Iloilo, May, 5, 1900

Since my return here on Good Friday April 13, 1900, I have been so occupied with work, and so pulled down by the intense heat and drought that I have had little time or energy for more than <the> daily business. The heat now day after day is almost stifling in the coolest offices 96 or 98 degrees and above 100 in others less well placed, whereas in the sun the heat and glare are indescribable. Clouds of dust too blow thro’ the streets powdering the bushes along the country roads until even the foliage is white. Water is very scarce, much that we get comes by water boat from Guimaras. Still the command remains in fair health, though Signal Corps men out on field work have suffered severely from fever and exhaustion. Most people are pulled down and very thin and cadaverous in appearance. I myself am reduced to 140 1/2 pounds a loss of 29 1/2 pounds since I sailed from San Francisco. My clothes hang about me like bags and I do not seem to have the muscles of a kitten. Still my health — thank goodness — continues fair. (May that continue. Now another expedition is on.