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304

[Saturday. Feb. 18]

These are the points of consultation by
which I cheer my comrades.

1. A careful analysis of our disease convinces
me that under its present aspects it
is still under [my] controul. If with the aid
of [our] my present hunting resources we can
keep the cases from rapid depression [and]
the probabilities are in favour of a Godsend
of fresh food in time to arrest the
disease until the seal hunt of May.
I base this opinion upon the cases of Brooks
and Wilson who if any thing, are improving
and upon the wonderful influence of
raw meat [?] [and the supposition of
our present rate of hunt, five rabbits
([?] foxes) per week — Continuing]
I am further [convinced] satisfied that March [well] should
give us a bear and that sooner or later
we will secure one of the stray deer
which hang around the lakes. We have
now a hunting tent upon the inner fiord
giving us a larger range of country.
[and William Godfrey will probably]
One such large animal will so comfort the sick as to make it safe for me
to leave them long enough to
renew our communication with the Esquimaux.
In case of deaths beginning, I can do this at any rate.

2. The coming of the sun, [dear blessed
sun] — will open[s] to me resources full of
moral help to the sick and [permitting] assist the new
hygienic expedients which I am at
this moment arranging.

Our miserable little apartment
where eighteen men are crowded into
the home of ten, is begrimed with
lamp black, and obnoxious from the
inevitable smoke engendered by our
peculiar fuel. The late warm weather
has prevented our drying or airing