194 INCREASE OF SICK. [cHAP.IV. 



since, as far as our knowledge went, the line of 

 coast would scarcely afford sustenance to the 

 most active and skilful hunter. 



Our new hospital, or sick bay on the larboard 

 side of the forecastle, had been completed three 

 days, and with a boat stove kept always lighted in 

 it, the temperature could be forced up to 70° +, 

 which was quite as high as the medical gentlemen 

 required. The two most debilitated invalids, 

 Mr. Donaldson, and Alexander Anderson, had 

 been immediately conveyed there ; and though 

 they had not yet derived the benefit that was 

 anticipated, they felt more comfortable and 

 were in better spirits. I was sorry, however, to 

 see that the former was dangerously weak and 

 evinced a disposition to incoherency, from which 

 the worst might be feared. Neither did any of 

 the others who had been attacked entirely re- 

 cover j for although their general health was 

 sometimes better, yet their legs continued dis- 

 coloured, hard, and bent ; the number of the sick 

 moreover, was continually swelled by new acces- 

 sions, and at last amounted to one sixth of the crew. 

 Five or six of the officers also became slightly 

 affected, thus establishing incontrovertibly that the 

 evil, from whatever cause it originated, was at all 

 events not attributable to any difference in food. 

 However, to put an end to ail fancies on this score, 

 and to prevent the possibility of cavil, I gave 



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