Raphael Misson

The Good the Bad and the Ugly. I love Tuco. One of the great pirate characters of all time.

Now that everyone has all but forgotten the Paynetown event, I have finally finished the Surgeon's Journal for the 2009 event. You will find it here. Enjoy!

I agree. I made the drive at 2am in a convertible one year and it was unbelievable with the moonlight and the bridges. Plus there's hardly any traffic as Hurricane says, so you don't have to wait behind people. But you definitely do want to follow the speed limit - especially on Big Pine.

And the last of it (I've finished the book): “Once the skin is broken, however, it is notoriously difficult to heal in the damp, salty environment of a life craft. Bacteria found on the skin which are relatively harmless on intact skin, will grow and multiply in an open wound and delay healing. Concurrent starvation and body-protein deficiency will further delay healing or even inhibit it totally. … In hot weather, the constant warm dampness of the skin beneath damp underwear promotes bacterial growth. It is better to go without underwear in such conditions and, if possible, expose the affected area to a moderate amount of sunlight periodically during the day. Again, washing two or three times a day with fresh water containing mild antiseptic will be helpful. After drying, gently massage some emollient, such as Sudocrem, into the skin over the pressure points. If pus is present, it should be released before cleansing, and the area dotted with iodine or other suitable antiseptic.” "Holding on to a full bladder of urine offers no advantage to body water balance; water cannot be reabsorbed from the bladder." (Golden and Tipton, p. 221) “With body cooling, the temperature of the extremities will fall long before that of deep body tissues, and the unprotected skin of an appendage can rapidly approach ambient temperature. The feet are particularly susceptible if they are inactive and dependent. In such circumstances the muscle pump, which plays such an important role in squeezing the venous blood flow ‘uphill’ to the heart, is almost nonexistent. Backpressure thus occurs on the venous side of the nutritional capillaries, producing a relative stagnation in tissue blood flow. Local swelling of tissues caused by a combination of poor circulation and dependency worsens this condition. Thus a vicious circle is established. In starving survivors, a deficiency of circulating protein contributes further to tissue swelling in the feet, because of the reduced osmosis less fluid moves back into the circulation from the tissues. Fear and anxiety are also predisposing factors for cold injury, as is anything else that decreases peripheral blood flow (for example, footwear or boots that become tight because of swelling of the dependent feet.)” (Golden and Tipton, p. 222) "Wind chill is a major contributory factory in the etiology of cold injury. Relative air movement disturbs the boundary layer of air (forced convection) around the body and increases heat loss. This is the basis of the commonly used term wind chill. Siple devised the wind chill index (WCI) to show the physical relationship between temperatures and wind speed. People embraced the concept because it corresponded well with their subjective experience in the cold. But the index lacks a scientific basis in physical and biological terms because the cooling rate of a clothed living body in a cold environment is not entirely comparable __ __ with the cans of water Siple used in his experiments, a point that he himself recognized. Thus, the application of WCI to the clothed body unnecessarily exaggerates the danger. It is worth remembering that wind chill slows the cooling power of the environment, not air temperature. It is impossible for skin temperature to fall below ambient temperature, regardless of wind speed." (Golden and Tipton, p. 223, 225) "Thirst is a poor indicator of dehydration. Dehydration can be well established before a person feels thirsty. Likewise, after rehydrating, the sensation of thirst disappears before the body fully rehydrates. Alcohol increases dehydration by removing more fluid from the body through the kidneys than is consumed with the alcohol in the first place. Thus the normal inefficiency of people with hangovers intensifies if they are working in a hot environment. They also are more prone to heat illnesses than those who are normally hydrated." (Golden and Tipton, p. 232) That's good information for events! "Dark urine means that the body is dehydrated; the aim is to keep the color of urine pale. In normal circumstances, a rehydrating drink should ideally contain sodium and sugar in the proportions shown in table 10.3 [Table showing 1/2 teaspoon of salt & five level teaspoons of sugar per quart of water.] This drink is not suitable as a sruvival ration because it includes salt." (Golden and Tipton, p. 233) "Many people associate the UV threat with the presences of direct sunlight and infrared heat. A significant UV threat may be present, however, in the absences of bright light or strong infrared waves. Severe sunburns can occur on cloudy days or in the presence of strong cooling air movement.” (Golden and Tipton, p. 234)

I've found that the key to switching user IDs is to put a photo in your signature and then keep your sig the same between IDs. Or you could do the same thing with your avatar like I think you have...if you don't change it constantly, that is.

Aye, sea turtles. Everyone's thinkin' it, I'm just sayin' it. Oh, and let me stick this in here to save Iron Bess the trouble:

That's a great story. I love serendipitous occurances.

I have traveled internationally quite a bit, but I don't know that I would say that that other folks have a "far better" understanding than we do. That is to make the same mistake as saying we have a better understanding. Other folks just have a different perspective. This is why I am fond of saying that there is precious little of what we think is "truth" in things like history. The "truth" of history often depends on what works best to support your opinion.

I believe in part it was because their ships were not designed for speed, shallows or quick movement (turning and so forth). I also seem to recall that they were not nearly as well manned as the Buccaneers, nor nearly as good at fighting. It could even be psychological - they may had less incentive to fight. (This is pure supposition on my part.) However, it may also be that you're only reading accounts written by the successful buccaneers or people who traveled with them. The Spanish managed to successfully transport a lot of wealth from the Caribbean to Spain.

Yeah, they were talking about that two weekends ago at Paynestown. It's still a period piece, it's just that the period is no longer in the past. I'll bet they throw a lot of the altruism out as well.

Yeah, I figure to be there, barring all outside difficulties. I don't know if it helps, but you can see the size of the firebox in this photo:

Well, this is a bit OT, I just thought it was interesting and other people might find it so. It does sort of tangentially relate to marooning and shipwreck victims, although they didn't know it then. There was certainly no one in the 17th century worrying about the salinity of extra-cellular fluid...

Oh, that reminds me of something I really wanted as a kid. An AC Mack Dump Truck. What a cool design.

Let's discuss dehydration and what to do and not to do! "There is an immediate slaking of thirst [after drinking seawater], followed quite soon by an exacerbation of thirst that requires more copious draughts of seawater, and then still more. The victim then becomes silent and apathetic 'with a peculiar fixed and glassy staring expression in the eyes.' The condition of the lips, mouth, and tongue worsens, and a peculiarly offensive odor of the breath has been described. Within an hour or two delirium sets in, quiet at first but later violent, and if unrestrained the victim may jump overboard. If restrained, consciousness is gradually lost; the color of the face changes, and froth appears at the corner of the mouth. Death follows shortly after. __ Thus, although drinking seawater may provide temporary respite from the signs and symptoms of dehydration, it will ultimately hasten death through excess sodium in the body (hypermatremia) before the final throes of death from absence of water (anhydration) occurs." (Golden and Tipton, p. 149-50) "When the body is depleted of water (dehydrated) the concentration of naturally occurring salts in the remaining body fluids, blood, and tissue fluids increases above normal levels. It is believed that this rise in salt levels is responsible for many of the undesirable side effects of dehydration. Excess alt in the tissue fluid bathing the cells will reduce the fluid within the cells, significantly affecting their function. It is postulated that this reduction of the intracellular fluid of brain cells causes the reported madness in those who have drunk large quantities of seawater. ... Normal body fluid has a concentration of about 0.9 percent sodium chloride (salt), which is approximately 9 grams of salt in solution per liter (1.06 quarts), a level that the body attempts to control rigidly through physiological means. Unadulterated seawater, on the other hand, has a concentration of around 3.0 to 3.9 percent salt (35 grams per liter in solution). Thus, if someone drinks one liter (slightly more than a __ quart) of seawater, the level of salt in the body will rise above the tightly controlled level. The body will initiate a physiological response to rid itself of this excess by increasing the excretion of urine. But because the maximum concentration of salt in urine is about 2 percent (20 grams of salt per liter), after excreting a liter of fully concentrated urine an additional 15 grams of salt remains to be disposed of. This can only be achieved by excreting about another three-quarters of a liter of urine, which will further deplete the body water stores. So, the result of drinking a liter of seawater is a net loss of three-quarters of a liter of body water. Alternatively, if the body cannot excrete the 15 grams of salt because it has insufficient water to waste as urine, then the salt will be retained in the body and distributed throughout the extracellular fluid (ECF). This higher concentration of salt in the ECF will drag fluids out of the cells to dilute the raised concentration in the ECF. The result is that 1. dehydration becomes worse. 2. the rate of decline in performance accelerates, and 3. the onset of death approaches more closely. It should be understood that drinking urine (2 percent salt plus urea) is also contraindicated and dangerous." (Golden and Tipton, p. 151-2) "Fish Eyes and Spinal Fluid Both fish eyes and the fluid of the spinal column of fish offer another source of palatable fluid. Both the Baileys (1974) and Stever Callahan (1987) testify to the luxury of having fresh fish eyes to suck or chew when in a dehydrated state. The survivor can obtain the spinal fluid by making an incision through the spine just above the tail, with the fish held head down. By lifting the fish to the head-up position, you can collect the clear fluid in a container or suck it out. Although the volume of fluid obtained by either of these means is very little, it is satiating and has a positive psychological benefit. Turtle Blood Turtle blood has a salt concentration similar to that of human blood and is easy to collect -provided one is caught- and thus may help prolong survival. A turtle has about 500 milliliters of blood per kilogram (about 0.8 ounces per pound); therefore, a 20-kilogram (44-pound) animal will provide approximately one liter (one quart) of blood. In addition, stored beneath the shell of the turtle is a quantity of fat, which will provide both a valuable source of food and metabolic water. By reducing catabolism, the fat will also conserve body water." (Golden and Tipton, p. 157) "Holding on to a full bladder of urine offers no advantage to body water balance; water cannot be reabsorbed from the bladder." (Golden and Tipton, p. 206)

I found another apothecary chest on eBay. The price is ridiculous and it is way out of period (the seller estimates it to be 1870), but it's still kind of interesting for various reasons. (Among them to me are the locking drawer, the bottle shapes, the compartment for the balance scale and weights and the apparent inclusion of the original medicines. I wonder if the tin containers would have been used during period for caustic medicines?) Again, the shape is similar to the drawing by Clowes, although it looks far to small to be an effective ship's surgeon's chest. I believe this would be a personal (home) land-based kit. Home apothecary kits were popular during the 19th century from my reading. According to the label on it it was sold in Portsmouth, so it might have been purchased by a sailor (Who knows?). The auction's description says, "YOU ARE BIDDING ON AN EXCELLENT VICTORIAN (C.1870 ) APOTHECARY CABINET IN WALNUT WOOD COMPLETE WITH BOTTLES, PESTLE AND MORTAR, SCALES, AND WEIGHTS, GRADUATED MEASURE, METAL POISON CONTAINERS AND LOCKING DRAWER.THE WALLNUT CABINET IS 101/2" x 7 1/2" x 9" IS IN VERY GOOD CONDITION. THE MEDICINE BOTTLES HAVE THE ORIGINAL LABELS, ONE IS BROKEN." I saved the photos for later reference. Here are a few of them:

I can answer a few - 8. The "geek" is Jessica (aka Kate). I was referring to myself, but now I notice Jessica has baggy socks too! Baggy socks - it's all part of re-enacting.

What terrific news! Good luck in your new career!

I'm still working on this...actually, other than gathering photos I just started. (So much to do. Anyone want to see the gremlins page I made this week? That was a royal pain in the arse to photograph... It probably won't make a lot of sense to most of you, either. ) 1. Does anyone know the name of this sutler? (Do they have a web site?) 2. And who are these folks, who manned it? 3. I know this vendor was specifically mentioned at the not-auction, but I forget so easily... What are these folks names? 4. Who is this? (I call her 'cool girl.') 5. This guy...are his socks PC? I like that color. 6. And these chaps? (Other than Billy - we know that one. by 'we' I mean my precious and I.) The one guy is our pirate leader, isn't he? 7. Who's this fighting the voodoo kid? 8. who's the geek with the baggy socks?

I never said no boats. A boat is certainly a vehicle. A definition from Freedictionary.com: "ve·hi·cle (v-kl)n. 1. a. A device or structure for transporting persons or things; a conveyance" I just said a boat was a hole in the water that you filled with money.

I very specifically said 'vehicle.' "A boat is a hole in the water which you fill with money." Talking military vehicles, there are two I've always liked. They are based on the same (somewhat foolish from a Physics POV) principle: The Kettenkrad: The American Half Track: Here's a modern version (does this qualify for Cash for Clunkers?):

The museum actually had a Mercedes Gullwing. It's the first time I've ever seen one other than in photos. (It was stuck in the back of the museum! )

What vehicle would you own if you could? (Note: This idea stolen directly from a status comment made by Tartan Jack.) I've talked about my Delorean occasionally and I really enjoyed owning that, although that experience is the reason I added "...if you had more money than brains" to the title. (You may think that owning a collector car would be neat, but the reality is another thing entirely. Trust me.) Personally, I have always thought the Auburn Boattail Speedster was the most beautiful car ever made. Having recently visited the Auburn/Cord/Duesenberg museum in Auburn, IN on my way to Paynetown, I can even show you pictures (...and I even like the color.)

A woman is endowed with natural weapons with which men cannot compete. You know, I would actually think a small punching dagger that could be hidden in a waistband would be most effective when combined with feminine wiles. (It would seem to me to be an excellent non-combat weapon, even if it may not have been in common use.) (Early 18th century (probably) Indian katar from the Royal Collection. http://www.royalcollection.org.uk/egallery/object.asp?object=11284 )

Hey Jack, may I use your photos on my page?

(The monkey will do no more acting until he or she receives a pay raise.)