Leptonychotes weddelli
Crab-eater seal Lobodon carcinophagus
Ross seal Ommatophoca rossi

Whales and Dolphins Cetacea

Rorqual, finner, or blue whale Balaenoptera sibbaldi
Killer whale Orca gladiator

APPENDIX V

Medical Reports

Western Base (Queen Mary Land)

by S. E. Jones, M.B., CH.M.

There was a very marked absence of serious illness during the whole
period of our stay at the Base. After the 'Aurora' left Adelie Land
on January 19, 1912, for her western cruise, an epidemic of influenza
broke out. It should be noted that one case occurred on the voyage
south from Hobart, and then an interval of almost a month occurred
before the infection spread. An interesting feature of the outbreak
was the fact that the recovery of those who were convalescing, when
we arrived at Queen Mary Land, was much more rapid than was the case
with those whose convalescence occurred on the Ship.

By the careful use of snow-goggles during the summer, snow-blindness
was practically prevented, and such cases as occurred yielded quickly
when zinc and cocaine tablets were used and the eyes obtained rest.
An undoubted factor in the causation of snow-blindness is the strain
caused by the continual efforts at visual accommodation made
necessary on dull days when the sun is obscured, and there is a
complete absence of all light-and-shade contrast.

Although frostbites were frequent during the winter months, immediate
attention to the restoration of circulation prevented the occurrence
of after-effects, so that no one suffered the loss of any more tissue
than the superficial epithelium. The nose, ears, fingers and toes
were the parts which suffered first.

Our supplies of food were excellent in point of view of variety. Some
tinned onions were responsible for several mild attacks of poisoning,
but these were not used after our first experience. There was no sign
of scurvy in any form.

Hoadley, on one occasion, had an unpleasant experience. He was alone
in the hut sleeping one night when he awoke to find the room filled
with smoke. On going outside he found that the chimney had become
blocked with snow; as the fire was banked, the hut was filled with the
gases from the imperfect combustion of the coal. It was three or four
days before Hoadley reco