davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1916-11-13

alone. for wherever lice were found the disease was more or less preva- lent. For this reason strict meas ures were enforced in connection with the armies operating in France anu Flanders, which armies suffered as all armies do from the attacks of yer min so often described as one of s'the minor horrors of war; On the Brit ish front the most elaborate precau- tions were taken to keep down vern1in by frequent bathing and the sterilizing of clothing, but the ideal no vermin in the trenches-cannot be attained so long as thousands of men of all kinds are congregated together, but the stringent measures taken in keeping things clean prevented any serious outbreak of the disease The fly as a disease carrier is well known, and the sanitary squad of the trenches see to it that no refuse collects upon which the fly can feed. All this is burned and in this way the fly pest has been averted.
 Rats Plentiful.
 Rats are a menace to the health of the men and special rat catchers are appointed to clear the rodents from >the trenches. One soldier has a terrier as an assistant and they have killed thousands. His method of catching the rats is to drive them from their shelter and have the dog nearby, who kills them almost as fast as his master can drive them out. The bodies are burned.
 Unfortunately, rheumatism and
The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1916-11-13
Zz2 d[2 LI@<2L0
 -Ze5Zx7IT; GGx012S

terrible suffering and loss are certain. Science, however has so far prevent ed this during the present war by cleanliness of the trenches and by vac cination with a. vaccine discovered some years ago by an eminent physi- clan who spent several years in mak- ing tests.
 Typhus Fever.
 Cholera like typhus fever which ravaged both the trenches and towns of Serbia during the early part of last year, is essentially a dirt disease and will disappear when the filth is re- moved. The latter fever used to be known as "gaol fever" from it's prev alence in prisons. It became gen. eral in the' Serbian trenches and soon spread over the entire country, and surgeons and men of science went from all parts of the world to try to save the people from the scourge. It was soon discovered that the disea SC was carried by insects and as the Serbian soldiers in the trenches were infested with lice the first thing to be done was to get rid of these in- sects. The lice themselves were not infected with typhus, but if they set tied on the body of a typhus victim and passed from him to the body of another person the fever was trans mitted. It was found that these in sects gathered upon the inner gar ments and if these were removed and burned the insects were killed with ease.
 Typhus was not confined to Serbia
The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1916-11-13

The Federal Farm Loan Act pro- vides a way of getting mortgage loans for farmers at low rates of interest, Tat lengths of time fixed by the bor- rower, and on easy terms of repay ment.
 To secure these loans the farmers in any community-not fewer than ten but more if desired-may unite to form a National Farm Loan Associa- ton. These organizations are run by farmers for farm CTS. Their object is to borrow money on farm mortgages at 4, or 6 per cent. interest. The mortgages may run 5, 10, 20 or 40 years, and the mortgage debt may be paid off a little at time.
 Farmers only may be members of a national farm loan association, and the lowest sum any farmer may bor- row is $100, the highest $10,000. Only through membership in the national farm loan associations, may farmers borrow money through the Federal organization.
 Shares At $500 Each.
 Farmers cannot join the national farm loan associations without buying shares in their association. The value of the shares is fixed at the low price of $500 each. Every farmer who be- comes a member of national farm loan association also becomes a bor-, rover and a shareholder at the same time, for the law says that he must subscribe for stock to the amoent of 5 per cent. of his desired loan. If he wants to borrow $100, he must take one share of stock; if $20O, two shares; if s1,00o, 10 shares; and if $10,000. one hundred shares.
 The borrower may pay in cash for his stock at the time he applies for membership, or he may wait until his loan is received and then pay for his stock from his loan. The money the farmers pay their association for stock is turned over to the Federal land bank to. buy stock in that bank for the association.
 This plan of buying stock makes the national farm loan associations co-operative in character. When the farmer borrows money, the shares of stock he has to buy are held by the association as part security for his loan. But if the association prospers, the dividends on his stock must be paid to the owner. When his debt is paid off, the stock owned by the bor- rower is cancelled.
The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1916-11-13

be distributed to every farmer in the United States whenever he wants it and in amounts as large as are justifi- able by his security up to $10,0O0.
 fThe idea is an adaptation to the use of the farmer of the building and | loan association, which has done so much for city people. In view of the fact that city people all over the coun- try have organized city loan associa- tlons, it is believed that farmers all over the country will be forming farm loan associations which can borrow money at any time on easy terms to the great benefit of agriculture and agriculturists.
 The Bonds A Fine Investment.
 Federal farm loan bonds paying anywhere from four to five per cent. will be free from taxation, will be available to the small investor as we'll as to the capitalist, for bonds will be sold from $25 up. Backed by the capital stock of all these land banks, which stand by each other through mutual guarantee and have the United States Government supervising them, these bonds are as good as any rail- road or municipal bonds in the coun- try.
 Needs Longtime Credit.
 "The farmer needs different sort of credit from that available to the business man. He needs it sometim es for long time. When farmer starts out to get dairy herd, or to drain his farm, or to clear it of stumps and stones, or to plant it to fruit, or to build accommodation for more \in- tense mana cement, he can no more get the money out of the place than an electric light company can get on without capital to start it. The farm CT has always been kept on short ra- tions, has had to go along with poor equipment and has been forced to use less money than he ought to use.
 With this new aid he will be able to look over his operations for long period of years without the harrass- ment of short-term loans, and because of the terms now afforded him he can rest easy, because he can pay his loan off any time after five years, in whole or in part and as he fpleases, at any interest period.
 "The banks will keep their books open for thirty days to get subscrib- CTS. If the capital is not all subscribed within that period the Government will then take all stock unsubscribed.
The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1916-11-13

quieting the nerves, but in some in- stances it has caused the men to live over again their terrible experiences. and in one instance after a man had been awakened he impIored the physi- elan to stop the treatment as he had just seen his pals head blown from his body by a shell.
 Many of the shell shock patients are haunted by the voices of their dying comrades and can only be quleted by opiates. Hospitals are hlled with the victims of this strange disease of the trenches Affections of the heart often result and the men are 1ncapacitated for further service.
 Trench Foot And Soldiers Heart.
 Trench foot" causes the surgeons no little concern. and at present all soldiers must have their feet examined to insure that the skin is healthy and free from cracks or abrasions. They are provided with thick socks put or a1ter the feet have been greased. Over the socks carefully dried gum boots ar Waders coming up to the knees are pulled on. This insures dry feet and has done away with the cramped, sore feet which caused the men so much suffering in the early days of the war.
 Soldiers heart" is not easily cured. It is not a new disease as it gave the surgeons no little concern during he Crimean War. when a number of sol- diers were sent home because they had developed form of palpitation of the heart which proved persistent Very few men recovered from it. Dur ing our own Civil War the same thing existed and a special hospital was opened in Philadelphia for soldiers suffering from this disease. The re- suits were unsatisfactory, and the men seldom recovered their health. Today numbers of men in the European trenches are suffering from "soldier's heart" and a cure for the disease has not been found as yet.
 Even the teeth of the men in the trenches are looked after. for bad teeth are known to bring a train of ailments which units a man for soldier. The minor ai1m ents are easi- ly controlled and so far the health of the men in the trenches might be said to be good-far above the average of forme3 wars. Cleanliness and care of the body are the first aid to preven- ton against disease with the armies of Europe, and on account of the great numbers engaged the army sur geons are confronted with a gigantic task.
The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1916-11-13
Putting the Farmer On Sound Financial Basis Ready Moneu At Lou Rates from NoonalF Loan Associations Easu
 Payments The Scheme Uncle SamAs Sponsor

 I debt This includes interest, part of the debt itself. and a small amount
 (not exceeding one per cent.) to cover expenses of the association. The securities required by borrow CTS are first mortgages on the land they own and on the buildings sit
 uated on the land. No loan however,
 can exceed half the value of the land
 nor more than one-fifth of the value of the permanent improvements,
 which must be insured against fire.
 Investors As We'll As Borrowers. No loans are made directly through the Federal Farm Loan Board in
 Washington but through twelve Fed eral land banks which are to be estab- lished in the twelve districts into
 which the country is to be divided for the proper administration of the law. In this way the farmers themselves become the owners and directors of the national farm loan associations. They become investors as we'll as bor- rowers.
 More than this, by becoming sub scribers to the capital stock of the Federal Hand bank of their district which the associations have to do when applications for loans are made the farmer-m embers of the national farm loan associations will ultimately become the owners of the land banks also, for the Government will gradual ly withdraw its stock holdings from the Federal land banks and leave their
 ownership with all their profits en- tirely in the hands of the farmers themselves.
 Twelve Reservoirs Of Money. When asked upon what especial feature of the work the Federal Farm
 Loan Board is engaged at present, MT.
 Quick replied:
 "Our duty requires us as soon as possible to complete the examination
 of facts and establish the twelve Fed era1 land banks in twelve districts of the country. These will have a loan
 ing capacity at the beginning of $780,
 900, 900 and an organization of a char
 acter which will enable them to make loans of any amount which farmers in the United States will need"
The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1916-11-13
HHE Government has awakened
 to the fact that the farmer has l.. l.; l., loe I..I

to the fact that the farmer has
 not had his chance; last July - Congress passed a law. The Fed eral Farm Loan Act, which is to af- feet millions of farmers throughout the United States.
 This law is "An Act to provide cap- ital for agricultural development, to create standard forms of investment based on farm mortgage, to equalize rates of interest upon farm loans, to furnish a market for United States bonds, to create Government depos- itories and financial agents for the United States, and for other purposes"
 In recent interview with MT. Her. bert Quick, member of the Federal Farm Loan Board, he said, "I con- slider this one of the most important movements of the age. It is going to put the United States farmer on a financial basis he has never before had and if he does not now get on that basis it is his own fault"
 Personnel Of The Board.
 The operation of the Federal Farm Loan Act is in the hands of the Fed of the Government service is known as the Federal Farm Loan Bureau and forms a division of the Treasury De- partment. The Federal Farm Loan Board is composed of four members, with the Secretary of. the Treasury as ex-officio chairman. The members of the new board are: William G. McAdoo, chairman (ex-oficio); George w. Nor ris, Farm Loan Commissioner; Charles E. Lobdell, w. s. A. Smith and Her. bert Quick with w W Ft Ia ppapau a c secretary.
 The Federal Farm Loan Board Hopes to have matters in operation by
The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1916-11-13
Zx5e 2HzS0e 0(Rz5> x1 I3@ Z<0ex2ex@ss~- ~Z<o Gl2SHN NXRZ CHZckexo, ExT O0S>
 SI20 Zxez~ob bHS
Z0 IE2SZ< 6SS

tuberculosis are trench diseases not easily overcome. The dampness of the underground shelters frequently causes the men to suffer the most ex- cruciating rheumatic pains The only cure for this is sending the men home
 put even then recovery is slow. Trench tuberculosis is nearly always fatal.
 In cold weather the prevalence of lrost bite is the direct result of stand ing for long hours, even days, in the freezing water of the trenches, but the disease is not really frost bite
 which causes gangrenc 2 of the tissues it is rather a condition in which the parts effected had been starved owing to the prolonged chill of the nerves, and, unlike the true frost bite, the men soon recover under proper treat ment.
 Shell Shock.
 Another trench disease not so easily overcome is known as shell shock nervous affection brought about by the continuous noise of battle. Men have been, found dead standing up- right in the trenches without the least sign of wound. Of course, some of these were victims of the deadly gases which have from time to time poured over the trenches, but an examina- tlon showed that many \died solely from shock. Others become uncon- scious. and when they are brought back their memory is blank. Many do not even remember their names and have no idea what has happened. One man who was a good musician was found in this condition. The doctor asked him to sing. He did not understand, and the doctor began to whistle God Save the King" The patient looked up and finished the tune, and later he whistled "Tip- perary." From this time his express sion changed and his mind gradually came back. Some have been stricken dumb and remained so for days, while others rave like maniacs, seeing fly ing legs and arms' Blindness or deafness have claimed their quota of victims, and while many have re- mained 11opelessly afflicted others have recovered their sight and hearing with of trifiing events. It is claimed that shell shock and trench nerves can be cured by the use of a revolving wheel which brings before the eye constant succession of different colors The patient controls the speed of the wheel. These are, of course, mild cases. Hypnotism has been tried for
The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1916-11-13

liable to infection from the slightest war lockjaw was common trench disease caused sometimes by the men merely scratching themselves with the entrenching tool. They paid lit tie attention to these wounds and went on with their work If the wound came in contact with the soil in a few days Iockjaw appeared. Many soldiers died from this disease and the scientists set about to make serum which at present is working so we'll that few, if any, cases of 1ockjaw now exist in the trenches.
 "Gas Gangrene."
 But the lockjaw bacillus was not the only one discovered in the trenches of France In addition there was found to be present a group of organisms which gave rise to severe suppurations and often to the so- called "gas gangrene." Gangrene is word which always inspires horror to the soldier for in all wars it has been his scourge. Many cases of gangrene are the result of careless nursing, tight bandages applied to stop bleeding and kept too long a time in position. Tn other cases it resulted from wound which cut off the blood supply of a limb. Gas gangrene" is of a different type and proves fatal in a short time. Unfortunately, it<is one of the diseases which are difficult to cope with on the battlefield owing to the scant facilities to be found in the first aid hospitals and hundreds of men have died before the infected limb could be amputated.
 Cholera is, of course, the scourge par excellence of armies in the field, and when it gains the upper hand as it did in the wars of the Middle Ages
The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1916-11-13

This state of affairs existed down to the middle of the last century when lit was discovered that science could prevent these epidemics and the horror of disease in war could be elim- mated. The Russo-Japanese war was a triumphant vindication for science as the losses from disease during that conflict were trifing as compared with the losses from the bullets of the enemy
 Surgeons Prepared.
 Britain, France and Germany went into the present war with a full knowledge of the scientific needs of the situation. They knew they had a emendous task before them, and they set about to prevent disease as well as to cure it. These countries anticipated the probability of an out break of typhoid fever and they inocu- lated thousands of soldiers as a pre- ventfve against it's ravages.
 Tetanus Bacillus.
 They, however, did not foresee that the soil of France cultivated and en- riched through many generations would be a factor to be reckoned with in the preservation of the health of the armies. It has been known for many years that certain bacteria inhabits soil which if introduced into the human body gives rise to most deadly diseases. One of the best known and also one of the deadliest of these germs is the tetanus bacillus (bacillus of lockjaw). This germ is always present in manure, and in times of peace always claims few victims from among gardeners every year. The soil of France is quite fer tile as a great deal of manure has been used in it's cultivation, and men living in the trenches of such soil are
The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1916-11-13

Charles E. Lobdell, Who Has Had
 Extensive Experience in Loans
 on = arm Lands.
 sociations will have votes, so that ulti- mately the farmers will themselves own all the stock in banks and this will eventually become the largest CO., operation of any kind in the world"
 The Men In Charge.
 MT. Quick was reared on farm, became a teacher and then a lawyer. Later he was general manager of telephone company in Iowa, and mayor of Sioux City for one term. He is well-1snown as an editor and 8 writer on farm topics and politics. He is Democrat.
 George W. Norris, of Philadelphia. Democrat, Farm Loan Commissioner and head of the Board. was a news paper reporter, then a lawyer and then a member of banking firm. In 1911 he retired from business to study so- cial and economic questions. Later he became a director and deputy chairman of the Federal Reserve Bank of Philadelphia, and is now ac- lively identified with number of civic and philanthropic boards.
 w. $. A. Smith, of Sioux City, Iowa. best known farmer on the Board, fol- lowed the sea as shipmaster when a young man. Then he quit the sea for a farm and became known to farmers as a writer on farm manage ment and finance. He has been di- rector of bank. and recently was an expert on farming in the Departm ent of Agriculture. He is a Republican.
 Charles E. Lobdell, of KanRas, Re- publican. was reared on a farm and left it to study law. He is also bank CT and has served on the bench for nine years. He has had extensive ex- perience in farm loans.
The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1916-11-13

animation service, with highly skilled ''tea tasters" and examiners stationed at New York, Boston, Chicago, St. Paul, Tacoma, San Francisco and Honolulu. Samples from every con- signment of tea for this country are analysed and tested by an examiner be- fore the consignment is allowed to be put on the market.
 The basis of examination of tea is two- o-fold-first, what is known as the "cup test"-wherein an expert tea taster makes himself cup of tea and judges it by it's taste-and, secondly, the Read test to detect artificial color ing matter. This latter was devised by pr. Alberta E. Read, of the De- nartnaant of AIericu1tnra- and is SO sim
The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1916-11-13

pie that you can ''try it on your own piano."
 Pour measured portion of tea or a sheet of white paper and rub it into the paper with spatula. If the tea has been artificiaHy colored, specks of the coloring matter will adhere to the paper.
 Obviously, the tea taster" has a highly and specially developed sense of taste. Instantly he can detect an excess of tannin, even in minute quan- titles, and needs no chemical ap- paratus to back him up. Also, from the appearance of the infused leaves, he can tell if tough and unwholesome e leaves from the lower part of the tea plant have been mixed with the young,
The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1916-11-13

AF all food which the U. s. Gov r. ernment makes safe by it's vari- W ous systems of rigid inspection,
 " there is none more completely and rigidly protected than tea. And yet, of all foods prepared for consump- ton in Amefican kitchens, none is more carelessiy, wrongly and atro- ciously prepared than-tea
 According to tea experts at Wash ington, but few people know how to brew d cup of tea that is real tea. In Russia and in England, they say, it is made correctly; but not in America at least, not generally. And, before speaking of how the Government safe guards the tea imported into this conntrv. if may be well to hasten to
The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1916-11-13

tender and high quality ones.
 The maximum of stimulating aka Ibid caffeine and an ingredient which gives commercial teas theix- flavor are found only in the upper leaves. The lower leaves have but little stimulat- ing value and, besides, possess an over abundance of tannin-which is the in furious constituent of tea.
 But it is a mistake to boil or stew tea for long time, under the impress sion that the resulting "cup" will be strong and stimulating" It will not for this prolonged brewing will bring out the tannin and destroy the help full. invigorating, cheering effects of the caffeine. Three minutes. iu water that has boiled, is the limit.
The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1916-11-13

give formula for brewing tea upon which Uncle Sam has placed his stamp of approval. Here it is:-
 Into an earthenware pot, which has previously been scalded, put an even teaspoonful of tea for every cup de- sired, and one extra teaspoonful ''for the pot" Pour over it the requisite boiling water which has been boiling for at least minute. Let it stand for three minutes, neither more nor less, and then pour off into another pot which also has been scalded, prefer ably an earthenware pot. Serve from this.
 Through it's division of customs the Treasury Department, by laws and regulations. has built LID a tea ex-
The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1916-11-13

Thus, if a farmer has held two shares of stock he is paid $10, the stock is cancelled and the farmer is no longer a member of the associa- tion. The payment of a debt auto matically removes farmer from membership in a national farm loan association.
 Loans are made to farmers under the operation of the Federal Farm Loan Act on first mortgages on farm lands. The mortgages may run for not less than five years nor more than 40 years. The borrower himself de- cides the length of time his loan shall run. The interest cannot exceed six per cent. per year and may be lower. Every six months, or once year, the farmer pays an installment on his