The Monticellonian. [volume] (Monticello, Ark.) 1870-1920, 1917-09-21
HOME READING COURSE
for CITIZEN SOLDIERS
Issued by the War Department and All
Rights to Reprint ReserUed
CLEANLINESS IN CAMP.

When large numbers of men are as
sembled in camp 1t is necessary for the
good of all that strict rules of per-
sonal conduct and sanitation should be
enforced. These rules are by no means
II hardship. They are a protection. BY
insisting ON strict obedience to these
rules. the diseases which once took 50
heavy a toll in nearly all military
camps have been brought under CON
troll; some hive been practically
eliminated
Suppose YOU were asked to make
choice: either to live under conditions
In which smallpox. typhoid fever, diar-
rhea, dysentery and cholera flourish;
or to live under strict regulations,
which make these diseases far more
of Il rarity in military than in civil
life. Your good sense would lead you
70 choose the latter. Bear this in mind.
See to It that you cooperate with en-
thusiasm In the measures that viii be
tnken to keep your camps clean, COLI
Portable und healthful.
one of the pests of camp life. II
perfect cleanliness is not observed, Is
the presence Of swarms of flies. Flies
are not merely annoying They are
dangerous. Somebody has said. with
perhaps II slight exaggeration, that To
soldiers they are more dangerous than
bullets. Tits Is because aies carry
disease germs. They feed on manure.
garbage. uncovered food, human ex-
ereta and the like. They also lay their
eggs wherever refuse of the same kind
Is found. The best wayto keep flies
away from camps Is 10 destroy the
places where they breed and feed: in
other words. keep the camp spotlessly
clean.
For this reason the daily policing
for cleaning up of the camp is mat
ter of first Importance. You will be
required to keep your company street
free from even small objects. bits of
food. and the like which might at
tract flies or other insects. At least
once n day squad will be detailed
10 inspect and clean every square foot
of space in or near your living quar-
ters. This is duty which an expert
enced soldier usually performs with
more interest and thoroughness than
the raw recruit; for he more clearly
realizes Its Importance.
The best safeguards against disease.
either In the army or ont of 1t. are
soap and sunshine. You will be re-
qured To keep everything In the camp
we'll scrubbed and well aired If Ii
were not required. you would doubtless
be anxious to do It. anyway.
The good soldier Is almost "fussy"
in the care of his person. his clothing
his bedding and his other belongings.
Personal cleanliness includes using
only your own linen toilet articles.
cup and mess kit Many annoying skin
troubles and such diseases 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 ut any other
time you cannot obtain bath, give
yourself good stiff rub with dry
towel. Twice week. or oftener II
necessary, your shirts. drawers and
socks should be washed and fresh I'M
derclothes put on. In case IL is neces-
sary to sleep In your underwear, as IL
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
If you keep your hair cut short.
The teeth should be brushed at least
once day: twice a day is better
Neglectlng this practice will cause de-
cay of the teeth, resulting in failure to
chew food thoroughly and probably
ending in stomach troubles.
Cleanliness includes also the prac-
tice of emptying your bowels at least
once day. Get into the habit of
morning. IT Is habit that can he
cultivated, just like any other habit.
Do not let little personal inconyeni-
ence or laziness stand In the way.
The medical corps of the army and
your own officers will use every means
within their power TO safeguard and
improve Your general health Within
recent 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 eff
ficiency 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 IL adds TO your own
comfort and safety. You will take care
of yourself also. because ii is a duty
that every soldier owes to the country.
You will have plenty of fresh air
exercise and good food. which are after
all the chief essentials of good health.
1t should be a comparatively easy
thing for you to look after the smaller
things.