Barbadoes, March.
I should have mentioned to you in my last letter, that, from joining in
the general greetings on the glad occasion of Sir R. Abercromby’s
long-expected arrival, and hoping to learn that we were immediately to
proceed to St. Domingo, we lost no time in waiting upon the commander in
chief: but I am sorry to tell you that we are likely to be detained
longer from our place of destination, it being intended that we should
wait the arrival of General Whyte, and the Cork division, and all
proceed to St. Domingo under the same convoy.
I am happy to announce to you that the ills of climate have, hitherto,
scarcely reached me: but my friends Cleghorn and Master are greater
sufferers than myself. All of us are annoyed by the prickly heat, and
those tormenting insects the musquitoes; but, in Cleghorn, the prickly
heat is so violent, as to become a sore eruption; and, on the legs of
Master, the bites of musquitoes have produced very troublesome ulcers:
in addition to these evils, both of my friends are frequently seized
with bleeding at the nose; with which I have not been once attacked.
Notwithstanding that they are more disturbed by the effects of climate
than I am, they often amuse themselves at my continuing to observe an
abstemious diet, and to persevere in the habit of drinking water; and
are even bold enough to propose that we should establish a tontine, with
the benefit of survivorship. “Let us,” say they, “enter into an
engagement that he who lives longest shall be entitled to the clothes,
arms, baggage, and horses of those who may chance to die, previous to
our return to England. Water,” continue they, “will render you the most
palatable to the hungry devourer of these regions, and, of course, _you_
will be his earliest prey.”—“On the contrary, my friends,” I reply, “you
lay a bait for this ravenous destroyer, by preparing for him inviting
juices, enriched with wine, and high-essenced dishes!”
Were it fit to take up this subject professionally, or to trouble you
with medical discussions, I might offer some powerful reasons why I have
a better chance of again seeing England, than either of my agreeable
associates. Our comrade, Weir, smiles at our calculations, and being in
a manner secure, from having undergone nine years seasoning at Jamaica,
feels it probable that he may have to return alone, and report the fate
of us all.
Endless, surely, are to be the vexations and disappointments attending
this expedition! In every attempt, every branch of it would seem
destined to meet with delay and disaster. In the papers, received by the
last packet, we read that the Cork fleet, which we had flattered
ourselves was within a few leagues of Barbadoes, has put back into Cove
harbour. In this we have great and severe disappointment. It was the
division with which we were to proceed to our place of destination, and
from the ships which have already arrived reporting so favorably of the
voyage, and the weather, it is a mortification very unexpected.
We have now to bid adieu to our rural excursions, and maroon-like
wanderings, about the pleasant island of Barbadoes; for it is ordered
that the physicians of the St. Domingo staff shall consider themselves
on duty, at the general hospital at St. Anne’s Hill; and it has fallen
to my lot to be the first employed. We are also further required to
inspect the troops on board the ships of the Cork division, as they come
into harbour, in order to report their state of health, or disease.
Luckily our residence, on board the Lord Sheffield, is singularly
convenient for the performance of these services; we hope therefore to
be able to continue our social mess; and to live in the cool breeze,
afloat, instead of being crowded into close and heated lodgings on
shore.
Being in the bay, we readily see every ship as it comes in, and can,
without delay, take off a boat to proceed upon our visit of inspection:
nor are we less happily placed for the hospital, being able to reach it
in a boat, much quicker than we could walk to it from the town.
Sickness, I am sorry to remark, is already appearing among us. The
hospitals are full, and some of the troops are obliged to quit their
barracks, in order that these may be converted into sick wards: but do
not imagine that we are suffering from disease of climate. It is not so.
The disorder which now exists, has been brought with the troops. It is
the common hospital or ship fever—is the consequence of the soldiers
being long detained in crowded vessels, and has nothing to do with “_La
Maladie du Pays_.”
The ships of the Cork division, notwithstanding their quick passage,
arrive with the troops in a very unhealthy state, but they must have
been sickly when they embarked, or before they left the harbour. From
the specimen we have in the Abergavenny and Hindostan, we have nothing
favorable to expect from the seeming accommodation of employing such
large vessels, as troop-ships. In none of the transports have we, yet,
found the men more unhealthy: but, from the habits of cleanliness,
commonly observed on board the East India ships, and, more especially,
from several active and intelligent military officers being on board, no
suspicion can be entertained of any of the rules of cleanliness or
regularity having been neglected among the troops.
To me it has always appeared unwise to employ any ship, as a transport
for troops, in which the men are obliged to sleep upon two different
decks, the one below the other; and, from present appearances, this
expedition seems likely to strengthen the opinion.
When so large a number as from three hundred to five hundred men, in
addition to the ship’s company, make a passage in the same vessel, they
cannot but be crowded; and if the weather should prove bad, it will be
impossible to have the lower deck kept so clean, and well ventilated, as
will be requisite: hence, from many of the soldiers becoming sick; from
their taking food in their sleeping births; and crowding themselves with
knapsacks, blankets, and other baggage; and from multitudes breathing
together, in a close and confined place, the air must, very quickly, be
rendered unwholesome, and disease will, necessarily, be generated. Where
there are two decks it is also more difficult to keep the men
sufficiently exposed to the open atmosphere, as the idle and disobedient
can more easily conceal themselves, and remain below, throughout the
day.
The difference, in point of health, is peculiarly striking between the
troops conveyed in transports from England, and the slaves brought in
the Guinea ships from Africa. Perhaps, from the present mode of
conducting the slave-ships, some useful hints might be derived, for the
management of transports. The negroes are much more crowded than the
soldiers, yet far more healthy. The cause of this, I much suspect will
be found in the difference of treatment and accommodation. According to
the present method of proceeding with the blacks, a Guinea ship would
carry, with less danger of disease being generated among them, a cargo
more than thrice as numerous as a transport would carry of soldiers.
I took occasion to remark in a former letter that the nakedness of the
slaves was their best security against sickness, but, in addition to
their being without clothes, they are compelled to remain constantly
upon deck in the daytime; and are encouraged to exercise and amusement:
their sleeping-places are completely washed out as soon as they quit
them; and no species of baggage, or clothing; not a bundle, nor any
article of bedding; not even a blanket, or a sheet, nor any kind of
thing that can create filth, or collect impurities is admitted.
Ventilation and washing are strictly enjoined, and the slaves are
reduced, or compelled to observe cleanliness of person: together with
these means, perhaps their simple diet of vegetables and water may
greatly contribute, by diminishing the predisposition, and lessening the
susceptibility of disease.
Hence it would seem that cleanliness, exercise, cheerfulness, a simple
diet, and free exposure to the atmosphere are the great preventives of
illness; and that by a strict observance of these means the negroes make
the voyage, from Africa to the West Indies, without engendering
infectious maladies, although infinitely more crowded, than troops on
board the most confined transport.
Many causes conspire to prevent these grand objects from being equally
attained by the soldiers; but it is a desideratum, even, to approach
them. If I were to enter into a detail of all that might be offered upon
this very important subject, instead of a letter I should write a
volume. The difference of climate, of habit, of education, and of diet
would all require to be taken into the discussion; but it were foreign
to our present purpose to engage in such an extensive inquiry. I may
content myself, therefore, with adding that, both in regard to
transports, and barracks, the service would reap the most essential
benefit, if the rules, which might be prescribed by its medical
officers, were strictly followed; and policy, no less than humanity
seems to demand it.
I must not forget to tell you, that the 23d instant was the hottest day
we have felt, since our arrival between the tropics. In the morning the
thermometer stood at 73°, and the weather was pleasantly cool, but it
afterwards grew very close, and the little air that was stirring, coming
from the south, we felt the temperature much increased, and every one
complained of excessive heat. We were on shore during the forenoon, but
having left our thermometers in the ship, had not the opportunity of
observing the degree of heat, either in the town, or the bay: from our
feelings, compared with the preceding days, we judge it to have been at
least 86.
Although it was unusually hot and oppressive in Bridge-town, we
perceived a great difference, in the more elevated part of the country.
We dined at Dr. Hinde’s, some miles from the town, and did not there
feel the heat unpleasant. Thirteen persons sat down to table, and I
remarked that not one of the party had occasion to use his handkerchief,
in a way that might have shocked the delicacy of a Chesterfield.