Evening star., 1932-02-07
WHITES IN TROPICS
OBJECTS OF STUDY
Research Council Plans OBJ
serVatiOn of Climatic
Effects on Race.

What are the precise effects of the
heat ana humidity OF the tropics on
White men and women?
The National Research Council plans
an intensive study OF this question,
especially as it relates to the American
military and civilian personnel in the
Panama Canal Zone. A committee head
ed by DR.. George c. Shattuck of Bos-
ION has been appointed to plan the
details of this investigation. Other
members are DR.. Victor Heizer OF the
Rockefeller Foundation, Dr. Thomas
Barbour OF Harvard University, Col W
+, Chamberlain Of the Army Medical
Corps and Or. w. II. Howell, chairman
OF the medical division OF the Ma
uonaI Research Council.
An immediate object of the investi-
cation, 1t Is explained, Will be to Ge-
llImlne how long Army and Navy
personnel can be Kept at tropical sta
sSnS without serious effects on their
general health and efficiency. The
study, however has much broader I'M
pIlcauONS when the enormous increase
o. populations in the temperate zone
curing the past century is considered,
together with the potential agricultural
richness Of the tropical areas upon
which the race eventually may depend
lcr large part OF Its 1ood supply.
Problem Explained
The problem now centers. DR.. Howell
explains, on the effects of ITop.cal con-
olJlonS on the basic psySIoIoglcal mech
ahlSmS OF man rather than on Specluc
diseases. Earlier efforts to bulId the
Panama Canal were defeated by great
epldemlcs which killed the workmen
brought from cooler climates faster than
the ranks could be recruited.
When the American Government took
over the Job medical science had made
great advances. Mosquitoes were cleaned
up and general sanitary conQItiOns I'M
proved so that the health OF the lab1rers
remained excellent. The success Of the
enterprise led Gen Goi gas to the pre-
oictlOn that tropical countries would b.
a future paradise for the White race,
as knowledge Of sanitation improved
ana medical science increased its con-
quests over this disease particularly as
sOcIatad with a not, humid environment.
But, 1t Is pointed out at the National
Research Council, GOrgaS was thinking
only Of the actual diseases and not OF
the more subtle effects on human physi-
ology which may insidiOuSly undermine.
the constitution so that a man never is
the same again after a prolonged stay
IN the tropics. The present state OF
knowledge on this subject is chaotic.
There have beeen numerous experi-
mentS and almost as numerous disagree
mentS among experts.
Environment Blamed
There is some evidence. it was ex-
planned, that the basal metabolism or
rate Of heat production, of the white
man automatically decreases as an in
dlyldual becomes aCClimatized to the
tropical heat. 1t also has been claimed
that the secretion rate of some of the
endocrine glands very slight variations
IN whose output might have extreme
effects on the physical condition and
the personality, is affected by the en-
Nlronment Besides there is the effect
OF the necessary changes in diet and
the essential alterations in lifelong
habits
DR.. Shattuck. who has had much
medical experience IN Africa and
Brazil and now is head of a medical
survey Of natives of Honduras. under
the auspices Of the Carnegie Institution
OF Washington. recently pointed out an
other curious dlfferenCe-the quality of
sunlight. White men who 90 into
tropical Africa are in constant danger
OF sunstroke, and special clothing has
been devised to protect them against
It. Although subjected to just as great
neat and Just as intense illumination
American soldiers in Panama and the
Philippines have not suffered especially
from this cause. 1t is suggested that
the nature of sunshine may vary
slightly in different parts Of the tropics
themselves.
Another matter demanding study is
the precise psychological effect of the
tropical invarlabillty, luXuriant vegeta-
ton and mOnOtony of occupation on the
individual, and how this may be linked
up with the physiological effects.
Out of Harmony.
1t may be that the white race physio-
logically and pSychologically is deli
cately attuned to the orderly procession
OF the seasons and the variable periods
of light and darkness. 50 that a white
man close to the Equator is out of har-
mOny with the conditions to which he
must be adjusted. The profound effect
of minute physiological changes might
not become apparent for long time
The program as laid down by the
National Research Council Committee
DR.. Howell explained. calls for observa-
tions Of the climatic effects on indi-
Niduals for five years. In this period
it should be possible to discover by the
delicate physiological measurements
contemplated at least the beginnings of
the subtle changes which are taking
place.
Once the program has been agreed
upon, the National Research Council
will seek adequate financing for the
project, which will require the employ
ment for considerable periods Of highly