The Redwood gazette. [volume] (Redwood Falls, Minn.) 1873-1940, 1932-01-28

!
! Walter Reed was an Army surgeon
on duty in Cuba in 1900. He was not
only doctor; he was student and
an investigator, and it was his con-
tention that yellow fever, which had
(. wrought so much destruction in hui
man lives over long period of years,
was brought about through the acti-
vities of mosquitoes. His superiors,
becoming interested in this theory,
recalled him from Cuba to Washing
ton to carry on further experiments
with view to having him prove that
the ideas he held were founded on
basic facts.
To demonstrate his claims, DIR.
Reed found it necessary to have vol
| unteers- men who would sac
| rifice their own lives, if need be, to
/ the end that countless other lives
might be saved in the future. The
doctor experimental throughout the
month of August in 1900, and num-
erous men from the Medical Corps Of
, the United States were inoculated
with germs for the furtherance of the
scientists studies. l might say in
passing, that one of these men this
very year of 1881 was given a tardy
recognition by the government which
he served thirty-one years ago. A
medal and an annuity are now his. He
survived the yellow fever expert
ments.
Well, DIR. Reed was right. The
mosquito was labeled as a great
enemy of mankind through his activi-
ties in spreading yellow fever, and
since that time it has been possible
to reduce this scourge to such an ex-
tent that it is scarcely known now,
whereas in former times there were
fearful epidemics of the disease.
y x
When the government built the
military hospital in Washington in
1909, it was named for Walter Reed.
Five officers and eleven enlisted men
were given treatment in the first
month. Today the institution cares
for about a thousand men of the
Army and civilians during thirty
days. Twelve hundred beds are now
on hand for soldiers and members of
their families.
/ visited a friend at Walter Reed
last winter and found it very at
tractive place. This acquaintance had
been soldier in the World War. He
obtained treatment at Walter Reed
because of this service.
Glenman's Garden, named for a
General once associated with Walter
Reed Hospital, IS one of the most
beautiful attractions in the capital
city. 1t is a wealth of beauty, and
one comes upon it most unexpectedly
and consequently with pleased sur
prise. Many who have been patients
at Walter Reed have contributed to
the fund which makes the garden
possible, and a great Frenchman,
Pernet, has sent over a collection of
most valuable roses. Pernet is the
best known rose breeder in France.
Today I saw John Bull in action.
No, do not mean the rotund gentle
man who is supposed to represent
the personifcation Of the Englishman.
The John Bull that l saw working
was an old railway locomotive which
a hundred years ago used to serve as
the chief adjunct of what was then
the latest method of transportation.
This John Bull has for many years
rested quitely within the walls of the
Old National Museum. November
this year marks century of his life
and so those in authority conceived
the idea of starting him up again.
The engineer lang the old bell and
then he footed the whistle. And then
the wheels turned round and round
in demonstration of what they really
could do if they had to, for, after all,
it was only demonstration, and the
wheels were not resting on the rails,
and so while they turned, they did
not move the rolling stock.
Attached to the engine was an old
time coach, seating about forty per-
sons. ! sat in one of the straight
back seats and tired to imagine what
a thrill the first passengers got on an
excursion Behind old John Bull, but
couldn't do it.
How many people do you suppose
there will be sleeping in hotel rooms
throughout the United States to-
night? The answer is one million
three hundred thirty-four thousand
nine hundred thirty-seven-if all of
them are filed. So says the United
State Census Ruroau which adds