Feb. 1859. A CASE OF SCURVY. 197 



is expected to be the longest. The different sledge-parties 

 will now feed up their dogs without limit, so that the utmost 

 degree of work may be got out of them hereafter. 



January has been slightly colder than December, mean 

 temperature being —33* , but there has been rather less 

 wind. 



8t/i. — All will be ready for the departure of Young and 

 myself upon our respective journeys on the morning of the 

 14th. 



Mr. Petersen and Alexander Thompson accompany me, 

 with two dog-sledges, and fifteen dogs, dragging twenty-four 

 days' provisions. My object is to communicate with the 

 Boothians in the vicinity of the magnetic pole. Young takes 

 his party of four men and his dog-sledge; he will carry 

 forward provisions for his spring exploration of the shores of 

 Prince of Wales' Land, between the extreme points reached 

 by Lieutenant Osborn, and Lieutenant Browne, in 185 1. 



On the 3rd I walked for seven hours and a half, and saw 

 two reindeer, but could not approach within shot. Young 

 examined the water-space in the strait, and finds it washes 

 both shores, but extends east and west only about one mile. 

 The Doctor has seen a seal and a dovekie sporting in it. 



For the last four days strong winds and intense cold have 

 prevented us from rambling over the hills, besides which the 

 minor preparations for travelling have given us more occu- 

 pation on board. 



James Pitcher has got a slight touch of scurvy; his gums 

 are inflamed ; and now it comes out that he dislikes pre- 

 served meats, and has not eaten any since he has been in 

 the ship. He has lived upon salt meat and preserved 

 vegetables, except for the very short periods in summer 

 when birds could be obtained. He is rather a " used up " 

 old fellow, too much so for our severe sledge-work, therefore 

 is one of the few who will remain to take care of the ship. 



