Parcel day. A cold damp dreary day and I fell just as bad in temper. Weill takes too much for granted. It is all first person singular. All that he has is partly mine. I have told him on more than one occassion that he should not give people the impression that whatever is given or lent comes from him. I think that he is due for a lesson. I shall from now on be over generous after all. I may as well have some of the credit.
The news seems very good on the Russian front and it now looks like the worst is over. We should if the war continues like the news we get, be out of here by the end of this year. Posted my letter to Dad last night, hope he receives it. Last night was my turn as picket, the sentries were very active and one of the Canadians huts had a surprise visit. My watch went smoothly: 2.15/ 4.10 AM.
Higgins has taken a turn for the worse and request for eggs was made. Spoke to Barkus on his experience last March on beri beri.
"My body was swollen, I felt a tightness in my chest. The doctors now decided to send me to Argyle St. Hosp. There I received usual injection and bunked in with the beri beri cases. By now we were in a very bad way! I knew to lie flat down was asking for trouble — death, as even in a sitting position I found great difficulty in breathing. The excessive water in my body seemed to be pressing towards my lungs. Opposite me a fellow volunteer who was in a similar state certainly had guts. Before we knew it a heated conversation was on re — unsinkable ships! Evening set into night and from experience I now found the safess way to sleep was to strap myself in a sitting position. I told Thompson to do the same; but he knew better poor man needed a good nights sleep and was out to get it. Little did he know that it was to be a deep unawaken sleep. I had dosed off when suddenly I heard Thompson gasping for breath. He did not have the strength to sit up and was choking, his lungs filling with the essive water. I hurriedly unfastened the strap from my bed and went to his aid, by which time there was rather a commotion. The doctor arrived and did what he could. You should have seen Thompson — his eyes were bulbs ready to pop out! Sweat was pouring from his head, the veins on his neck stood out like cords. After the injection he quietened down and we were told he was asleep. I somehow felt he was dead but the MO assured me he was not. All was quiet now and most of us had once again settled down for the night. I still had a feeling of terror, knowing that if I lay flat on my back I could experience what Thompson went through. Then the door opened and a gruff voice called out — "Well, where is the stiff?" This was our introduction to the Army — showing its respect. The strecher bearers (or have we another name for such) without much ado promptly set about — "Ah a fine pair of boots, just what I need" and with a fast and sly movement the boots were gone. The other S B was not very idle himself, a kit bag was his loot. What was carried out was no longer Thompson, it was a piece of flesh which no longer could stand up for its rights and they say we die for God & country!