Macon beacon., 1917-09-21
CLEANLINESS IN CAMP.

Nhen large numbers Of men are as
SemoIed in camp II 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
a hardship They are Il protection. BY
insisting on strict obedience to these
rules, the diseases which once took So
heavy a toll in nearly all military
camps have been brought under CON
troll; some have been practically
eliminated.
Suppose you were asked to make a
choice: either to live under conditions
IN winch smallpox, typhoid fever diar-
rhea, dySentery and cholera flourish
or To live under strict regulations,
which make these diseases far more
OF a rarity in military than in civil
life. Your good sense would lead you
to choose the latter Bear this in mind,
See TO II that you cooperate with en-
thuslaSm In the measures that will be
taken to keep your camps clean, com
Portable and healthful.
one of the pests of camp life, If
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. This is because flies carry
disease germs. They feed on manure
garbage, uncovered food, human eX-
creta 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"
Cor 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 Mt
tract flies or other insects. At least
once day squad will be detailed
to 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 It's Importance.
The best safeguards against disease,
either In the army or out of It, are
soap and sunshine. You will be re-
quired to keep everything In the camp
well scrubbed and well aired. II It
were not required, you would doubtless
be anxious to do 1t, 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. If
in temporary camps or at any other
time you cannot obtain bath, give
good stiff rub with dry
towel. Twice week, or oftener N
necessary, your shirts, drawers and
socks should be washed and fresh un.
1erclothes put on. In case 1t is neces-
sary to sleep in your underwear. as II !
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
IF the body. This will be made easier
f you keep your hair cut short.
The teeth should be brushed at least
'nce a day; twice day is better.
Neglectng this practice will cause de.
'ay Of the teeth, resulting in failure to
'hew food thoroughly and probably
'ading in stomach troubles.
Cleanliness includes also the prac.
ice Of emptying your bowels at least
'nce day. Get into the habit of
lolng this at certain time each
morning.
The medical corps Of the army and
our own officers will use every means
within their power to safeguard and
your general health Within
ecent years better methods Of medical
upervision have greatly reduced the
osses and the disabilities due to war.
are.
The increased power Of weapons has
zen more than met by increased ef-
cheney in maintaining the health OF
roops and in caring for those who
re wounded
But the responsibility for keeping
ourself in good health cannot rest
holly upon your officers. Just as In
ivil life, you are expected to use a
easonable amount Of good sense in
poking after yourself You viii do
his partly because II adds to your own
omf0rt and safety. You will take care
yourself, also because II Is a duty
nat every soldier owes TO the country. d
You will have plenty Of fresh air
xerclse and good food, which are after
Il the chief essentials Of good health. !
should be comparatively easv l.