rcumstances alter cases, and the correct ration
under one set of conditions cannot be expected to coincide with that in
another situation. Thus, the journey may be conducted under conditions
of great cold or of comparative warmth, by man-hauling or auxiliary
power, at sea-level or on an altitude, through regions where there is
a reasonable hope of securing additions of meat by the way, or across
barren tracts devoid of game. In each instance particular demands must
be supplied.

In selecting the articles of diet, idiosyncrasies of individuals should
be consulted in reason, and under no consideration should anything be
taken which bears the slightest stigma of contamination. It remains,
then, to discriminate those foods which contribute the greatest amount
of nutriment for a given weight, and which, inter se, preserve a proper
dietetic balance. Variety is very desirable, provided that there is no
important sacrifice in nutrient value. The proof of a wisely selected
ration is to find at the end of a long sledge journey that the sole
craving is for an increase in the ration. Of course, such would be the
ideal result of a perfect ration, which does not exist.

Considering that an ordinary individual in civilization may only satisfy
the choice demands of his appetite by selecting from the multifarious
bill of fare of a modern restaurant, it will be evident that the same
person, though already on the restricted diet of an explorer, cannot
be suddenly subjected to a sledging ration for any considerable period
without a certain exercise of discipline.

For example, the Eastern Coastal Party, sledging at fairly high
temperatures over the sea-ice, noted that the full ration of hoosh
produced at times a mild indigestion, they drank much liquid to satisfy
an intense thirst and on returning to the Hut found their appetites
inclined to tinned fruit and penguins' eggs. Bickerton's and Bage's
parties, though working at a much higher altitude, had a similar
experience. The former, for instance, could not at first drink the whole
allowance of thick, rich cocoa without a slight nausea. The latter saved
rations during the first two weeks of their journey, and only when they
rose to greater heights and were in fine condition did they appreciate
the ration to the full. Again, even when one becomes used to the ration,
the sensation of full satisfaction does not last for more than an hour.
The imagination reaches forward to the next meal, pe