CAMPING

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume LV, Issue 17451, 27 December 1930, Page 2

CAMPING

USEFUL HINTS •a GOOD SITE IMPORTANT (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 hv its facilities, for' affording the ordinary requirements of existence.

By its very nature a camp is an independent unit, and every factor relating, to the health and comfort of ils occupants must receive careful 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 tbp, Of A low "ridge, the summit of a knoll with, gently sloping sirieS, or the high bank of a river. In the case of a large camp, .care, must be,- taken that the drainage will not pollute the grounds ot water supplies of dwellings or settlements which may be in the vicinity. Low places and swamps should be avoided. The dampness renders them very uncomfortable .and in warm weather they usually abound in mosquitoes.

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 the sun and wind and are cooling in summer. The foliage should not be so dense ac completely to exclude the rays of the sun, nfr under these conditions' the grotfhd may remain moist and the camp structures may become damp and unhealthy. A b’adlv pitched tent may be stuffier than a shut-up house. Ditches should be dug around each tent in order that the floors may be kept dry in wet weather. The sides of thfe 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 mosquitonetting gives peace and security at night where insect pests abound. The irritation of mosquito bites may be allayed by bathing with weak ammonia or sodium-bicarbonate solution. lodine may be applied subsequently to prevent the 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 safe 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, dish with wet muslin over it; as milk may be exposed to risk of contamination in a camp, it is safer to scald it. Water l from wayside streams may or may not bo safe according to its source. It is safer to boil it. Many persons arc • absolutely thoughtless in regard to the water which they drink. The use of unboiled 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, 'con- • taminating water supplies, or furnishing a breeding place for flies. Instead of the large pits which are frequently found at ramps, 'excreta should be placed in shallo trenches and covered with not less than six and not more than $n of soil. The deeper the pit in which it is placed th# greater is the danger of polluting underground water supplies. All rubbish tins should he kept covered in one place and afterwards burnt and the residue buried.

FIRST AID Campers should carry simple first-aid requisites, e.g., a, few bandages, some common antiseptic, as lysol, or boracic acid; tincture of idoine is generally useful Friar’s balsam is not only beneficial for vise in sore throats (a few drops every few hours on loaf sugar), but 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 zincoxido plaster should be eTenly applied in lattice-work pattern over the aftccted parts. To prevent sunburniug and protect tlie face, cold cream, simple talc powder, or even ordinary flour liinv be used. Lillie children should wear shady bats. To relieve the pain of sunburn, if acquired, a solution of bicarbonate of soda" (one teaspoonful. to the pint of warm water)- is useful, followed by a soothing application such as cold cream. Calamine lotion is also, a good application for acute sunburn. Injudicious sunbathing may be not only harmful, but actually dangerous. Finally the camping ground should lie left free from debris sucli as old tins and waste pa pen