CAMPING

Rotorua Morning Post, Volume 3, Issue 711, 11 December 1933, Page 2

CAMPING

USEFUL. HINTS CARE SHOULD B k EXERCISED DURING THi SUMMElt MjONTHS. , PROTECTING FOOD (Contributed by the Department of Health.) Wfith the advent of the motor car, • camping has gained very much in popularity of recent years. The orgiamsed camping grounds established by borough councils and oth.er bodies are generally well equipped with sanitary conveniences, and the presence of an attendant ensureg that thie camping site is left in as clean a condition as it is found. Many people, however, travel further afield, ,a.nd some of them through carelessnegs or ignorance, not only suffer avoidable diseomfort but spoil the ground for others, and leave behind them an accumulation of unsightly litter. The sanitary requiremerits of a good camp include provision of a safe water supply; protection of food from, dust, flies and animals., and provision for the satisfactory disposal of all waste matter.

Water Supply. Unless a safe supply is obtainable from a nearby house, deep well or spring, suitable precautions should be taken. Shallow wells, ponds and nearly all streams should h.e viewed with suspicion and the water either hoiled before use or chlorinated. The latter process is carried out as follows:— -A stock solution is prepared by adding one half-teaspoonful of chlorinated lime to one pint of water. Use one teaspoonful of .this solution to 10 gallons; 36 drops to 1 gallon, or 9 drops to 1 quart. Let stand at least 15 minutes. If these amounts are not exceeded the taste of the water should not be affected. Food. .All food sh'ould be carefully protected from dust and flies. Thereby not only will the (jangers of summer diarrhoea be guarded against, but the diseomfort of numerous flies ahout the camp will be lessened. A portable meat safe serves the purpose admiriably and should be. hung in a cool place — ipreferably under a tree. If transport space is limited a safe may be improvised from a small wooden box by providing it with a close-flt-ti ng hinged lid and at least two openings covered with perforated zinc to allow of thorough ventilation. Food can then be paeke d in it when travelling. B i^tter and .miilk may be kept cool in an unglazed pottery dish with wet muslin over it. As milk may be exposed to risk of contamination, it is safer to scald it,. It is safer to boil water. Disposal of Wastes. This includes satisfactory disposal of the excrement of the campers, seraps of food, empty tins and general litter, as well as the dirty water from dish-washing and personal ablution. It is the neglect of suitable provision under this heading which spoils the beauty of so many attractive camping grounds, and causes owners of land to regard camping parties in anything but a favourahle light. The only satisfactory method of disposing of such refuse is by burning or burial, and a spade is a most essential article of camp equipment. On& or more suitable spots should be chosen for the camp latrines, so that privacy is afforded and the water supply not endangered. A short trench line nine inches wide and a foot to eighteen inches deep should he dug, and the dry earth removsd will he used to cover faecal matter as soon as deposited. When the trench is three parts full it should he covered in and a new one prepared. If care is used there will be no smell and no flies will be aittracted. iScraps of food, paper, etc., should be burnt as far as possible. iWhat canno't be burnt, together with empty tins, hroken glass, etc., should be thrown into a deep hole dug for the purpose. If the Gaimp is used for more than one night, a separate sump hole should be prepared for all dirty water. For this purpose a square hole two or three feet deep should be dug and filled nearly to the top with stones or brushwood. The size of the hole and its possible renewal will depend on the capacity of the soil for absorbing water. This sump hole — in a permanent, camp — should he daily sprinkled with lime or chlorinated lime. On breaking- camp all trenches and) holes should he filled in, care being taken first to collect up all litter and bury it. Attention to these matters will make the camp a more comfortable one, and what is more important, will leave the locality unspoilt. First Aid. iCampers should carry simple firstaid requisites, e.g., a few bandages, some common antiseptic, as lysol, or boracic acid; tincture of iodine is generally useful. Friars blasam is not only beneficial for use in sore throats (a few drops every few hours on loaf sugar) hut makes an excellent external protective covering for cuts. Shoes for 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 he evenly applied in lattice-work pattern over the affected pairts. To prevent sunburning and protect the fa.ee, cold creani, simple talc powder, or even ordinary ' flour may be used. Little children should wear shady hats. To relieve the pain of sunhurn, if acquired, a solution of bicarbonate of soda (one teaspoonful to the pint of war. water) is useful, followed by a soothing application for acute sunburn. Calamine lotion is also a good application for acute sunburn. Injudicious sunbathing may be not only harmful but actually dangerous.