New-York tribune., 1901-06-01
UPROLDS THE CANTEEN.
DIR. L. L. SEAMAN DISCUSSES THE SUB
JECT BEFORE THE SESSION OF MILL
TARY SURGEONS IN ST. PAUL.

here upon his observations in China and the ,ron-
ics on the army ration and the post exchange or
canteen. Dr. seaman's paper was listened TO with
much attention. II was in part as follows;
Tho climate of Picking in winter Is cold 7- s
clear, ranging in January from 80 degrees Fsbren-
belt to 10 below zero. without storm during the
-nonth, except the wind. which often blov-c
driving the dust in binding clouds e'
ssr share OF time during the last three wears IN
:he military hospitals of Porto Rico Cuba and tn
were suffering from preventabe diseases diseases
Tcsulting from neglect and ignorance-to make a
tour through the wards Camp Reilly and 10
note the distinctly different type of cases The
almost total absence Of the class termed 'digestiVe
diseases. offers starthng contrast to conditions
ent OF q command suffering from these diseases @
nj one time. or in the Philippines where despite
The constant depletion OF the wards by death or
erarryine from a hundred TO i've hundred invaded
or convalescent men home per month; the percent
naturally looks sharply for the OF this start
dreoIn % peLf PEI filr 20 80 per cent, a gIahee ar
their environment disclOses the secret.
NUTRITIOUS FOODS a NECESSITY
not believe thar these men were the enacated.
49| s3mT rom the Phppnes last summer fS q n t6n
are. Here in this inVigorating zero temperature
Taroas foods rich iP fats and carbon are
s SLOW evidences Of splendid heaIth IT IS no n
my purpose in the limited scope OF this paper
briefly TO call attention the detetic value OF
sugar rs producer Of energy or the elaborate ex-
strated thar much less muscular deterioration
Cured under a sugar diet; and that when muscles
sugar a pure carbohydrate. most quickly restored
their tone; nor even 10 recall the elaborate tables
Of RGIike. who long ego demonstrated that four
goes 10 the production Of animal heat. In China
heat producing foods were needed. Even the fun
army rn-ion the richest and varied in the
yTee a. china was not found sIfficient 70 satisfy
no Repeatedly officers
told that their company funds were largely de-
pleted by the constant demands Of the men for
extra allowances Their appetites were enormous.
their food was digested, assimilated and Ineta6o-
sumed in an effort TO eliminate these heat pro-
gIe'T troos l2oS Where they lived in an environ
menr Of heat. and where such foods were superfu-
gested or meta bolzed Under these conditions such
foods rapidly undergo decomposition in the intes-
iinal tract and create toxins which nature en-
beavers 70 eliminate as quickly as possible by
method left 70 rid herself Of such irritants.
VIRTUE OF THE ARMY CANTEEN
Could any testimony be more convincing? But Of
Congress that would sell its birthright for a mess
of portage was done by the last one in us
judgment 10 the influence OF lot Of fanatcal and
hysterical women. and abolishing the army post
-whelntng testimony Of line and staff officers. men
ot pro6ity ana honor total abstalners ana otherss
the post exchange. II is not my purpose to re-
Wow The evidence on this subject that pretty
thoroughly thrashed during the debate in Con-
gross. bur there very important factor
may furnish a subject for reelection for those who
were instrumental in bringing about this lament
able change. The enemies OF the canteen seem 10
have forgotten that when accustomed TO the
they will resort 10 other methods TO obtain them.
Less than per cent OF the army are total alb
paid and have their pass days. The habits of
the vast majority Of them were formed long before
their enlistment. and a large proportion OF then.
solder cannot obtain a glass of beer or light wine
y
generally strikes for when on pass is the nearest
run loaded with fusil oil; at home vile doctored
alcohol distilled from the nepa leaf; or in China
the samshu, product Of rice-an rank poisons,
s6So- moments he would be the last 10 descend in
subordination, drunkenness, debauchery or deser-
The record q the Summary Court OF the 18th
airy and March lsea al Paniqui. Philippine Islands,
court martial for each month. Four-ffths Of the
offences were 'intoNcatiOn from native vino" A
post exchange was established in the latter part OF
March. Since then and until February, 1901, there
and one month the number reduced TO eight.
The record shows no more than two cases OF vino
intoxicatton' in any month. The company COM
mander's report shows there are but eight total
when the canteen was maintained they drank
less were under better influences and returned 2
room or their other quarters When the misguided
65 s65 81 % tf reeet fat the result of Their in
fuence in inducing Congress TO abolish the post
wretche5ness in the army hospitals, and made
many q husband. father or lover the victim Of a
DEGRADING disease. they may indulge IN less sell
corrratulation and conclude to cease interfering
witt INSTITUTIONS about which they hope
lessIy ignorant The post exchange was the most
rational cornrrornise that the ripe experience of
the ahest offcers Of the army could devise. II was
not abused in the camps; it has been the soldier :
friend. often saving him from disgrace ana disease
have been vetoed by President who well knew knew
its virtues Some years ago the H1XeieF n E'l al
crowd" Of England induced Parliament by InetLoas
similar 10 those used by the Woman's thrlsJlan
arr~rta rntO
eases act in India law that had pioFt' 20 e. =
fecr'yo IN the elimination Of these diseases that IN
1884 they comparatively unknown IN ILe arm az ny
single cause so prolific in invaiding men home "a.
r7e55Icsor,e iegisiafion. has been productive in
spreadinR immortality 10 an extent Re1ttoloIr III.
but there IS no necessity Of celebrating this subject
70 medical audience the Moina. - S;t IN
energies toward cooperation VIII @ lle -,
Associations of country. which are loM IS
2 study of the social evil and are endesNoililg 10
bring about its segregation and liIatatl"n az LtF
as possible within proper 6 n6s, rrove ~ tself real
benefactOr 10 humanity
Dr.. seaman's pape war thoroughly discussed py
the members OF the association 1t was Noteo |"
send COMES Of the paper 10 each member OF Con
gress and 10 the officers Of the W NoihsH I'm
temperance Union ,,.., ,-ere then
The following preamble and resolution were rne"
offered and adopted:
whereas The Association Of Military SurgSe-ons - %
the United States in session al Sl. iaul,
or canteen has resulted and must neyltanE nesuI' SUI
y an increase Of intenpeTanee: 5ises in the army
u-sfeI2re, - oe TIL, this body deplores the action Of
Congress in aboIishng the said post eHchai1ge or
canteen the interests OF yoet a.
and Sanitation recommends its re-estaDlsilisii' a.
The earliest possible date.
POLICE THEATRTCAL ENTERTAINhEAT
The Jersey city police will give theatrical en-