Licence: Public Domain Mark
Credit: Notes of experiences in Egypt / by W.H. Flower. Source: Wellcome Collection.
Provider: This material has been provided by The Royal College of Surgeons of England. The original may be consulted at The Royal College of Surgeons of England.
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![health. It is hardly necessary to observe that all the hitherto proposed remedies for sea-sickness are absolutely futile. The principal objection to persons in delicate health undertaking a long sea-voyage, is the uncertainty about the influences to which he or she may be exposal; while on land, the traveller is to a great extent his own master, and has power to control the surrounding conditions, lie may regulate the day's journey, according to strength or inclina- tion ; he may linger in such places as have agreeable associations and environments, he may hasten over those that are of an opposite cha- racter. But when once embarked upon a voyage, whether he find himself crowded in a dark, close cabin, with two or three un- congenial companions, lying on a] narrow hard shelf, port-holes rigidly closed, and the atmosphere he breathes poisoned by noisome odours, of which the sickening smell of the oil of the engine is one of the least objectionable; the rain pouring on deck, making escape from his prison, even for a few moments, impossible; when he feels that he would give all his worldly possessions for a breath of pure air, or a few hours' cessation from the perpetual din of the engines within and the waves without; he is perfectly helpless, he must go through it day after day and night after night, until the weather changes or the voyage is ended. Doubtless voyages may be made under favourable circumstances ; the weather may be fine, the ship not crowded, the cabin comfortable, the companions pleasant; but the risk and uncertainty of what is before him, the chance of being exposed to such depressing influences as must seriously affect the health, should make an invalid hesitate before venturing on a longer voyage than is absolutely necessary. Of one unfavourable condition, any one going out to Egypt or returning at the usual time, may be sure; that is, excessive crowding of the vessels, it being just the season of the rush of travellers to and from India and all parts of the East; and passengers who make the whole journey have naturally much greater advantages in choice of cabins and other accom- modation, than those who are only picked up by the way. Great attention is now paid to the ventilation of our hospitals, work- houses, and even the dwellings of the poorest classes, but that of our largest and best appointed passenger-ships is still in a most neglected state. Except in hot climates, below deck it is always a choice between breathing very cold or very vitiated air, and the difference of taste between different passengers on this subject, gives rise to continual disagreements. It is strange to find how the majority still generally](https://iiif.wellcomecollection.org/image/b2229854x_0009.jp2/full/800%2C/0/default.jpg)
