Ixxvi INTRODUCTORY CHAPTER. 



formed of the manifold advantages which have resulted from the 

 abolition of spirit houses, and the introduction of breweries.* 



* The houses for retailing spirits were abolished on the 15th of May, 1809. The- 

 garrison at that time consisted of about 1250; of whom 132 were sick in hospital. 

 Four months after that abolition, the patients were reduced to 18 : but, as it was found 

 impracticable to put down intemperance, whilst cheap spirits were on the island, the 

 Government adopted measures to prevent any being landed : which have completely had 

 tlie desired effect. 



Soon after the total abolition of spii-its, in 1810, the patients in hospital gradually de- 

 clined to between 30 and 10; which, (considering there were, at that time, about 100 

 non-effectives, and others far advanced in life) were as few as could well be expected. 

 This surprising redaction is to be ascribed solely to a change of diet, arising from a more 

 abundant supply of vegetables, and from substituting wholesome beer for an abominable 

 deleterious spu-it, such as new Bengal rum or arrack ; of which, for many years before, 

 more than 300 leagers were annually consumed on this sniidl island ! 



" It «-ill hardly be credited," said the late Doctor Adam Baildon, in his official report, 

 24th November, 1808, " that soldiers and others are frequently brought to the hospital 

 as far advanced in real scurvy, as if they had just landed after a long voyage : and many 

 who ai-e brought for other complaints, are considerably tainted with this disease. 



This is to be ascribed to tlie great prevalence of drunkenness, which is a subject, in 

 my opinion, deserving the most serious attention. The health and comfort of the soldiers, 

 and consequently the strength of the garrison, are so very materially affected by it, that 

 to find some method by which it \vould be effectually prevented, becomes a consideration 

 of no small importance. 



On my arrival I was much siu'prised at the great number of patients attacked with 

 liver complaints. The mildness of the climate led me to suppose that such complaints 

 ought not to be common here, and I very soon discovered, that the cause of those com- 

 plaints, and of four-fifths of the diseases in the hospital, originate wholly in the excessive 

 use of spirituous liquors. In the colder climate of Britain, Uver complaints are rarely 

 met with, and are generallv confined to hai'd drinkers ; and more especially ch-am-drinkers. 

 It is in this way that most of the spirits here are consumed. Indeed, the use of all in- 

 toxicating liquors produces a craving for a repetition ; and the stimulus given to the 

 stomach is so sudden and so powerful, and the degree of exhaustion that follows so great, 

 that this craving in those accustomed to spirits, often becomes more powerful than hunger 

 or thirst ; so that the soldiers in this state, though perfectly certain of punishment, will 

 tojnimit almost any crime rather than forego their drams. It is well known to every officer 



