The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1898-12-31
CHEMICALS IN THE BEEF.
Result OF Major Days Examination
of Refrigerated Meat.

WASHINGTON, Dec. 30-The war inves-
tigating commission held brief executive
session to-day and at noon adjourned until
Tuesday, Jan. g. The commission to-day
made public report, omitted in the state
ment given out yesterday, bearing on the
beef controversy. 1t is from Maj. W. II.
DAILY, chief surgeon at headquarters at
Tampa, prior TO the sailing of the Shafter
expedition. 1t is addressed to the assistant
adjutant general, under date of Sept. n.
The statement follows:
'Sir-I have the honor to report in the
interest of service, that in the several in
spections l made in the various commands
and troop ships at Tampa, Jacksonville,
Chiekamauga and Porto Rico, that / found
with a secret chemical which destroys its
natural havor and which | also believe TO
be detrimental TO the health of the troops.
While on duty at the headquarters of the
army al Tampa, at the time of the om-
barkauon o. --le 'o.lafter expedition, Col.
Weston, the efficient chief commssary,
showed me a quarter of beef that had al
ready as a test been sixty hours in the sun
without being perceptibly tainted, so far as
the sense of smell could detect. 1t is ini-
possible to keep fresh beef so long untaint-
ed in the sun in that climate without the
boric acid, salisylc acid or nitrate of pot
ash injected into 1t in quantities likely TO
be hurtful to the health of the consumer:
At Ponce Porto Rico, much of the beef
examined arriving on the transports from
the United States was also of the same
character being, apparently preserved by
injected chemicals to aid in efficient cold
storage. Where efficient cold storage is inn
possible, transporting beef alive is the
method that should receive the fullest con-
sideration by the government as being
safest for the health of the consumer.
When detailed to take charge of the
vaiescents to the United States / obtained
1900 pounds of fresh beef from the commits
sary at Ponce. 1t looked well, but had an
after being injected with preservatives, and
tasted when first cooked, like decomposed
boric acid, while after standing day for
further inspection it became so bitter,
nauseous and unpalatable as to be quite inn
possible for use. | was, therefore, opllged,
owing to its condition and the just COM
plants of the sick about it, and the dis
gustingly sickening odor 1t emitted When
being cooked and its mawkish fiat taste
when served, and the safety of the patients
(255 convalescent patients being on BOARD,
to organize board OF survey, condemn ana
throw 1850 pounds, all we had overheard;
consequently the convalescents We're entire
ly without much needed fresh beef, making
the duty of bringing the men to the United
States in an improved conoition very dir-
ficult matter.
I'm my inspection of the Fourth United
States Volunteer Infantry, at Jacksonville,
recently, / observed the same odor and
taste upon the fresh beef, but not SO
marked, and at the camp OF the sixth
United States Volunteer Infantry, at CHICK
amauga, / also at several inspections op-
served 1t markedly. i there Inspected lot
of beef just issued to that regiment and,
while it looked well, was of sickening
odor, like a human body, dead of disease
and injected with personalities, and. when
cooked, was quite unpalatable, consequent,
ly likely to prove an efficient cause or ~
health. The men complained of the insipid
and mawkish flavor that high seasoning
could not conceal
Believing that the commissary depart
ment has been imposed on by the misdl-
rected commercial spirit of persons fur
nishng fresh beef, respectfully recon-
hot ba 10 investigated
experts, making quantitive qualtive chem
ical analysis of the several personalities
suspected to be used in getting samples or
to Rico.
should have been made by me Garner l peg
opportunities TO first inform myself by OBJ
servation of the conditions above noted sur
RECENTLY to warrant my drawing the atten-
ton of the adjutant general at headquar-
ters of the army to the matter.