The military authorities of India are exceedingly proud of the morale and the hygienic condition of their troops, and the records of the judge advocates and medical departments show a remarkable improvement in these respects, which is largely due to the scientific construction of barracks, to the enforcement of discipline and regulations framed to suit climatic conditions, a better knowledge of the effect of food and drink and the close observance of the laws of hygiene.  The climate is very severe, particularly upon Europeans, who must take care of themselves or suffer the consequences.  The death rate in all armies in time of peace should be much lower than in the ordinary community, because recruits are required to submit to physical examinations, and none but able-bodied men are enlisted.  The death rate in the army of the United States before our soldiers were sent to the Philippines was remarkably low, only three or four per 1,000 per year.

Some years ago in the army of India the mortality from disease was as high as sixty-nine per 1,000, but by the introduction of the reforms mentioned the rate had been reduced to nineteen per 1,000 in 1880, and for the last ten years has been less than sixteen per 1,000.  According to the opinion of those best qualified to know, this is largely due to the introduction of what are known as Regimental Institutes, or Soldiers’ Clubs, corresponding closely to the canteens which were abolished in our army a few years ago, but which are considered as important a part of the military organization in India as a hospital or arsenal.  After fifty years of experience in India the British military authorities gave up the attempt to prohibit drinking in the army.  Lord Kitchener says:  “You might as well try to hasten the millennium.”  And for twenty years they have been using various measures, some of which have proved practicable and others impracticable, to promote temperance.  The result is an almost unanimous conclusion upon the part of those who have given the subject study that the most effective means of preventing intemperance and promoting discipline and morals are the soldiers’ institutes and clubs, in which liquor is sold in small quantities under strict regulations enforced by the enlisted men themselves.  In other words, they have stopped trying to prohibit drinking because they found it was impossible, and are now trying to reduce it to the minimum.  The placing of the regulation of the liquor traffic very largely with the men themselves, and removing the semblance of official interference of authority, is said to be one of the most effective arrangements, and the very fact that drinking is not forbidden and that liquor can be obtained at any moment within a few steps of the barracks is of itself a most wholesome influence, because it takes away the desire, and all the spirit of adventure and risk.  As long as human nature is stubborn and contrary, men will do out of pure mischief what they are told