In the squadron I attended the last five months, which seldom consisted, during the last three months of that time, of less than forty ships of the line, there have died of disease about 350 men, and about 1000 have been sent to hospitals; a degree of sickness and mortality which, though not greater than what frequently prevails in Europe, I am persuaded would have been still less, had the improvements proposed been complied with in a manner more extensive and complete, and had the general rules of discipline and cleanliness been kept up with due and equal strictness throughout the fleet. This last article, which, being the most important, I have placed first in the preceding memorial, it is only in the power of supreme authority to enforce; and my additional experience and observation have so far confirmed me in the opinion of the utility of this, as well as the other articles, that I hope to be again pardoned for repeating my humble and earnest solicitations that these regulations may be farther extended and enforced. FORMIDABLE, At Port Royal, Jamaica, July 16, 1782. PART III. DESCRIPTION AND TREATMENT OF THE DISEASES MOST COMMONLY OCCURRING IN FLEETS IN HOT CLIMATES. It was mentioned in the Introduction to this work, that though my opportunities of experience were extensive, several obstacles had prevented me from making observations so accurately as could have been wished. These were chiefly the bad accommodation of the sick at some of the hospitals, and the shortness of our stay at any one place, which seldom exceeded six weeks or two months, and prevented me from completing such observations as I have happened to be engaged in. But having practised among great numbers, observations necessarily arose from the comparison of so many cases; and amidst the variety of situations connected with the emergencies and hardships of war, nature is seen in certain portions and under certain trials which are not met with in common life. I shall therefore describe the diseases such as they occurred, and shall add such remarks on practice as I could ascertain. The following observations shall be confined chiefly to what I have called the sea epidemics, viz. Fevers, Fluxes, and the Scurvy. CHAP. I. Of FEVERS. Though it is impossible to refer every particular case of fever to a distinct class, on account of the mixed and anomalous symptoms that arise, yet there are certain distinguishing features which afford sufficient ground for dividing them into different kinds, and such a division will at least serve to facilitate description, and to afford room for laying down the outlines of practice. The fevers which occurred most frequently on board of ships, and at naval hospitals belonging to the fleet in which I was employed, were the infectious ship fever, (which is the same with the jail and hospital fever) the bilious remitting fever, and the malignant yellow fever. 1. Of the infectious SHIP FEVER.