[ 4o8 ] 



fymptoms called highly fcorbuticky except in fome 

 few of the larger Ihips, in which coppers are ufed,"* 



I fhall not here (lop to enquire into the validity 

 of this new theory of the fcurvy, efpecially as other 

 caufes which prevail at fea are deemed fully ade- 

 quate to the efFedl, as the faltnefs of provifions, im- 

 pure air, together with bodily fatigue and watchings, 

 without having recourfe to this poifon, which in 

 general fhews its efFedls more fuddenly by attacking 

 the bowels and nervous fyftem. 



However this may be, it is certain there have 

 been innumerable inftances of the pernicious con- 

 fequences of eating foods drefled in copper veffels 

 not fufficiently cleaned from this poifonous ruft. 

 Mr. Ramfayy and other navy furgeons, have ob- 

 ferved many extraordinary cafes of madnefs fud- 

 denly appearing among the crew, for which they 

 could afllgn no other caufe but the foulnefs of the 

 coppers; but upon their remedying that fault, the 

 difeafe prefently ftopped.-)- 



The author of a tra6l, entitled " Serious Reflec^ 

 lions on the Dangers attending the Ufe of Copper 

 Veffels," publifhed at London in 17.55, afferts ^^^^ 



* London Medical Inquiries, vol. ii. p. 13. f Ibid- p. 150. 



" the 



