More than a century deciphered the disease that sank two exploratory ships

Franklin's 1845 expeditionary crew was thought to have died from Addison's disease due to tuberculosis, according to a new conclusion released.

On May 19, 1845, Captain John Franklin led the HMS Erebus and HMS Terror to explore the Northwest Corridor, the route passing through the Arctic Ocean connecting the Atlantic Ocean with the Pacific Ocean. Beginning with hope, the expedition ended in tragedy when the two ships were stuck in the ice and all 129 crew members had no survivors.

Over time, the story of the Franklin expedition is woven into a legend. Recently, Professor Russell Taichman from the University of Michigan (USA) has given new evidence to explain why 129 people died.

Illustrate one of the two ships stuck in the ice.(Picture: De Agostin).

In the Arctic, Professor Taichman stated that the Franklin expedition died of Addison's disease , a form of disorder that occurs when the adrenal glands operate inefficiently and do not produce enough hormones.

"Previously, the most common cause of Addison's disease was tuberculosis," Professor Taichman said. According to him, Addison patients have difficulty regulating sodium leading to fluid imbalance. They fall into water shortages, unable to maintain their weight even when they have enough food. Typical signs of Addison's disease are weight loss, dark skin and dark lips, and black benefits.

In fact, the notes left by witnesses show that many sailors are " terribly scrawny with a dry, black mouth," although two ships carry large amounts of food. Some historians argue that lead poisoning, lack of vitamin C and cold weather are the reasons for the death of the expedition, but Professor Taichman believes that what beat them is Addison's disease. In particular, signs of tuberculosis are found in at least 3 sailors.

"Vitamin C deficiency and lead exposure contribute to Addison's disease , " Professor Taichman said. "This discovery is an important step forward to better understand one of the greatest mysteries of the Arctic expedition."