4.0.36.8 - ARTICLE XXVIII. HOSPITAL STEWARDS. 279. There shall be one Hospital Steward for each military post, and the Secretary of War may appoint from the enlisted men of the Army, or cause to be enlisted, as 98.84 many Hospital Stewards as the service may require. They shall be graded as 1st, 2d, 62.5 and 3d class, and shall be permanently attached to the Medical Corps, under such regulations as the Secretary of War may prescribe.-[R. S., §§ 1179, 1180, 1181.] 69.85 280. The senior medical officer of a hospital requiring a steward may recommend 76 87a competent non-commissioned officer or soldier to be appointed, which recommendation the commanding officer shall forward to the Adjutant General of the Army, with his remarks thereon, and with the remarks of the Company Commander. And, as the object of these more permanent appointments is to procure the services of a more competent body of Hospital Stewards, no soldier nor citizen must henceforward be recommended for appointment who is not known to be temperate, honest, and in every way reliable, as well as sufficiently intelligent, and skilled in pharmacy, for the proper discharge of the responsible duties likely to be devolved upon him.-[Regs. 1863, ¶ 1324.] 281. Applications and testimonials of persons desirous of enlisting as Hospital Stewards may be addressed to the Surgeon General.-[Regs. 1863, ¶ 1325.] 282. When necessary, and on the recommendation of the Medical officer, the commanding officer shall detail a soldier to act as Steward. A soldier so detailed, and M. 0.62/g5serving with a command of more than four companies, will be mustered as a Hospital Steward of the second class. When serving with a command of four, or a less number of companies, he will be mustered as a Hospital Steward of the third class. When no competent enlisted man can be obtained, the Medical officer shall report the fact to the Medical Director.-[R. S. § 1181; Regs. 1863, ¶ 1325, and note.] 283. The commanding officer may re-enlist a Hospital Steward at the expiration of his term of service, on the recommendation of the Medical officer.-[Regs. 1863, ¶ 1326.] 284. When a Hospital Steward is discharged, by expiration of service or other cause, a special report of the fact will be made to the Surgeon General by the Medical officer in charge, who will also state the character, efficiency, and capacity of the Steward as far as his knowledge extends.—[ Regs. Med. Dept., ¶ 88. ] 285. Hospital Stewards, whenever stationed in places whence no post return is made to the Adjutant General's Office, or when on furlough, will, at the end of every month, report themselves by letter to the Adjutant General and Surgeon General, as well as to the medical director of the military department in which they may be serving; to each of whom they will also report each new assignment to duty, or change of station ordered in their case, noting carefully the number, date, and source of the order directing the same; they will likewise report monthly when on furlough, to the medical officer in charge of the hospital to which they are attached.-[ Regs. 1863, ¶ 1327.] 286. The accounts of pay, clothing, &c., of Hospital Stewards must be kept by the Medical officers under whose immediate direction they are serving, who shall be responsible for certified statements of such accounts and correct descriptive lists of such Stewards, to accompany them in case of transfer, and for the accuracy of their final statements and certificates of discharge when they are discharged from service.-[Regs. 1863, 1328.] 56 ARTICLE XXIX. VETERINARY SURGEONS OF CAVALRY REGIMENTS. 287. Appointments as Veterinary Surgeons will be confined to the graduates of established and reputable Veterinary schools or colleges. They will be appointed by the Secretary of War, in numbers not to exceed the legal establishment, and only on recommendation from the commanding officer of the regiment, supported by the requi site proofs of learning and skill, and by approval of intermediate commanders.0. 36, 1879.] 288. The visits of inspection and instruction by the Veterinary Surgeons wil made under the direction of the Commanding Generals of Departments and Di ions.-G. O. 36, 1879.] 289. A Veterinary Surgeon is, from time to time, to visit all the companies off regiment to which he belongs; to instruct the Farriers and enlisted men in the pr and humane care of the horse, in order to the prevention and treatment of dise: especially to teach the anatomy and pathology of the foot. He should illustrate instructions by dissections and specimens, to show the nature and uses of all par the horse's foot, and he should also teach the principles and practice of horseshoeir [G. O. 33, 1879.] 290. Veterinary Surgeons are to have free access to the stables, and their suggestions for the care and treatment of horses must be enforced by the authority of the commanding officer.-[G. O. 104, 1868.] 291. Veterinary Surgeons and Farriers should be encouraged to make and preserve collections of specimens obtained from post mortem examinations, illustrating the anatomy and pathology of the horse, in order to popularize and disseminate a kowledge of those importaut subjects in the Army.-[G. O. 36, 1879.] 292. In order to encourage thoroughness and system in the study and treatment of the diseases of the horse, as well as to furnish information regarding the management of the Veterinary Department of the Army, a monthly report of sick and wounded for each company and battery, similar to that adopted by the Medical Department, should be forwarded by Veterinary Surgeons and company Farriers, through the company and post commanders, to the Quartermaster General.—[G. O. 35, 1879.] ARTICLE XXX. PURCHASE AND CARE OF PUBLIC ANIMALS. 293. The following specifications will govern in purchasing horses and mules for the military service:-[G. O. 17, 1876.] Caralry Horses.-To be geldings, of hardy colors, sound in all particulars, in good condition, well broken to the saddle, from fifteen to sixteen hands high, not less than five nor more than nine years old, and suitable in every respect for Cavalry service. Whenever it becomes necessary to purchase the half-breed horses of California or Southern Texas, the standard of height may be reduced to not less than fourteen and a half hands. Artillery Horses.-To be geldings, of hardy colors, sound in all particulars, in good condition, square trotters, well broken to harness, from fifteen to sixteen hands high, not less than five nor more than nine years old, and suitable in every respect for Artillery service. Males.-To be strong, stout, compact animals, sound in all particulars, in good condition, well broken to harness, not under fourteen hands high, not less than four nor more than nine years old, and suitable in every respect for the transportation service of the Army. When work-horses are to be purchased, they should be sound in all particulars, fifteen and one-half hands high and upwards, strong built, well broken to work in harness, not less than four nor more than nine years old. For pack purposes, the standard of height may be reduced to thirteen and a half hands, if the animal be in other respects suitable. The pack mule need not necessarily be broken to harness. 294. For general transportation purposes of the Army, horses cannot be advantageously substituted for mules. For draught purposes in the Northern and Eastern States, and at depots in large cities, and for saddle purposes of wagon-masters, messengers, and expressmen, horses may be advantageously used in place of mules.—[G. 0.37, 1876.] 295. The following weights are suggested as the minimum, except for the halfbreed horses of Texas and Southern California: 296. Cavalry and Artillery officers will report their horses serviceable or unserviceable, on the Monthly Reports, that due advantage may be taken of the best season of the year for the purchase and issue of the necessary remounts.-[ G. O. 109, 1872.] CARE OF PUBLIC ANIMALS. [G. O. 104, 1868; 70, 1880.] 297. A descriptive book of public animals will be kept at the headquarters of every regiment of Cavalry and battery of mounted Artillery, and with the records of every officer in immediate charge of public animals, wherein will be recorded the descriptive list accompanying each animal transferred. Blank books and forms will be supplied, on proper application, by the Quartermaster General. Purchasing officers and others, transferring animals, are required to see that they are marked plainly, and to specify such marks on the descriptive list, for the purpose of ready identification. 298. At the headquarters of every regiment of Cavalry, with every company of Cavalry and battery of mounted Artillery, and with the records of every officer in immediate charge of public animals, a descriptive list of horses and mules shall be kept, showing the name, age, size, color, and other peculiarities of each animal, how and when acquired, his fitness for service, how long he has been in service, the name of his rider or driver, and the particular use to which he is or was applied. 299. In the event of loss by sickness, each case or class of cases will be accompanied by the report of a Veterinary Surgeon, showing the nature of the disease. 300. After an animal has been assigned, his rider or driver shall not exchange or surrender him to the use of any other person without the written permission of the Captain of his company or of the officer responsible for him. 301. Every horse should be reshod at least once a month. 302. Every soldier must examine his animal's feet after every day's work, to ascertain that his shoes are in good order, and be held responsible that his animal is at all times fit for immediate service. This duty is by no means to be omitted on the march. 303. The Farrier must examine every animal's feet systematically twice a week, to replace broken nails, fasten loose shoes, and reduce projecting clinches. The appearance of thrush, or any unhealthy condition of the feet, must be, without delay, reported to the Veterinary Surgeon. 304. A horse's feet should be stuffed with wet clay or cow manure at least once a week. 305. Horses should be groomed at least an hour and a half to two hours each day. They are to be rubbed dry after being used, and not allowed to stand without rubbing when heated. The nostrils should occasionally be sponged with a weak mixture of vinegar and water. The sheath must be washed once a month with castile soap and then greased. 306. A horse should never while heated be wet by use of a hose or stream of water, and never with cold water. 307. Feed must be prepared with great care, kept free from dust, foreign substances, and bad odors. Frequent feeding in small quantities is best. When practicable, bran-mash is to be given once a week; never oftener than twice a week, except to purge. Salt should be given at least once a week. 308. Watering before feeding is not objectionable; drinking while warm, or after eating until an hour has elapsed, is to be avoided, if possible. On the march frequent watering is preferable, but should only be done by order of the commanding officer present. An animal will rarely drink enough very early in the morning. 309. Stables and their vicinity are to be kept thoroughly policed, free from smells, and well whitewashed; feed-boxes clean and washed with vinegar and water once a week. Due care must be given to ventilation, according to the weather, avoiding both injudicious exposure to draughts and cold, and exclusion of air to prevent cold. 310. An animal with glanders or threatening discharge from the nostrils is immediately to be isolated and kept tied to prevent infection, of which there is danger to both man and beast. 311. The rack, manger, and every part of the wood and iron work of the stall where an animal with glanders or farcy has stood, as also the vessels used in watering or feeding him, must be thoroughly cleansed with hot water and soap. They are then to be covered with wash of quicklime, fresh mixed, which must be scraped off and renewed after an interval of two days. 312. After the disease in any animal has become infectious, such equipments which may have been used with him as are liable to become infected, and all horse-cloths, saddle-cloths, and blankets used with glandered animals, must be destroyed. 313. On the plains, where forage cannot be obtained, grazing should be allowed at every spare moment. For this purpose bits should always be removed and girths loosened. When picketed for grazing, the places should be frequently changed. Grazing should always be allowed as long as possible, early in the morning, when dew is on the grass. 314. To prevent stampeding in camp on the plains, if the men of the command go among the animals quietly, but promptly, on the first evidence of fright, and speak to them, they will in most cases be quieted. After animals have been stampeded, if they are new to the service, men should mount the fastest animals within reach, place themselves in front of those running, and lead them back to camp. With old horses, the sound of the stable call will often prevent stampeding, or stop them when running. 315. In marching, the walk should be the habitual gait, and should not, under ordinary circumstances, be exceeded when grazing only is relied on. When forage can be obtained, horses may occasionally trot, say a mile in every hour's march. Unless the march be a forced one, horses must always be allowed to walk at intervals. 316. The gallop very soon breaks down horses, and is strictly prohibited on marches, escorts, express, and all other duties, except when absolutely necessary. 317. On marches, under whatever circumstances, a halt should be made at the end of an hour after starting, and the saddles, saddle-kits, bridles, &c., readjusted, and girths tightened. CONDEMNED ANIMALS. 318. All horses and mules inspected and condemned as unfit for military service will be advertised for sale, and disposed of within ten days from date of advertisement, and if not sold within the ten days will be shot on the eleventh day. The advertisement will be made in accordance with advertising regulations in force, but at posts remote from places where newspapers are published the advertisement will be made by posted notice.—[ G. O. 35, 1879.] 319. When horses and mules condemned are sold, or, in default of sale, shot, report will be made at once to the Quartermaster General, through the regular military channel, of the execution of the order.-[G. O. 35, 1879.] 320. Great care will be exercised in the branding of condemned horses and mules with the letters I. C. (Inspected—Condemned).—[ G. O. 193, 1863. ] VETERINARY MEDICINES AND INSTRUMENTS. [G. O. 36, 79, 94, and 96, 1879.] 321. The Quartermaster's Department will furnish the authorized horse medicines and instruments for the mounted Artillery as well as for other horses of the Army.— [G. O. 84, 1873.] 322. To insure a greater degree of purity and excellence in the quality of medicines and articles required for the veterinary service, the Quartermaster's Department will purchase such supplies from the Medical Department.-[G. O. 4, 1868.] 323. Requisitions and estimates for veterinary supplies will be made in conformity with the allowances provided for in the Standard Supply Table. Only the articles and the quantities thereof that are actually needed will be placed on the requisition. 324. At the headquarters, depots, or larger posts of Cavalry regiments, the standard supplies of instruments and medicines will be under the charge of the Quartermaster, to be issued by hin. to the smaller commands of the regiment, in such quantities and of such articles as may be deemed requisite, conformably to the allowance fixed by the Standard Supply Table. 325. Veterinary Medical supplies and instruments, for hospital use, will remain in the hands of the Post Quartermaster, to be issued from time to time and in such quantities as are needed by the companies. The instruments will remain in the custody of the Post Quartermaster. Post Quartermasters will take up all instruments and veterinary Medical supplies, and report, when possible, to whose account they are to be credited. 326. A room for the safe storage of veterinary instruments and Medical stores and the compounding of medicines should be provided. 327. G.0.64. 84 Standard Supply Table. |