Winterings in the Arctic Regions during the last fifty years. 359 



Remarks. 



1. Died of lung disease. 



2. One of lung disease concealed on the voyage out; two of 

 scurvy ; one after return in consequence of hardships. 



3. According to the information found by M'Clintock. 

 Causes of death unknown; three died in the first winter (1845-46). 



4. In consequence of a sledge-journey of forty days with in- 

 sufficient provisions. 



6. Sickly from the first; died in consequence of hardships 

 on sledge-journeys. 



8. Suffered much from scurvy ; equipment rather hasty. 



9. All the deaths in the last winter, from scurvy. 



11. One of heart-disease; two from weakness in consequence 

 of hardships; one on a sledge-journey. 



13. Two died in consequence of a sledge-journey; one on 

 the return voyage in consequence of a dislocation. 



14. One in consequence of a fall ; one of apoplexy ; one of 

 scurvy. 



15. In consequence of a fall into the water. The Eskimos 

 that Hayes had with him are omitted. 



From this review it appears, therefore, that the percentage of 

 deaths is on the average very favourable when compared with 

 the mortality upon voyages in the tropics. The result would 

 have come out much more favourably if we could have taken in 

 Collinson's and some other winterings ; but with regard to these 

 reliable information was wanting. 



Even when compared with the ordinary mortality at the age 

 of 30, which, according to Milne's Carlisle Tables, amounts to 

 1*19 per cent., the result may be called very satisfactory, espe- 

 cially if we consider that most of the deaths occurred in conse- 

 quence of great hardships upon sledge-journeys, or were pro- 

 duced either by diseases the germs of which were previously in 

 existence, or by accidents which could not be foreseen ; the last 

 are possible upon any journey, even when it is not directed 

 towards the North. 



We believe that in the preceding statements we have furnished 

 a proof that a winter residence in the arctic regions is by no 

 means dangerous for Europeans, always supposing thatthe neces- 

 sary precautions are taken. These precautions are as follows : — 



First, a thoroughly good equipment of the ship, rendering its 

 sides as strong as possible — partly to resist the pressure of ice, 

 and partly for the sake of warmth. How the ship is to be 

 prepared for its winter quarters we have already described cir- 

 cumstantially, and may therefore abstain from its repetition. 



The second main point is good nourishing food, especially 

 fresh meat and pemmican- — salt meat being not good even for 



