this
manner transported to the nearest camp Of i'm
portance, from which point transportation was
by means of motor launch or outboard motor
TO the nearest permanent hospital.
When the case was Of an emergency nature,
or II a serious type OF patnOlOgy SnOulQ Qe-
velop, the chief surgeon would be notified by
radio and the patient started up the river to
San Carlos If the condition of the patient were
critical. an amphiban plane from the Marine
Corps aviation field at Managua would trans
port him from San Carlos directly to the field
hospital of the I'd Brigade United States Ma
rine Corps, in Managua.
In several cases evacuation by air meant the
saving Of life. For example, there was the
case of a corporal who developed acute abdomi-
nal symptoms while being treated for malaria
at one of the base hospitals. A white blood
count Of $4,000 indicated the need for an i'm
mediate operation. He was taken at once to
San Carlos The plane was awaiting his ar
rival and two hours later he was on the operat-
ing table in Managua.
Again, Marine Corps plane was used in the
case of private who developed symptoms OF
acute appendicitis At daylight the following
morning he was placed in a cayuca, or native
boat, fitted with small outboard motor-the
only means of transportation over the route in
question. He critically i'll upon his arrival
at one Of the base hospitals, and it was doubtful
II he would survive the long trip by water to
San Carlos. Stamina won out, however, and
thanks to Signal Corps radio operator who
remained at his key all night, the request for
q plane got through. The patient was then
speedily transported to Managua.
Due to the unavoidable delay-radio COM
munication in those latitudes often was
extremely difhcult-genfrI peritonitis had