Hospital

Hospital. . , The first post hospital was built in 1865 of sod with a flat [illegible] and no floor. Poor drainage, damp conditions, and rodent infestation [illegible] the building unsatisfactory. This one-story stone building was begun [illegible] and was completed, after many interruptions, by February, 186[?]. [illegible] building provided a ward of twelve beds, a dispensary, and other [illegible] facilities. It was heated by stoves and lighted with candles [illegible]. African American troops were cared for in a five bed [illegible] five yards [illegible] to the west., The health of the soldiers was surprisingly good [illegible] personal hygiene problems. The men could bathe in [illegible] otherwise there were no facilities. Diarrhea was the most [common?] complaint, but ailments from abcesses to wounds were treated. In [illegible] [a] cholera swept through the Kansas forts carried by soldiers marching [from] Missouri to New Mexico. Thirty cases occurred at Fort Dodge during [illegible] days in July. Twenty people died including Mrs. Isadore Douglas, wife [of the?] commanding officer. Major Douglas and their baby son also were [infected?] but recovered., [A] two-story addition was built in 1901. The building served as a hospital [until?] 1928 when the brick structure on the hill to the north was erected.