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[Page 80]
Russian tuberculosus cases. In spite of the danger of infection he visits them frequently. Being one day in his company I was an eye witness to fresh instances of torture and brutality. The lazarette consists of a number of roughly constructed huts, fitted with rough beds, quite unsuitable for hospital use. The cases there are all men taken ill in camp and constitute a small fraction of the total number of sick in the camp. There are at least 200 of them. Several Russian doctors (themselves prisoners) attend under Hun supervision. Medicine is unobtainable; the food is unfit for human consumption, but the unfortunate men are compelled to eat it. The daily average of Russian deaths is 35. French and English seldom exceed 2. the Russian bodies are piled in a heap outside the huts, to await burial in a long trench. Often identification is impossible and no inquiries are made. It is impossible for Russian interpreters to improve the situation on account of food difficulties and shortage of medicine; they are also heavily taxed with work. The cemetery is quite near and contains hundreds of rough graves. The French and English sections are attended by their respective nationalities, when permission is granted by the Huns. The Russian section is distinguished by a huge monument erected by Huns at an exhorbitant price. The funds are collected in camp. The English are at present, endeavouring to raise sufficient money to erect a memorial.
During my return to camp I encountered several Huns who "Donnerwettered" furiously and "Sweinerid" until I almost lost my nerve. I succeeded in reaching the barrack safely. Prisoners are not permitted to visit the barrack lazarette without a permit and when on duly only. In the evening I pictured my return to dear old Blighty and retired happily to my bed of bugs and lice; one could be worse off and it is useless to worry.
15th. I received four food parcels to my surprise and joy a Berne bread parcel numbered amongst the packets. This is the second bread parcel I have received since entering into captivity. I have repeatedly written to London and Berne, but