CHAPTER XII

HEALTH HINTS FOR HIKERS

CARE OF THE FEET

The conditioning of the feet will be done while as a pedestrian you are preparing for some long hike. Curative measures for foot maladies then are to be undertaken at home. In caring for the feet a definite toilet routine should be established and adhered to in order to keep these worthy members in a shape fit to do the work expected of them.

In the morning before starting dust talcum, equal parts of talcum and zinc stearate, or the United States Army foot powder inside the stocking or smear over the foot a medicated ointment, oil or vaseline.

On a long tramp should the feet become tender one may well at the noon rest change socks and substitute dry ones or at least beat the worn socks with a stick to straighten out any wrinkles that may have formed, then dry them as well as you can.

In the evening attend to washing the feet and legs as soon as possible after the march. Cool water seems best to allay the sensation of heat and irritability resulting from their forcible impact on the road. Use very little soap if any and dry the feet well with a soft towel and apply friction gently until the skin is red.

If there is any tendency toward rawness of the skin add common salt to the bathing water. Weston, the famous pedestrian, when asked what special preparation of the feet he made before his long record-breaking walks said that he “pickled his feet in a strong solution of common rock salt--the kind used for ice cream making--at the temperature of the body. Souse and soak the feet at bedtime. Then dry and if available souse them with extract of witch hazel which is allowed to dry on.”

A tendency toward sweaty feet is natural with certain individuals. The sweat glands are simply over-active and the secretion easily decomposes and is highly offensive. The resulting softening of the skin permits of its rubbing off easily, and abrasions and blisters are apt to form. The treatment should be applied as soon as there is any sign of the trouble and is as follows: Bathe the feet in cool water and carefully dry them. Then paint with commercial formalin 1 part and water 9 parts and if this causes a burning of any portion of the raw skin wash it off with water. If formalin is not at hand a strong tea infusion or tannic acid solution will work as well. The object is to harden and practically tan the superficial layers of the skin and alter the secretions of the sweat glands. Repeat the above every other day for six days. Then dust with the Army Foot Powder.

U. S. ARMY FOOT POWDER

Salicylic acid 3 parts Powdered starch 10 parts Talcum powder 87 parts

This is antiseptic, astringent and soothing.

Under a combination of dampness and heat the skin becomes soft and tender and is apt to become blistered and abraded. Unaccustomed exercise and ill fitting shoes are responsible for most of the blisters which develop on the foot, usually on the heels and toes. They constitute the most serious troubles with which the amateur pedestrian will have to contend, especially those with a soft skin and sweaty feet. On a long hike the condition should have been averted by the toughening treatment at home as outlined above. In blistering the skin is raised and filled with a collection of watery serum. The fluid must be evacuated and the skin left intact as a protective cover during the healing process. Remove the fluid by passing a needle, which has been heated until red, obliquely through the sound skin at the edge of the blister, withdraw and allow the fluid to escape. In the case of very large blisters use a needle and thread and sterilize by boiling. Pass through the blister and snip off the ends of the thread to within ¼ inch of the blister and leave it to act as a drain. Cover all with a soft clean cloth until the serum is all out then cover with adhesive plaster. One can thus continue walking without pain and rely upon complete recovery in a couple of days.

Abrasions are blisters with skin removed, due to rubbing of the shoes in walking and they are very painful because of the access of air upon the exposed nerves of the true skin. Small abrasions may be washed clean and dried, covered with an adhesive strip, and dismissed. Larger ones may need to be cleaned and treated with some antiseptic ointment and covered with absorbent cotton and adhesive. The secret is to prevent them in the first place by proper foot care, and if started to examine and treat them from time to time to prevent their enlargement.

A corn is a circumscribed thickness of skin at a point, usually on a toe, where there is pressure and friction between a bony prominence and the shoe. It is similar to a callus but differs from the latter in having a central peg or core projection inward toward the bone and by pressing on fine nerves producing pain. The pain stops when the outside pressure is removed. If the corn is between two toes where it becomes macerated by heat and moisture it is called a “soft corn.”

In treating a corn the cause must be remedied and this usually consists in getting footwear with plenty of “toe room,” thus relieving the pressure. For cure the callosity must be softened and removed. If the corn is not severe simply softening by soaking in hot soapy water and paring with a razor-sharp knife blade will often suffice. To remove corns: (1) Wash the foot well at bedtime. Soak for ten minutes in hot soapy water which will soften a corn so it will appear white. (2) Wipe dry. (3) Apply corn medicine. The chief ingredient of most of the advertised corn cures is salicylic acid and a convenient preparation is made by your druggist as follows:

CORN COLLODION

Salicylic acid 11 parts Extract Cannibis Indica 2 parts Alcohol 10 parts Flexible collodion 77 parts

Apply with a wisp of cotton twisted on a match or toothpick, dip in solution and paint on the corn and allow to dry. Repeat the above nightly for four times. (4) On the fourth night the corn should be dead and whitish in color. After washing pare around the edge of the corn with a knife blade and lift the core out in one piece, including all of the thickened tissue down to the quick. The result is a complete cure if the attachments of the corn are taken out all at once.

Soft corns must be treated the same as hard ones: soften the corn tissue so it will come away without pain. Preferably here one should use an ointment instead of collodion; salicylic acid 40 parts, vaseline 30 parts and lanolin 30 parts. Smear this over the corns and keep the toes apart with absorbent cotton. Remove the cause.

Because they are so common foot injuries must not be resigned to as inevitable. Prevention is simple and the rewards to the tramper adequate.

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.

The insect repellents used as body applications consist usually of some essential oil incorporated in a lasting base of thick oil or salve which establishes a durable glaze over the skin, preventing too rapid evaporation of the oil by the body heat. These “dopes” do not injure the skin a bit and the slight discomfort they may cause is compensated for by the immunity established. In mildly infested districts oil of citronella applied to the skin will suffice, but where they come at you in swarms a glaze on the skin is needed to hold the essential oil for more continued use. The following formulæ are successful:

NESSMUKS DOPE

No. 1.

Pine Tar 3 oz. Castor Oil 2 oz. Oil Pennyroyal 1 oz.

No. 2.

Pine Tar 1 oz. Oil Pennyroyal 1 oz. Vaseline 3 oz. Phenol 3 oz.

No. 3.

Oil Citronella 1 oz. Spirits camphor 1 oz. Oil Cedar ½ oz.

WOUND TREATMENT

The first thing is to stop the bleeding by simple pressure with the cleaned finger over the bleeding part or applications of hot water cloths. Once a clean clot is formed don’t destroy it. Never use the homely cobwebs to stop bleeding as they reek with germs of blood poison. The second important step is to exclude pus germs. They are fewer in the woods than in the city, but we must be exceedingly careful. Wash the injured part well in hot, soapy water then rinse with water that has been boiled and cooled. Apply the First Aid wound dressing. If the wound is inflamed and discharging pus clean as well as possible and keep the dressing wet with cooled boiled water, reapplying every three hours or sufficiently to keep the dressings wet. On a non-inflamed wound simply apply the First Aid dressing which is sterile and devoid of germs.

In a sprain the ligaments become bruised or torn, there is loss of function and pain with inflammation. Pour hot water on the injured joint for an hour at a time, repeating every two or three hours for a day. (If no receptacle is at hand to heat water in fill a hollow rock, log, or waterproof cloth pocket with water, heat a stone in camp fire and put in water for heating.) Bandage the joint and keep applying hot water. Keep the limb elevated. When the swelling goes down rub the skin with oil or grease, gently massaging the injured parts. Don’t over exercise so as to reinjure the torn ligaments. Walking off a sprain won’t cure it, in fact only prolongs recovery.

In a dislocation besides the ligaments being torn the bone is out of place at a joint causing the affected limb to be shorter or longer than its mate. Study how the bone slipped from its socket, for you must reverse the movements occurring at the time of accident in order to reduce the dislocation.

A fracture is a severe malady because a condition of shock is usually present. The affected part is painful, the contour of limb is changed, a grating (crepitation) is felt and heard when the broken ends are rubbed together. The ends are often, by muscular action, drawn out of position so that they overlap. Overcome this muscle tension by steady pulling of the two broken parts in opposite directions until the ends meet in proper relation to one another (this is imperative). Hold them in place by laying splints of bark or sticks entirely around the break (interposing padding of soft material next the skin) and bandage all in place. If the parts are swelled apply cold water. Healing requires weeks for a good result.

A rather heroic measure was resorted to by Chas. F. Loomis on his long hike from Ohio to California. Having fractured his right arm so badly that the bone protruded (a “compound” fracture) and being alone in a desert he gave his canteen strap two flat turns about the wrist, buckled it around a cedar tree, mounted a nearby rock, set his heels on the edge and threw himself backward. He fainted but the bone was set. Then he rigged up splints and walked 52 miles before tasting food, then finished the 700 mile tramp to Los Angeles with his broken arm in a bandanna.

Those few hardy pedestrians who may venture to indulge in winter walks are subject to having the extremities freeze although if they understand the essentials of keeping warm in winter they may avert such troubles. The effects of heat and cold are about the same; they both cause a loss of blood to the tissues which when thus deprived of heat and nourishment are on the way to mortification. The object of treatment is to restore circulation, gradually. Use cold baths in a cold room then gradually warming same up to the temperature of the body. Wrap the frozen limb up well with wet cloths for the first few days.

Drowning. A strenuous effort should be made to restore breathing in the apparently drowned and so do not consider your attempt as futile until you have thoroughly employed the method suggested below for two hours. You first

(a) Get the water out of the patient’s lungs by loosening all his clothes, laying him on his stomach and turn his face to one side. Now standing astride of his hips grasp him about the waist and raise the hips so that the head and feet touch the ground in order that the water may gravitate out of the lungs.

(b) Again laying the patient on his stomach, head turned aside and with his arms extended above his head he is given artificial respiration after the so-called Schaefer or prone method as follows:

(c) Lung Compression. You kneel on the ground straddling the patient’s hips and facing his head. Place your hands so that the little finger closes over the end of the lowest rib and the heel of your hands so placed on the sides as to allow you to exert all your strength downward from your shoulders until the patient’s lower chest region is compressed. You hold this compression for three seconds and then remove the hands and allow the patient’s chest to refill. Repeat the compression and lung refilling fifteen times a minute for two hours if necessary.

(d) After breathing is established keep the patient in a recumbent position until breathing is regular and put him in a warm place and surround his body with heat in some form such as heated stones wrapped in cloths, hot blankets, etc. If available for use aromatic spirits of ammonia on a handkerchief held to the nose is stimulating.

Colds. Take a hot bath and a heroic dose of physic. For the aches and pains take aspirin tablets (grains 5 each) one every hour for 4 doses then one every 4 hours. If the throat is sore gargle with salt water.

Diarrhœa and stomach cramps may be due to bad water or improper food. The results are bowel pain and too frequent movements and general weakness. Stop all food and rest the patient in bed entirely. Take a purge and after three good movements take a Sun Cholera tablet each hour until three are taken then one every three hours. If without medicine use flour mixed with water.

In Sunstroke the skin stops perspiring, the skin over the ribs is hot and dry, the face red and the head feels great pressure of too much blood. Get to a cool place, lie down, loosen the clothing and bathe the face, chest and wrists in cold water and drink as much water as wanted. In Heat Exhaustion the conditions are opposite--the face is pale and the skin sweaty. You need stimulants such as tea or coffee and are not to bathe the skin.