Cedar Falls gazette. [volume] (Cedar Falls, Iowa) 1860-1895, 1861-05-31
Hints to Young Soldiers,

says the proverb. The greater part of our
volunteers are entering upon an untried life
"a life in which they must rely upon them.
selves, individually, and in which their only
guides are common sense and the experience.
The first is not as common as it ought to be,
and young men are proverbial for refusing to
learn by the other. Yet there are many who
are prudent enough to borrow light, and to
them few hints from one accustomed to
camp life may be.valuable. Without apollo
gy, they will be very plain and practicable.
| Every volunteer who goes from city or
country to field and camp, and from home
fare and regular habits to camp ratons and
military discipline, must 60 through pro-
cess of adaptation, more or less severe, even
under the most favorable circumstances
In the present case process of acclimation
must be added, which will make the change
unusually trying, and will require unusual
prudence. A new army Is never thrown into
camp without incurring disease, not neces-
sarily severe, but which may be aggravated
by carclessncss into epidemic and chronic
forms. Among others, disease of the bowels
are common, aad almost inevitable.
The first thing the young soldier will have
to contend with is craving appetite for
something, which he is apt to crafty by
stimulant. If he is temperate man he is
likely to drink frequently and profusely Of
water. Both arc to be resisted and avoided.
The only possible good that spirits can do is
in cases OF exhaustion, and even then their
use is OF very exceptional utility. A cup Of
coffee or tea is almost invariably better The
habit OF drinking spirits in advance oflabor to
gain strength, is one ofthe worst in the world.
The action and reaction of a stimulant arc
equal, and the greater its strength, the shor-
ter its good effect, and the worse the depres-
sion aftcrward. If you will drink spirits,
never do 1t before march or action, because
the unnatural energy which it imparts may
fah you at the very moment you need It
most. AS to water, nothing affects the bow.
els more certainly than liberal drafts Of kind
to which VIC are unused. But we must drink
something, you say Not quarter as much
as you think. Drinking, in warm weather
especially, is very much matter of habit
Every ono who exercises sclfdcnial for day
or two will find that he really needs but it,
tle,s and that, when he must drink single
draft will do as well as dozen.
A moderate use of salt rations, and cspcc.
tally offat meat, will pay on the score ofhealth
beyond calculation. Although there are oc-
cnsions when soldiers meals are nccccssa-
rily irregular, it is a very favorable circum-
stance that in camp rations arc usually served
with perfect uniformity as to time. Every
soldier should take all the time he can to cat,
and be careful about indulging his appetite
between meals, when he has access, as he
sometimes will, to unused delicacies In case
Of bowel complaints if circumstances allow,
lasting and lying fiat upon the back (not up
on the bare ground and keeping as warm as
possible, are usually more curative than med
icines.
Nothing is more tempting, when man is
foot-weary after hard march, than to plunge
the feet into water. Nothing is more dan
gcrous, or more likely to produce pulmonary
diseases. Wait until the feet are entirelv
dry and cool--it is better to wait until next
morning. The same is true of all bathing
the face, wrists and hands only are excepted
lit should never be INDUCED when heated.
Bathing early in the morning is healthf,l and
invigorating, and should be regularly prac-
ticed, when possible, for the sake of cleanli-
ness A dirty man is always liable to dis
ease. Yet it is not well to use much SOAP.
except upon the hands, as the alkali contain
ed in it unduly purges the pores. Water,
the natural solvent, when freely used, is the
most efiicacious cleanser.
Next to the temptation of bathing at i'm
proper times, is that Of throwing ones self
on the cool, inviting ground, when hot and
weary. Never do it, or at most for more than
minute. Leaning against tree, or the
back Of q comradc, as both sit upon blankets
or knapsacks, is far better. When you must
sleep on the ground, spread your India-rub-
Der blanket under, if you have one. Rheu-
matisms, agues, diarrheas, dysentcries, and
fevers may thus be avoided.
Don't discard your flannel shirt because It is
warm; and always remember that sudden
checked perspiration, whether by incautious
drafts Of water, by lying on the damp ground.
by sitting in the wind, or otherwise, NAV be
the means of swift disease and death. When
you are on guard. or marching in the rain,
keep your shoulders dry il you can. I'll
you are wet through, keep going till your
clothes dry, and you will not be likely to take
cold.
CoxIc STATE or THINGS At MoxrcoxKRY.-l
A capital without any capitol. A president
without any precedent A secretary Of the
treasury without any treasury. A secretary
Of the navy without any navy. A secretary
Of the interior without any interior. A sec
retary Of foreign affairs without foreign se
fairs. A postmaster general without any
post Office. A judiciary without anv iuds
fn& A. %.