Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1910-05-22
D|SPR0VED BY TEST
Theory Regarding Use of COL
ored Undertaking.
TRIED IN THE PHILIPPINES
Army Board Finds It Does Not Re.
pei Heat Of Tropics.
TESTS MADE WITH CARE
Adds Materially to Burden Upon
the System-Is Cause of
Deterioration.

Theories regarding the use of cooreq
underclothing to repel the heat in the
tropics have been dispeled by a report
made by Capt. James NJ. Phelan of the
army board for the study of tropical dis
eases in the Philippines. About eighteen
months ago 1900 suits of orange-red UNI
derclothes and a corresponding number of
orange-red hatbands were sent to the
Philippines These We're distributed to the
troops so that one-haf of company
should be clad in the new garments and
the other in the white underclothes of
similar texture and material.
The army surgeons kept close watch
upon the men. but after a years trial
they failed to find that the colored under
clothes brought any relief from the trop-
ical heat. although British army officers in
India mad reported that such clothing was
much more comfortable in hot weather.
than the white.
Colored Clothing Detrimental.
The medical board found that the col
ored Undertaking, which, by the way,
was rather unpopular, added materially
to the burden of heat upon the system.
1t is admitted that the orange-fed is a
protection against the chemical rays OF
the sun, but the same result is secured
by the khaki and the tan-colored cam
paign hat of the American soldier; Inc
experiments were conducted with the
greatest care, frequent records being
made OF blood pressure or loss or weight
and of general conditions, yet the result
was the same In the case OF either the
white skin of the American or the brown
skin of the Filipino
Summary of Report.
The results of the tests of the year are
thus summed up in the report:
There was loss in weight on both
groups greater by nearly pound per
man in the hot season for the orange
red group. The blood examination show
cd the two changes due to tropical
climate-increase of red cells and loss OF
hemog lobin-more pronounced III the
special clothing group. In blood pressure
the loss is greater during the mluoit ol
the year for the orange-red group. Inc
temperature, pulse and respiration snow
A. slightly higher rate for the orange-fed
group than for the white ne com
paratiYe sick report gave nesiis'ple eNl-
dence except that the admissions from
heat exhaustion and febricuia were not
reduced by wearing the special unoer-
clothing. The symptoms due TO neat
were about balanced in both groups
After giving due weight W tic pi eJ""iNo
against the clothing the persistent com
nlaints OF greater heat. greater weight
and increased perspira ton led to the con-
clusion that the coored garments are
more receptive to heat rays than are the
white.
Final Analysis Recorded.
"A final judgment, then, says the
| report, lis that the test undertaking
| has added materially to the burden or
heat upon the system. a burden which is
undoubtedly the great cause of tropical
deterioration. To balance this it is pro-
tectiye against the chemical ray. the in
| fuence of which is regarded as of lit
/ tie moment, and which is sufficiently ex-
Guided by khaki clothing and the cam
paign hat worn at present. Certainly no
| beneficial effect whatever was observed
| from the use of this clothing. This eX-
pertinent suggests that any efforts to-
ward increasing the physical well-being
and efficiency of the soldier shall be
directed toward protecting him from the
facilitating effects of heat and humid
| ity One effect quite aside from these
| factors is that upon the eyes. We see
here the effect of the sunlight in many
distressing symptoms, but these effects
are probably due to the light rather
than the chemical rays. Any protection
| afforded the eyes from the glare of the
tropical sun deserves TO be heartily well
| coined.