The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1899-03-22
DR.. SENN'S TESTIMONY
CHICAGO SCIENTIST BEFORE THE
ARMY COURT OF INQUIRY.
He Says Canned Roast Beef Is Not a
Suitable Ration, Being OverdOpe in
BOiIing-Dried Beef Better.

CHICAGO, March 21-The government
court of inquiry tonight examined two
witnesses with reference to the beef ques-
tion-Dr. Nicholas Sem and Lieut.. Col A.
w. Corliss DR.. Sem entirely disapproved
of canned roast beef as an army ration for
any length of time, nd Colonel Corliss told
of the soldiers dislike of it. The court will
hold an all-day session tomorrow, expect
ing to leave for New York tomorrow even
ing or Thursday morning. The remaining
witnesses will be those suggested by Major
Lee in behalf of Major General Miles.
DR.. Nicholas Sem, of Chicago, who served
in Cuba and Porto Rico. testified that the
troops in Cuba lived largely on canned roast
beef and bacon. He had every reason to be-
lieve that the canned beef was not roasted
but boiled. 1t was tasteless and certainly
appeared to lack nutritious qualities, was
apparent from the condition of the men who
returned from Cuba to Montauk-men who
had never been ill. but were greatly enact
ated He believed that the meat was over
done-that there was some fault in the pro-
cess of preparation-that the process has
not been perfected. The bacon was of good
quality. He could say nothing about refrig-
orator beef because he did not see any of 1t
in Cuba or Porto Rico. He made no formal
inspection of the canned roast beef, but mad
eaten some of 1t and his statements were
based on his own experience. The meat was
evidently good meat-was of good quality,
but, as stated before, was not properly pre-
pared-was overlooked by boiling.
He thought one of the meat supplies Of
the future for the army should be dried
beef Men could be fed once or twice a
week on canned roast beef without i'll effect
on their health, but as daily ration for
any length of time he would not consider it
safe or advisable ration. When the pack
ers learned how to make real roast beef he
thought it would be an excellent thing, but
not as an exclusive diet. The canned roast
beef was used very extensively in Cuba,
but the ration in Porto Rico was very
much better-seemed to be better prepared:
In reply to Gen. Davis the witness stated
that the meat as prepared by the packers,
according TO the testimony given, would not
lose much of its nutrition on account of be
of the use of chemicals in the canned roast
beef. He had heard of cases OF ptomaine
att but did mot mot any We're
sterilized and properly sealed. When opened
the meat should keep twenty.four hours 1t
would not be safe to eat it after that time.
In reply to questions of Colonel Gillespie,
the witness stated that he really could not
say whether the fresh meat he ate in Porto
Rico was refrigerator meat or native. lie
thought it was the latter. The meat was
wholesome and palatable.
Gen. A. w. Corliss, who was attached to
the Seventh Infantry in Cuba, testified that
he was shot on the first of July and knew
nothing of the conditions there after that.
up 10 that time" he said, I'VE got a good
deal of canned corned beef and canned roast
beef, also bacon in small quantities. Com
plants were received about the canned roast
beef; ii was disliked very much. The Off
GERS and men had the same ration. We tried
TO eat the canned roast beef and did eat it,
but in order TO do had to mix it up
with bareback and fry it. We tried to eat
1t plain. but could not; it made us sick and
gave us bowel trouble"
Major Lee did not cross-examine the wit
ness and the court had no questions to ask.
The court adjourned until 10 o'clock to-
morrow.