He makes a living working for medical researchers who are trying to find cures for various diseases and conditions (notably the common cold and seasickness).
He followed the advice he had been given to join and stick with the navy, although he suffered from seasickness and disliked the customary cruelty of service punishments.
On the first leg of the trip he and his wife were overcome by seasickness but an onboard doctor curiously prescribed them opium, which successfully cured them.
