ng at her first camp. Prepare feet by brushing
vigorously with a dry flesh brush. Strengthen muscles by standing on
toes in bare feet, raising body gradually fifty or seventy-five times.
Frequent changes of stockings, bathing of tired feet in hot water at
night and cold water in the morning, will overcome most of the hiker's
troubles. The cold water hardens the skin. Boric acid powder is good for
naturally damp feet. Blisters should be cleansed with iodine, then
carefully pricked with a sterile needle to let out the water (hold the
needle in the flame of a match), then washed with iodine and covered
with a few layers of sterile gauze fastened with adhesive plaster.

It is desirable to change the stockings every day. Wash them at night
and hang them out to dry and keep them well darned. Two pairs at least
are necessary. Never risk your health by putting on stockings even
slightly damp with dew. A hole will cause a blister. Woolen stockings
are preferable. For very long hikes it helps to wear two or three pairs,
and to lather the outside of the stocking with a cake of soap slightly
moistened.

Shoes

Shoes should be the shape of the feet and have low, wide heels. It rests
the feet to take the shoes off once or twice during a long tramp.
Grease the shoes every few days with mutton fat or other grease. There
is no such thing as waterproof leather, but it can be made so by being
greased. After being wet, shoes should be well dried and greased, but
should not be dried in a hot place, for this would ruin the leather.
These may seem trifling details, but remember, "no army is stronger than
its feet."

Things to Remember

Keep the feet straight when walking. If a Girl Scout notices the tracks
of an Indian, the first hikers in this country, she will find them
invariably straight forward. Scientists have agreed that the dancing
school habit of turning out toes is one of the causes of flat feet,
which disqualified so many men for army service.

Start the walk slowly. Keep the pace of the slowest of the party. "Slow
and easy goes far in a day." Practice deep breathing. Inhale for five
steps, hold your breath for five counts, and let it out, again counting
five.

Take short steps when climbing. Do not run down hill. It causes
stiffness, for which a hot bath and another walk the next day are the
best cure.

When lunch is carried it should be divided among the troop. Each Scout
should carry her knapsack on her back, to l