BOOKS.

BR. ROBINSON'S DIARY OF THE CRIMEAN WAS.

So much has been published respecting the first year of the Cri- mean war, that no novelty can be expected from a writer, unless he has some special pursuit which directs his particular and colours his general observations. To a certain extent this is the case with Dr. Robinson's Diary. Of the war itself he gives few fresh pictures; upon the mismanagement which pervaded the Crimean army he furnishes little new information ; the portion of his book relating to the outward voyage, with his descriptions of Malta, Constantinople and its environs might have been spared • the briefer portions of? his diary have often the character of mere jottings on trivial matters and even the idlest camp reports. But the profession of the author has given him a subject in the diseases of the army, their apparent causes their medical cha- racter and treatment, with several connected though subordinate topics. It is no censure of Dr. Robinson's literary merit to say that these things are scattered and sometimes curt ; that the reader must bring them together to have a distinct conception of the facts as a whole, and draw for' himself the conclusions they directly and indirectly contain. When we see him during one part of the time suffering from continual illness, always pressed by the weight of his responsibility, and frequently exposed to the risks and privations of military service, without the expectations which even in the trenches contribute to support the soldier, the wonder is not that his diary should be defective in parts, but that he should have kept a journal at all. The Report of Sir John M‘bl.eill and Colonel Tulloch, with the evidence before the Chelsea Inquiry as far as it has yet gone, shows that there was great want of readiness, of resource and of superintending power in the Crimean army, even if all other tes- timony were put aside. It is highly probable that much of the mortality and much of the suffering both among men and animals might have been saved. Still, the public should not from the broad assertions on this subject, or from the present healthy con- dition of the army in the Crimea, get hold of the notion that war can generally be waged without great suffering and great loss of life from disease alone. The army in the Crimea is and has been for months in quarters ; pretty well housed, very well clothed and fed, free from some of the temptations of garrison towns, with no strain of any kind upon it, and undergoing no more ex- ercise than is absolutely necessary for health. To fancy that steam, or any other application of modern science, can maintain thin healthiness in an army obnoxious to the toil, exposure, and evil influences of an active campaign, would be a mischievous delu- sion as regards preparation, and lead to acts of blind injustice. It is in the slight, but to those who will be at the pains of draw- ing it to a focus the distinct light, which Dr. Robinson's Diary throws upon this subject, that the value of his book consists; proving that the easiest real service told sadly upon the army, and that it was sickly long before the winter in the Crimea began. While the troops remained at Scutari, in the vicinity of a great capital with its supplies and amusements, and in the most delightful and probably the most healthy season of the year—the latter end of April to the middle of June—they were healthy. Almost as soon as they arrived at Varna disease began, and it continued increasing till they left Bulgaria ; cholera, diarrluea passing into dysentery, and fever, being the prevalent disorders. There might be occasional failure in full supply to some of the men, but the army on the whole seems to have been well fed. Flocks accompanied the detachments, for fresh meat ; porter and similar soldiers' luxuries could occasionally be had, and were al- ways procurable for the troops stationed near Varna. Yet heavy occasional rains, night air, hot suns by day and chills by night, told upon men unaccustomed to live under canvass. It may be said that the season was unhealthy, that the bowel affections were all typical of cholera, and that lEtulgaria is always unfavour- able to the unacclimated. The cholera did not, however, pass into a " pestilence." All uncultivated and many parts of cultivated countries have their peculiar disorders. It is Utopian to suppose that an army can choose its healthy seasons and healthy districts to carry on a campaign. These conclusions may be drawn from the work before us. We take some extracts bearing upon the subject. It will be seen that the look noticed by the Lady Volun- to:* in her Eastern Hospitals and Engash Nurses as that of age, began to display itself early at Varna.

"Arne 20th.—Weather agreeable, neither too warm nor cold. Another field-day. No news a any kind, except rumours of the Russians suffering fearailly by disease. Our rare is not so luxuriant as at Scutari ; instead of mutton we get rather indifferent beef, and no vegetables are to be got at any price. The natives, however, have not learnt yet to water the milk, which is good. The Commissariat, or rather the Government stores, are a great boon but it is feared, from want of means of conveyance, we cannot benefit by them when we leave our present station. We get excellent por- ter, barley, coarse sugar, and tea, at very low prices. Pale ale, rice, and preserved potatoes, are also issued at wholesale rates. "July 24th.—Had visitors from camp. The troops appear to be suffering severely from disease. Cholera is beginning its ravages, and in the Light Division seventeen men have died, and several in the brigade of Guards also, within the last day or two. A great number are suffering from dysen- tery and diarrhcea. My informant said that the appearance and physique of the men is beginning to fall off; that every one looks, and is, less vignix- OW than at Scutari.

"25t1.—Nothing to record except the melancholy fact of increase of sick-

• Diary of the Crimean War. By Prederielc Robinson, M.D., Assietant-Bargees SOME Yesitser Guards. Published by Bentley.

noes and mortality. I believe the deaths from cholera alone, during the last two days, in the English hospital, have been nine and seven.

"31st..-.Weather settled. Met some officers of my own regiment, who told me that two of our men had died from cholera, and that there was a heavy sick-list. Several officers have also been severely ill. I was struck with the altered appearance of those I met ; they all seemed to have wasted; their faces were en, so that at a short distance I scarcely recognized them.

"August 6th.—Owing to the great sickness in the corps for the last two weeks—cases of cholera and deaths almost daily, besides fever, dysentery, and intestinal derangements in every form—we have altogether one hun- dred and fifty men hors de combat. My colleagues have taken it in turn either to sit up or be ready for the calla sure to occur at short intervals during the night. I was accordingly put on duty last night, and have only had an hour or two's rest in consequence. The soldiers are much dis • •

and certainly the sight of their companions carried by on stretchers so fre- quently to hospital is well calculated to dishearten them. The temperate,

moreover, appear to suffer equally with or more than the , and several sergeants have been amongst the sufferers by cholera. The site of the camp appears as healthy as possible—a level field, on the summit of a lofty. hill • while the water is good and ample. The only supposition that can be hazarded as to the cause of disease, is the occasional heavy dew that falls. In the former camp at Aladyn, they had frequent rain, and the ground was swampy near the lake. The change in the physical appearance of every one is most marked. All seem as if a dozen years of hard suffering had been added to their lives.

"At Baltsehick Bay, August 31st.—Embarkation proceeding without de- lay, but still with such a slow process that several days longer appear likely to elapse before it is completed. The Himalaya has arrived, for the transportation of the cavalry of the expedition. Our men look wretched enough ; but I am told that the appearance of the Light Cavalry, now em- barking in the above ship,. is miserable in the extreme--both men andhorses greatly emaciated. This 1/1 easily accounted for : the cavalry, having pene- trated much further up the provinces than the infantry, were exposed to greater privation, as regards food, and had also to bivouac in the open air during the recent pestilence; consequently, for their number, their mortal- ity was very great. I may here mention, that, as far as I can learn, the cholera has disappeared from Yarns; but there is much sickness and mor- tality from fever, and severe cliarrhcoa is still prevalent. At Balteehick Bay, Septmnber 5th.—The cholera has, unfortunately, broken out again within the last two days ; two cases, one of which termi- nated fatally today. A great number of men are in a very eacheotic state from the climate and late camp life ; many suffering also from severe cliar- rhcea, fever, ague,

The voyage to the Crimea had no effect in improving the health of the men, perhaps from the crowded state of the ships and the shortness of the time. The whole army may not have landed in a state of debility, but vast numbers did. The battle of the Al- ma did not seem to have theusual stimulating effects of a victory ; and the marches knocked up many, though not very long—the " foreed " march towards Balaklava being only eighteen miles. Yet Dr. Robinson notes the effect of campaigning a few days after the battle of the Alma, with only two days march after two days' rest, one march being but six miles.

"September 25th.—Routed out twice during the night, at one and three o'clock, by false alarms of the enemy attacking us —very annoying to tired men. I managed, however, to get some refreshing sleep. I now possess a corner of a tent, known, from the number and variety of its occupants, as the omnibus.' Up at five o'clock and under arms. The effects of yester- day's fasting, and subsequent over-indulgence in fruit, are shown in a good many fresh cases of cholera today, loom in my regiment) ; several officers,

unfortunately, are victims. •

"Our mode of life has now become rather trying, and many of the older officers are knocked up. So far, thank God, my health has been toler- ably. good, and lain only suffering a little from. blistered feet. Our clothes are now getting dilapidated.

"27th.—Cholera is still prevalent among us ; a circumstance not to be wondered at, when the enormous quantity of fruit and vegetables now con- sumed is taken into consideration. Colonel Cox, of the Grenadier died of it today : the forced march, I believe, was the immediate cause. am myself, with several other officers, suffering from severe bilious &mime"

Except deficiency on the march to Sebastopol, there was thus fax no in the supplies to e troops ; there had been no campaigning, beyond the marches between the lax'

the Crimea and the arrival at Balaklava, though the -troopa been under canvass at Yarns; the weather had been fine and dry, save some occasional heavy rains and cold nights in Bulgaria. We pass over the sad pictures of suffering and distress through the gloomiest part of the winter, and the almost total want of medicines, though it now appears that plenty had been sent out, as well as of clothing. As pictures, however, Dr. Robinson's ac- counts are not so " striking ' as some others. We should pass over the latter part of January l856, wherahe had been removed to a small hamlet called Kenai, but for the indication in the passage, that the sickness seemed much the same in the absence of heavy duty.

"January 22d, 1855.—I. find the sick here, relatively to their number, as numerous as at head-quarters, notwithstanding their exemption from duty, trenches, picqueta, : the same classes of diseases. prevalent Tins circumstance clearly shows that the constitution once unpaired retains the morbid taint for a greater or less time, and cannot eliminate it. Ifar dinies'are very unsatisfactory, from the want of medicines and almost every necessary- comfort. Today, out of a list of a dozen remedies of a common

only two in small quantities could be obtained from the store."

e following extracts extend from April to August last year, when the railway was made and the difficulties of the army sa regards clothing and supplies were over. They indicate how dis- ease and work m a measure go together ; for when we regard the health of the army since the fall of Sebastopol, it is impossible to attribute sickness to the mere climate of the Crimea. Dr. Ro- binson had now returned to the head-quarters of his regiment. "April 19th.—Notvrithstanding the improvements effected at or near Balaklava, and the weather being as yet cool, there are a variety of bad odours still, affording a warning of the probable results of hot weather. As it is, fever of a severe type is prevalent, showing, moreover, a great tend- ency to relapse. In my regiment, though the men are now employed onl on duty and there are thirty in hospital, nearly all wit fever, and about seventy more or less debilitated and ineffeative horn. the same cause, out of about four hundred and fifty men.

"July 6th.—Weather much warmer. Slight thunder-showers this morn- ing. Heavy firing again last night, and five casualties in the Grenadier Guards. The dram on the brigade and army generally is becoming consi- derable. Sickness, including fever and diarrhcea, running on, if unchecked, to dysentery. "On reference to the corresponding period of last year, it will be seen that up to the present time, the weather and prevailing complaints have shown much similitude. It must be earnestly hoped that these results may not apply to the latter end of the present and next month, as compared with the past season. "August let.—The rain fell in torrents last night, accompanied with very vivid lightning ; also at short intervals throughout the day. Ground becoming flooded. Cholera, unfortunately, on the increase : one death and three fresh admissions today in my regiment. Two deaths in the Grenadier Guards. The connexion between heavy rains with exposure, toil, the effect of cold and damp, and sudden increase of cholera, together with other bowel affections, is very evident. " 24—Day settled and agreeable ; the ground drying up rapidly. Cho- lera still on the increase—four cases under treatment; the four, however, in the last admissions less violent.

"3d.—Weather again settled, inclined to be warm. Nothing new ex- cept the sad fact of a continuance of cholera, and its prevalence in other re- gugents. 4th.—Heat again becoming oppressive ; the atmosphere today loaded with gnats or some other insects ; a circumstance observable at this time last year during the prevalence of cholera. That disease, happily, not in- creasing, and the cases under care at least in some degree amenable to treat- ment ; the progress being evidently arrested, although at present the result cannot be determined. The debilitating effects of service and climate are showing themselves on a great many ; even in those who are well, amongst whom I am thankful to be able to include myself. In the evenings, a feel- ing of languor is experienced, similar to that which might be expected after a long day's walk or ride."

In noting cases of mismanagement, Dr. Robinson does not scruple to put heavy blame upon the Government at home. In some cases he is justified to this extent, that Government is pri- marily responsible for everything, and in absence of information he fairly attacked the first cause. Some facts, however, might have modified his judgment. These sights for instance, which greeted his eyes at Balaklava, whither he had been invalided on board ship in December 1854, could not have been caused by laches of the general Government.

"December 31st.—To show the lamentable neglect here, I may mention that a large barge, containing surgical instruments (of course very expen- sive) and medical stores lies sunken close to the quay. In this state she has been noticed for at feast a fortnight, without any attempt (apparently) being made to get at the things. The same applies to clothing, urgently needed in camp, now lying rotting on the quays for want of storehouses; biscuit, &c. wasted in like manner ; whilst some of the divisions are half- atarved. The huts too have now arrived in sufficient numbers ; the advan- tage of which in preserving the lives of the men would be incalculable,— yet they are rendered useless (the boards covering the wharves) for lack of means of transportation."

Although we have mainly confined our extracts to the health of the army under what may be considered the most favourable and easy circumstances in which an army could be placed, seasons and local peculiarities being excepted, other topics are touched upon in the Diary. Here are some incidents at Inkerman, with a sketch of Lord Raglan at the close of that anxious day.

"At one period, of the day I was occupied in tending some of our wountsi, lying under the low and dilapidated parapet of one of the redoubts Italica/laded to, then retaken and held by the Guards. Here I saw Colo- nel Piikenham of the Grenadiers in a sinking state from several severe Wounds : I gave him a drink from my. flask. lie attempted to convey some Wish to me, but, owing chiefly, I think, to an impediment in his speech, (a , lisp,) I was unable, after many painful efforts on his part, to catch the pur- port. A man of my battalion, severely hurt, was urgent in his cries for as- I instance and removal to hospital. His wound I found must soon terminate ' fatally. Removal was alike, at the time, impracticable, dangerous, and useless, for he was shot through the intestines, the contents of which were escaping. He was alternately supplicating help, and uttering imprecations on the enemy, who had given him the fatal wound, it would seem, when he VMS lying injured and defenceless from a comparatively trifling hurt. I thought it my duty to tell him how short a time he had to live, and to sug- gest his occupying. the brief interval in prayer. I had the satisfaction of witnessing him doing so, for I was necessarily, lying for some time by his side ; but in his ejaculatory petitions he could not avoid recurring to and execrating the brutality of the enemy every now and then. Some hours after, when riding by, I saw him in a sitting posture, and believed him to be quite dead. ‘‘ Strong proof was afforded me of the inutility- of our ambulances, owing alike to their heavy construction and the wretched condition of the mules. When the action was drawing to a close, the Duke of Cambridge ordered Inc to get the wounded removed with all possible expedition. Accordingly, I rode off to the officer in charge of the ambulance corps, stationed at the windmill, and brought one of his vehicles back. Although the ground at this part of the field of battle was comparatively little cut up, and the ac- clivity very trifling, all the efforts of the drivers, whom I compelled to exert theinselvss to the utmost, could not induce the miserable half-starved brutes, six in number, to surmount a hillock intervening between us and the redoubt where many of my wounded lay ; consequently the latter had to be carried an inconvenient distance to the ambulance, which there was some risk might be dismantled in the interim. The drivers behaved very well, and, being old soldiers, they did not regard the risk they themselves incurred.

"At the close of the action, I saw Lord Raglan watching the retreat of the enemy. He gent for me, and put several questions relative to the occu- pation I was then engaged in—superintending a party of our men in seek- ing for the wounded. His manner and the nature of his inquiries were as courteous and calm, and even as cheerful and conversational, asif the topics only related to the state of the weather."