Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1875-08-20
The IDnuenoe OrArctIc Cold on Man

The Influence of Arctic Cold on Man
Lieutenant Payer, the Austrian Arc
tic explorer has been laying some of
the results of his exploration before the
Geographical Society of Vienna. Refer
ing to the influence Of extreme cold on
the human organism, he related that on
March IA, 1874, he and his companions
made sledge journey over the Semik-
lar glacier, in order to make observa-
tions of Francis Joseph Land. "On
that day the cold marked 40 degrees
(Reamur) below zero. Notwithstanding
this intense cold NJ. Payer and Tyro-
lese went out before sunrise to make OBJ
servations aud sketch. The sunrise was
magnificent; the sun seemed surrounded,
as It does at high degree of cold, by
small suns, and its light appeared more
dazzling from the contrast with the ex-
treme cold. The travellers we're obliged
to pour rum down their throats so as not
to touch the edge Of the metal cups
which would have been as dangerous as
if they had been red-hot; but the rum
had lost all its strength and liquidity,
and was as fat and thick as oil. 1t was
impossible to smoke either cigars or to-
baceo in short pipes; for very soon moth
ing but piece Of ice remained in the
mouth. The metal Of the instruments
was just ike red sot iron to the touch,
as were some lockets, which some of
the travellers romantically, but impru-
dently, continued to wear next the skin
NJ. Payer says that so great au amount
OF cold paralyzes the will, and that un-
der its influences men, from the un-
steadiness Of their gait, their stammering
talk and the slowness of their mental
operations, seem as il they were'intox
icated. Another effect of cold is a
tormenting thirst, which is due to TIE
evaporation of the moisture Of the body,
1t is unwholesome to use snow to quench
the thirst, as it brings on Inflammation
OF the throat, palate and tongue. Besides,
enough can never be taken to 1uench
the thirst, as temperature Of 30 degrees
to 40 degrees below zero makes it more
like molten metal Snow eaters in the
North are considered as feeble and ek
terminate, in the same'way as an opium
eater in the East, The groups Of travel
ers who traversed the snow fields we're
surrounded by thick vapors formed by
the emanatons from their bodies, which
became condensed, Notwithstanding the
furs in which the travellers were envel-
oped. These vapors fell to the ground
with slight noise, frozen into the form
Of small crystals, and rendered the at
mosphere thick, impenetrable and dark
Notwithstanding the humidity of the air,
disagreeable sensation of the dryness
was felt. Every sound diffused itself to
very long distance, an ordinary don.
versation could be heard at a hundred
PAGES off, while the report of guns from
the top Of high mountains could scarcely
be heard. M. Payer explains this phe-
nomeuon by the large quantity of mois-
ture in the Arctic atmosphere. Meat
could be chopped and mercury used in
the shape of balls. Both smell and taste
become greatly enfeebled in these lati-
tudes, strength gives way under the par
alyzing, influence Of the cold the eyes
involuntarily close and become frozen.
When locomotion stops the sole of the
foot becomes insensible. Itis somewhat
curious that the beard does not freeze,
bat this is explained from the air expired
falling Immediately transformed into
snow The cold causes dark boards to
become lighter; the secretion of the
eyes and nose always increases, while
the formation Of the perspiraton alto
gether ceases. The only possible pro-
lection against the cold is to be very
warmly clothed and to endeavor as much
as possible to prevent the condensation
of the atmosphere, while the much
vaunted plans Of amounting and black
ening the body are pronounced to have
no real value.
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