Page:The invasion of the Crimea Vol 7.djvu/530

486 APPENDIX, ' The utmost expedition must be used in starting on j'our jourucy, in the journey itself, and in the execution of all that is neces- sary at the place of your destination. ' On your arrival at Constantinople, and Balaklava, you will put yourselves instantly into communication with Lord W. Paulet, Admiral the Hon. F. Grey, and Lord Raglan respec- tively, and you will request of them forthunth (according to the official directions they will have received) full powers of entry into every hospital, infirmary, or receptacle of whatsoever kind for the sick and wounded, whether ashore or afloat. ' You will inspect every part of such infirmaries, ascertain the character and sufficiency of the drainage and ventilation, the quantity and quality of the water - supply ; and determine whether the condition of the whole is such as to allow, by purity of the air and freedom from overcrowding, fair Jilay and full scope to medical and surgical treatment for the recovery of health. ' You will call to your aid for this purpose, whether as wit- nesses or as guides, any of the officers or attendants that you may require. ' The result of your inspection and opinions, together with a statement of all that is necessary should be done, whether in the way of arrangement, of reduction of numbers in the wards, cleansing, disinfecting, or of actual construction, in order to secure the great ends of safety and health, must be laid, as speedily as possible, before Lord W. Paulet, Admiral Grey, or Lord Raglan, as the case may be, or such persons as may be appointed by them to that special duty ; and you will request them to give immediate directions that the works be completed. ' As 710 time is to he lost you may reserve your detailed and minute reports, and give, in the first instance, a statement only of the things to be done forthwith. The Engineer-Commissioner will be expected to conduct the inspection along with his colleagues, and to devise, and to see executed, all such structural arrangements as may be declared indispensable. ' You will examine the modes whereby the sick and wounded are conveyed to the transports, or to the hospitals, ashore or afloat. ' You will take care that, as far as possible, all evil influences from without be removed, so that the air inhaled by the imnates of the hospitals be not contammated. It is reported, for in- stance, that the hospital-ship in the harbour of Balaklava is much surrounded by dead carcases. ' As a necessary consequence you will order that the dead be however indirectly — the writer of the despatch had received impulsion from a woman's mind. It should be renienihered that on the 19tli of February Mr Sidney Herbert was still a member of the Government.