The Medical Aspect of the Discovery's Voyage to the Antarctic

Wilson, Edward

doi:10.1136/bmj.2.2323.77

Cited by 15 publications

(23 citation statements)

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“…Wilson wrote ‘200 seals are going to be killed for winter beef’ (Savours, 1966, p. 246) and skuas were also secured during the second winter. In the second winter, there was no scurvy (Wilson, 1905).…”

Section: Scurvy In Antarcticamentioning

confidence: 99%

The diet and incidence of scurvy and adopted preventative measures in the two branches of Shackleton’s Imperial Trans-Antarctic Expedition 1914–1917

Harrowfield¹,

Alp²

2019

Polar Record

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Sir Ernest Henry Shackleton’s Imperial Trans-Antarctic Expedition (ITAE) 1914–1917, consisted of two parties – a Weddell Sea party led by Shackleton with Endurance, and a supporting Ross Sea depot-laying party, led by Captain Aeneas L.A. Mackintosh with Aurora. The purpose of this research paper is to consider why the Ross Sea party contracted scurvy and the Weddell Sea party did not. The authors suggest that for the Ross Sea shore party there was ineffectual leadership, insufficient medical care and sledging with excessive loads, and an inadequate diet for sledging, in both energy and vitamin C content. In their second season, depletion of vitamin C was again evident with one person dying. The Weddell Sea party, ably led by Shackleton, not only faced the arduous task of sledging heavy stores and moving camps in thick snow, but also had to haul three boats over pressure ridges, before reaching open water and rowing to Elephant Island. Here, the men lived almost exclusively on a fresh meat diet and were not affected by scurvy. This is the final paper for the trilogy commemorating the Ross Sea party centenary (the others are Harrowfield, 2013, 2015).

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Section: Scurvy In Antarcticamentioning

confidence: 99%

The diet and incidence of scurvy and adopted preventative measures in the two branches of Shackleton’s Imperial Trans-Antarctic Expedition 1914–1917

Harrowfield¹,

Alp²

2019

Polar Record

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“…Similarly, Amundsen (1913: 69) wrote: 'On sledging journeys one has, of course, to save weight as much as possible, and to take only what is strictly necessary; and I do not include alcohol under the head of strictly necessary things.' Dr Wilson (1905) said of the Discovery expedition that 'no alcohol was taken on sledge journeys, except for a small can of brandy for emergencies'. I thought this a suitable occasion to bring in the gin.…”

Section: Sledging Partiesmentioning

confidence: 99%

Use and abuse of alcohol and other drugs during the heroic age of Antarctic exploration

Guly

2013

Hist Psychiatry

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During the heroic age of Antarctic exploration, there was much discussion on the role of alcohol. The explorers expected to be able to consume alcohol, and the expeditions were supported by companies producing alcoholic beverages that used the Antarctic connection in their advertising. On the other side, it was said (incorrectly) than Fridjof Nansen, perhaps the most famous of the Arctic explorers, had taken no alcohol and this was used in the arguments against alcohol by the temperance movement. In general, alcohol consumption was low but it was felt that alcohol played an important role in maintaining the psychological welfare of the participants. A number of them had alcohol problems, and participation in an expedition was thought to be of benefit in that it would remove the temptation to consume alcohol. However, there were episodes of drunkenness on the ships and in the Antarctic. Cocaine was taken as one of a number of tonics but only one explorer is thought to have abused drugs, though another is said to have done so.

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“…E.A. Wilson (1905) and E. Atkinson (1915) wrote papers on the medical aspects of the Discovery and Terra Nova expeditions respectively and, in addition, Atkinson listed the medical equipment taken in the expedition's scientific reports (Atkinson 1924) and wrote a brief unpublished report (Atkinson 1913). J.L.…”

Section: Expeditions and Medical Reportsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Human biology investigations during the heroic age of Antarctic exploration (1897–1922)

Guly¹

2013

Polar Record

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This article describes the human biological data that was collected from the participants of the Antarctic expeditions of the ‘heroic age’ (1897–1922). Routine body weights, waist circumference, spirometry and grip strength measurements were performed on a number of the expeditions for monitoring health and at least four expeditions measured the haemoglobin level and demonstrated that anaemia did not occur. The only true research was done by Dr A.L. McLean of the Australasian Antarctic Expedition, who measured hair and nail growth and investigated immunity. By modern standards, the data collected is of little value but McLean's work laid the groundwork for modern research into the effects of Antarctic residence on the human organism.

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The Medical Aspect of the Discovery's Voyage to the Antarctic

Cited by 15 publications

References 0 publications

The diet and incidence of scurvy and adopted preventative measures in the two branches of Shackleton’s Imperial Trans-Antarctic Expedition 1914–1917

The diet and incidence of scurvy and adopted preventative measures in the two branches of Shackleton’s Imperial Trans-Antarctic Expedition 1914–1917

Use and abuse of alcohol and other drugs during the heroic age of Antarctic exploration

Human biology investigations during the heroic age of Antarctic exploration (1897–1922)

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