Middletown transcript., 1898-05-14

the hammock most r0strul ana COM
Portable bed, a means of keeping dry at
night in wet weather, the only means
by which it is possible for campaigner
to escape mosquitoes, and, above all,
the only means by which the sleeping
soldier can be kept above the marvel
Gus vapors that lie like deadly man
tie upon the earth. AS bed for sick
man 10 a bot climate there is absolutely
none other so cool and SO restful as the
hammock. 1t also furnishes the cas-
lest of all appliances for carrying sick
or wounded man.
In using the hammock it should not
be stretched too tightly. When hung
properly the sleeper can lie upon his
back in comfortable curve. II he
wishes to lie perfectly straight, upon
side or back, he can easily do SO, lying
diagonally across the hammock.
Where mosquitoes are plentiful many
persons are so easily annoyed by them
that without protection at night thei
sleep is so broken and their nerves SO
irritated as to start them on the road
TO fever. In Cuba ordinary mosquito
netting is of no use, for its large
meshes permit the free entrance Of
sandaies and gnats, which are quite as
bad as mosquitoes. The most perfect
protection for a field campaigner is the
mosquito shirt, in common use in
some portions Of South America. It is
made of about fourteen yards of thin
cotton cloth, and is like a large bag,
suspended over and entirely envelop-
ing the hammock.
PROTECTION FROM THE RAIN.
Next to sleeping on the ground and
drinking bad water without first boil
ing it. the most fruitful source of ma
leria In the tropics is sleeping in the
rain or in wet clothing. There is no
serious danger to the health Of SOL
dier either in wading swamps or march
ing In the rain, provided he can change
to dry. clothing when he halts, and
have a shelter when he sleeps. Ex-
perience has proven that so long as a
water-soaked man is moving his wet
clothing will cause him no real harm;
but rest or sleep in water-soaked gar
ments induces an excess of relaxation
which the average constitution can
not long successfully counteract.
In order that the above precaution
may be observed, every soldier ordered
to march should carry one complete
change of clothing Except shoes), even
though that suit should C onsist of MOTH
ing more than a light shirt and trous.
ers to wear In camp and while sleeping.
This suit could be kept dry on the
march by wrapping it in the rubber
blanket which will form an important
feature in the equipment of every SOL
der.
In the tropics the only shelter nec-
essary in temporary camp is roof,
the sides of which should come within
four feet of the earth. The weight Of
a waterproof canvas roof is necessarily
considerable, and in active operations
it is often impossible to carry it. To
meet the requirements Of the army in
Cuba, tshould be supplied with rain
sheets, of several sizes, to shelter
either two, four, eight or sixteen men.
The rain sheet in common use by trop-
ical explorers is merely a square of
strong muslin, made like a tent-fy
and g. 'aked in linseed oil and para fin
to render it impervious to water with
out becoming sticky. Apackmu]e can
carry enough rain sheets to shelter a
number Of men.
Whenever for any reason the soldier
finds himself without rain sheet or
other good roof to shelter him, he can
secure very fair protection by hanging
his rubber blanket tentwise over his
If his hammock is pro-
vfded with mosquito shirt, the cord
on which the latter is suspended be-
tween the supports OF tbs hammock
forms ready ridgepole for the RAID
proof blanket. In timbsred country,
where small trees furnish ready means
for hanging hammocks, the soldier can
in fifteen minutes or less have ready
for use a most restful bed, above the
mud and water and the worst of the
malaria, perfect protection from the
and roof to she tier him
from the rain.
THE PITH HELMET FOR A HEAD
COVERING.
II soldiers are sent to Cuba wearing
ordinary felt hats, or close fitting straw
hats, there is danger that cases of sun
stroke will be numerous. A majority
Of the volunteers come from offices and
factories, and seldom exercise in the
sun at midday in summer. so they will
need the best protection for their heads
that can be procured. The ideal hat
for the tropics is the pith hemlet
made from the piih of the sola
Eree), with the whole BODY Of the hat
kept away from direct contact with the
head by means of a sweatband which
Is attached to the body Of the hat
through four or more pieces Of cork.
The air circulates freely around the
head of the wearer, and passes out at
shielded hole in top. In addition to
al this, the back part Of the helmet |
comes low enough to protect the |
most vulnerable spot-the back of the |
neck. 1t is probable that a large sup
ply of pilh hemlets could not be secured |
IN short notice. The next best thing
would be cork hemlets Of the same |
,bape. with the same sort of ventilated |