Show NOT ALWAYS HEALTHFUL < I Mountaineering1 is Dangerous to n Large Class or Tourists Can we regard mountaineering as in the main and for the mass of tourists a safe and healthful amusement This is a question which cannot be answered without considerable reserves and qualifications says the Lancet Mountaineering Moun-taineering by which we mean ascents of 10000 or 12000 feet and upward involves in-volves much strain and severe fatigue The strain is first upon the muscular system but it affects even more importantly im-portantly the circulatory respiratory and nervous mechanisms In some persons the heart seems to feel the tax most in others the nervous system is chiefly affected Palpitation and mountain sickness the latter in all probability a neurosisare the two chief difficulties that beset the average aver-age mountaineer It is clear from these considerations that mountaineering is not for everybody every-body There must be first of all a sound general physique considerable endurance and the capacity for prolonged pro-longed and continuous effort But it is not at all generally understood that a sound heart musclea well developed and well exercised myocardiumis indispensable in-dispensable for any considerable mountaineering moun-taineering feats Hence any suspicion of structural heart disease is an absolute abso-lute contraindication for any such exploits ex-ploits Further the heart must be not only structurally sound but well exercised ex-ercised and in good condition Hence sedentary livers who for eleven months in the year have no regular active exenpise should not employ their holiday month in mountaineering Yachting or fishing will be much safer for such and perhaps not less health fulMany Many Alpine accidents have been the result of the neglect of this very obvious rule For similar reasons mountaineering should be esdhewed by persons in middle life who have not acquired the requisite training in youth and even those who in the hey day of their early prime delighted In the sport and enjoyed many a crowded crowd-ed hour of glorious life on some Alpine Al-pine summit would do well to remember remem-ber Horaces maxim regarding the aging steed and bid a timely adieu to exploits longer suited to their years A certain stability of the nervous system sys-tem is indispensable for mountainneer ing but It is difficult to say anything precise on this head Neurotic individuals indi-viduals not only climb badly as a rule but they do not benefit by the air above a certain moderate level A certain cer-tain coolness of nerve is a necessary qualification for the many ascents whloh Involve actual dangerdanger usually avoidable and seldom extreme but not to be lightly encountered by those deficient to steadiness and self controL i < N I 11 > < |