Military hygiene : a manual of sanitation for soldiers / by R.H. Firth.

Firth, R. H. (Robert Hammill), Sir, 1858-1931.

Date:: 1908

Catalogue details

Licence: In copyright

Credit: Military hygiene : a manual of sanitation for soldiers / by R.H. Firth. Source: Wellcome Collection.

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increased strain or work on the heart itself, which is nothing but a mass of muscle undergoing continuous rhythmic contractions and dilations. No advantage can accrue by teaching soldiers to be good acrobats or slow heavy-weight lifters. Activity, good powers of marching and endurance are the quali- ties w^hich should be cultivated. There is no rapid method of making a man capable of withstanding pro- longed exertion; he must be well fed, and his work must be tempered to his habits. The smoker and man who indulges in alcohol cannot, other things being equal, get into condition so quickly as the non-smoker and abstainer; therefore the training of the soldier, who in most instances is neither a non-smoker nor an abstainer, must be gradual and of a mild character. The whole of the physical training, including “ running drill,” must be carried on under the supervision of instructors who have at least a working knowledge of elementary physiology. Such training should not take place before breakfast, and should be limited strictly to one hour a day. Moreover, no recruit should begin physical training until he has one month’s service. ]3y this time he will have been well fed and accus- tomed to his new life. The recruits should be passed from a lower to a higher squad individually. Above all things it must be understood that the object of true physical training is not to develop large muscles, but to accustom the heart and lungs to sustained effort. All the muscles of the body, including those of the heart and lungs, should be exercised equally, taking care that no one muscle is overworked. The exercises should be changed at frequent intervals, with suitable

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