Evening star., 1925-08-23
GUARDSMEN GAIN
IN HEALTH IN CAMP
Maj. Allen, in Experiments on
D. C. Contingent, Proves
Work Is Beneficial.
BY WILLIAM j. WHEATLEY.
Staff Correspondent of The Star.

VIRGINIA BEACH, Va, August
o2.-Strengthening of the stamina of
the youth of the District of Columbia
weakened by the ordinary habits of
present-day living and working, can
be brought about by enlistment Of the
young men for hitch in the National
Guard of the District of Columbia
according to Maj. George ]. Allen,
commanding the medical detachment
pf the 12lSt Regiment of Engineers
N camp here.
Maj. Allen, for the past two years,
he informed The Stars representa-
tive tonight. has used the personnel
of the 121St Regiment of Engineers
for laboratory subjects as a basis for
reaching conclusions in a medical
study, which would determine some
method of catching the weakening
race and returning it to the virile
manhood of its forefathers, who
fought for the nation as these young
men in camp here are training to
fight.
Detailed records have been kept of
each man as he enlists in the 121st
Regiment of Engineers and Maj. AL
len has required each man to report
at frequent intervals to the hospital
in the armOry for a detailed anatomi-
cal study. Each recruit has been
questioned as to his methods of living,
and the changing conditions have
been checked up to determine the inn
provement which in every case has
been found. Every year before going
to camp each individual member of
the regiment has been weighed in, his
living and eating watched in camp and
when the regiment returns next Sun
day each member again will be
weighed before he is dismissed and
given a physical examination, for the
purpose of compiling the records on
which Maj. Allen hopes to base some
profitable conclusions.
Such deductions as Maj. Allen has
been able TO make from his yet un-
completed study, which already has
covered several years. place the seat
of much of the loss of virility on gas
tronomic disturbances due to present
day living. So far. Maj. Allen said,
the records show that the men with
military training aCClimate themselves
quickly to camp environment and suf-
fer very little from gastronomic dis
turbances or slight colds usually found
following sudden changes in environ
ment, food and water.
On the other hand. he continued. the
study has shown that green recruits
complained most of colds and gastric
disturbances for the first three or
four days in camp, after which charts
show a curve of marked gains in
weight and postural correction. Reg
ularity of food. sleep and work of
Is days in a Summer encampment,
he said, is a simple means of prolong-
ing life and making a better, health
Ter, happier and more useful citizen
of the city'S young men.
"Over a period of several years."
said Maj. Allen, Il have made a close
observation and examination of every
member of the 121st Regiment. There
are innumerable cases of men who en-
tered the Guard complaining of func-
tional gastric disorders, showing un-
derweight and postural deformity due
TO occupation and living, who have
been completely cured during the
period of their first enlistmments.'
Troops were tumbled hurriedly out
of their mess shacks at the evening
meal tonight, to fight a fire which
burned a tent in Company Els street
Due to the rapidity with which the
troops responded to the alarm. the
destruction of the whole tented city,
threatened by the heavy wind which
carried the burning bits of canvas
throughout the camp, was prevented,
and the damage was confined to the
total destruction of one tent, and the
guns and personal equipment of the
soldiers. The fire was discovered by
Staff Sergt. George Reinbold, who
gave the alarm. The first bucket bri-
gade to answer the call was headed