* Snow: During the winter months, they would sometimes collect snow and melt it in their mouths, which was a poor substitute for real water. This method was often unreliable and the water often tasted bad.
* Soup: The meager soup they received each day was their primary source of hydration. However, the soup was often thin and salty, which actually dehydrated them further.
* River Water: The prisoners would sometimes risk their lives to reach a nearby river, but the water was often contaminated and could make them sick.
* Drinking from the toilet: In the most desperate of situations, some prisoners resorted to drinking from the toilets, a practice that was both disgusting and dangerous.
It's important to note that these methods were not enough to adequately hydrate the prisoners. Dehydration was a constant threat and a significant cause of death in the camps.
Wiesel describes the agonizing thirst in detail, highlighting its debilitating effects on the prisoners' bodies and minds. It's a potent symbol of the inhuman conditions they endured and the constant struggle for survival.