PROFESSOR DAVID AND THE SCURVY THEORY

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume XLVIII, Issue XLVIII, 14 February 1913, Page 5

PROFESSOR DAVID AND THE SCURVY THEORY

REPLY TO THE LONDON "TIMES' " SUGGESTIONS. (Receive?! 11.10 a.m.) SYDNEY. This Day. Professor David, commenting on the continuation of the narrative, says that it seems more than a coincidence that Seaman Evans' first symptoms cf failure dated to almost- exactly the same time as when Commander Evans, about a fortnight after leaving Scctt, commenced to develop symptoms of scurvy. It was hard to imagine the cause of the rapid weakening of a man like Seaman Evans unless by some actual sickness of the nature of scurvy. The speed of the march from the Pole to where Evans died on the B;ardinore Glacier. was never exceeding 18 milps daily, and does not explain in any way the complete exhaustion of such a man. In spite of D»-. Atkinson's statement that 7to signs cf scurvy were seen on the last three. Professor David is still of opinion that Evans failed through a disease, allied with scurvy. Professor David considers that the suggestion of the London "Times" of a shortage of fuel, due to evaporation, was absurd in view of the great care wherewith oil tins were made. He declares that the other suggestion of the "Times" that supplies were tapped by supporting parties is as mean, cruel, and unworthy ns it is untrue.