REMARKS 
ON 
THE STATE OF HEALTH AND DISEASE 
ON BOARD THE HECLA AND GRIPER. 
A Voyage distinguished as this has been by a state of salubrity exceeding 
the most sanguine expectations, may perhaps render interesting a few 
remarks on the character of the casualties and diseases that did occur ; 
together with a brief view of those circumstances inimical to health, which 
were so successfully counteracted during the voyage. 
The experience of the former voyage had taught us, that, during the 
summer months, disease of any kind was almost a stranger to the arctic 
regions, and this voyage confirmed the experience of the last. On securing 
ourselves in winter quarters in September 1819, there was not a person 
inefficient from disease on board either ship, excepting one officer, who was 
suffering under an attack of rheumatism. 
At that time the winter was setting in rapidly ; the cold had already 
become severe, and the men began to feel its effects in their extremities, 
but more particularly in their toes. Among a few of them the injury 
amounted to no more than the common chilblain, whilst in others it was more 
severe. In the latter cases, after suffering a short time from the pain of 
cold, the toes became gelid, colourless, and insensible, until acted on by the 
stimulus of a warmer atmosphere, when pain ensued, which acquired a 
degree of almost intolerable acuteness. To prevent an excessive excitement 
