The Sanitary Commission of the United States Army : a succinct narrative of its works and purposes.
- Date:
- 1864
Licence: Public Domain Mark
Credit: The Sanitary Commission of the United States Army : a succinct narrative of its works and purposes. Source: Wellcome Collection.
Provider: This material has been provided by the Royal College of Physicians of Edinburgh. The original may be consulted at the Royal College of Physicians of Edinburgh.
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![Previous to that period tlie Chicago Branch had nobly represented the spirit and resources of aid in Northern Illinois. The steadiness and intrin- sic value of its stream of supplies have not been exceeded by aid received from any similar population. During the three months of summer the Branch purchased and sent forward to the Commission's agents in the field over $100,000 worth of supplies, a large portion of which consisted of anti-scorbutics. The Sol- diers' Fair brought into the treasury of the Northwestern Branch, $80,- 000. This money is being judiciously expended by its own ofiBcers, for such supplies as the Commission requires in camp and hospital. During the last three months of the year 1863, this Branch sent to Western Hospitals, 7,450 boxes and barrels, including 8,000 pounds codfish, 11,595 pounds butter, 317 pounds tea, 5,000 bushels onions, 5,000 bushels pota- toes, 500 pounds condensed beef, 347 barrels and 80 boxes pickles, 3,620 shirts, 1,683 pairs drawers, 8,000 pounds crushed sugar, 2,688 pounds condensed milk, 783 comfortables. Average these boxes at $10,00 each, and the amount will be $74,500. Average them at $8,00 and they will amount to $59,000. This Branch has also been very successful in works of local relief to the needy families of volunteers. Soldiers in the hospitals have besought their attention and charity for their poor families, and it is a notorious fact that many a poor fellow's illness in the hospitals proceeds as much from anxiety for the helpless ones left behind, as from bodily disease. Consequently, the ladies connected with the Commission organized a Ladies' Association for the Relief of Soldiers' Families, which was wisely made auxiliary to the Young Men's Christian Association, which is organized for general char- itable work. The city has been divided into districts by this Association, each one of which is under the personal visitation of one or more ladies, who relieve the suffering of the needy, and solicit donations to the Associ- ation of those whose circumstances allow them to give it. The people of the Northwest have acquired most practical ideas respect- ing sanitary measures and life-saving. Their Onion Circulars and Po- tato Circulars have produced practical results, which, as Inspector War- riner has said, have modified history. The following extract from the last [April, 1863,] report of the Branch illustrates the spirit of their appeals: An urgent appeal is again made to the people of the Northwest for vegetables, pickles, dried and canned fruit, and other anti-scorbutics, for the army of Gen. Grant. Already scurvy has extensively manifested itself among those war-worn veterans, who only know defeat when attacked by the fearful diseases of army life, and speedy and abundant shipments of vegetables can alone save them from alarming sickness and mortality.](https://iiif.wellcomecollection.org/image/b21973593_0288.jp2/full/800%2C/0/default.jpg)
