Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1880-11-10
sCHWATKA ON HIS EXPEDITION.
A Lecture the Scientific Results of the Last
Arctic Journey.

lrIoH Tile y. Y. IT1Dunell
The scientific features of the recent
Franklin search expedition were pre-
sented last night by Lieutenant Schwat-
ka, at q meeting of the academy of
sciences. Beginning with the use of
alcohol, Lieutenant Schwatka empha-
sizes the fact that not drop OF ardent
spirit OF any kind was used in his sled
journey of 3, PSI miles. In short journeys
and hunting expeditions where there was
ample room for baggage it was consid-
cred that alcohol might be carried. and
1t used In moderation, would raise the
temperature of the body slightly, and
tend as elsewhere, to increased comfort.
But on long journeys ardent spirits
could not be carried in bulk without dis
placing other indispensable articles. AL
cohol was not regarded as necessary and
was not considered good heating agent.
The injurious effects of intense cold,
however, had sometimes been wrongly
ascr1bed to the use OF liquor. On ship
board the general use of alcoholic slim
1llants was considered bad, and only al
lowable when every possible chance of
scurvy was removed by the character of
the food. In regard to the tempera-
ture, Lieutenant Schwatka said that his
men had encountered the most intense
cold ever recorded by white men-78o
Fahr., OF 1902 below the freezing point.
On that day the camp was moved ten
miles, and no unusual Inconvenience
was felt. 1T was not the intensity of
the cold that was unpleasant. All suf-
fering was caused by the direction and
violence OF the wind. With the Their
mometer at go Fahr.. no especial trou-
ole was met with, but at temperature
fifteen degrees higher, with a wind blow
ing straight in the faces of the men,
frost bites and great suffering were com
mon. The white men would freeze their
noses or the exposed portion of their
cheeks. The coolest days were perfect
ly calm; on warmer days, with the excep-
ton OF few days in midsummer, the
wind blew constantly. But it was con-
sldered that to men clad in warm cloth
ing temperature was not material, and
the longest journeys could be under
taken without fear. When the themom-
eter sank to -71' Farh.. the sky was
of a leaden hue, varied with brownish
red near the sun. Clouds of vapor
rolled from everything animal. When
the expedition stopped it was envelopedin
steam. Musk oxen and deer could be
detected at distance OF five or miles by
the yapor about them, and the Esqui-
maux claimed to be able to distinguish
the kind of animals by pecuGarities in
this vapOr. Water poured on ice caused
a cracking like miniature fire crackers,
and the surface of sheets of ice was gray
and opaque from the unequal expansion.
The sound OF the runners was like that
caused by q rOsined bow or tuning fork and
! heard at distance resembled all HEolean
| harp. In the most extreme cold the &C
cllmatization of the white men proved as
perfect as that of the natives. At very
low temperature the beard became a
block of ice, and the lips and nostrils
were nearly glued together. Exercise,
though important were not so essential
as has been stated, there never being a
necessity for exercising to the point of
fatigue. For Arctic explorers a strong
circulation and tendency not to persplre
profusely are desirable. The common
theories regarding the dangers in using
snow were at a variance with Lieutenant
Schwatka's experience. At BOP Fahr.
the snow freezes temporarily the mucus
membrane Of the mouth, causing burn
ing sensation. If this be often and rap.
idly repeated it is highly injurious, but
snow and ice taken at long intervals are
of great service in quenching thirst
DrOwsiness is not experienced in con-
nectiOn with great cold, and it was con
sidered as resulting unusually from 3
sudden change from shipboard to out-of-
door Life, OF from an insufficient acclima-
tlzation. Near-sightedness, though at
tended with some dscomforts, gave GER
tain important advantages. The glasses
became readily covered with CONCEALED
moisture from the heat, but with the
squirting common to near-sighted PEG.
pie, we're an efficient protection against
the glare of the sun upon the snow, Nc
one who was near sighted suffered from
snow-blindness, while the Esquimaux
were troubled with this more than the
white men. They also suffered from
chronic opthalnlia and the deposits
caused by cataracts. In very cold wealth
Ell the huts were covered in two or three
feet Of snow. 1t was advisable to change
these huts as often as possible, because
the constant freezing and thawing makes
them a mass Of translucent ice, and ex-
halations from the breath, bodies and
fires became CONCEALED ON the wall, con-
tinually falling off and causing little
snow-storm in the interior. The effect
produced by the darkness of the long
Arctic night upon human beings was
considered to be much more real than
the discon1forts produced by loneliness
and homesickness. According to physi-
clans, it has been found that darkness
decreases the respiratory movements in
proportion to it's intensity 1t was
therefore held that in the long Arctic
winter the respiratory movements would
become much retarded, and conse-
quent injurious effect would be exerted,
the circulation being slow and the blood
imperfectly oxidized. To prevent this,
crews should be exposed as much as pos
sible to the light.
Prose Poems.
(From the Atheneuml
A good prose poem should mislead by