Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1877-08-21


Among other results of the Arctic Ex-
pedition some curious statistics have been
obtained with reference to the question of
total abstinence. The abstainers who
went out with the expedition were six
viz: William Malay, Adam Ayes, VIII
liam Gore, Joiner and Self, of the Alert,
and Henry Petty, OF the Discovery.
There were two or three other seamen
who joined the temperance cause during
the commission, and it is only fair to state
that the novices suffered from scurvy like
the rest of the crew. Malay was not en-
ployed on any long journeys, but was re-
peatedly out with supporting parties. He
states that the sledging parties of the
Alert suffered greater privations than those
from the sister ship. They had pushed
beyond the limit Of animal life, and their
supply OF reindeer and musk-ox were soon
exhausted. They were consequently
obliged to subsst entirely upon ships
stores, and this enforced abstinence from
animal food made them in a special de-
gree susceptible to scurvy. On the ter
mnation OF the sledging duties at the end
of July, the abstainers found that they
had surpassed the remainder of the Alert's
crew in the number of days sledging per
formed. On this occasion Ayles had been
out 10 days and Malay 9S, land it is re-
markable fact" the latter remarks, "that
neither of US was attacked by scurvy, but
enjoyed good health, and were only weak
ened by our arduous duties in sledging
work. Adam Ayles is a teetotaller OF
many years standing. He was not only
out for 1l0 days, shedding, but on one oc-
casion he was out not less than 81 davs
from the ship at time. On this occasion
scurvy had attacked the party, and had
gained on them so suddenly that with the
exception OF Lieutenant Aldrich and Ayles
the whole of the men (seven in number)
were in a helpless condition. Dodge and
Mitchell still managed to struggle by the
side Of the sledge, but the other four inva-
lids, who had held out until the last mo-
ment, were obliged to be carried. We
have already stated that of the two who
were free from scurvy Adam Ayles was
one. The other was Lieutenant Aldrich,
who, although not an abstainer, was next
door to one, diluting his rum more than
any other member OF the expedition Dur
ing the whole of his sledge Journeys Ayles
ate and slept well, and bore the cold even
better than those who were accustomed
to take stimulants. The rest of
the party had a double allowance of grop,
10 above proof, before turning in. They
also smoked a great deal, but for his part
Ayles says he neither drank nor smoked.
and he took care that his allowance of
grog was stopped on joining the ship
Twice a week there was beer served out.
which was considered great luxury, as
it occupied much room in the travelling,
and was dealt out very sparingly. He was
never in better health in his life than at
the present time.
Henry Petty, a teototaller of 16 years
standing, was the only total abstainer in
the Discovery. lie accompanied Captain
Stephenson in all his sledglng excursions,
and as 1t fell to his lot to act as cook while
they were away from the ship, and he was
thus obliged to get out into the cold for an
hour and half in the morning and for the
same period in the evening, he was most
exposed TO the frost of anv man in the snip.
lie was sledging sixty days in all. On one
occasion he accompanied the captain to the
Alert, distance OF some ninety miles, do
ing the journey in four days and eight
hours, and returning in three days days and
halt lie had been medically examined
on Tuesday by the doctor of the ship, with
the rest OF the crew, and he learnt that he
had never been treated for scurvy. He
had only suffered from cut in the hand
He believed that his immunity from dis
ease was entirely owing TO his teetotalism.
lie had slept well throughout the cam
paigu and had relished his food He had
also escaped irost-bite.
Gore, it seems, had been an abstainer
until he was twenty-one years old but in an
ungarded moment while on the sledge
journeys he succumbed to the temptation
and persuasion of his companions, and
took to grog. Previous to breaking his
pledge, Gore states that he could eat a.
well as any one. In fact, after devouring
his portion, he was in the habit of looking
about for more; but no sooner had he
taken to grog-drinking than he found his
appetite to tail, and he was deprived of
the refreshing sleep which he had former
ly enjoyed. He was the only Good Tenn
plar who joined the expedition that was
attacked with scurvy, and for this he was
no doubt indebted TO his unfaithfulness.
lie gave stimulants, he remarks, a fair
trial, and he is now convinced that it was
the grog which did the mischief. 1t may
be noticed that the testimony of the whole
shlps mpanles-uOctors ana ollcefs IN
cluded-is unanimous and conclusive
against the serving out of stimulants dur
ing the day. They emphaticaly state
that no work can be done upon grog, but
many OF them seem to cling to the belief
that glass at night was Il sovereign recu-
perative agent, and fitted them Tor the ia-
tigues of the morning.
DIR. Colan, the senior medical officer on
board the Alert, speaks very favorably of
total abstinence as exhibited during the
expedition, aud his forthcoming report
will possess much interest. L0ndo,,