Byrd's Lone Vigil.

Star (Christchurch), Volume LXVI, Issue 20296, 4 May 1934, Page 6

Byrd's Lone Vigil.

Mental Effect of Long Isolation. (COMMENTING on the suggestion that Rear-Admiral Byrd might be induced to abandon his plans for a solitary vigil through the winter in the advance post of his Antarctic expedition, a Melbourne specialist in psychology and psychiatry pointed out that where isolation was allied to physical privation, there was a real danger of insanity developing from such vigils. Mr Jacob Ruppert. one of the principal backers of the Byrd Expedition, a few weeks ago sent a radio message to the leader, attempting to dissuade him from staying alone through the months of the long Antarctic winter 44 night." In a discussion which this message raised, it has been suggested that from the point of view of 44 nerves ” one man alone might retain his balance better than two men (says the Melbourne "Herald”). Admitting that much depended on the individual, the specialist stated that as a general rule, companionship mitigated the mental dangers of such isolation. Speaking of the experiences of Bertram and Klausmann, the German aviators who wandered for weeks after they were lost on the northwest coast of Australia, he said that the responsibility which devolved on Bertram of caring for his weaker companion must have played a large part in preserving Bertram’s sanity. The chances of retaining mental health were better where two or more men shared the vigil Experiences on lighthouse stations supported this view. While two men. shut off from the world, might 44 get on each other’s nerves.” this offered a less serious danger than the introspection and uncorrected melancholia of a solitary* life.