Sec. 22.] 



THE FOOD QUESTIOy. 



353 



sary to give them strength, and as it is against the rules of good economy to 

 give more, wo may safely calculate that three pounds a day is all that a h:- 

 boring man rec^uires. 



373. Soldiers' Rations. — Tlic English are proverbially hearty eatci-s, an.J 

 the English government have not only studied economy, but the wants of 

 their healthy, strong men in ti.xing their rations so as to give all that is nec- 

 essary, and this is found to consist of the following articles. "While the men 

 arc in barracks, 1 lb. of bread and ^ of a lb. of meat per day. In camp or 

 actual service, li lbs. of bread and | of a lb. of meat. On foreign service, 

 1 lb. of bread or f 11). of biscuit and 1 lb. of meat. AVhen billeted for board, 

 the allowance is 1 lb. of bread, 1\ lb. of meat, 1 lb. of potatoes, and 1 quart 

 t)f l)eer. 



This was mainly followed in the American army until the summer of 

 iSGl, when in consequence of grumblings among the soldiers about insuffi- 

 cient food, the rations were increased, and are now as follows : 



Rations — Daily — H lbs. of pork or bacon, or li lb. of fresh or salt beef; 

 22 oz. of bread or flour, or 1 lb. of pilot bread. 



Rations to One IIrNDEi;n STen — Daily — Eight quarts of beans, 10 lbs. 

 of rice or hominy, besides 1 lb. of potatoes three times a week to each man, 

 01- a substitute therefor ; 10 lbs. of coffee ; 15 lbs. of sugar ; 1 <juarts of 

 \inegar; IJ lbs. of adamantine candles; 4 Ihs. of soa[) ; 2 quarts of salt, 

 lilxtra issues of molasses occasionally made. 



Rations may bo commuted at forty cents per day when stationed in cities, 

 or when there is no opportunity of messing, or when in regular camp, at the 

 cost of the rations. 



37-1:. Variety of Food. — Man craves a change of food, that is, a variety of 

 substances, either one of which would suitaiii life, but would not be satis- 

 factory. Nature demands the variation, and the mixing together of the 

 several substances. Why? Sinqily because no one will give all the ele- 

 ments that go to make up the animal economy. One article furnishes plios- 

 jiliate lor bones, which another article is destitute of, yet it may contain 

 matter that will clothe the bone with muscle. Food that contained neither 

 fat nor sugar would be insutlicient to keep uj) the animal heat. Food that 

 contained all the elements of bone, muscle, fiber, fat, and heat-producing 

 qualities, might be so concentrated as to be unwholesome. 



A man fed upon petnmican Mould have a disposition to cat straw, husks, 

 and twigs, or gnaw the bark from frees to get something to distend the 

 stomach, and enable it to ]ierform its Inunctions healthily. Let this bo 

 thought of in feeding domestic animals as well as men. It will funiisli au 

 easy rule for your guidance. Judge them by yourself, and act accortlingly. 

 You will iind it an easy and sure road tit success. We do not for animals, 

 quadruped or biped, recommend, a \aiifty of food at the same meal — only 

 a change from time to time, so as to give variety, and consequently all the 

 elements necessary to jirodnce growth. 



And neither man nor beiuit will readi a high point in the scale of pcrfec- 



ta 



