What has been said of the ship and men in general, applies still more strongly to the sick, and the berth[52] assigned to them; for there is nothing so apt to increase, and even generate, contagion, as a number of sick together, unless uncommon attention is paid to cleanliness and ventilation. This is so true, that, unless where the complaint is very catching, it is best not to separate the sick; for if they are a good set of men on board, those who are confined by sickness will be better nursed and tended by their messmates than in a sick berth. But if the state of infection renders separation necessary, the best part for the accommodation of the sick, in a ship of the line, is under the forecastle in a warm climate, and on the fore part of the main deck in a cold one. When they are under the forecastle, however, they ought to occupy only one side, as they would otherwise be disturbed by the men who must pass to and from the head, and the men in health would, in this case, be exposed also to contagion. As infection is most likely to arise among the sick, attention to cleanliness and air is doubly requisite where they lie; and it has a good effect to sprinkle hot vinegar and diffuse its steams among them once or twice a day. Thus we see that cleanliness and discipline are the indispensable and fundamental means of health, without which every other advantage and precaution is thrown away. Government never bestowed more attention and expence upon the victualling of the navy than during the late war; but it would be to little purpose to provide the most nourishing and antiscorbutic diet, the most wholesome and cordial wines, the most efficacious remedies, and the most skilful physicians and surgeons, if the men are not constrained to keep their persons sweet, their clothing and bedding clean, and their berths airy and dry. It is, therefore, upon officers more than any others that the health of the fleet depends; and I should be excused in the frequent mention I make of this, were it known how often I have been the witness of the fatal effects of the neglect of these rules. 3. Means of eradicating Infection. When, from a neglect of the means above mentioned, an infectious fever comes actually to prevail, and the infection, perhaps, adheres obstinately to the ship in spite of cleanliness, good air, and diet, and all the other means, which, if employed in due time, would have prevented it, then some measures are to be taken for eradicating this subtile poison.