As geographical and technological knowledge expanded through the ages, the scope of exploratory efforts expanded to an enormous degree, reaching into previously unexplored areas. During the Middle Ages, two important historical events significantly contributed to this development, resulting in the discovery of new lands, people, environment and diseases. Both of these events were responsible for uncovering scurvy, one of the major scourges that plagued exploration for the next four centuries. Physicians have played a prominent role in explorations, especially in the 19th century surge of interest in Arctic exploration. Interestingly, despite the hardships encountered including loss of life, there always seemed to be a ready supply of available and worthy physicians interested in exploration.
History is replete with the names of physicians who distinguished themselves by their services.
Elisha Kent Kane, Isaac Israel Hayes, Frederick A. Cook, John Richardson and John Rae are among those who made significant contributions to the art and science of polar medicine. John Ambler, Octave Pierre Pavy and Edward Wilson lost their lives on Polar expeditions. During the 20th century, the Antarctic became the scene of extensive exploration culminating in the attainment of the South Pole by Amundsen and Scott. This focused attention on the medical problems associated with high altitude mountaineering with a resultant return of valuable physiologic and pathophysiologic knowledge that aided in our understanding and successful treatment of the high altitude medical syndromes.