"... and to expose the hands to the frigid air for only a few seconds was 

 painful." — Fiala. 



"... and even 54 degrees below zero was not objectionable until a light 

 breeze of 4 to 5 miles per hour altered this opinion." — Hayes. 



"The greatest threat of the Arctic is not in low temperatures but in mois- 

 ture turning to ice." — Carlson. 



"Cold weather slows down everything except optimism." — U. S. Navy. 



"Cold is depressing in its influence and soon enfeebles the powers of the 

 will. At first it stimulates to action, but this vigor is quickly followed by 

 torpidity; exertion is soon succeeded by the desire to rest." — Payer. 



ENVIRONMENTAL SANITATION 



Fortunately sufficient basic data about topography and meteor- 

 ology are known to enable one to plan the sanitation for a given 

 area in the North. 



In the summer the usual precautions for assuring protection 

 against the spoilage of food supplies, a pure potable water supply, 

 and berthing, laundry, messing, housing and waste disposal facili- 

 ties have proven satisfactory, both at sea and -ashore. In areas 

 ashore, roughly south of 70° N. latitude, insect control will tax 

 the ingenuity of those in charge, but the methods already available 

 — screening, head-nets, DDT spray, insect repellants — will give 

 sufficient protection and comfort. 



In winter, a difference is at once noted. At sea, the problems 

 are similar to those faced on North Atlantic duty. All food must 

 be kept below decks since vegetables such as potatoes, lettuce, 

 and carrots, which are occasionally kept topside, will soon spoil 

 because of the low temperatures 20° F. to 35° F., and the almost 

 continual wetness from fog, rain, or snow. In addition, hot drinks 

 and extra rations will be necessary. Waste disposal will demand 

 that outlet pipes be warmed by an increased temperature of the 

 affluent. The ship, as a whole, will need to be winterized and 

 comfortably heated and ventilated. Additional space for recrea- 

 tion and for the stowage and drying of foul and cold weather gear 

 must be made available. Finally, the human tolerance or work 

 feasibility for each job will need to be carefully reassessed — usual 

 watches topside cut proportionately, special stations manned for 

 minimum periods, and relief gun crews trained. 



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