POLAR ISOLATION

Manawatu Standard, Volume LIV, Issue 283, 27 October 1934, Page 7

POLAR ISOLATION

ADMIRAL BYRD’S REACTIONS. “A WONDERFUL EXPERIENCE.” PLEASURE AND SUFFERING. (United Press Association—By Electric Telegraph—Copyright.) Received October 27, 8.5 a.m. LITTLE AMERICA, Oct. 26. Rear-Admiral R. E. Byrd’s special account lor the Australian Press Association of his expo nonces while in solitary isolation at the advance base has been released. He says:—“Coming back even to Little America is like returning to a different world. No intelligent man could live isolated in that shack through the Polar winter night, enduring some of the coldest temperatures ever recorded, and not discover something new about, himself and about people and things. “There were several weeks in which I was kept busy and happy. The phonograph and books occupied me during the more leisurely hours in the afternoon. Besides the meteorological and auroral records, I kept a diary. Out there I was utterly beyond the urgencies and transient crisis of everyday life. There were no telephones, traffic noises, creditors, importuning friends, formal dinners, stock market reports, economic crisis defeatists, bores, or stiff collars; it was great. “Then, during the last weeks, my trouble began,” he continued. “Unknown to me I was gradually being poisoned by the fumes from the kerosene stove. My eyes commenced to smart and puzzling aches and pains developed in my body. About the same time I was also seriously poisoned by carbon monoxide fumes from the small gas generator for powering the radio. The poison settled into my body and I was all but helpless. “The first two weeks of June were really hell. I did not think I had a chance. At first it was bewildering then dismaying. I counted my time in minutes. Finally, I think, I accepted it calmly; there was nothing else to do. Then, to my great surprise, a slow improvement set in toward the end of June and with more strength I was able to take greater care in diet, but again in July, during the period of greatest cold, my health began failing until Dr. Poulter arrived. I have been through a wonderful experience and I have been enriched,” Admiral Byrd added.