Trench and camp. ([Admiral, Md.) 1917-1919, 1918-02-06
Aadass In Trenches
Must Take Special
Care OF Their Feet

20 Important as cartridges. haAd
gfenades and bombs to the fighting
man going into the trenches. The
idea Of occupying trenches 10 to 60
over tina top. A man cannot do much
running over the top or anywhere
else without his feet. His feet will
DO moro OF q liability than an asset
II hs does mot take good care Of them
In the trenches.
So many cases of trench feet"
haEs been reported to the French and
British military authorities that spe-
cial orders have been issued on the
care OF the feet. Similar orders will
be Issued TO the American soldiers
destined to take their places In the
trenches beside the French and
BrftiAh.
Here are the orders issued to the
British army In France for the pre-
venfion OF chilled feet and frost bite:
Prevention of chilled feet and
frostbite.-These conditions caused
by: Prolonged standing in cold
water or mud; the continued wear
ing OF wet socks, boots and put
tees. They are brought on much
more rapidly when the blood cir
culation in the feet and legs is in
terfered with by the use Of tight
boots. tight puttees, or the wear
ing Of anything calculated to cause
construction OF the lower limbs.
49, They can be prevented or d.
mintshed by: Improvements to
trenches leading to dry standing
and warmth: by reducing the time
spent IN the trenches as far as the
military situation permits; by regi-
mental arrangements insuring
that. 90 far az ia possible. men en-
ter the trenches warmly clad in
dry socks, boots, trousers and put
teen, and with the skin well rubbed
with whale oil or anti-froetbit
greases; by provisions of warm
food In the trenches when pos
sible: by movement, when posi-
bic. % as to maintain blood circu-
latiOns by the provisions of
warmth, shelter. hot food and ia
[ cilit1es for washing the feet and
drying wet clothes for men leaving
the trenches.
Officers Responsible
I'm order to minimize the prev
alence Of chilled feet and frostbite
commanding officers will be held
responsible that the following In
structi0ns are to be carried out
unremitt1ngly and under the strict
est supervision: Before entering
the trenches feet and legs win be
washed and dried. then well
rubbed with whale oil or anti-frost-
bife grease and dry socks put on.
It % 0e the utmost importance that
whale OIL or anti-frogtbite grease
should not merely be applied, but
thoeoughly rubbed In. until the
skin b dry. Unless the precaution
70 svstsmAGically carried out the
oil and grease become I'm q great
measure v1lueless. A second pair
Of dry socks viii he carried by each
man and, where possible, battalion
arrangements will be made for the
socks 30 be dried and reissued dur
ing each tour of duty In the
trenches. While In the trenches
boots and socks will be taken OF
from time to time. IL circumstances
permit. the feet dried. well rubbed
and dry socks put on. On NO &C
count VIII hot water be used or
the feet held near a fire.
Where possible, hot food will
be provided during tours Of duty
in the trenches. Where circum-
stances admit, long gum boots will
be put on while the mems feet are
dry, before entering wet trenches,
in order that men start their tour
Of duty with dry feet. When gum
boots are worn it is well to support
the socks by some form of fasten-
ing, such as safety pin, to pre-
vent them from working down I'M
der the heel. On no account will
anything in the form of a garter
be worn.
Foot Washing Necessary
"Under brigade arrangements,
provision will be made for the
washing and drying of feet in re-
serve billets, for the exchanging of
wet socks for dry ones, and IL DOS
sible, the sending of the latter to
the trenches, and for drying and
brushing clothes. Steps will be
taken to ensure that men make
use Of these arrangements.
Long gum boots are being is
sued to the fullest extent OF the
supply available, and every effort
will be made to procure all that
: are necessary for men holding
water-logged trenches.
Long gum boots are solely for the
H.