ence between temperate and torrid climates, and who, moreover, suffer themselves to be misled by the sound of an epithet, have conceived that what is called Portable Soup would, in expeditions to the Interior of Africa, answer all the purposes of the Vegetable Compound which I have proposed, I am induced to request the insertion of the following additional observations on this subject in the Gentleman's Magazine.

In its most simple state animal food uniformly excites more thirst than vegetable aliment; but when prepared for keeping, it requires the addition of salt, spice, or some other condiment *; substances which never fail to increase the desire for liquids. Now Portable Soup comes under this description; besides, it requires to be diluted with ten or twelve times its bulk of water before it is fit for use. But the travelling party is supposed to be in a situation where water cannot be procured. It is obvious, there fore, that no such preparation of ani mal food can be proper under these circumstances.

With more plausibility has it been objected, that persons cannot be duly nourished from day to day by any kind of food, animal or vege table, when taken only in very small quantities, the stomach all the time wanting the stimulus of distention.

If the question were, can a person be better nourished and rendered more plump, by taking every minute a small quantity of food, leaving the stomach almost empty; or, by taking a full measure or ration of food at stated intervals, so as to give the stomach the benefit of distention? the answer would doubtless be in favour of the last-mentioned customary method of feeding. But they who engage in expeditions of discovery to Africa, do not go there to be fed in the best manner; they do not expect to make full and regular meals every day in the burning sauds of Zaara; but must think themselves well off if they can be half-nourished, if they can be provided with some sort of provision that shall save them from dying of hunger and thirst.

But, replying more directly to the objection above stated, I would remark, that by introducing into the

* With the exception of fish dried, without salt, in the sun.

stomach, repeatedly and uninterruptedly, small quantities of food, of a proper kind, and in a concentrated form, the functions of digestion and nutrition are maintained in a greater degree than is commonly supposed. It would seem that the want of distention is compensated by the frequency of ingestion. Were it not so, how could shipwrecked persons, reduced to the shortest allowance, subsist in the manner they frequently have done? In a late publication it is stated, that though previously in a half-starved condition, one day they had only a pint of camel's milk divided among four of them, being (it is remarked) just enough to wel their mouths*. What degree of gastric distention could there be in this instance? Yet the parties were kept alive by this scanty supply. Add to this what has been stated from Adamson in my for mer communication. Against such decisive facts a volume of reasoning avails nothing.

From the preceding considerations it follows:

1. That persons engaged in exploring the interior of Africa, or other hot and desert regions, should be sup plied with some vegetable provision, in a portable and concentrated form.

2. That with a view to counteract thirst, in situations where no water or drinkable liquid can be procured, this Vegetable Provision should be rendered acidulous.

3. That to prevent perspiration, and the exhaustion that would succeed to it, some wholesome vegetable astringent, should be combined with this provision.

Now the Alimentary Compound proposed and described in the Gentleman's Magazine for September last, possesses all the properties above stated.

RICH. PEARSON, M. D.

** In the postscript to my former Communication, for "water or any other portable liquid," read "water or any other potable liquid.",

†† J. C. asks, What rank and precedence the Companions of the Order of the Bath are entitled to: it is said, they are to precede all other Esquires, but upon this subject there seems a doubt: Is there any order of the Sovereign as to the rank they ought to enjoy?

*See Riley's Narrative of the loss of the American brig Commerce, on the Western Coast of Africa. Mr.

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