The Washington herald., 1917-08-21
LESSON NO. s.
MARCHING AND CARE OF FEET

MARCHING AND CARE OF FEET
The new soldier seldom understands
how important 1t is for him to learn
to march and to develop his muscles
so that he can easily carry his arms
and equipment. Marching constitutes
the principal occupation of troops in
campaign" Qnfantry Drill Regula-
tions. paragraph 623) Modern trench
warfare in Europe has for the time
being reduced the amount of march
ing required in campaign; yet it re-
mains just as important an element
in the soldiers training as it ever
was.
In order to march for long distances
the soldiers feet must be in good
condition. You will learn in time the
practical rules for taking care of your
feet that are followed by experienced
soldiers. You will avoid considerable
discomfort, however, II you learn
some OF these rules now and put
them into practice from the very be-
ginning.
Take Care of Feet.
l. See that your shoes are large
enough. They will at first look and
feel unnecessarily loose. This is
needed because it has been found
that feet swell and lengthen on
marches, especially when carrying
packs. But shoes fitted this way will
give you no corns, bunions, blisters.
or other foot ills. In fact. they will
cure any that you may already have.
2. Take pains to keep your shoes in
good condition. 1t is a good idea to
apply a light coat OF neat's-foot oil.
which will both soften the leather
and tend to make them waterproof
Don't neglect to smooth out wrinkles
in the lining OF the shoe. Break in
new shoes before wearing them on
long marches.
3. Wear light wooien socks, such as
will be issued to you. See that YOU
have no holes or wrinkles in them.
If hole has been worn and can not
be mended at once, change the sock
from one foot to the other so that
your foot will not be irritated more
than is necessary.
T. Keep your feet, socks, and shoes
clean. When on the march try to
wash your socks at night and put on
a clean pair every morning. Battle
the feet every evening. or at least
wipe them of with a wet towel
5. Keep your feet scrupulously clean.
A foot bath can be taken, when
other facilities are not at hand, by
scraping a small depression in the
ground, throwing a poncho over 1t
and pouring water into this from
your canteen. Even a pint OF water
will do for a foot bath. You can
battle all over by making or finding
a depression of suitable size and
using your poncho as for a foot
bath.
s. Keep your toe nails trimmed
closely and cut them quare across
the ends. This will tend to prevent
ingrowing nails. By all means avoid |
the common error of rounding the |
corners Of the nail and cutting it |
to point in the center.
:. In case a blister is formed |
while on the march, open the edge
of the blister with the point OF a |
knife or a needle that has been
heated in a match fame. Be sure |
to queeze all the fluid out of the
blister. To leave any in It may make |
1t worse. Do not pull off the loose |
skin but press it back. Then put |
skin well beyond the edges Of the |
blister, putting 1t on as tightly as
possible without wrinkles. In the |
same way put an adhesive plaster |
over any red or tender spots.
8. In case any tendons become in
famed or swollen Casually due to |
lacing the Logging or shoe too tightly |
or to some other unnecessary pres
sure), soak the foot in cold water,
massage the tendon, and protect II |
as much as possible by strips of |
adhesive plaster. You should report |
to a medical oficer as your first |
opportunity to make sure that the |
trouble does not grow worse.
Don't Drink Too Much.
One sign of a green soldier is his
tendency to drink too much water
while on long march.
Another sign OF a green soldier is
a carelessby adjusted pack or any
other equipment not neatly and Sc
curely fastened. Your comfort on the
march depends very largely on the
care and judgment used in get
ting ready. All your equipment has
been, so designed that it need not
interfere with the free movement OF
your arms and legs. Your pack
should be strapped to your back in
such a way that you can stand erect
and breathe freely. There should be
no pressure on any of the soft parts
Of the body.
At the first halt # is we'll to re-
adjust the pack or any part af the
equipment not entirely comfortable.
II your shoes or leggings are laced
too tightly, this is the time to loosen
them.
A cheerful attitude is one of the
best aids to a soldier on a trying
march. Singing and whistling on the