t of good wholesome Provisions,
that can be purchased easily, and at a cheap Rate[159].

[159] The _French_, and many other Nations, give their
Patients Meat Soops in acute Diseases, and after capital
Operations; and they allow them but little Bread or other
Preparations of Vegetable Substances: But these Meat Soops
without Bread do not nourish the Patient sufficiently, and
tend too much to the Putrescent; and this is one Reason why
more Sick die in the _French_ than in the _British_
Hospitals.

Good Bread[160] is a standing Article of Provisions for an Hospital in
all Countries and in all Climates; and a certain Quantity of it ought
to be distributed to each Man daily.

[160] On Expeditions where a Siege is expected, a Quantity of
Flour ought to be carried out, and a Number of portable Ovens
for baking bread for the Sick, which may be put up after the
Troops have made good their Landing.

The Breakfast and Supper in most Military Hospitals must be made of
Water Gruel or Rice Gruel; as either Rice or Oatmeal can be got in
most Places, and are very portable.--Water Gruel is in general
preferable to the Rice Gruel, because most Patients nauseate the Rice
Gruel, after eating it for some Days, but not the Water Gruel, as
every Person, who has attended the Military Hospitals, must have
experienced. Where both Rice and Oatmeal can be had, Rice Gruel may
be used two or three Times a Week by Way of Variety.

But although Rice Gruel is not so proper for constant Use, yet Rice
should always make an Article among the Stores for an Hospital, as it
is useful for making Rice Water for Drink; and it can be boiled or
ground, and made into a light Pudding, and in short may be used in a
Variety of Forms to make a good and wholesome Food for the Sick.

Oatmeal is cheaper than Rice, and can be procured almost every-where
in _Europe_, where Armies make Campaigns; as Oats make such a great
Article in the Forage for Horses. And a sufficient Quantity can at any
Time be ground into Meal for the Use of the Sick, at the Mills which
are employed for making Flour for the Bakery, if there be none nearer
the Hospital.

In Countries where neither Oatmeal nor Rice can be had, _Indian_ or
some other Corn, which is known to be wholesome, and which the Country
affords, may be employed in their Place.

When fresh Meat can be got, the Men who are on full Diet, and the
Nurses and other Servants about