SNOW-BLINDNESS. 195 



which reflected the sun's rays and inflicted great 

 inconvenience, and in some cases much pain in the 

 eyes. The sensations attending snow-bhndness, which 

 I partially experienced, are as unpleasant as may 

 well be imagined ; one feels as if numerous pricking 

 morsels had entered the eyes, the lids wink incessantly, 

 and streams of water are exuded; this was the 

 extent of my sufferings, but in aggravated cases the 

 inflammation increases, the lids become relaxed, 

 and the patient loses the power of vision entirely for 

 a time, and suffers intense pain upon exposure to a 

 strong light ; darkness and cooling lotions, such as 

 sugar of lead, diluted spirits, and laudanum, are now 

 essential to relief and recovery ; but I believe that those 

 who have once been afflicted with this very painful 

 disorder, can never again expose themselves to the 

 spring snow for any period without experiencing a 

 return, and no doubt the eyesight is much weakened 

 by it. At this time also the dogs' feet suff'er much 

 from the minute crystals on the hard crust of the 

 snow ; they become very sore, and sometimes bleed. 

 The natives have in consequence little socks of leather 

 which tie on the paws, and are a great protection. 

 The speed with which one travels is however much 

 increased from the diminution of friction, and when 

 there is a track the dogs keep along it in a 



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