Observations on the diseases of seamen / [Sir Gilbert Blane].

  • Blane, Gilbert, Sir, 1749-1834
Date:
1800
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: Observations on the diseases of seamen / [Sir Gilbert Blane]. Source: Wellcome Collection.

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    which had been moft afFeded with fevers in Europe, namely, in the Terrible and Intrepid. The Sandwich and Ajax were alfo affeded, though in a lefs degree; but the Montagu, though this was her firft voyage, and though (lie was juft off the ftocks, had been the moft healthy of any of them from the time of leaving England, and continued fo during all this campaign. I have not obferved that new fhips are more unhealthy than others, unlefs they are built of ill-feafoned timber j and they have this advantage, that there is no previous infec- tion adhering to them. What may have contributed alfo to the fuperior health of the Montagu, was the precaution that was taken when this (hip was firft manned and fitted out, of ftripping and waftiing the men that were brought from the guardfhip to complete the crew. The Intrepid, while in England, had been afflidled with fevers to a moft uncommon degree: for bding one of the fleet in the Channel cruize the year before, almoft the whole crew either died at fea, or were fent to the hofpital upon arriving at Portfmouth. This ihip, after refitting, was pretty heal- B 2 thy