I was invited by the surgeon-general to meet with them. The committee received me most graciously at their regular sittings in Washington, D. C., and listened with great respect to my explanations; and after carefully considering my plans, adopted them as a part of the regular United States hospital system. To give some idea of the magnitude of the work, out of over one hundred special-diet kitchens established by me, I give the amount of food in rations issued from sixteen special-diet kitchens, a record of which I happen to have now on hand for February, 1865. RATIONS. Tea 100,350 Coffee 54,818 Cocoa 4,770 Milk, Cold 12,194 Milk, boiled 9,860 Milk, Thickened 7,517 Bread and Milk, Boiled 2,689 Beef Tea 7,548 Beef Essence 1,699 Bread and Butter 133,938 Toast, Buttered 28,539 Toast, Dry 23,809 Toast, Milk 33,611 Crackers 18,999 Corn Bread 15,714 Biscuit 5,458 Warm Cakes 2,629 Rice 9,239 Barley 492 Farina 8,424 Gruel 1,589 Corn Starch 17,150 Mush 10,831 Soup, Chicken 8,472 Soup, Mutton 856 Soup, Beef 10,716 Soup, Barley 599 Soup, Oyster 10,193 Soup, Potato 2,301 Soup, Vegetable 4,885 Beef Steak 27,623 Roast Beef 36,599 Ham 3,585 Chicken 11,389 Turkey (only occasionally) 809 Mutton 2,357 Veal 1,510 Pork 2,208 Hash 7,925 Oysters 5,086 Fish 5,721 Eggs 15,538 Potatoes 47,725 Turnips 7,785 Carrots 1,070 Onions 12,356 Beets 271 Cabbage 15,059 Krout 1,296 Beans 494 Parsnips 1,291 Tomatoes 7,312 Puddings 34,249 Pies 5,113 Cakes 3,485 Tapioca 2,772 Sago 60 Blanc-Mange 807 Custard 1,616 Jellies 1,763 Canned Fruit 12,816 Stewed Fruit 29,266 Apple Sauce 7,618 Apples, Baked 11,774