234 On coarse Flour, ^c. 



ierieSj and fevers^ carried them off in great numbers. 

 Many died in the streets, and in the markets; yet every 

 medical aid, and every possible comfort were afforded 

 to them. They loathed, and mtmy refused, the soups 

 ^ and provisions offered by the kindness of the citizens, 

 or piovided in the hospitals. General Stevens, who 

 liad been bred a physician, and resided in Firginia^ 

 called at the war office, on his way to join the army ; and 

 the distressing calamity was detailed to him. He said 

 we did not know how to treat tiic maladies of Virgini- 

 ans and Marylanders. The director of the military 

 hospital, and the commissar}^ of provisions, were sent 

 for, and came. The general desired, and orders were 

 accordingly given, that all the bacon and indian com^ 

 that could be immediately procured, should be purchas- 

 ed ; and the com ground into nical rather coarse. The 

 troops were at once put on this diet; it operated like 

 niagick ; and accomplished what the medical art could 

 not effect. Those who loathed ever\^ tiling else, would 

 if caution had not been used, have greedily, and dan- 

 gerously, devoured these articles ; which had been, at 

 home, their habitual fare. In a very short time, there 

 was scarcely a dangerous case to be found ; those thus 

 fed, having generally recovered. Many of them told 

 me, that as soon as they smelt the rashers and hoe cake^ 

 they felt, as they expressed themselves, "-^ quite lively ^^ 

 and were confident of getting home well; to which, n^ 

 doubt, this fortunate persuasion, in no small degree* 

 contributed.* 



♦ Dr. Ruah informs me^ that (in 1777) while he had the 

 direction of a military hospital at Morris Town* he ciire 



