A discourse upon some late improvements of the means for preserving the health of mariners. Delivered at the anniversary meeting of the Royal Society, November 30, 1776 / [Sir John Pringle].
- John Pringle
- Date:
- 1776
Licence: Public Domain Mark
Credit: A discourse upon some late improvements of the means for preserving the health of mariners. Delivered at the anniversary meeting of the Royal Society, November 30, 1776 / [Sir John Pringle]. Source: Wellcome Collection.
46/48 page 42
![[ 4^ ] not fo much expofed to the weather as if they had been at watch and watch; and they had generally dry cloaths to fhift themfelves when they happened to get wet. Care was alfo taken to expofe them as little as poflible. Proper methods were employed to keep their perfons, hammocks, bedding, cloaths, 8cc. conflantly clean and dry. Equal pains were taken to keep the fhip clean and dry between decks. Once or twice a week fhe was aired with fires; and when this could not be done, flie was fmoaked with gunpowder moiitened with vinegar or wa¬ ter. I had alfo frequently a fire made in an iron pot at the bottom of the well, which greatly purified the air in the lower parts of the fhip. To this and cleanlinefs, as well in the fhip as amongft the people, too great attention cannot be paid; the leaft negledt occafions a putrid of- fenfive l'mell below, which nothing but fires will re¬ move; and if thefe be not ufed in time, thofe fmells will be attended with bad confequences. Proper * care was taken of the fhip’s coppers, fo that they were kept conflantly clean. The fat, which boiled out of the fait beef and pork, I never fuffered to be given to the people, as is cuftomary; being of opinion that it promotes the fcurvy. I never failed to take in water wherever it was to be procured, even when we did not feem to want it; 5 v becaufe 7](https://iiif.wellcomecollection.org/image/b30790943_0046.jp2/full/800%2C/0/default.jpg)
