o run
boat through two miles of almost solid ice, four inches thick. At the
mouth of this tributary had to make three attempts before successfully
penetrating ice enough to get into channel of stream.

The following day after leaving a few medical supplies with Canadian
Artillery Headquarters and arranging transportation for myself and
personnel, with a few cooking utensils and blankets, we started for
Beresnik. Stopped at Charastrovia and looked over several buildings but
nothing available worth while. Natives very unfriendly and suspicious.
Arrived at Beresnik, reported to the General and spent the night at
Field Hospital 337.

Oct. 30th left on tug "Archangel" for Kurgomin with dentist. Received
report that several casualties were there to be evacuated. Reached Pless
but found the river full of ice again. Captain of boat stated that he
could not get to Kurgomin, but within about three miles of the place.
Docked boat and walked through mud and water to my knees to Kurgomin.
Found there had been a small detention hospital of fifteen beds
established by Capt. Fortescue in charge of Capt. Watson, R. A. M. C.
Good building at Pless for a hospital of fifty or seventy-five beds,
which was necessary to be taken over and used as advance base evacuating
hospital after Dvina froze. Sent dentist with equipment over to opposite
bank to take care of men's teeth of Co. "B", then holding the front on
the left bank. Getting his field equipment together and using cabin as
his office, he was able to care for twenty men. All to be evacuated were
walking cases. Very dark and mud twelve inches deep. Officially reported
that Bolos were coming around the rear that night. We arrived tired, but
safely, where the boat was waiting and returned eight miles through ice.
Waited until morning before going farther and at daybreak started for
Chamova. Stopped there while dentist cared for several Co. "D" men.
Finally reached Beresnik after being stuck on sand bars many times, as
river was very shallow at that time of the year and channel variable.
Handed patients over and spent night at Field Hospital 337.

Following day found it necessary to be deloused. We had nothing but
Serbian barrels for clothing disinfectors at that time. Reported that a
thresh delouser had been started for Beresnik. Sanitation greatly
improved.

After a few days' rest and arranging with engineers to make ambulance
sled, started again on tug "Archangel" for Dvina front. On