[21 
17 
E. 
llejwrt of the Surgeon General. 
Surgeon General's Office. 
JV'ovember 24, 1823. 
Sir: In compliance with your orders, I have the honor to state., 
that the amount disbursed on account of the Medical Department, 
in the three first quarters of the present year, was gl 5,056. All the 
bills presented during this period, have been paid; all moneys ad- 
vanced have been expended, and were regularly and satisfactorily 
accounted for, without loss to the United States; and but S200 have 
been advanced during the present quarter. 
The supplies for the year were forwarded to the several posts at 
an early period; and were in general reported to have been receivedi 
in good order, and to be of a good quality. They also appear to have 
been abundant in quantity, an extra requisition having been made at 
but few posts, in consequence of an unexpected increase of the num- 
ber of troops, or unusual expenditure from the prevalence of summer 
complaints. 
Nearly all the surgeons have been constantly on duty during the 
year, with the exception of those confined by sickness; and the fur^ 
loughs granted have been for short periods. Returns have regular- 
ly been made of every article of public property under their charge, 
and, on examination, have been found strictly correct, and the quan- 
tity expended to be duly proportionate to the reports of sick. 
With the exception of those stationed at Baton Rouge, the troops 
have in general been healthy. The number of deaths reported at all 
other posts, during the two first quarters of the year, was but 43, of 
which seven were from casualties. 
From the returns and reports of the Surgeons, as well as from 
other sources of information, it appears that the hospitals are well 
furnished viith every thing necessary for the comfort and recovery of 
the sick; and from tlie talents, acquirements, and industry of the me- 
dical attendants, it is confidently believed, that the soldier has now a 
much better opportunity for recovery, than he could have in any 
other situation in which he would probably be placed. 
Very respectfully, your obedient servant, 
JOS. LOVELL, 
Surgeon General 
Hon. J. C. Caihoun. 
