384 NEAREST THE POLE 



troubled with a slight touch of rheumatism — a malady 

 not unfrequent in those parts. But year after year his 

 condition grew worse, until to-day he lives practically 

 ossified — all but his head. Through all these years he 

 has received consideration; the devotion shown by 

 his people — is it not wonderful? Nothing is thought 

 about the matter in that community. Neither age nor 

 infirmity go neglected; they are cared for without 

 thought of reward. 



The main causes of death are lung and bronchial 

 troubles. 



There exists among these people a form of hysteria 

 known as pihlocto (the same name as given to the 

 well-known madness among their dogs), with which 

 women, more frequently than men, are afflicted. Dur- 

 ing these spells, the maniac removes all clothing and 

 prances about like a broncho. In 1898 while the 

 Windward was in winter quarters off Cape D' Urville, 

 a married woman was taken with one of these fits in 

 the middle of night. In a state of perfect nudity she 

 walked the deck of the ship; then, seeking still greater 

 freedom, jumped the rail, on to the frozen snow and 

 ice. It was some time before we missed her, and when 

 she was finally discovered, it was at a distance of half- 

 a-mile, where she was still pawing, and shouting to the 

 best of her abilities. She was captured and brought 

 back to the ship ; and then there commenced a wonder- 

 ful performance of mimicry in which every conceivable 

 cry of local bird and mammal was reproduced in the 

 throat of Inaloo. This same woman at other times 

 attempts to walk the ceiling of her igloo; needless to 

 say she has never succeeded. 



