New-York daily tribune., 1861-06-09

On, HlNrs serHKREp OLD C.rrAIssTS;s;;, ;;, Dy W.
]. t.WALTER scoTT. lsmo., pp. 20. X NJ 10 WI"
Although this little volume bears ra'ner
mythical looking pame on its ttle-page, II con-
taus a collection of useful hints evidently CON-
piled from good authorities, which cannot DC 100
often pressed upon the attention OF the soldier IN
actual service. Oar army thus far has enjoyed
remarkable freedom from disease, IN spite
of the unwholesome fare and insufficient
clothing with which portion OF the volunteers
have been put of; but no means should be neg
lected to impress the minds of the soldiers
with the principles of bygeine, to enable them TO
take care Of themselves as well as the enemy
and to prevent the thinning Of their ranks Dy
reckless habits of eating, drinking, and sleeping
which are more destructive in their effects than
rebel bullets and bayonets. The book no" III
our hands, though of small compass, has an
ample summary of rules and directions Tor pre-
serving life in unhealthy climates, and adding to
the comfort of the campaigner under diihcuis
circumstances, together with numerous practical
suggestions in regard to the care of disease III
the commencement. the dressing of wounds,
selection OF articles of diet, receipts for cooking
sayory dishes with scanty materials, and va
riety of other information which may be turned
to excellent account in the course Of q campaign.
The following paragraphs give common sense
view of
THE CAUSES or DISEASE.
The causes Of disease numerous. Where large
nnbers of men ate hudded together, IN barracks or
close onsrters their bIeAthngs coon contamlnae the
atmosphere, TO SAY nothing of the horrible stencil
arising from their persping bodies tobacco ana
chewing and other filthy habits. Fcid dew has been
fhe when PERSONS nave
copprcgnted. This viuaed air is alone sufficient 10
produce the most direful resuls.
Camping on low or marshy lends high grounds are
generally healtby ana iohaling the deadly miasmas
rising from ssgant water, and from decaying vegeta
be aud animal matter is certain to breed dis sSse ss
yoing into a RePtdtic well viii destroy me
Over some of the SoutheTa swamps and iagoons olleh
hang ysi lie poisonous vapOrs; and IN some parts the
inhabitants have actually st0ked out the malaIlous
boundaries. A..
Oyercrowded ambulances and hospitals intiet I'M
mepse injury upon an army and too often 1t happens
that the medical staff is wholly insufficient.
Under the present regulations OF the United states
Army there are only surgeons TO every 20 men,
when there should be at least egbt thoroughly quaD-
ied medical This is subject OF momentous lui-
portance, and gives rice to much serious reneflol.
The diet and cooking Of an army another princl-
pal source through witch sickness attacks IT, Accord
ing to the common rule the Government distributes TO
eaeh regiment so much beef -four sugar, beans coffee,
&C. per week. The cooking OF these materials Is u
matter of company regulation. Two men from each
company undeltake the culinary department. ana inc
the consequences are waste crudity ana ulWholesoe
ne,s There is hardly enough, because 30 much l.
spoiled and wasted in the cooking, and what Is eaten Is
generally " not fit for dogs .
Sudden changes of temperature-cold and heat
idleness and wokpriy and dlsconent-these
all have their bearing upon the moTGte OF any ann!
and uuess warded OF, counteracted, demorale and
decimste.
Nor are the personal imprudences Of the soldier
less runous to health and life than the local and
atmospheric influences over which he has no con-
troll In Southern climate especially, the care
less habits of the men are a source OF sudden
aud fatal danger. They are often struck down
with an almost inconceivable rapidity. 81 have
seen a perfectly well man." says the writer
LATER eating single green apple, IN two minute
rolling on the ground IN excruciating suffering.
Lieut. Townsend an old tropical campaigner anC
explorer remarks: 81 found it to be the case
that my companions, on coming 10 Centrs
America almost universally threw off all restraint
and some, who, at home were regarded as pru
y dent and temperate, here became gOarmGRdS and
druakards. Some, on landing from the steamer
would rush and rayenOusly eat pine apples,
oranges, and bananas, then swil down milk,
aguardisafe, and arrack-ths in few minutes
turns tie fruit in the stomach perfectly black
violent cramps would follow, and in some cases
death ensued in a single day. have seen ffiy
sit down at table, and Notwithstanding all ad-
vice of caution, cram and overload their sionachs
with food In fifteen minutes after they had
finished the meal nearly every one would be eX
tended on his back upon the floor, groanng witt
agony"
There is plenty of truth in the following state
ments:
The soldiers life has many anomalies. part Of ti'
time Is spent IN extreme aclOn and part IN supreme
dleness. Time hangs heavy upon his hands and weary
hours pass by without any Object TO occupy the mind
There is generally dearth of reading matter auC
books. and the intervals which afford snch splcndd op
poruuities for Improvement are spent IN hsessness
gambling or drinking.
Bad men numerous, and exert a powerful inhM
euce. One vile obscene unpiinciplcd fellow VII
often corrupt whole company. Then there are tbosa
from whom we might expect better tbiugs, who de
light 10 bring blush 70 the check Of Innocence and
laugh at the sacrilege Of purity.
A bigh-tOned. pure-minded pe1son, thrown into evil
society where DAY aftel day he hears IbadTy, OBJ
depend Cnce-will be apt q have hls STANDARD OF
morality lowered and, forgetting the lessons Of yir-
tue, tie associations OF home, and the memories Ot
friends become one of tie contaminated crowd
Away from books, worship refined wolner, and the
usual Influences Of society, even tie religious lose
their nobility OF character, aud become eXiles nom
morality, religion, and humanity
Palm singing, praying sol1iers, with Bibles chained
10 their s1ddlcbas like the trOmweiliuns and Pun
tans Of old, are, in the hour Of conflict, mighty ire
,istible-inyincble
Sacb simple details as follow are apt TO he forgot
zen in the enthusiasm of the moment:
NECESSARY ARTICLES