Hygiene of Camp Life
As pertains to normal life anywhere the hiker must observe the accepted precepts of hygiene in order to derive the greatest benefit from his health giving pastime. The feet must be kept sound as emphasized in the foregoing, the stomach and bowels normal and temperance in all things strictly observed. Our aim is not to train and diet for record breaking feats, but to develop a reasonable endurance and become healthy.
As soon as is possible after a walk rub down with a wet towel and friction to a glow with a dry towel: this is very refreshing and quickly dispels stiffness. While walking produces a good appetite, eating and drinking must be moderately indulged in after a long walk, just satisfying the pangs of hunger else you will lack energy instead of gaining it. Be careful not to become overheated: in cold weather ease up near the end of the journey to cool off gradually and thus prevent chill.
Medical and Surgical Kit
No wilderness adventurer should hit the trail without a knowledge of a few principles in the treatment of medical and surgical ills and he should always be equipped with a simple compact first aid kit. This should contain an emergency wound packet such as is issued our Army and consisting of the following—a pad of sterile gauze and a triangular bandage so arranged as to be suitable for use as a wound dressing on any part of the body: an ounce of absorbent cotton is useful (a) to filter bad water—boil the latter and pour through cotton held in the cleansed hands; (b) as a dressing for wounds; (c) a small tuft may be wrapped about a toothpick and used to swab foreign particles from the eye. Z O Adhesive Plaster (one inch by five yards) is used on the feet to prevent and treat abrasions and blisters, over finger cuts, to mend fish rods, etc. Take a collapsible tube of vaseline or boric acid ointment for chapped lips; compound cathartic pills for bowel regulation; aspirin tablets, 5 grains each to be used one every four hours for grippe, colds and rheumatism; sun cholera tablets for pain and cramps in the stomach and bowels—one every hour for four doses and in diarrhœa one after each bowel movement; and mosquito dope.
Insect Pests
Throughout the early season until near August first mosquitoes, gnats, deer and black flies are to be reckoned with. The vicious black fly keeps one awake until late in the afternoon, the midges appear about sunset, the deer fly most all the time, and the mosquito mainly at bedtime. Mosquitoes are worse the further South (in the tropics insects form the worst impediment to travel) or North (even to the bleak mountain tops above timber line) you go. The querulous sing song, poisoned sting and thirst for blood makes of them a real obstacle to the successful enjoyment of a trip. Even one can keep you awake for hours. The amount of annoyance depends somewhat on the person’s makeup, some being very susceptible while others are not. You can miss the pest by the choice of a good season. August finds them greatly lessened in numbers hence this is the best month in which to go camping.
For preventing their vicious assaults a headnet fitting down over the shoulders with strings under the arms is often useful when you are about camp but as you look through the cloth when walking in the woods the landscape assumes prismatic aspects. Mosquito bar is too fragile and bobbinet too expensive while cheesecloth net with a mica or celluloid window is quite satisfactory. Wear gauntlet gloves for hands.
Nine out of ten persons sleep in open camps and as the average tent is not insect proof we must employ certain measures to protect us. To drive the pests away a smudge of green grass and twigs on a well started fire is a specific but requires attention to keep it up.
A tent may be made fly proof by having a cheesecloth interior which is an exact replica in shape of the tent, the body very loose and voluminous and no openings except when the sides are raised. It is suspended by cords and tapes and is absolutely protective.