The proportion of the deaths this month to the whole number of men belonging to this part of the fleet, was one in eleven hundred and two. There were fifty-six sent to the hospital, which was one in eighteen of all the sick.
Table, shewing the Prevalence of Sickness and Mortality in the new Squadron, in December.
Transcriber’s Keys:
A Proportion of those taken ill in the Course of the Month.
B Proportion of Deaths, in relation to the Numbers of the Sick.
| DISEASES. | A | B |
|---|---|---|
| ONE IN | ||
| Fevers | 11 | 55 |
| Fluxes | 86 | 0 |
| Scurvy | 107 | 0 |
| Ulcers | 191 | 0 |
| Other Complaints | 56 | 54 |
| General Proportion | 5 | 64 |
The proportion of the deaths this month to the whole number of men belonging to this part of the fleet, was one in four hundred and forty.
There were one hundred and eighty-nine sent to the hospital; but the proportion to the whole number of sick cannot be ascertained, as we do not know how many were on the list on the first of the month.
The increase of fevers in the old squadron was chiefly owing to their having spread in the Nonsuch; and they seemed to partake more of that kind which originates in jails and ships, than of that which is peculiar to the climate. The body of one of the men who died of this fever was inspected at the hospital, and there was found to be inflammation and even perforation of the intestines, without any previous symptom that could lead to expect such an appearance, a circumstance more likely to happen in the former sort of fever than the latter.
The increase of scurvy was owing to the numbers that were taken ill of it in the Magnificent on the passage from Halifax, from whence she sailed in the beginning of this month, and joined the fleet at Barbadoes in the end of it. There was a great deal of sickness in this ship at Halifax, and on the passage, owing to the want of such clothing as was suitable to that severe climate. One of the principal complaints was an inflammatory sore throat.
There was no change in the situation of the fleet, only that four ships of the line were sent on the 16th to cruise near Guadaloupe, and they continued at sea till the beginning of February.
The new squadron was much afflicted with the jail fever, brought from England; and it was much more prevalent, as well as malignant, on board of the Suffolk than any of the rest. During the passage it prevailed most in the Princess Amelia, not less than twenty having died of it. It subsided in this ship before she arrived in the West Indies; but on board of the Suffolk it continued to rage for some months after.