Spanish American War Abominable Bandage -Issued to troops in tropical climates

Spanish American War Abominable Bandage or Cholera Belts-Issued to troops in tropical climates. Made of gray worsted wool, these light weight bandages were issued to troops in the late 19th-early 20 centuries. It was believed by those in medicine that wearing this around the waist during the chilling of the abdomen, particularly at night to ward off violent bowel issues like dysentery, malaria, and other such diseases common to Cuba, Puerto Rico, and the Philippine Islands, etc.  Consists of the wool, 4 tying straps and the original safety pin.

Though much debate about these bandages having any effect in that period, a good number of the troops still continued to wear them.

I remember many years ago, S & S Firearms on Long Island, NY sold these in there catalog (old Bannerman stock) in the 70s.  How long they lasted I can’t say, but I haven’t seen of the these for sale in over twenty years.

I near perfect condition.