,.* A VOYAGE TO Book I. 



tiuring the voyage, often feci its effe^ls. Another 

 reniaikable circnmitance is, that perfons who have 

 been once in this climate are never after, upon their 

 return again, fubjecft to this diüemper ; but enjoy the 

 fame fíate of heaUh with the natives, even though 

 they do not lead the moft temperate lives. 



The inveñigaíion of the caufe of this flrange dif- 

 temper has exercifed the attention of all the furgeons 

 in the galleons, as well as the phylicians of the 

 country ; and the refult of their refearches is, that 

 they impute it to the food, labour, and hardihips of 

 the feamen. Doubtlefs thefe are collateral caufes ; 

 but the principal queftion is, why perlbns exempt 

 from thofe inconveniences, frequently die of the dif- 

 temper ? Unhappily, after all the experiments that 

 have been made, no good method of treatment 

 has been difcovered ; no fpecific for curing it, nor 

 prefervative againft it. The fymptoms are lb vague, 

 as fometimes not to be diflinguifhed from thofe of 

 flight indifpoiitions ; and though the vomit be the 

 determinate fymptom, the fever preceding it is ob- 

 ferved to be very opprefiive, and extremely affecting 

 to the head. 



This diflemper does not ihew itfelf immediately 

 after the arrival of the European fhips in the bay, nor 

 has it been long known here ; for what was formerly 

 •called Chapetonadas, were only indigefíions, which, 

 though always dangerous in thefe climates, were, with 

 liitle difficulty, cured by remedies prepared by the 

 women of the country, and which are fíill ufed with 

 fucccfs, efpecially if taken in the beginning. The 

 ihips afterwards going to Porto Bello, were there firft 

 attacked by tl.is terrible difeafe, which has always 

 been attributed to the inclemency of the climate, and 

 the fatigue of the feamen in unloading the fhips, and 

 drawing the goods during the fair. 



The vomito prieto was unknown at Carthagena and 

 all along the coaft^ till tiie years ¿729 and 1730. 



In, 



