1854.] DEATH OE ISAAC BURNETT. 97 



If this reason is tenable, it should also find its way up 

 off-shore at the fire-hole cut alongside the ship. 



January 28. This afternoon, at 2.20, Isaac Burnett, 

 Captain of the Maintop, died at the hospital on board 

 the ' Pioneer.' In April last he complained of weak- 

 ness and pain in the ankle, and was consequently with- 

 drawn from the travelling party. As this progressed a 

 disposition to scrofula succeeded, accompanied by dis- 

 ease of the bones. Latterly he had exhibited a more 

 healthy condition, and I had strong hopes that he might 

 reach England in time to save life ; but since the death 

 of Harriss he evidently became more depressed, and ex- 

 hibited that peculiar quickness of feeling, and irritabi- 

 lity, the peculiar attendant on scorbutic affection, which 

 probably prevented his recovery. Eventually, effusion 

 on the chest became apparent, and in the act of making 

 some trifling exertion he expired, quietly and suddenly, 

 as the Assistant Surgeon sat beside him ; so rapidly in- 

 deed, that he was dead before the Surgeon, who had just 

 quitted, could be recalled. 



This case resulted in scurvy, owing to confinement 

 and inactivity in a confined sulphurous atmosphere for a 

 very long period. After his decease I discovered that 

 Harriss and himself had been shipmates and second- 

 captains of the foretop in H.M.S. Ganges ; and from my 

 observations on other persons, who were found to be 

 partially affected with scurvy, I am satisfied that the 

 mind will predispose otherwise healthy subjects to this 

 insidious disease. 



January 29. The weather has latterly continued fine, 

 and the natural result has been that we have experienced 



VOL. II. H 



