LESSON 3
FOOD SANITATION IN THE FIELD
3-1.
INTRODUCTION
Lessons 1 and 2 discussed how microbes contaminate food and the foodborne
diseases that commonly result from contamination. This lesson will discuss food
sanitation in the field. In combat, perhaps more than in any other situation, it is critical
to avoid disease. The preventive medicine specialist must be aware that disease is in
fact an enemy and like weapons can cause casualties and loss. Since soldiers
obviously must eat and drink during combat, foodborne illness is a constant threat. The
preventive medicine specialist must know the ways by which soldiers contract
foodborne diseases during combat and ensure that troops are following simple but
3-2.
HISTORICAL EXAMPLES OF FOODBORNE ILLNESS IN THE FIELD
a. A history of military campaigns clearly shows that foodborne illness can reach
serious proportions and weaken the effectiveness of combat soldiers. Some examples
will illustrate the effect of foodborne disease upon combat troops.
b. During World War II, in late 1942 and 1943, American troops were sent to
countries in North Africa and the Middle East, a large area of combat known as the
Mediterranean Theater. The countries in this area generally showed a lack of sanitary
facilities and practices. In addition, there was a water shortage and a constant fly
control problem. The troops came into this area directly from the United States and had
practically no field experience and little knowledge of sanitary procedures in a field
situation, including the need for waste and pest control. The outbreak of intestinal
disease among troops was dramatic. During June 1943, intestinal disease attacked
about 4% of the troops. This meant that during this one month, some 15,000 men or
the troops equivalent to one division were hospitalized. During the entire war, the
troops in these countries were never more than 6% of the total number of American
troops engaged in the war; yet this 6% provided at least 20% of all intestinal disease
victims. As the campaign progressed, troops learned through hard experience to
practice sanitary discipline, and the rate of intestinal illness among seasoned troops
declined. In contrast, new soldiers coming into the Mediterranean Theater experienced
high rates of intestinal disease outbreaks until they learned the necessity of following
sanitary practices.
c. Another example is the experience of a United States Army airborne brigade
during the three-month occupation of Lebanon in the warm months of 1958. At the
beginning of the occupation, troops used only C rations and were confined to olive
groves away from the civilian population. The term C rations refers to special rations
that have been exposed to a limited amount of handling and have been packaged to
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