The Daily Missoulian. [volume] (Missoula, Mont.) 1904-1961, 1917-07-08

Rockies Feet Become Sore
During the Unaccustomed
Marches and Tape and
Powder Make for Comfort

San Francisco.-Drug stores in the
vicinity of the Reserve Officers
Training camp here are doing what
Is Familiarity termed n land office bus
mess.
The period Of short. sharp marches
Is on, and there are many and severe
inspections of feet. Yards Of adhe-
sive tape are disappearing with amaz-
ing speed from the drug store shelves
while talcum powder is being sold
pound after pound. The feet of ev-
cry man are examined before the
march, and the tapping and powdering
process begins at that time. If there
is any indica ion of wear at the end
of the march the pedal extremities of
the rockies are given another plaster
Of tape and shower OF powder
In view of the big demand the COM
misSary tents have been well stocked
with everything that will make march
ing easier and yet not baby" the
feet of the rookie. The officers have
no desire to make a mans feet so soft
by treatment that he viii be unable
to stand up under a sustained march.
On the other hand the slightest bruise
or scratch is given close attention.
and properly reinforced with tape and
powder.
The inspection Of feet is one of the
amusing features of camp life, but the
rockies realize the seriousness that is
behind It. for battles, they are told by
Major Edward l.. Massee and the other
experts on marching at the camp,
are won BY the side that can keep its
feet as well as its head.
Colonel +. W. Sladen. commandant
at the camp, is a stickler for perfect
feet, and on that account the exami
nations OF these marching essentials
are usually severe Rockies having q
leaning toward tender feet are nursed
for this particular ailmcnt. II Their
feet do not become hard under thf
process they are liberated from furthe,
duty until sent to their homes. corns
and callouses are strictly taboo, unless
in the opinion of the medical exam
inerS these defects do not interfere
with the marching quality of the man
The inspection of feet has as i'm
portant /: place in the Reserve Off
GERS Training camp, as the inspection
of firearms and other equipment. one
OF the most frequent things the CAM
doctors have to do is to ascertain
where the shoe pinches, and then doc
tor the pinch. And in order to obviat'
as much foot trouble as possible thu
rookie is made to wear Il shoe that il
a size larger than the shoe he woul,
wear in piping times of peace.
The socks must also be of a max
that will not irritate or overhead tn
feet. One of the principal things tn
camp doctors have TO combat
"scalded" feet, or feet which, although
otherwise. hardy. become infame
when forced to certain kinds of worn
Several rockies whose feet passed sue
cessfully in the initial examination
are finding out that good looking an
good wearing pedal cXtremities ar
sometimes vastly ditferen..
AS IL consequence of this close atten
ton to feet the Red Cross and othe
organizations making outfits for sol
diers are being instructed to abid
closely by the government regulation
on socks, and other foot and le
equipment.
The throngs Of hare-footed me
lined up for inspection in compan
formation present an odd sight, bt
certainly show the good effect of thi
scrutiny when they march.