"When the other men are dressed he orders the windows to be opened in order to change the air."
He takes the names of the sick men, and reports on the events of the night.
He designates a trooper in turn to clean and tidy up the room. (When several escouades sleep in the same room the senior Corporal is in charge.) It is his duty to keep proper order. He stops all games likely to lead to quarrels, he sends men who are drunk to bed; should they disturb the peace he calls the Sergeant of the Week by whom they are sent to the Salle de Police. He forbids smoking in bed, and sees that troopers take their meals properly. In winter he takes care that the stoves are heated in moderation, and in the evening sees that the water jug is full. When the trumpeter has sounded "lights out," he sees that all lights are extinguished.
When an officer enters the room the Corporal commands "Fixe!" (attention). The troopers rise, uncover themselves, and stand at attention until the officer has given the word "Repos!" (stand at ease). Should the officer be a Field or General officer the Corporal commands "A vos rangs—Fixe!" at which command every trooper stands at the foot of his bed at "attention."
The "Corporal of the Week" helps generally the "Sergeant of the Week," who, in practice, relies upon him for the performance of many of the duties he is supposed to carry out himself.
"CAPORAL D'ORDINAIRE.
This Corporal takes delivery of, or purchases, the supplies required for the meals of the troopers of his squadron; he has also the supervision of the kitchen, and collects the washing.
IV
PUNISHMENTS.