Folios 45-46: Surgeon's general remarks. The only death was of the child of a soldier...

ADM 101/63/6/11

1822-1823

Folios 45-46: Surgeon's general remarks. The only death was of the child of a soldier which 'was evidently in a dying state when embarked, which circumstance I reported to the Navy Board before leaving Cork'. Most other cases had little of interest, cases receiving three or less doses medicine are not mentioned in the journal. This was the Surgeon's third voyage in charge of convicts and is the only one in which he lost a patient. His success he attributes to attention to cleanliness and ventilation, to removing their irons early and keeping the convicts on deck as much as possible, and to making rounds of the prison twice daily, consulting Captains of messes and questioning anyone seen lying down. Many of the convicts were so averse to treatment that they allowed diseases to progress before reporting themselves sick. Every fine morning the convicts were kept on deck at least two hours until the lower deck was cleaned and inspected and at least an hour in the evening, while the lower decks were cooled and ventilated. The lower deck was cleaned every day and none were permitted to go below until it was dry. The convicts were mustered frequently with feet bare and trousers rolled above the knees to see that they were clean, beds and blankets were aired. Schools were set up and the convicts were allowed to dance for two hours before mustering down. The Surgeon has observed that there are more illnesses at the beginning of voyages than towards the end. He attributes this to three things; firstly, their poor health when embarked from previous dissipated living and depression from subsequent confinement; secondly, the great change of diet, particularly for Irish convicts, 'none of whom have ever been accustomed to such stimulating and nutritious living as that allowed to convicts on their passages out'; and, thirdly, the effect of the approaching end of the voyage, speculation about their future prospects and their hopes of bettering themselves. He comments on the benefits of substituting items in the diet of the sick, affording them some luxuries and a more suitable diet, but recommends more tea should be provided and some of the medicines are either unnecessary or in too little quantities, particularly 'magnes sulphate', of which he purchased 6 pounds at his own expense and was given a further 8 by Dr Trevor, which was all finished before the end of the voyage. He was also given a roll of lint and 2 pounds of 'ang. sulph.' From Dr Trevor on account of a number of itch cases, all of which was expended. Signed, Peter Cunningham, Surgeon Superintendent.

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