The Twin City star. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1910-19??, 1917-10-27

1
belligerent armies. It Is, in
deed, q map Of an invasion of
the United States, but 1t is
not military Invasion.
| The colored pins show the
Invasion Of armies Of disease
throughout the various states, and each
color denotes different contagious
disease, such as measles, scarlet fever,
smallpox, meningitis and the like, as
these diseases come first from the fOci
In the civilian population.
Every day come reports from officers
Of the United States public health de-
| partment, and the pins are moved
about as the germ armies advance or
retreat.
At single glance it can be told just
what diseases are prevalent or pres
ent in any part of the country.
Let us say, for instance, that this
map shows number Of cases Of
meningitis In Kansas. The examining
officers are informed through the pub
lie health reports, and all applicants
for enlistment in the navy from the
affected district are watched for symp-
toms Of prevailing diseases. The same
Is true Of every disease which can be
carried or conveyed in any manner
from one person or place to another.
At the training stations the men are
kept under observation for days until
it is practically certain that they are
not carriers of infection.
The conditions under which the men
live once they are in the navy are con-
ducive to health, and it is not easy
for disease to start and gain foot
hold, but transmittable diseases do not
get into the navy from the outside.
Wherever great numbers Of young men
live. together they are liable 10 cpl
denies, but these diseases are Quickly
isolated and taken care of.
It should be remembered that in
peace times epidemics of disease are
extremely rare in the navy, and the
deaths are too few to attract atten-
ton. When, however, at the outbreak
| of war hundreds Of young civilians, as
newly enlisted recruits, are brought
together from all parts Of the country
and intimately associated, epidemics
do occur. The boy from a home where
the parents do not believe In vaccina-
tions," from town where the author
tiles think 1t unnecessary to Quaran-
tine contagious case, etc. Thus a
youth whose little sister or brother
has measles or scarlet fever and who
may carry the disease is allowed to 60
away and enlist and in time he endan-
gers hundreds of others.
In great many ways the men them
selves can better their health and
maintain it. These ways are shown to
them, and many are required by the
discipline of the navy.
In the first place, the bulk Of the
navy is at sea. Nothing certainly could
be better to breathe than the pure
sea air. The quarters In which the
men live are scrupulously clean. The
ventilation is good and the food plain
but wholesome.
Expert dietitians have agreed upon.
the navy rations. and the men are as
sured of enough to eat to maintain
their strength and health. Cold stor-
age facilities and the great quantities
of food which can be carried on board
ship make navy fare perhaps more
varied and agreeable than that which
it Is possible to give to the army In
the field. Then there Is no possibility
for the men to 60 outside and eat
lot Of things for which their palates
yearn but which upset the stomach.
A certain amount Of prescribed ex-
ercise must be INDUCED in every day.
This keeps the men in condition and
builds up their strength.
Personal cleanliness Is required OF
every man in the navy. His clothing
and body are frequently inspected.
Men with unpleasant or unhealthy hab-
its are not allowed to enlist. If any
elude the vigilance of the examining
surgeons they are dismissed from the
service. Clean teeth, clean bodies and
clean habits are cigidly enforced.
The water on board ship Is of the
purest, because 1t Is distilled water.
FREQUENT tests sre made by the med
ical officers to insure its freedom from
| contamination.
If I should give advice to the young
men entering the navy as to their
health 1t would be:
keep clean, wash frequently, eat
the navy fare and do not stuff yourself
with rich, unwholesome food when
you 20 ashore.