The Forest Republican. [volume] (Tionesta, Pa.) 1869-1952, 1897-03-10

NO USE FOR 1T.
The celebrated Dr. Nansen, OF Arctic re-
nown, has recently spoken on the subject OF
including alcoholic beverages in the equip
ment OF Attic expeditions, and as will DO
seen from his utterances, he has no use for
such articles in his trips. The doctor SAYS;
'My experience leads me to take decided
stand against the use Of stimulants and mar
ootics OF all kinds. 1t must be a sound prin-
ciple at all times that one should live In as
natural and simple way as possible, and
especially must this be the case when the
life is life of severe exertion In an extreme
iy cold climPte. The idea that one gains by
stimulating body and mind by artificial
means betrays, in my opinion, not only ig
porance Of the simplest physiological laws,
but also want ol experience, or perhaps n
want Of capacityto learn from experience by
observation. 1t seems indeed quite simple
and obviousthat one can get nothing in this
life without paying for 1t In one way or "o-
other, and that artificial stimulants, even IL
they had not the directly injurious effects
which they undoubtedly have. can produce
nothing but temporary excitement, fol-
lowed by n corresponding reaction.
"Stimulants, with the exception OF choco-
late, which is mild in its effect and also
nourishing, bring practically no nutrltive
substance into the body, and the energy
which one obtains in anticipation by their
use at one moment must be paid for by a
corresponding exhaustion at the next. II
may no doubt be advanced that there are
occasions when a momentary supply of en-
ergy is necessary, but to this | would answer
that cannot imagine such state OF things
TO arise in the course OF protracted sledge
expedition, when, on the contrary, rs regu-
lar and steady work as possible is generally
the main thing to be aimed at.
"To many this will no doubt appear so
plain and obvious that 1t will scarcely be
necessary for me me touch upon the subject.
But at the same time It must be remembered
that even in recent years Arctic expeditions
have set out from home with large supplies,
not only of tobacco, but of such fatal stimu-
lants as alcoholic drinks. But what Is to be
said when an experienced Arctic traveller
like Julius Payer writes in his book on the
Austrian and Hungarian polar expedition of
1924 that "a small daily allowance Of rum
Is almost Indispensable on sledge expedi-
tion of any length, especially when the tenn
perature is extremely low?' As IL 1t were
not just in low temperatures that spirits are
most Injurious, and as II 1t were not known
that they cause reduction OF bodily heat
instead Of an increase Of 1t, as many people
are inclined to think because such things
warm them up rs they say, and because
they feel warm and comfortable after good
dinner supplemented by plenty of strong
wines. 1t is often supposed that even IL
spirits are not intended for daily use they
ought to be taken upon an expedition for
medicinal purposes. l would readily ac-
knowledge this II any one can show me q
single case in which such a remedy is neces-
sary but till this is done l shall maintain
that this pretext is not sufficient, and that
the best course is to banish alcoholic drinks
from the list of necessaries for an Arctic ex.
pedtlon."