Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1909-12-26
ARMY AND NAVY NEWS.
Cocaine Habit in Navy.


Reports concerning the health of the
enlisted men on naval ships In commits
sion contain illusions to the increasing
prevalence of the cocaine habit among
sailors and marines. The situation has
| rea ched a stage where it is considered
necessary to take steps to prevent IN
| diligence in the drug. Investigations have
recently been conducted by some naval
medical officers to ascertain how this
| habit has been acquired by the enlisted
force of the navy. 1t has been found that
it usually starts by way of experiment or
the individual desire for experience.
1t is impossible. of course, to control
the conduct of the enlisted men OF the
of liberty. Any restriction In that partic-
ular would be hardship and cause much
resentment among the men regardless
of the worthy purpose OF such a regula-
ton. The habit has assumtd such pro-
portions. however, that 1t tkes place
with cigarette smoking and alcoholic In
diligence as conditions With constitute
a menace to the health of the men on
ships Of war.
Steps will be taken to prevent the
spread of the cocaine haht. and those
addicted to it will be specially treated
if the cases are regarded "a worth medi-
cal attention. The medica officers will
also deliver lectures or irfpart warning
navy attached to cruising ships may be-
come fully acquainted wiH the dreadful
effects of the cocaine habit. The situa-
ton is regarded as Of sufficient serious
ness to require prompt and vigorous
measures.
More Exercise on Shipboard.
More exercise outdoors Is the keynote
of the appeal Of Surgeon General Rixey.
U. s. N. for breaking away from the
increasing sedentariness of those who
spend their lives on board ships. While
not wishing to appear as disappearing
the system of physical training embod-
iced in the ideas of Surgeon E. 8. Boz
CERT and Commander A. p. Niblack.
which look to the earring out OF sys-
tematic training throughout the service
under the guidance of corps of spe-
cially trained INSTRUCTORS and with much
apparatus, the surgeoA general thinks
such methods are not sufficiently prac-
ticable for employment throughout the
Iieves that what Is pally needed is
proportion Of time spent in outdoor ex
ercfse. Except when coaling ship or
taking in stores the rews of ships are
rarely called upon rbw in body to
perform work which sequires any great
degree Of muscular action. With the
passing Of the large,unencumbered up.
sail drill and other efolutions aloft. the
introduction of elecaical apparatus
modern men-of-war for hosting and
handling boats and heavy weights. not
to speak Of elevator for officers them
selves, and with increased employment
of men between decks and in confined
spaces, considerations Of health only too
plainly indicate the need Of more exer-
else in the open air.
Advocates Civilian Rifle Practice.
According to GEL Crozier, chief of
ordnance. in a repSrt to the War De-
partment, about 400 United States rifles.
models of 1898 and 1903, have been sold
to rifle clubs formed under regulations
prepared by the nttional board for the
promotion OF rifle Practice, under the act
of March. 1905. There are at present 1S
civilian rifle clubs and Al schoolboy rifle
clubs. The membership Of the civilian
clubs is about $500. The small number