The journal of an Army surgeon during the Peninsular War / [by Charles Boutflower].

  • Boutflower, Charles, 1782-1844.
Date:
[1912]
Catalogue details

Licence: In copyright

Credit: The journal of an Army surgeon during the Peninsular War / [by Charles Boutflower]. Source: Wellcome Collection.

    183/192 (page 179)
    [Apr.] Billet, & was shocked at the pitiful evasions made at the several houses at which I presented my Billets. It appeared to me there was a degree of ingratitude in their conduct (considering it is to the British they are indebted that the French do not at this moment occupy Lisbon) which ought to be held up to everlasting execration, not because it happened to myself, but as it is notorious that a sick Officer constantly finds the same difficulty in Lisbon in making good his Billet. At length, in a state of absolute exhaustion from fatigue, I had the good fortune to meet a most particular friend in the Person of a Mr. Guthrie, at the Head of the Medical Depart- ment here, who immediately brought me to his house & had a comfortable Bed prepared for me, from which I did not rise till the 24th.—My disease was the Bilious Remittent Fever of the country, and I feel it is owing to the unremitting attention & judicious treatment of Mr. G. that I am indebted to my early recovery from a Complaint which was ushered in in its attack by Symptoms of peculiar violence. I am now convalescent, & tho’ in a state of great debility, shall I doubt not speedily regain my wonted strength. In the meantime my delay at the Court Martial at Lamego, Journey down, & subsequent illness have together spun out my leave to within one week of its termination; I feel I shall not be able to embark before its expiration and to [do] it afterwards without a further extension would be an act of manifest impropriety. I have therefore this day written to Hd. Quarters on the subject, and I cannot for a moment bring myself to doubt that by any possibility a further indulgence will be denied me.—I therefore still fondly anticipate being in England by the 20th of the ensuing Month. April 9th. On the 28th Ulto. at Night I had the misfortune to experience a relapse, and tho’ short in duration my Fever was scarcely less violent than the preceding One; I have now been several days Convalescent, & the two last