REQUIREMENTS FOR MAINTENANCE OF HEALTH p4

even in the arctic, where meat’s heat-producing qualities are normally
essential. Many plant foods such as nuts and seeds will give you enough
protein and oils for normal efficiency. Roots, green vegetables, and plant
food containing natural sugar will provide calories and carbohydrates
that give the body natural energy.
The food value of plants becomes more and more important if you are
eluding the enemy or if you are in an area where wildlife is scarce. For
instance—
You can dry plants by wind, air, sun, or fire. This retards spoilage
so that you can store or carry the plant food with you to use when
needed.
You can obtain plants more easily and more quietly than meat. This
is extremely important when the enemy is near.
Animal Foods
Meat is more nourishing than plant food. In fact, it may even be more
readily available in some places. However, to get meat, you need to
know the habits of, and how to capture, the various wildlife.
To satisfy your immediate food needs, first seek the more abundant and
more easily obtained wildlife, such as insects, crustaceans, mollusks, fish,
and reptiles. These can satisfy your immediate hunger while you are preparing
traps and snares for larger game.
Personal Hygiene
In any situation, cleanliness is an important factor in preventing infection
and disease. It becomes even more important in a survival situation.
Poor hygiene can reduce your chances of survival.
A daily shower with hot water and soap is ideal, but you can stay clean
without this luxury. Use a cloth and soapy water to wash yourself. Pay
special attention to the feet, armpits, crotch, hands, and hair as these
are prime areas for infestation and infection. If water is scarce, take an
“air” bath. Remove as much of your clothing as practical and expose
your body to the sun and air for at least 1 hour. Be careful not to
sunburn.
If you don’t have soap, use ashes or sand, or make soap from animal fat
and wood ashes, if your situation allows. To make soap—