An essay addressed to captains of the Royal Navy, and those of the merchant service, on the means of preserving the health of their crews, with directions for the preservation of dry rot in ships / by Robert Finlayson.

  • Finlayson, Robert (Surgeon in the Royal Navy)
Date:
1824
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: An essay addressed to captains of the Royal Navy, and those of the merchant service, on the means of preserving the health of their crews, with directions for the preservation of dry rot in ships / by Robert Finlayson. Source: Wellcome Collection.

Provider: This material has been provided by The University of Glasgow Library. The original may be consulted at The University of Glasgow Library.

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    kremi^ss N^i]i, 1 hb^V'^lbe- found • iiseful, and the method of ascertaining the airs capacity for moisture, and the consequent injury sustained by individuals exposed to washing decks at the time, will be valuable in a practical point of view. I think I have, also, satisfactorily proved, that the decay of timber is never 'premature unless exposed to the alternate action of impure air, a high temperature, and humidity; and, that the only power we possess in retarding it, is lyjr endeavouring to abstract one of its destructive agents: and water and the juices of timber being 1 lie most tangible, I have recommended that the timbers should be well seasoned before they are put into a ship, and that the decks be protectBd from the excess of washing, and well ventilated ^iafterwards, by which means, the menVt health will be much benefited, and the decay of wood greatly retarded. Moreover, from the windsaiis now in use being incapable, on many occasions, of dislodging the ponderous gases, generated in the lower department of a ship, I have recom- mended that they should be pumped, out by certain ventilators. . To t\\Q few officers in the royal navy who keep the hold clean, dry holy stone the lower deck, and select a mild period: for washing the main