192 



ARCTIC RESEARCH EXPEDITION. 



In connection with the preceding account of Nukertou's death, 

 and the Innuit customs referring to it, I may here mention an- 

 other occurrence somewhat similar, which took place about the 

 same time. 



There was a sick native, whom I visited on two or three occa- 

 sions, named Koojperarchu, who suffered greatly from ulcers on the 

 neck. His case was desperate, and no remedies we applied avail- 

 ed him. As his end approached, the angeko took possession of 

 him altogether, and when I once tried to see the patient, all the 

 natives assured me it would be useless while the angeko was 

 there. But I determined to make the trial, and, after some per- 

 suasion, and as a great favor, was admitted by the dying man's 

 family. 



* This time the angeko was a woman, and when I entered, her 

 position was at the farther side of the igloo, with her back to me, 

 but seated, cross-legged, under a pile of skins. At her side was 

 the poor man, Kooperarchu, kneeling, and in a state of complete 

 nudity, though snow and ice were above, beneath, and around him. 



At first I was startled at this ; but, remembering what great 

 wonders have been and can be accomplished by a sick person's 

 complete faith in his physician, I made no attempt at interference 

 except motioning for one of the brothers to place some covering 

 over the patient's shoulders. 



The angeko was constantly engaged in addressing some un- 

 known spirit, doing it in as varied a way as could be well con- 

 ceived. The whole family participated in the scene, placing 

 themselves in position, responding, ejaculating, and doing what- 

 ever the angeko required ; and all this with a solemnity that was 

 particularly striking, so much so, indeed, that the exercises re- 

 minded me, in some respects, of what is known as a Methodist 

 "love-feast." 



When the exercises were through, the angeko, turning round, 

 appeared to notice me, and expressed surprise ; but I soon molli- 

 fied her rising anger by a slight present, which made her and the 

 family very friendly. 



Notwithstanding all the efforts made by this angeko, they 

 availed nothing in arresting the rapid strides disease was making 

 on this poor man's life. On the following day, myself being sick 

 on board, I requested Tookoolito to see the patient, and take to 

 him certain medicines I gave her. She did so then, and likewise 

 on the next day, remaining half an hour with him. Soon after 



