Chapter
ten is called “Houston, we Have a Fungus.” This chapter is all about what the researchers
had to go through in order to determine the bathing situation for astronauts
that would be in zero gravity environments for extended periods of time.
Before anyone actually sent anyone
to the Moon, or even that far away from Earth itself, scientists needed to look
into a lot of different human routines and determine if they could be done in a
zero gravity zone, more or less in space. One such routine is naturally bathing
and keeping up with personal hygiene. To determine this, there were several
different experiments conducted. In these experiments test subjects were tasked
to, basically, not bathe or clean themselves in the most common forms of the
word for a given amount of time. The American test involved placing Jim Lovell
and Frank Borman into a “real-time simulation of Gemini VII,” a two week long
mission that was to orbit the moon (194). The Russians also did a similar
experiment with men sitting in, essentially, their underwear and watching TV
for a long time, also without bathing. Both experiments were to determine how
much foul odor people produce over time as well as how well people can cope
with being extremely filthy. The experiments lead to the conclusion that while
it might not be the worst possible thing for humans to not bathe for a long
time concerning the health, being so dirty for so long is very uncomfortable
for both the person and those around them.
I honestly picked this chapter to summarize because the
name of it made me laugh harder than the other goofy chapter titles had. The
other reason is because I actually do have Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (CDO)
and the idea of not being able to bathe or clean myself, even for a DAY, makes
me so anxious. I never considered the showering/bathing aspect of being in
space. Showering is just such a ritualistic thing that I do that I often don’t
think about it not being there…I was also able to relate with the small part
about folliculitis (though not for the same reasons…). I have it naturally from
just simple shaving and it is an extremely uncomfortable little infection to
have. I’ve also gotten a boil or two from infected follicles. Avoiding
folliculitis only would be enough reason for me to say “Either no space, or we
figure out how to be CLEAN!”
The name of the chapter you described about is more comical compared to the other chapters in the book. I agree, I have not really thought about cleanliness when astronauts are in space for a long period of time. I do believe that bathing is an importance of daily living. Again, cleaning makes one smell and feel good. On the other hand, there have been some theories arguing that while bathing/showering is good, it also eventually kills away the natural flora that protects the body from bacteria. If you got chosen to work with NASA, what would you do to promote more cleanliness on spacecrafts? One of my favorite parts about this post is the fact you personalized it. When the author/writer identifies within the writing, the readers may find a way to identify with the author/writer.
ReplyDeleteLike you said you never really thought about the whole bathing and personal hygiene part of being in space. We think about the bigger picture as in where they are going or is there ship going to hold up and what type of food are they going to be eating. I think this is a very intriguing chapter to read about cause like you and I we both never even thought about this aspect of going to space. So this is able to put into perspective how something so simple in our day to day lives on earth is a lot harder when we are in space.
ReplyDeleteThis chapter was amusing to say the least. Who ever wanted to know so much about body odor? I was surprised to learn all that I did. I just never thought of hygiene when I think about a space mission. I would never have the strength to endure weeks without a shower, or work so closely with someone who had not either. I laughed through this chapter as well. The author made such a gross topic interesting to read. I also thought the chapter about sex in space was funny to. I was not expecting that all either when I started reading.
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