European Stars and Stripes (Newspaper) - September 10, 1990, Darmstadt, Hesse                                Monday september 10, 1990 the stars and stripes a a a Page 3 crisis in the Gulf troops staying healthy doctors say most complaints a run of the Mill ailments Dhahran saudi Arabia apr soldiers Are suffering from diarrhoea heat rash and other a run of the Mill ailments common to americans moving to a foreign country medical specialists said. For the most part military doctors said in interviews that the 100,000 or so . Troops have been remarkably healthy. A a we be had some colds some gastroenteritis that a about it a said it. Col. Jim Mattis who commands a Marine brigade camped in the desert. Nevertheless the . Mil Taij is erecting a sophisticated network of medical facilities including 15 hospitals capable of providing virtually any Type of surgery and care to injured americans should combat break out. A we Are fully capable of providing the Best medical care in the world a said capt. Richard Mayo head of a 500-bed Navy Field Hospital housed in 24 air conditioned tents. Each tent is about 20 feet wide by 100 feet Long. Hundreds of doctors and nurses a mayors Hospital will have 800 medical personnel alone a Are either in saudi Arabia or Are on their Way from the United states. Their skills Are so varied and the equipment is so sophisticated that they will be Able to perform neurosurgery heart surgery and orthopaedic surgery. Field hospitals have laboratories a Ray facilities operating rooms dental clinics and psychiatric units. All supplies from narcotics to Hospital Beds have been sent from the United states. . Military officials say troops in the Oil Rich kingdom Are in a defensive posture but the Range of medical technology shipped Here underscores the degree to which officials want to prepare for combat injuries. For the time being doctors have been concerned about treating training injuries and lesser medical complaints. Army officials said 14 people have been evacuated for medical reasons including three people who broke Bones and two who experienced psychological problems. But maj. Jack Wright a physician with the army a 44th medical brigade said most complaints have been less serious. A a it a usually run of the Mill kinds of things a Wright said. He sees about 40 people a Day at an army clinic. The most prevalent complaint is diarrhoea usually brought on by a change in the water or food. The army regularly tests the water to make sure it is Safe to drink he said. The stomach problem usually lasts about 24 hours and is treatable with Over the counter drugs. Colds and heat rashes also Are common medical. Gridiron in the desert dome its fall and that Means football fever in the states. But since they re in saudi Arabia troops from Lowry fab in Denver colo., get a touch of Home saturday by throwing together an informal game of football. Authorities said. Despite scorching temperatures few soldiers have come Down with dehydration partly because the military has drilled into them the importance of drinking enough water. Some men drink up to 4 Gallons a Day. Fever is particularly dangerous in a hot climate. When soldiers get one they Are often Given liquid intravenously to prevent dehydration. In the desert the big problems Are sanitation and Sand Mattis said. A we have to keep the food out of the Sand a he said. A and we have a Wash rack built so people can Wash their  Givi before coming to saudi Arabia soldiers were shots to prevent cholera meningitis and hepatitis. The environment also plays havoc with medical supplies according to maj. Mike Calder chief nurse at the 28th combat support Hospital. The 200-bed a a Bubble facility a blown up rubberized tubes that look like giant caterpillars a is being set up in the desert. The heat tends to shorten the shelf life of drugs meaning it is unlikely that unused medical supplies will be taken Back to the United states when the . Pulls out of saudi Arabia. What Shaute and what a not in latest attire for desert life Dhahran saudi Arabia apr american troops Are Clad in the latest in combat clothing a stylish two piece suits specially designed for desert duty a but some soldiers Are not convinced their fashionable duds Are functional. A a they re very hot and very uncomfortable a said army it. Col. Gene w. Cole Clad in his jumpsuit. A a it shot and it makes me sweat a complained it. Col. Ned Longsworth. Said air Force capt. Becky Colaw a a there a a big difference wearing it for work and wearing it to be  the uniforms a with a pattern called a chocolate Chip camouflage a Are 50 percent Cotton and 50 percent Nylon a combination designed to make the material Tough but breathable. They come in varying tints. The lightest blends in Well with the Sand and is the most popular. But the fabric is too heavy for the 100-plus desert temperatures troops say. Gis generally keep their tunics on when they re outside to prevent sunburn. The american women have been told to stay covered so As not to offend saudi sensibilities about Bare skin. A rumpled forage hat Visorde Cap or Jaunty Beret is de Rigueur. A Cotton Scarf to wipe sweat from the brow or guard against a sunburned neck is another must have accessory. Some soldiers give the uniforms High Marks for Comfort. The baggy trousers have six pockets while the tunic top has four pockets. But the fit can be a problem for some. Like Couturier outfits from Paris and Milan the outfits hang Best on those who Are tall and thin. A a it a a problem if you re Short and fat a said Colaw. Troops from All services were issued two or three uniforms before they left the United states. The outfits were specially designed for desert situations. To shirts and underwear were not part of the package provided soldiers so Colaw said she bought herself male Boxer shorts because a a they re cooler than the women a  sports gear to boost morale Spokane Wash. Up a Fairchild fab is packing up about $7,000 Worth of sports and recreation equipment to help boost the morale of troops on operation desert shield in the Middle East. Included Are 600 paperback books decks of playing cards checker boards and backgammon sets table Tennis sets and Bingo games to Wile away the hours inside. And there Are softball bats balls and gloves volleyballs and footballs Frisbee and Horseshoe sets. Fairchild was one of four strategic air come bases Given the task of compiling a Standard morale a mobility kit for a unit of 100 to 300 serv ice members said sgt. Ron pack a base spokesman. The base Hasni to been told where the kit will go or when it will be shipped. Name too All american for saudis Dhahran saudi Arabia apr All american base Camp Home to members of the army a 82nd airborne has disappeared from the map. From now on its Champion City the desert base Camp for soldiers from fort Bragg . Military officials said the saudi government which is trying to keep distance Between . Troops and saudi citizens asked for the name change. Other . Military outposts in the Eastern desert have similar nicknames. Dragon City is the army a xviii airborne corps Headquarters. Falcon Forward base Camp and Eagle Forward base Camp Are Home to the 101st airborne air assault units. The defense department has barred reporters from pinpointing locations of troops so the desert Camps Are always a somewhere in saudi