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SCIENTIFIC AND MEDICAL ASPECTS OF THE AUSTRALIAN ANDEAN EXPEDITION
Author(s) -
Sutton John
Publication year - 1971
Publication title -
medical journal of australia
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.904
H-Index - 131
eISSN - 1326-5377
pISSN - 0025-729X
DOI - 10.5694/j.1326-5377.1971.tb50596.x
Subject(s) - acclimatization , hormone , mountaineering , glucagon , effects of high altitude on humans , medicine , endocrine system , physiology , biology , geography , ecology , archaeology , anatomy
Nine Australian mountaineers who comprised the Australian Andean Expedition, 1969, left Sydney for Peru on May 7, 1969. Some three months were spent at altitude, of which 62 days (June 18 to August 17) were spent above 13,000 ft (4,000 m). During this time 27 different ascents on 19 mountains were made, Including 13 first ascents. A physiological endocrine programme to establish the function of hormones in acclimatization was the major scientific investigation. The blood sugar level, and the serum levels of Insulin, glucagon, cortisol, thyroxine and growth hormone were measured at rest and during exercise after three months' acclimatization in the Andes. Control studies had previously been made at sea‐level and during acute exposure to 15,000 ft (4,550 m) in a pressure chamber. The growth hormone level became markedly elevated during submaximal exercise in the pressure chamber, but after three months' acclimatization the pattern was identical with that found previously at sea‐level. A similar study on eight Peruvians born and living at Morococha (15,000 ft) showed a surprising and unexplained elevation of the fasting basal growth hormone level on two separate occasions. Frusemide appeared to be beneficial in reducing the frequency and severity of symptoms of acute mountain sickness when travelling from sea level to Cuzco (11,500 ft). Hepatitis was the major health hazard of the expedition; seven cases were positively diagnosed, and three of these patients were quite ill. The three who were at high camps, and thus were forced to undertake prolonged strenuous exercise during the pre‐icteric stage of the Illness, had a much longer and more severe illness than those whose illness began at base camp and who were able to rest. A cursory study of a small mountain community of some 200 residents of Yanama was made. These appeared healthy and well nourished; however, the heights and weights were below the 3rd centile, probably as a result of hypoxia. A survey and mapping programme was also carried out, and botanical collections were made.