Medical comforts during the heroic age of Antarctic exploration

Guly, H.R.. 2013 Medical comforts during the heroic age of Antarctic exploration. Polar Record, 49 (249). 110-117. 10.1017/S0032247411000799

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Abstract/Summary

In the literature of the exploration of the Antarctic in the early 20th century, there are many references to ‘medical comforts’. While ‘medical comforts’ was sometimes used as a euphemism for alcoholic beverages, the term, which originated in the army, covered all foods and drinks used for the treatment and prevention of illness and during convalescence. This article describes the use of medical comforts during the Antarctic expeditions of the so called ‘heroic age’. Apart from alcohol, medical comforts included beef extracts, milk extracts and arrowroot. These products were extensively advertised to the medical and nursing professions and to the general public and the Antarctic connection was sometimes used in the advertising. The products were largely devoid of vitamins and their use may have contributed to some of the disease that occurred on these expeditions.

Item Type:	Publication - Article
Digital Object Identifier (DOI):	10.1017/S0032247411000799
Programmes:	BAS Programmes > Other Special Projects
ISSN:	0032-2474
NORA Subject Terms:	Medicine
Date made live:	22 Mar 2013 14:47 +0 (UTC)
URI:	https://nora.nerc.ac.uk/id/eprint/500669

Item Type:

Publication - Article

Digital Object Identifier (DOI):

10.1017/S0032247411000799

Programmes:

BAS Programmes > Other Special Projects

ISSN:

0032-2474

NORA Subject Terms:

Medicine

Date made live:

22 Mar 2013 14:47 +0 (UTC)