February List

The number of Ulcers and Bruises have increased slightly again for the month of February, as well as complaints of Rheumatism. These things are not unusual after such a prolong'd exposure to the cold and wet of our current assignment.

Compiled and submitted for the month of February by Ship's Surgeon, HMS Acasta.

January List

I am pleased to report that general complaints are down overall, save for Ulcers, whose increase is to be expected during prolong'd service in wet and cold conditions.

Compiled and submitted for the month of January by Ship's Surgeon A. Roberts, HMS Acasta.

The Drunken Marine

John Downie, aged 26,
Marine; headache

Taken ill 15 Nov’r at Cove,
discharged to duty 25 Nov’r.

This is a coltish drunken fellow of such a ghastly wretched appearance in general that it is a difficult matter to ascertain at anytime whether he is in health or otherwise especially if it is convenient for him to affect indisposition - which is very often the case. He has been bred a butcher and from the facilities of his early years he has acquired habits that are in some degree rare - he can imitate with the greatest possible exactness the howling of a pack of hounds, the crowing of a cock, the bellowing of a bull, cow or calf and a number of other animals. On account of these curious qualifications he is often solicited by his shipmates to give a specimen of his talents and a glass of grog is of course the reward. I presume he has been drunk in consequence of something of this kind and has affected sickness to avoid punishment. He says his head aches

I have given him an emetic and will stop his grog till he is better.

 Originally Recorded by: Mr. Thomas Simpson, Surgeon, HMS Arethusa, 1805

December List

The number of Fevers has decreased in December, but we lost one of the seamen to his condition on the 20th. He was exceedingly weak, I believe from a previous condition for which I was not consulted.

Compiled and submitted for the month of December by Ship's Surgeon A. Roberts, HMS Acasta.

From the Medical Journal

James Calloway, aged 40, 

Seaman; 

disease and hurt,

suspended animation, from

submersion. 

Taken ill, 19 January Spithead.

Discharged to duty, 7 February.

Brought on board with the appearance of a corpse, he had fallen over the bow of the launch which had then passed over him, a second boat also drove him under water while trying to assist. He was pulled into the stern of the second boat having been in the water 12 minutes and about to go under a third time. Another 20 minutes elapsed before he was brought on board the Acasta and taken to the galley, where he was stripped and dried with warmed, dry sack. After 15 minutes of this the galley fire was needed and he was removed to the sick bay. He was again put in a warm bed with bottles of hot water under his hams, armpits and feet, and heated pewter plates, wrapped in flannel, were placed along his spine. Tobacco smoke was conveyed to his lungs through the tube of a common pipe. After a further 45 minutes, an obscure palpitation of the heart, the tobacco smoke was continued and after a further 10 minutes, he sighed faintly and closed his mouth. Shortly afterwards a pulse was detected at the wrist and the tobacco smoke was discontinued. An hour and twenty minutes after being brought on board he spoke and swallowed a little brandy.

From his general appearance, I do not find it easy to describe, I think a favourable termination to be very problematical.

Originally Recorded by: Mr. Ben Lara, Surgeon, HMS Princess Royal, 1802

Seaman Williams' Fits

Jonathan Williams

Aged 24
Seaman
Disease or Hurt: Fits
Taken Ill 9 January 1806 At Sea.

This young man has been subject to fitts ever since he was twelve years old in consequence as he says of being frightened by his sister coming suddenly into a dark Room where he was sitting with his father, dressed in a white sheet thro' a frolick. I have twice before today seen him affected and I think they were as severe and lasted as long as Fever witnessed by any one person. this lad is a perfect picture of health and I am informed diligent, and friendly in his disposition. From the great muscular strength that he possesses it required a great number of people to keep him from injuring himself while in a fitt. He tells me that he has no previous notice of the attack, only as he thinks he hears a rattling noise like falling waters in his ears, his consciousness then leaves him. The muscles of the neck, breast and abdomen become strongly convulsed, the eyes are turned upwards, and the agitation of the whole frame becomes excessive. The Tunica adnata of the eyes by this time are highly inflamed, the face becomes red, the jaws, unless something is got between them in Time, get fast locked for a short period, and in the height of the paroxysm if the precaution of putting a spoon into his mouth has not been attended to he is apt to lacerate his tongue very severely. By a profuse sweat breaking out on his face these violent symptoms subside, and he opens his eyes and generally stares wildly round him for a few minutes and sometimes will take a drink if it is offered to him, but if spoken to he very often falls into the same state again. He has now been nearly as I have been describing for these last eight hours. I have carefully watched over him and never could perceive that the pulse was materially altered nor the heat of the skin unless about the head. but always after the convulsions subsided, and when his consciousness was returning the heart throbbed most violently until he became quite recollected. I have endeavoured to be as particular as I can about his case on account of the genuine sympathy excited in the breasts of all who have ever witnessed his malady. --

Part of the original handwritten report.

As the Pathology of this disease as well as our general knowledge of the laws of animal aeconomy are involved in much mystery, I am fearfull about hazarding a conjecture on the best mode of treating this case, yet as I will be obliged to do something, I will just say, that it appears from the time he first received the fright, he has been more or less subject to this disease; from the symptoms, which I have detailed it appears also probable, that some preternatural determination of blood to the head then took place, which by compression on the brain might have induced these violent, convulsive motions, and these may have since continued to recur by means of what some late eminent Physiologists have termed 'morbid association', even altho' the primary cause may have long ceased to act. I confess this reasoning is not very satisfactory, however it is the Best I have to offer. During the height of the Paroxysm, I tried to compress the internal Carotid by pressure with my thumbs, agreeable to the recommendation of the ingenious (Dr. Parry of Bath) but from the strong resistance of the muscles of the neck. I suppose I succeeded very partially, altho' he soon got quiet after I had begun and with an idea that they had entirely ceased I left him.

part of the second page

I confess this might be more owing to the natural termination of the paroxysm  than to any benefit devined from the imperfect compression I was enabled to use, but as it was agreeable to the theory I have detailed above I was resolved to try is as often as I could. The excessive violence of the subsequent attacks however totally put it out of my power to persevere in the compression of the carotids; with a view however to induce a new action (if I may be allowed so old a phrase) and set aside the morbid association, I tried by very strong compression with my hands on the spinous processes of the ilia (these parts being violently agitated by the contraction of the gluteal Muscles) and sticking in thumb nails on the ridge of the bones to excite pain there. Here I also thought I did some good. Because it appeared to me that a speedier termination of the paroxysms took place. The usual remedies of slapping the hands and the soles of the feet and bending back the nails of the fingers which are used by the vulgar on these occasions, and which were diligently persevered in here justified as I thought these conjectures of mine. As soon however as he is quite freed from the fitts I purpose bleeding him plentifully and then to administer half a grain of the argent: Nitrat. and daily increase it as I see it has lately been strongly recommended in cases of this description. I will notice the effects as I proceed.

Originally Recorded by: Mr. Thomas Simpson, Surgeon, HMS Arethusa, 1805-1806

Transcribed by Albert Roberts with spellings from the original journal imaes and text found at:  www.nationalarchives.gov.uk

Medical Instrument Illustrations from Copperplate engraving from the First Edition of the Encyclopedia Britannica, or Dictionary of the Arts and Sciences, founded in 1768 and printed in 1771.

A Scorpion Sting

John Randall, 

place of taken ill [?]; 

sick or hurt: 

Poisoned by the sting of a scorpion or centipede occasioning the most violent symptoms and almost a complete paralysis, the consequence was a tumor on the part affected, which I opened and discharged a great quantity of fetid matter, I have seen several cases of this kind, and when they complain early enough, have relieved every symptoms by the application of rum to the part, but in this case the virus had penetrated too far, as the nervous system was evidently affected therefore no success could be expected, by external application; 

taken ill on 26 February

discharged 19 March to duty

Originally Recorded by: Mr. Thomas Tappen, Surgeon, HMS Arab, 1799-1800
Text from www.nationalarchives.gov.uk

A Broken Needle

George Wright, aged 24, Seaman;

Disease or hurt, Punctured wound

Taken ill 7 January at sea.

Discharged to duty 30 January

While laying out on the fore topsail yard to reef the sail a large sewing needle which he had stuck in the breast of his frock run into the sternum and he says that it is gone quite thro' as he feels it pricking him. In attempting to pull it out it broke nearly about the middle, and while he came to me, he held the piece in his hand it appeared about one inch in length and pretty thick.

The original page enlarg'd, part 1

He appeared to be in the greatest apprehension and probably pain - for large drops of sweat fell from his face in profusion and his countenance was quite pallid and dejected. I could see the orifice where the needle had entered, but could neither see nor feel any part of it - altho' he had assured me when I touched the part that he felt the needle prick him inside.

The external orifice appeared about an inch above the joining of the Cartilago Ensiformis. With Mr. P. I agreed to lay the parts externally sufficiently open so as to endeavour to find the remainder of the needle. I immediately made and incision about an inch and a half in a perpendicular direction above and below the orifice but altho' we inspected most carefully we could not discover the slightest vestige of the needle nor where it had got to, all this time the Lad kept telling me that he felt it within him and seemed in very great agitation, and I believe if he had not been supported would have fainted.

After a fruitless search I brought the edges of the wound together and retained them with adhesive straps expecting if suppuration should take place that the piece of the needle would soon appear. I got him put to bed and have administered an anodyne and recommended him to lay in the posture which he finds most ease in.

The original page enlarg'd part 2

8th - He still assents that he feels the needle prick him when he moves, but appears not so much alarmed and I have an idea that he must be in some mistake. I have ordered him to remain quiet and repeat the anodyne.

13th - He is able to walk about without any great uneasiness but the needle has never been found, the incision has suppurated. He says still that he can feel it prick him under the left Breast now - but I can not perceive it. Dress the wound daily.

16th - The incision heals, he does not feel the needle now at all. ------ -------

25th - The wound heals rapidly but no part of the needle has been since seen or felt.

Originally Recorded by: Mr. Thomas Simpson, Surgeon, HMS Arethusa, 1805
Transcribed for hmsacasta.com by Albert Roberts
Journal images and text from www.nationalarchives.gov.uk

A Nasty Fall

Robert Sampson, 
Seaman;

Disease or hurt:
Compound fracture, taken ill
2 January at sea. Died later that day.

Unfortunately this evening about five o'clock while the people were reefing the topsails, (a) block strap of the maintopsail gave way and by the sudden driving threw several of the people off the yard. They all got into the top with little damage unless the poor man whose case I am now detailing. He fell down on the quarter deck, (there being no splinter netting in this ship which would have saved Him) near the Sky Light. Both thighs and the left arm were badly fractured. The left thigh was a compound fracture; about three Inches of the femur was propelled thro' the instrumentson the outside nearly about midway between the knee and head of the femoris. This portion had ruptured the femoral artery and dreadfully lacerated the contiguous muscles and by the violence of the fall was left sticking upwards of an inch and a half in the deck it was afterwards dug out with a mallet & chissell. As soon I accurately ascertained the extent of the of the injury he received, with the assistance of Mr. ___________, we proceeded to take off the left thigh and then replaced the fractured ends of the other thigh and left arm with proper Bandages & splints. From the time he fell he never spoke; but he was apparently quite sensible. We got him to bed and exhibited a cordial draght, but his pulse gradually sunk and he expired almost imperceptibly at nine o'clock. He lost a good deal of blood before the operation from the artery being wounded but not so much as to endanger life. -- The Injurys he had sustained independant of concussion rendered his case a hopeless one.

 Originally Recorded by: Mr. John _______ , Asst. Surgeon, HMS Dryad, 1827-1828

November List

While the numbers for Fevers are much increased since last month, I have also noted that there has been a great increase in Venereal Complaints. I believe that the increase is due to our anchoring at Halifax on 26 Sept, especially given some of the bawdy tales I've heard the men tell in the weeks following.

It is my hope that the unpleasant treatments for the 'diseases of Venus' will keep the numbers low after our next visit to port.

Compiled and submitted for the month of November by Ship's Surgeon A. Roberts, HMS Acasta.

From the Medical Journal

John Randall, 

place of taken ill [?]; 

sick or hurt: 

Poisoned by the sting of a scorpion or centipede occasioning the most violent symptoms and almost a complete paralysis, the consequence was a tumor on the part affected, which I opened and discharged a great quantity of fetid matter, I have seen several cases of this kind, and when they complain early enough, have relieved every symptoms by the application of rum to the part, but in this case the virus had penetrated too far, as the nervous system was evidently affected therefore no success could be expected, by external application; 

taken ill on 26 February

discharged 19 March to duty

Originally Recorded by: Mr. Thomas Tappen, Surgeon, HMS Arab, 1799-1800
Text from www.nationalarchives.gov.uk

From the Medical Journal 3

Nathaniel Drury, aged 20
Carpenter's Mate;

Disease or hurt:
Cuts on and about the face

Taken ill, 19 September at Sea,
North American Station

Discharged to Duty, 20 September.

Mr. Drury was brought in after being found near senseless by his hammock. His face, neck and hands were bloody, cut and bruised in a manner that would seem to suggest that he had been in a fight, Drury is small and slight of frame and I have I heard reports that he is oft teased for his size. After applying plasters to his cuts, he came around enough for me to ply him with a little brandy to help him recover his wits. I attempted to discover the name or names of the men who had beaten him, Drury took the brandy, but refused to divulge the names of the men who had gotten a hold of him. He insisted that he had not been fighting, but instead had fallen down the steps from the Orlop. I reminded Mr. Drury that rendering himself unfit for service was a serious offense, but his story remain'd firm.

I have submitted my report about Drury's injuries with the Captain, with a personal suggestion to grant Drury leniency, as it is my belief that he is covering up for the true culprits in an attempt to prevent future beatings.