APPENDIX—MEDICAL HISTORY OF THE DUFFLA EXPEDITION. 251
one well, reflux of dirty or used water should be prevented, and the surface drainage in its
neighbourhood should be attended to; no persons or clothes are to be washed near; and clean
vessels to be used in drawing up water. If there are two wells, one should be used for drink-
ing and cooking only. All water containing iron is bad, and its presence may generally be
detected by the stains of the red oxide.
If the supply is from a stream, water for drinking and cooking should be taken from the
highest point up stream. Bathing may go on opposite the camp: but every other operation
should be down stream, and below the limit of the camp. In the country through which the
expedition will pass, leeches are reported to be common in the water, and the men should be
strictly warned on this head, as they are often so small as to escape ordinary observation.
4. On marches along tracks, however little frequented, at all depôts, outposts, temporary
and standing camps, a site should be fixed for latrines, and no soldiers, coolies or followers
should be allowed to use any other place. It would be as well, where practicable, to have one
place for the soldiers, another for all others. The latrines should be as near the camp, but as
much out of sight as practicable; and to leeward, if there is a prevailing wind; surface
drainage of the. place selected must not run into any ravine or stream above the station, or
near any source of water supply.
A latrine trench should be dug immediately on arrival on new ground; circumstances will
guide its length, but it must not be less than one and half foot deep and one foot wide:*
marked stick should be given as a standard measure; a bush might be stuck up at intervals
of two or three feet along the trench to give privacy; and there might be a screen of bushes
before all. The site of the position might be marked by a tall bush or flag. A sweeper should be
always on duty to fill in with earth from time to time. When the trench is half filled with
soil and earth, it should be closed, and a fresh one dug in advance, and parallel to the old one.
A separate spot should be selected for the use of officers only, and bushes should be placed to
ensure privacy. A latrine trench should always be in proximity to the hospital.
Before the detachment leaves the ground, the medical officer should ascertain, either by
personal inspection or through some one he can trust, that the trenches have been filled in, as
herein directed, and that no possible offence can remain for succeeding travellers.
5. If the site of the camp is by a running stream, with no habitations, or camps, or
traffic for miles below, and there are sufficient spacial reasons, the water might be taken advan-
tage of; but if there is available space it is better to carry out the trench system entirely.
Disinfectants need not be used in the trenches except in case of an epidemic; and then the
places should be entirely distinct from those in use by the healthy.
6. As no tents are to be carried on this service, some general precautions for bivouac may
be noted. Whatever the weather may be, men should shelter themselves at night, either under
temporary sheds, blankets, or waterproof sheets, and every effort should be made to raise their
sleeping place off the ground, and to keep it dry. In standing camps the bed-place should be
so raised as to admit of sweeping underneath. Officers and men should note that the best
preparation for the fatigue of the coming day is to ensure themselves protection and rest at
night, and labor is well expended with such an object. The means for bivouac need not be
detailed, as the men employed on the expedition are practised in such life. Should there not
be time to raise the sleeping places, small ends of bushes or dry grass, &c., &c., should be
placed under the person.
When there are sick, a fatigue party should be detailed to make the patients comfortable.
The tarpaulins which are to be served out will afford quick shelter.
7. Medical officers should interest themselves minutely in all that pertains to preserving
the health of officers and men. It is much easier to preserve health on service by a little
care and forethought, than to regain former strength after illness. All should be warned
to avoid a chill when the body is heated; flannel belts are strongly recommended to all;
any irregularity of the bowels should be noticed at once. Attention should be paid to the
feet; boots without socks or bandages cause foot-galls; good woollen socks should be worn,
which should not become clotted from dust and perspiration; the boots should be regularly
softened by dubbing of equal portions of fat, resin and wax; and it would be expedient to take
a supply of this on the advance; or they should be kept well oiled. Officers are recommended
only to drink filtered water, and it is hoped there may be a sufficient supply of pocket filters.
Men should be warned against drinking the water of stagnant pools or marshes, and it would
be better if each soldier carried a vessel of water as part of his equipment, to be used if good
water is expected to be scarce. Remaining in wet and damp clothes and damp bedding should
be avoided; there are many simple plans of drying them.
Supervision should be exercised over the rations, extras, &c. The habits of the men should
be learnt so that they may be guided and advised as to proper times and nature of food, to
guard against physical exhaustion; if a march is made in the early morning, something to eat
should be taken previously.
8. The above general views are all that can be given on paper; but medical officers
acquainted with them will be better able to meet difficulties in a strange country as they
arise.
9. In the event of cholera breaking out, the camp should be broken up at once and
another site occupied. The objects to be held in view are: remove the healthy to a distance,
and to a new locality; isolating the sick and suspected; treating them carefully, and destroy-
ing all contagion as far as possible; examine the healthy men for any premonitory symptoms;
* During the expedition, the trenches were at first made twelve inches wide; thus allowing a foot to be placed on
either edge: but the heaped up earth here caused a difficulty. As the men got more used to the system, they became
more particular; they then dug their trench wider, placing pieces of wood across to stand on. There is more labor at
first in this latter plan; but the trench can be made deeper and it lasts longer.