Health Conditions on the Danmark Expedition. • 463 



Symptoms of disturbance in the digestive organs were but 

 little in evidence. In half the cases the appetite was decreased, one 

 had an increased appetite. Most of the patients complained of an in- 

 describable bad taste in the mouth, in two casses only had the tongue 

 a light greyish coating; 11 patients showed sickness to a more or 

 less extent, only 4 also suffered from vomiting of slimy, usually 

 yelloAvish material; these A^omitings were very persistent and trouble- 

 some during the first 24 hours. Diarrhoea did not occur, but consti- 

 pation in some cases. (It is perhaps worth mentioning that the 

 dogs, which otherwise Avere always very glad to get any fresh 'remains", 

 showed in these days a distinct dislike to this delicacy). 



The most suffering patient, who had eaten an unreasonable amount 

 of the dangerous dish, showed evident signs of heart weakness. 

 The heart dulness was increased in breadth, the first sound being every- 

 where prolonged, soft, the second accentuated at the base. The pulse 

 was weak, imdulating, intermittent, very irregular as well in rhythm as 

 in strength. In several other cases the pulse was weak but regular; the 

 frequency was in some cases increased, up to 90 per minute, in 1 case 

 reduced, 49 instead of the usual 60 — 65. 



In the two most severe cases the micturition was seldom and 

 small in quantity, in another case it was remarkably frequent with 

 much urine: otherwise the functions of the kidney seemed 

 normal. 



Several patients complained of feverish attacks, one of shivering; 

 but in the cases where it was read the temperature proved to be rather 

 subnormal. 



In the course of the second 24 hours several of the patients showed 

 peeling of the skin round the mouth. The peeling was 

 scale-like, beginning in spots and gradually spreading over larger sur- 

 faces. In some the peehng was confined to the face; but in several it 

 was universal and thus graver. In one case large flakes of skin were 

 .still peeling off from hands and feet on 9/IV. ^Altogether the peeling 

 occurred in 10 out of the 19 patients; in one case it seemed to be the 

 only symptom. 



Whether there was any exanthema in the beginning could 

 not be determined; it could not be recognized with certainty at any 

 rate in the bad lamp-light; but one patient complained of heat sensa- 

 tions and of prickling of the skin; on the first afternoon he was some- 

 what red and puffy in the face, peeling a good deal later. 



The two worst cases were "let out" on the 6th day. 



The treatment was purely symptomatic, camphor against the 

 asystoiia which quickly improved and finally disappeared completely; 

 small doses of opium in two cases of persistent vomiting; repeated doses 

 of phenacf'lin had ;i gotid cflVct against headache. Laxantia was used 

 in 2 cases. 



