S. 1556. Hans C. Nielsen, of Portland, Oreg., served as a private in
Company B, Twelfth New York Volunteer Infantry in the War with
Spain; he was enlisted May 19, 1898, and discharged April 20, 1899.
He filed an application for pension April 28, 1913 (No 1409521)
alleging that at Chickamauga Park, Tenn., August 15, 1898, he was
taken ill with typhoid-malarial fever and was treated in regimental
And division hospitals, that he suffers constantly from shortness of
breath and pains in his side which unfit him for manual labor. In
affidavit filed June 10, 1913, he states that the pains are in the
left side and are designated by some doctors as palpitation of the
heart. The claim was rejected in September, 1913, on the ground that
a ratable degree of disability has not been shown since filing from
typhoid-malarial fever, shortness of breath, and pains in left side.
Reopening of claim on additional evidence was denied in May, 1914,
and May, 1915.
The medical records on file in the War Department show that soldier
was treated while in the service from August 3, to 13, 1898, for
enteric fever, diagnosis also shown as remittent fever; August 10 to
September 23, and September 23 to October 7, 1898, for typhoid
fever, in line of duty; also that he was granted sick furlough
October 7, to November 7, 1898, extended to November 22, 1898, and
again extended to December 9, 1898. On his examination preliminary
to discharge soldier declared that he was suffering from malaria and
weak bladder incurred about August, 1898, at Camp Thomas,
Chickamauga, Ga. The Army surgeon reported that after examination of
claimant he found evidence still present of malarial poisoning, also
irritable bladder.
Thomas J. Palmer testified April 15, 1914, that he had known soldier
for the previous six years; that soldier’s physical condition was in
this state: Very short of breath, complains of pains in left side
and now and then has a touch of shills and of malarial fever.
Matthew Murphy certifies that soldier was strong and healthy before
the war and that after the war he was a very sick man, suffering
from chills and other complications.
Dr. Charles C. Osborn certified, April 18, 1914, that soldier had
been under his care for the three months previous for the treatment
of chronic valvular disease of the heart; that it is affiant’s
opinion that soldier should refrain from the performance of any
labor involving unusual muscular effort.
Dr. Osborn again testified, October 30, 1914, that soldier had been
under his care and treatment for about one year; that soldier is
suffering from chronic endocarditis, the cure of which is
practically impossible; that soldier requires medical attention
several times each month and is incapacitated for performing any
labor requiring severe muscular effort.
Carl G. Kessel certifies that soldier, as far back as 1902, was a
very sick man, always complaining of having acquired his illness
while serving in the Army; that he very often had attacks of chills
and shortness of breath, and at one time was almost blind, could
hardly walk, and complained of severe pains in the back and chest;
that soldier complained that all these ills were the after effects
of the malarial fever he contracted in the Army in 1898.
Robert Flinch and Olaf Jergensen, comrades, testify that they
recollect that about August, 1898, soldier was in hospital suffering
from typhyomalarial fever and was absent wseveral months on account
of his sickness. Christian T. Ott, comrade, testifies to the same
effect and that soldier after rejoining his company was in a very
poor state of health and had several spells of weakness.
Fred Andersen testified, May 11, 1914, that soldier was mentally and
physically sound prior to service, but that since his return from
the war he is without doubt a man broken down in physical health.
[Pensions and increase of pensions for certain soldiers and sailors
of the regular Army and Navy, etc.
February 22, 1917.
Serial Set Vol. No. 7113, Session Vol. No.B
64th Congress, 2nd Session
H.Rpt. 1532
Transcribed for Genealogy Trails by Terry Wages]
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