The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1861-07-01
LIFE AND DEATH IN CAMP
THE SANITARY CoHprTIoE Of THE ARMY

THE SANITARY CoHDITioE OF THE ARMY.
70 TIE CITIZENS THE UNtFD sTArss:--
The undersigned, having been duly appointed by the
Secretary or War; with the approval of the President of
the United States comrapsion TO inquire into the saDi
teTy dto0 OF the volunteer reg engaged the
styce Oi the government and to take TO
dy defects herein by recommendations addressed to the
proper military Authorities aud othsrwise beg isave re-
spectny aid earnestly 10 ask the support and coopera
OF teir f.aw ctizens thu ough0ut IT, country Ia
the work thur cs naded 10 them.
lie magnitude and mJot.aCe are, untog tnaely self
evident as general rule, -four noldera die Of delse5
noden. to camp life fer that falls In battle. Such
tie average mortality among regular troops. Among
volunteers it viii be fouud much larger. We al rcmew
Der tie frlghtful hsto OF the Brah Campaign the
Crmea ouch was the suffering and loes OF soldiers
eenzed ond supplied under established system with
officers educated IN their profession, and generally quail
fed by experience TO take of their men, VIVA. is like
to &c the ate OF army, hurredy levied in conmuni
ties that have eo ed tbs poroundes peace for genera
tiuus ara whose officers mostly withoU. practical
exposed by fatigue, climate, unwhcesome food other
parts OF camp e ana o. the sanitary measures By which
these dar gefs may be met and dminishei9
Such sanitary measures, prudenty devised and
thoroughly executed, Will DO eConcmi2c the
lives Of cur sodieis, ana thus to save ,he nation
men, mercy and time than could be Effected By any I'M
prcyement i'll the arms pat into their hands.
For exs1pa, 4ae difference be.geen well cooked di.
gestbe food and III cooked indigestble Fooi, consumed
10y regiment during three Dcn hs OF actual sefv in
TIE elo s equivalent to difference Of at least forty per
cent IN its available strength st the end OF that period
~ II.
But nosyeseHstc loTson has yet been made for sup
plying cur Eewly levitd troops with either properly
cooked food OF properly purified water They have are
% begin 10 sckon from want Of both. The men
ard apparatus required 10 supply these ureelt wants
will C,st money, but our neglect to provide them
will COZ. tenfold more the end. Com non
rrudeoce, ,bogoiOre and mere selngh eooaomy
Gtrrsud -te.on TO the eubjecs, Ii ignore the
impulse OF pa !oon Dad ths Ch'tiar duty caring foT
The health and he 6. tscse VIC send into the hed to
fend cur national existence
tauy Other subjects, equally Important demand promp.
action, and 10 be Included the operations cf this
Commission fbe clc'hng supplied the volonteef regi
m,n.s, then 'nts, bats and Qusrters iheir bosptss
their suEJ Of nu:see the putty OF the Medicines sup
pied them The general eanitsry regulations las veal
a:H Of toee AID quarters, oS instance, drainage Of
camp sites. the use Of deniectane bath aud personal
cicaaEess) 70 be enfcICed I&. OF military
prcaukps sgapst dseese TO be adopted u ztcuar 10
cetes, these ard many other points Demand lnvesgs
ticn aad actios with least possible delay II the
Comip stsli be enabled fully 10 execute the VOL, Ia
oonsenpaes e:d hopes 10 accomplish, i, will at
ess' twenty tho.sand out Of every hundred thousand
men Iased FOR the fIom ishiDg usetGsly, iDgto
riots.y end uEncCe sariy from want the eys
tesaac psecauttets which oaght to be pcoydoa (sne
which can he provided at cost comparatively nsgpi
Csn) sgaust the pe,ils Of exposure and disease.
1hos9n members 0f the Commission gladly serve
wHoort ice or ;ewsrd they require the aid Of their fe
low couptTJnen 10 enable them to execute what they
have upderiaken Pc manent salared agents az Wash
ingson end Other great military centres ndispensa-
BILE, Thete nusi be Of high grade posse ing ao
oDy tcsntifc education, but efficiency business
talent fer ce7as. FUNDS Will also be required for ey-
pnts CT travelling printing and transportation, and fer
other purposes
Fer these objects the undersigned appeal with perfect
confidence to ,he lberaly of their fellow citizens For
Chgees iof an appropriation it proper - aid that
the Commission 1as appointed by tho War Department
CT the suggestion OF the Medical Bu.ean q. Washington
Il originated in fact, from me manigeat inability OF the
authorities heretofore entrusted with the sanitary charge
of cur little amy 70 provide fer It's wants when suddenly
increased to hundreds OF thonssnds An aEcuo OF work
einpy npssci.csbe thus thrown upon the Me3ical
Bureau, and mace The appointment Of volunteer ODDS alb
soluteiy inois pepssble.
Tto Commission has eyerv reasop to believe tfa,
il is honored With TIE full confidence Of govern.
Dent, and will receive lis cordial cooperation
and support. RooDs have been assigned it In
the Treasury building, Waehi1gton II il vested
with full authority by the Surgeon General OF the army
ard holds the OF the Secretary OF War tina. all per-
cons in the employ OF the government respect and fur
ther the Inquiries and objects OF The Commission 70 the
New York. consents TO It's resident ecreayy and
general agent at Washington Donstions snd subsorip
tcrs in sid OF its object earnestly socited They
should be addressed to its Treasurer, George Strong
66 Wall street, New York.
HENRY W. BELLOWS, President, Ny.
Prof. A. D. BAOhE, Vice Pres't, Washington.
GEO, W. oUILU8, U. S. A, Washington
Rosf. c. Won Me- D., III wssSiae aeson
WIN. II. VAN BUREN,, NJ. D., New York
WoiC0T GIBBS, H. D., New York.
CORNELIUS R. AGNEw, NJ. d New York.
J. S. NEWBERRY, N. D., Cleveland.
FREDERICK Law oLNSrED, New York.
OIlcE OF SANITARY COMMISSION, TressWy Building, June
81 1851.
UNITED STATES STEAMER MICHIGAN.
The Detroit Fyss Pres gives the following is, OF on
cers OF the United States steemer Michigan
Commander, John G, Carter.
Surgeon, W. Maxwell Wood.
Pnymaster, J. Gee Barrie.
Fins, LienterGnt, Thomas II Stevens
Chef Engineer, Theodore Zeor.
Lieutenant, L. q. Paulding
fieuttbans, Jsroes e Jegen.
Lieutenant, z. ". Henry.
First Assistant Engineer, VIM. n. Ru.herford.