Journal of the Third Voyage for the Discovery of a North-West PassageParry, William Edward, Sir
History
Journal of the Third Voyage for the Discovery of a North-West Passage
Parry, William Edward, Sir
Arctic regions -- Discovery and exploration -- British; Fury (Ship); Hecla (Ship); Northwest Passage
“Their distance from the ships at once precluded any effectual assistance
being rendered them at their huts, and their removal on board with
safety; the complaints of those who died at the huts, therefore, did not
come under observation. It appears, however, to have been acute
inflammation of some of the abdominal viscera, very rapid in its career.
In the generality the disease assumed a more insidious and sub-acute
form, under which the patient lingered for a while, and was then either
carried off by a diarrhœa or slowly recovered by the powers of nature.
Three or four individuals who, with some risk and trouble, were brought
to the ships, we were providentially instrumental in recovering; but two
others, almost helpless patients, were so far exhausted before their
arrival that the endeavours used were unsuccessful, and death was
probably hastened by their removal.
“Abdominal and thoracic inflammations, in fact, seem to be the only
active diseases they have to encounter. Where a spontaneous recovery
does not take place, these prove fatal in a short time. The only
instance among them of chronic sequels to those complaints occurred in an
old man almost in dotage, whose feeble remains of life were wasting away
by an ulceration of the lungs.
“No traces of the exanthematous disorders met our observation. A
solitary case of epilepsy was seen in a deaf and dumb boy, who eventually
died. Chronic rheumatism occurs, but it is rare and not severe. I have
some doubt in saying that scurvy exists among them. A disease, however,
having a close affinity to it was witnessed, but as in the only case that
came fairly under our notice it was complicated with the symptoms of a
previous debilitating disease, the diagnosis was difficult. During the
patient’s recovery from one of the abdominal attacks above mentioned, the
gums were observed to be spongy, separated from the teeth and reverted,
bleeding, and in various parts presenting the livid appearance of
scorbutic gums. At the same period arose pains of an anomalous
description, and of considerable severity about the shoulders and thorax.
These gradually yielded as he recovered strength, but were succeeded by
other pains and tenderness of the bones and muscles of the thighs and
legs. The citric acid was given to him freely from the beginning, until
it interfered with his appetite and bowels, when it was omitted. Topical
applications were at the same time used, and afterwards continued. Signs
of amendment appeared before it became necessary to withhold the
vegetable acid, and it was not recurred to while he remained on board.
Urged by impatience of control, he left us to join his countrymen before
he had well regained his strength; but we saw him on board several times
afterwards in a progressive state of improvement, and, though yet weak,
free from scorbutic symptoms. Another instance offered in a woman, whom
I saw but once. Her gums were spongy and reverted, but not discoloured;
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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