APPENDIX 361 



— and the underclothing should be of wool. The hat 

 should have a wide brim and be thick enough to exclude 

 all rays of the sun. The proper headgear is a broad- 

 brimmed gray felt, or, for summer wear, a big opaque 

 helmet of white or khaki color, the bigger the better. The 

 hair should not be cut very short, as it is a natural means 

 of protection. 



Travellers with their own outfits and a minimum 

 means of transportation will find that they must walk 

 much of the time, for teams with heavy loads can crawl 

 through the sands at the rate of only two to three miles 

 an hour. Sand and sharp flints will wear out the soles of 

 shoes and boots very rapidly. Hence stout, hobnailed 

 footwear should be worn. 



Owing to the intense heat of the desert there is a rapid 

 and abundant growth of minute forms of animal and 

 vegetable life in waters that are not too saline. All water 

 should therefore be boiled before drinking. Filters form a 

 part of the more elaborate outfits. There are now on the 

 market several small, compact filters from which the 

 traveller may select such as he may think desirable. It is 

 not practicable to distil water except for mining camps 

 or for large parties. 



It is advisable to drink heartily in the morning and at 

 night and as little as possible during the day. The prac- 

 tice of drinking water in excess of the amount necessary 

 to relieve thirst may easily become a habit and should be 

 avoided. At best it places an unnecessary tax on the sys- 

 tem, and, when alkaline waters are used, may easily 

 result in illness that could have been prevented by the 

 exercise of greater foresight and self-control. It has been 

 recommended that raw oatmeal be placed in the canteens, 

 and some travellers even add to this a small quantity of 

 chocolate and sugar. Condensed cream counteracts in 

 great measure the irritation produced in the digestive 

 tract by the alkaline desert waters, and is therefore es- 



