THE SHIP'S SURGEON.

Press, Volume LXIII, Issue 12970, 25 November 1907, Page 8

THE SHIP'S SURGEON.

Tho ship's surgeon is Mr W. A. Michcll, M.8.. n gonial young Canadian, who took liis degree at Toronto University. "The health of the crew of the. ship is my first consideration," he smilingly observed, when questioned by the. reporter as to the- part he was bilking in tho expedition, "but I takeany other work that comes along in connection with the running of tho ship." As to the difficulties that a surgeon of an expeditionary ship may encounter, Mr Michel 1 eaid that the prevention of scurvy was of prime importance, and, cstondlvj strange though it may seem, tho jolly tar has to lv> guarded against melancholia. The latter ailment is, of course, not a very pressing danger, but it is not uncommon when • .men have- to endure ihs long and seemingly interminable winter i night» of the Arctic and Antarctic To dispel melancholia,' no evil-tasting phvsic.wiU be prescribed. "Wβ luive'a gramophone, and concerts will be arau<i the men encouraged to

entertain themselves in ercry possible way. We have no piano aboard, but the gift of one," Mr Michell added, "would be very acceptable. As to scurvy, the latest theory advanced by medical authorities was that it was duo to ptomaine-poisoning. Previous expeditions had taken tremendous quantities of tinned foods, and it was not surprising that scurvy had given trouble. "On this expedition, we have a special line of dried vegetables, Mr Micbell explained. "They arc commonly known as dessicated vegetables; when you .idd water, you almost get the original vegetable back—it practically gives you the green vegetable. 1 think that this will have a good effect in preventing scurvy, as wo have all kinds of vegetables treated in this manner—potatoes, carrots, onions, parsnips, etc. In fact, everything possible has been done to prevent an outbreak of the disease." Mr Michell stated that ho wa* quite acclimatised to the cold induced br snow and ice. "I have been" in it all my life in Ontario,' , he said, "and I don't suppose it will be much worse in the Antarctic." In common with many of his profession, the ship's surgeon is much interested in natural history, and he looks forward to gleaning" some useful additions to his acquaintance with this most fascinating of studies during his stay on the ice with the landing party, and subsequently during tho surveying cruise of tho Ximrod.