[The challenges for physicians on polar expeditions around the year 1900]

One century ago there was an intense activity in exploring the unknown polar areas. The paper gives an account of 14 expeditions involving 17 physicians. For several years, the official versions were those published by the leaders of the expeditions, the heroes. During the last years, however, the diaries of their companions have been published and provide valuable and rectifying information. Surprisingly, most of the physicians were young and inexperienced and unfit for the extreme strain of the polar areas.