Initial Report on Disease and Disease Control

Report on Disease and Disease Control,

a Preliminary Report

by Senior Warrant Officer, Surgeon, Doctor Lyle Montagu

and Warrant Officer, Surgeon's Mate, Stephen Devling

April 12, 1784

(includes log of injuries and situations)

As requested by Captain Everett Shopp of the independent ship Prize Mary, on this twelfth day of April, 1784, I, Senior Warrant Officer, Ship's Physician and Surgeon, place the following information into the logbook. I acknowledge the indispensable assistance of my right arm, Warrant Officer and Surgeon's Mate, Mr. Stephen Devling without whose help, this report would be too brief to be of value to anyone. To the Captain, I refer to his concerned nature and affection toward his crew and passengers, his officers and even the livestock aboard, to which end, their health and safety remains of his utmost concern. It is with passion, that I respond to his request to review the maladies of our times, the condition of our people at the end of our taxing journey, and the condition of our people as we embark, on land, to develop our impending culture and lives together.

To begin is to provide a list of the common diseases and health conditions of our times and their influence on our voyage and potential for life on our new islands. Mr. Stephen Devling has accommodated my request with the following:

Ague that includes fever and chills and can be fatal.
Apoplexy which provides for a block in the head.
Barrel Fever, a debilitation caused by recurrent drink, which we mention, but is not of concern, since the Captain maintains a reasonable level of drink on or about the area.
Bloody flux which includes the of loss of water and blood could rapidly cause body dryness and death if not treated properly.
Black Death a scourge that we are pleased to mention is not evident among us.
Bright's disease of the elimination system which, because of have no people of drink, is not of great concern at this time.
Bursten, a condition brought about by great strain on parts of the body, particularly the center and lower center that can be addressed; causes the person to be of little use in heavy labor, but can be ignored except for pain and inconvenience; can be accompanied with a protuberance from the body shell; the only victim of this condition is Able Seaman Victor Tyson who in handling stores was wrenched as he worked on the fifteenth day August, 1783 at the commencement of his watch.
Camp fever, a scourge like Black Death, which we also have no victims.
Chin Cough which can be confused with a normal session of running nose and discomfort; we have no such people.
Chrisom, common on the lands from which we hailed, but not evident among us at this time; possible considering limited medical care and medicines at this time
Consumption a condition that leads often to death due to loss of breath, but not evident among us, in part, because of the Captain's insistence upon the best conditions possible for our voyagers, often to the disruptions of schedules and landings
Cramp Colic a condition of swelling in the abdomen that leads to great complication and potential death; treatable with invasion of the body cavity under certain conditions.
Croup, a coughing disease that we have been able to avoid because of conditions provided by the Captain and the crew for all involved.
Diphtheria, a disease that causes difficulty in breathing, high fever and debilitation, but is survivable with proper care and recuperation.
Dock Fever, a scourge avoided by the Captains strict restrictions on those leaving and arriving on the ship at our various ports of call.
Enteritis, this condition accompanies a puncture of the body through means that include blades or other sharp objects; not necessarily fatal if area is attended to with proper medicine and concern by trained individuals; voyage included two case of this condition, Able-bodied Seamen, Belford Russell and Jacob Troy as the result of an exploded cask; both survived.
Erysipelas, which includes visible skin conditions, often confused with other conditions that can be addressed with thorough cleaning and antisepsis which includes sunlight, much air and bottled spirits.
The King's Evil, which provides swelling of the neck and surrounding regions. Since we have no king to protract this disease, it is assumed the Captain can act in his place.
Falling sickness, which is evidenced with falling, thrashing about and foaming at the mouth; no cure is evident, but victim can be offered a pleasant life with the dedicated attendance of those about him or her; we have no case of this at this time.
French pox, a condition offered from one victim to another through venery is not evidenced among us, because of the Captain's filter of personnel from crew to passenger prior to sailing.
Goitre, which is the swelling of the neck and accompanying swelling of the eyes because of unhealthy water conditions; not evident among our people at this time.
Gout, a condition characterized by painful inflammation of the joints, especially of the feet and hands. More common in men than women, and seemingly more common among the gentry for some unknown reason; to our knowledge, we have one who suffers from a modest case this at this time, namely, Gun Crewman, Brace Drummond.
Gravel, which causes great pain, but can be survived upon the passing of the gravel through the water system of the body.
Gripe, which often is accompanied with high fever and other unpleasant symptoms; more common among our people than other conditions; is most often lessened over time with dedicated attention, drink and fresh air; treated, in part, by maintaining a well-blanketed body and lack of draft.
Headmouldshot which is fatal and not evident among our people; involved the brain and its surrounding areas.
Heat Sickness, which is brought on by lack of water, the elimination of too much bodily fluids, can be treated with rest, a modicum of salt, and a determined cooling of the body; passes with time and a period of recovery; ten cases were treated throughout the voyage; none exist at this time.
Hemiplegy which is the rendering of at least half of the body devoid of movement; time and treatment are combined and can lead to slow recovery of abilities over time.
Impostume, which include pockets of infection in various areas of the body brought on by a number of causes, some of which include disease of the teeth.
Jaundice, a yellowness of the skin, as well as, the whites of the eyes, constipation, weakness, loss of appetite; can be treated.
Looseness, which is often caused by poor water on land as well as on the sea; victim can recover over time, requires feeding of proper foods, rest and the ingestion of water on a regular schedule.
Lues Venera, a condition brought about by intimate contact between parties; not evident among our party due to Captain's check prior to sailing.
Lung Fever, the filling of the chest with fluids and loss of breath; two such cases were evidenced during our voyage; both recovered due to quick recognition of the condition and the Captain's approval of immediate treatment which included a change in ship's heading.
Lung Sickness, a loss of breath condition that requires a long recovery time; can be confused with Lung Fever.
Morsal, an unpleasant condition characterised by odor and blackened body area; can be treated and may include amputation of the limb if a limb is involved.
Pleurisy, a condition involving the lungs which can be treated, most well, if the condition is not the result of a body puncture.
Pox, same as Lues Venera
Childbed Fever, an unfortunate condition involving the birth areas of a delivering mother; most often caused by a lack of body cleansing; can cause death; not evident among our married women as of this time.
Rickets, deficiencies in diet causing a weakness of the bones, particularly of the legs; can cause permanent changes in leg shape; avoided by providing a balanced diet of all types of food.
Rising of the lights where the lungs are affected with disease; must be treated by the person with a probability of being separated from the others.
Quinsy, inflamation of the throat, which is normally treatable; calls for affected person to be treated quickly with salt water and rest.
Scurvy, recognized by a pale, bloated face, bleeding gums with loose teeth; protected against with the Captain's imposed diet rendered by Warrant Officer Brock Eeling, our most distinguished cook; no cases to date.
Ship's Fever, a scourge that is not present among us at this time.
Stone a painful condition that is treatable, on occasion, by a cutt of the stone.
St Anthony's Fire, a skin condition that can be most unpleasant, but can be treated within reason.
St. Vitus' Dance which includes uncontrolled contortions of the body; can be passed on to others; no evidence in our midst.
Strangury, a condition that is treated with recovery period, fresh water, simple fruit juices; common.
Thrush, mouth and throat infection, as well as a female situation that can be treated with chemical baths; two minor cases involving two young ladies were present during the voyage; both cases were treated and eliminated in time.
Tissick, phthisis or consumption, includes loss of breath and worse; can be treated.
Tympany, includes swellings of the body parts that can be unseemly but not necessarily fatal if not related to another body function that is thwarted.

The Prize Mary, under the command of Captain Everett Shopp, accommodating some 342 passengers and crew, sailed from Portsmouth on 10 May 1783, and over a period of eight months and took advantage of the time to lay over for extended periods of time to allow those aboard to recover from each leg of the journey. The ship remained in the Canaries for almost nine days; almost a month in Rio De Janiero; over a month in Cape Town. At no time during these periods were crew or passengers permitted to leave the ship, nor were personages, not of the ship, allowed aboard. Provisions were exported and conveyed to the ship only by those approved by the Captain and Petty Officer, Quartermaster, Isaac Bradman. Since the Prize Mary Purser office was not that common on other ships, our honorable Warrant Officer, Purser, Tellidor Ephizaning, did not perform his duties with profit in mind, but rather, went about his ways with the best interest of the ship and its company in mind, therefore, the probabilities of unkind materials of any kind being brought aboard were reduced immeasurably.

The following ten periods of time account for the various spans of life from our departure to our arrival at the islands, then to this day.

Period 1: No notable injuries or situations during this period.

10 May 1783 - Depart Portsmouth, England

3 June 1783 - Arrive Teneriffe, Canary Islands; three weeks from Portsmouth; take on water and fresh vegetables

Period 2: One case of cold and sneezing led to short quarantine for a passenger; twelve cases of stomach distress; two broken fingers on one passenger; one case of chafe due to wet clothing; three back injuries; none serious to crew.

3 June 1783 to 12 June 1783 - Canary Islands nine-day layover

Period 2: Serious injury to Able-bodied Seamen, Belford Russell and Jacob Troy as the result of an exploded cask on 8 August, 1783; caused anticipated layover in Rio De Janeiro to be extended over two weeks; three cases of minor injuries due to modest falls and other normal accidents; one incident of stomach distress.

12 June 1783 - Depart Canary Islands

1 July 1783 - Cross Equator

10 August 1783 - Arrive Rio De Janeiro, Brazil; eight weeks from Teneriffe

Period 3: Recuperation period called for by Captain Shopp to repair Able-bodied Seamen Belford Russell and Jacob Troy before voyage would be resumed; ten cases of light injuries from slivers to rope burns during this period; Able Seaman Victor Tyson who in handling stores was wrenched as he worked and incurred a bursten injury that led to his assignment as a clerk under the supervision of Petty Officer, Clerk, Shallister Bolsterome.

10 August 1783 to 10 September 1783 - one-month layover in Rio De Janeiro

Period 4: Injury to Captain Shopp due to an article adrift on deck; sore knee was repaired within one week; perpetrator's suggestion of self-inflicted burden of carrying article around neck for three days was accepted by jury of crewmembers; apology to Captain was immediate; four cases of dislocations; one case of sea sickness; one not-serious head injury due to carelessness was treated; two female problems set aside easily; one stomach ailment set aside easily.

10 September 1783 - Depart Rio De Janeiro, Brazil

11 October 1783 - Arrive Cape Town, South Africa; five weeks from Rio De Janiero

Period 5: Two cases of facial lacerations and other quarrel-related injuries to two seamen, namely, Able-bodied Seamen, Gun Crewmen, Rodger Page and Blake Ranger; both men agreed to remain aloft for three days as a means of reminding themselves that fighting was reserved for conflicts with other ships, not among current crew; ten cases of light illness with children; two cases of heat sickness; five cases of stomach distress; one case of eye injury due to small particles; three light hand and finger puncture wounds due to incidents during ship repair; four cases of modest burns in both bakery and mess.

11 October 1783 to 15 November 1783 - one-month layover in Cape Town, South Africa

Period 6: Four cases of broken digits and one case of broken arm, all splinted and under repair; one lost fingernail; twelve cases of rash due to chafing; two cases of rash due to light infection; three female-related situations; five children injured in falls; two officers down with fever to four days each; recoveries complete; toe injury to my own self due to article adrift of my own cause.

15 November 1783 - Depart Cape Town, South Africa

10 January 1784 - Arrive in Adventure Bay, Van Dieman's Land (Tasmania)

Period 7: Two cases of heat sickness; four injuries due to rigging failure on the mizzen; one case of stomach distress; one fever case over in three days; five broken parts easily repaired; four tooth removals, two due to decay; two due to collision with companionway door; seven children situations; none severe.

20 January 1784 - Arrive Botany Bay, New South Wales from Adventure Bay

Period 8: No injuries or situations of any gravity during this period.

22 January 1784 - Arrive Port Jackson, New South Wales from New South Wales

Period 9: The Death of Miss Doreen DuChamp, sparked by Franklin Ogilvie, of the crew, was due to fall from a yardarm on the mainmast; this comprised the most critical injury during the complete voyage; it saddens us all that this occurred; Mr. Ogilvie is currently suffering from the mental results of this situation and is under the care of my office.

20 March 1784 - Arrive Shoppolis Bay, Shoppolis Islands from Port Jackson

Period 10: One reported modest case of gout namely to Gun Crewman, Brace Drummond, who has been retired from the ship and will provide shore support to the best of his abilities; six injuries due to strains and pulls resulting from unloading and loading procedures; five female related situations and six child-related situations brought about by being ashore and not aboard ship.

20 March 1784 to April 12, 1784 on the islands, our new-found home

It is my humble opinion that considering the rigors and challenges of such a voyage, as endured by the crew and passengers of the Prize Mary, there were slight injuries, conditions and situations. The one death was not attributable to anything other than an error in judgment and a resulting accident. The success of this voyage lies directly in the capable hands and caring heart of our Captain who throughout the journey lent succor to those of need, provided solace to those peripheral, and offered example to those of us, who at times, showed great weakness and mild temper.

The prognosis for the future looks bright, and no phantom of disease is evident at this time. Our apparent quarantine, a result of our remote location and lack of intercourse with others, will, most probably, render us in reasonable health for the near times. The Captain's continued restrictions and insistence upon frequent bathing, sun exposure and careful diet increases our probability of remaining alive considerably longer than our counterparts in our former circumstances. It is assumed that we will continue to evolve better methods for industry in manners that provide for a better life due to reduced probabilities of injury. Since we are delightfully mixed, it is also assumed that we will grow in numbers, and that our children will be heirs and heiresses to better life indeed.

This report is submitted with great respect to Captain Everett Shopp with the compliments of my assistant, Warrant Officer, Surgeon's Mate, Stephen Devling, et al, on this twelfth day of April, 1784.

Signed: Senior Warrant Officer and Surgeon, Doctor Lyle Montagu

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