The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1897-06-28

HI VT AM S4.ASOAS.
The Arctic regions may yet become re-
Operative stores for the decadent human
race This will seem impossible 10 those
who have associated the extreme cold
with stagnation and inertia. A different
idea IL presented by DR.. Frederick A.
cook, who accompanied Peary on his
North Greenland expedition. He Is the
nrst traveller 10 investigate the effect on
the system OF the rarefied atmosphere and
the alienation of the prolonged seasons,
which he describes as Eightiess days ard
dayiess nights. Some OF his remarks were
suited only 10 the medical society which
formed his audience, but his general con-
illusions are OF scarcely less interest.
II is not the cold SO much as the long
night which affects the human faculties.
Accllmation has made the natives less
sensitive TO the changes. but he observed
the same symptoms in less degree in the
natives that We're very marked in the
white men who formed his party. As they
were submerged beneath the darkness and
gloom of the long night the mind became
depressed and all animal functions became
less active. The darkness and cold pro-
duce sense of isolation the ideas become
ciouded, and there is condition of melan-
eholy. Physically the secretions became
scane; there were vague muscular pains.
cerebral congestion ard anaemia, indicat-
ing sluggish circulation
With the return of sunlight an extra
ordinary revivincation comes. and DR..
Cooks description OF the reaction is most
fascinating Periods of mental and nerv-
Gus excitement followed each other like
edd!es in a spring freshet The palor.
Jaundiee and muscular debility disap-
reared; before the sun had reached its
summer altitude their bodies We're CULVER
ing with the renewed buildings of animal
passions The bloodless skins became
flushed. the eyes. so long dry. sparkled;
and there was consciousness Of bounding
streams of blood sent throbbing through
tense arteries. In their journeyings
through the trackless wastes they often
undressed in the open air and. creeping
into their sleeping bags. stretched out
upon the virgin SHOWS with a rare delight
This period of the year is described by
Br. Cook as Offering IAN atmosphere of
heavenly purity While the mind is thus
re2wakened and refreshed the body en-
joys no less decided renewal of activity
IL no other temperature, however does
man present n nearer approach 10 the
lower animal and the vegetable Kingdoms
aud II IS not Inconsistent with the notion
I % purity. Tie natural Instincts of man
are revived, il is thu season OF marriage.
and The race enters upon its reereat.ye
/ functions in harmony with the return OF
! s.'rins. During the long winter the sexes
+ a:@ cosnpai ltlyoly indifferent 10 each
! ether. ;he faculties seem bent entirely
/ upon tae conservation OF LIE. drawing
! apon the tissues Tor that noug.shmeut
/ whion nature 50 scan,iy provides until
! TIE 5priugtlr1e reopens. The primitive
| Eskimo marYies .athsr ,..e IN life. rarely
/ before twenty and usually al twenty-five.
/ Tina woueA marry rather younger. sixteen
! pears being the normal age but spring Is
/ very appropriately he counting time.
| THIS extraordinary effect OF thc genial
| summers would. Or. Cook believes. lie
found SO have most beneficial operation
I ia cases Of nervous. gastric and pulmoa-
! AIRY diseases. lie Feels confident that those
! Who seek the elusive elixir of rfe would
/ most nearly fad IL t1 The almost electrical
! eNhiiar&,lon Of the pure atmosphere. Be
sides the psychological effects. % perhaps
Il would be safer 90 say preceding chem,
! there Is "a sense q renewed yieor a raven
I Gus appetite an1 an Irresistible desire fer
/ muscular exercise
/ Interesting as these observations are.
/ however as proving cause and effect, they
may 9e taken only as demonstrating the
| advantage Of mountain air Much Of the
/ effeTt he describes is 70 oc secured W
+ leaving the bumit valleys and resoytsus 20
+ mountains above the SNOW line far A
| regto2 x recuperaaon The harfships
/ attending a Journey 20 extreme northern
! a.tudes would De too severe toz co7s,i-
/ FuftoGs cutesbss3 ay residence IN more
/ temperate zones. an3 the change 80 = few
/ Thousand sect Shove the sea level would
/ h ~ sufficient comparative degree 20
! s~1vd all the material benefits ne so
( sr2pA4caIy ana Interestingly describes.