The times., 1899-02-13

Dr. DAILY on the goth OF January, tele
grams were sent to all issuing commits
saries in Cuba, Porto Rico, and at various
home camps occupied by troops. asking
that samples of refrigerated beef be at
once taken, placed in glass jars. securely
sealed, and forwarded to the Commission.
These samples were to be of one pound
weight from the outside and one pound
weight from the inside of a quarter. In
response to this request many samples
have been received and later sent to the
chemists of the Agricultural and Interior
Departments for careful chemical examina-
ton. The result of analysis has been
reported to us in twenty cases, and,
as will be seen by the reports appended.
in no specimen examined has either bo-ic
or salicylic acid or other deleterious chem
icals been found.
In view of the facts above set FORTH
the Commission is of the opinion that no
refrigerated beef furnished by contractors
and issued to the troops during the war
with Spain was subjected to or treated
with any chemicals by the contractors or
those in their employ
In considering questions concerning
canned meats it is not the duty of the
Commission to enquire into the character
kind, or condition of all the canned meats
that may be in use in this country. Our
specific duty is to give an opinion as to
the quality of those furnished the soldiers
during the recent war with Spain. There
has been neither allegation nor proof be-
fore us that boric, or salicylic. or any other
acid has been used in the canned meats
furnished to the troops, but such meats
have nevertheless been greatly criticised,
and they have, for that reason. been tested
by us and have been analyzed under our
direction. and we have taken a great deal
of testimony as to the mode of their prep
taken from the foreQuarters OF beeves."
Canned Beef UnpaIntnbIe.
An interesting contribution to the con-
troversy is to be found in the Agricul-
tural Departments official report upon the
methods employed by the packing houses.
as required under the inspection regula-
tions:
In preparing the meat for canning, large
pieces are put in watts of boiling water and
thus cooked. This softens the meat makes
1t more tender, and facilitates the separa-
tion of bone and gristle. After these are
removed, the meat is cut into pieces of
proper size for the can. The top is then
soldered on the can. but a small hole is
left. through which air and steam escape
in the heating of the can which follows.
This heating also kills the bacteria The
hole is then closed by drop OF melted
solder, and the can is Theoretically sealed.
The cans are then tested to see whether
this handling has been done so as to pro-
tect the meat from deterioration. To this
end they are kept in warm room for a
number of days. If the bacteria have not
been killed, the meat will decompose, gases
will be produced, and the cans will swell.
The number OF cans that swell and thus
indicate imperfect handling is said to aver
age about onefourth of l per cent. The
meat in them is thrown into the waste
heap with the intestines and other refuse
and made into fertilizers
The report shows that a number of Off
GERS testified that the canned beef was
unpalatable 1t is also ELECTED that in
tropical country. where it is subjected to
intense heat, the meat presents a repul-
sive appearance at first. Furthermore 1t
transpires that occasionally an inferior ar
ticle is found. But the records OF the
army prove that canned beef has been used
for many years, and on October 10. 1897,
the following official statement was issued:
War Department, Adiutant Generals Office.
Washington, October 10, 1871.
Mr.. W Clarke Marshall.
Produce Exchange, GGi6 Wentworth Avenue,
Chicago, III:
Sir: 1 nave the hOnuT 10 ACKNOWLEDGES lie re-
ceipt Of your communication ot the 10Th untiIno,
to the Secretary of War. giving information re-
garding the proper food to be taken to the
sufferers in Alaska, and also for the subsistence
of the troops there and ascribing the sickness in
that locality to the use OF salt meats, and in
reply thereto the Secretary Of War desires me
to call attention to the following remarks OF
the Medical Department Of the army, in which
the Major General Commanding the Army con
ours:
Canned meats put up 10y reputable firms are
wholesome and have the full nutritiye value Of
the meat contents. and in the absence OF fresh
meat to he preferred to any of the three sub
stitutes suggested by the writer Meat. when
saltcd, loses a certain proportion Of its albumin
oids and extractiyes, hut what remains IS val
liable as food and has no specific influence in
the production of sCuTVy. With hard bread.
bacon, pea meal, and occasional issue OF fresh
beef, in its absence canned meat, dietary
OF satisfactory force value be provided.
To these there should be added. for the preven-
tipn of sCuryy occasional issues Of potatoes,
onions or canned vegetables. or in their un-
avoidabc absence dcsiccatcd vegetables and dried
fruit
Very respectfully, W. II. CARTER,
Assistant Adiutant General.
Mailed October 10, 1897.
IAN the above in quotation is the en-
dorsement upon the letter of Mr.. Mar
shall signed by c. Smart, deputy sur
geon general L. S. A. The endorsement
of the Major General Commanding is in
the following words:
Headquarters of the Army,
Washington. u. C., October Is. ISIS.
The Major General Commanding conCurs in the
remarks Of the deputy surgeon general, fourth
endorsement. J. C. GILMORE,
Assistant Adjutlnt General.
The Major General Commanding here
referred to is Mai. Gen. Nelson A. les
Prnisc for the Signal Corps.
dc hfabl "
of the Signal Corps, which was included
in its enquiry. 1t says:
When war commenced and the fleets
started for Cuba and the transports 10
Manila. the Signal Corps was on hand
The men of this corps cut the cables. often
displaying great courage in doing their
work under the enemys guns. AT San
tiago they located Cervera and the Span
ish lines They landed with the troops,
laid their telegraph lines, following the
line of battle as it advanced, kept up
communication with the base OF operation
almost from the firing line, and when the
two days fighting that resulted in the
capture of Santiago occurred General
Shafter said he had telegraphic Communi-
cation with all his division commanders
from his headquarters to the firing line.
After the capture of Santiago and before
the news OF the surrender had reached all
parts of the United States this corps had
coupled the broken cable and the Presi-
dent of the United States was able to learn
promptly the details of the surrender at
Santiago The same successful work was
accomplished at Porto Rico. and also at
| Manila except the cable. The total
amount of money available for the Signal
Corps for eighteen months. ending Deem
Der 81. 1898. aggregated $6O9.000
In addition this corps was charged with
the censorship of all dispatches passing
| over the cable lines. the delicate and re