214 THE TROOPS.

are to enter the establishment ; and thus the greater number keep their sufferings secret as long as they possibly can. The apothecary who performed the duty of the medical man in the infirmary paid his visit once daily, and, on his arrival there, it depended, properly speaking, on the nurses what medicines the patients should take. Of these subordinate functionaries, even, there was a great deficiency, for, as fast as they arrived from Cairo, they were taken off their duties and employed by the doctor and apothecary in private practice; for by these means they were enabled to earn more than their pay, for which they always had to wait twelve months. This extensive apothecary, who acted in the capacity of pharmaceutist and medical man, usually commenced a categorical conversation with the nurse, without seeing any one of the patients ; the following dialogue took place during one of my visits to the establishment.

Apothecary.—" How is No. 1 ?"

Nurse.—" He is still feverish."

Apoth.—" It cannot be helped, for I have not had a drachm of quinine for several months past, and I have no other febrifuge ; he will get better in time without physic. How is No. 2 ?"

Nurse.—" He died last night."

Apoth.—" And is No. 3 no better ?"

Nurse.—" He wants nothing further, for in two or three days he will be dead."

Apoth.—" How is No. 7?"