The Laboratory at Camp Cody, Deming, New Mexico 1917-1918 – Part 2 of 2

Meningitis and diphtheria are examples of diseases which are spread by carriers; that is by persons who are harboring the bacteria which causes these infections without being sick themselves. Such persons are said to be immune. These germs are carried in the nose and throat and are thrown out in the act of coughing, sneezing, spitting ad loud speaking, along with fine droplets of moisture, so small in fact that they are not noticed by the average individual. The spread of disease by this means has given rise to the term “droplet infection.”

It becomes a matter of extreme importance to eliminate meningitis carriers in a military camp. The close personal associations unavoidable in camp life render the carrier a distinct menace to his associates. The “carrier” surveys made by the laboratory department at Camp Cody last winter were for this purpose, and undoubtedly were of great help in keeping down the incidence of diphtheria and meningitis.

The water, milk and ice cream supplies had to be examined regularly in order to insure their purity. Occasionally certain articles of food have to be examined for disease producing germs.

The other class of work, that coming from the Camp Cody hospital, has to do with the diagnosis and treatment of patients. Blood counts, stomach examinations, Wassermann test, sputum examinations, etc., are all made for the help which they may give to the ward surgeon in the diagnosis of a given case. Some time laboratory findings are of very little importance or help; sometimes they are of very great help.

Last winter the personnel of the Camp Cody laboratory consisted of seven medical officers and fourteen enlisted men. At the time the enlisted men, being untrained in the branch of work, much of the routine had to be done by medical officers. Slowly but surely the enlisted men became able to take over more and more of the skilled technical work, and the need for officers decreased. The experience which sergeants Robinson and Weinstein have gained in the past year has fitted them to do nearly all the technical work in the Camp Cody hospital laboratory. In fact they have had a larger experience in this particular kind of work than many physicians have had. The other enlisted men Corporal Hafer, Private Heine, Groat and Black have had an especially good but rather brief training course in laboratory work at the Yale Army Medical school, and with this foundation are able to grasp the practical work very quickly. – The Deming Headlight – February 1919

Wide View Of Camp Cody, Deming, New Mexico, 1917-1918

The Laboratory at Camp Cody, Deming, New Mexico 1917-1918 – Part 1 of 2

In a general way, the laboratory at Camp Cody falls into two classes, the public health work and hospital work. The former has to do with the prevention of disease among the troops of a camp; or in civil life, the people of a community. The prevention of disease is an exceedingly important matter; it is one of the principal functions of the medical department of the army. Preventative medicine has made greater progress during the past score of years than any other branch of medicine, and is a subject to which the very best medical men are devoting their energies today.

Unfortunately, the causes of certain diseases are so imperfectly understood that but very little can be done in an intelligent way to prevent their occurrence. As an example of this, we have the recent pandemic of influenza which has taken a heavy tool of death from every part of the world. The cost of this disease in this country alone in lives has reached several hundred thousand, and in money value reaches far into the millions. One can readily see that if this disease could be absolutely prevented, the value of its prevention would, at the very least, equal what the recent epidemic has cost.

Typhoid fever, smallpox, tuberculosis, malaria, yellow fever, meningitis and diphtheria are diseases the cause of which are pretty well understood and are regarded nowadays as being to a very great extent preventable. The danger from an epidemic of typhoid is probable nil, provided we have a pure water and milk supply. A further safeguard, vaccination against typhoid and para-typhoid has been compulsory in the U. S. Army since 1908. Vaccination for the prevention of smallpox is now made compulsory in many civilized countries. Nearly everyone is familiar with the anti-tuberculosis campaign which has been waged in this country for the past decade. In malarial and yellow fever district the wire screen and mosquito bare are used to protect people against the bite of the disease carrying mosquito. – The Deming Headlight – February 1919

Wide View Of Camp Cody, Deming, New Mexico, 1917-1918

History of Camp Cody Base Hospital, February 1919 – Part 6 of 6

The demobilization of the troops and the quick recovery of the patients rapidly emptied the hospital.

At the time of this writing there are but a few over 100 in the hospital, and these are being transferred to other places for discharge or further treatment.

During the summer and early fall of 1917 the laboratory work of he hospital was carried on in a small room (approximately 12 by 15 feet) in the southwest corner of the administration building of the old Base Hospital.

Laboratory supplies and equipment of that time were practically very limited, so that the work had to be confined to clinical microscopy. The first medical officer to report for duty in the laboratory was Lt. T. W. Kemmerer, M. C., August 23, 1917.

November 19, 1917, the laboratory was moved to the present location in the building immediately west of the administration. From November 1917, until April, 1918, there were but three small rooms available for laboratory purposes. – The Deming Headlight – February 1919

Camp Cody Nurse on 4th of July Parade Float, Deming, NM, 1917-1918

History of Camp Cody Base Hospital, February 1919 – Part 5 of 6

After the 34th Division left for overseas, the number of patients naturally enough went down. Beginning with October, however, things began to change. The 97th Division began to form at this camp, and with the incoming of recruits things began to grow busy again.

It was during this time that the influenza epidemic was at its height, and as the men began to arrive the hospital began rapidly to fill.

On October 21st, the first large contingent was landed at Camp Cody, and from that time on it was a problem which, though adequately met, caused a great deal of work for the Base Personnel.

Within a very short time the number of patients had increased to 1800. All the buildings at the Base Hospital were occupied, including the Y. M. C. A.

In order to take care of the overflow, a convalescent camp was organized in section five, and patients who were recovering were sent down there. At the height of the epidemic this camp contained close to 500 patients, in addition to the number at the Base itself.

In this epidemic every emergency was promptly and adequately met. Every man had the best of care and medical attention.

The epidemic was gradually placed under control, and the number slowly decreased in the hospital. At the time of the signing of the armistice there were still more than a thousand in the hospital. – The Deming Headlight – February 1919

A Camp Cody Nurse Posing for Pictures, Deming, New Mexico, 1917-1918

History of Camp Cody Base Hospital, February 1919 – Part 4 of 6

July, 1918, opened with 500 cases in the Base Hospital, of which about 300 were medical. Of these, 48 were cases of pneumonia, and 22 emphysema. Late in May and in June, drafts of 8000 and 5500 recruits, respectively, had been received in the camp, for the 34th Division, and in June from the first 8000 alone upward of 500 cases had been rushed to the Base Hospital suffering with acute respiratory tract infections. This influx of new cases had occurred for the most part within a single week. This striking June epidemic rapidly waned, and by the 1st of July the total number of cases on the medical service had fallen to the figures given above. It continued to fall during the month, delayed only by an increase of measles and mumps, the former from the new troops, the latter from scattering sources.

August was a light month. With the departure of the 34th Division the medical service was swelled momentarily by an influx unqualified for overseas service, which up to that time had been carried as “on duty” by various units. They were later assigned to the development battalion. Three cases of typhoid were admitted this month, the only ones we have had. September also was light, with the division gone and the camp almost deserted. The total number of cases on the medical service fell below 100, with nothing of special interest. In the last week of September, however, cases began to enter the hospital with symptoms characteristic of the so called “Spanish Influenza”. – The Deming Headlight – February 1919

Camp Cody Nurse, Deming, New Mexico, 1917-1918

History of Camp Cody Base Hospital, February 1919 – Part 3 of 6

As the camp filled up the new Base Hospital was put under construction. Meanwhile ward tents were erected, greatly taxing the limited equipment on hand. Some of the necessary drugs and medicines were practically unobtainable. Later, as the new Base Hospital was completed, and work of moving began, the hospital equipment became altogether inadequate. The months of October, November and December, 1917, were undoubtedly the hardest in history of this hospital. Patients not seriously ill brought their own cots and blankets. Drugs and general medicinal supplies could not be furnished in the large quantities required. Very few modern appliances were in use and many methods were introduced to obtain the desired results without the much needed surgical appliances and modern equipment of today. With the beginning of the year 1918, conditions began to improve, and, as supplies became available, advanced rapidly, bring the Base Hospital at Camp Cody to its present modern and efficient condition.

Today, every department of the hospital has the best of equipment and all medical supplies are kept well stocked, capable of handling any emergency that may arise. Every ward, as well as the administrative offices, are fully equipped, and have every necessary to handle their respective duties in an efficient manner. The operating room has all modern facilities, including a heating plant. The x-ray department has the latest type of machines, and lacks nothing in the way of accessories. A recent addition to this department is the bedside x-ray unit. The ear, nose and throat has made very rapid advancement, and is at present under operation with the most up-to-date equipment. All neurological and similar cases have the advantage of most recent productions of the medical and surgical world. Perhaps the greatest stride in progress of the hospital is the institution of complete electrotherapy equipment. A complete orthopedic equipment has been installed in the hospital and greatly aids in caring for suitable cases. The laboratory has been enlarged and is capable of handling a large scope of work with the latest laboratory devices. In all respects the Base Hospital is equipped in a thoroughly up-to-date and modern manner. – The Deming Headlight – February 1919

Red Cross Truck At Camp Cody, Deming, New Mexico, 1917-1918

History of Camp Cody Base Hospital, February 1919 – Part 2 of 6

During the period of high winds (from the latter part of October until in May) violent sand and dust storms are common. It is from this characteristic of the camp that the 34th Division acquired it nickname of “The Sand Storm Division.” Fortunately the Base Hospital suffers less from the sand and dust than other parts of the camp by reason of it location to the windward side. The dust, much of which originates in the camp itself is carried away from the hospital rather than toward it.

The Camp Cody Hospital had its beginning in 1916, growing out of the necessities of a camp occupied by a brigade engaged in the border service incident to the Mexican trouble of that time. With the co-operation of the town of Deming, there was constructed withing its limits on the est a hospital building, consisting of administration offices, and operating room, a patients’ kitchen and mess hall and eight wards, all built around a central court. The plant was partially steam heated and electrically lighted. The normal capacity was 200 patients. This institution performed the function s of a camp hospital extending through the construction period of the camp. On August 25, 1917, the 34th Division, consisting of 22,000 National Guardsmen from Iowa, Minnesota, Nebraska, and South Dakota began to mobilize at Camp Cody, and in the course of events the cam hospital, on September 1, 1917 was officially designated as the Base Hospital. Henceforth in this narrative it will be designated as the “Old Base.” In the meantime coincident with the mobilization and establishment of the 34th Division, the construction of a new, more extensive and complete hospital was in progress, but by reason of the remoteness from a large center, material and labor were not so available as at other places, so that not until November 4, 1917, was the new hospital ready for occupancy, and even then the accommodations were far from being complete, but the urgent necessities of the medical service did not permit further waiting for a greater degree of completion. It was necessary to take things as they were and mold them as much as possible to the requirements. Beginning with 45 patients on September 1st, by October 1st the service had increased to about 300, and to 800 by November 1st. Seven hospital tents had increased to capacity of the Old Base to about 140. In the meantime, four of the new wards ( 1, 2, 3 and 4) had been casually occupied by convalescent patients and those awaiting S. C. D. under care of Captain Lee S. Shonirger, until finally on November 4th the administration offices and all of the medical patients (the surgical patients remaining) were moved to the new quarters. Such was the beginning of the present Base Hospital. – The Deming Headlight – February 1919

World War One – Camp Cody Hospital – Deming, New Mexico

History of Camp Cody Base Hospital, February 1919 – Part 1 of 6

Deming, a town of about 6,000 population, situated in the extreme south western part of Luna county, New Mexico, at the junction of the Southern Pacific, El Paso & Southern and Santa Fe railroads. It is about 36 miles from the Mexican border, almost due north from Columbus, the scene of the Villa raid in 1916.

Camp Cody joins Deming on the northwest. The Base Hospital is situated at the extreme western part of the camp and is about three and a half miles from Deming. Deming and surrounding country for many miles to the east and west lies the Mimbres valley, which at this place is about 30 miles wide. This valley is flanked on both sides by mountain ranges, the most conspicuous of which are: To the north, Cooks range, to the northwest, the Black Mountains; to the south, the Florida’s and the Red Mountains, and the picturesque Hermanas (three sisters peaks) in the distant southwest. All these mountains, in full view from the Camp Cody Base Hospital, furnish, with the cloudless skies and wonderful sunsets, an impressive and majestic view which none who have viewed it in its various aspects will ever forget. It is a restful and serene outlook to the convalescent patient, and certainly has some effect in hastening recovery. – The Deming Headlight – February 1919

Camp Cody Medical Officers And Nurses, Deming, New Mexico, 1917-1918

Camp Cody Hospital Area, Deming, New Mexico, 1917-1918

Private first class Daniel C. Patton – Camp Cody Medical Corps

On Thursday morning death claimed one of the most efficient and popular young men of the medical corps, Private first class Daniel C. Patton. The deceased was a native of Port­land, Ore., and entered the service in April of this year. He was assigned to the 10th Battalion, 166th Depot Brigade at Camp Lewis, and was transferred to the Camp Cody Base Hospital.

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Lieutenant Aeker, who has been on detached service here from the 322nd Sanitary Train, is acting as ward surgeon in Ward 12. The patients in Ward 11 are being transferred to the officers’ ward. Sergeant Mueler, Corporal Brown, Private Anderson and Private Davidson. These boys have one of the hardest and most particular jobs in the detachment, arid they fill their positions with 100 per cent ability. Miss Harts and Miss Walsh are on duty in Ward 12. – From “Deming Headlight” July 1918

First Military Funeral At Camp Cody Deming, New Mexico, 1917-1918

News From Camp Cody in Deming, New Mexico

Patients and corps men were sure glad to see the Red Cross House open last Monday, and be able to avail themselves of the many forms of entertainment which this popular rec­reation house offers.

Capt. E. J. Cook of Los Angeles has reported for duty.

The United War Work Campaign at the Old Base, under the persua­sive powers and eloquence of Ser­geant Shoemaker, was a huge suc­cess. From the corps men and 73 patients, $61 in cash was received and pledges amounting to $180 was the result. They are to be congrat­ulated for the fine showing.

Currie Cull has been added to the canteen force.

Lieutenant Copeland, secretary to General Lindsay is in the officers’ ward.

The quarantine regulations at the canteen are now off. and once more we can come and go as we please.

Paul Reick is now on duty in the detachment office.

Captain Lehman is improving nicely.

On Thursday morning death claimed one of the most efficient and popular young men of the medical corps, Private first class Daniel C. Patton. The deceased was a native of Port­land, Ore., and entered the service in April of this year. He was assigned to the 10th Battalion, 166th Depot Brigade at Camp Lewis, and was transferred to the Base Hospital.
Lieutenant Aeker, who has been on detached service here from the 322nd Sanitary Train, is acting as ward surgeon in Ward 12.
The patients in Ward 11 are being transferred to the officers’ ward.
Sergeant Mueler, Corporal Brown, Private Anderson and Private David­son. These boys have one of the hardest and most particular jobs in the detachment, arid they fill their positions with 100 per cent ability.
Miss Harts and Miss Walsh are on duty in Ward 12.

From “Deming Headlight” July 1918

Camp Cody Soldiers At Parade Grounds, Deming, New Mexico 1917-1918