On the issue of a spirit ration during the Ashanti campaign of 1874 to which are added two appendices containing experiments to show the relative effects of rum, meat extract and coffee, during marching, and the use of, oatmeal drink during heavy labour

ALBERT R. MANN
LIBRARY

New York State Colleges

OF

Agriculture and Home Economics

AT

Cornell UNivERsrrY

Cornell University Library
UC 715.W5P24

On the Issue of a spirit ration during t

3 1924 014 519 783

Cornell University
Library

The original of this book is in
the Cornell University Library.

There are no known copyright restrictions in
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http://www.archive.org/details/cu31924014519783

ON THE

ISSUE OF A SPIRIT EATION

BUBING THE

ASHANTI CAMPAIGN OF 1874

ON THE

ISSUE OF A SPIRIT RATION

BUEINa THE

ASHANTI CAMPAIGN OF 1874

TO WHICH ABE ADDED

TWO APPENDICES

CONTAINING EXPEBIMBNTS

TO SHOW THE RELATIVE EFFECTS OP RUM, MEAT EXTRACT

AND COFFEE, DURING MARCHINO, AND THE USE OF

OATMEAL DRINK DURING HEAVY LABOUR

B^ArPARKES, M.D., F.R.S.

FBLLOW^OP THB BOTAL COLLBCS 07 FUTSICIANB

FKOPBaiOa OP MILITABT BYQIBNB IN THB ARMY MBDICAL BCHOOL ; MEMBER 07 THB GBifBIlAL

COUNCIL OF MBDICAL BDCTCATION; FBLLOW OP THE SENATE OF TUB UNIVERSITI

OF lOHDOn ; POHBIGN COBRESFiiKDING MEMBER OF THB

ACADBMY OF MBDICINB UP PKAHCB

LONDON
J. & A. CHUECHILL, NEW BUELINQTON STEEET

^ 1875

CONTENTS

PAflB.

Report on the Issue of a Spirit Ration during the Ashanti

Campaign ..... . . 1

Evidence from the 42nd Regiment .... 3

„ 2nd Battalion Rifle Brigade . . 11

23rd Welsh Fusiliers . . .13

„ from various Officers, Non- Commissioned Of&cers 14

Summary of the Evidence . . . . . .28

APPENDIX No. 1

Experiments to show the relative Effect of Rum, Meat Extract,

and Coffee, during Marching . . . . .39

APPENDIX No. 2

Employment of Oatmeal Drink by the Plate-layers of the Great
Western Railway during a period of excessive Labour
during the Alteration of Gauge . . . .59

INTRODUCTION

The following pages contain a reprint of a Report
on the issue of spirits during the Ashanti campaign,
which was written for Sir William M. Muir, K.O.B.,
the Director-General of the Army Medical Depart-
ment,* and was by him communicated to the
' Lancet.'

I have added to it two Appendices as contributions
towards the answer of a question of high importance,
not only to soldiers, but to all who are called on to
make great bodily exertion without the power of
obtaining the usual food and rest.

When, as so frequently happens in campaigns,
soldiers are marching nearly the whole of the day,
and can obtain their regular food only late in the
evening, what can be given to lessen the sense of
great fatigue, and to enable them, not only to continue
the march, but to be ready for any emergency which
may arise ? It must be something easily carried,
and easily prepared and served out, as any long halt
may be impossible. The usual resort is to a spirit
ration, and there is no doubt that for a time this
exerts a reviving effect. But is it the best thing

* Published in the ' Lancet,' August, 1874.

Vm INTRODUCTION

which can be given, and are its advantages without
alloy ? I think it can be shown that it is not a per-
fectly reliable aid, and requires, when used at all, to
be so with a full knowledge of its mode of action.

The first effect of alcohol, when given in a mode-
rate dose (for example, what is equal to one fluid
ounce of absolute alcohol) is reviving, but this effect
is transient. As shown both in the Report and in
the first Appendix, the reviving effect goes off after,
at the utmost, two and a half miles of additional
march, and sometimes much before this ; then the
previous languor and sense of exhaustion not only
return, but are sometimes more intense, and if
alcohol is again resorted to its effects now are less
satisfactory. Its reviving power is usually not so
marked, and its peculiar anaesthetic and narcotizing
influence can often be distinctly traced. The men
feel heavy, dull, disinchned to march, and are less
willing and cheerful. It is clear, then, that alcohol
is not a very trustworthy aid; for supposing a
commanding officer, having marched twelve or four-
teen miles, and desiring to cover ten more miles,
finds his men weary, and, not being able to halt and
feed them, orders an issue of spirits of an amount
sufficient to revive but not to depress. The first
effect will be good, but in less than an hour his men
will be as weary as before, or probably more so. If
he then reissues the spirit within so short a period
of time it is certain that in the case of many men,
perhaps the majority, the marching power will be

INTRODUCTION IX

lessened. Even the reyiving power of the first issue
is not always so considerable as might be supposed,
and, indeed, I have been surprised to find how little
good effect it has sometimes produced.

It appears to me, therefore, that spirits, as an issue,
should be kept for emergencies, as when after- great
fatigue a sudden but short exertion is required, or,
when a march being ended, there is great depression
and failure of the heart's action, such as occurs when
men have been thoroughly wetted during an ex-
hausting march. Alcohol given in quantities short
of producing commencing narcotism (i. e. in quanti-
ties under 1 to 1-^ fluid ounce of pure alcohol = 2^
to 3^ ounces of rum), and especially with hot water,
appears from the statements given in the Report to
be very reviving, and if food be taken at the same
time, or soon afterwards, it seems probable that its
useful efi^ect would be alone produced.

To give strength to the men during the march,
when the usual food cannot be taken, the meat ex-
tracts and coffee are both better than spirits, as will
be seen from the experiments in the first Appendix.
Much discussion has taken place as to the true
position of meat extract among the foods, but this
does not concern the point in question. That the
meat extracts, when given in sufficient quantity (not
less than half an ounce in water for a single issue),
are powerfully reviving and sustaining is a matter of
simple experiment and evidence, and whether it is
the potash salts or the organic extract they contain

X INTRODUCTION

which exerts the sustaining effect is not of moment
-as far as this practical point is concerned. The first
Appendix shows how unanimous the soldiers who
were experimented upon were in assigning a great
superiority in reviving and sustaining power to the
meat extract over the spirit. The meat extract can
also be repeated over and over again without injury,
indeed with benefit,' while its portability and the
ease of preparation (for cold water dissolves it almost
as readily as warm) make it a most convenient issue
for marches. ^ *

Coffee, again, is also very reviving during fatigue,
and has the great advantage of quenching thirst
much better than the meat extract, but it requires
to be well made and to be palatable, which is not
always easy to ensure in forced marches. The well-
made decoction of at least one ounce of coffee is
necessary to produce a marked effect, and an equal
quantity of sugar is also desirable. As in the case
of the meat extract, this may have to be repeated
two or three times in a long march.

When troops ^re called upon to undertake very
heavy work in camp or entrenchments there is another
plan, which at one time was frequently used by
English workmen both in iron and glass works, and
which is strongly to be recommended. It is the use
of a drink of thin boiled oatmeal, which sustains in
an extraordinary degree and also quenches thirst.
As an illustration of this fact I have been enabled
by the kindness of Mr Owen, the Engineer in Chief

INTRODUCTION XI

of the Great Western Railway, and of Mr Voss and
Mr Armstrong, two of the Divisional Engineers,
to give an account in a second Appendix of some
extremely heavy work lately performed on the Great
Western Railway during the change from the broad
to the narrow gauge. It was necessary to take up
and relay the rails in the shortest possible time, and
the same men were obliged to be kept at the work
for many hours. The summer days were chosen, so
that almost Hterally the ipen worked night and day,
stopping only for meals and a little sleep. They
took their ordinary meals and beer with the meals
if they pleased, but during the long periods of the
work they were supplied with nothing but a drink
of oatmeal boiled in water, and beer and spirits were
prohibited. Bach man had an allowance per diem
of 1 lb. of oatmeal and f lb. of sugar, and so im-
portant was this deemed that a man was told off
specially for every twenty men, and was solely em-
ployed in boiling* and taking the oatmeal drink to
the men. This liquid was drunk in large quantities
and was most highly approved of. The character
of the work and the temper of the men were much
better, in the opinion of the engineers, than would
have been the case if beer or spirits had been issued.
For marching troops the supply of boiled oatmeal
would probably be difficult unless there were port-

* It was found necessary to boil the oatmeal very thoroughly and ^
carefully. Horses, during heavy work, are often given meal of some
kind in water to drink, and with very good effect.

XU INTRODUCTION

able kitchens, cooking on the march, or unless thick
porridge could be carried for subsequent mixing with
water. But for such works as throwing up earthworks
and digging entrenchments this plan would be most
useful. The addition of the sugar is important, as
it not only renders the oatmeal more palatable, but
supplies a food which is probably useful for labour.

By means, then, of the skilled use under different
circumstances of these four substances — meatextracts,
oatmeal and sugar, coffee, and alcohol — soldiers can
be sustained and revived under great exertion, and
will become competent for the performance of the
labours which their oflicers may demand from them
and which may .be essential to carry out the plan of
the general in command.

In what has been said it is, of course, to be under-
stood that the use of these substances is not
intended to take the place of the usual food, but to
be additional to it. Nothing can ever supply the
good rations the campaigning soldier ought to have,
and when it is clearly seen that the food is to the
animal machine what coal is to the steam engine, and
that force and work are simply products of food and
are measured by it, its supply in campaigns will
receive more study and care than has usually been
the case. The substances I have named, or others
which may be proposed to answer the purpose of
temporary support, are most important in their
special way, but should aid, and not supersede, the
ordinary food.

ON THE

ISSUE OF A SPIRIT RATION DURING
THE ASHANTI CAMPAIGN OE 1874.

In accordance with the desire of the Director-
General of the Army Medical Department, I brought
together some evidence I collected on the issue of a
spirit ration in the late Ashanti campaign. I need
not refer to the gravity of the question whether,
under the particular circumstances of the Grold Coast
campaign, tte issue of rum was desirable or the
reverse. If the question could be completely
answered, which is unfortunately not the case, it
would be of great military importance.

Sir Garnet Wolseley adopted in this brilliant
campaign the following plan : — Eum was carried
with the troops, but was only issued on the recom-
mendation of the medical regimental ofl&cers during
the march from the coast to the Prah, and on the
recommendation of the principal medical officer with
the forces after the Prah was crossed, "When issued,
the quantity was half a gill (equal to 2^ fluid ounces),
and it was given in the evening after the fatigues of
the day.

1

2 ON THE ISSUE OF A SPIRIT RATION

In seeking for evidence on the effect of this issue,
I thought that the most rehable opinions would be
given by those medical officers who had actually
marched with their men to Coomassie, and on whom
the responsibility of the issue was at first thrown ;
and I therefore applied to Dr Troup, surgeon to the
42nd Regiment ; to Mr Wiles, surgeon-major of
the 2nd Batt, Rifle Brigade ; and to Dr Allen N.
Fox, who marched with the part of the 23rd Regi-
ment which landed, for information on this point.*
And I have to thank these gentlemen very cordially
for the information they have kindly put at my
disposal.

The points on which I particularly requested infor-
mation were as follows : — 1. If any teetotallers were
with the regiment, how did they compare with their
comrades in marching power and in resistance to
malaria ? 2. In the case of the men who were not
teetotallers, how did the issue or the non-issue of rum
affect them ? And what was the general conclusion
as to the desirability, or not, of a rum ration to which
the history of the march led ?

I asked, as a matter of course, for the opinion
of Sir Anthony Home, who, though prevented by
illness from marching to Coomassie, made all the
medical arrangements, and who studied with the
greatest care all the points connected with the pre-
servation of the health of the men. My friend Dr
Kynsey, who was with the 1st Field Hospital, has
also given me some important evidence, and has for-

* Dr Tegan, who marclied with the Naval Brigade, being on
Bervice on the coast, I have been unable to obtain his evidence.

DURING THE ASHANTI CAMPAIGN 6

"warded also the valuable opinion of Surgeon-Major
Jackson.

I also thought it desirable to take down the
evidence of some intelligent non - commissioned
officers who made the march, and I shall give their
evidence in their own words. I took the non-com-
missioned officers whom I found at Netley, and
who were mentioned to me as intelligent and
trustworthy.

The evidence is arranged in the following order : —
From Dr Troup, 42nd Highlanders.
„ Mr Wiles, 2nd Batt. Rifle Brigade.
,, Dr A. N. Fox, 23rd Welsh Fusiliers.
„ Sir Anthony Home, Deputy Surgeon-
General.
„ Dr Kynsey, 1st Field Hospital.
„ Sergeant-Major Barclay, 42nd Rifles.
„ Sergeant Kemp, 2nd Batt. Rifle Brigade.
,, Sergeant Baker, ,, ,,

5, Sergeant Perren, Army Hospital Corps.
,, Corporal Rose, „ „

„ Corporal Haidley, ,, „

After adducing this evidence, I shall venture to
state the impression it has made upon me.

Evidence from the 42nd Regiment

Letter from Dr Troup

Having instituted inquiries regarding the number
and health of the teetotallers of the. 42nd Regiment
while engaged in the late campaign of 1874 to
Africa, I have compiled the enclosed table. I have

ON THE ISSUE OF A SPIRIT RATION

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DURING THE ASHANTI CAMPAIGN

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6 ON THE ISSUE OP A SPIUIT RATION

brouglit together all the information I can, taking
their previous medical history from the Medical
History Sheets. This table shows a very favorable
state of health, even under very adverse circum-
stances, there having been but little sickness amongst
them. A large proportion of them have served in
India, and suffered there from tropical ailments. I
cannot overlook the fact that, taking the life of the
soldier under every circumstance, the total abstainer
or temperate man has the advantage, preserving his
health better, and performing his duty better, and
in his older years withstanding chmatic influences
which, as a younger man, upset him. Some of the
soldiers recorded in the return have displayed
wonderful health on the "West Coast of Africa even
under extreme fatigue and exposure. I hope this
table may corroborate in some degree the good that
may be effected by temperance. Most of the men
recorded are personally known to me. A large pro-
portion are men of exceptionally good physique, and
I feel quite sure that, with their good intentions
and actions, personal good has followed, and a pro-
portionate advantage to the State.

My opinion all along has been the same, and our
little war of 1874 has corroborated it, that while
men are careful to be temperate they are more
careful in other respects, and not so open to those
abuses on the line of march which in many cases
' open the door for disease, and, in the end, give rise
to so much mortahty and invaliding in the service.
This table shows a large proportion of non-com-
missioned officers and old soldiers, whose experience

DURING THE ASHANTt CAMPAIGN 7

is worthy of being recognised — and who have taken
to teetotalism, some from the want of control, others
from the opinion that indulgence in alcohol is hurt-
ful, while Others have taken to it from their great
susceptibility to its influence, when taken even in
moderation. The influence and example of such
men must be all-powerful in regulating the conduct
of the young men who are drafted into the service,
a large number of whom, in the 42nd, come from
country avocations in Scotland, born of respectable
people, and many of whom on first joining have
never indulged to any extent in drinking, and some
of whom have never even smoked. This class of
recruit, who has never tasted of the dissipation of a
town life, can at once be recognised on the primary
inspection, presenting alike a good physique and
purity of respiratory and circulatory systems, and
far superior in every particular to the generally
dissipated townsman, with his bloodshot eye and
his throbbing and over-excited heart. To such,
then, coming from his country home to a life so new
to him, a continuance of temperate habits, aided by
the example of his superiors, would be fraught with
the greatest possible advantage both to himself and
the State. During my service I have often had toH"
'lament the results of incipient drinking in the young j
soldier, crime generally commencing with it, and in I
company, or soon after, disease, the two, as it were, ,
joining hands together; whereas the young and I
temperate recruit is but seldom seen by the medical
officer either in confinement or in hospital. It is a
recognised fact that the Medical History Sheet will

8 ON THE ISSUE OP A SPIRIT EATION

tell what the Defaulter Sheet is, and if we trace the
cause we generally find it to be intemperance.
While, however, supporting total abstinence, or at
least abstinence from alcoholic stimulants, as rum,
&c., as part of the soldier's allowance in ordinary-
times and under favorable circumstances, I am at
the same time of opinion that rum has been useftd
to a certain extent in our Httle warfare, where the
daily routine of his life has been so altered and
under exposure to a bad climate, with its depressing
effects where daily fatigue had to be endured under
unfavorable influences so foreign to his existence ;
where moisture and heat, with great exposure to sun
by day and cold and chilly nights, with but partial
covering for him, united in producing those depress-
ing and enervating results which were readily
seen in all. I think the experience of a large num-
ber of medical officers engaged during the expedition
would bear me out, provided precautions were
taken to give the rum at a proper time, when the
system had supported its calls, and after the fatigues
of the day ; for while care - and abstinence was
necessary during the heat of the day, I am con-
vinced that a little spirit, well diluted, proved
beneficial, and while aware that the advantage, if it
may be so called, is only temporary, yet its use
had a tendency to allay that depressing irritability
which I found was so liable to upset the best when
exposed to climatic influences so foreign to his
nature.

I hope I have not overstretched the point, but my
experience led me to justify the issue of rum.

DrEING THE ASHANTI CAMPAIGN 9

When first we landed in Africa it was ordered that
rum was only to be issued under exceptional cir-
cumstances of exposure and fatigue, an order which
held good as far as the river Prah, up to which
point on our journey rum was only occasionally
recommended. After this, however, when we crossed
into the enemy's territory, and we left many com-
forts behind, and of necessity more exposed, rum
was, as a rule, daily issued, given after the evening
meal, and in a diluted state, and with the precaution
that each man should receive his allowance at the
tub, to prevent those refusing it giving it to their
comrades. On one occasion only I recommended
an issue of hot rum in the case of a party left behind
marching late in the day, and missing their way,
and not reaching camp till nearly 10 p.m. In this
instance I think an allowance of rum and hot
water, with cocoa afterwards, proved beneficial,
enabling the party to march with us next morning
at an early hour, and with a very fatiguing march
before us. One thing especially struck me. I
happened to be near the place of issue of rum the
first occasion it was given. I observed many of
the young soldiers taking only about half their
allowance, others refusing, while all the older
soldiers from fifteen to sixteen years' service looked
as if they would be none the worse of another, after
being particularly careful to have their allowance in
full. A remark made by a staff officer engaged in
the Red River expedition was very suggestive (on
this occasion rum was not issued). He said, " We
lived on the climate then, but here the climate lives

10 ON THE ISSUE 01" A SPIEIT RATION

on US." IsFo truer remark could have been made,
for, on all alike, officer and soldier, the climate was
telling. The system looked as if it were undergoing
a gradual decay ; the excessive amount of cutaneous
perspiration and the great loss of muscular vigour
caused a blanched and anemic appearance. In
many cases an unusual depression of spirits followed
as well as irritability of temper. This I noted
more especially after the excitement was over, and
when we had to march over old ground with but
little change of scenery, passing through forest and
jungle of a very monotonous character, and in our
journey through which we were unable to get a
glimpse of the horizon, I may say from Cape Coast
Castle to Coomassie. Regarding my experience of
the use of stimulants among the officers : one officer
was teetotal — a young officer, who suffered once or
twice from fever of a mUd character, but who went
all the way and marched regularly with his com-
pany ; a few other officers were very abstemious,
drinking only the lighter clarets — one of them a
very young officer. These also stood the climate
well ; but that blanched and anaemic appearance
presented itself, and, although performing their
duty, evidently making an effort to do so — their
young and undeveloped systems struggling with
the climate. The majority of the officers preferred
the use of stimulants in moderation, and then after
the fatigues of the day, and taken with and after
the evening meal. I may mention the case of my
little mess, consisting of the officer in command,
the quartermaster, and luyself. We thus used

DURING THE ASHANTI CAMPAIGN 11

stimulants witli and after our dinner meal. "We all
three marcted to Ooomassie and back; never felt
sick or sorry, althougli as staff we had many calls
on us day and night, and I am of the three the only
one who has suffered, having been attacked with
remittent fever on my landing in England, but this
happily passed off in four days under the daily use
of quinine in small doses.

(Signed) B. W. Teottp, M.B.,

8v/rgeon, 4!^d Boyal Highland Begimewt
{"TheBlaoTc Watch").
Portsmouth, May Sth, 1874.

Evidence feom the 2nd Batt. Rifle Brigade
Letter from Surgeon-Major Wiles

Regarding Paragraph 1 : — The 2nd Rifle Brigade
seem never to have had many teetotallers in their
ranks. Prior to leaving Ireland for the West
Coast there were 34 ; these diminished on going on
board to one sergeant and four men, who continued
in their principles during the campaign. Only one
of these five suffered from sickness whilst in
the country ; another had an attack of fever on
board ship. They all did their marching well,
and looked as well as, if not better than, the other
men.

Regarding No. 2 : — On commencing the march up
country the order was that no spirit ration should
be given unless on express recommendation of the
regimental surgeon. Whilst on the march I did not
see any indication for giving it, and only gave it

12 ON THE ISSUE OF A SPIEIT RATION

about three times up to tlie arrival at Prahsu. At
Barraco, where we were halted for some time (ten
days), the men suffered from diarrhoea and febricula.
I thought the issue of a ration here perhaps might
do good, so gave it once or twice ; but finding that
the result was unsatisfactory, there being more
cases the next day, I stopped its issue. (This sick-
ness I considered to be owing to the disturbance of
surface soil.) On arriving at Prahsu its issue was
taken out of the hands of the regimental surgeon by
recommendation, I believe, of the principal medical
ofl&cer, and it was afterwards given nearly every
day, or at all events whenever it could be obtained,
which was nearly every day. It was generally
given, by my recommendation, in the evening ; but
one morning, as it had not arrived the previous
evening, it was given at 5 a.m. I considered at the
time, and on thinking it over am now more strongly
of opinion, that its issue during the expedition,
instead of being beneficial, only made the men more
susceptible to the malarious poison and to affections
of the bowels. Of course this is only an individual
opinion, but it is an unprejudiced one, although I
am far from being a follower of teetotal principles.
My opinion regarding its use in West Africa was so
strong that, personally, I did not take any stimu-
lant of any kind during the whole period I was in
"West Africa, and during that time I never felt
better, and had no sickness of any kind, and
marched the whole way up and down, besides doing
some amount of hard work. My experience (derived
from active service in the Crimea, India, and China)

DURING THE ASHANTI CAMPAIGN 13

is very much against its use on active service, as I
think its use renders men especially liable to dysen-
tery and camp diarrhoea, and I think it was shown
to have that tendency especially in such a climate
as the West Coast of Africa. Regarding the men's
feelings, I did not find that they missed its not being
issued except when they came amongst other corps
who were getting it. They cared more for the tea
and lime-juice, with which they filled their bottles
for the day's march.

Although so strongly against the issue of spirits,
I am very strongly in favour of supplying the men
with their pint of malt liquor daily when practicable,
as I have seen that of great good and especially so
on board transports.

(Signed) J. Wiles, Surgeon-Major.

Winoliester, May 29th, 1874.

Evidence peom the 23ed Welsh Fusilibes
Letter from Dr Allen Nesbit Fox

I regret I can furnish very poor information on
the subject of your communication. I only joined
the 23rd after their arrival at the Prah. They were
then about 120 strong, and, as well as I remember,
none were teetotallers ; all took their ration of rum
in the evening. This was first issued to them at a
station called Yancoomassie-Fantee, about twenty-
five miles distant from the Coast. They were in
the habit of receiving it daily after sunset up to
the time I joined them. From the Prah to Coo-

14 ON THE ISSUE OP A SPIRIT EATION

massie it was not regularly given, not being obtain-
able at some of the stations from tbe difficulty of
transport. Hot tea or cocoa was the substitute.
The men were always better pleased and more con-
tented with the spirit than with any other beverage ;
but I cannot say I remarked any impairment of
health or difference in their marching from its non-
issue. Very few fell out on the march up country ;
those who did, from over-fatigue and debihty, were
immediately put in a hammock and had a small
quantity of brandy-and-water. And this was given
at the different halting places with marked benefit ;
it appeared to revive and set them up again. I con-
sider the issue of a spirit ration in the evening,
after the heat of the day was over, was rather bene-
ficial to the men than otherwise. Should the issue
of spirits be deemed advisable, I think a gill per
man amply sufficient, and the evening the best time
for giving it.

Letter from Sir Anthony Home, K.C.B., late Prin-
cipal Medical Officer on the Gold Coast*

I wish it were in my power to give you any
reliable data on the subject you write about. I
have no deductions from carefully made observations
to offer, and I hesitate at taking up your time with

* Dr Mackinnon, O.B., who succeeded Sir Anthony Home as
principal medical officer, informs me that, " under the circumstances
of climate, food, and? water during the campaign, he considers that
the spirit ration was an important addition to the other rations."

DUEING THE ASHANTI CAMPAIGN 15

my individual opinions. I do not think that in the
short period of the Grold Coast expedition obser-
vations could be made for a sufficient length of time
on the same men, in sufficient numbers and under
the same conditions of exposure, to decide the most
important matter referred to. I doubt, even,
whether exactness is attainable. In saying this, do
not think I am deprecating inquiry. Whatever
answers the painstaking and intelligent medical
officers named give you, they wiU, I am sure, be
most trustworthy. But the question is, Can bricks
be made without straw ? Can a conclusive judg-
ment be formed without exact observations made ad
hoc ?

In the ration I recommended for the Grold Coast I
included l-64th of a gallon of rum {2\ fluid ounces)
daily when the men were in the field — i. e., actually
campaigning.

The experience of the Red River expedition, that
men could do very hard work without drink, was
quite conclusive so far , as that and strictly similar
expeditions are concerned ; and I had myself, in
Canada, ample experience to the same efiect. (The
" lumberers " go into the woods and live there all
winter ; they sleep in holes dug in the snow, lying
on spruce branches covered with buffalo robes;
they work very hard ; and it is an inexorable rule
that all drinks found in the camp are destroyed.)
But then the conditions in the Red River expedition
were so different, so opposite to those on the Grold
Coast. In the first instance there was an excellent
climate ; good rations of succulent food, easily

16 ON THE ISSUE OF A SPIEIT RATION

digested by healthy men doing hard work and
sleeping soundly ; no sickness present. On the
Gold Coast there was tough, underfed beef; insipid,
badly cooked food, difficult to digest, and after a
time loathed by men who were mostly more or less
ailing.

I had noticed in the Crimea, in India, and in New
Zealand, that the men on campaigns had an abso-
lute craving for varied diet; that even regular
topers used to spend money in buying jams, sardines,
pickles, cheese, &., at the canteens. In fact, the
men spent their money generally on food of this
kind when it could be bought ; they also used to
give willingly 3s. 6d. a bottle for beer. Now, I
believe if a very varied diet were always issued, the
men could get on without alcoholic stimulants in
all climates whatever, tropical as well as temperate ;
but it is visionary to hope that this can always be
the case in war. Sutlers do a Httle in this way ;
Government can do nothing directly. Men cannot
keep in health on poor, insipid, badly cooked rations.
Under these circumstances I believe that, after
their day's worh, rum is desirable (beer and wine
are impossible of attainment). There is a moment
in which we may so keep up the system of a man
tired to death by over-exertion as to bridge over
the period in which lassitude ends in the beginning
of disease. Good food will probably do this best,
but it is rarely at hand when wanted; and even
if it were, the digestive functions participate in
the general lassitude, so that neither digestion nor
assimilation go on sufficiently. At this time a

DURING THE ASHANTI CAMPAIGN 17

glass of beei' or rum sends the machine on again,
On the ground of expediency something must be
said. The soldiers of our generation are accus-
tomed to stimulants ; stop these suddenly and com-
pletely on a short arduous campaign in which the
forebodings of sickness have been incessant, and, if
they don't fall into disease, you at least fret them,
when, under the circumstances, the utmost cheerful-
ness possible is wanted.

The mai-ines who garrisoned Abracrampa for a
time had no rum (to which they were accustomed
in their ration) ; but there were other circum-
stances, too long to narrate, more potential, to account
for their anaemic appearance and ill health, than its
want.

I send you an extract from one of my reports
bearing on the subject : — " Eum should only be issued
on the principle of a restorative after exhausting
labour, such as an ordinary march in this country
is. Given at the end of a day's march it will benefit
— will help to ward off disease {i. e. will sustain
against the depression in which disease has its
beginning) ; if given in the morning before a
march, in the delusive idea of adding to the men's
strength, it will be simply pernicious. Beer or
light wine would serve the purpose sought better,
but they are not to be had. I will only add to
this, that the quantity should be l-64th of a gallon
per man daily, given in an equal quantity of
water."

18 ON THE ISSUE OF A SPIRIT RATION

Personal Experience

By Surgeon W. E,. Ktnsby, 1st Field Hospital,
Ashanti Force

I started for duty on the "West Coast of Africa
with the idea that total abstinence from all kinds
of alcoholic beverages was essential to maintain
health. I met a few total abstainers during the
campaign. I never attended them professionally,
but they gave me the impression of being washed
out in appearance and rather languid in manner. I
performed the first two marches out of Cape Coast
Castle without touching spirit of any kind, either
during or after the march ; the distances were short,
but I felt considerable fatigue after each. On the
third march, after getting into camp, I took my first
spirit ration, and I felt the better for it ; I did not
feel so much depression, and the sense of fatigue
became decidedly less after the brandy (about 2^
oz.). This third march was longer than either of
the first two by some four or five miles. First
march, to Inquapine, five miles ; second march, to
Acroful, seven miles ; third march, to Tancoo-
massie, twelve miles. I, of course, must add, that
I was becoming more accustomed to the road, and
that, as the saying is, I began to feel my legs more,
and this may have had something to do with thei
feeling of less fatigue ; still at the time I put a good
deal down to the spirit.

After this I continued to take a small quantity of

DURING THE ASHANTI CAMPAIGN 19

spirit every day that I could get it, whether in camp
or on the march. In camp I only took it at dinner
and in small quantity, or on going to bed at night.
For one accustomed to take some kind of alcoholic
fluid at meals it is a serious privation to abstain
from it ; still I feel certain that I would have been
better without it in camp. I have formed an
equally strong opinion, in an opposite direction, as
to its necessity on the line of march in a climate
like the Gold Coast. I would give a small ration of
spirit after each march, either with the dinner or
immediately after it. I consider that the spirit '
ration aided digestion. The food, though good, !
required some help, and the spirit, I thought, gave ;
it. On occasions when I was unable to get any, '
the food seemed to me to be longer digesting and .
to lie like a heavy weight in the stomach. With
the men, in addition, the issue of a small spirit
ration after a march makes them more contented and
cheerful ; this I found on many occasions.

I made all the marches to the Prah in the after-
noon, and at first took cold tea on the march and
hot tea at its conclusion. I could not sleep. I
found the cold tea most refreshing. In march-
ing in the early morning this objection to tea would
not hold good.

Some of the marches between the Prah and Coo-
massie were very long, and as we got far up the
country and near the enemy, although the actual
length of the march was short, still it extended over
a great many hours. On a few of these occasions I
was induced to try, from excessive fatigue, the

20 ON THE ISSUE OP A SPIEIT RATION

effect of a little spirit, with tlie following result.
At first the fatigue seemed to me to be less ; I felt
decidedly better. But as I marched on, and the
effects of the spirit disappeared, I felt decidedly
less able to march, and the sense of fatigue became
much more intensified, so much so that I never took
the smallest portion of spirit during a march but I
regretted doing so, and on all subsequent occasions,
when I felt fatigued, I took some beef-tea, never
spirit.

I used three kinds of spirits : at first brandy,
then whisky, finally rum. I think the last the
best.

Surgeon-Major Jackson, C.B., who was my chief
in charge of the 1st Field Hospital, writes to me on
this question of alcohol as follows :

"I look upon alcohol in some shape as a very
useful adjunct to the ration, which, from our experi-
ence (and we were only occasionally restricted to
,'the bare ration), became tiresome from its sameness.
In a climate like the West Coast I think men in
camp ought not to have spirits daily. There is a
great tendency to hepatic congestion from want of
exercise, and I believe the spirit would aggravate it.
It should only be issued after the men have been
employed on fatigue, or some duty, and then only
once or twice a week. On the line of march, I
believe a ration of spirit at bedtime, after a day's
march, assists digestion and invites a good night's
sleep. I would never recommend grog to be given
until the march and the day's work be over ; the
isolated cases where stimulants are required can be

DURING THE ASHANTI CAMPAIGN 21

supplied from tlie medical comforts. I believe rum
to be about the best spirit for issue to the troops."

BviDBNOB OF NoN- Commissioned Ofpiobes

Sergeant-Major Barclay, 42nd Regiment. ( Wounded
at AmoafuT)

Took very little rum himself; refused it on all
occasions but two, as he found it did not suit him.
He thought the country too hot for rum; it
sharpened the appetite, but he found digestion did
not. go on so well with it. The men liked the rum,
but he does not know there was any good reason
for this. He had often known men have the same
wish when rum was not required. His own view is
that it was not needed and was not relished as it
was in the Crimea. He felt slightly exhausted
sometimes, but it never occurred to him that a
stimulant would do good ; on the contrary, he
thought it would be likely to do harm. Certainly
never knew harm done by rum not being issued.
Sir Archibald Alison brought out some bottles of a
white powder, which eflfervesced when put into
water. He got hold of a bottle or two and gave it
to the men, who litied it very much, and found it
very refreshing.

22 ON THE ISSUE OF A SPIRIT RATION

Sergeant James Kemp, 2nd Battalion, Bifle
Brigade

In India eiglit years. While there never took
spirits. Takes usually two pints of beer every day.
Marched to C comas sie. There were eighty men in
his company on starting. About fifty crossed the
Prah and forty reached Coomassie ; the rest were
sent back with fever and dysentery.

Rum was issued on the second day after landing.
Then there was none for two days ; then one issue ;
then none. Altogether, had it four or five times
between the Coast and the Prah. Halted at the
Prah five or six days. Rum was issued every day.
Beyond the Prah it was issued about every other
day. One pint was divided between eight men (2^
fluid ounces per head). It was always given
between six and seven in the evening, and was mixed
with water or lime-juice and water to which sugar
was added.

The marching was usually over by 11.30 a.m.
He thought it heavy work, and when the marching
was fifteen or sixteen miles the men found it very
exhaus.ting. In India he had marched seventeen or
eighteen miles, and never found it so exhausting.
He thought the rum ration was decidedly useful;
when he took it he felt revived — decidedly more so
than after tea alone. Most certainly, when he had
had rum the evening before, he marched better
than when he had had no rum. This was the
opinion of all the men in his company. When he

DURING THE ASHANTI CAMPAIGN 23

did not have the rum he felt more " weakly " the
next day. The amount of rum did not make him
feel hot or uncomfortable, as it was taken with water
or lime-juice ; it did not make him feel sleepy. The
opinion of all his company was in favour of the
rum ; they all seemed revived by it, and were more
contented.

As to quantity, he thought it enough. The
men were well satisfied with it, and no one wanted
any more. If more had been issued, he thought the
men would have been too much affected.

As to the time, he thought the evening quite the
best. If given in the morning, it would, in his
opinion, have made the men heavy for marching.
In India he had seen men who had taken a little
spirit in the morning very difficult to get along.

Sergeant Bakbe, 2nd Battalion, Rifle Brigade

Made the march to Oomassie ; was wounded at
the commencement of the last day's fight; had a
slight touch of fever at the Prah. Half a gill of
rum {2\ fluid ounces) was issued irregularly as far
as the Prah ; after that it was usually issued, but
not every day; it was given in the evening, and
sometimes mixed with lemon-juice. The longest
march was eighteen miles ; never felt tired on the
march. When he took the rum after the day's
march he felt it did him good ; he felt as if he could
have gone on again ; it did not make him heavy or
sleepy. He felt the want of it when he did not have

24 ON THE ISSUE 01' A SPIRIT RATION

it. The men generally liked to tave it. It was
never issued during the march, and he does not
know how it would have aflfected him if it had been.
There were very few teetotallers in the regiment ;
there were a few before they went out, but they gave
up the pledge.

Sergeant Perrin, Army Hospital Corps

A temperate man ; never takes spirits. Usually
takes one pint of beer every day ; it is very seldom
that he takes more. He had no sickness on the
Coast ; the day after embarkation he had fever, and
was ill for three days ; has been quite well since.
Made the march to Ooomassie with the 1st Field
Hospital. He always took the rum ration, which,
except on one occasion, was issued in the evening.
He certainly felt revived by it, especially after a
long march. Can give what he thinks a good
example of this. It was on the first day's march
homewards after Ooomassie was burnt. They
started about half-past 5 a.m., and were greatly
delayed by swamps ; sometimes the men were march-
ing through water up to the waist ; during the day
perhaps they had altogether three miles of this
marching through water. They did not get to their
halting-ground until the evening. There was no
rum ; only tea and biscuit. About 2 in the morning
the rum arrived, and was served out immediately.
He felt a great deal better for it ; it took ofi" the
languor and made him feel warm. The march re-

DTJEING THE ASHANTI CAMPAIGN 25

commenced between 6 and 6 o'clock, and was well
done ; but tben it was shorter and tliere were no
swamps, so the men were not mucb tired. All the
men, as far as he knows, thought the rum did
good ; the quantity was enough. If the rum had
been given on the march itself it would have done
no good, only harm. His reason for saying so is
that on two or three occasions on the march one of
the doctors gave him a glass of grog ; the effect was
reviving for a quarter of an hour, and after that he
felt a great deal more languid than he did before.
He was so convinced of this that he would have
refused it had it been offered again.

Corporal Eose, Army Hospital Corps

Was with the 1st Field Hospital, and went as far
as Amoaful. As far as the Prah got rum occasion-
ally, perhaps three times in seven days. First issue
at Mansu. Before this had felt no want, nor did
the men crave after it. From Mansu to Yancoo-
massie-Ashantee, had no rum ; did not feel the want
of it. Marched from Yancoomassie to Prahsuin one
day ; distance said to be sixteen miles, but thinks
it must have been more. The men (twenty-six in
number) were almost all knocked up. On arriving
at Prahsu at 8.30 p.m. they had tea and bread, and
2|- ounces of rum with cold water. All the men
seemed to want the rum, and to be the better for it.
When the men got in they were so exhausted they
could do nothing but lie down ; they lay for thirty

26 ON THE ISSUE OF A SPIRIT RATION

or forty minutes, and then had their tea and rum.
After this they seemed greatly revived, moved
about, and went down to the Prah and bathed, and
afterwards felt all right. All the men took the
rum; there were no teetotallers. Is of opinion the
tea and rest alone would not have done what the
glass of rum did. The next day the men were out
early at work cutting bushes, and seemed all well,
and not fatigued by the previous day's march.
Stopped at Prahsu a week. Had rum once or
twice ; the men did not seem to crave after it at all,
but they were glad to get it. When they got it
they generally said, " This is no good ; it's not
enough ; we ought to have some more." It did
not seem to do much one way or the other.
After crossing the Prah they got rum {2^ fluid
ounces) every day ; usually had it about four or
five in the evening, and took it after tea ; felt well
after it.

His opinion is that the rum did him good ; he
felt revived by it ; he mixed it with a good deal of
water, and also mixed hme-juice with it.

Corporal Hindlbt, Army Hospital Corps

Sixteen years' service. Strong, good health,
always temperate, never takes spirits ; his custom
is to take one quart of ale per day, chiefly at dinner,
and a drop before going to bed. Marched with the
2nd Field Hospital to Amoaful. Had two rations of
rum (a ration equal to 2\ fluid ounces) on the way

DURING THE ASHANTI CAMPAIGN 27

to the Prah, taken in the evening just before going
to bed. Thought it useful; when there was no
issue, felt chilly and cold at night; felt warmer
when he had taken the rum, and slept better ; had
no doubt about feeling warmer and sleeping better.
On the next day felt no ill-effects from the rum.
After crossing the Prah had rum regularly every
evening. It seemed to suit him very well. He
always took it just before he went to sleep ; it did
not increase perspiration. He had a blanket, and
used to wrap himself up in it, and kept as warm by
night as by day. On one occasion, while marching
down with the sick, the rum ration was not issued ;
he fancied he felt more chilly in the night and the
next morning on that occasion.

When marching back from Coomassie with the
sick, the work was so heavy that he felt dead tired
at night, and then the rum seemed to revive him a
little, and he could eat a little. Never had the rum
while marching ; he does not think it would have
suited him, because he' supposes it would have
caused more perspiration. The rum seemed to make
him sleep better, but not too heavily ; if anybody
wanted him, and slightly touched him, he could wake
at once.

His opinion is that the rum was useful ; he was
not prejudiced in its favour, as he is not a spirit-
drinker. The ration seemed small, but certainly
acted very well. He was personally satisfied with
it. The best time was certainly in the evening. He
had no fever on the Coast or since.

On the Coast, American white rum and Hollands

23 ON THE ISSUE OF A SPIRIT EATION

and palm wine could be bought, and some of the
men drank these liquors, but those who did so
always seemed very wretched the next morning.

Conclusions peom the foeegoing Bvidencb

In attempting to sum up a few conclusions from
this evidence I shall try to distinguish between facts
and opinions.

The facts are these :

I. Entire abstinence from alcohol did not make
the men who abstained more sickly as a whole, or
more disposed to malarious fever. This is proved
by the following figures. In the 42nd Eegiment
there were 24 teetotallers, and they had 4 cases of
sickness, as shown in the table ; one of these was
from fever, one from diarrhoea, one from inflam-
mation of the lungs, and one from an unstated cause
which I will call fever. In Captain Brackenbury's
history of the campaign the admissions of the 42nd
Regiment are thus given by Dr Mackinnon (vol. ii,
p. 343) : — Admissions from all causes, 690 per 1000
of strength ; admissions from fevers, 423 per 1000.
Calculating the admissions of the teetotallers per
1000 of strength, we have — admissions from all
causes, 166; admissions from fevers 83. To put
this in another form : the actual strength of the
42nd Eegiment (including teetotallers) was 656 non-
commissioned officers and men, and they gave 453
cases of sickness, or there were 2 admissions for

DURING THE ASHANTI CAMPAIGN 29

every 3 men ; the teetotallers were 24 in number,
and gave only 4 cases of illness, or one admission
out of every 6 men. It may safely be concluded
tliat the teetotallers were not more unhealthy than
the regiment at large. It is also almost certain
that they were more healthy ; but here the small
number of teetotallers makes the calculation more
uncertain. If the limits of error are calculated out

by Poisson's rule /^+2 /\/^-^^^) the possible

range of the total sick of teetotallers per 1000 of
strength is no less than + 215 ; that is, the error,
arising from the small number is so great that the 166
admissions might have been 381 per 1000 ; or there
might have been no admissions at all. The range of
error in the case of the non-teetotallers of the regiment
is + 51 ; and if the error happened to be minus, the
admissions per 1000 would have been 659 instead of
710. Even allowing, however, for the error con-
sequent on the small numbers, the advantage is
largely on the side of the teetotallers. -If fevers
alone are taken, the possible error in the teetotal
calculation is + 160 ; so that instead of 83 cases
there might have been 242 cases of fever per 1000
of strength. In the non-teetotal part of the regi-
ment the possible error is + 56, and the admis-
sions might have been only 361 per 1000. But even
here, supposing the numerical error to be entirely
against the teetotallers and in favour of the non-
teetotallers, the former would have still a great
advantage.

The reason of this advantage is tolerably clear ;

30 ON THE ISSUE OP A SPIRIT RATION

the remarkable health enjoyed by the teetotallers in-
India (as shown by Dr Troup's table), and the
observation he makes as to then* good physique and
care of themselves, prove that they benefited on
the Coast by their previous good conduct and
superior health ; their advantage was not so much
in the abstinence at the time from the 2^ ounces of
rum their comrades had, as in the condition they
had brought themselves into by long-continued
good conduct. The table is a singular testimony
to the general advantage of total abstinence, and
shows also, to say the least, that the want of the
spirit ration did no harm to these men on the
Coast.

In the Eifle- Brigade there were only five teeto-
tallers, and the numbers are so small that the calcu-
lation becomes very uncertain. It is as follows, if
we suppose the case of sickness alluded to by Mr
Wiles to be fever, and include the case on board
ship.

Admissions per 1000 of strength

Trom all causes.

Fevers.

Regiment . . .

770 ...

... 674

Teetotallers

400 ...

... 400

If a correction is made by Poisson's rule, the
non-teetotal part of the regiment might have had as
few as 768 total admissions and 619 fever admis-
sions per 1000 of strength ; while the teetotallers
might have had 462 total admissions, all from fever.
Here, again, the calculation is in favour of the

DURING THE ASHANTI CAMPAIGN 31

teetotallers, even after every point is given against
them, and if their greatest possible sickness is con-
trasted with the least possible sickness of the non-
abstainers.

The independent evidence of Surgeon - Major
Wiles is also in favour of the teetotallers, as he
thought the spirit ration increased susceptibility to
the malarious poison and the affection of the bowels,
The 23rd Regiment had no teetotallers.

II. The marching powers of the teetotallers of both
regiments were good, and the evidence of Surgeon-
Major Wiles as to his own endurance in marching
is in accordance. The evidence is also against the
usefulness of rum during marching ; the careful
trials of Dr Kynsey on himself, and the evidence of
Sergeant Perrin, show that during marching the
invigorating effects of alcohol soon went off, and
were succeeded by increased languor. Although
none of the other men had an opportunity of deter-
mining this point (as rum was only issued after
marching), the remark of Sergeant Kemp as to the
effect of spirit in India making it difficult to get the
men along, is corroborative.

III. The reviving effect of the rum when given at
the end of the day was strongly spoken to by several
of the men, and is corroborated by Dr Kynsey. The
evidence is the more valuable as some of the men
were unaccustomed to spirits and had no prejudice
in their favour.

The testimony is, in fact, quite in accordance
with physiological knowledge, that under exhaus-
tion after great exertion alcohol will quicken the

32 ON THE ISSUE OF A SPIRIT RATION

heart and act for the time as a restorative, though it
may be hurtful or not useful during the actual period
of exertion. The general feeling of warmth caused
by alcohol, and the temporary strengthening of the
heart's action, were also, no doubt, succeeded by a
slight angesthetic effect, making the sleep rather
more profound.

ly . The evidence of one or two of the men is that
they marched better when rum had been issued on
the previous evening. Soldiers in general are so dis-
posed to think that they cannot get on without
spirits that too much weight must not be given to
this, but it does not seem unlikely. It has been
shown that when the amount of alcohol in twenty-
four hours is not more than 1 fluid ounce (and that
is about what these men received in the 2-g- fluid
ounces of rum), the temporary quickening of the
heart's action is succeeded by a fall to such an
extent that the mean work of the heart in the
twenty-four hours is the same whether alcohol
is taken or not. The amount of rum given to
these men would not then overwork the heart
— i. e. would allow time for proper repair, — and the
better sleep which they appear to have had after it
would probably be more restorative to the nervous
system.

Y. Some of the evidence indicates the greater
power of digestion given by the rum, and the in-
creased appetite caused by somewhat changing the
monotony of the food.

Such appear to be the main facts brought out by
the evidence. The opinions (?". e. the conclusions of

DURING THE ASHANTI CAMPAIGN- 33

tte different witnesses from facts "which were before
them, but which others cannot estimate) are rather
various. While Dr Troup, in spite of his strong
testimony to the value of abstinence as a rule, is in
favour of alcohol on the Gold Coast, and Dr Fox,
Dr Kynsey, and Surgeon-Major Jackson all agree in
this view, Surgeon-Major Wiles is much opposed to
rum, though he would have liked a beer ration to
have been issued. Sir Anthony Home is also in
favour of beer or wine in preference to rum, but
considers the latter must be issued under the usual
circumstances of a campaign. Among the men
Sergeant-Major Barclay is opposed to the ration;
the others are in favour- of it. AJl, however, are in
accord on these points — namely : that the amount of
the ration (half a gill, or 2^ fluid ounces, in twenty-
four hours) was sufficient ; that it was given at the
proper time — viz. after the day's work, and with or
after the evening meal; and in the proper form —
viz. diluted and mixed with lime-juice and sugar, or
put into tea. -These rules are real practical gains
from this campaign, showing us, at any rate, the
proper limits of the issue and the best time and form
in which to give it.

Let it now be admitted that the Gold Coast cam-
paign has at any rate proved that the rum ration
should not be given in greater quantities than 2^
fluid ounces (one eighth of a pint) per man daily
(since this amount did all we can expect from it) ;
and that the time for giving it is, as a rule,
not before or during, but after a march.

3

34 ON THE ISSUE OF A SPIRIT RATION

Then recurs the question already stated : Was the
rum ration really necessary ? did it do good ? did it
do harm ?

Most persons who have read the foregoiug evi-
dence will probably agree with Sir Anthony Home
that the experience of the Gold Coast campaign is
not sufficiently large or accurate to enable us to
give a decision on a really scientific basis, and that
all that can be said is that the evidence from the 29
teetotallers in the 42nd Regiment and Rifle Brigade
proves that it was not a necessity, while the other
evidence shows that under special circumstances it
produced effects which we must consider to have
been useful. And all will no doubt agree that Sir
Garnet Wolseley acted wisely not only in his judg-
ment of the quantity and time, but also in making it
an extra issue, to be given when deemed expedient
by those best able to appreciate the condition of the
men and the circumstances under which they were
placed.

But it cannot be doubted that' among many of the
officers engaged in the Gold Coast campaign, and
among the newspaper correspondents, a somewhat
different opinion is held. The evidence which has
been brought forward of late years to show that
armies have made the greatest exertions and have
gone through the severest hardships without spirits,
and have even been the better for the abstinence,
and especially the wonderful inarch made by Sir
Garnet "Wolseley in the Red River expedition, had
produced a general belief that spirits were in all
cases hurtful, or at any rate unnecessary, on service.

DURING THE ASHANTI CAMPAIGN 35

Many of tte officers in the expedition from the Gold
Coast returned with their faith in this doctrine
much shaken. They found themselves in a chmate
which is enervating and exhausting in the highest
degree, in which exertion is most difficult, and every
feeling seems to crave for a stimulant.* It seemed
to many as if alcohol were the only thing which coilld
enable them to do their work.

It is not only a miKtary but a physiological question
of the highest interest, whether this desire for a
stimulant felt by some officers ought to have been
indulged. Alcohol would no doubt exert its usual
effect. It would quicken the heart, and restore for
the time the failing circulation ; it would perhaps
increase the perspiration ; it would not increase, it
might even slightly lessen, the temperature of the
body, though so large a quantity is necessary for
this that this effect cannot be reckoned upon. It
might, when taken with food, increase the appetite
and digestive power, and thus aid the restoration of
the tissues. All this may be admitted, and when
alcohol was taken within the limits of moderation
(which the ration was), and in the way and at the

* This arises probably not so mucb from the heat of the climate
(at Cape Coast Castle, in December and January, the mean shade
temperature at the hottest time of the day is often only 84° or 85°),
but from the great amount of moisture in the air. On the Coast the
mean difference between the dry and wet bulb is only 2*5°, and in
the interior the air is often quite saturated. Consequently, the
perspiration from the surface of the body is not carried off. The
slightest exertion bathes the body in perspiration; this is not
because more perspiration is produced, but because less is evapo-
rated. The heat of the body therefore rises, and the sense of exhaus-
tion and fatigue produced by this condition is extreme.

36 ON THE ISSUE OP i. SPIRIT RATION

time pointed out by Drs Troup and Kynsey in their
evidence, it can, I think, hardly be denied that it
was useful to many men. But it cannot be for a
moment admitted that the craving for stimulants
was a proof of their necessity. The exhaustion felt
on the Gold Coast was the consequence of physical
conditions which nothing could alter. The effect of
alcohol would have only temporarily relieved it, and,
as pointed out by two witnesses, the subsequent
feeling of languor would have been greater than
before, and a renewed recourse to alcohol would
have been necessary. The languor and exhaustion
showed that the climate was not fitted for Euro-
peans, but all we know of the physiological effects
of alcohol and all the evidence of tropical service
prove that under such conditions alcohol is not the
remedy, but is the most faithless of helps. It could
not do what is here demanded from it, and belief in
it has led to innumerable deaths.

If alcohol was useful on the Coast, and I do not
deny that under certain conditions it was so, it is
most important that its issue should be based on the
right grounds. These are shown, I think, in the
evidence I have now brought forward, which has
been collected impartially and without any attempt
at selection. It agrees with what is known of the
physiological action of alcohol, and it may truly be
said that the effects stated in the foregoing evi-
dence might have been confidently predicted.

One more remark of a practical kind may perhaps
be allowed. The reviving effect produced by alcohol
after great fatigue, and the power thus temporarily

DURING THE ASHANTI CAMPAIGN 37

obtained of continuing the exertion if necessary, is
a valuable quality well illustrated by some of the
evidence. But this gain is only for a time, and is
followed by increased exhaustion; for, to use the
common phrase, alcohol is a stimulant merely, and
not a renovator, in the sense of supplying materials
to exhausted tissues. This can only be done by
food and rest; and as in the Ashanti campaign
the men had food before or with, and rest after, the
rum ration, and as the quantity of rum was within
the limits of moderation, the reviving effect was
felt without the subsequent depression. But no use
appears to have been made in the Ashanti cam-
paign of one of the most valuable foods for periods
of great exertion which modern science has given
us. I refer to the meat extracts, which also remove
the sense of fatigue, but do so, in part at least, by
supplying directly to the tired muscles the materials
they want — viz. the special potash salts, and pro-
bably animal extractive matters, which have a
reviving influence on the exhausted nerves. From
their small bulk and consequent ease of carriage,
their form, which permits of ready distribution, and
their facility of digestion and absorption when
mixed with either hot or cold water, they are at
present the most available renovators we know of
after great fatigue. They more than replace alcohol,
or, if thought desirable, they can be used with it,
and in this case will probably be found to lessen the
increased depression which ensues when the effect of
alcohol passes off. I have thought it not imma-
terial to call attention to these valuable agents,

38 ON THE ISSUE OP A SPIRIT RATION, ETC.

\^wliioli seem especially adapted for use in modern
■war, and which, without superseding the use of the
usual food, or doing away with the necessity of rest,
yet giye to the modern commander additional means
, of increasing the marching and enduring power of
his troops.

APPENDIX I

EXPERIMENTS TO SHOW THE RELATIVE REVIVING

EFFECTS OF RUM, EXTRACT OP MEAT, AND

COFFEE, DURING MARCHING

In order to show the correctness of the statement
made in the last paragraph of the foregoing report,
the following experiments are given.

Three intelligent and trustworthy soldiers, who
knew the nature of the experiments, made the fol-
lowing marches in heavy marching order, carrying
the rifle and sword bayonet, the valise equipment
with service kit, forty rounds of ammunition, great
coat, water bottle (full) and haversac (empty) ; in
all, including the clothes on person, there was a total
weight of 51 lbs. avoirdupois.

Having breakfasted at six o'alock, they started at
seven and marched thirteen and a quarter miles
without a halt or refreshment of any kind. This
march was accomplished in four hours and twenty
minutes. After resting for an hour, during which
time their pulses and temperatures. were taken, they
received either rum or extract of meat or coffee, with

40 BUM, MEAT BXTEACT, AND COFFEK

in each case ten fluid ounces of water. They then
marched four and a quarter miles, making seventeen
and a half in all, and then after another halt had a
second allowance of the same substance, with the same
quantity of water. A march of three miles was then
made, making twenty and a half miles. The rate of
march was 3' 2 miles per hour ; the time taken was
eight hours and a half, of which two were occupied
with halts. At the end of the last march the men had
their dinner. The rations were the usual rations,
and the same amount of food was taken daily. The
marches were continued for six days, so that each
man received rum on two days (but not on successive
days), meat extract on two days, and coffee on two
days.

The quantities taken were two and a half fluid
ounces of rum before the second and third sections of
the march, making five fluid ounces daily. This parti-
cular spirit, and this amount, were selected because
rum is the issue to soldiers and because two and a
half ounces was the Ashanti ration. As the rum
contained forty per cent, of absolute alcohol by mea-

1 sure, the total quantity of five fluid ounces contained
two fluid ounces of alcohol, or one fluid ounce
each time. This amount is the maximum limit of
moderation as determined by the late Dr Anstie
and myself. I was certain from previous experi-
ments that anything over this would narcotize in

^some degree and lessen marching power. The rum
was mixed with eight and a half fluid ounces of
water, and a little sugar was added. The extract
of meat was obtained from Liebig's Company, amd

BUM, MEAT EXTRACT, AND COFFEE 41

was given in quantities of half an ounce in ten
fluid ounces of water before the second and third
sections of the march, so that one ounce was taken
daily.

The coffee was boiled ; half an ounce was used
for ten ounces of water, so that in aU one ounce
of coffee was used daily ; half an ounce of sugar
was added to each quantity, or one ounce of
sugar daily. In order to judge of the relative
effects of these substances I relied especially on the
statements of the men. I was fortunate in being able
to get Sergeant-Major Don as one of the marchers ;
he volunteered for this work, as he felt desirous of
practically determining for himself the relative effects
of these articles. I have complete confidence in his
honesty and impartiality. I may say the same of
the other men (Privates Holz and Hutchins). I ex-
plained to them the question at issue, and they fully
understood that they were to be perfectly inde-
pendent in their opinions, and that what was wanted
was simply an honest statement of how far they
felt more able to march after rum, meat extract, or
coffee.

In order to avoid all fallacies the men took no
water except what I gave them ; in aU cases the
fluid was at a temperature of 100° Fahr., so as to
avoid the influence of either cold or heat.

The following statements are given in the men's
own words.

42 RUM, MEAT EXTKACT, AND COFFEE

Effects of Rum

(2^ fluid ounces in 8^ ounces of water at 12.30 after
thirteen and a quarter miles, and again at 2.30 after
four and a quarter miles more)

Seegbant-Majoe Don took mm on the second and
fifth days.

On the second day he was not well on starting in
the morning for the thirteen miles' march ; he had
slept badly ; his pulse at the end of the march was
extremely quick, feeble, and irregular every tweHth
or sixteenth beat. It becomes slower and regular
after lying down for an hour. After the rum at
12.30 he felt a decided reviving effect ; to use his
own phrase, it gave him a spurt ; this was not last-
ing; towards the end of the second part of the
march he felt that the good effects - were over. He
thought the reviving effect inferior to the coffee
which he had taken the day before.

The second dose of rum made him feel slightly
intoxicated ; as before, he was revived for a time and
the intoxicating effect was not enough to damage
his marching power.

On the fifth day he had rum again ; the first
quantity, as before, revived him, gave him a sort of
spurt, and enabled him to march better ; this reviving
effect lasted for two and a half miles, and then seemed
to pass off. For the time he certainly marched
better, though he was quite certain the effect went
off as stated. It made him feel thirsty.

BUM, MEAT EXTRACT, AND COFFEE 43

The second dose of rum caused slight intoxication,
as on the former occasion ; there was a little reviving
power, which soon passed off and left a feeling of
thirst ; he did not think this second quantity did
much for him.

Peivate p. Holz had rum on the first and fourth
days. On the first day after the first dose felt at first
much revived; felt easy and marched better; after two
miles felt thirst and then got weak, and did not
march so comfortably ; the good effect of the rum
had passed off. After the second dose he felt it get
into his head; he was revived and able to march
very well, but was a little thirsty ; he felt fatigued
the last part of the march ; it did not make him
march worse, but did not do much good. On the
fourth day, after the first dose he felt a little intoxi-
cated ; he was at first revived, but after about one
mile and a half this effect went off" and he felt
just as tired as before ; he could have marched as
well without it.

After the second dose he felt rather tipsy, and his
head was heavy on returning from the march ; at
first it took away all feeling of weakness, but in a
mile he felt as fatigued as before ; he does not think
it made him march worse, but he could have marched
just as well without it. It made him feel thirsty.

Private W. Hutchins had rum on the third and
sixth days. On the third day he did not think the
rum did him any good ; just at starting and for
about half a mile he felt revived; then this effect

44 BUM, MEAT EXTRACT, AND COFFEE

went off ; lie was thirsty and clammy in tlie mouth ;
he did not feel much good or much harm from it ;
what good effect there was went ofE very soon.

After the second dose he felt rather more revived ;
it caused flushing of the face ; he could not see that
it gave him power, nor did it take power away, but
it did not add to it.

On the sixth day the first dose of rum seemed to
quicken his appetite and increase his thirst ; for
about two miles or so felt lighter and revived and as
if he could have jumped over a five-barred gate with
all his accoutrements on ; then this effect entirely
went off and he felt as tired as before ; he did not
feel more tired, but just as he was before.

After the second dose he did not feel so lively ; it
did rouse him a Httle, but this went off very soon ;
he supposed he had not gone a mUe and a half before
the effect was gone ; he then felt languid and lazy,
more so than he felt all along. It flushed him and
made him thirsty.

Effects of Extract of Meat

(Half ounce in ten ounces of water at 12.30 and

2.30)

Seegeant-Majoe Don took the meat extract on the
third and sixth day.

On the third day after taking the first dose of
extract he felt as if he had had a meal, and was able

BUM, MEAT EXTEACT, AND COPPEE 45

to go on ; it seemed to give him strength ; he felt a
little tired as he came back from the march and had
a Httle thirst ; he thought the meat more sustaining
than the coffee, but it did not quench thirst so well ;
the meat gave him more power than the spirit, and this
effect was more lasting ; the influence of the spirit
soon went, that of the meat did not do so. Had a
little palpitation coming back. After the second
dose at 2.30 felt better and sustained by the meat
extract ; had no doubt about this reviving effect ;
there was a good deal of thirst ; no palpitation.

On the sixth day the meat produced the same
effect as before ; it seemed to give him strength, he
felt as if he had had a meal ; the reviving effect was
lasting ; there was some thirst. After the second
dose the same effect was produced.

Peivate p. Holz had meat extract on the second
and fourth days. On the second day he did the first
thirteen miles pretty well, but felt the ascent of A low
hill one mile from Netley, and on coming up some
steps to the room where his pulse was to be taken
he felt giddy; on entering the room he looked pale and
exhausted, and while standing to have his pulse taken
he fainted. It was a question whether he ought to
march again that day, but as his pulse (which had been
extremely weak and almost imperceptible) recovered
at once on lying down, it was decided to continue
the experiments. At 12.30, after an hour's rest, he
had the first half of the extract of meat, the effect of
which was noticd with interest. He felt revived
and stronger for the extract ; had no doubt of this ;

46 RUM, MEAT EXTRACT, AND COFFEE

did the four miles' march, very well; no giddiness
coming up stairs ; lie felt a little faint when standing
to have his pulse taken, but nothing like the first
time. Comparing the extract with the rum which he
had taken the day before, he was certain he felt
much better from the extract ; with the rum he
felt better at the beginning of the march, but not
afterwards ; with the meat extract he felt revived,
and this continued all the march ; it was different
from the rum, and was most decidedly far better.

At 2.30 he had the second half of the extract;
he started feeling strong and well ; he did the three-
mile march well, and marched quite strongly ; he
did not feel at all faint, and felt the extract more
strengthening and reviving than the rum.

On the fifth day on coming in after the thirteen-
mile march he felt weak ; at 12.30 he had the extract ;
he felt greatly revived, and at the end of the four-
mile march was not so weak as after the thirteen
miles ; he felt as if he could go on at once, which he
did not feel before the extract ; he felt a little thirsty,
but not so much as after the rum ; had no doubt that
the rum was less strengthening than the extract.
At 2.30 he had second quantity of extract ; felt much
revived ; did the march well.

Private H. Hutohins had meat extract on the
first and fourth days. After the first dose at 12.30
felt greatly revived ; did the four miles well, and felt
no more tired at the end than at the beginning ; no
thirst, but he had not felt thirsty before ; after the
second dose felt again much better, and felt more

RUM, MEAT EXTRACT, AND COFFEE 47

power of going on ; beyond a doubt felt much bene-
fit from tbe extract. On the fourth day, on coming
in from the thirteen-mile march, he felt tired and
hungry ; after the extract at 12.30 felt greatly re-
vived, and felt as if he had a meal ; marched better ;
had no doubt about this reviving effect. At 2.30 he
had the second quantity ; it did him much good, and
gave him power to go on.

Effects of Coffee

(Half an ounce of coffee in ten ounces of water at 12.30
and 2.30 ; half an ounce of sugar)

Sergeant-Major Don had coflPee on the first and
fourth days. On the first day he was unwell during
the first thirteen miles ; he was giddy and weak, and
marched badly. After the first issue of coffee at 12.30
he felt much better ; lost all sense of giddiness, and
felt that the coffee had a sustaining power ; it re-
moved his thirst partly, but not wholly. After the
second dose he again felt better, did the work well,
and felt as if he could have gone through the work
again. On the fourth day he felt fatigued when he
came in after thirteen miles; he found the coffee
had a most decided effect ; he marched better, and at
the end of the four miles the good effect had not
gone off. After the second quantity felt very well,
marched well, and was revived ; had not the slightest
doubt that the coffee gave him power to go on.

48 BUM, MEAT EXTRACT, AND COFFEE

Private P. Holz had coffee on the third and sixth
days. On the third day after the first issue of cojffee
the thirst was lessened ; he felt at first a little revived,
but not afterwards, and on the whole felt little effect,
yet, as compared with the rum, he thought the effect
of the coffee was better. After the second dose he
felt a little revived, but the effect was not great ; it
lessened thirst at first, but not afterwards; it did
not seem to do much one way or the other.

On the sixth day the coffee relieved thirst; it
seemed to revive him a little, but not much ; it did
not seem to give him strength ; was decidedly much
inferior to the meat extract, which seemed to give
him strength. The second quantity of coffee seemed
to do more good ; it took away thirst ; he did not
know if it gave him strength, but he felt better.

Private "W. Hutohins had coffee on the second
and fifth days. On the second day felt the coffee
assuage thirst; did not feel otherwise any great
effect, but thinks he should not have marched so well
without it. After the second quantity at 2.30 felt
somewhat revived and better ; thinks the coffee
decidedly inferior to the meat extract, which seemed
more reviving and nourishing, and more lasting.

On the fifth day the coffee had the same effect as
before ; it quenched thirst, but did not revive him
much, if at all. After the second quantity the thirst
was quenched, but the reviving effect was not great.

RUM, MEAT EXTRACT, AND COFFEE 49

Final Opinion of the Men

At the end of the experiments the men were ashed to
state their candid opinion of the relative value of
these three substances during inarching.

Sergeant -Majoe Don said — " The meat extract is
the best to march on ; more strength is given by it ;
about this I have not the shghtest doubt. After the
extract I prefer the coffee, and I put the rum last
for marching, though if a man had to he out all
night on wet ground it would do good. But for
marching I do not think it the proper thing. The
coffee was best for thirst, and also gave me a more
comfortable feeling than the other two,"

Private P. Holz said — " I prefer the meat extract ;
in rainy weather the rum might be best, as I found .
it warmed me more, but for getting along in march-
ing the extract is the best, it gave me more
strength. As regards the coffee, I would put it
before the rum, as the effect of the rum went off in
two miles, and I felt better after the coffee than after
the rum."

Private W. Hutchins said — " I prefer the meat
extract ; it certainly gave me more strength for
marching ; it does not put a spurt into you for a few

4

50 EUM, MEAT EXTRACT, AND COFFEE

miles, but has a lasting eflfect ; if I were ordered for
continuous marching, and had my choice, I would
certainly take the meat extract. The coffee quenched
thirst, but did not seem to do much or to put any
spurt into me. But still I prefer the coffee to the
rum, because it quenched thirst, and also the rum at
the end of a couple of miles left you as bad as
before, or even worse, while the coffee had no effect
of this kind."

The following tables give the pulse and tempera-
ture.

The respirations are not. recorded, for they were
found to be unaffected.

The men carried the valise equipment, which
leaves the chest so free that on no occasion was
there the least breathlessness or any increase in the
number of respirations.

Sergeant-Major Don had not carried a knapsack
for eight years, and was not very well when the
marches commenced. The effect on his heart was
so great (the pulse rising on three days after seven-
teen miles' march to 160, and even 165, and being
excessively weak and irregular) that I was nearly
stopping the experiments. However, the heart
gradually strengthened in the three last days, and he
seemed to get into condition, though it was always
more easily quickened than in the case of the other
two men who were younger. No decided effect of
the rum, extract, or coffee can be traced in the
pulse and temperature ; the exercise seemed to over-

BUM, MEAT EXTRACT, AND COFEEB

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BUM, MEAT EXTRACT^ AND COFfEE

53

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54 BUM, MEAT EXTRACT, AND COITEB

ride all other conditions, and if the heart were
quickened by the alcohol, this effect had passed off
during the march. In this man the temperature
almost invariably rose a little during the march.

In Private Holz the pulse was much less excited
than in Sergeant-Major Don ; no decided influence of
the rum, extract, or coffee can be traced. The tem-
perature was not at aU .raised by the exercise ; but
was, if anything, shghtly lowered.

In Private Hutchins the heart was much less
affected by the marching; the pulse was always
perfectly regular and even. This was the case also
with the temperature. He was, in fact, the strongest
of the party.

It may be concluded from these tables that no argu-
ment for or against rum, meat extract, and coffee
can be drawn simply from the pulse or temperature ;
a different mode of experimenting would, in fact,
have been necessary to show their influence; but
that could not be done without giving up the special
object of these trials, which was to note the march-
ing power of the men.

These tables are interesting, not only in showing
the effect of marching on the pulse, but how soon
the heart in healthy men recovers itself in the re-
cumbent position. The following table puts this
very clearly.

BUM, MEAT EXTEACT, AND OOPEBB

55

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56 BUM, MEAT BXTBAOT, AND OOFFBB

When the pulse had been taken in the erect posi-
tion after marching, the men took off their equipment
and lay down for one minute; the fall in the'number of
the pulse and the recovery of its volume and force
in so short a time were surprising.

It will be .seen that Sergeant-Major Don's heart
fell on one occasion in one minute after lying down
from 165 to 93, or no less than 72 beats. The
average fall was 43 beats in one minute. Holz's
pulse fell in one minute 39 beats on an average, or
nearly the same. Hutchins' pulse (always slower
than the others) only fell 16 beats on an average.
On successive days the regularity of the means in
each man is remarkable, and shows how really evenly
(though at different speeds) the heart worked in all
of them.

The practical importance of the above table is in
showing how desirable it is (if the nature of the
ground allow) to let the men take off their accoutre-
ments and lie down at the halts. Of course on wet
ground, or (as so well pointed out by my colleague
Dr. Maclean) on very hot ground in the tropics, this
may be improper, but whenever it can be done, even
ten minutes' rest of this kind will greatly benefit a
tired heart.

In summing up the results of these experiments,
I feel no doubt that it is correct to put the meat
extract far before the rum and coffee as a reviving
a^^ent in marches. I think the quantity of one ounce
in the day was correct. It seemed to satisfy hunger
and to give strength ; it did not lessen thirst, but on
common marches the men would, of course, have

BUM, MEAT EXTRACT, AND OOPFEE 57

been permitted to drink water. The men were
unanimous in their praise of it, and found it far
more useful than the rum.

The effect of the rum was as expected, and the
evidence of these men was quite in accordance with
the Ashanti experience (of which thej knew nothing),
that the stimulating effect ~ soon goes off and that
the weakness and languor then becomes as bad, or
even worse than before. But I was hardly prepared
to find it go off in so short a distance as half to two
and a half miles. It is also evident from the men's
statement that the second allowance usually began
to sUghtly narcotize them ; the reviving effect was
on .several occasions not greater, but was actually
less than that produced by the first amount. The
limits of the useful effect of rum were evidently
reached by one ounce of absolute alcohol, and any
further amount would, I believe, have made itself
marked by decided lessening of marching power.

The effect of the coffee was not so great as I anti-
cipated, but I attribute this, in part at any rate, to
the amount of coffee being too small. I gave the/
usual ration of one ounce a day, but I am convinced
that no great good effect will be obtained from iti
under an issue of two ounces a day, and it must then !
also be well made.

In order not to complicate the experiments, I did
not try the effect of mixed spirit and meat extract,
but it is clear that a mixture of the kind would have
an immediate strong reviving power when men are
greatly fatigued, and when a sudden and temporary
effect is demanded, and also that this effect would

58 BUM, MEAT EXTRACT, AND COFFEE

continue longer than with spirits alone. But these
experiments also show that 2^ ounces of rum is the
limit that should be given for this purpose, and that
it should be an exceptional issue, while the meat
extract should be the usual issue. It is, of course,
to be understood that the meat extract is not in-
tended to take the place of the ordinary rations, but
it is to be used in supplement of them, and for a
special purpose.

APPENDIX II

I owe the following interesting accounts of the
conversion of the gauge on the Great "Western
Railway (from broad to narrow gauge) to the kind-
ness of W. J. Owen, Esq., Engineer in Chief of the
Great "Western Railway, and of J. "W. Armstrong,
Esq., and Henry Voss, Esq., Divisional Engineers,
under whose immediate orders the work was done.
The work was of the heaviest description, lasting
from seventeen to eighteen hours a day for several
successive days. It was the greatest work of its
kind, and nothing exactly like it will ever be done
again in England.

Letter from J. "Waed Armstrong, Esq., Divisional
Engineer, Great "Western Railway

Conversion of Gauge on the South Wales section of the
Great Western Railway in 1872

In answer to your letter, I have great pleasure
in telling you all I know about the sustaining powers
of cocoa, coffee, oatmeal, and spirits, to men engaged
in long- continued and arduous labour.

60 OATMEAL DUEING WOEK

In the summer of 1872 I made the engineering
arrangements and conducted the operation of narrow-
ing the gauge of the South Wales section of the
Great Western Railway, from Milford Haven to
Grange Court Station, near Gloucester, a length, all
branches included, of about 400 miles of single line.

The number of men employed was about 1500, and
the time taken was two weeks nearly. The work done
was enormous, for the Great Western is one of the
very few English Hnes whose rails are held down
by bolts screwed into nuts. All these had to be un-
screwed and replaced after moving the rail two
feet, a very different operation to prizing out a
spike, shifting the rail a few inches; and hammering
in the spike again.

As the period of completion was governed by the
number of large stations and sidings to be dealt with,
the open main line was manned so as just to keep
abreast of their progress, and thus the utmost amount
of exertion was maintained at every point.

The working day paid for at a fixed rate was nine
hours, all overtime to be paid for at same rate.
Very long days were made — in fact, nearly double
time.

To illustrate the mode of living, I will take the

gangs employed on the open main line. These gangs

numbered about thirty men, and they were housed

in lodges built along the line, about six miles apart.

/ They were directed to bring with them the food they

/ would want for about two weeks, and as a rule they

I provided cocoa, coffee, sugar, bacon, bread, aad

■ cheese.

OATMEAL DURING WOEK 61

At early dawn water was heated at the lodges
and breakfast made. That over, a start was made for
the scene of the day's work. Two men went in
advance provided with a large iron pot, and oatmeal in
28 lb. packages. Water being found, a fire-place of /
stones was soon made and the pot boiled. Oatmeal-
was then sprinkled into it and added until thin gruel
was made. As soon as the shout for drink was
heard, buckets were filled and carried round, small
tins being used to drink it from. The men soon
gqt to like it exceedingly, and used it very largely
to supplement their sohd food. It was the only
drink taken during the day. I had not a single case
of drunkenness nor of illness. I have often since
heard these men speak with great approbation of the
supporting power of oatmeal drink.

It will be noticed that the oatmeal was cooked. I
think it would not have answered nearly so well if
it had not been. At the same time, it has long been
common for men labouring at the furnaces in large \
iron works to drink cold water and oatmeal. '

I will conclude by saying that, as the result of r
many opportunities for observing the best means
of keeping up the energies of men undergoing great
exertion, I am not in favour of spirits. I do not
say " grog " may not be very desirable when men are
exposed to cold or are surrounded by depressing cir-
cumstances while called on to labour hard ; but with
ordinary surroundings and nothing but the waste of ,
the body to provide for, so far as drinks will do that, i
I am strongly and decidedly in favour of cocoa, coffee, j
and oatmeal. ■ I

62 OATMEAL DUEING WORK

Letter from Henry Voss, Esq.

Conversion of Gauge on the Wilts, Somerset, and
Weymouth District in 1874

The work to be done consisted in slewing in the
line from the broad gauge of 7 ft. ^ in. to the nar-
row gauge of 4 ft. 8^ in.

All the necessary preparations had been made
before the slewing was commenced, the ballast hav-
ing been removed to allow of the timber being slewed,
and all the bolts and fastening loosened and well
oiled, so that they might be removed with the
greatest facility at the time of slewing.

The down line and sidings on that part of the
railway which is double — about thirty -five miles — was
done first; 314 men began this work on the 16th of
June, and completed it, ready for a narrow-gauge
engine to go over, on Saturday afternoon, the 20th
of June.

The single part of the line and sidings — 114 miles
in length — was necessarily shut up while the conver-
sion was going on, and therefore required to be done
with as Uttle delay as possible ; 1353 men commenced
this work on the ■19th of June, 1874, and completed
it, ready for a narrow-gauge engine to go over, on
Saturday, the 20th June, and on Monday, the 22nd,
narrow-gauge ti'ains commenced running and the
ordinary passenger traffic was resumed.

The men worked from daylight to dark. Lodgings
were provided for them close to the work, in adjacent

OATMEAL DURING WOEK 63

farm-slieds and other buildings, where these could be
obtained ; where no other lodgings could be found,
huts were erected, each to hold a gang — twenty men
— and a ganger.

Each man was allowed one pound of oatmeal and
half a pound of sugar per diem, and a man was ap- .
pointed to cook and serve it out to each gang of ,
twenty-one men.

The men very much appreciated this drink, and
had nothing else, no beer or spirits being allowed on
the work.

They remained on this part of the line, finishing
packing it up, until Thursday, the 26th June, when
they were removed to the Berks and Hants District,
where they did a similar work, in about the same
time and under the same regulations.

There is a strong feeling on the part of the \
engineers that the good conduct of the men and /
the hard work done by them was due to the liberal \
supply of oatmeal which they had ; as it not only /
quenched their thirst, but sustained them and )
enabled them to keep on continually working very )
hard, from Friday morning at 4 a.m. until Saturday \
night at 9 p.m., with very little intermission. \

The work from beginning to end of the conver- )
sion lasted nearly a fortnight, and the men seemed [
to appreciate the oatmeal during the whole time. (
The oatmeal supplied the place of water, beer, tea, or /
coffee. For meals the men had bread and cheese or I
meat, and in some cases they had beer at night after I
their work was over, but never on the work. (

PEIHTED BY J. B. ADI-AEB, BARTHOLOMEW CLOSE.

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