92 EXPEDITION TO JAPAN. 



Hakodadi is several degrees farther north than Simoda, and is, like it, surrounded by moun- 

 tains, which are more numerous and lofjy, though at a greater distance. These were conspicu- 

 ously crowned with snow so late as June 3d. The climate is, therefore, much colder in winter 

 and spring than at this place; and the fogs are frequent and dense. The contrasts of temper- 

 ature and humidity are quite as sudden and more extreme; and hence it must be more subject 

 to inflammatory diseases. The summer, and autumn, it is presumable, are somewhat or very 

 similar to the same seasons here — as, also, their accompanying complaints. Nor are there, 

 probably, any sources of miasmata there, as the town is situated at the base and on the side of 

 a considerable mountain, which is connected by a narrow neck of sand to the neighboring 

 plains, extending to the mountains in the distance ; and, as the Japanese usually drain, cul- 

 tivate, and irrigate most carefully all marshy places and low level lands, it is more than 

 probable that these plains, though having several small streams, have no marshes; but of this 

 I cannot speak from personal observation, not having visited them. 



Upon the whole, then, I consider these ports as free from all malignant diseases, and quite 

 salubrious — the diseases incident to the season being capable of avoidance by due precautions 

 as to clothing, exposure, &c. They may, therefore, be resorted to with great advantage by 

 our ships-of-war on the China station, particularly at that period of the year when dysentery 

 and fevers are usually prevalent there, viz: the latter part of summer and autumn. This 

 opinion has reference solely to the climate of these ports. An equally important matter is the 

 ability to procure fresh provisions in sufficient quantities to preserve health and to avoid scurvy. 

 This disease is said to be very common in Matsmai or Yesso.* Nor is this remarkable; for, 

 although not a disease directly depending upon climate, it is, nevertheless, caused by want 

 of fresh provisions, especially of vegetables and fruit, which may well be scarce towards 

 spring, where the winters are so long, and the apparent space for culture so small. Provision 

 for such a state of things should, therefore, be made by vessels contemplating a long cruise to 

 Hakodadi at that season of the year ; but such wants are scarcely to be anticipated at Simoda. 



The mineral water near Hakodadi, as it rises through the crevices of the rock, is considerably 

 impregnated with sulphuretted hydrogen gas, as evidenced to the senses ; is warm to the touch, 

 and, when drank, sits lightly upon the stomach. Its gasses and odor are lost by being kept, 

 even for a short time. It contains chloride of sodium, and probably some mineral sulphate or 

 sulphuret. Medicinally, it is somewhat diuretic and very slightly aperient, and would, proba- 

 bly, be beneficial in some cutaneous diseases, and in some chronic complaints where the secre- 

 tions are disordered or suppressed. Its utility in the former may also be inferred from the 

 fact of certain natives making signs, at the spring, that the water was not good to drink, but 

 to bathe or wash the skin with, and from their having erected a small statue upon a rock imme- 

 diately above it. The efficacy of the water would be greatest if used at the spring, and copi- 

 ously. 



I have the honor to be, very respectfully, 



D. S. GREEN, Fleet Surgeon. 



Commodore M. C. Pekry, 



Commanding U. S. Naval forces, East India, China, and Japan seas. 



c Qolownin. 



