SECOND VOYAGE 217 



London, in company with Messrs. Wales, Forster, and 

 Hodges. 



On the 9th of August, Captain Cook was promoted to the 

 rank of Post Captain, in acknowledgment of his eminent 

 services and brilliant discoveries. 



Having been absent from England three years and eigh- 

 teen days, in which time, and under all changes of climate, 

 he lost but four men, and only one of them by sickness, it 

 may not be amiss, at the conclusion of this journal, to enu- 

 merate the several causes, to which, under the care of Divine 

 Providence, Captain Cook says he conceives this uncommon 

 good state of health experienced by his people was owing. 



They were furnished with a quantity of malt, of which 

 was made Sweet-wort. To such of the men as shewed the 

 least symptoms of scurvy, this was given, from one to two 

 or three pints a day each man, or in such proportion as the 

 surgeon found necessary. This was, without doubt, one 

 of the best antiscorbutic sea medicines then discovered, 

 when used in time. 



Sour Krout, of which they had a large quantity, is a 

 wholesome vegetable food, highly antiscorbutic, and does 

 not spoil by keeping. A pound of this was served to each 

 man, when at sea, twice a week, or of tener, as was thought 

 necessary. 



Portable broth was another great article of which they 

 had a large supply. An ounce of this to each man, or such 

 other proportion as circumstances pointed out, was boiled 

 in their peas three days a week ; and when they were in 

 places where vegetables were to be got, it was boiled with 

 them, and wheat or oatmeal, every morning for breakfast, 

 and also with peas and vegetables for dinner. Rob of 

 lemon and orange, also, the surgeon made use of in many 

 cases with great success. 



But the introduction of the most salutary articles, either 

 as provisions or medicines, will generally prove unsuccessful, 

 unless supported by certain regulations. On this principle, 

 many years' experience, together with some hints Captain 

 Cook had from other intelligent officers, enabled him to lay 

 a plan whereby all were to be governed. 



The crew were at three watches, except upon some extra- 

 ordinary occasions. By this means they were not so much 

 exposed to the weather as if they had been at watch and 

 watch, and had generally dry clothes to shift themselves, 

 when they happened to get wet. Proper methods were used 

 to keep their persons, hammocks, bedding, and clothes 

 constantly clean and dry. Equal care was taken to keep 

 the ship clean and dry betwixt decks. Once or twice a week 

 she was aired with fires ; and when this could not be done, 



