Folio 46: James Calloway, aged 40, Seaman; disease or hurt, suspended animation,...

ADM 101/115/3A/8

1801-1802

Folio 46: James Calloway, aged 40, Seaman; disease or hurt, suspended animation, from submersion. Taken ill, 19 January 1802, Spithead. Discharged to duty, 7 February 1802. 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 Princess Royal 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 the surgeon observed '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. Although discharged from the list the surgeon states that 'from his general appearance, which I do not find it easy to describe, I think a favourable termination to be very problematical'.

Folio 47: Abstract of the preceding journal, being a summary of all the cases contained therein. Continued fevers, 29, of which, 3 were sent to hospital and 13 died on board; Ulcers, 5, of which, 1 was sent to hospital; Wounds and accidents, 16, of which, 7 were sent to hospital; Rheumatism, 12, of which, 10 were sent to hospital; Pulmonic inflammation, 12, of which, 3 died on board; Venereal disease, 10, of which, 1 was sent to hospital; Opthalmia, 5; Measles, 4; Hernia humorales, 3; Epilepsy, 2, both sent to the hospital; Submersion, 1; Irritative debility, 76; Hectic, 8, of which, 7 were sent to hospital and 1 died on board; Other complaints, 22, of which, 18 were sent to hospital.

Folios 47-48: Surgeon's general remarks. No further details of the progress of the fever outbreak are added because detailed accounts have already been given. Prophylactic measures taken included separation, cleanliness and ventilation. Separation was by having two sick berths under the forecastle and one on each side of the half deck, each with their own nurses and utensils, no visitors were allowed and the nurses were not allowed to go below. Non fever cases were treated in the cock pit. The sick berths were cleaned regularly and thoroughly, spitting pots and bed pans were emptied as soon as they were used, no cooking or washing was allowed in the berths. Ports were opened as much as possible for ventilation and stoves were used in wet weather. To buy fresh provisions everyone in the ship subscribed eighteen pence and thirty pounds found in the ship was added to it. The captain used this to buy sheep, potatoes, flour, eggs, strong beer, cyder and port wine. The provisions bought were put under the care of the surgeon. This was found to be very beneficial and the surgeon suggests it could be officially adopted in all ships. The term 'irritative debility' used in the abstract is borrowed from Dr Darwin for a state of disease bordering on typhus, the surgeon knows of no better term. Though only five cases ulcers have been mentioned, there were in fact ninety four. They were successfully treated using either sticking plaster or graduated compresses and rollers. Free exercise was allowed under both treatments and, although it is difficult to choose between them, the surgeon leans towards compresses. Signed, Ben Lara. Surgeon.

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