PROCEEDINGS OF THE POLYTECHNIC ASSOCIATION. 441 



The Chairman suggested " The Civil Service ; its relation to 

 Social Progress." 



The subject of the "Plating of Metals" was taken up, and its 

 consideration postponed until the next meeting. 



Adjourned, 



American Institute, Polytechnic Association, 



JYovember 14, 1861. 



Prof. Cyrus Mason in the chair. 



TENT FOR THE ARMY, 



Mr. Garbanati exhibited a model of a tent with berths attached 

 to the sides, which may be drawn up against the sides by day, to 

 obviate the necessity of sleeping upon the zround. There are few 

 soldiers killed by the enemy compared with those disabled by 

 diseases contracted from exposure. In the Crimean war, it was 

 but one to eight. 



Thfe Chairman. — Although the French army was less than two 

 months in the field before assembling at Waterloo, and although 

 the battle at that place was most destructive, it is my belief 

 there were two who died on the way to the field to every one 

 that died at the battle. 



Mr. Garbanati proceeded : When the army encamps for the 

 night, it must encamp at the most* convenient spot, wet or dry, 

 and the men must sleep upon the ground unless there is some 

 special provision made for them. They will be very likely to 

 have the rheumatism, and similar diseases. Nor does the evil 

 stop there. Families do not inherit broken arms or the loss of 

 legs, but they will inherit the diseases springing from the expos- 

 ures of camp life, and for several generations after a war, the 

 effect is to be seen and clearly traced. 



The President. — I see before me a member of the seventh regi- 

 ment who told me that after forty days exposure he was com- 

 pelled to return home, and that in his opinion if he had had any 

 means of placing himself above the ground at night he might 

 have escaped the disease. 



Mr, Churchill explained the French method of dividing up the 

 tent so as to make it portable, and su-zgested that a very slight 

 addition would make them efficient ambulances. 



