The Lansing state Republican. [volume] (Lansing, Mich.) 1855-1874, 1861-06-12
SOLDIERS HEALTH. .-GOnD SUGGES-
TIONS To VOLUNTEERS.

/ =. on march, from April 20 NoFember, the
entire clothing should be colored flannel shirt
with ioosely-buttOned collar, cotton drawers
wooden pantaloons, shoes, and stockings, and
! light colored felt hat, with broad brim TO protect
the eyes and face from the glare OF the sun aid
from the rain, and d substantial but not heavy
coat when off duty.
2. Sun stroke is most effect lay prevented by
wearing silk handkerchief in the crown of the
hat.
I 4. COlOred blankets are best, and If lined with
I brown drilling, the warmth and durability are
doubled, while the protection against dampness
/ from lying on tie ground is almost complete.
;. Never lie or sit down on the grass or bare
earth for a moment; rather use your hat-a
hankerchief, even, is great protection. The
warmer you are, the greater need Tor this pre-
caution, as damp vapor is Immediately genera
led, to be absorbed by the clothing, and to cool
you off too rapidly.
! &. Willie marching, or on other active duty
the more tlir>ty YOU are, the more essential is
it TO safety of lite itself, TO rinse out the mouth
two or three times. and then take a swallow OF
water at time, with short intervals. A brave
French general OH forced march, fell dead on
the instant by drinking largely Of cold water,
when SHOW Mas o.. the ground
| Z. Abundant >.cep is essential to bodily eff.
cheney. and to that al-rtness OF mind which is
all important in all engage ment; and few things
more certainly and muie efectually prevent
sound sleep than eating heartily after sundown
especially after "A heavy march desperate
| battle
! :. Nothing is more certain to secure endur-
ance and capabity Of long continued effort, than
the avoidance OF everything as a drink except
cold water, NOT excluding coffee at breakfast.
! Drink a. little ss possible Of even cold water.
shnrs hans uftn mn
OF coffee, fot or cold, is an admirable sustaner
of the strength, until nature begins to recover
| herself
10. Never eat heartily just before great un
dertaking, because the nervous power is irresis-
! tibly drawn 10 the stomach TO manage the food
eaten, thus drawing off that supply which the
brain and muscles so much need.
| II. II persons will drink brandy, it is incOm-
paraby safer to do so after effort than before,
| tor it can give only transient strength, lasting
but few minutes; but as it can never be known
how long any given effort is to be kept in contin-
uance, ard if longer than the few minutes, the
body becomes more feeble than it would have
been without the stimulus il is clear that the use
before effort is always hazardous, and is always
unwisc.
IL. Never 60 10 sleep, especially after great
effort, even in hot weather without some cover
ing over you.
l3. Under all circumstances, rather than lie
down on the bare ground lie r the hollow of
two logs placed together, or across several small
Ter pieces of wood laid side by side; or sit on
your hat leaHing against tree. A nap OF ten
or fifteen minutes in that position will refresh
you more than an hour Oh the bare earth, with
the additional advantage of perfect safety.
il. A cat is less dangerous than a bullet
wound and heals more rapidly.
l5 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 blood
direct from the fountain Of life. To stop this
instantly tie handkerchief or other cloth very
loosely BETWEEN!. 4. the wound and the heart
put stick, bayonet, or ramrOd betceen the skin
and the handkerchief, and twist it around until
the bleeding ceases, and keep it thus until the
surgeon arrives.
Ii. If the blood flows in slow, regular stream,
a vein has been pierced, and the handkerchief
must be on the other side of the wound from
the heart; that is, below the wound.
II. A bullet through the abdomen (bely OF
stomach) is more certainly fatal than if aimed a,
the head or heart; for in the latter cases the
bali is often glanced off by the bone, or follow:
round it under the skin; but when it enters the
stomach or bowels from any direction, death j:
inevitable under all conceivable circumstances
hut is scarcely ever instantaneous. Generally
the person lives day or two with perfect clear
ness of intellect, otter not suffering greatly
The practical bearing OF this statement in refer
cnce to the great future is clear.
Is. Let the whole beard grow, but not Longer
than some three inches This strengthens anC
thickens its growth, and thus makes a more per
feet protection for the lungs against dust, and o
the throat against winds and cold in winter
while in the summer greater perspratiOn o
the skin is induced, with an increase of evap
Grafton hence. greater GOODNESS of the parts OF
the outside while the throat is less teverish
thirsty, aud dry.
49, Avoid fats and fat meats in summer AM
, in all warm days.
, 20. " henever possible, take plunge int
any lake or running stream every morning, al
soon as you get up; if none at hand, endeavO
to wash the body all over as soon as you leav
your bed, for personal cleanliness acts like
charm against all diseases, awa,s warding ther
off altogether, or greatly mitigating their sever
ty and shortening their duration.
2l Keep the hair of the head closely cut, sa
within an inch and half of the scalp in ever
part, repeated on the first of each month, al
wash the whole scalp pentfully in cold waite
every morning.
= ~ Wear wooden stockings and moderated
loose shoes, keeping the toe and fnger-nails a
> WAYS cut close.
23 1t is more important to wash the feet We
every night, than to wash the face and hanc
of mornings; because it aids to keep the ski
! and nails soft, and to prevent chafngs blister
: and corns, all of which greatly interfere with
soldiers duty.
81. The most universally safe position, aite
. all stunnirgs hurts, and wounds, is that of ben
c placed on the back, the head elevated three
/ four inches only aiding more than any or
IS thing else can do, TO equalize and restore II
D proper circulation Of the blood.
o 25. The more weary YOU are after march I
= other work, the more easily will you take col
al il YOU remain still after it is over, unless, Il
moment you cease motion, you throw a coat
Di blanket over your shoulders. This precautit
e should be taken in the warmest weather. esp
cially if there is even slight air stirring.
1t %. The greatest physical kindness you C;
'r show severely wounded comrade is first
= place him on his back, and then run with
YOUR might for some water to drink not a Sc
e. ond ought to be lost. IF no vessel is at han
II take your hat if no hat, off with your shi
s wiring it out once tie the arms in knot, as al
De the lower end, thus making bag, open at t
rs neck only. A feet person can convey buck'
" tul half mile in this way. I've seen dyi
Is, man clutch at a single drop Of water from t
- fingers end, with the voracousness Of famish
tiger.
pa If Wet to the skin by rain Or by swimmi
cit rivers keep in motion until the clothes drit
AR aad no harm will result.
nd IS. Whenever it is possible, do, by all mea
les when you have to use water for cooking or drir
gh ing from ponds or sluggish streams, boil it VI
,s and when cool, shake it, or stir it, so that