A Diary and Journal from the Second Grinnell Expedition

170

+80° below and -60° above, a difference of 140°. I believe the greatest recorded range of natural temperatures to which privileged men have been subjected. I am not aware as yet of the slightest ill effect from this cause. Indeed those catarrhal and brochitic affections known as colds were unknown, even under circumstance of negligent and useless exposure.

We would suppose in accordance with known principles that the nearer our standard of habitual temperature approximated to the extreme which we were called upon to endure the less would that extreme oppress us. However this may be the habits of the human races, indicate a contrary view. The Esquimaux Iglöes of Smiths Sound are kept so intolerably warm that the natives keep entirely naked. I could hardly stand the heat. The northern asiatics, especially the Yakuti and [Ischuchi?], as well as our own N. W. & [?] tribes live in an atmosphere of excessive warmth. The [Pologs?] of the [Ischuchi?] are in effect heated air baths, above blood heat, and among my friends at [Amuake?] (the[? settlment?]) 80° & 90° are habitual.

The transition from the vapour bath to excessive cold as practised by the Nootka Sound and many other tribes, is now recognized by modern thera-peutic phisiology.

The use of ice & [?] iced bath by the inhabitants of the tropics is in the same category.