468 J. Lindhard. Health Conditions on the I lanmark Expedition. 



sedentary work during the winter straw-plaited shoes with kamik stock- 

 ings form the warmest covering for the feet I know. 



The variations in the state of nutrition in the course of the year 

 are illustrated by the accompanying weight curves. The plan was to 

 weigh all the members of the Expedition once a month; this could not 

 be carried out entirely, as journeys prevented not seldom one or several 

 from being present on the day of weighing; but the weighings were 

 nevertheless made on so large a scale, that the curves give a useful im- 

 pression of the variations in the weight. The exactness of the measure- 

 ments can be placed at ± 0.5 kilo. As the food was not arranged ac- 

 cording to any preconceived plan and as each one could eat ad libitum 

 at the meals, the curves have only a limited interest; but they show 

 certain common features, which give information on the influence of 

 different conditions on the state of nutrition. 



It seems to be the rule, that the weight is less in summer than in 

 winter. This condition is readily seen in almost half of the curves; cf. 

 the curves Kf., Chr., W., Tr., Bh., Lg. and L.; most of the others are 

 more or less irregular but tend mostly in the same direction. Only 

 two curves, K. and В., show a contrary type, the former especially 

 being well-marked. These lost in weight during sedentary work, and 

 increased under bodily exercise. The curve P. shows a steady rise; it 

 refers to the youngest member of the Expedition, who was still in the 

 period of gro\\i.h. The curve Ja. on the other hand is constantly falling; 

 but during the first three months of the Expedition the man in ques- 

 tion had also increased ca. 15 kilos, in weight. 



With regard to journeys the conditions were somewhat various. 

 On those of short duration almost every one lost in weight, especially 

 those who were in good condition beforehand (the curves B. Th. and 

 Fr. in April 1907). On the longer journeys the loss of weight was usu- 

 ally inconsiderable or there was an increase (the curves K. and B. in 

 June 1907, T. and P. in January 1908); after the journey the original 

 weight at any rate was quickly regained, in some even increased (the 

 curves W., G. Th. and P. in Jan. 1908, F. in June 1907, L. in Novr. 

 1907). The most probable reason for this condition is, that the men 

 in the beginning of the journey were not able to eat so much as the 

 increased work demanded, especially as the number of the meals was 

 simultaneously restricted. But they gradually learnt to take in the 

 necessary quantities and their greedy appetites were retained some time 

 after the return home to relative inactivity. 



These peculiarities in the weight curves are found well-marked in 

 the curves published of the Swedish South Polar Expedition.* 



^ 1. с pp. 22—23. 



