Military hygiene / 2nd ed.

  • Caldwell, Robert, 1859-1919.
Date:
1910
Catalogue details

Licence: In copyright

Credit: Military hygiene / 2nd ed. Source: Wellcome Collection.

Provider: This material has been provided by Royal College of Physicians, London. The original may be consulted at Royal College of Physicians, London.

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    artificial conditions. Facts in support of the theory of the conversion of innocent into dangerous forms of microbial life are readily forthcoming, and can be furnished copiously from the history of military campaigns. There is, above all, one salient feature in connection with the medical histories of war—namely, the wholesale occur- rence of epidemic disorders. It is also most noteworthy that these epidemics appear to be largely, if not altogether, dependent in their origin on the physical environment of the troops, and constantly take the general form of gastro- intestinal disturbance. In Hume's ' History of England ' we read that during CromweH's campaign in Ireland, in the month of October, 164g, shortly after the sack of Drogheda and the surrender of Wexford, 'the English had no further difficulties to encounter than what arose from fatigue and the advanced season. Fluxes and con- tagious distempers crept in amongst the soldiers, who perished in great numbers.' In a letter to the Speaker of the House of Commons, dated November 14, 1649, Crom- well writes as follows: ' I should not doubt but by the addition of assessments to have your charge in some reasonable measure borne, and the soldier upheld without too much neglect or discouragement, which sickness, in this country so ill agreeing with their bodies, puts upon them ; and which this winter's action, I believe not hitherto known by the English in this country, subjects them to. To the praise of God I speak it, I scarce know one officer of forty amongst us that hath not been sick. And how many considerable ones we have lost is no little thought of heart amongst us. Where- fore I humbly beg that the moneys desired may be seasonably sent Over; and those other necessaries—clothes, shoes, and stockings—formerly desired ; that so poor creatures may be encouraged. . . . And certainly the extending your help in this way at this time is the most profitable way speedily to effect it. And if I did not think it your best thrift, I would not trouble you at all with it.'* Cromwell's anxiety as to the physical welfare of bis men, as shown in the above letter,