Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1912-06-09
EMERGENCY RATIONS.
Only One-Eighth the Bulk and
Weight of Ordinary Food.


! From Dietetic and Hygienc Gazette.
| So vital is food to the existence o. an
army. and so closely is its activity re-
stricted by this necessity, that any extra
weight that may be left out without i'm
moment.
Many years ago the English army au-
thorities sought to solve the problem.
At first sight it seems easy, for of
the ordinary articles constituting the
soldiers ration large proportion con-
sists of water Much more is made up
of non-nutritious substances. cellulose
etc. If these were excluded material
saving in weight would be effected.
Accordingly. the ration was, far
as could be done at that time, deprived
of the non-essential elements and re-
dnced to cake One-eighth the bulk and
weight. 1t was calculated that the sol
der could then carry L weeks rations
in the same bulk as had been occupied
by the allowance for a single day. and
his mobility CORRESPONDENCE increased.
The trials did not result favorably,
for the men looked with suspicion on
bulk as that to which they had been
accustomed. eating a weeks rations i'll
single day. They asserted that they
were not satisfied with the portion in
should be filled, it had been by the
big rations. Whether this was "A truly
physiologic need or merely psychic
one was not aScertained at the time, and
there.
Some time ago 'old shipmate. row
on the retired list, called my attention
TO emergency ration prepared at
the instance of the United States Army
authorities. This was based on the pres
ent United States Army ration formula.
One days ration comes in the shape Of
three cakes, weighing. together, eight
ounces net
Its components are chocolote. nucleo-
casein. matted milk desiccated eggs.
sugar and cocoa butter. 1t is put ZIP in
a tin case that may be opened with
out the use of an instrument. simply
by pulling off a strip of tin. The label
states that the contents will sustain
person adult man, presumably for
tWenty-four hours. The number of
calores is in decided excess Of what
the average diet for worl1ingman re-
quires.
Ny habits being unusually sedentary,
waited until ! could get off to the
country for a week. During this week
gave my eyes a rest. ard spent the
time saving and chopp;nS wood and
similar bodily exercises. as severe and
prolonged as my strength permitted.
This. however was far short Of what
would ne demanded Of n soldier on u
raG. but l. was the best test that Of
fcred.
| tried living exclusively Upon tho
emergency rations, taking each cake in
a pint and half If hot water o add
the bulk, a precaution that was neg
lected in the experiments described b.
Parkes. Before the end of the week /
suffered smart attack OF INDIGESTION.
evidently due to overlooking. The ra-
ton contained more food than ! could
dispose Of even with the ij3rd work;
The cakes look and taste like the
ordinary sweet chocolate o: tie shop.
| The sweetness made Il rathc! clc,.ng
after a time; othCrNis I was pleasant
enough one such exptFiricrt Goas FOR
little, hut tnat little shows tha, he "a
tons contain IT least eru;ta!. food yaii,c
fer its purpose: IL surely wiil sGstain
soldier fer the rer.od ssi.-eIi. twenty
four hours.
The army authorities seem to be sem
st:ye To hostile criticism, and are care
full TO explain that they are not recon-
mendinS these aught but emergency
rationS, and by no means as a subst-
tute for the regular food supply They
conserva:ivcfy suggest that these. eaier-
gency rations should be better IN emer-
sencies than no rations at all. and they
are fully justified in this.