CHAPTER XVIII. 119 



siderable part of this excessive mortality is in diseases for -which, fats 

 are generally prescribed. 



The following tables are taken from the Best Rations for the 

 Soldier, by Col. Jos. R. Smith, M. D. 



By general experience and individual experiment, we have dis- 

 covered a certain amount of food which will sustain an average indi- 

 vidual in good health; and, also, that much less than this will not suf- 

 fice, though we do not know that a little less would not suffice. We 

 have discovered, too, that certain combinations and proportions of 

 different foods are best in the larger number of cases. 



As large numbers of men are involved in these experiments, the 

 application of "averages" comes to our aid, viz.: That property of 

 the "average," in virtue of which, from a large number of specific 

 cases, every one inaccurate in different directions, an idea may be de- 

 duced which is very near, indeed, to accuracy in the aggregate. 



I proceed to give the amounts of food necessary to sustain in 

 health and strength an adult male for twenty-four hours, as determined 

 theoretically and (by experience) practically by different parties. 



TABLE I. 



Amount of food required per man per day, as determined in actual trial. 



1.— By Prof. J. C. Dalton. a„=.,o.<. 



Average. 



Fresh meat 16 ounces. 



Bread 19 ounces. 



Butter or fat 3.5 ounces. 



Total solid food, 38.5 ounces. 



For a "man in full health, and taking free exercise in the open air." 

 2. — Typical Ration of English Army 



Meat 16 ounces* 



Bread 20 ounces. 



Or biscuit 16 ounces. 



Vegetables (fresh) 8 ounces. 



Or vegetables (preserved) or rice or peas 2 ounces. 



Sugar 2 ounces. 



Tea 1-6 ounce. 



Coffee 1-3 ounce. 



Salt 1-2 ounce. 



Pepper 1-36 ounce. 



Lime juice (when fresh vegetables are not issued) 1 ounce. 



Rum 1-2 gill. 



Total solid food. Max. 46 ozs. to Min.. 36 ozs. 



