Possible Clues:

• Sounds as if jogging, for instance, might make one less spirited, perhaps
• Duty old head of rep accepted, getting cast out
• Remove spirits from tax to retain soldiers
• So as to be fit, by the sound of it, get rid of the spirits
• Cause one to be dispirited?
• Soldiers will cut duty and get rid of spirit
• Dispossess?
• Drive out men overcome by duty
• Drive away reformed killer, perhaps, wiser after case dismissed
• Drive out (demon)