Medical and surgical journal of His Majesty's convict ship Thames for 17 June to...

Medical and surgical journal of His Majesty's convict ship Thames for 17 June to 23 November 1829 by Thomas Bell, surgeon and superintendent, during which time the said ship was employed on a voyage to Van Dieman's Land.

Folios 1-2: Daniel Brady, aged 34, guard; case number 1; disease or hurt, fracture of the radius of the left arm. Put on sick list, 15 August 1829 at sea. Discharged 22 August 1829 to duty.

Folios 2-3: William Harman, aged 46, convict; case number 2; disease or hurt, pnemonia. Put on sick list, 9 September 1829 at sea. Discharged 30 September 1829.

Folios 3-4: Thomas Perkins, aged 23, convict; case number 3; disease or hurt, fever. Put on sick list, 15 September 1829 at sea. Discharged 7 October 1829.

Folios 4-6: John Gilbert, aged 24, convict; case number 4; disease or hurt, fever. Put on sick list, 24 October 1829 at sea. Discharged 25 October 1829.

Folios 6-8: William Thornton, aged 27, convict; case number 5; disease or hurt, fever. Put on sick list, 14 October 1829 at sea. Discharged 27 October 1829.

Folios 8-11: William Curtis, aged 29, convict; case number 6; disease or hurt, dysentary. Put on sick list, 20 October 1829 at sea. Died 27 October 1829.

Folios 11-13: Thomas Eyres, aged 46, convict; case number 7; disease or hurt, dysentary. Put on sick list, 20 October 1829 at sea. Died 28 November 1829.

Folios 13-15: Charles Hoare, aged 17, convict; case number 8; disease or hurt, dysentary. Previously had been three months in the hospital hulk at Portsmouth before embarkation. Put on sick list, 27 October 1829 at sea. Died 4 November 1829.

Folios 15-16: William Pierce, aged 23, convict; case number 9; disease or hurt, dysentary. Previously had been three months in the hospital hulk at Portsmouth before embarkation. Put on sick list, 27 October 1829 at sea. Discharged 28 November 1829 at Hobart Town.

Folios 16-20: Daily recorded temperatures on board the convict ship Thames (both in the prison and on deck) from England to Van Dieman’s Land from 17 June to 17 November 1829. From 4th August to 17 November 1829 are also recorded the latitude and longtitude of the ship.

Folio 21: A numerical abstract of the medical cases mentioned in the journal.

Folios 22-24: Surgeon's general remarks. Upon reaching the latitude of the Cape of Good Hope the sudden transmilion from extreme heat to that of cold produced an attack of bowel complaints amongst many of the prisoners and from the extreme cold. I was necessitated to stop the issue of lime juice, as the prisoners could not be prevailed upon to drink it tho[ugh] mixed with their wine. The two prisoners who died on the voyage, the first William Curtis aged 25 was of a very low and desponding state of mind owing principally to his having left a wife and two young children behind him. He suffered this circumstance to operate so powerfully on his mind that it was with the greatest difficulty he could be prevailed upon to take any exercise and I was necessitated to use force to get him on deck when he would observe to me there was nothing the matter. Charles Hoare aged 17 was of a very delicate habit of body having been in the hospital of the hulks three months previous to embarking. The slightest change of weather produced in him an attack of diarrhoea. He like wise suffered dreadfully from seasickness. On the 29th October he complained of being attacked with frequent pinging and griping and severe pain over the abdomen, sickness of stomach great thirst, tongue coated, a clammy moisture on the skin. From his indolent habits and sullen disposition I was frequently necessitated to force the medicine down. He also complained of pain in the right side, to which were applied 24 leeches to the part affected. All the other prisoners with the guard their wives and children were landed at Hobart Town on the 28th November 1829 in a perfect state of health and to the satisfaction of the Lieutenant Governor and the other authorities. [Signed] Thomas Bell, surgeon and superintendent.

Topics

Shipping

Australia and Pacific

Children

Food and drink

Navy

Armed Forces (General Administration)

Prisons