The herald., 1917-11-08


, helligereut armies II is. in
deed, map of an invasion Of
the United States, but II is
not a military invasion.
The cOlored pins show the
invasion OF armies OF disease
throughout the various states. and each
color denotes II 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
or the United States public health de-
partment, and the pins are moved
about as the germ armies advance or
retreat
At single glance II 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 n 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 he
carried or conveyed in any manner
from one person or place 10 another.
At the training stations the men arc
kept under observation for days until
il * practically certain that they are
not carriers of infection.
The conditions under which the men
live once they are in the navy are CON
ducivc To health, and 1t is not easy
for a disease To start and gain foot
hold, but transmlttable diseases do not
get into the navy from the outside.
Wherever great numbers of young men
live together they are liable TO cpl
denies, but these diseases are quickly
Isolated and taken care of.
1t 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 home where
the parents do not believe in vaccina-
tons" from town where the author
tiles think II unnecessary TO Quaran-
tine contagious case, etc. Thus u
youth whose little sister or brother
has measles or scarlet fever and who
may carry the disease Is allowed to go
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 1t. 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
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
II Is possible to give to the army In
the field. Then there is no possibility
for the men to go outside and cut Il
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- |
It's are not allowed to enlist. If any |
plude the vigilance Of the examining
surgeons they are dismissed from the |
service. Clean teeth. clean bodies and |
clean habits are rigidly enforced.
The water on board ship IL Of the
purest, because II Is distilled water.
Frequent tests are made by the med
cal officers to insure Its freedom from
II should give advice to the young
men entering the navy as to their
,ealth II would be:
Keep clean, wash frequently. eat
The navy fare and do not stuff yourself
With rich. unwholesOme food when
'ou 20 ashore.