THE BEST-FED ARMY.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXV, Issue 13, 16 January 1915, Page 4

THE BEST-FED ARMY.

In a lecture on the subject of "The Soldiers' Rations" delivered at the Institute of Hygiene, Dr. Castineau Earle (according to the "Morning Post") said it was well recognised that the best-fed army would win. Napoleon's retreat from Moscow in 1812 was due to lack of food. The basis of the ration was meat, bread or biscuit, and vegetables. A few years ago the value of the British rations was questioned by an American scientist, who concluded that the proportion of meat was too great. With a view to testing this conclusion an experiment was sanctioned by the British War Office in 1009 and 1910. The commission after making the experiment—which was called by the men who took part in it the "hunger march"—found that the pence ration was sufficient; but that the war ration was inadequate. Certain additions

were, therefore, recommended, and the regulation ration at present was; Fresh meat, lslb, bread Hlb, sugar 2£oz., jam 4oz, vegetables Boz, oatmeal 2oz, bacon 2oz, cheese 2oz. A second experiment was made with this ration, and the men were sorry it did not last longer. In case transport should fail, the soldier should carry' what was known as the reserve or iron ration. A day's rations should not weigh more than 211), and the soldi(>r should carry 61b, i.e., enough' for three days. It consisted of concentrated food. In addition to this, there was an emergency ration, which was seldom used. It weighed very, little—about 9oz—and was certainly not enough for subsistence; its chief, constituent was chocolate. Summing! up, the lecturer said a soldier should he rather over than under fed, so, as to contain in his own body the re-j serves necessary when food'failed. <