There must be an air space between the top of the hat and the man’s
head. The hat must be ventilated and in very hot weather a wet sponge
or cloth or green leaves should be carried in the hat. The shirt
collar, if not very loose, should be unbuttoned.
[Sidenote: Bathing]
Besides bathing the feet the men should bathe their whole bodies
frequently. Anyone familiar with our “regulars” on the march and who
has seen them break for the water to bathe as soon as possible after
a day’s march knows that it requires no order to get this done. But
sometimes we must camp where there is no water available for bathing.
Men should at least wash the crotch with a wet towel, especially if
there is a tendency to chafe. Talcum powder should be used in such
cases.
[Sidenote: Drinking]
Men should be carefully taught the disabling effects of alcohol if
drunk the night before or during a hard march, especially if the
march be made in hot weather. The men must also be instructed to care
wisely for their diet and to avoid the excessive drinking of water
on the march. Too little water is as bad.
[Sidenote: Personal hygiene]
All this instruction should be carefully given the men by their
company officers under the general supervision of the regimental
surgeon. The surgeon, with the approval of the colonel, should
prepare an outlined scheme for instruction in first aid and in
personal hygiene, having special reference to the soldier’s care of
himself in the field. The surgeon should then instruct such company
officers as have need of the instruction; the company officers then
instruct the men. A part of the examination of the company at the end
of its indoor period should be on these subjects.
[Sidenote: Muscle development]
The muscles must be _properly_ developed. It is not the strongest
man who can best stand the march; it does not require great physical
strength. The man’s muscles must be flexible, he must be trained to
use them and be able to use them without causing physical pain.
Marching as fully equipped infantry in the ranks is a very different
proposition from walking along the road independently, and for the
private in ranks with his load it is different from what it is for
the officer with his.
Many men of great strength are often what is called “muscle bound.”
Others have certain muscles overdeveloped others underdeveloped.
When muscles usually unused are brought into play, or when a man is
forced into a constrained position, if it be kept up continuously for
some time, serious pain and discomfort results and often ends in a
physical break down.
A good course in callisthenics or in gymnasium training is the best
thing for the new man. It loosens him up, brings into play the
different muscles, renders them flexible and gives the man control
of himself. Then practice in marching, carrying his equipment,
strengthens the necessary muscles and accustoms the man to the
necessary constraint.
[Sidenote: March training]
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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