Reprint of the original, first published in 1881.

Foreword: Sanitary and hygienic problems of air and of land, of surface and of subsurface craft present themselves daily to the medical officer of the Navy. Air constituents and pressures, arctic and tropical temperatures and humidities, food and water, clothing, lighting, these and many other facets are as much the care and consideration of the naval surgeon as are the diseases and wounds of the personnel in sickness and battle. And yet the field of naval hygiene is a sparsely covered one as far as textbooks are concerned. It is in response to this need that a number of officers of the Medical Department have collaborated with me in the preparation of this volume. To them I extend my sincere appreciation and thanks. Ross T. McIntire, Surgeon General, United States Navy.