TO THE ARCTIC REGIONS. 193 
ing this week past, have experienced on their 
return severe pains in their eyes, or, as it is com- 
monly called, snow-blindness. It first commences 
by a sensation resembling that which is felt 
when sand or dust gets into a person’s eyes: in- 
deed those who were first affected could hardly be 
persuaded but that their sufferings proceeded from 
something of that sort, for the general complaint 
was worded in that way. The true cause is now, 
however, perfectly well known, and to prevent 
the recurrence of the complaint, all the men 
before they go out are ordered. to wear a piece 
of crape, or some substitute for it, over their 
eyes. All the cases that have yet occurred of 
this disorder were cured in two or three days 
by keeping the eyes covered, and bathing them oc- 
casionally with some cooling lotion; that which we 
have used is what is commonly called the sugar of 
lead (Cerussa acet.) Notwithstanding all the cases 
that we have hitherto had yielded easily to the 
topical application above mentioned, some of 
them had their eyes highly inflamed, and, as I 
have already said, exceedingly painful, insomuch 
that one or two of them could hardly be per- 
suaded, the first day, but that they would lose 
their eye-sight. 
Several grous (Ptarmigans) have been killed 
within these two or three days past, and we are 
now perfectly certain that there are deer on the 
island, although we have not yet seen any of 
them. 
They finished cutting the channel round the 
ship to-day, and immediately that she was relieved 
Oo 
