on the Crew of His Majesty s Ship Triumph. 45 



upper deck were not so severely affected : the men who lived 

 and slept under the forecastle escaped with a slight affection 

 of the gums. The only reasons which can be assigned for the 

 partial escape of the midshipmen, are, that the windsails were 

 kept always in action, and that these gentlemen were almost 

 constantly on deck, or were more frequently employed on ser- 

 vice out of the ship, in proportion to their numbers, than the 

 men. 



Various opinions were entertained of the manner in which 

 the systems of the sufferers were brought under the influence 

 of the mercury. By some, it was supposed to have originated 

 from the use of the bread and other provisions, with which 

 the mercury had mixed itself: and to such an extent was this 

 opinion carried, that I find, by reference to official documents 

 in the Victualling Office, seven thousand nine hundred and 

 forty pounds of biscuit were condemned as unserviceable from 

 having quicksilver mixed with it. 



By others, amongst whom was Mr. Plowman, the surgeon, 

 it was considered to have arisen from inhaling the mercurial- 

 ized atmosphere; and from the preceding details, I think 

 there cannot remain a doubt that this opinion was the true 

 one. 



It is well known that mercury, in its native state, has often 

 been administered in very large doses, in cases of obstinate 

 constipation, without producing any specific effect on the 

 system, merely removing the affection by its specific gravity. 

 I have, however, reason to believe, from the accounts of 

 Orfila, and others, that if the mercury was to be retained in 

 the intestines for some time, and thus subjected to the action 

 of the contents of the stomach and bowels, a part might be- 

 come oxidated, and being conveyed into the system by means 

 of the absorbents, would there show its specific effects. 



But after the removal of the provisions, &c. at Gibraltar, 

 many fresh cases occurred, and many relapses amongst those 

 who had been cured out of the ship, took place on their re- 

 turn to duty on board, which effectually destroys the proba- 

 bility of this having been the cause of the succeeding ptyalism, 

 and other morbid affections. 



It only remains for me to offer my opinion, of the manner 

 in which the system became saturated by the mercury; and 

 this I conceive to have been effected by inhaling the mercurial 

 vapours ; the quicksilver being then in the most perfect state 

 of division, was readily taken up by the absorbents of the 

 lungs, and soon showed its influence on the system generally. 

 This idea is very much strengthened by the effect which was 



produced 



