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264 VOYAGE TO THE POLAR SEA. March 



stantly, running about for at least ten minutes before 

 our hands recovered their warmth sufficiently to obtain 

 another observation. Whisky placed on the floe for a 

 few minutes froze hard ; so a few of us had the rare 

 opportunity of eating it in a solid state. 



' hth. — When falling in for muster on the ice, 

 although the men were permitted to keep moving 

 until the last moment, several were frost-bitten about 

 the face. It is amusing to notice how angry anyone 

 becomes when informed that his nose is frost-bitten ; 

 being uncertain whether he is the victim of a joke, or 

 whether it is really the case. The frozen breath col- 

 lects so quickly, and the ice is so excellent a conductor 

 of cold that those who cover their noses and mouths 

 with a comforter are certain to suffer. Masks for the 

 face are not to be recommended, it is better to wear 

 nothing when walking near the ship. Travellers who 

 are obliged to face the cold know that they must suiFer, 

 and a projecting hood or blinker worn on the weather- 

 side of the face is perhaps the safest protector. There 

 is a widespread popular notion concerning the treat- 

 ment of a frost-bite by applying snow, but our snow is 

 far too cold for such a purpose. When frost-bitten 

 the object is to restore the circulation gradually. 

 With a superficial frost-bite the best remedy is the 

 gentle application of the hand to the affected part ; the 

 slightest friction would certainly remove the skin. 



' ftth. — The temperature has risen to minus 58°; 

 it is the same on the top of the hill as* on the floe. A 

 thermometer exposed to the sun which was not quite 

 two degrees above the horizon registered minus 52°. 

 Frost-bites are very frequent, but now no one moves 



