The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1875-08-21
Influence of Arctic Cold on Man,

Lieutenant Payer, the Austrian Arctic ex.
plorer, has been laying some Of Che results
Of his exploration before the Geographical
Society Of Vienna. Referring to the Influence
OF extreme cold on the human organism, hs
related that on March l4th, 1874, he aud HE
companions made sledge journey over TIL
Semklar glacier, in order TO make observat
tions Of Francis Joseph Land. " "On that
day the cold marked 40 deg. (Reaumur) be-
low zero. Notwithstanding this intense cold,
M. Payer and q Tyrolese went out before
sunrise 10 make observations and 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 run down their throats so as not TO
touch the edge Of the metal cups, which would
have been as dangerous as il they had been
red hot but the rum had lost all its strength
and liquidity, and was as fiat and thick as
oil. 1t was impossible TO smoke either cigars
or tobacco in short pipes, for very soon moth
ing but piece OF ice remained in the mouth.
The metal Of the instruments was Just like
red hot iron to the touch, as were some lock.
cts; which some Of the travellers romantically
but impradently, continued TO wear next the
skin. NJ. Payer says that SO great an amount
Of cold paralyzes the will, and that under its
influences men, from the nnsteadiness Of their
gait their stanmering talk, and the slow
ness Of their mental operations, seem as il
they were intoxicated. Another effect Of
cold is tormenting. thirst, which is due TO
the evaporation OF sgmoisture Of the body.
IL Is unwholesomc 10 use snow to qnench
the thirst, as it brings on inflammation Of
the throat, palate and tongue. Besides,
enough can never be taken 10 quench the
thirst, as q temperature of 80 degrees to 40
degrees below zero makes il more like mol
ten metal. Snow eaters in the North are con-
sidered us feeble and eifeminate, in the same
way as an opium eater in the East. The
groups Of travellers who traversed the snow
fields were surrounded by thick vapors formed
by the emanations from their bodies, which
become condensed, Notwithstanding the furs
in which the travellers were enyeloped
These vapors fell to the ground with slight
noise, frozen into the form Of small crystals,
aud rendered the atmosphere thick, impene-
trable and dark. Notwithstanding the humid.
ity ofthe aira disagreeable sensation ofdryness
was felt. Every sound diifused itselfto to a very
long distance, an ordinary conversation could
be heard at hundred PAGES off, while the re-
port Of guns from the top Of high mountains
could scarcely be heard. NJ. Payer explains
this phenomenon by the large quantity of
moisture 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 latitudes, strength
gives way under the paralyzing influence OF
the cold, the eyes inyoluntarily close and
become frozen. When locomotion stops the
sole Of the foot becomes insensible. II is
somewhat curious that the beard does not
freeze, but this is explained from the air ex-
pired falling Immediately transformed into
snow. The cold causes dark boards to be-
come lighter the secretion Of the eyes and
nose always increases, while the formation
of the perspiration altogether ceases The
only possibly protection against the cold is
10 be very warmly clothed, and to endeavor
as much as possible to prevent the condensa.
ton Of the atmosphere, while the much
yaunted plans Of amounting and blackening
the body are pronounced to have no real
value.