Conditions in the hospital were such as to demand immediate action;
the commander of the post refused to believe he had yellow fever among
his 900 men and was loath to abandon his comfortable quarters for the
tent life in the woods that I earnestly recommended. In answer to my
telegram asking for official support, I received the following:
CHIEF SURGEON'S OFFICE,
HDQRS. DEPT. HAVANA AND PINAR DEL RIO,
QUEMADOS, CUBA,July 21, 1900
SURGEON AGRAMONTE,
Pillar del Rio Barracks,
Pinar del Rio, Cuba
Take charge of cases. Reed goes on morning train. Wire for anything
wanted. Nurses will be sent. Instructions wired commanding officer. Other
doctors should not attend cases. Establish strict quarantine at hospital. You
will be relieved as soon as an immune can be sent to replace you. Report daily
by wire.
