The western Democrat. [volume] (Charlotte, N.C.) 1852-1870, 1861-05-21
SOLDIERS HEALTH.

or destroys three GlHnes rs mduJ ao TUG s"otV'
g. On a march, from April to November, the
entire clothing should be colored flannel shirt,
with loosely bs;toued collar, cotton drawers:
wooden panfalouns shoes and stockings and a light
colored felt hat, With broad brim to protect the
neck, eyes and face from the glare of the sun and
the rain, and substantial but not heavy coat
when off duty.
g. Sunstroke may be prevented by wearing a
silk handk erchief in the hat, a white linen hood
hat cover, extending like cape over the neck and
shoulders. ..... .r..
f. Colored blankets ere best and if lined with
brown drilling the warmth durability are dou-
bled, while the protection against dampBess from
lying on the ground is almost complete.
s. Never lie sit down on the grass or bare
earth for moment; rather use your hat-a hand
kerchief even, is great protection. The warmer
you are, the greater need for this precaution,
damp vapor is immediately generated, to be alb
sorbed by the clothing, aud to cool you off too
rapidly.
g. While marching, or on other active duty,
the more essential it is to safety of life ITSELF to
rinse out the mouth two or three times, and then
take swallow of water at time, with short in-
tervals. A brave French general, a forced
march, fell dead the Instant by drinking largely
of cold water, when snow was on the ground
T. Abundant sleep is essential to bodily efici-
ency, and to that aertness of mind which is all
Important in an engagement and few things more
certainly and more effeetualy prevent sound sleep
than eating heartily after shutdown, especially at
ter heavy march or desperate battle. ' ~.s,
s. Nothing is more certain to secure endurance
anG capabiity of long continued effort, than the
avoidance of every thing as a drink except cold
water, not excluding coffee at breakf Drink
even cold water very slowly.
g. After any sort of exhausting effort, cup of
coffee, hot or cold is an admirable sustainer of the
strength, until nature begins to recover herself.
IL. Unless after long absence or great fatigue,
do eat very heartily just before great under
taking because the nervous power Is lrresstibly
drawn to the stomach to manage the food eaten,
thus drawing off that supply which the brain aud
muscles SO much need.
ii. 1t persons will drink brandy, it is incom-
parably safer to do SO after effort than before
Tor it give only transient strength, lasting
but a few minutes but as is can never be known
how long any given effort is to be kept in continu
ance and if longer than the Jew minutes, the body
becomes more feeble than it would have been
without the stimulus, 1t Is clear that its before
an effort is always hazardous, and is always unwise
IL. Never 60 to sleep, especially after great
effort even In hot weather, without some covering
over you.
IL. 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 fifteen
minutes in that position will refresh you more
than an hour the bare earth with the additional
advantage of perfect safety.
IA. A cut is less dangerous than a bullet wound,
and heals more rapidly.
Is. 1t from any wound the blood spirits out in
jets, instead Of steady stream, you will die in
few minutes unless 1t Is remedled; because an
terry bag been divided, aud that takes the blood
direct from the fountain OF life. To stop this in
stantly tie handkerchefor other cloth very loose
ly BETWEEN the wound aud the heart; put
a stick bayonet, or ramrod between the skin and
the hand kerchiet, aud twist it around until the
bleeding ceases, and keep it thus until the sur
geOn arrives.
Ii If the blood flows in slow regular stream,
d vein has been pierced, aud the handkerchief must
be OH the other side OF the wound from the heart;
that is, below the wound. a
II. A bullet through tn e abdomen (belly or
stOnlach) is more certainly fatal than if aimed at
the head or heart; for in the latter cases the ball
is often glanced off by the bone, follows around
it under the skin; but when it enters the stomach
Or bowels, from any direction, death is inevitable
under almost all circumstances, but is scarcely ev
er instantaneous. Generally the person lives a
day two with perfect clearness of intellect, often
not suffering greatly. The practical bearing of this
lS. Let the whole beard grow, but not longer
than some three inches. This strengthens and
thckens its growth, and thus makes more
perfect protection for the lungs against DUST and
of the throat against winds and cold in winter
while IN the summer a greater perspiration of the
skin is induced with all Increase of evaporation;
hence greater eooness of the parts on the outside
while the throat is less itverish, thirsty and
dry.
10. Avoid fats and fat meats in summer and in
all warm days.
70. Whenever possible, take plunge into any
lake or running stream every morning, as soon as
you get up; it none at hand endeavor to wash the
body all over soon you leave your bed, for
personal ceanliIess acts like charm against all
diseases, always either warding them off altogether
greatly mitigating their severity and sh ortening
their duration.
Il. Keep the hair of your head closely cut, say
part, repeat on the first of each month, and wash
the whole scalp beautifully in cold water every
~. Wear woollen stockings and easy fitting
shoes, keeping the toe and finger nails always cut
moderately close.
3d. 1t is more important to wash the feet we'll
mornings because it aids to keep the skin and
nails soft, and to prevent chafngs. blisters and
corns, all Of which greatly interfere with a soldier
duty.
"a. The most universally safe position, after all
placed the bach, the head being elevated three
Or four inches only aiding more than any one
thing else do, to equaze and restore the prop
err circulation af the hlond