quired. In general, however, it will be found desirable to apply a small amount of oil from time to time.

It is not practicable, owing to different conditions of climate and service, to prescribe the frequency of oiling. It has been found that during the first few months of use a set of new leather equipment should be given at least two applications of oil per month. Thereafter it is entirely a matter of judgment as indicated by the appearance and pliability of the leather. Frequent light applications of oil are more valuable than occasional heavy applications.

The necessity for a light application of oil before use, when new equipment is received, is that leather frequently remains a considerable period of time in storage in an arsenal, thus drying out. Upon issue of the equipment this oil should be immediately replaced. As new equipment is clean, no application of soap is necessary. All that is necessary is that the leather be slightly moistened, and that the oil be lightly and quickly applied.

As far as practicable the oil should be applied on the flesh side, as it penetrates much more readily from this side than from the grain side. Leather which has been cleaned should still be damp, or about "halfway" at the time of oiling.

The oil should be applied with a rag or with cotton waste moistened in it to prevent an excess being used. The use of an excess of oil will do the leather no injury, but it will continually ooze out and will soil clothing. The tendency is to use too much oil; about 1 ounce is enough for a set of harness.

After leather equipment is oiled it should, if possible, remain in a warm, dry place for 24 hours, and then be rubbed thoroughly with a coarse cloth to remove any unabsorbed oil. The following cautions should be observed:

Keep the leather clean.

Keep leather pliable by frequent light applications of oil. Use only materials furnished by the Ordnance Department. Shoe polishes, etc., are almost invariably injurious.

Dry all leather wet from whatever cause in the shade; never in the sun or close to a steam radiator, furnace, or boiler.

Leather should habitually be stored in a cool, dry place, without artificial heat.

In active campaign or on the march, advantage should be taken of such opportunities as the situation affords to keep the equipment out of the mud and protect it from rain, dust, and heat. Racks can be improvised with forked sticks and cross

canvas, a poncho, or a manta affords considerable protection. When shelters are provided for animals and forage, provision should also be made for the horse equipment.

When any of the leather equipment becomes badly worn or is torn or broken, the articles should be turned over to the troop or battery saddler for repairs. Repairs should not be allowed to accumulate but should be made as damages occur.

The saddle is the most expensive article of horse equipment and should not be thrown about or left where horses may step upon it or where it may be otherwise abused. Breast collars should not be subjected to rough treatment, or they may be bent out of shape and rendered unfit for use. Breast collars may be kept in a pliable condition by opening the folds and placing therein a small amount of dubbin as issued, rubbing the folds gently by hand. Too much dubbin should not be used.

All metal parts, except bits and spurs, need ordinarily only to be wiped clean with a cloth slightly moistened in oil; they are purposely issued dark, and it is desired that they be kept in that condition. The use of warm water on the bits, stirrups, or similar portions to remove hardened saliva, sweat, mud, etc., is frequently advantageous. The bit, chain, and spurs may also be polished, but all dark metal should be cleaned and oiled only, and should never be attacked with corroding agents.

WEB AND CLOTH EQUIPMENT

122. Brush the cloth equipment thoroughly to remove all dust and mud before washing. Spread the blanket, belt, etc., on a clean board or rock and apply the soap solution with a scrub brush. When a good lather appears, wash off with clear water.

The saddle blanket should be kept clean and soft and free from wrinkles. In campaign and on the march saddle blankets should be thoroughly brushed at least once daily. They should never be folded wet and left in that condition. When necessary the blanket may be washed as above described, or be cleaned by repeated immersions in tepid soapsuds and hung over a pole or line to dry, without wringing or pressing.

AMMUNITION

123. It is highly important that all ammunition be kept dry and free from dirt under all circumstances. In storage it should be in a dry, closed room or building. Containers should be at least 3 inches off the floor and there should be an air

except as contents are to be used. When the contents of a broken container are not all used at a firing, this ammunition will be the first used at the next firing.

Any ammunition taken to home stations from field training, and not used before the next field camp, will be taken to camp and be the first used in that period. A new supply will be requisitioned and taken to home station each year. (See also N. G. R. 76 and 85.)

The instructor should familiarize himself with the plates in the Training Regulations, in connection with this text, before giving instruction. The references to plates are retained in the body of the text to facilitate such preparation.

PRELIMINARY

124. Importance of individual training.—As most of the firstaid work in war under present conditions will be done by the individual soldier acting alone and not by a squad of two or more men, it is important that his training should be largely individual and such as will develop self-reliance and resourcefulness.

125. Object of teaching first aid.-The object of any teaching upon first air or early assistance of the injured or sick is not only to enable one person to help another, but in some measure to help himself. The purpose of these directions is to show how this may be done with simple means and by simple methods. It is a mistake to think that you must know many things to be helpful, but you must understand a few things clearly in order to assist the patient in a severe case until he can be seen by the surgeon or those who are thoroughly trained. In ordinary cases what you can do is often all that may be necessary. These short instructions are intended for application anywhere at a military post, in camp, or under any circumstances of ordinary life, but, as the wounds received in battle are the most important to the soldier, it is the more necessary that he should know what to expect there and what to do for himself and others.

The kind of wounds incurred is governed by the character of warfare and the variety and amount of armament being employed by the contending forces. Under certain conditions large

wounds from shell or shrapnel may predominate, sometimes amounting to 70 per cent of the total; on the other hand, the majority of wounds may be caused by small-arms missiles. Comparatively few wounds are inflicted by saber or bayonet.

126. General instructions.-As a further foreword the following points may be brought out in a general way for the guidance of those who may be called upon to render first aid to the injured.

a. Keep cool.

b. Don't get excited.

c. Examine his injury.

d. Be gentle don't handle a wounded man roughly.

e. Do not try to do too much.

f. A Medical Department man is usually available and should be found as soon as possible to care for the case.

g. In this connection the importance of warmth may be emphasized in the case of injured men.

(1) If a severely wounded man is not kept warm he will probably die.

(2) After you have cared for the man's injury be sure to keep him warm.

(3) Fill canteens with hot water and place under his armpits and between his legs; always outside of his clothing, in order to obviate the danger of causing painful burns or scalds.

(4) Wrap him in blankets or other warm covering that may be available.

(5) If he has not been shot through the abdomen or chest, give him hot tea, hot chocolate, or hot coffee, or, if none of these are available, plain hot water if you have any means of providing it.

(6) Place him on a litter and carry him to a dugout or other place of safety and send one man for litter bearers. (Do not carry a wounded man to the rear unless told to do so by an officer; such work is the duty of the litter bearers.)

GENERAL INSTRUCTIONS AND RULES

127. Deimer's first-aid rules (modified).-a. Never touch a wound with anything unclean-dirty fingers, nondisinfected bandages, dirty water, etc. It may cause inflammation, ulceration, or blood poisoning.

b. Expose the wound by removing the covering article of dress, which contains many impurities. Unbutton or cut clothes and