stefansson-wrangel-09-32-035v

274 THE ADVENTURE OF WRANGEL ISLAND

and the left is much the worse. If it is scurvy, it is acting
differently from the previous time [when he had scurvy
in 1917 as related [ante].], for then my legs did not
swell. My gums are soft but they cause me no incon-
venience. When I exercise myself to any extent, as I did
to-day lifting a couple of logs, I become so short of breath
that I have to sit down or else fall down. This also is
different from the previous attack. I am not in the
least worried but I would like to know what is the trouble.
I have lost my hearty appetite that I had some time ago,
although I still am able to “peck” a little. I am sure
the best medicine that I could take would be a few feeds
of fresh meat. Hence my desire to go to the traps. If
only a bear would walk into camp the meat would last
the two of us, not counting the cat, a long time.”

February 2nd: “Not a great deal to record. Dug out a
little wood and cut some, filled water barrel with snow,
etc. I feel a little better to-day than formerly. Although
my legs are sore, I feel more like moving about. I am
afraid, however, to go to Maurer’s traps and shall wait
until I get feeling better. Partly clear. Light breeze
from the east. Come on, Bear!”

February 3rd: “Cut a little wood and general duties.
Tried to dig out a few logs but had to give it up. As
long as I remain quiet I feel 0. K. but exertion is what
gets me. Woman scraping [tanning] skins.”

On February 4th there is a detailed entry about symp-
toms. It is the present intention to publish this verbatim
as part of a paper on scurvy in some medical journal,
probably that of the American Medical Association, for
that Journal has already published (Nov. 23, 1918, Vol.
LXXI, pp. 1715-1718) a paper on the attack of scurvy
which Lorne Knight suffered in 1917. While the planned