Mountain Journeys 95 



would take on the plain for its entire completion .... The same thing 

 has been observed on all high mountains. (P. 33.) 



The accounts of travellers on Mont Blanc are always most 

 characteristic in reference to mountain sickness. After Auldjo, 

 an interval of seven years had elapsed, during which only one 

 ascent (Wilbraham, August 3, 1830) had taken place. But Sep- 

 tember 17, 1834, Dr. Martin Barry 133 made a scientific ascent the 

 account of which is very interesting. 



He mentioned physiological disturbances only above the Grand 

 Plateau: 



We had then reached an elevation at which I was to verify the 

 statements of previous travellers about the exhaustion brought on by 

 the slightest effort in a much rarefied atmosphere. I did not expe- 

 rence such discomforts before reaching this point, and I did not see 

 any in my guides. I could take only a small number of steps at a time, 

 and those were short and slow. Two or three deep inspirations were 

 enough at each step to revive me; but when I started again, the 

 exhaustion returned as before. I felt an indifference which was not 

 overcome by the sight of the summit so close at hand. I even had a 

 slight fainting fit, and was forced to sit down for a few minutes; but 

 a little wine revived me .... 



After a few minutes rest at the summit, the weakness, exhaustion 

 and indifference disappeared .... (P. 112.) 



The account of the ascent of Count de Tilly, which took place a 

 fortnight after that of Barry, contains so many mistakes and con- 

 fusions that we cannot give our time to it. But the following 

 year, an Englishman, Atkins, 134 reached the summit with two com- 

 panions, Hedringen and Pedwel, without counting the guides, and 

 observed interesting data. 



His ascent took place August 23, 1837. He begins by making 

 excuses as if for a foolish action. The first symptoms are not re- 

 ported by him until on the Grand-Plateau: 



I was forced (he says) to stop every ten steps to get my breath 

 and rest my legs. I suffered from thirst and from deathly languor. 

 From time to time I swallowed a mouthful of vinegar, to moderate the 

 thirst which devoured my entrails, and I often had nosebleed. 



Coutet was not free from distress and Jolliquet could not hold 

 his head straight. Some of those who were ahead dragged themselves 

 this way and that, others raised themselves, then fell down again. At 

 the foot of the wall of La Cote lay a man stretched out at full length 

 and motionless. I cannot say whether this was one of the guides, but 

 he finally rejoined us ... . 



At last, after a terrible ascent, after having been forced to stop 

 every two minutes to breathe, we reached the summit .... It was 7° 

 below zero (P. 36.) .... 



