New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1861-06-25
TaoryEsz1, Minister Of Foreign AFFAIR.
THE NEW SANITARY COMMISSION.

ADDRESS TO THE PEOPLE OF THE UNITED STATES.
The following Address has been issued by the Sani-
tary Commission recently formed in this city:
The undersigned, having been duly appointed bf
the Secretary of War, with the approval Of the Pres
ident Of the United States, commission to inquire
into the sanitary condition OF the volunteer regiments
engaged in the service Of Government, aud to take
measures to remedy defects therein, by recomueuda
ons addressed the proper military authorities, and
otherwise beg leave respectfully and earnestly TO ask
the support and cooperation OF their felloweitrens
throughout the country, in the work thus eonhded 70
them.
Its magnitude and importance are, unfortunately,
selteydent As general rule, four soldiers die o.
diseases incident camp life for one that falls IN tee
tie. Such is the average mortality among regunx
troops. Among volunteers it viii be found much
larger We all remember the fghtful history Of the
British campaign in the Crimea. If such was the
suffering and loss Of sold organized and suppied
under an established system, with officers educated "
their profession and generally 9u.llhed by experience
to take care of their men, what is like to be the tate Of
army hurriedly levied in communities that have en-
oyed the profoundes peace for generations aud who's
officers mostly without practical knowledge OF tho
dangers to which masses Of exposed BY fatigue
elm .te unwbolesome food and other peils OF camp
life aud Of the sanitary measures by which these dan
gers may be met and diuinisbed'
Such sanitary measures, pradently devised sad
lives OF our soldiers and thus the nation men,
money and time than could be effected BY any improve
uieut in the arms put into their hands
For example, the 0incrence between Weilc0OkeQ
diQestble food and -coOked, indgestible food coa-
sumed by regiment during three months Of actual
service in the field il equivalent 10 difference u 81
less forty per cent Of its available strength at the end
OF that period. The quality of water it dukS 10 equally
important But no systematic provision hss yet been
made for supplying levied troops with eitbes
properly cooked food properly purified water Tbey
have already begun to sckrn from the want Of betb
The aud apparatus required to supply these urgent
wants. will cost money, hut Degl. ct to provide
them will cost Us ieniold more in the ead Common
prudence therefore aud mere selfish economy demand
attention the subject even 1T we ignore the imPulss
Of patriotism aud the Christian duty OF caring for tue
health aud life of those we send into the ed to defehd
our national existence.
Many other subjects, equally important, demand
prompt action and to be included in the operations
Of this commission The clothing supplied the voiaa-
teer regiments tents, huts and quarters, tbcir
hospitals, their supply Of nurses, the purity Of Tho
medicines supplied them, The general SANITARY rsgula
tons las to ventilation of tents and quarters, for u-
bathing and personal ceanliness) be enforced a.
part Of our military system-precauons against dis
to be adopted in particular localities; these and
many other points demaud investigation and acti1n
with the least possible delay. II the commission shall
be enabled fully TO execute the work il oontempIares
and hopes to accomplish, il will cave at least twenty
thousand out Of every hundred thousand men raised
for the from perisbing uselessly ingonou-ly, and
cautions which ought to be provided land Which csa
be provided at cost comparatively iosigniRcaats
against the perils OF exposure aud disease.
Though the members Of the Commission gladly serys
fellow countrymep TO enable them to execute what
they have undertaken. Permanent saliried agents ct
Washington and other great military eenters, ale Ia
dispensable These must be men OF high grade, pos
sessing not only scientific education, but efficiency
business aud talent for details. Funds will also be-
required for expenses OF travelling printing, and trans
portaiion, and for other purposes
For these objects the undersigned appeal, with ger
feet confidence to deliberately Of their ieowcitEsns
For obvious reasons they are reluctant 10 make apuh
cation to Congress for appropriation. IL is pro O.
to add that the Commission was appointed BY the War
Department the suggestion Of the Medical Bsrsss
At Washington. II originated in fast, from msua.
fest inability Of the authorities heretofore intrust<d
with the sanitary charge Of little army provide
for lis wants when suddenly increased hundreds Of
Thousands. An amount Of work simply impracticsbb
was thrown upon the Medical Bureau and made tho
appointment Of volunteer aids absolutely indspensa-
The commission has every reason TO believe that II u
honored with the full confidence of the Government
and will receive its cordial cooperation and support
Rooms have been assigned il in tue Treasury Building
Washington. II il vested with full authority by tie
Surgecn-GeDe Of the Army to inspect and examine
ali posts CAMPS ard hospitals and holds the order OF
the Secretary of War ths all persons in the employ Of
Government respect and further the Inquiries OBJ
il cts OF the commission, to the utmost Of their ability
Mr.. Frederick Law Olmsted, If New-lork, consents
% serve ~ les Resident Secretary and Geaeral Agent
Washington. Donations aGd sui scripions in aid Of
objects are earnestly solicited. They should DO I'D
dressed to It's Treasurer, George I. Strong, No. s.
Wall street, New-Yor
o6es Santar, Comuioa, Treasury Byilding funsst 81
HENRY ", BELLOWS President, Hew.Yotk
Plot A. D. BAcHE, vice-Prest wsshiugton'
ELISHA HARRIS, NJ d.. Cores Seo'y n Y
GEORGE w CULLUM, U s. A, w arlington.
ALEXANDER Z. SHIRAS u. 3 A.. Wa.h'n
ROBT. G. WOOD 81. d., u. ~ A., " ashinrtos.
WIN. H. VAN BUREN,, NJ d New.York,
W0LCOTT GIBBS, M. D.. New.York
SAMUEL G. HOWE, "a. D., Boston.
CORNELIUS K. AGNEW M. D, key.Yok
IS NEWBERRY A. D. Cleveland