The daily exchange. [volume] (Baltimore, Md.) 1858-1861, 1861-05-14
SOLDIERS HEALTH

To The Editors # The Ney York Erpress:
l. In any ordinary campaign, sickness disables
or f@fS mHRy as the Sw9,Fde en-
tire clothing should be colored flannel SHIRT with
"A ioosely-buttoned collar, cotton drawers, wooden
panfaloons shoes and stockings and light colored
felt hat, with broad brim protect the neck ewes
and lace from the glare of the and from the
rain, and a substantial but not heavy coat when off
duty.
). Sun-strOke may be prevented BY wearing
silk handkerchief in the hat, a white linen hood
hat-cover, extending like a cape over the neck and
shoulders.
4. Colored blankets are best, and if lined with
brown drilling the warmth and durability are
doubled, while the protection against dampness
from living on the ground, is almost complete.
). Never lie or sit down the grass or bare earth
tor moment; rat ar use your hat-a handkerchief
even, is a great protection. The warmer YOU are
the greater need for this precaution, as damp
vapor IS Immediately generated, to be absorbed by
the ciothing, and to cool you off too rapidly.
&. While marching, or ou other active duty, the
more thirsty you are, the more essential it il to
safety of life ITSELF to rinse out the mouth two or
three times, and then take swallow of water at a
time, with short intervals. A brave French gener-
al, on forced march, fell dead on the instant by
drinking largely of cold water. when snow was on
the ground.
Abundant sleep is essential to bodily efficiency,
and to that alertness ofmind which is aIl-mportan
in an engagement; and few things more certainly
and more effectutliy prevent sound sleep than
eating heartily after sun-down, especially after
heavy or desperate battle.
s. Nothing is more certain to secure endurance
and cspahilitv Of long continued effort, than tn
avoidance of everything drink except cold
water, not excluding coffee at breakfast. Drink
even cnld water very slowly.
8. After any sort of exhausting effort a cup of
coffee, hot or cold is admirable sustainer of the
strength, until nature begins to recover herself.
10. Unless after long abstinence or great ia
tigue, do not eat very heartily just before great
undertaking. because the nervous power is ire
sistbly drawn to the stomach to manage the food
eaten, thus drawing off that supply which the
brain and muscles so much need.
II. If persons will drink brandy, it is incOn-
parabiy safer to do 50 after effort than before
for it can give only transient strength lasting but
few minutes; but it can never be known how
long any given effort is to be kept in continuance,
and if longer than the few minutes, the body be-
comes more feeble than it would have been without
the stimulus, it is clear that its before an effort
is always hazardous, and is always unwise.
II. Never go to sleep, especially after great eff
fort, even in hot weather, without some covering
over you.
-. Under all circumstances, rather than lie
down on the bare ground, lie in the hollow of two
logs placed together or several smaller pieces
of wood, laid side by side; or sit on yOur hat
leaning against a tree. nap Of ten or fifteen
minutes in that position will refresh you more than
an hour on the bare earth, with the additional ad-
vantage Uf perfect safety.
II. A cut is less dangerous than bullet wound
and heals more rapidly.
10. If from any wound the blood spirits out in jets
instead OF a steady stream, you will die in a few
minutes unless it is remedied; because an artery
has been divided, and that takes the blond direct
from the fountain of life. To stop this instantly
tie handkerchief or other cloth very loosely Be
TWEEN !! the wound and the heart: put stick
bayonet, ramrod between the skin and the
handkerchief, and twist it around until the bleed
ing ceases, and keep it thus until the surgeon
arrives
Is. If the blood flows in slow, regular stream, a
ven has been pierced, and the handkerchief must
be the other side of the wound from the heart;
that is, below the wound.
II. A bullet through the abdomen (bellv or
stonach) is more certainly fatal than if aimed at
the head heart; for in the latter cases the ball
is often glanced off by the bone, or follows round
it under tn. skin; but when it enters the stomach
or bowels, from any direction, death is inevitable
under almost all stances but is scarcely ever
instantaneous. Generally the person lives day
two with perfect clearness of intellect often not
suffering greatly. The practical bearing of this
statement in reference to the great future is clear
IS. Let the whole beard grow, but not longer
than some three inches. This strengthens and
thickens its growth, and thus makes more per-
feet protection for the lungs against dust, and OF
the throat against winds and cold in winter " lille
in the greater perspiration of the skin is
induced, with an increase of evaporation; hence
greater cOoiness of the parts the outside while
the throat is less feveriSh, thirsty and dry.
10. Avoid fats and fat meats in summer and in
all warm days.
| 20. Whenever possible, take plunge into any
| lake or running stream every morning, as soon as
you get up; if none at hand endeavor to wash the
body all over as soon you leave your bed, for
personal cleanliness acts like charm against all
diseases, always either warding them off altogether
greatly mitigating their severity and shortening
| their duration.
| q. Keep the hair on the head closely cut, saw
! within an inch and half of the scalp, in every
part, repeated on the first of each month and wash
the whole scalp plentitully in cold water every
morning.
%. Wear wooden stockings and easy fitting
shoes, keep the toe aud fHger nails always cut
moderately close.
| %. 1t is more important to wash the feet well
! every night, than to wash the face and bands of
mornings because it aids to keep the skin and nails
soft, and to prevent chatngs bsters and corns all
| of which greatly interfere with soldiers duty.
II. The most universally safe position, after all
stunnings, hurts and wounds is that of being plac-
| ed on the back, the head being elevated three or
| four inches only; aiding more than ary one thing
else can do, to equaze and restore the proper cir
| cuatinn of the blaod
| 70. The more weary you after a march or
! other work, the more easily will you take cold, il
you remain still alter it is over unless the momen;
you cease motion, YOU throw a coat or blanket over
! your shoulders. This precaution should be taker
IN the warmest weather. especially il there is ever
slight air stirring.
26. The greatest physical kindness you can show
severely wounded comrade is first to place hia
on his back, and then run with all your might fol
some water to drink; not second ought to be lost