condition was excellent, and few, if any, returned without greatly improved health and increased vigor. It is also found generally true that soldiers from the wealthier classes of the community, delicately reared, fare much better than the heavybuilt yeomanry of the country. The secret, to some extent, is in the greater care which they take of themselves. Besides, the irregular habits of city life and the acclimation to all disorders which results, adapt the individual to the exigencies of the camp. Speaking of the troops indiscriminately levied in the Crimea, an English surgeon says: "Old age, decrepitude, with feeble and bent frames, wrinkled faces, grizzly locks, were seen in youths of two or three and twenty, the effect of two winters' toil, want, and misey."

The statistics of the Mexican war evince the startling difference in mortality from disease among picked and well selected troops, and indiscriminately received volunteers. Thus, while the old army furnished a loss from deaths, discharges, etc., in 26 months, of less than 2 per cent. per month, the volunteers lost 34 per cent., or 3,839 out of 11,186, or near 2 1-3 per cent. per month. For the whole volunteer force the loss was over 27 per cent., or 20,385 out of 73,260, or 2 3-4 per cent. per month. The above figures include those killed in battle. The old army stood the brunt of all the early engagements, while many volunteer regiments were never under fire. Though the volunteer corps lost only 613 men in battle, or from wounds, out of 73,260, their loss from other causes was 15,617, or 26 per cent. Thus it will be perceived, after all, how little the bullet or the bayonet have to do with the actual casualties of war.

In the Crimean service the contrast is still more terrible. While the total English loss was 22,457, those attributed to the battle-field was but 3,448; and the French lost in the same campaign by death 63,000.

In receruiting for the old United States army such stringent rules were observed that 2,726 only were received in the total number of 16,064 who were examined.

Upon the subject of clothing for troops, Dr. Chisolm remarks that the soldier's coat should be a frock, fitting loosely over the shoulders, with full play for the arms, without binding in any way, and wide in the bottom, so as not to impede the expansion of the chest when closely buttoned. The jacket is a poor costume for soldiers, and exposes the entire body to draughts and

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dampness. The trousers should be of good, heavy, woollen material, made also free. Flannel shirts, very long, and drawers of the same material, are of great hygienic value in summer as well as winter. They absorb perspiration, and are a guard against dysentery and diarrhoea. The French soldier envelopes the abdomen in a band of flannel. Woollen socks, for a like reason, should be preferred to cotton. They preserve warmth to the feet and retain an even temperature. The French army are provided with gaiters made of heavy white cloth, covering two-thirds of the foot, and extending as far up the leg as the knee, and the leg is also protected very often by leather greaves, ΠΕ which shut in the bottom of the pants. An overcoat of stout cloth is an important appendage-the hood added by the French protecting the head and neck from the storm or exposure.

With regard to the color, it is known that light colors absorb less than dark, and that the latter retain much longer offensive odors. Besides, on the battle-field, the risk of being struck by the enemy is in the proportion of the brightness of the soldier's costume. The proportion is, for red, twelve; riflever. green, seven; brown, six; Austrian grey, five.

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The best military hat in use is a light soft felt, with sufficiently high crown to admit the air over the brain. In a warm climate the light color adds to comfort very much. The havelock, with cape attached, hanging down over the shoulders, protects the neck from sun or night air.

One of the maxims, says Dr. Chisolm, for preserving health in a campaign, is that soldiers must protect themselves in summer from night air by warm clothing. A heavy blanket, and a piece of india-rubber cloth as large, will effect this purpose. The full equipment of a soldier may be set down as two shirts, two pair of woollen socks, two pair of flannel drawers, two pair of shoes, two handkerchiefs, a sponge and towel, needle-case, comb, soap-besides his regular uniform. Also knife, fork, spoon, and canteen.

The soldier should allow his beard to grow, which will give protection to the throat and lungs, and should cut the hair short from the head. A clean skin will prevent fever and bowel complaints, and therefore he should, if possible, wash the entire person, or at least the chest and arms, daily.

The soldier's food should be plain, and nutritious, and well cooked. The English give tea and the French coffee, which

are both better adapted to health than alcoholic drinks. More important, however, than either for the health of troops, is an abundant supply of good water; and in our Southern campaigns the most intense sufferings have resulted from its absence. The French military proverb that "soup makes the soldier," indicates the importance of vegetables as an article of diet. When they can not be obtained, dried vegetables or fruits must be

substituted. In the Crimea, lime-juice, citric acid, and sourcrout were extensively used to prevent scurvy. Acids are antiscorbutic. A distinguished military surgeon has said that one hundred thousand francs spent in fresh vegetables will save five hundred thousand francs from the expenses of sick soldiers, besides the use of the men for actual service. Biscuits and fresh bread should be supplied when practicable. Bacon is, par excellence the soldier's meat, never producing surfeit, easily cooked, and, with its rich juice, always savory and

palatable.

But the whole chapter from which we are digesting is well worth the attention of every one having at heart the interest and health of our army, which may almost be said to comprise, or will soon comprise, nearly the entire adult male population of the country. Every other interest and condition is absorbed in this, and must be, until the great problem of our deliverance from intolerable Yankee tyranny shall be solved.

The most important rules relative to the health of soldiers in the field have been condensed and published in convenient form for the use of the Army of Mississippi. We can not do better than incorporate them entire, at the risk of some little repetition:

RULES FOR HEALTH FOR SOLDIERS' USE.

1. In any ordinary campaign, sickness disables or destroys three times as many as the sword.

2. On a march, from April to November, the entire clothing should be a colored flannel shirt, with a loosely-buttoned collar, cotton drawers, woollen pantaloons, shoes and stockings, and a light-colored felt hat, with broad brim, to protect the neck, and face from the glare of the sun and from the rain, and a substantial but not heavy coat, when off duty.

3. Sunstroke may be prevented by wearing a silk handkerchief in the hat, or a white linen hood hat-cover, extending like a cape over the neck and shoulders.

4. Colored blankets are best; and if lined with brown drilling, the warmth and durability are doubled, while the protection against dampness from lying on the ground is almost complete.

5. Never lie or sit down on the grass or bare earth for a moment; rather use your hat-a handkerchief even is a great protection. The warmer you

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are the greater need for this precaution, as a damp vapor is immediately
generated, to be absorbed by the clothing and to cool you off too rapidly.

6. While marching, or on other active duty, the more thirsty you are, the
more essential it is to safety of life itself to rinse out the mouth two or three
times before drinking, and then take a swallow of water at a time with
short intervals. A brave French general, on a forced march, fell dead on
the instant, by drinking largely of cold water when snow was on the
ground.

7. Abundant sleep is essential to bodily efficiency and to that alertness of mind which is all-important in an engagement; and few things more certainly and effectually prevent sound sleep than eating heartily after sun20 down, especially after a heavy march or desperate battle.

8. Nothing is more certain to secure endurance and capability of longcontinued effort, than the avoidance of everything as a drink except cold water, not excluding coffee at breakfast. Drink even cold water very slowly.

9. After any sort of exhausting effort, a cup of coffee, hot or cold, is an admirable sustainer of the strength, until nature begins to recover herself.

10. Unless after a long abstinence or great fatigue, do not eat very heartily just before a great undertaking; because the nervous power is irresistibly drawn to the stomach to manage the food eaten, thus drawing off that supply which the brain and muscles so much needed.

11. If persons will drink brandy, it is incomparably safer to do so after an effort than before; for it can only give a transient strength, lasting but a few minutes; but as it can never be known how long any given effort is to be kept in continuance, and if longer than the few minutes, the body becomes more feeble than it would have been without the stimulus, it is clear that its use before an effort is always hazardous, and is always unwise.

12. Never go to sleep, especially after a great effort, even in hot weather, without some covering over you.

13. Under all circumstances, rather than lie down on the bare ground, lie in the hollow of two logs placed together, or across several smaller pieces of wood, laid side by side; or sit on your hat, leaning against a tree. A nap of ten or fifteen minutes in that position will refresh you more than an hour on the bare earth, with the additional advantage of perfect safety. 14. A cut is less dangerous than a bullet wound, and heals more rapidly. 15. If from any wound the blood spirts out in jets, instead of a steady stream, you will die in a few minutes unless it is remedied, because an artery has been divided, and that takes the blood direct from the fountain of life. To stop this instantly, tie a handkerchief or other cloth very loosely between the wound and the heart, put a stick, bayonet, or ramrod between the skin and the handkerchief, and twist it around until the bleeding ceases, and keep it thus until the surgeon arrives.

16. If the blood flows in a slow, regular stream, a vein has been pierced, and the handkerchief must be on the other side of the wound from the heart-that is, below the wound.

17. A bullet through the abdomen (belly or stomach) is more certainly fatal than if aimed at the head or the heart; for, in the latter cases, the ball is often glanced off by the bone, or follows round it under the skin; but when it enters the stomach or bowels, from any directon, death is inevitable under almost all circumstances, but is scarcely ever instantaneous. Generally the person lives a day or two with perfect clearness of intellect, often not suffering greatly. The practical bearing of this statement in reference to the great future is clear.

18. Let the whole beard grow, but not longer than some three inches. This strengthens and thickens its growth, and thus makes a more perfect

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protection for the lungs against dust, and of the throat against winds and cold in winter, while in the summer a greater perspiration of the skin is induced, with an increase of evaporation; hence, greater coolness of the parts on the outside, while the throat is less feverish, thirsty, and dry.

19. Avoid fats and all fat meats in summer, and on all warm days. 20. Whenever possible, take a good plunge into any lake or running stream every morning, as soon as you get up; if none at hand, endeavor to wash the body all over as soon as you leave the bed-for personal cleanliness acts like a charm against all diseases, always either warding them off altogether, or greatly mitigating their severity and shortening their duration. 21. Keep the hair of the head closely cut, say within an inch and a half of the scalp in every part, repeated on the first of each month, and wash the whole scalp plentifully in cold water every morning.

22. Wear socks to which you are accustomed, and easy fitting shoes, keeping the toe and finger nails always cut moderately close.

23. It is more important to wash the feet well every night than to wash the face and hands of mornings; because it aids to keep the skin and nails soft, and to prevent chafings, blisters, and corns, all of which greatly interfere with a soldier's duty.

24. The most universally safe position, after all stunnings, hurts, and wounds, is that of being placed on the back, the head being elevated three or four inches only, aiding more than any one thing else can do to equalize and restore the proper circulation of the blood.

25. The more weary you are after a march or other work, the easier you will take cold, if you remain still after it is over, unless, the moment you cease motion, you throw a coat or blanket over your shoulders. This precaution should be taken even in the warmest weather, especially if there is even a slight air stirring.

26. The greatest physical kindness you can show a severely wounded comrade is first to place him on his back, and then run with all your might for some water to drink; not a second ought to be lost. If no vessel is at hand, take your hat; if no hat, off with your shirt, wring it out once, tie the arms in a knot, as also the lower end, thus making a bag open at the neck only. A fleet person can carry a bucketful a half a mile in this way.

I have seen a dying man clutch at a single drop of water from the finger's end with the voraciousness of a famished tiger.

27. If wet to the skin by rain or by swimming rivers, keep in motion until the clothes are dried, and no harm will result.

28. Whenever it is possible, do, by all means, when you have to use water for cooking or drinking from ponds or sluggish streams, boil it well, and when cool, shake it or stir it, so that the oxygen of the air shall get to it, which greatly improves it for drinking. This boiling arrests the process of fermentation, which arises from the presence of organic and inorganic impurities, thus tending to prevent cholera and all bowel diseases. If there is no time for boiling, at least strain it well through a cloth, even if you have to use a shirt or trouser-leg.

29. Twelve men are hit in battle, dressed in red, where there are only five dressed in a bluish grey--a difference of more than two to one; green, seven; brown, six.

30. Water can be made almost ice-cold in the hottest weather by closely enveloping a filled canteen or other vessel with woollen cloth kept plentifully wetted and exposed.

31. While on a march, lie down the moment you halt for a rest; every minute spent in that position refreshes more than five minutes standing or loitering about.

32. A daily evacuation of the bowels is indispensable to bodily health, vigor