The new knowledge that we possess about the causes of sickness justifies us in saying that the loss of an army by disease never need happen again. Our respect and regard for the British soldier impel us to say that it never shall happen again. To save our assertions from sinking into vain boasting, we must give our earnest attention to the method by which the health of the army may be effectually watched and guarded. What is the best scheme for a Sanitary Department of the army?

First Sanitary Movement. — The question occurs naturally in this place, because it was in the spring of 1855 that the idea of sanitary action occurred at once to various minds, and was presently acted upon. The army that went out was lost. Thousands of the men were in hospital, scattered through various countries. Thousands were sent home; and more thousands were under the sod. Fresh troops, sent to replace them, died even faster than the first army. We at home could not endure such a state of things; and one Commission was sent out to inquire into the supplies of the army, and another to devise and execute sanitary works for improving the health of the troops in the camp and in the hospital.

While both Commissions were on their way out, one of the surgeons in the Crimea called attention to the number of dead horses barely covered with earth in the Cavalry camp.