THE QUESTION OF ALCOHOL 69 



us, and I can assure the givers that all their presents 

 have been, and are still, much appreciated. 



We were well supplied with wines and spirits, thanks 

 to one of the largest firms of wine-merchants in 

 Christiania. An occasional glass of wine or a tot of 

 spirits were things that we all, without exception, were 

 very glad of. The question of alcohol on Polar expedi- 

 tions has often been discussed. Personally, I regard 

 alcohol, used in moderation, as a medicine in the Polar 

 regions I mean, of course, so long as one is in winter 

 quarters. It is another matter on sledge journeys: 

 there we all know from experience that alcohol must be 

 banished not because a drink of spirits can do any 

 harm, but on account of the weight and space. 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. Nor was it only in winter 

 quarters that we had use for alcohol, but also on the 

 long, monotonous voyage through raw, cold, and stormy 

 regions. A tot of spirits is often a very good thing 

 when one goes below after a bitter watch on deck and is 

 just turning in. A total abstainer will no doubt turn up 

 his nose and ask whether a cup of good warm coffee 

 would not do as well. For my part, I think the quantity 

 of coffee people pour into themselves at such times 

 is far more harmful than a little Lysholmer snaps. And 

 think of the important part a glass of wine or toddy 



