Trench and camp. [volume] (Augusta, Ga.) 1917-1919, 1918-02-20
General Gorgas' Rules For Health

Surgeon General Gorgas has given
Trench and Camp permission to print the
following rules for health which APP
peared in the Army and Navy News:
ONE.
CIeanliness.-Keep your person and
your clothing in a clearly condition.
Bathing not only removes dirt and germs
from the skin, but also promotes the
physiologic function of the skin. A daily
bath with soap and warm water is de-
sirable. In the field, where daily bathing
may not be practicable, bath should
be taken whenever conditions are ia
vorable, and the arm pits, crotch, geni-
tails and feet. at least, should be cleansed
daily. The hands should be well washed
before each meal and after going to the
latrnes; this is required by army regu-
lations. The teeth should be cleansed
on arising and before retiring, ana II
practicable after each meal also. II your
teeth are in bad condition consult the
dentist promptly. Bad teeth cause many
troubles besides tooth ache.
The Undertaking should be changed
at least twice week, and if laundries
are not available should be washed by
the soldier himself and carefully dried in
the sun. The Bedding should be aired
and summed daily if practicable.
TWO.
fresh air, both by dav and by night, is
essential to health Particular care
should be taken to see that sleeping
rooms are we'll ventilated at night. Cold
air and drafts rarely if ever cause sick
ness, but lack tof ventilation and close
contact of Sleepers are very prone to
cause the development and spread of
such diseases as colds, tonsilitis, bron-
chitis, tuberculosis, pneumonia and men
nights.
Rest and Exercise.--IGXerciSe and rest
are essential for health. Soldiers whose
duties are of a sedentary nature should
make special effort to take regular exer-
else daily. Most soldiers in the field or
in training get plenty of exercise, Rest
is quite as important as exercise, and
late hours tend to impair health. Young
men require more sleep than older ones,
and for most persons eight hours is
necessary
9 Keep Your Things for Yoursef.-Do
not exchange with your comrades your
smoking articles, towels. toilet articles.
clothing bedding, eating utensils, must
cal instruments. played with the mouth.
etc. Pipes, cigars, drinking cups tooth
brushes and wind instruments, if passed
about from man to man, may spread
such diseases as pneumonia, tonslitis
meningitis. syphilis, and tuberculosis
(consumption). Skin diseases, syphilis
lice, gonorrhea and smallpox may be
spread by interchanging towels, brushes
ding and clothing are especially likely to
transmit body lice.
FIVE.
Care of the Fset.-Care of the feet is
one of the most important duties of the
soldier especially on the march. Wooden
socks should always be worn for march
ing. They must be sufficiently large. yet
not large enough to form wrinkles.
Darned socks or socks with holes in them
are unsuitable for long marches. Shoes
should be of ample size The foot powder
furnished by the Medical Department of
the Army should be used in the shoes
sions and blisters on the feet should be
promptly brought to the attention of the
medical officer. The feet should be
washed daily, as soon as possible on COM
ing into camp, and fresh socks should
be put on, those that have been worn
for the march being washed The toe
nails should be kept short and cut
straight across. not rounded at the cor
ners