How Chris McCandless Died
- Thread starter Shewie
- Start date
I knew of lathyrism, but didn't realise that it was indicated in CMcC's case.
It's one of those diseases that is a real issue after environmental catastrophe where an agricultural population is reduced to eating a much restricted diet and ingest too much chickling peas without balancing them with sulphur rich cereals.
I recall reading something about one in every hundred afghanistanis in Gondar ended up crippled after such an episode. The peas are a traditional famine food of the poor.
http://ije.oxfordjournals.org/content/19/3/664.abstract
That's the Lathyrus chickpea not the Cicer one, I hasten to add.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chickpea
Hellish way to go
I really hope the foraging books take note and alter their advice.
M
It's one of those diseases that is a real issue after environmental catastrophe where an agricultural population is reduced to eating a much restricted diet and ingest too much chickling peas without balancing them with sulphur rich cereals.
I recall reading something about one in every hundred afghanistanis in Gondar ended up crippled after such an episode. The peas are a traditional famine food of the poor.
http://ije.oxfordjournals.org/content/19/3/664.abstract
That's the Lathyrus chickpea not the Cicer one, I hasten to add.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chickpea
Hellish way to go
I really hope the foraging books take note and alter their advice.
M
xylaria
Bushcrafter (boy, I've got a lot to say!)
What a fasinating article.
A lot of what is known about safety of foraged plants is from people in extreme circumstances. I am glad for McCandless friends and family that there was people out there that did proper research and found the true cause of death. Lathyrism can be produced by quite a few european members of the pea family.
A lot of what is known about safety of foraged plants is from people in extreme circumstances. I am glad for McCandless friends and family that there was people out there that did proper research and found the true cause of death. Lathyrism can be produced by quite a few european members of the pea family.
Good post, great story, very sad but interesting. A balanced diet is needed wherever you are. I don't think Chris MaCandless can be thought of as ignorant, as it was perceived commen knowledge that the peas were fine. 20 years later and if it wasn't for this post. We could all make the same mistake
robin wood
Bushcrafter (boy, I've got a lot to say!)
Yes good article, I posted it last week in the "into the wild" thread but think no one saw it there http://www.bushcraftuk.com/forum/showthread.php?t=71732&highlight=mccandless
Must be good for the family to have some closure and it explains better how come he perished when so close to the road. Bad luck.
Must be good for the family to have some closure and it explains better how come he perished when so close to the road. Bad luck.
Just goes to show even the experts can get it wrong in this case [FONT=Times New Roman, serif] Dr. Clausen, and mans quizzical nature prevails once again..[/FONT]
Seems the original author has been somewhat discredited
http://www.adn.com/article/20150110/fiction-jon-krakauers-wild
http://www.adn.com/article/20150110/fiction-jon-krakauers-wild
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