The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1898-10-17
Gen. Sterlberg Pays Tribute to Its
Us fulness.
PROVIDED DELICACIES FOR THE
SICK SOLDIERS.

Washington, October 49, The follow
ing letter from the surgeon general Of
the army was written in reply to one sent
to the President by A. e. Orr, vice chair
man of the Red Gross Relief committee:
II have received the copy of your let
ter to the President. In answer to your
question as to Why the Intervention Of
the Red Cross relief committee should
be longer needed, and why the govern
ment does not see to it that it's own sick
are provided for would say:
"The emergencies Of the war made the
assistance. of relief associations most
valuable, Notwithstanding the fact that
it Is the intention of the government to
provide literally for the care of sick SOL
diers. But, as you know. with ample
means and good Intentions, supplies can
not always be provided at the proper
place and time to meet an emergency.
Moreover, at the outset of the war, the ar
rang ements made for providing light diet
for the sick. which had proved satisfac-
tory in time Of peace, were inadequate
and the conditions which prevailed in our
camps of instruction and among troops
engaged in active operations. For this
reason the presence of the Red Cross
agen ts with their abundant supplies of
deiicacies for the sick, has been of inesti-
mGble value. But provisions WAS made
by a general order published August 10,
e. o. 1l6), by which surgeons in charge
of hospitals general division or regi-
| 10 dvux rs
day for each sick enlisted man of the
army in lieu of his regular ration. Up
to that time the communication value of a
ration was only 80 cents.
"The medical department does not sup
ply food for the sick in hospital. This Is
obtained from the oommissary depart
ment or by purchase wherever it can be
procured. enclose herewith a list show
ing the articles which can be purchased
from the commissary, which is as you
will see, includes canned soups, tapioca,
crackers, jellies, tea. butter, etc., milk,
chickens and eggs, fresh vegetables, etc.,
are purchased wherever they can.be OBJ
rs41nsd. The medical department fur
nishes few articles, under the head of
hospital astores,' including condensed
milk, sugar and tea, but no food supplies
are furnished by the medical department
or can be properly paid for from the
medical and hospital appropriation. Of
course If the commissary departm ent
fails to provide these supplies they can
not be purchased in the Vicinity of
camp or hospitals, the difficulty of pro-
viding, food for the sick would be very
great and under such conditions the sup
plies of the relief associations have been
most welcome.
"But the amout now allowed by the
government is ample to provide every
thing necessary in the way Of suitable
diet for the sick and when there Is any
failure to provide this it is failure in
administration by those Immediately in
charge and not failure Of the govern
ment to provide the necessary means
"You will no doubt agree with me
that 60 cents day for the raw material
from which to prepare proper diet for
the sick is most liberal provision. The
experience of medical officers show that it
is not only ample, but excessive. and
that for sick men, living for the most
part upon milk, weak soups and farl-
naceous foods, this is much in excess OF
any reasonable requirement.
"Under the circumstanoes1 l think those
patriotic and liberal citizens who have
contributed SO freely to said in the care
of our sick soldiers, may now leave the
matter in the hands of the government
without any apprehension as to the re-
sults.''