The Oklahoma City times. [volume] (Oklahoma City, Okla.) 1908-1984, 1917-08-18

slight exaggeration, that 10 soldiers
they are more dangerous than bullets.
This is because flies carry disease
germs. They feed on manure, garbage,
uncovered food, human excreta and the
like. They also lay their eggs wherever
refuse OF the same kind is found, The
best way to keep flies away from camps
is to destroy the places where they breed |
and feed in other words. keep the camp !
spotlessly clean
For this reason the daily policing
(or cleaning up) OF the camp is matter
OF first Importance You will be re-
quired to keep your company street free
from even small objects, bits OF food, !
and the like, which might attract flies or
other insects. AT least once a day a
squad will be detailed to inspect and
clean every square foot Of space in or
near your living quarters This is a
duty which an experienced soldier
usually performs with more interest and
thoroughneSs than the raw recruit, for
he more clearly realizes It's Importance.
The best safeguards against disease,
either in the army or out of It, are soap
and sunshine. You will be required to
keep everything in the camp wei
scrubbed and well aired II it were not
required, you would doubtless be anx-
louS to do II, anyway.
The good soldier is almost "iussy" in
the care OF his person, his clothing, his
bedding and his other belongings. Per
sonal cleanliness includes using only
your own linen, toilet articles, cup and
mess kit Many annoying skin troubles
and such disease as colds and infectious
fevers are often passed from one person
to others by using articles in common
In the training camp there will be
plenty OF shower baths, and YOU will, OF
course, make free use OF them. II in
temporary camps or al any other time
you cannot obtain bath, give yourself
good stiff rub with dry towel Twice
week, or oftener If necessary, your
shirts, drawers and socks should be
washed and fresh underclothes put on.
In case II is necessary to sleep in your
underwear, as it probably will be, put
one aside to wear at night, so that you
will always feel fresh and clean in the
morning
The scalp should be thoroughly
cleaned about as frequently as the rest
of the body This will be made easier
il you keep yout hair Gu, short,
The teeth should be brushed at least
once day; twice a day is better Neg
Letting this practice will cause decay of
the teeth, resulting in failure to chew
food thoroughly and probably ending in
stomach troubles.
Cleanliness includes also the practice
OF emptying your bowels at least once
a day Get into the habit of doing this
at a certain time each morning II Is a
habit that can be cultivated, Just like
any other habit Do not let little per
sonal inconvenience or lazineS stand in
the way
The medical corps Of the army and
your own officers will use every mean.
within their power to safeguard and i'm
prove your general health. Within re-
cent years better methods OF medical
supervision have greatly reduced the
losses and the disabilities due to war
fare.
The increased power Of weapons has
been more than met by increased cf-
iiciency in maintaining the health OF
troops and in caring for those who are
wounded
But the responsibility for keeping
yourself in good health cannot rest
wholly upon your officers. Just as in
civil life, you are expected to use a
reasonable amount OF good sense in
looking after yourself You will do this
partly because it adds to your own COM
fort and safety You will take care of
yourself, also, because i, is a duty that
every soldier owes to the country
You will have plenty Of fresh air,
exercise and good food which arc after
all, the chief essentials of good health.
II should be a comparatively easy thing
for you to look after the smaller things
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