Indiana State sentinel. (Indianapolis, Ind.) 1861-1865, 1861-05-22
Soldiers Health d--Interesting Sugges.
IIOna md EkecOmm nd dRItOns.

soldiers and civilians:
/. In an ordinary campaign sickness disab!es
or destroys three times as many as the sword.
3 On 4 march, from April to November the
entire clothing should be colored flannel shirt,
with loosely buttoned collar, cotton drawers,
wOolen pantaloOns, shoes and stockings, and n
light-colored felt hat, with broad brm to protect
the eyes and face from the glare of the sun and
from the rain, and substantial but not heavy
coat when off duty
B. Sun-stroke is most effectuallv prevented by
wearing silk handkerchief in the crown of the
hat.
A. Colored blankets are best, and If lined with
brown drilling the warmth and durability are
doubled, while the protection against dampness
from lying on the ground is almost complete
D. Never lie or sit on the grass or bare earth
for moment; rather use your hat-a handker
chief, even, Is a great protection. The warmer
You are the greater need for this protection as a
damp vapor is Immediately generated, to be alb
sorbed by the clothing, and to cool YOU off too
rapidly.
6. While marching or on other active duty,
the more thirsty you are, the more essential is il
to safety OF life ITSELF to rinse out the mouth two
or three times, and then take a swallow of water
at a time, with short intervals A brave French
general, on forced march, fell dead on the in
slant, by drinking largely of cold water, when
snow the ground.
I. Abundant sleep is essential to bodily eff
cheney, and to that alertness of mind which is
allimportant in engagement and few things
more certainly and more elfcctdally prevent
sound sleep than eating heartily after sundown,
especially after heavy march or desperate
battle.
6. Nothing is more certain to secure endu-
rance and capabilitv of long continued effort
than the avoidance Of everything as Il drink ex-
cept cold water, not excluding coffee at break
fast. Drink as little as possible, of even cold
water
9. After any sort Of exhausting effort, cup
Of coffee, hot or cold, is .n admirable sustamer
of the strength, until nature begins to recover
herself
10. Never eat heartily before great underta-
king, because the nervous power is irresistibly
drawn to tie stomach to manage the food eaten,
thus drawing of that supply which the brain and
muscles much need.
IL. If persons will drink brandy it is incom-
parab!y safer to do so after an effort than before
for 1t 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, and if longer than the few minutes, the
body becomes more feeble than it would have
been without the stimulus, it is clear that its use
before an effort is always hazardous, and is al
ways unWise.
-. Never 80 to steep, especially after a 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 in the hollow of
two logs placed together, or across several
smaller pieces of WOOD laid side by side or
sit on your hat, leaning against tree. A nap
of ten or fifteen minutes in that position will re
fresh You more than an hour on the bare earth
with the additional advantage of perfect safety
Ia cut is less dangerous than bullet
wound, and heals more rapidly.
10 If from any wound the blood spirits out IN
jets instead of 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 in
stantly, tie handkerchief or other cloth yer,
| loosely BETWEEN the wound and the heart pu
! a stick, bayonet ramrod betIceen the skin ans
the handkerchief, and twist it around until the
bleeding ceases, and keep it thus until tie sur
geon arrives
l6. If the blood flows in slow, regular
stream, vein has been pierced, and the handker
chief must be the other side of the wound
from the heart; that is, beIOic the wound.
IL. A bullet through the abdomen (belly Of
stomach) is more certainly fatal than if aimed n
the head or heart for in the latter cases the bal
is often glanced off by the bone, or follow
round 1t under the skin but when it enters tn,
stomach or bowels, from any direction, death i
inevitable under all conceivable circums ances
but is scarcely ever instantaneous. Generally
the person lives day two with perfect clear
ness of intellect, often not suffering greatly. Th
practical bearing of this statement in reference
TO the great future is clear.
| 1S. Let the whole beard grow but not longe
than some three inches. This strengthens an,
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. Will
in the summer greater perspiration of the ski
Is induced, with an increase OF evaporation; hence
greater GOODNESS of the parts on the outside, Will
the throat is less feverish, thirsty and dry.
10. Avoid fats and fat meats in summer an
in all warm days.
20 Whenever possible, take plunge into an
lake or running stream every morning as soon a
You get up; if none at hand, endeavor to was
the body all over as soon rs you leave the bee
for personal cleanliness acts like a charm agains
all diseases always either warding them off alto
ge.her or greatly mitigating their severity an
shortening their duration.
81. Keep the hair Of the head closely cut 50
within an inch and half of the scalp in ever
, part, repeated on the first of each month, an
, wash the whole scalp plentiiully in cold wat'
every morning
-. Wear wooden stockings and moderated
loose shoes, keeping the toe and finger nails a
WAYS cut close.
3 %. 1t is more important to wash the feet we
: every night than to wash the face and hands
mornings because it aids in keeping the skin al
nails soft, and to prevent chafings, blisters m
: sores, all of which greatly interfere with SO
: dier's duty
, 81 The most universally safe position aft
all stunnngs, hurts and wounds, is that OF beir
; placed on the back. the head being elevated thr
or four inches only, aiding more than any Oh
thing else do, to equalize and restore the pr
per circulation of the blood.
%. The more weary you are after a march
other work, the more easily will you take cold,
you remain still after it is over, unless, the IN
ment you cease motion. you throw coat
blanket over your shoulders. This precaut,
should be taken in the warmcst weather, espe
ally ii there is even a slight air stirring.
20. The greatest physical kindness YOU C
show severely wounded comrlde is. first
place him on his back, and then run with
your might for some water to drink: not a seco
ought to be lost. If no vessel is at hand ia
your hat; if no hat, off with your shirt, wiring
out once, tie the arms in a knot, also the low
end, thus making bag, open at the neck on
A feet person can convey bucketful half m
r in this way. I've seen dying clutch al
single drop OF water from the fingers end, W
the voraciousness of famished tiger.
21 If wet to the skin, by rain or 10y swimmi
rivers, keep in motion until the clothes are dr,
and no harm will result
.i %. Whenever it is possible do, by all mea
: when you have 10 use water for cooking or drir
ing from ponds or sluggish streams boil it We
and when cool, shake it or stir it, so that the
ygeu of the air shall get to it, which greatly i
proves it for drinking This boiling arrests
l. process of fermentation which arises from
presence of organic and inorganic impuriti
/ thus tending to prevent cholera and all boV
diseases. Ii there is no time for boiling, at lie
T strain it through CLOTH even if you have TO
shirt or trowserleg.
%. Twelve men are hit in the battle dressed
J. red, where there are only FIVE dressed in blu
gray difference of more than two to one; gre
/" seven; brown. six.
80. Water can he made almost ice cool in
hottest weather by closely envelopng fiji
canteen, or other vessel, with wooden cloth, k
plentifully wetted and exposed.
81. While on a march. lie down the nom
you halt for a rest. Every minute spent in t
position refreshes more than five standing or
terng about.
y 50. A daily evacuation of the bowels is in
!. pensable to bodily health, vigor, and enduran
hia is IL, hve stir al