Sour Kraut, .of which we had a large quantity, is not only a
wholefome vegetable food, but, in ray judgment, highly antifcorbutic
; and it fpoils not by keeping* A pound o f this was
ferved to each man, when at fea, twice a week, or oftener, as
was thought neceffary.
Portable Broth was another great article, of which we had a
large fupply. An ounce of this to each man, or luch other
proportion as circumftances pointed out, was boiled m their
peafe, three days in the week; and when we were in places
where vegetables were to he got, it Was boiled with them,
and wheat or oatmeal, every morning for breakfaft; and alfo
with peafe and vegetables for dinner. It enabled us to make
fevcral nourifliing and wholefome meffes, and was the means
of making the people eat a greater quantity of vegetables
than they would otherwife have done.
Rob of Lemon and Orange, is an antifcorbutic we were not
without. The furgeon made ufe of it in many cafes, with
great fuccefs.
Amongft the articles of victualling, we were fupplied with
Sugar in the room of Oil, and with Wheat for a part of on ? Oatmeal,
and were certainly gainers by the exchange. Sugar, I
apprehend, is a very good antifcorbutic; whereas oil (fuch
as the navy is ufually fupplied with), I am of opinion, has
the contrary effect.
But the introduction,of the rnoft falutary articles, either as
provifions or medicines, will generally prove unfuccefsful,
unlefs fupported by certain regulations., On this principle,
many years experience, together with forne hints I had from
Sir Hugh Pallifer, Captains Campbell, Wallis, and other mtel-
3 ligent
ligent officers, enabled me to lay a plan whereby all was to
be governed. f
The crew were at three watches, except upon fome extraordinary
occafions. By this means they were not fo much
expofed to the weather as if they had been at watch and
watch; and had generally dry cloaths to fhift themfelvCs,
when they happened to get wet. Care was alfo taken to ex-
pofe them as little towet weather as poffible.
Proper methods were ufed to keep their perfons, hammocks,
bedding, cloaths, &e. eonftantly clean and dry. Equal
care was taken to keep the Chip clean and dry betwixt decks.
Once or twice a week fhe was aired with fires ; and when this
could not be done, Ihe was fmoked with gun-powder, mixed
with vinegar or water. I had alfo, frequently, a fire made in
an iron pot, at the bottom o f the well, which was of great ufe
in purifying the air in the lower parts of the fhip. To this,
and to cleanlinefs, as well in the fhip as amongft the people,
too great attention cannot be paid; the leaft negledt occafions
a putrid and difagreeable fmell below, which nothing but
fires will remove.
Proper attention was-paid to the fhip’s coppers, fo that they
were kept eonftantly clean.
The fat, which boiled out of the fait beef and pork, I never
fuffered to be given to the people j being of opinion that it
promotes the fcurvy.
I was careful to take in water wherever it was to be got,
even though we did not want it. Becaufe I look upon freih
water from the fhore, to be more wholefome1 than that which-
has been kept fome time on board a fhip. Of this effential
P p 2 article.