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(1) To load from the near side. (Pl. 23.)

The patient, having been lifted, is carried to the horse, patient's body parallel to that of the horse and close to its side, his head toward the horse's tail. He is then carefully raised and carried over the horse until his seat reaches the saddle, when he is lifted into position. One man goes to the offside and puts the patient's right foot into the stirrup. One man puts the left foot in the stirrup. (Pl. 24.)

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(2) To unload, the patient's feet are disengaged from the stirrups and his right leg swung over the pommel, one man going to the offside for the purpose and then resuming his post at the left side. The patient is brought to a horizontal position, gently lifted over the saddle, and carried backward until free of the horse, when the squad halts and lowers patient.

(3) The patient, once mounted, should be made as safe and comfortable as possible. A comrade may be mounted behind him and guide the horse; otherwise a lean-back may be provided, made of a blanket roll, a pillow, or a bag filled with leaves or grass. If the patient be very weak, the lean-back may

be made of a sapling, bent into an arch over the cantle of the saddle, its ends securely fastened, or some framework, to which the patient is bound.

f. The travois.—The travois is a vehicle intended for transporting the sick or wounded when the use of wheeled vehicles or other means of transportation is impracticable. It consists of two long poles, one end of which is attached to the side of a horse, like a shaft, while the other end drags on the ground. Behind the horse, crossbars extend between these poles, holding them parallel and affording support for a patient.

A travois may be improvised by cutting poles about 16 feet long and 2 inches in diameter at the small end. These poles are laid parallel to each

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other, large ends to the front, and 22 feet apart; the small ends about 3 feet apart, and one of them projecting about 8 or 10 inches beyond the other. The poles are connected by a crossbar about 6 feet from the front ends and another about 6 feet back of the first, each notched at its ends and securely lashed at the notches of the poles. Between the crosspieces the litter bed, 6 feet long, is filled in with canvas, blanket, etc., securely fastened to the poles and crossbars, or with rope, lariat, rawhide, strips, etc., stretching obliquely from pole to pole in many turns, crossing each other to form the basis for a light mattress or an improvised bed; or a litter may be made fast between the poles to answer the same purpose. The front ends of the poles are then securely fastened to the saddle of the animal. A breast strap and

traces should, if possible, be improvised and fitted to the horse. On the march the bearers should be ready to lift the rear end of the travois when passing over obstacles, crossing streams, or going uphill.

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1. Duties of instructor.-The instructor explains briefly each movement, first executing it himself. He requires the recruits to take the proper positions unassisted and does not touch them for the purpose of correction, except when they are unable to correct themselves. He avoids keeping the recruits too long at any movement. Each movement should, however, be understood before passing to another. The instructor exacts by degrees the desired precision and uniformity.

2. Grouping recruits.--a. To permit of more individual instruction, recruits are separated into groups, each group being as small as is consistent with the number of trained instructors available. Each group is then divided into two ranks, or is formed in single rank, depending upon the number of men in the group and the nature of the instruction.

b. As instruction progresses, the recruits are grouped according to proficiency, those showing a lack of aptitude and quickness being separated from the others and placed under the most experienced drill masters.

(NOTE-See pages 113-14 for explanation of commands.)

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3. Position of the soldier, or, of attention.-a. Heels on the same line and as near each other as the conformation of the man permits. b. Feet turned out equally and forming an angle of 45°.

Plate 1.-Position of the soldier, or, of attention.

c. Knees straight without stiffness.

d. Hips level and drawn back slightly; body erect and resting equally on hips; chest lifted and arched; shoulders square and falling equally.

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