The Daily Alaska empire., 1933-05-30
ESKIMO TEETH ID BE SAVED BY
 SHIPS DENTIST

saving the teeth of thousands of Eskimos who live on the Arctic rim of Alaska, the United States Coast Guard cutter Northland, slc- cessor to the famous old cutter Bear, is on it's way north from Seattle.
 Uncle Sam has realized that good teeth and good health go hand in hand and always has had dentists aboard his cutters which visit the isolated districts of the Far North.
 However, this year he is to give more attention to the molars and incisors of the Eskimo tribes that roam the Arctic shores of Alaska. A survey made by the United States Buraeu of Indian Affairs showed that 55 per cent of the Eskimos of Alaska have bad teeth and as result the Government is going to look into thousands of Eskimo mouths and determine what can be done to save their teeth and incidentally protect their health.
 Ship as Dental Clinic
 Aboard the Northland is a dental clinic, equipped with the latest ap- paratus, in charge of Dr. J. G. Manson, who is making his second voyage in the Northland.
 Last year I treated 1,288 Eski-I mos during the cruise of the North land, but this year will treat a far greater number" Dr. Manson said. T made hundreds of extrac- tions and filings for Eskimo pa tients and also treated mining men and other persons living in isolated sections of Alaska This year we are going to make real drive to save the teeth of the Eskimos of Alaska. The natives up north have an original way of curing the toothache They place hot wire in the cavity and keep it there until the nerve is killed. But for extractions and filings they wait for the Northland, which is sure to anchor off the village when the ice goes out in the spring"
 However, caring for Eskimo teeth is only one of great variety of duties performed by the officers and crew of the Northland. Guns on the vessels forward deck are ready to speak the authority of the United States Government. Tries Criminal Gases
 Comdr. Stanley V. Parker, Cap tain of the Northland, is United States Commissioner with power to- try criminal cases The cutter must protect shipping in Boring Sea- carry supplies and mail to the Government schools and hospitals and act as a mercy ship along the far-flung coast of Northern Alaska.
 The Northland will be the first ship to reach Nome this year and in August will thread her way through the Arctic ice floes to an anchorage off Point Barrow. An | other ship from Seattle, the sailing schooner C. s; Holmes, will reach Point Barrow in August and Capt.. John Backland, master and owner of the windjammer, recently called on Commander Parker of the Northland to talk over probable ice conditions in the Arctic this year, and some of their experiences neai the top of the world.
 Commander Parker said he might go beyond Point Barrow this sum- mer to investigate the condition of the natives to the eastward However, this will depend on ice conditions
 The Northland carries comple- ment of ninety men and four mas cots-three cats and g parrot. The ships guests are given the best of care by a special detail on each watch. After her cruise to the Arctic, the Northland will return l to her base in Oakland where she will spend the winter.