301 
THE BIRTH-DAY. 
ly low temperatures is a pain between the eyes and 
over the forehead. This is quite severe. It remind- 
ed me of a feeling which I have had from over-large 
quantities of ice-cream or ice- water, held against the 
roof of the mouth. I reached the brig in a fine glow 
of warmth, having skated, slid, and made the most of 
my time in the open air. 
“An increased disposition to scurvy shows itself 
Last week twelve cases of scorbutic gums were not- 
ed at my daily inspections. In addition to these, I 
have two cases of swelled limbs and extravasated 
blotches, with others less severely marked, from the 
same obstinate disease. The officers too, the cap- 
tain, Mr. Lovell, and Mr. Murdaugh, complain of 
stiff and painful joints and limbs, with diarrhoea and 
impaired appetite: the doctor like the rest. At my 
recommendation, the captain has ordered an increased 
allowance of fresh food, to the amount of two com- 
plete extra daily rations per man, with potatoes, saur- 
kraut, and stewed apples; and we have enjoined more 
active and continued daily exercise, more complete 
airing of bedding, &c. I have commenced the use 
of nitro-muriatio acid, as in syphilitic and mercurial 
cases, by external friction. 
“ The state of health among us gives me great anx- 
iety, and not a little hard work. Quinine, the salts 
of iron, &c., &c., are in full requisition For the first 
time I am without a hospital steward. 
“ It is Washington’s hirth-day, when ‘ hearts should 
be glad;’ but we have no wine for the dinner-table, 
and are too sick for artificial merriment without it. 
Our crew, however, good patriotic wretches, got up a 
theatrical performance, ‘ The Irish Attorney ;’ Pierce 
O’Hara taken by the admirable Bruce, our Crichton. 
