REPORT OF THE SURGEON-GENERAL. WAR DEPARTMENT, Washington, October 1, 1879. SIR: I have the honor to submit the following statement of finances and general transactions of the Medical Department of the Army for the fiscal year ending June 30, 1879: Medical and Hospital Transfer Fund, under Act of March 3, 1873: The greater part of this balance has since been disbursed, and the remainder will be required in fulfilling contracts made before June 30. Disbursed during the year Balance June 30, 1879.... Artificial Limbs, 1877: Balance from previous fiscal year Medical and Surgical History: Balances from previous fiscal year, continued by act of June 18, 1879..... 28,657 05 8,785 40 19,871 65 15,399 60 Disbursed during the year Carried to the surplus fund 11,796 70 Balance June 30, 1879 Artificial limbs, 1878: 3,602 90 Balance from previous fiscal year. Drawn from appropriation for 1879 under act of June 20, 1878...... 413 67 4,500 00 4,913 67 Disbursed during the year... 2,782 10 Expended in providing trusses for ruptured soldiers, seamen, and marines under the act approved May 28, 1872, extended by the act of March 3, 1879..... 7,979 99 ARTIFICIAL LIMBS AND APPLIANCES. There were furnished during the fiscal year, in kind, trusses, 442; ar-. tificial legs, 39; arms, 2; hands, 9; appliances for injured legs, 4. By commutation, legs, 168; arms, 297; feet, 16; appliances for injured limbs, 743. HEALTH OF THE ARMY DURING THE FISCAL YEAR ENDING JUNE 30, 1879. The monthly reports of sick and wounded received at this office, up to September 1, represent an average mean strength of 21,716 white and 1,947 colored troops. Among the white troops, the total number of cases of all kinds reported as taken on the sick list was 37,810, being at the rate of 1,741 per 1,000 of mean strength. Of this number, 32,682, or 1,505 per 1,000 of strength, were taken on sick report for disease, and 5,128, or 236 per 1,000 of strength, for wounds, accidents, and injuries of all kinds. The average number constantly on sick report during the year was 965, or 44 per 1,000 of mean strength. Of these, 761, or 35 per 1,000 of strength were constantly under treatment for disease, and 204, or 9 per 1,000 of strength, for wounds, accidents, and injuries. The total number of deaths from all causes reported among the white troops was 266, or 12 per 1,000 of mean strength. Of these, 162, or 7 per 1,000 of strength, died of disease, and 104, or 5 per 1,000 of strength, of wounds, accidents, and injuries. The proportion of deaths from all causes to cases treated was 1 to 142. The total number of white soldiers reported to have been discharged the service on "surgeon's certificate of disability" was 677, or 31 per 1,000 of mean strength. Among the colored troops, the total number of cases of all kinds reported was 3,932, or 2,020 per 1,000 of mean strength. Of these, 3,455, or 1,775 per 1,000 of strength, were cases of disease, and 477, or 245 per 1,000 of strength, were wounds, accidents, and injuries. The average number constantly on sick report was 77, or 40 per 1,000 of strength; of whom 62, or 32 per 1,000 of strength, were under treatment for disease, and 15, or 8 per 1,000 of strength, for wounds, accidents, and injuries. The total number of deaths of colored soldiers reported from all causes was 28, or 14 per 1,000 of mean strength. Of these, 15, or 8 per 1,000 of strength, died of disease, and 13, or 6 per 1,000 of strength, of wounds, accidents, and injuries. The proportion of deaths from all causes to cases treated was 1 to 140. The total number of colored soldiers reported to have been discharged on "surgeon's certificate of disability" was 42, or 22 per 1,000 of mean strength. WORK PERFORMED IN THE RECORD AND PENSION DIVISION. The number of new official demands upon this division during the fiscal year for information as to the cause of death in the case of deceased soldiers and the hospital record of invalids was 22,339. Of these, 19,427 were from the Commissioner of Pensions, 2,498 from the Adjutant-General of the Army, and 414 from miscellaneous sources. |