22. Surgical operations for the year ending December 31, 1909-Continued.

■ Death result of sepsis, extensive perineal gangrene existing prior to operation.

1

22. Surgical operations for the year ending December 31, 1909—Continued.

A.

Table showing, as nearly as possible, the average strength of the Navy and Marine Corps, including officers and enlisted men, total number of deaths with death rate per thousand for each year from 1850 to 1909 inclusive.

Includes 116 deaths from drowning when U.S. S. Oneida was sunk by the P. & O. steamer Bombay in Toklo Bay, January 24, 1870.

Includes 98 deaths from drowning, that occurred on the U. S. 8. Huron, when wrecked, November 24,

1877. Includes 50 deaths from drowning, when the Trenton and Vandalia were wrecked by hurricane at Samoa March 16, 1889.

NOTE.-The above data from 1850 to 1866, inclusive, was taken from "Hygienic and Medical Reports," published by this bureau in 1879. B.

Table showing total number of officers in the United States Navy and Marine Corps on the active list (including midshipmen), total number of deaths, and death rate annually for thirty-one years, 1879 to 1909, both inclusive.

C.

Deaths in the naval service during the “civil war." a

NUMBER AND PER CENT OF KILLED AS A RESULT OF INJURIES RECEIVED IN ACTION.

NUMBER AND PER CENT OF DEATHS FROM OTHER CAUSES.

The Report of the Secretary of the Navy for the year 1865, p. 33 shows the total enlistment of seamen from March 4, 1861, to May 1, 1865, to have been 118,044.

CONCLUSION.

In closing this report it has seemed proper to itemize the more important specific recommendations in the order found therein, and in measuring their importance the attention of the department is respectfully invited to the extended arguments to be found in other annual reports of recent years.

It is recommended to:

1. Provide an additional statistical clerk for the bureau.

2. Require ability to swim well a prerequisite for newly appointed officers and men to remain in the Navy and Marine Corps.

3. Ask of Congress the repeal of the provision of act approved March 3, 1909, which diverts certain moneys from the naval hospital fund.

4. Urge the establishment of a naval medical reserve corps.

5. Urge the establishment of grade of chief pharmacist, increase the warrant grade, and provide intermediate ratings for Hospital Corps as provided in bills already approved by the department.

6. Urge the enactment of legislation to provide dentists as commissioned officers of the lower grades in the navy.

7. Assign medical officers of extensive practical experience to duty under the "Aid for inspections," one for hospitals and shore stations, and one for the service afloat.

8. Enforce venereal prophylaxis as practiced in Asiatic and Atlantic Fleets throughout the entire service ashore and afloat.

9. Substitute for the present annual physical test more recreative and continuous athletic exercise, and for the younger personnel adopt the Swedish system of physical training.

10. Develop at repair yards and training stations segregation barracks on unit system to gradually replace receiving ships and to accommodate the crews of vessels undergoing extensive repairs.

11. Provide adequate sanitary facilities for the personnel of ships in dry docks.

12. Substitute a readily washable texture and color for all service uniforms of officers and men.

13. Extend vaccination against typhoid fever to the entire personnel under the age of 50 years.

14. Require statement from recruits as to prior attack of appendicitis and incontinence of urine and as to family history of nervous or mental disease.

15. Transfer the training station at San Francisco to a climate more healthful for recruits south of Point Concepcion.

16. Adopt the bubbling-spring device for drinking fountains throughout the entire service ashore as well as afloat.

17. Provide more suitable air intakes for ventilation for forward compartments of large ships for moderate or rough weather.

18. Assign by regulation definite percentage of stretcher beareis as required for each type of fighting ship.

19. Designate division officers by regulation to give first-aid instruction to the crew; the division officers to be instructed by the medical officers.

20. Seek amendment by Congress of sections 1373 and 1374 for more specific authority and duties of fleet surgeons.

21. Urge upon Congress appropriations for the building of two suitable hospital ships.

The SECRETARY OF THE NAVY.

C. F. STOKES, Surgeon-General, U. S. Navy.

REPORT OF THE COMMANDANT OF UNITED STATES MARINE CORPS.

SEPTEMBER 28, 1910.

SIR: In compliance with the department's instructions of July 28, 1910, I have the honor to submit this, my last annual report before being placed upon the retired list, November 30, 1910, in conformity with law, of the condition and service of the United States Marine Corps for the last fiscal year, and, in connection therewith, to transmit the annual estimates for its support during the coming fiscal year. During the period covered by this report inspections of the marine barracks at the navy-yards and stations, both in the United States and in the insular possessions thereof, have been made, as far as practicable, either by the undersigned or by officers of the adjutant and inspector's department. Such of the barracks as have not been inspected during the past year will be inspected in the near future. Favorable reports as to the personnel, so far as pertains to health and discipline, have generally been made of those posts which have been visited by the inspecting officers. Adverse criticism of some of the barracks has been made, due to their being obsolete both as to construction and capacity, but there is no way of obviating this unless Congress appropriates for new and necessary barracks.