Health memoranda for soldiers.

  • British Army
Date:
[1939]
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: Health memoranda for soldiers. Source: Wellcome Collection.

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    If wet boots are placed before a fire they will be damaged. It is well to remember, especially on service, that boots can be dried without damage by putting some dried straw or woollen material inside or around them, and then holding them before a fire, but at some distance from it. In order to soften the leather of the military boot, the boot _ should be first soaked in water. When the leather has become soft from absorbed water, it should be dried with a cloth, and afterwards smeared with grease, and then placed in the sun or at some distance from a fire. Greasing should be repeated at frequent intervals. Underclothes as well as overclothes may be made cleaner by shaking, brushing, and exposure to the sun and air. This is nearly always possible even when washing cannot be managed, as on the line of march or in camp, when water may be difficult to get for washing purposes. When possible, however, under- clothing should be washed weekly, or oftener, if necessary. Care of the Teeth The decay of teeth is usually caused by particles of food becoming attached to the surfaces of the teeth or lodging between adjacent teeth. These particles putrefy and acid forms which eats into the teeth substance, so commencing the decay. In order to avoid this it is necessary to keep the teeth as clean as possible. The grinding action of the teeth on hard food cleans them to a certain extent, but it is not enough; you must use a tooth brush. The latter article is included as part of a soldier’s kit, and should not only be kept for its proper purpose—that is, brushing the teeth—but conscientiously and regularly used. A new tooth brush should be soaked in water for some hours before use, to clean it and soften the bristles. Hard bristles injure the gums. To clean the teeth the mouth should be rinsed with water, a small amount of tooth-powder or tooth-paste put on the brush, and the teeth (both back and front) brushed on all surfaces, particular attention being paid to the spaces between the teeth. An “up and down ”’ action will remove particles from between