This volume was sent by Florence Nightingale to Queen Victoria and was one of just a few copies printed. Her Notes argued that the health of the men in the army had a direct bearing on its effectiveness as a fighting machine. Open at the Diagram of the Causes of Mortality in the Army in the East, the charts illustrate the large number of deaths that occurred in the Crimea from preventable diseases (in blue), compared with those deaths which were a result of wounds or other causes (shown in red and black). This letter accompanied a copy of Florence Nightingale’s Notes on Matters Affecting the Health, Efficiency and Hospital Administration of the British Army and was sent to Sir James Clark (Queen Victoria’s physician) for Queen Victoria. It expresses Florence Nightingale’s belief in the need for reform of the medical services to the army, and her hope for the continued support of Queen Victoria and Prince Albert. ... The system to which such / evils are attributable has preserved / its vitality for nearly two centuries. / But no term can be assigned to the affectionate gratitude which / will surround the names of / Her Majesty & the Prince Consort / - if, by their authority, that system / be now replaced by one more / in conformity with the progress / in science & morality, which / has been made under Her/ Majesty’s beneficent reign...