The Express.
London, England, 1855-03-03 00:00:00

THE ARMY IN THE CRIMEA.

(TROY ♦ MEDICAL OFFICER.)

Feb. 16.—A considerable amount of scorbutic die-
m.) continues to prevail among the troops on the
heights before Sebastopol. Some small supplies of
preserved potatoes, and on three occasions fresh
potatoes and onions have been issued to the men.
Some rations of lime juice have also been given with
a view to prevent the spread of this disease. But
every day fresh numbers present themselves at the
hospital. The long-continued exposure and bad diet
appear to have undermined the constitutions of many
el the men, and alight causes now lead to the scurvy
manifesting itself. There is less dysentery ; the
scorbutic condition now chiefly shows itself in local
discoloration., ulcers, painful swellings about the
legs, and general f.ilisg of health, and debility.
Tie number of invalids sent from camp has been very
great during the present mouth; and more would
mow be sent, but there is no hospital accommo-
dation, either on shore or shipboard, at Balaklava.
As admirable and humane establishment has
been lately formed at Balaklava, chiefly, I be-
lieve, by private enterprise. It is called the
Tea-house. Formerly when the sick were sent
down from the heights, after a weary journey
.1 seven miles, jolted on the hard cavalry saddles, on
which they were hardly able to support themselves,
from weakness and suffering, they had frequently
to wait about the beach for hours, until boats
esald be procured to transport them to the hospital
ships in the harbour. Even on the French ambulance
the journey was sufficiently distressing, and
many have died on the road; others after reaching
the place of embarkation. Now a large shed has
been erected, furnished with seats, on which the in-
valids may rest themselves until the boats are avail-
able. Moreover, a large kitchen has been erected
close at hand, fitted with suitable apparatus for mak-
ing tea and keeping it warm, so that it may be given
to the patients as they arrive. I need not say how
refreshing this beverage is to the sick soldiers, nor
how acceptable a place of rest, after their ride from
camp. I understand that Dr. M'Shane, of her Majesty's
ship Caradoc, has been chiefly instrumental in the
formation of this undertaking.
The ration of fresh meat continues very scanty ; it
ought to be given every other day, if possible. The
huts are slowly increasing in number in the camp ; at
Bahaism' and in its neighbourhood; they are now
to be seen almost in streets. Some large wooden
buildings are also in course of erection at the Bazaar,
which is fast assuming a size threatening to eclipse
both the neighbouring village of Kadikol and the sea-
port town of Balaklava in importance. The great
difficulty which the regiments before Sebastopol have
still to contend against is want of transport. The
railroad, however, is advancing, and another fort-
night will, I hope, see a considerable part of it fitted
for the passage of waggon..
The question would be worth asking, What has
become of the ovens which were seat out from Eng-
land about the time of the starting of the expedition,
for the purpose of baking bread for the troops? Seve
ral ovens for this purpose were sent out, with brick.,
patent fuel, &c., but, as far u I know, theyhave
never been used. The French have had bread baked
for them, and their Surgeon General has attributed
their continued freedom from scurvy partly to this
came. Our soldiers buy bread with avidity, and the
single baker's shop at Balaklava is always thronged
by more customers than it can supply. Two shillings
used to be charged for the loaf, weighing under two
pounds; the price is now reduced to eighteen-pence.
The ovens would have been of great use here. I
have no doubt they have been left somewhere in Bill-
garik.or are still in the holds of some transports.
During the peat week the weather has been mild,but
very stormy. The prevailing wind has been math
and south-west. Heavy rain fell in the beginning of
the week, and the mud became almost as impassable
1111 ever ; the last two days the amount of evaporation
has been great, and the surface has become proportion-
ably improved for
There has beentrirgatge of importance in the
siege operations. We hear very little about the as-
sault now. Two more divisions of the French have
moved over to our right, and they are considerably
extending the works on the heights above lukermann
and the head of the great harbour, both laterally and
in advance. Working parties are constantly engaged
in strengthening our works on henchman's and
reen-hill. General Sir George Brown has rejoined
the army, but bas not yet resumed the command of
his division. Lord Luesan's recall is said to have been
in consequence of a difference of opinion between
himself and the Commander of the Forces, arising
out of the celebrated order which led to the disastrous
cavalry charge at Balaklava. Lord Raglan has
visited the camp on several oocssions lately.
mist:letter from Scutari yesterday. The writer
that between the let and Slat of January
Woks 1,484 seidiers were buried there. I don't
what number were buried at all our other
lanillsb—HotAane,Abydos, Smyrna, dra The loss
is amp mist have been very frost. The 23rd
Wind irmrde of 3 per day. Did I
be likaing war 'sedition at the beginning glifagna:ryte
to @nether Masson tragedy ? I see the whole of that
Mkt of • • wilds ie emnineis published verbatim in
eal4posent's Messenger of the 31st, with an introduo-
fig sotios, calling attention to it. About 700 men
have already this month of February been invalided
away ; but I think there is now a general improve-
ment in respect to the health of the men. The duty
is lees severe stem the French have taken so much of
it from us, the rations are better, weather lees swarth,
and sines the stir at home more attend= is being!
paid in all departments. On Monday Lord Raglan
ow to our camp.