East Oregonian : E.O. (Pendleton, OR) 1888-current, 1906-09-01


which every enlisted man must con-
form. A weak man is not much better
than a sick man. Sooner or later he
will fill a cot in a military hospital,
and that probably at a time when he
is most needed in the field, and when
hospital accommodations are taxed to
their utmost.
Next to the soldier himself the most
| important factor of an army's eff
| cheney is the food which is supplied.
How vitality important in military hy-
| giene is the regulation OF diet, may
| be gathered from the single circum-
stance that during my period of serv-
ice as surgeon general of the japanese
navy, I succeeded In all but totally
extinguishing kahke and beri-berl
from the navy, merely by introducing
a new diet. For 33 years or more the
| disease had wrought fearful havoc
I in the army and navy. AS a result of
considerable experiment, discovered
that the food of the average Japanese
soldier and sailor contained too much
carbohydrate and too little nitrogen
Gus material. Instead of containing 1
part of nitrogen to 1916 parts of carbo-
hydrate, as 1t nominally should have
contained, the food of the Japanese
army and navy comprised about 1
part of nitrogen to IS to % parts of
carbohydrates. After much opposi-
ton 1 succeeded in introducing a new
regimen, in which a better proportion
I was observed. Kahke almost imme-
diately disappeared, and has been
practically unknown in the navy for
90 years.
| During the recent war the problem
of serving rations was one of the
most difficult with which we had to
cope. Food was sent to the front un-
der strict superintendent. Victuals
We're also bought in the field; but the
utmost precautions were taken in the
purchase for fear of poison. During
the severe winter the men were or
dered to wrap their provision boxes
in flannel and to strap them beneath
the freezing of moist foods. When
ever rice was eaten 1t was previously
cooked-a standing order. In the
heat Of summer a small amount of
acetic acid was added to the rice or
barley, in order TO prevent its decom-
position. Besides eating the rations
which the commissary department
supplied, the men were permitted to
buy eatables, following. however. the
strict letter of the regulations No
soldier was permitted to purchase di-
rectly from the natives. Sake was
served by the medical officers to the
amount of about two ounces The
men who cared nothing for sake were
given sweets. In general, it may be
said that the food supply was scien-
tifically distributed in accordance with
the recommendation of the medical
staff. Army surgeons inspected what
ever was eaten, both before and after
cooking. Rations were never served
to fatigued men, because of the pos
sible harm which might have been
done. Tea and tobacco were used in
moderation as stimulants after hard
marches.
Extreme indeed were the precau-
tons taken to supply potable water,
and successful because they were ex-
treme. Water was transported in
special wagons drawn by four horses.
A boiler cart drawn by one horse pro-
vided the necessary means of distilla-
tion. In addition the men were in,
structed to boil their drinking water
in their provision pans, when they
were unable to supply themselves
from lne DOlleu water wagon OF tnc
company. At every mess each soldier
filled his canteen with boiled water.
Whenever a stream was restorted to,
the men were instructed to take only
the water in the center of the stream,
So that the impurities which cling to
the bank were avoided Even this
water was boiled.
To the medical staff was assigned
the duty of locating suitable water
supplies along the line of march.
Medical scouts were sent out to test
wells and springs. II the water of a
) we'll was unfit to drink, a signpost
: was erected at the spot giving timely
warning of the dangers that lurked
, In the well. II 1t were advisable to
boil the water, conspicuous notice
VISA also posted. Guards were some-
times stationed about springs of i'm
pure water; for weary, hot soldier,
thirsting for cool draft, is not apt to
J be over-nice In his selection Of drink
ing water.