Observations on naval hygiene and scurvy : more particularly as the latter appeared during a polar voyage / by Alex. Armstrong.

  • Armstrong, Alexander, Sir, 1818-1899.
Date:
1858
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: Observations on naval hygiene and scurvy : more particularly as the latter appeared during a polar voyage / by Alex. Armstrong. Source: Wellcome Collection.

Provider: This material has been provided by The Royal College of Surgeons of England. The original may be consulted at The Royal College of Surgeons of England.

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    became confused and defective, and that there were always strong feelings of depression present. The sleep is disturbed, and the nights are restless, with a considerable aggravation in the muscular pains. The appetite, according to my experience, was always good, and food was eaten with avidity. Thirst in this stage of the disease is certainly in- creased, and the strongest desire is manifested for acid drinks. The presence of hemeralopia has been observed by some writers* as an early and very constant symptom of the disease: but I am unable to verify the accuracy of tliis observation, from the fact of defect of vision being at all times temporarily experienced by men coming on board the ship from the ice. The eye previously resting on nothing but a snow-white surface, which always exercised an exhausting influence on the power of the retina, often produced a species of blindness; so that I am unable to describe the occurrence of liemeralopia as a special symptom of scorbutic disease. This form of Scurvy gradually gives way to appropriate treatment, but recovery is less rapid than in the milder form. When a fatal termina- tion ensues, all the foregoing symptoms increase in intensity; syncope occurs on making the least attempt to rise from the horizontal posture, and the slightest exertion is always attended with extreme danger. Indeed, in the first case that proved fatal (a * Bryson in “ Medical Times,” June 15, 1850.