The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1862-08-08
THECALEDONIAN.
What the Soldiers Want in warm "ea'
Their.

III Il - n IL IL ~ ~ IA ~
What the Soldier. Want in Warm "ea'
The July number of Halls Journal Of
Health contains the following excellent ad-
v;ce N those who are writing to soldiers in
the army
"Ifyou write to soldier, friend or relative
in the army. using common envelope and
sheet Of foolscap paper, you may also add'
without exceeding the weight for which a
three cent postage will pay, as much tea as
teaspoon will take up twice, or as much OF
cayenne pepper, such as is obtained from a
good drug store under the name Of 'Capsi-
cum,' as you can take up at once with COM
mon teaspoon, and the smaller envelope Of
thin paper 10 hold either. Chewing the
tea, pinch at time, every hour or half
hour while keeping guard, or under circum-
stances of great thirst, or of excessive weari-
ness or sleepiness, will enliven, will modify
thirst, will inyigorate, or will waken up to a
grateful extent, considering the amount of
tea used, and its perfec, safety from Interior
i'll results, such as follow the use Of alcoholic
drinks.
But a teaspoonfu Of genuine 'Capsicum' is
worth ten fold its weight of tea leaves, espec-
tally in summer, III many ways; for example
a single quarter Of pinch will save mans
l!e-that quarter of pinch being put in a
sleepy sentinel's eye. If it don't waken him
up, and everybody else within an Indian
yel's distance, then it is not prime article
Of capsicum. a single pinch in glass of
flat or warmish water vii. nullify these quail
tiles, and besides satisfying thirst, will invig-
crate and efiectually prevent that uncomfor-
table sensation arising from having drank
largely of water. A good PINCH eaten at
each meal, or whenever cup of coffee or tea
or water is swallowed, will always invigorate
digestion, aids to prevent acidity, and is, be-
Sides great antagonist of the diarrhea, dys-
EMERY, tiux and 'looseness,' which are the
great scourges Of all armies. A level tea
spoon of capsicum daily, taken in eating or
drinking, or both, or if taken pinch at a
time during the day or night, would do more
real good, and that withou: any ill result,
than ten times the cost in rum and quinine,
as preventive against chills and fever.
Liquor and quinine iniatiate the soldier in
to incorporate habits; they will wake up a
love, craving, slavery to strong drink,
which pepper and water will never do. The
latter invigorates like food, the former mere
ly excites, then leaves weaker than before
A pinch of capsicum, which is simply pure
cayenne pepper, will do a great deal more
toward warming up soldier, toward inyig-
Grating him, towards keeping him vigilant
on guard, and toward modifying thirst, or "a
tigue, than the best glass of grog ever swal-
lowed. Capsicum goes further, and is more
efficient for all purposes than black pepper
if by express or privately, send halfa pound
at time, in tin box. Ifyou have nothing
else to send in your letters, send few pins
or a needle and some thread. Many have
seen the time when string or pin would
have been worth ten times its real value.,-
Write often to the soldier. Write long let
tiers. Give all the news you can think Of
Let every line be full of love; of kind, aiFec-
tionate interest and encouragement. Be
sure to incucate generous magnanimity
toward those who oppose, so as to have as
few obstacles as possible to a cordial coming
together again, when that good time comes,
as it certainly will before long"