Primitive Technology
Page 37
"Contrary to popular belief, application of petroleum jelly, isopropyl alcohol, finger nail polish or a hot match are not effective ways to remove ticks from persons or animals. A tick can be removed safely and effectively be grasping it with a pair of forceps or tweezers and pulling gently. After removal, the site of the tick bite should be disinfected. Ticks should not be squeezed, crushed or disrupted, as their fluids may be infectious. Ticks should be disposed of by soaking in alcohol or flushing them down the toilet, after which one should wash hands with soap and water." (Gorbach, 1992)
Lyme Disease is transmitted by the deer tick, smaller than the common tick. Outbreaks have focused around the Great Lakes, the West Coast, Texas and the East Coast. Symptoms include fever, stiff neck, fatique, distinctive rash at the bite site, neurologic or cardiac involvement, and arthritis. Treatment has not yet been worked out. The best protection is prevention of exposure to ticks.
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SAFETY TIPS
1. Look bothways before crossing the road.
2. Keep your tetanus immunization up to date.
3. If you transport a carcass in your car, tightly bag or containerize it to keep fleas and ticks from getting loose.
4. Process any carcass well away from any habitation or food or drink.
5. Process any carcass as soon as possible. If fresh enough for meat, refrigerate or freeze right away.
6. If you freeze or refrigerate any unprocessed, whole carcass, do not put it in a freezer or refrigerator with other foods.
7. While processing any carcass, wear protective clothing, including gloves and even a face mask. Work in a well ventilated place. Be cautious of air-borne spores or dust. Avoid touching your face or scratching your skin.
8. Do not process any animal if you have an open wound, scratch, cracked skin, hangnail, etc.
9. Wash your hands thoroughly after each contact, with an antibacterial soap.
10. Remove and separately wash all protective clothing before returning to habitation or food.
11. Thoroughly wash and disinfect all surfaces and utensils used in processing an animal.
12. Carefully dispose of any remains.
13. Isolate the hide until any fleas or ticks are dead or gone.
14. Wear light-colored clothing and check yourself often for ticks during and after handling a carcass.
It's too common among long time practitioners of primitive skills to hear all kinds of horror stories. This discussion maybe a little intimidating, but with compliance with the law and attention to safety precautions, you should have few problems. I am no doctor, so naturally if a problem arises, please contact your doctor for advice. And please be careful when standing in the middle of the road.
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REFERENCES
Auerback, P.S., MD, et ux
1989 Management ofWilderness and Environ mental Emergencies, 2 ed.. C. V. Mosby Co.
Duchin, J.S., MD, et al
1994 Hantavirus Pulmonary Syndrome: A Clinical Description of 17 Patients with a Newly Recognized Disease", in New England Journal of Medicine, April 7.
Gorbach, S.L., MD, et al
1992 Infectious Diseases, W.B. Saunders Co.
Gubler, D.J., MD, et al
1994 "A Field Guide to Animal-Borne Infections." In Patient Care, October 15, 1994.
Pearson, S, US Fish and Wildlife Service, Sacramento
1995 Personal Communication
Reimer, Larry, MD, Dept. of Infectious Disease,
1995 University of Utah Medical Center Personal Communication
Stada, Tony,
1995 California Dept. of Fish & Game, Region 4 Personal Communication
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15. Don't eat spoiled meat.
16. Thoroughly cook all meats, to above 170 degrees F.
17. Consider whether the nature of the animal's demise is evidence of the bizarre behavior of rabies, or the sudden death of anthrax or plague. Avoid all contact with any suspect animals, and report them to the authorities.
18. If your skin develops a rash, if a wound develops an infection or red streaks up your arm or leg, or if you develop fever within 2 weeks of contact, immediately see a doctor.
19. If you get a tick bite, remove the tick as soon as possible, in a safe manner, and inform your doctor of the bite if any of the above symptoms occur. Even if you're not aware of a bite, if you develop symptoms, tell your doctor if you've been in a tick area.
20. Keep children and immune-compromised people away from carcasses, processing areas, remains or animal parts until the vectors of infection have been removed or disinfected.
21. If you find mice nests in your hides, do not shake or brush them out. First, wet down the hide before cleaning off the nest, and avoid breathing any dust.
22. Avoid eating meat from an animal where the intestine or urinary tract has been ruptured.
23. Wash meat for consumption only with disinfected water.
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Society of Primitive Technology
Statement of Ethics
ETHICS STATEMENT - The following Statement of Ethics was drafted to be our guiding statement regarding memberships, advertising, and endorsement of events and projects by the Society of Primitive Technology.
Through the stated goals of the Society of Primitive Technology as defined by the Society of Primitive Technology mission statement, the Society will not condone, encourage, or sanction any of the following activities as they may be attempted by any individual, group, business or organization:
1. The sale of prehistoric artifacts, and/or any intentional alteration of aboriginal items. This includes the sale of modern replicas as authentic aboriginal artifacts.
2. The sale of any modern replica, in any medium, which does not clearly display a distinctive and permanent "maker's mark" which could be used to distinguish said item as a modern replica.
3. The sale or trade of products which, all or in part, contain remains of any endangered animal or plant species, where the maker does not possess a proper permit or license.
4. Any activity which as a primary intent or result, conflicts with the stated goals of The Society of Primitive Technology.
Conflicts with the above statement will be considered by the Board of Directors, who may or may not decide to take action.
Ethics For Modern "Primitives"
By Alice Tulloch
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Many of us begin learning about aboriginal life skills for simple reasons such as learning some basic survival skills, or the pleasure of mastering a complex technology. But inevitably our character and our integrity are transformed by our growing involvement.
From the new found skills comes self-esteem and a profound respect for the people before us who relied on these skills for their livelihood. From our teachers comes a greater sense of how sharing these skills, one to one, enhances our reliance on each other.
But we are creatures of today's culture as well. Sometimes the influences of that consumptive and rushed lifestyle overshadow the lessons of the old ones. We need to take time to step back and regain our perspective on life's meaning, on how our conduct in primitive activities reflects our understanding of the deeper lessons of the ages.
In each skill we learn, there seems to be an element of right behavior. Flintknappers learn to avoid disturbing archaeologically significant quarries, or "pothunting" and picking up artifacts. They sign their work and properly dispose of their debitage to avoid confusing the archaeological record. These kinds of measures apply to all skills that leave durable products.
Those who collect plant materials also need to consider the consequences of their actions. Collecting rare or endangered species is unconscionable and prohibited. Loss of habitat and the pressure of range animals is continuing to deplete these plant populations.
Even the collecting of common plants may involve ethical questions. Many useful food, tool and basketry plants survive on private property where laws of trespass apply. Obtain permission to en
ter such lands. Many "primitives" are chagrined to have to obtain permits for collecting on public lands. But these permits are a response to abuses that have occurred. Two recent examples: It is reported that on the Klamath River drainage, a floral supply company, with a permit for a small amount of beargrass leaves, removed truck loads of whole beargrass plants for export. Due to the outcry of the local basket weavers who have struggled for years for protect this important traditional basket material, this company has now been denied access to many of the northern California national forests. In another case, someone used a backhoe to remove large amounts of obsidian from the archaeologically significant Warner Mountain quarries, and now permits are required for everyone. With increasing population pressure on even these simplest resources, everyone needs to be aware of the impact of their actions.
Another aspect of plant material collecting is respecting someone's territory, even on public lands. It is still common practice among many native people to cultivate certain plants year after year, to encourage quality materials. Newcomers may not be aware of the effort, and unknowingly or uncaringly take the prime materials cultivated by others. Each person needs to develop his own sites, or ask permission of the cultivator.
The taking of animals gives pause to all of us. Laws related to hunting are today's society's best guess on the proper management of game populations. Those rules have evolved and will continue to evolve as game management agencies learn more about the dynamics of the ecosystems in which these animals live. But each of us has an obligation to consider our motives in taking an animal. Attitudes have swung away from hunting for sport, to a more respectful and complete utilization of the gift of the animal's life. This attitude can apply to the use of any animal, plant or mineral resource as well.
Artifakes and fraud are all too common a problem in the world of hand-made products. "Primitives" and artisans today have a high degree of skill and knowledge of the old ways of manufacture. Some are able to exactly reproduce the techniques, materials, shapes and designs of objects made throughout human history. Out of respect for all their forebearers, they should not misrepresent their products when they sell or give them away. To their shame, some dealers and collectors have not been exempt from fraudulent practices either, even when the object's maker has been honest with them. The news too often reports about fraudulent objects making their way even to the large auction houses. How many slip through undetected? And how is this altering and obscuring the story of prehistory that the genuine objects have yet to tell us?
At the end of the day, our thoughts return to our teachers. We've learned respect for their skill and dedication. We honor the long line of teachers that have trusted us with these skills. It is not easy to live up to these standards. Each of us can tell of our temptations and transgressions. But hopefully, this discussion has given you time to reflect. Certainly as we practice and live with primitive skills, we become more in tune with the greater interconnectedness of the earth. Our time on the earth is short. But what's important is that we pass on the traditions as faithfully as they were given to us.
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ABOUT OUR LOGO: Our logo was designed by David Callahan, using his and Jack Cresson's sketches, with suggestions from the board. The skull of our common ancestor, Neanderthal, becomes a cavern into which we peer to see a campfire swirling about, symbolizing the spirit of our movement. The ancient technologies, long forgotten, await our rediscovery, to unite us all.
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Join the Society of Primitive Technology
P.O. Box 905, Rexburg, ID 83440 or call (208) 359-2400.
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Subscriptions include the beautiful Bulletin of Primitive Technology which comes out twice a year (May 1 & November 1). The Bulletin focuses on how-to's, project reports, ethnographic discoveries, newsworthy notes, timely articles, society business, and the popular Resource Directory.
Membership shows that you support one of the most unique movements in the field. The Society of Primitive Technology networks with others working towards the preservation of our prehistoric and world culture. This is your organization. If you are interested in what the Bulletin and Society stand for, don't just sit back, get active! Letters, articles, questions, announcements, news, i etc. should be sent "Attention Editor." Memberships should be sent to the SPT Subscription Secretary at the Rexburg, ID address.
The SPT Bulletin is a vehicle to support networking, problem solving and education in the primitive/prehistoric arts and technologies. Do you have a specialty that you want help perfecting, a discovery you want to share, or a question you wish to explore? Get those communications flying and join us. Membership in the Society is $25 for US members, and $35 International/Canada.
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Society of Primitive Technology
©1998