SEXUAL INDULGENCE is a matter to be handled tactfully, but with absolute frankness.  Men should be taught that it is not a matter of necessity; that their health will not suffer by any lack of it; that they themselves will be the sufferers for any violations of rules of health.  The procedure directed by the War Department for purposes of combatting infection is as follows: 

1.  That physical inspections of enlisted men be made twice each month for the detection of venereal disease.

2.  That any soldier who exposes himself to infection shall report for cleansing and preventive treatment immediately upon return to camp or garrison.

3.  That any soldier who fails so to report, if found to be suffering from a venereal infection, shall be brought to trial by court martial for neglect of duty.

4.  That men so infected shall be confined strictly to the limits of the post during the infectious stages of the disease.

5.  That all officers serving with troops shall do their utmost to encourage healthful exercises and physical recreation and to supply opportunities for cleanly social and interesting mental occupations for the men under their command.

6.  That company and medical officers shall take advantage of favorable opportunities to point out the misery and disaster that follow upon moral uncleanliness; and the fact that venereal disease is never a trivial affair.

With a great many men these precautions and measures will not be necessary but for the sake of those who are ignorant or neglectful, proper steps should at all times be taken.

EXERCISE.—­A sufficient amount of exercise to maintain health is ordinarily provided by military drills and other duties requiring active movement.  But this should be regarded only as the minimum of exercise; athletic work should be encouraged (and this will be done by the present activities of those “higher up"); bayonet training will be found an excellent medium of accomplishing a double purpose; calisthenics should be short but snappy and vigorous.  A vigorous policy of an officer as regards things of this sort will ward off a great many minor ills and particularly “colds,” which are often the result of poor ventilation.

CLEANLINESS OF SURROUNDINGS.—­Men should be taught that cleanliness of surroundings is not merely for purposes of inspection; but that it is absolutely necessary where a great number of men are living together in close quarters.  Quarters should be well policed; the company street should be kept clean; refuse of all sorts should be kept in receptacles provided for that purpose and frequently removed.  A police squad appointed daily should be charged with this work, and the corporal of the same made responsible for the condition of quarters and the company street.

PREVENTABLE DISEASES.—­Men should be given a certain amount of theoretical knowledge of preventable diseases.  These matters will be taken care of to a large extent by the Medical Corps; but men should be taught just what precautions are necessary to avoid recourse to the hospital.