454 CONQUERING THE ARCTIC ICE 



among men. Smallpox, chickenpox, scarlet fever, and mumps have not yet 

 visited this country. There were a few cases of probable typhoid at Point 

 Barrow last winter. They were described as cases of prolonged high fever 

 with haemorrhages from the bowels. On account of the unsanitary habits of 

 the people it seems probable that there will be more of it later, as the country 

 round is practically a marsh with no drainage in any direction. 



In spite of the fact that there is very little danger of serious sepsis, 

 traumatic wounds, even when the peritoneal cavity is opened, usually giving 

 no trouble, pus bacteria must exist in the country. Boils are not uncommon, 

 and I saw three cases of chronic osteomyelitis of the long bones. 



A curious disease, known by the local name of " mollycolly," exists among 

 the dogs of the country. Though somewhat similar in its symptoms to 

 rabies, I am very sure it is a separate disease. The etiology is doubtless a 

 micro-organism present in the mouth of the dog affected, since the bite is 

 undoubtedly infectious. The disease is most common in the spring and 

 summer, when the dogs are picking up scraps and digging in the ground, but 

 occurs occasionally at all seasons. It is much more likely to breakout near 

 permanent villages than among dogs brought up in the back country or 

 distant parts of the coast. Young dogs from six months to a year and a 

 half old are most susceptible. The incubation period I was unable to deter- 

 mine with any certainty, but it is probably more than ten days. The onset 

 of the disease is shown by restlessness and a causeless desire to pick fights 

 with other dogs. Usually the affected dog loses his appetite, but is apt to 

 chew wood or other unnatural objects. As the disease progresses the dog 

 teems to be in great pain, and death usually ensues in about ten days, due 

 probably to exhaustion. Very rarely a dog recovers. Convulsions occur, 

 but are not characteristic ; the dog, however, is not rational. In none of the 

 cases that I saw about six cases did the dog make any deliberate attempt 

 to attack men, but all were likely to snap if handled. My principal reason for 

 believing this disease distinct from rabies is that while men, both white and 

 native, have frequently been bitten by dogs in this state, I have never heard 

 of their being affected by it. The natives are no more afraid of the bite of a 

 mollycolly dog than of a healthy one. Foxes and wolves are said to be 

 subject to this disease, and to be able to transmit it to dogs. 



I kept records of the haemoglobin of a party of six white men from 

 September to March, covering the whole period while the sun was away. 

 There was no diminution of haemoglobin attributable to the absence of 

 sunlight. Similar experiments were tried on the Jackson-Harmsworth 

 expedition to Franz Joseph Land, the Duke of Abruzzi's expedition, and 

 Scott's Antarctic expedition with the same results. In no case was it found 

 that the absence of sunlight caused anaemia. 



In winter frostbites are common. The best treatment is to hold the 

 warm hand against the affected part till it is thawed. In no case should 

 rubbing with snow be tried, as then the skin is sure to come off. Later 

 treatment is the same as for an old burn. 



Many Arctic travellers have complained of extreme thirst while travelling, 

 and said that eating snow or ice only increases this. If proper precautions 



