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Kean
CIRCULAR )
No. 8. )
HEADQUARTERS DEPT. OF WESTERN CUBA.
Quemados, October 15, 1900.
The following communication from the Chief Surgeon is published for the in-
formation and guidance of commanding officers in this Department. The neces-
sary action will be taken as recommended.
CHIEF SURGEON'S OFFICE.
HEADQUARTERS DEPARTMENT OF WESTERN CUBA.
Quemados, Cuba, October 13, 1900.
To the
Adjutant General
of the Department.
Sir:
I have the honor to invite your attention to the following facts and their
bearing on the health of the command: The role of the mosquito in the transmission of certain diseases is now
well established. The evidence is now perfect and conclusive that malaria,
as well as filarial infections, are carried by this insect, and there are rea-
sons to suspect that it may be connected with the transmission of yellow fever
also. Every consideration of prudence as well as comfort demands, therefore, the
protection from them of the commands at all posts. It is believed that this
can be done with a very slight expenditure of time and trouble by the enforce-
ment by post commanders of two precautions, namely: 1. The enforcement of the use of mosquito bars in all barracks and espec-
ially in all hospitals. 2. The destruction of the larvae or young mosquitoes, commonly known as
"wiggletails" or "Wigglers" by the use of petroleum on the water where they
breed. The mosquito does not fly far, and seeks shelter when the wind blows; so
it is usually the case that every community breeds its own supply of mosqui-
toes, in water barrels, fire buckets, or undrained puddles, post holes, etc.
An application of one ounce or kerosine to each fifteen square feet of water
once a month will destroy not only all the young but the adults who come to
lay their eggs. The water in any cistern or tank is not affected in the
least for drinking or washing purposes if only it is drawn from below and not
dipped out. For pools or puddles of a smoewhat permanent character draining
or filling up is the best remedy. It is recommended that the medical officer
who makes the sanitary inspections at each post be charged with the supervis-
ion of the details of these precautions. Very respectfully,
Your obedient servant,
J. R. Koan,
Major and Surgeon, U.S.V.
Chief Surgeon.
BY COMMAND OF BRIGADIER GENERAL LEE:
R. E. L. Michie,
Assistant Adjutant General.
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