Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1862-09-04
THE HEALTH oF THE ARMY.

The health of our soldiers is q subject OF vi
tai Importance. In all wars it is ascertaincd
that many more die of disease than by the
hands of the enemy. In the present war which
We are waging with traitors and rebils, it has
been especially so. Though many have been
killed on the battle field, many more have fall
len victims to the various diseases common TO
the camp. There are various causes for this
Some enter the army who are physically un-
equal to the hardship. Some are inexperienced
and do not know how TO take care of them
selves, and bring on sickne. S through ignorance.
Some are careless of their health, and get sick
through needless exposure. Some are reck-
less and rashly expose their lives. AT best the
soldier is exposed 10 great hOrdships and Sc
we're trials of health and strength. Our SOL
diers haue left comfortable homes, where they
were well cared for as to food, shelter, clothing
and every necessary of lite. In the army they
are exposed to coll and heat, sunshine and
storm to irregulari,y in sleep and food to
severe labor and fatigue at one time, at another,
TO inactivity in the camp. Now they have long
marches to make, with insufficient food perhaps,
and often suffering intensely for the want of
water to drink, and TO battle with at another
time after long fasting, they indulge their APP
petite to excess. Not unlrequently they have
been obliged to encomp on wet and marshy
grounds, and in a.clipaie where sickness is the
natural consequence. Now all this is TO be ex.
pected, and as far as possible to be provided
for. Our soldiers should beforehand inform
themselves as much as they can on these sub
iects. 1t would be well to have some good
tract on health put into every soldiers hands
A great duty is devolved on the Company off.
GERS, as well as on the higher officers of the
army. These should have special watch over
the health of their men, and be sure that all
necessary sanitary regulations be faithfully al.
tended to. The ChNplains too, if the right
sort of men, can do great good in helping the
troops to preserve their health. To the sur
geons is committed especially this charge.
They should not only be men of skill and judg-
msnt, but also of kind and humane feelings,
taking deep personal interest in the health of
the men, II is not only their duty TO attend
upon the sick and the wounded, they should
look well to the place of encampment 10 the
food and its manner Of being prepared TO the
cleanliness of the soldiers and their tents, and
TO everything having reference to the health
and vgor of the army. If one man is sick
not only are his services lost to the country
but the expense Of nursing and taking care o
him must also lie added to the account. AND
men who are feeble can do but little in the
hour of neei. 1t requires strong healthy mer
to stand the shock of battle, and to endure the
fatigue of forced marches. We are glad tc
know that so much attention is given by the
Government, by Sanitary Commissions, and by
the Surgeons of our army to this subject and
that it secures in the public mind so large
share of consideration still we feel that it de
serves to be constantly kept in view, and tha
it should receive still more attention as thou
sands more of our men are leaving their homes
Of comfort for the hardships and exposures o
the camp and battle field.