HEALTH NOTES

Hokitika Guardian, 24 December 1930, Page 7

HEALTH NOTES

CAMPING. USEFUL HINTS. (Contributed by the Dept, of Health.) The term “camp” is ordinarily understood to apply to a simple place of abode, somewhat removed from other settlements and more or less temporary in character. The number of persons which a camp may contain is limited only by its facilities for affording the ordinary requirements of existence. By its very nature a camp is an independent unit, and every factor relat_ ing to the health and comfort of its occupants must receive carolul consideration. Unlike the dweller in a city or municipality the camp dweller will, for instance, often find no system of waste disposal already on hand. It is essential, therefore, that persons concerned with the establishment of camps and those who live in them should have a definite knowledge of the principles of sanitation. SITE. The ground selected must afford good natural drainage, such, for example, as the top of a low ridge, the summit of a knoll with gently sloping sides, or the high batik of a river. in the case of a large camp, care must be taken that the drainage will not pollute the grounds or water supplies of dwellings or settlements which may be in tbe vie. inity. Low places and swamps should be avoided. The dampness renders them very uncomfortable and in warm weather they usually abound in mosqui toes. Gravel and sand are excellent soils upon which to establish a camp, as the rain water sinks into the ground and the surface dries rapidly. Trees are highly desirable about a camp as they afford protection from tlie sun and wind and are cooling in summer. The foliage should not be so dense as completely to exclude tho rays of the sun for under these conditions the ground may remain moist and the camp structures may become damp and unhealthy. A badly pitched tent may be stuffier than a shut up house. Ditches should be dug around eacn tent in order that the floors may be kept dry in wet weather. The side lß of of the tent should be fastened up during the day when the weather permits so that the sun and air may reach every part- of the interior. Ventilation may be insured by leaving the door flaps, or the sides, or both, open. Waterproof ground sheets are invaluable to rest on by day or to put beneath the mattress at night. The use of judiciously suspended mosquito-net-ting gives peace and security at night where insect pests abound. The irritation of mosquito bites may be allayed by bathing with weak ammonia or sod-ium-bicarbonate solution. lodine may be applied subsequently to prevent tho development of infected sores, DIET, The diet of campers is necessarily simplified but it should contain a liberal supply of fresh vegetables and

fruit, and a minimum of tinned food. Scrupulous cleanliness should be observed by those engaged in the preparation of food which should be kept uncontaminated from flies. Meat may be kept fresh in an improvised sale of butter muslin stretched over iron hoops and hung from a tree in a cool place. Butter and milk may be kept cool in an unglazed pottery di:h with nnislin over it; as milk may be exposed to risk of contamination in a camp, it is safer to scald it. WATER PUPPLY ETC.

Water from wayside streams may or may not be safe according to its source It is -safer to boil it. Many persons are absoultely thoughtless in regard to the water which they drink. The use of unboiled doubtful water is extremely 'dangerous.

Human excreta and camp wastes of any kind must be disposed of in such a way that they will be prevented from dangerously polluting the soil, contaminating water -supplies, of furnishing a breeding or feeding place for flies. Instead of the large pits which are frequently found at camps. Excreta should be placed in shallow trenches and covered with not loss than six and not more than 9 inches of soil. The deeper the pit in which it is p’aced the greater is the danger of polluting underground water supplies. All rubbish, tins, etc. should be kept covered in one place and afterwards burnt and the residue buried. FIRST AID.

Campers should carry simple firstaid requisites, ete,, a few bandages, -some common antiseptic, as lysol, or boracic acid; tincture of iodine is generally useful. Friars balsam is not only beneficial or use in sore throats (a few drop's every few hours on loaf sugar) but makes an excellent external protective covering ?ar cuts. Shoes or tramping must have thick soles and broad low heels and must not cramp the toes. If blisters form, they should be let out by tunnelling under the edge with a sterilized needle. Fine strips of adhesive zinc-oxide plaster should be evenly applied in latticework pattern over the affected parts. To prevent sunburning and protect the face, cold cream, simple talc powder, or even ordinary flour may he used. Little children should wear shady hats. To relieve the pain of sunburn, if acquired a solution of bicarbonate of soda (one teaspoonul to the pint of warm water) is useful, followed by a soothing; appliI cation, cold cream etc. Calamine lotion is also a good application for acute sunburn. Injudicious sun-bathing may be not only harmful but actually dangerous. • Finally the camping ground should he left free from debris such as old tins waste paper, a pair of shoes that have ■seen better days, etc. “We do not live by bread alone” or by merely avoiding tho-se things that may be proved scientifically to be positively qV possibly injurious to us. We derive a great proportion of our comfort and happiness from the presence -of the beautiful or at any rate ,from the absence of the visibly disagreeable, the bizarre and the. ocular demonstration of our own negligence. For those that, come after a true lover of nature should leave a scene as beautiful as he found it.