The Washington herald. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1906-1939, 1916-09-06
ARMY AND NAVY NEWS
Best Service Column An CITY.

THE Atmosphere and Its Relation to
the Human Mechanism, with Special
Reference to the Naval Service" is the
title of an interesting report by Sur
geon r. C. Holcomb, U. S. N. on duty
in the Bureau of Medicine and Surgery
OF the Navy.
He points out, as a result Of known
submarine accidents, that the hygiene Of
submarine is largely a question Of air
supply. Consideration of food its preser-
walton or preparation, always comes
back to consideration of air supply, he
contends. Consideration of sleep, rest
or clothing similarly returns to the mat
ter of ventilation, he points out.
The problem of air for the subma-
rine," he says in his report, has no
parallel in any other human habitation,
and 1t Is the problem OF the submarine
as habitation which mainly concerns
US. 1t is not a problem of chemistry
/, alone, but it is also a problem Of physi-
ology. Nor are these two sciences alone
concerned, but its very artificial chsrac-
ter makes 1t also a problem of physics
and Of bacteriology.
THE development OF modern ideas on
the subject OF air and respiration has
been a slow and tedious process which
has extended over many centuries and
the discoveries of one science have often
been delayed by awaiting new discoveries
in other sciences"
1t is pointed out that a profitable line
OF further study Is that Of the bacteri-
ology Of the air of the battleship and the
submarine. II for no other reason than
the high sick rate from tonsilitis, which
disease has for years occupied second
| place In the navy admission-rate Stats
| tics. The tonsilitis aboard the battle
ships is probably dependent largely upon
the bacterial content Of the living spaces.
The large number OF human beings per
cubic foot Of air space supply on the
surface Of their body a culture medium
! for bacteria, the surface moisture and
body heat contributing to their growth,
these bacteria ultimately reaching the
atmosphere through drying in soiled
clothing and bedding.
! Naval and military authorities are
! being caused considerable trouble by the
| new legislation prohibiting the wearing OF
the uniform Of tho army. navy or Marine
Corps or distinctive parts Of the uni.
forms. The difficulty arises over the
query as to whether private schools
having military training. but receiving
no official recognition from the executive
departments are subject to the provisions
OF the act.
The question has been raised most FIRE
quently Of late by certain supply houses
and contractors who have orders fol-
unlloTInb winch resemble tnoSe OF tne
service and which are desired to be worn
by students OF private military and high
schools. The law does not apply TO the
sale of uniforms similar TO the Pre-
scribed service apparel, but to the wear.
| ing of 1t or parts Of it
The wearing OF the uniform or distinc.
| tive parts by members OF State universe
! ties. colleges, and public high schools
| Offering a regular course in military in.
| struction at which officers or enlisted
/ men OF the regular establishment are or
| duty as instructors is not prohibited BY
the new law. II does not appear, how.
ever. that Congress has included, with.
in those or other exceptions OF the law
| private military schools a which no ser.
| vice instructors are detailed.
| The War Department will not attempt
TO interpret the act. but will leave 1t Il
the courts to decide individual cases al
they may arise from time to time.
AS the result Of a provision in the new
| gratuity pay allowed in the case of the
death of naval officers and enlisted men
under the naval act Of August %. 1872
may be paid in its entirety and without
the deductions to which it has hither-
| to been subjected. BY virtue Of a deci.
| sion OF the comptroller, the cost of trans
| porting the remains Of officers and mer
and the expense OF funerals had for some
/ time been subtracted from this gratuity
to the extent OF SIS in the case Of en-
| listed men and s75 in the case Of Off
GERS