vely antiquated type
were still to be found in South Africa. A similar argument to that
which prevailed against the increase of personnel met the several
requests for storage room. It was represented that the indifferent
storage available deteriorated the instruments and made the drugs
worthless. On the other hand, the perishable nature of drugs renders
it inadvisable to keep a large amount in store, besides which, ample
supplies can always be purchased in the market. The subsequent
experience went to prove that there was no difficulty in this matter.
Throughout the war the department was wonderfully well equipped as
regards drugs and instruments, and no branch was more successful than
that concerned with medical supplies.

[Footnote 34: The establishment for India is distinct.]

[Footnote 35: An increase of 212 was asked for, and was
obtained by successive grants of 54, 53, 52 and 55--total,
214.]

[Footnote 36: The estimate was for 400 of all ranks, and 150
were granted. The balance was granted in November, 1899, and
the men were of course untrained.]

[Footnote 37: Statement by Surgeon-General Jameson, Royal
Commission on South African Hospitals.]

_Army Veterinary Department._

On the outbreak of war the Director-General of the Army Veterinary
department was responsible to the Adjutant-General for the efficiency of
his department and the maintenance of veterinary supplies. The superior
control was subsequently transferred to the Quartermaster-General. The
proportion of the veterinary service which should accompany a force on
active service was not laid down. Not only was there no organisation to
admit of expansion but, owing to the unattractive conditions attaching
to service in the department, the number of officers was actually below
the authorised establishment. In addition to the discharge of ordinary
duty, heavy demands were made by the Remount department for veterinary
officers to assist in the purchase and transport of horses and mules. It
was necessary, therefore, almost from the first, to engage civilian
veterinary surgeons.[38] The personnel of the department did not include
any subordinate staff. The Director-General[39] of the department was in
process of adopting, with improvements, the Indian system of equipment,
for which he had himself been responsible. The amount of this equipment
which it had been possible to