There died on board, in the course of this month, thirteen of fevers, seven of fluxes, and seven of other complaints, of whom five died of small pox, one of asthma, and one of wounds he received at St. Christopher’s.
In order to show more fully and minutely what are the complaints incident to fleets in this climate, I shall set down a list of the numbers taken ill of the different diseases and accidents during this month, extracted from the returns of twenty-eight ships of the line, and two frigates.
| Fevers | 806 |
| Fluxes | 463 |
| Scurvy | 130 |
| Ulcers | 129 |
| Small pox | 49 |
| Pectoral complaints | 40 |
| Venereal complaints | 32 |
| Colds | 30 |
| Rheumatism | 18 |
| Angina | 10 |
| Gravel | 3 |
| Dropsy | 1 |
| Ophthalmia | 1 |
| Leprosy | 1 |
| Fistula in ano | 3 |
| Hernia humoralis | 1 |
| Abscess | 1 |
| Fractures | 3 |
| Various slight accidents, as bruises, cuts, scalds, &c. | 163 |
| Total | 1884 |
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 acquainted[12].
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.
State of Health of the Fleet in April 1782——Battles on the 9th and 12th—The Fleet very healthy—from the Quality of Provisions—from the Effects of Victory—Advantages of close Action—What Diseases most prevalent—Extraordinary Degree of Health in the Formidable.
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.