A Study of the Diet and Metabolism of Eskimos. 15 



effects begin to manifest themselves, and the Eskimos and their dogs, 

 which are fed in the same way and with the same results, are able to 

 sleep in the open on such nights with only the sledges put up as a 

 shelter against the wind. The increased metabolism due to the al- 

 buminous substances and independent of muscular actions may be 

 of vital importance to the organism on such occasions. 



It may be of some interest to examine the mental and bodily 

 qualities of the Eskimos, to see whether any influence of the peculiar 

 diet is detectable. 



They are of short stature (Mean height men 1.60 m., women 

 1.50 m.) well built and with a distinct disposition to become fat. They 

 are capable of hard and prolonged muscular work but not mentally 

 disposed for it. They possess an extraordinary power of enduring 

 cold and hardships but this must no doubt be ascribed chiefly to the 

 climatic and social conditions and only to a limited extent to the diet. 



The state of health in Greenland is on the whole rather good 

 though the climate and the extremely unhygienic native dwellings 

 are responsible for a great deal of rheumatism, affecting muscles and 

 nerves, and also for some more serious diseases. 



With regard to diseases which can be or must be connected with 

 the diet it is especially noteworthy that uric acid diseases are practi- 

 cally absent in spite of the animal and nuclein rich food. 



Periods with abundant food are characterised by outbreaks of 

 furunculosis, and it has been noticed further by medical officers and 

 also by the natives themselves that in such periods many of them 

 become extremely liable to profuse and frequent bleedings from the 

 nose ^. 



With regard to the mental faculties it is a notable feature that 

 the Eskimos are probably the most peaceful and unwarlike race in 

 the world. It is hardly in accordance with common belief that. the 

 corollary of a carnivorous diet and a hunting life should be the ab- 

 solute mental incapability of deahng a blow to a fellow man, but so 

 it is in Greenland. As far as can be ascertained they quarrel very 

 little among themselves and that any quarrel, even the most serious, 

 should lead to blows is absolutely unthinkable in Greenland. If an 

 Eskimo becomes disgusted with another he will simply avoid him 

 and if necessary go away and fix his abode elsewhere. Formerly it 

 was customary to meet together at great feasts and there to settle 

 quarrels by songs, in which each characterized the other part according 

 to his ability. The man who could get his adversary most laughed 

 at by the audience was the victor, but even such performances never 

 led to blows. 



* We are indebted to Dr. Deichmann, late medical officer in Greenland, for 

 most valuable information with regard to the diet of Eskimos and its influence 

 upon health. 



