SURGEON'S REPORT. cxxvii 



excess, loosely combined, and in the most favourable state for elimination. We all 

 know that articles of an opposite chemical constitution lower the temperature, such as 

 nitre, acids, mineral and vegetable, and hence the failure of lime juice as an anti- 

 scorbutic, unless aided by nutritious food. On reference to the food destined by 

 nature for the support of the Esquimaux, we find it almost exclusively hydro-carbo- 

 naceous, oil, blubber, fish, and flesh, the two latter of which cannot be too fat for 

 them. Here we see a strong analogy between their process of nutrition and that oi' 

 combustion ; nearly the same materials, the same play of affinities, the same results, the 

 same change of latent into sensible caloric. That persons of a weakly digestion have no 

 great conservative power with regard to temperature, is a matter beyond doubt ; and 

 the converse seems equally manifest. It is here we have to regard the felicity of an 

 Esquimaux-constitution, for whatsoever improvement our appetites underwent among 

 them, their inherent digestive powers exceeded ours out of all reasonable proportion. 



If I am rightly understood, my readers must see that I contend that the gross diet of 

 northern tribes is not a matter of chance, but in harmony with the slow but constant 

 changes which are continually going on around them ; and intended to enable them to 

 resist cold, and to vigorously generate heat. Thus, as we witnessed, the mother was 

 enabled safely to expose her naked infant, but a few days born, to an atmosphere of 

 seventy-five degrees below our freezing point for several minutes ; the heat being rapidly 

 generated by the one, and as tenaciously retained by the other, for the child during 

 this time was feeding at the breast. The influence of the nervous system in evolvincr 

 heat is now generally admitted ; its elimination in the process of digestion and nutrition, 

 although not less certain, is still more difficult of explanation. 



On a review of the journal of all the cases which came under my care, I can 

 scarcely find room, in the limited space allowed me here, to do more than merely state 

 that pneumonia, colds, simple fevers, and some cases of gastric disease, constituted the 

 chief part of them. Duly considering the various difficulties and privations suffered 

 by the crew, our mortality of three individuals will not be deemed either numerous or 

 extraordinary. 



