OF THE POLAR SEA. 185 
and thirty miles. The neighbouring plains are 
alluvial, the soil is calcareous, and contains nu- 
merous travelled fragments of limestone. At a 
considerable distance below Edmonton, the river, 
continuing its course through the plains, becomes 
turbid, and acquires a white colour. In this state 
itis drunk by the inmates of Carlton House, where 
the disease is known only by name. It is said 
that the inhabitants of Rocky Mountain House, 
sixty miles nearer the source of the river are more 
severely affected than those at Edmonton. The 
Same disease occurs near the sources of the Elk 
and Peace Rivers; but, in those parts of the 
country which are distant from the Rocky Moun- 
tain Chain, it is unknown, although melted snow 
forms the only drink of the natives for nine 
months of the year. 
*« A residence of a single year at Edmonton is 
sufficient to render a family bronchocelous. Many 
of the goitres acquire great size. Burnt sponge 
has been tried, and found to remove the disease, 
but an exposure to the same cause immediately 
reproduces it, 
“ A great proportion of the children of women 
who have goitres, are born idiots, with large 
heads, and the other distinguishing marks of 
cretins. J could not learn whether it was neces- 
sary that both parents should have goitres, to pro- 
