The fever at Boa Vista in 1845-6, unconnected with the visit of the "Eclair" to that island / by Gilbert King.

Date:
1852
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: The fever at Boa Vista in 1845-6, unconnected with the visit of the "Eclair" to that island / by Gilbert King. Source: Wellcome Collection.

Provider: This material has been provided by the Royal College of Physicians of Edinburgh. The original may be consulted at the Royal College of Physicians of Edinburgh.

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    Capede Verds and the British Consul) previously to the com- mencement of the fever, and to lake every pains to ascartam the date of its commencement, and effects on the surrounding country, and, as far as possible, to affix dates to all the transactions: and it having been reported that a similar fever prevailed at Boa Vista in 1829, causing the departure of a number of persons from the island, you are to make a pardcular inquiry regarding this occur- rence. You will also, if possible, ascertain what number of deaths from fever took place on the island of Boa Vista for two months previously to the arrival of the Eclair at that anchorage, and how lono- the Eclair had left the island before the general sickness took place. In pursiiing tliis inquiry you are to keep a diary of your pro- ceedings, and also to pay particular attention to the directions contained in my letter of this date, and in all cases you are to state the sources from whence you obtained the information. Dated this 30th day of November, 1846. W. Burnett, Director-General of the Medical Department of the Navy. [D.] gjj^ Admiralty, December 2, 1846. With reference to that part of my letter, dated the 30th ult., wherein I mentioned that a vessel of war will be instructed to call for you at Boa Vista at the end of a month after your arrival there, I have to acquaint you that their Lordships have signified to me their desire that you should hasten your inquiry at Boa Vista as much as possible, and be ready to re-embark on a vessel arriving at an earlier period than that at first mentioned, so as to allow you to proceed on the ulterior parts of your mission, viz., the visitation and inspection of the squadron on the coast of Africa, and the island of Ascension. You are therefore to govern yourself accordingly. I am. Sir, your humble servant, W. Burnett, Director-General, &c. Gilbert King, Esq., M.D., Inspector of Hospitals^ Sfc.