OCR Text |
Show CAMP LEWIS IK FINE CONDITION No Cases of Meningitis, Few Cases of Measles, Some Cases of Diphtheria. CAMP LEWIS, Tacoma. Wash., Feb. 12. Weolcly reports proparcd by Captain Cap-tain H. R. Mount, M. R. C. acting division di-vision sanitary inspector show the camp to be in exceptional physical condition. Summarizing conditions as compared with other national army cantonments in tho United States last wcok, tho report said: "The last report from tho surgeon general's office shows that Camp Lewis Is below the average for all camp3 in incidence of disease and noneffective non-effective rate." No Cases of Meningitis. "There havo been no cases of cerebrospinal cere-brospinal meningitis, epidemic form, during tho week," continues the summary. sum-mary. "Thero Is a slight increase in tho number of monBles reported. All other communlcablo disease, with tho exception of diphtheria and Gorman measles, are fewer in number than last week." Tho total number of communicable diseases reported during the past week were: Measles, 10; German measles. 7; lobar pneumonia, A; broncho pneumonia, pneu-monia, 2; scarlet fevor, 9; mumps, 47; diphtheria, 9; deaths, 2. One death was suicidal and one was duo to cerebral cere-bral hemorrhago. Death Rate Fifty-two. Since Camp Lewis began receiving recruits five months ago there havo been but 52 deaths from all causes. During that period more than 50,000 mon havo reported here for military training. At present the main strength of tho division is 31,132, tho decrease being due to the transferring of men to other divisions from time to time. Compared with communities of equal population, theso figures show a death rate far below normal. Fivo months devoted to intense training along military lines including physical exercises and tho outdoor life, regular hours for rest nnd plenty of simplo, wholesome food, havo proved of the utmost benefit to the men physically, phys-ically, mentally and morally, according accord-ing to medical officers. 4 Germans Spread Propaganda. Investigation by military authorities has revealed that unfavorable reports, based on extensivo quarantining to prevont tho spread of mumps, measles and other communicable diseases, are dlroctly traceable to German propaganda, propa-ganda, by which it is sought to weaken the morale of the civilian population. Propagandists for tho kaiser also are credited with spreading rumors that the men lacked adequate food and clothing, and that regimental exchanges ex-changes were selling knitted articles sent by tho Red Cross. As a matter of fact practically every organization in tho ninety-first division is equipped with these knitted wristlets, mufflors and sweaters and socks, in addition to tho regular army equipment. Winter Sports Introduced. Winter sports wero In troduced into tho curriculum at Camp Lewis when tho first snowfall of tho season occurred. oc-curred. Several thousand men, especially espe-cially those from central and lower California, who had never seen a real snow storm before, were awakoned by the bugles at reveille on the morning of tho first storm and found tho ground covered with snow several inches deep. Snowballing and similar pastimes engaged tho spare moments of the men and many wero the battles which raged during the day. Warmly clad in their heavy clothing and knitted woolen sweaters and mittens, mit-tens, the drilling and fatiguo duties continued as usual, the men thoroughly thorough-ly enjoyed tho cold snap. More vim was noticeable, duo possibly to tho low temperature, than Is usually in evidence evi-dence even during recreation hours. nn GIFT MADE TO THE GOVERNMENT ' LONDON. January 31-(Corre-pcind- S" once by tho Associated PrfiiJ-JJ1 letters, one written by Thomas JcHer- flj son and datdd Montlcello. April i'. 1821, and tho other by General if- pc fayotte and dated LaKmnge, Jun' ' - . 1827. have boon presontod to Consw General Skinner In London as a w to tho American g ovornmenL in donor was H. B. Gross, a Ph-'3 manufacturer, who until recently a home hero. Tho first concerns cw tain hooka which the coiTCfjadeaj recommended to Jefferson and wci fl bo declared ho wa endeavoring -to co-tain, co-tain, while the letter written by w j rayotte poki of tho invontion 01 bee hive nnd of his intorest in mltural development IV-I! 3 s nothing- to dleeloee tho -" ho parsons to whom the lettert . iddretfiod. j , |