"Spekk-finger" or Sealer's Finger

• Published in: ARCTIC
• Main Author: Rodahl, Kaare
• Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
• Language: English
• Published: The Arctic Institute of North America 1952
• Subjects: Biographies; Costs; Crime; Curricula; Economic conditions; Education; Employment; Food; Formation; Government; Health; Health care; Ice cover; Inuit; Inuit languages; Literature; Lutheran Church; Marine navigation; Melting; Mental health and well-being; Movement; Sea ice; Spatial distribution; Teachers; Trapping; Tuberculosis; Welfare; Canadian Arctic; Canadian Arctic waters; Greenland; Arctic; inuit
• Online Access: https://journalhosting.ucalgary.ca/index.php/arctic/article/view/66964

Contains an account of a severe local infection (cellulitis) common among sealers, especially those handling the blubber (spekk) or skins. Its occurrence and distribution, symptoms, cause (not as yet established, but probably Erysipelothrix rhusiopatiae), treatment, including latest experiment with antibiotics are discussed. Description of a case is given, and measures of prevention indicated. Bibliography (11 items).