A triangular bandage is made by dividing a piece of muslin a yard square into halves by a diagonal cut joining two opposite corners, and thoroughly sterilizing it. Cuts are printed on it showing how to bandage any major part of the body. Roller bandages are difficult for untrained people to handle, but anyone can see almost at a glance how to use the triangular one. A folded neckerchief, or any triangular piece of cloth, will do as a makeshift, if an aseptic dressing is first applied, in case of an open wound. How to fold the bandage before applying is shown in Fig. 108. A tourniquet to check bleeding is made by folding into a narrow cravat, as indicated, and then twisting into rope form.

The soldier's packet is intended for a first dressing of gunshot wounds, fractures (with the aid of improvised splints), and other serious injuries. One would not care to open it if he merely had cut his thumb, skinned his knuckle, or blistered his heel. Yet it is the lesser injuries that we are most apt to suffer, and they certainly should be treated antiseptically on the spot, lest grave consequences follow.

So, get a small tin tobacco box, flat, with rounded corners; boil it in two waters, and dry thoroughly. Then pack it as follows: From the American Na' tional Red Cross, Washington, D. C, get a packet of dressings for small cuts, etc., and one of flngei dressings. The former dressing is a gauze com. press, 3x3 inches, sewed to a muslin bandage an inch wide and a yard long; the latter is similar but smaller. Get from them also a few ampules of 3z/2% tincture of iodine in wooden containers. All these are cheap, but very effective and easy to apply. Put one large dressing, a couple of smaller ones, and an ampule, in your tin box, and the rest in the camp medical kit.

Fig. 108. To Fold Triangular Bandage. ABC D —Folds fai Broad Cravat. AB, ef, gh — Folds for Narrow Cravat.

At the druggist's get some large capsules, and tablets of cascara, intestinal antiseptic, aspirin, potassium permanganate, and strychnine. Put a few tablets of each in capsule, label, and stow in box. Calomel and epsom salts may be added (one dose jf the latter), or what you please. Fill whatever room is left with absorbent cotton. Then seal the box air-tight by running a narrow strip of the adhesive plaster around it. This is easy to open, and can be used over again many times.

In treating a wound, seize the end of the ampule that is encased in gauze and break off or crush the poin* of the glass, then hold the broken end down until the gauze is saturated with the iodine, clap directly to the surface of the wound, and apply either the larger or smaller dressing. A little emergency case of this sort is one of the most valuable pocket pieces that a man can carry on an outing.

Insect " dopes " are discussed in Chapter XIV.

Pocket Repair Kit

Only a little of this and that, fitted into a quite small wallet. A pair of tiny, sharp-pointed scissors for trimming dressings, rigging tackle, and so on; pointed tweezers that can be used as dressing forceps, to remove splinters, and in manipulating gut for flies or leaders; some dental floss for emergency repairs on rods and the like; some i-inch adhesive plaster; a needle or two, waxed linen thread on card, spare buttons, safety pins; one or two large rubber bands; a spare shoe lace; some strong twine; two feet of copper snare wire; a short rigged fishline, a few assorted hooks, minnow hooks with half the barb filed off, two or three split shot (tackle invaluable if you get lost) ; pipe cleaners (if you smoke) : this exhausts the list of my own selection.

Toilet Articles

A small cake of soap in an oiled silk bag or a rubber tobacco pouch is convenient for light marching: compact, and does not rattle around. " Grandpa's" tar soap makes a good lather in any kind of water, hard or soft, warm or cold. Towels should be old (soft) and rather small (easy to wash and dry out). A pocket mirror is handy not only for toilet purposes but to examine mouth and throat or in removing a foreign substance from the eye. Other articles as required. On a hard trip cut out all but towel, soap, toothbrush, comb, and mirror.

Camera

One cuts his coat according to his cloth, but if you can afford a camera with quick lens, and high-speed shutter, it will pay well in good pic-tures. On wilderness trips it is the rule, not the 'exception, that you must " shoot " when the light is poor.

Again, you want a picture that tells a story, a true story, and, nine times out of ten, the only way to get it is by a snapshot taken unawares. When people pose for a camp scene or any other picture they are self-conscious, stiff, or showing off.

Your chance to get a story-picture always pops up unexpectedly. You must work quickly, or not at all. There is no chance to manoeuvre for position, no time to wait on the sun. And if your camera is too large to carry in a pocket or on your belt, then, two to one, you haven't got it with you. So get a camera not over 3*4 x 4%, with special lens and shutter, if you can. At best you will spoil a good many exposures, and you can well afford to have the really good ones enlarged.

A handy way to carry a camera is to remove the sling, cut two slits in back of leather case, and wear it on your belt over the hip. Then it is out of the way, does not dangle when you stoop nor flop when you run, and yet is instantly at your service.

Field Glasses

The only satisfactory ones are those small enough to go with you everywhere, yet with good definition and wide held of view. This means prism binoculars of moderate power, say 6 diameters, or perhaps 8 for sheep or goat hunting.

Opera glasses do very well for bird study.

Some other articles of personal equipment, such as knapsacks and their substitutes, canteens, and individual cooking kits, will be discussed in Vol. II under the head of Walking Trips.