The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1899-02-13


diately upon Nearing the testimony of Dr.
DAILY, on the Goth of January. kilograms
were sent to all issuing commissaries in
Cuba, Porto Rico and at the 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 quarter. In response to this
request many samples have been received
and later sent to the chemists of the Agri-
cultural and Interior Departments for care
ful chemical examination. The result of the
analyses has been reported to us in twenty
nine cases, and, as will be seen by the re-
ports appended, in no specimen examined
has either boracic or salicylic acid or other
deleterious chemicals been found.
''In view of the facts above set forth the
commission is of the opiniorlthat no refrig-
Grated 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
CANNED MEATS.
an considering questions concerning
canned meats it is not the duty of the COM
mission to inquire 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 before us that
boracic or salicylic, or any other acid, has
been used in the canned meats furnished
to the troops, but such meats have never
theless been greatly criticised and they
have, for that reason, been tested by US
and have been analyzed under our direc-
ton. and we have taken a great deal of
testimony as to the mode of their prepara-
ton. The canned meat is ordinarily taken
from the forequarters of beeves."
The Agricultural Departments official re-
port on the methods employed by the pack
ing houses as required under the inspection
regulations, Is incorporated. The commits
sion's report shows that a number of Off
GERS testified that the canned beef was UNI
palatable. 1t is also elected that in a trOp-
zeal country, where it is subjected to in
tense heat, the meat presents a repulsive
appearance at first. Furthermore, 1t trans
pires that occasionally an inferior article is
found. But the records of the army prove
that canned beef has been used for many
years, and on Oct. 10, 1897, the following
official statement was issued from the ad-
jutant generals office, addressed to w.
Clarke Marshall, Produce Exchange, Chi
cago:
Sir have the honor to acknowledge the
receipt of your communication of the 18th
ult. to the secretary Of war, giving in
formation regarding the proper food TO be
taken to the sufferers in Alaska, and also
for the subsistence of the troops there, and
Rscribing the sickness in that locality to the
use OF salt meats, and In reply thereto the
secretary OF war desires me to call atten-
ton to the following remarks of the medical
department of the army, in which the ma
jor general commanding the army concurs:
Canned meats put up by reputable firms
are wholesome and have the full nutritive
value of the meat contents, and in the alb
sence of fresh meat are to be preferred to
any Of the three substitutes suggested by
the writer. Meat, when sailed, loses a GER
tain proportion of its albuminoids and ex-
tractives, but what remains is valuable as
food and has no specific influence in the pro-
duction of scurvy. With hard bread, bacon,
pea meal and an occasional issue of fresh
beef, or, in its absence. canned meat, a
dietary of a satisfactory force value can
be provided. To these there should be add
ed, for the prevention of scurVy, occasional
issues Of potatoes, onions or canned Vege-
tables. or, in their unavoidable absence,
desiccated vegetables and dried fruits
This was signed by W. II. Carter, assistant
adjutant general, and mailed on Oct. 10,
1897. All the above in quotation is the in
dorsement upon the letter of Mr.. Marshall,
signed by G. Smart, deputy surgeon general
of the United States army. The Endorsement
of the major general commanding is in the
following words:
Washington. Oct. IS, 1897.
1.-THE major general commanding concurs
In the remarks of the deputy surgeon gen.
eral; fourth Endorsement.
~. G. GILMORE,
Assistant Adjutant General"
The "major general commanding here re-
ferred to is Maj. Gen. Nelson A. Miles.