188 
THE HEALTH-STATION. 
interval that I could snatch from the duty of trans¬ 
porting our provisions. The temperature in which 
they lived was at first below zero; but, as the sun rose 
and the warmth increased, they gradually gained 
strength, and were able at last to crawl out and breathe 
in the gladdening air. 
Had I attempted to bring them down on our boatr 
sledges, our progress would have been seriously im¬ 
peded and their lives jeoparded. I catmot imagine a 
worse position for a sick and helpless man than some 
of those which I have described in our transit from the 
brig. 
On the other hand, to have left them for the time 
behind us would have made it quite possible that they 
might not at last be reclaimed. Every day was making 
the ice-travel more difficult and full of hazard till we 
reached the open water; and they could not fail to 
know this as soon as they were able to look out on the 
floes. My occasional visits as I passed Anoatok on my 
way to Etali, or as I brought supplies for them on the 
return, gave them assurances of continued interest in 
their fortunes, and advices of our progress and of their 
own hopes and ours. 
Besides all this, there is something in the insidious 
disease which was their most dangerous enemy that 
is best combated by moral excitement. A change of 
scene, renewed or increased responsibilities, topics of 
active thought, incitements to physical effort, are 
among the very best prescriptions for men suffering 
with the scurvy. I have had reason to feel, while 
