Observations on the Diseases of Seamen. Blane Gilbert

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      The number of ulcers bears here a smaller proportion to the whole than it does in general to the sum total of the sick list; for being the most tedious of all complaints, they consequently accumulate more than any other. Thus many of the cases now set down as slight accidents, will, in the ensuing month, be in the state of obstinate ulcers.

      Most of the diseases of one hot climate resemble those of another, so far as I know; but there is one disease which we hear of as being extremely prevalent all over the East Indies, which is hardly ever met with in the tropical regions of the West. This is the inflammation of the liver, of which I remember to have seen only one well-marked case, and it was that of a gentleman who had been in the East Indies, and had been subject to it there: nor do I recollect more than one, or at most two, cases of this sort out of several thousand cases of various diseases that were reported to me. This is either owing to the greater heat and dryness of the air in the East Indies, or some other peculiarity with which we are not acquainted12.

      Every other inflammatory complaint exists more or less, though they are much rarer than in cold and temperate climates. The phthisis pulmonalis is not so common as in cold climates, but proves sooner fatal to most constitutions. There are certain pulmonic complaints, particularly those of the asthmatic kind, to which the climate of the West Indies is remarkably favourable; but those in which there are tubercles and ulceration seem to be hurried faster to a fatal termination. The climates, from the thirtieth to the fortieth degree of latitude, seem to be best suited to consumptive complaints. The rheumatisms that occur in hot climates are mostly of the chronic kind.

      CHAP. III

      This month being interesting, on account of the memorable engagements that happened in it, the remarks shall, for this reason, be somewhat more full and particular.

      Three ships of the line having been sent to protect convoys to Jamaica, and one having been sent to protect a convoy to Barbadoes, there remained thirty-six at St. Lucia in the beginning of this month. By the end of the first week their damages were repaired, their water and provisions complete, and the sick in a great measure recovered.

      An equal force of the enemy lay over against us at Martinico, the two powers of Britain and France being to make this distant quarter of the world the theatre for trying their strength, and deciding the sovereignty of the seas. In the view of this great event, our commander forwarded the necessary duties of the fleet with such zeal and diligence, and watched the motions of the enemy with such vigilance, that he overtook their grand squadron a few hours after they left their own port, and engaged them two several days, with a success, glorious and complete.

      Nothing had been wanting to equip this fleet for the great and decisive exertion it was to make. Every ship, except two, might be said to be healthy, most of them were complete in men, well appointed with officers, and well found in stores and provisions. – Conformable to this was the eagerness, the confidence, and resolution, which led them to success and victory.

      After this battle, the whole fleet, with the prizes, bore away for Jamaica, where part of it arrived on the last days of April, but the greater part of it kept the sea, till after the middle of May.

      As this month is more than usually interesting, the tables are given at full length, and a column is added for the wounded.

      The sum total, of the numbers of the men on board of the thirty-six ships that composed the line of battle on the 12th of April, was 21,608, and the mortality during the month, exclusive of those who were killed or died of wounds, was one in 862.

      There was less sickness, and less death, from disease in this month, than any of the former twenty-three months, in which I kept records of the fleet, and less than in any subsequent month, till the fleet got to the coast of America.

      To account for this, it is to be observed, that the men had not been exposed to the noxious air of the shore in watering, as in the preceding month: they had received from England a fresh supply of provisions, among which was sour krout, melasses, and essence of malt, all in addition to the ordinary articles of victualling: many of the ships were supplied with wine, in place of rum, and as the weather was all along dry and fine, the men suffered the less from the exposure and want of sleep, which are the necessary consequences of keeping ships clear for battle for several days and nights together.

      Transcriber's Keys:

      F Sick on board on the 1st of the Month.

      M Put on the List during the Month.

      D Dead.

      H Sent to the Hospital.

      N. B. The Ships marked thus, *, came from England in February and March, 1782.

      All the Ships named in the Table were in the Engagements in April, except the Ramillies and the two Frigates.

      In the Spaces marked thus, §, no Return was made.

      Might not this extraordinary degree of health have also been owing, in part, to the effects of success upon the spirits of the men? It is related13, that, when the fleet under Admiral Matthews was off Toulon, in daily expectation for some time of engaging the combined fleet of France and Spain, there was a general stop put to the progress of disease, particularly of the scurvy, from the influence of that generous flow of spirits, with which the prospect of battle inspires British seamen. But if the mere expectation and ardour of a battle, without any happy event, could have such a sensible effect, what must have been the effect of the exultation of VICTORY, a victory in which the naval glory of our country was revived and retrieved, after a series of misfortunes and disgraces, which had well nigh extinguished the national pride in every department of service! The plain and honest, though unthinking seaman, is not less affected by this than the more enlightened lover of his country. Even the invalids at the hospital demonstrated their joy, upon hearing of this victory, by hoisting shreds of coloured cloth on their crutches.

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