Medical Recollections of the Army of the Potomac (Paperback)

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1866 Excerpt: ...When onions are not to be procured, a double allowance of potatoes should be issued. You will at once request the commander of your corps to direct the commissaries in his command to make the issues above mentioned, and it is enjoined upon you not to relax your efforts in this matter, so vitally important to the health of the troops, and the interests of the service. You will please direct each regimental Surgeon to state, in the "Remarks" on his weekly report of sick, how often these issues have been made during the preceding week, which you will condense in the " Remarks " on your weekly report to this office. You will please report to this office what action you have taken in pursuance of these instructions, and at the expiration of two weeks make a full report on the subject. "Very respectfully, "Your obedient servant, "JONA. LETTERMAN, Medical Director." On the 7th of February the Commanding General, at the suggestion of Colonel Clarke, ordered that subordinate commissaries should show good reasons why they had not issued fresh and dried vegetables, and fresh bread, whenever these articles had not been furnished by them to the troops. The effect of these measures was soon apparent. The sickness began to subside, the patients to recover more rapidly, and the general health of the Army to improve. The ratio of cases of diarrhoea in February was 54.12 per thousand, and for those of the fevers before mentioned, 2.80 per thousand. In all measures for improving the health of the troops, I was heartily assisted by the Medical Directors of Corps, and the officers of the department generally, each one of whom (with rare exceptions) felt it his duty to do all in his power to increase the efficiency of his department, and i...