After many observations we knew the symptoms well, which made the correctness of our prognoses quite certain. Each of us could calculate with fair accuracy whose turn would be next, and when his own would come. MAN'S SEARCH FOR MEANING members of the little community in our hut died. Then the body had no powers of resistance left. The organism digested its own protein, and the muscles disappeared. When the last layers of subcutaneous fat had van- ished, and we looked like skeletons disguised with skin and rags, we could watch our bodies beginning to devour themselves. The sick who were \"under special care\" - that is, those who were allowed to lie in the huts instead of leaving the camp for work - were even worse off. In calories, this diet was absolutely inadequate, especially taking into consider- ation our heavy manual work and our constant expo- sure to the cold in inadequate clothing. In addition to that, there was the so-called \"extra allowance,\" con- sisting of three-fourths of an ounce of margarine, or of a slice of poor quality sausage, or of a little piece of cheese, or a bit of synthetic honey, or a spoonful of watery jam, varying daily. During the later part of our imprisonment, the daily ration consisted of very watery soup given out once daily, and the usual small bread ration. ![]() ![]() Is it not wrong to provoke the organism with such detailed and affective pictures of delicacies when it has somehow managed to adapt itself to ex- tremely small rations and low calories? Though it may afford momentary psychological relief, it is an illusion which physiologically, surely, must not be without danger. They would go on and on, picturing it all in detail, until suddenly a warning was passed down the trench, usually in the form of a special password or number: \"The guard is coming.\" I always regarded the discussions about food as dangerous. EXPERIENCES IN A CONCENTRATION CAMP when they would be liberated and returned home.
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |