Volume 2

Transactions of the International medical congress. Ninth session / edited for the executive committee by John B. Hamilton.

  • International Medical Congress 1887 : Washington, D.C.)
Date:
1887
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: Transactions of the International medical congress. Ninth session / edited for the executive committee by John B. Hamilton. Source: Wellcome Collection.

    55/934 (page 41)
    15 contains— Articles.. Oz. Albuminate. Fat. Carb.-IIydrat. Salta. Salt Pork. 12 = S 3.132 S 0.84 S 2.730 Hard Bread 10 =“ 2.490 “ 0.208 S 11.744 0.272 Rice 1.0 = “ .08 “ 0.0128 1.3312 0.008 Sugar*.’.’.’..’.’..’..’.’ 2.4 = “ 2.310 0.012 N 32 = 5.708 1.0008 15.3912 3.028 = gr. 394. C gr. 40S0 In practice, as fresh beef is cheaper than salt meat, the ration of peace is habitually No. 14, with the substitution of 18 ozs. flour for 20 ozs. corn meal. This substitution reduces the value of the ration by N 17 grs. and C 562 grs. During campaigns, in consequence of the cheapness of live stock, and the ease with which it can be driven on the hoof, 20 ozs. fresh beef is frequently substituted for 12 ozs. pork. This substitution reduces the ration by N 44 grs., and increases it by C 42 grs. For many years I have investigated the sufficiency of these rations in actual use in the army. A report of certain of these investigations, giving facts and conclusions therefrom, was made by me to the military authorities in 1880, and published in the Annual Report of the Commissary General of Subsistence to the Secretary of War in 1881. These investigations covered ncarljKl? months, and included all rations issued in that period to an average of 3824 soldiers. It must be understood, that in the United States Army, company commanders can legally sell portions of the soldiers’ ration, and with the proceeds, at their discretion, buy whatever they choose for the use of the soldier. My report then showed, that from the food of the soldier was arbitrarily taken, for what is called the “ Post fund,” and used to support regimental bands, libraries, etc , a sum equal to about one cent per man per day. Besides this, another portion of the ration was sold by the company commander, and the proceeds expended for articles other than food, to the amount of more than one- fifth of a cent per man per day. So that the soldier lost from his legal allowance an amount of nearly one and one-sixth cent daily (1.1627 cent). During the time specified, flour was worth $38.69 per thousand, and beef $5.35 per hundred, so that the soldier was deprived of so much of his food as would have bought him daily 4.8 ozs. of flour or 3.47 ozs. of beef. Habitually, he received 18 ozs. of bread instead of 18 ozs. flour, equalling, in deprivation to the soldier, N 37 grs. and C 894 grs. In war or campaign, this process of sale and barter was somewhat interfered with. The rations of the U. S. Army, in point of fact, even thus diminished, have nour- ished well the armies of the United States for many years—both volunteers and regulars. Indeed, less has sufficed ; for since the great Civil War, 1861-5, the ration of salt, tea, and salt beef have been increased. Very rarely has complaint of insufficiency been heard at all, and still more rarely from the consumers themselves—the soldiers; complaints more generally were from the company officers, who, nevertheless, cast doubt and distrust upon the sincerity and justice of their complaints, by continually taking, as above stated, from the starving soldier, a part of the food already represented to be too small. In view of all the foregoing, there can be no doubt that the ration under considera- tion is more than ample in time of peace, and at least sufficient in time of war. Concerning 11, 14 and 15, although presenting maxima, yet considering the general » Coffee, tea, salt, pepper and vinegar not included in calculation, though issued.