Joseph's cousin-in-law, Alvah, is in the hospital recovering from an unknown illness or wound. He describes feeling overwhelmed by the sheer number of sick and wounded soldiers he sees dying at the hospital. He even details the behavior of a soldier who suffers from Erysipelas, a skin infection that has made it difficult for the soldier to breathe. Alvah proceeds to wax philosophically about human nature, hardship, religion, and politics.