Camp Cabanatuan

We arrived at Camp Cabanatuan with 475 men (H. Montoya, p. 145). Camp Cabanatuan was much more clean and spacious then Camp O'Donnell. There were bamboo-constructed barracks with thatched roofs and a high barbed wire fence was built around the camp. We were lined up in attention counting off every man in Japanese. There were 3 prisoner of war camps in Cabanatuan. They were identified as Cabanatuan Camps #1, #2, and #3. They were opened around May 1942 and located 12 miles from the city of Cabanatuan (H. Montoya, p. 146-147). In the years that I was there, 1942 and 1943, Camp #1 was the main prisoner of war camp. It was made up of almost exclusively Americans (H. Montoya, p. 148). By the end of 1942, the deaths were averaging 180 to 200, which wasn't as bad as the deaths at Camp O'Donnell. And the quality care was better (H. Montoya, p. 150). However, we were given jibs like we were given at Camp O'Donnell. These jobs were transporting water to the kitchens, collecting firewood, burying the dead bodies. (H. Montoya, p. 149).Diseases became widespread in Cabanatuan in 1942 an 1943. Beriberi was getting to many of the Americans,it was caused because of the lock if vitamin B1. It's symptoms were pain, an inability to move, and swelling. It was common to see prisoners in the early early morning to be soaking their hands and feet to ease the pain. Pellagra (rough skin in Italian) was caused by lack of vitamin b-3. Victims would develop diarrhea and severe cases of dermatitis. The skin cracked and bleed which eventually turned it to multiple scabs. This disease would also cause the gums to bleed (H. Montoya, p. 152-153). Malaria was another one of the diseases that was very common in Camp Cabanatuan. Malaria was transmitted by the bites of the Mosquitos that were around the camp. Victims would have violent attacks of chills, fever, and excessive sweating. Cerebral malaria was one of the worst. It affected the mind of the victim. They would swing their arms and imaginary hints as if they were fighting them. We would have to tie their hands and feet to keep them from hurting themselves (H. Montoya, p. 154). The biggest goal when living in Camp Cabanatuan was staying alive and away from disease so we could go home safe to our families. And that was my goal to go home to my family, no matter what was around me

Works Cited 
Montoya, Horacio H.. Rising sun over Bataan: memoirs of war. Charleston, SC: BookSurges] ;, 2008. Print.