Rank.

Date of Commission.

Roster of Medical Officers, M. V. M., in order of Lineal Rank, Dec. 31, 1889.

NAME.

Residence.

Organization'

REPORT OF CHIEF MEDICAL OFFICERS.

HEADQUARTERS SECOND BRIGADE, M. V. M.

BOSTON, Sept. 10, 1889.

Brigadier General ALFRED F. HOLT, Surgeon General, Massachusetts. SIR-I have the honor to make the following medical report of the encampment of Second Brigade, M. V. M., at South Framing ham, Aug. 13 to 17 inclusive, 1889.

The weather was extremely unfavorable for the performance of camp duty, the heavy rain of Tuesday and Wednesday leaving the ground very wet and muddy, and rendering the tent floors and tents damp and uncomfortable. Notwithstanding this, the number of men reported sick each day was very small, on two days each organization reporting none sick.

The policeing of the camp was carefully attended to, although the wet and soggy condition of the ground detracted very much from the good appearance of the camp.

The new water supply proved a great success, and was fully appreciated by every one.

The waste barrels are many of them broken and unfit for use, and will have to be replaced before another encampment.

The new wash-stands and shelters for the men were very convenient and satisfactory.

The hospital tents issued to the different organizations were a great improvement over those used for the last two years; but, owing to some mistake, the furniture and bedding belonging to them could only be issued to one regiment.

The Ambulance Corps performed its duties most satisfactorily, and, as formerly, furnished a permanent detail for the brigade hospital.

I most respectfully suggest that sinks be provided at the guard house, as at present the condition about it, at the latter end of the week's encampment, is anything but wholesome.

I have the honor to be, most respectfully,

Your obedient servant,

THOMAS KITTREDGE,

Lieutenant Colonel and Medical Director.

BOSTON, MASS., Sept. 4, 1889.

Brigadier General ALFRED F. HOLT, Surgeon General, Massachusetts. SIR-I have the honor to submit the following report of the encampment of the First Brigade, M. V. M., at South Framingham, for the five days ending June 15, 1889.

The health of the command was excellent, there being but ten cases admitted to the brigade hospital. No case of severe illness or injury occurred during the five days. The new supply of drinking water was admirable, and free from all injurious ingredients. The camp was at all times satisfactorily policed, and the stables were kept neat and clean. A recommendation was made to the surgeons of the different organizations, that the caterers of the respective companies should submit for approval their bills of fare, in order that indigestible articles of food might be excluded. There is a growing feeling among the surgeons of the brigade, that, with our new water supply, it is desirable that bathing facilities should be afforded the men. This I most respectfully

recommend.

E. E. Balch of the Ambulance Corps was detailed as acting hospital steward, and most satisfactorily filled those duties.

I would respectfully call your attention to the following reccmmendation, by Lieutenant Standish of the Ambulance Corps : "Every man of the corps was present, yet, in order to maintain a proper detail with the ambulance, and also a proper detail at the hospital to receive and care for its patients, required that each enlisted man should be thus detailed for what is the equivalent of guard duty for an infantry soldier for thirty-six out of every forty-eight hours. This close confinement to quarters is too much to reasonably expect of the men, and the size of the corps should be increased." This I most strongly recommend.

I would respectfully suggest that each regiment and unattached company be provided with a hospital tent before the next encamp

ment.

I beg leave to express my thanks to the medical staff of the brigade for promptness, and fidelity to their duties.

Accompanying this report are the reports of the surgeons of the different organizations in the brigade. The consolidated morning sick reports have already been forwarded.

Very respectfully, your obedient servant,

HERBERT L. BURRELL,

Lieut. Col. and Medical Director, First Brigade, M. V. M.

HEADQUARTERS FIRST CORPS CADETS, M. V. M.

BOSTON, July 22, 1889.

Brigadier General A. F. HOLT, Surgeon General, Massachusetts. GENERAL: I have the honor to submit the following report of the medical department of the First Corps of Cadets during the encampment at Hingham, from the 13th to the 20th of July, inclusive.

The weather during the week, as will be seen by reference to the metereological record, while not all that could be desired, was fair. A heavy rain storm on Monday interfered with the general routine of camp duty, and again on Saturday morning the rain rendered the breaking up of the camp a disagreeable work.

The health of the corps was most excellent. The calls made on the medical department were far less numerous than in any previous camp at which I have been present. The hospital was used merely to ensure quiet to the men who in quarters would have been less comfortable, owing to the noise of the camp, occasioned by the crowd of visitors during the band concerts in the evenings.

As in previous camps, the dietary was daily submitted to the examination of the medical department. The quality of the food was excellent, and the supply abundant.

The new mess-house has proved a great addition to the camp ground, not only during meal-times, but, in case of rain, as a hall for drill purposes. The kitchen department in the rear is, however, altogether inadequate to the demands made upon it.

matter of congratulation that this defect will probably be remedied before another camp.

Very respectfully, your obedient servant,

WM. L. RICHARDSON,

Surgeon.

HEADQUARTERS SECOND CORPS CADETS, M. V. M.
SALEM, MASS., Sept. 20, 1889.

Brigadier General ALFRED F. HOLT, Surgeon General, Massachusetts. GENERAL:- In compliance with the regulations of the Massachusetts Volunteer Militia, I submit the following as my report of the medical department of the Second Corps Cadets during the encampment at Essex, August 5 to 10 inclusive.

We left Salem with threatening weather, and when we reached Essex rain was beginning to fall. Our tents being pitched, however, the luggage escaped a wetting. The weather cleared before

evening, and Tuesday was a fine day, also Wednesday, Thursday and Friday. Saturday, rain fell in the early morning, but it cleared and became very hot in the middle of the day. On Wednesday, during the dinner hour, we had a treat in the shape of a hail storm, falling in such quantities that between the rows of tents ridges of hail stones could be seen for several hours after. Considering the bad weather which prevailed before, and what we have since experienced, we are to be congratulated on "our week at camp," for what rain we did have in no way interfered with camp duty.

As regards the health of the men, I can say that there were no severe cases of sickness. The change of drinking water in the majority of cases seems to be the cause for the troubles seen at camp, and also in trips away from home. This was especially noticable in April, on our trip to New York and back. The well near the cook-house was condemned for drinking purposes, water being used for this purpose which was brought from the well at the south-eastern part of the grounds. The food was of good quality, abundant in quantity and properly cooked. The sanitary condition of the camp was excellent, police duty keeping the grounds in a state of perfect cleanliness. The sinks were kept in good condition by the use of fresh earth and chloride of lime. I have the honor to be, very respectfully,

Your obedient servant,

BENJ. R. SYMONDS, Jr.,

Surgeon Second Corps Cadets.