VOYAGE TO SPITSBERGEN. 41 



« 



renders the frame a complete nest of complicated 

 disorders. The women above the common rank, 

 lead a very sedentary life, and seldom appear out of 

 doors, unless at church, which, probably on account 

 of its great distance from them, they do not often 

 visit. Besides, tea has found its way into these 

 dreary regions, a constant use of which is the welU 

 known enemy of those who lead sedentary lives, and 

 do not take exercise sufficient to promote the neces- 

 sary secretions. Hence come on relaxation of the 

 solids, indigestion, flatulency, glandular obstruc- 

 tions, hysterics, &c. 



None of the female sex here appeared so healthy, 

 and blooming as those employed in cultivating the 

 ground. 



During our stay here in both 1S06 and 1S07, 

 I was asked to visit different sick patients, and 

 found a private infirmary almost in every house. 

 To some of those I hope I gave useful medicines ; 

 to others I gave only some simples to satisfy them^ 

 as I found they were fast hastening to that " bourn, 

 whence no traveller returns.'" 



Medical advice and drugs are at a very exorbi- 

 tant price here; and such cordials as wine, &c. can- 

 not be procured for love or money. As the Captain 

 was so charitable as to allow me to give medicines 

 gratis, to such as were really objects of compassion, 



