MODERN SCIENCE.ON THE BATTLEFIELD

Dominion, Volume 9, Issue 2582, 2 October 1915, Page 8

MODERN SCIENCE.ON THE BATTLEFIELD

(To the Editor.) > I Sir, —May ivo ask your kind support in your, columns on 'the' matter which I think ivill be of interest to your country? One of the most remarkable features of the Army in tho present war is the small of death by disease, in comparison ivith all former wars. In the Crimean, South African, and other great struggles, half an army has been decimated by pestilence of various kinds, but to-day experience, coupled with years of scientific study, becomes a formidable factor in the preservation of life: : Among the prevalent causes of disease on the battlefield are, firstj" the impurity of all water supplies, which are bound to become contaminated by the blocd and decaying matter .with which a war area becomes saturated, and, secondly, the hordees of insects, lice, fleas, mosquitos, and vermin of every description which breed under such conditions, and it has been largely due to the Honey spent in every practical kind of sterilising output and disinfecting apparatus that an appalling loss has been prevented. But all our Allies have not been so fortunate as to be well-prepared. Serbia had to pay-the- price of luipreparedness that but for tho sudden intervention, of Englishwomen, - backed by all the latest scientific experiments to meet the case, might have spelt disaster, and today a similar danger is hanging over dbvastated'Belgiuni, for death and a hot' summer sun are making life for the Belgian soldiers almost unendurable — the .water is in a hopelessly impure state, full of germs; the sterilising plants are very_ few. l and far betweea; fleas and mosquitos, which come from the .decaying on to the living meii, bring with them disease of the worst kind, leaving them no peace day or night; and of absolutely necessary disinfecting appliance's creates a torture from •the"body-liee and vermin that carries s, terror in its',wake. •' The Belgian: 'Soldiers' - Fund, whose OTganisatioji-keeps'-'it' closely' : in touch ivitli the conditions of Belgium, took ■Tip a. nionth ago for the Belgian Army and tho civil' population along the line of march the same.-kind of work -that has been so-.ably carried out by Englishwomen , for; .the Serbian; Army;, -in pro-: viding. every kind .of scientific equipment that' : will- prevent a serious outbreak of disease. Field-kitchens, sterilising plant/ disinfectors, J have been sent out,- but week by week come urgent requests for more—this week for 100 moresteriliser outfits': at a, cost of £50 each, and eight great steam-pressure flisinfectors on-wheels, at a. cost of £200 to £300 each, .according -to volume ofpressure. It. is of th.e utmost importance that these equipments .be sent over without a moment's unnecessary delay, and wo ■urgently ask your generosity m helping--to-raise the. necessary money. Letters of-. appreciation have been received'from Queeii Alexandra, Queen Elizabeth, and also the' Princess Napoleon, who " visited; with great ' interest both pur office and exhibit at tho War •Exhibition. We have also had-ebwstant letters-'of warmest thanks from Biiroii de • BroqueyiUe, Minister of War; .the Belgian: Government at Havre, and . all theleading. Belgian" commahclers.'of., divisions in the field; whilst warm. support has been accorded by tho English War Office,- Admiralty, Board of Trade, Board of Agriculture;' London Chamber of .Commerce, railway authorities, Lloyd's Bank, Ltd., our. auditors, Sir William Peat's firm, and by Amcrica' and tho colonies. Drafts payable.in London should he reado out to the Belgian Soldiers' Fund, and either sent direct to our head office, lO James Street, Oxford St., London W, or,can be remitted through the Belgian Legation, London, if clearly made, out to tho Bel Elian' Soldiers' Fund and notified by, letter for this office, but cable or letter ' should also notify this office of -'dispatch,- so that.we ; can. collect without dolay.—l am; etc., S. CARRY. Founder and Organiser, of tho Fund. London, July 30.