The Home of the Blizzard: Being the Story of the Australasian Antarctic Expedition, 1911-1914Mawson, Douglas, Sir
History
The Home of the Blizzard: Being the Story of the Australasian Antarctic Expedition, 1911-1914
Mawson, Douglas, Sir
Antarctica -- Discovery and exploration; Australasian Antarctic Expedition (1911-1914)
Luxuries, then, are good in moderation, and mainly for their
psychological effect. After a spell of routine, a celebration is the
natural sequel, and if there are delicacies which in civilization are
more palatable than usual, why not take them to where they will receive
a still fuller and heartier appreciation? There is a corresponding rise
in the "tide of life" and the ennui of the same task, in the same
place, in the same wind, is not so noticeable. So we did not forget our
asparagus and jugged hare.
In the matter of sledging foods, one comes down to a solid basis of
dietetics. But even dietetics as a science has to stand aside when
actual experience speaks. Dietetics deals with proteins, carbohydrates,
fats, and calories: all terms which need definition and comprehension
before the value of a sledging ration can be fundamentally understood.
When the subject was first introduced into table conversation at the
Hut, it was regarded somewhat suspiciously as "shop." But it gradually
won interest simply because it was of such vital concern.
In sledging there is undoubtedly a critical allowance which will yield
the best results. Circumstances alter cases, and the correct ration
under one set of conditions cannot be expected to coincide with that in
another situation. Thus, the journey may be conducted under conditions
of great cold or of comparative warmth, by man-hauling or auxiliary
power, at sea-level or on an altitude, through regions where there is
a reasonable hope of securing additions of meat by the way, or across
barren tracts devoid of game. In each instance particular demands must
be supplied.
In selecting the articles of diet, idiosyncrasies of individuals should
be consulted in reason, and under no consideration should anything be
taken which bears the slightest stigma of contamination. It remains,
then, to discriminate those foods which contribute the greatest amount
of nutriment for a given weight, and which, inter se, preserve a proper
dietetic balance. Variety is very desirable, provided that there is no
important sacrifice in nutrient value. The proof of a wisely selected
ration is to find at the end of a long sledge journey that the sole
craving is for an increase in the ration. Of course, such would be the
ideal result of a perfect ration, which does not exist.
Considering that an ordinary individual in civilization may only satisfy
the choice demands of his appetite by selecting from the multifarious
bill of fare of a modern restaurant, it will be evident that the same
person, though already on the restricted diet of an explorer, cannot
be suddenly subjected to a sledging ration for any considerable period
without a certain exercise of discipline.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
Reviews
Reviews
No reviews yet
Be the first to share your thoughts on this work.
Elsewhere in the archive
Join the Discussion
Join the discussion
Sign in to leave a comment or review.
Sign InorCreate an account