48 MANUAL FOU NOKCOlOriSSIONED OFFICERS. 



No. 2G. War Department, 1912, a copy of which should be on 

 liand in each company.) 



Do not start out on a march wearing new shoes. This is a 

 frequent cause of sore feet. New shoes should be properly 

 l)r()ken in before beginning a march by wearing them for 

 several hours daily for a week before the nuirch, and they 

 slioukl be adapted to the contours of the feet by stretching them 

 with shoe stretcliers with adjustable knobs to take the pres- 

 sure off painful corns and bunions. Such stretchers are issued 

 by the Quartermaster Corps, and there should be one or more 

 l>aJr in every company of infantry. Should this be impracti- 

 cable, then the following is suggested : 



The soldier stands in bis new shoes in about 2i inches of 

 v.'ater for abo\it five minutes until the leather is thoroughly 

 pliable and moist; he should then walk for about an hour on 

 a level surface, letting the shoes dry on his feet, to the irregu- 

 larities of which the leather is thus molded in the same way 

 as it was previously molded over the shoe last. On taking 

 the shoes off a very little neat's-foot oil should be rubbed into 

 the leather to prevent its hardening and cracking. 



If it is desired to waterproof shoes at any time, a considerable 

 amount of neat's-foot oil should be rubbed into the leather. 

 Waterproof leather causes the feet ofc some men to perspire 

 unduly and keeps them constantly soft. 



Liglit woolen or heavy woolen socks will habitually be worn 

 for ninrching. Cotton socks will not be worn unless specifically 

 ordered, by the surgeon. The socks will be large enough to per- 

 nn't free movement of the toes, but not so loose as to permit of 

 wrinkling. Darned socks, or socks with holes in them, will not 

 be worn in marching. 



Until the feet have hardened they should be dusted with foot 

 powder, which can be obtained at the regimental infirmary, 

 before each day's march. Clean socks should be worn daily. 



A.S soon as possible after reaching camp after a day of march- 

 ing the feet should be washed with soap and water, and the 

 soldier should put on a dry pair of socks and his extra pair of 

 shoes from his surplus kit. If the skin is tender, or the feet 

 perspire, wash with warm salt water or nlnm uater. but do not 

 soak the feet a long time, as this, although very comforting at 



