C^ USE OF METEOROLOGICAL OBSERVATIONS TO NATIGATO^S* 



Bougainville, Coolc, Vancouver, and Marchand. In the 

 ship of the last of these in particulai- the aft of preventive 

 Biedicine displayed in a striking manner what may be ex- 

 pected from these little attentions. Mr. de Fleurieu, in his 

 account of the voyage I have just mentioned, has given a 

 just eulogium of the surgeon of the Solide, Mr. Roblet ; and 

 when I was at the Isle of France 1 had an opportunity of 

 becoming acquainted with this gentleman, and receiving from 

 him a confirmation of the useful hints here given for the im- 

 provement of nautical medicine, which is so greatly indebted 

 to him. His happy employment of warm sand baths for the 

 cure of the scurvy at sea, and the striking success with which 

 it was attended, confirming that of Mr. Bellefin, surgeon of 

 the Naturalistey must render his name dear to every lover of 

 the art and friend of mankind. 



While paying to this gentleman, equally learned and mo- 

 dest, the tribute of praise due to him, I cannot avoid notic* 

 ing a remarkable expression of Vancouver's, well adapted 

 to show the importance of such services, too little known 

 and too soon forgotten. After having spoken of the improve- 

 ment of this branch of physic, which he ascribes particularly 

 to the bencficient genius of Cook, he adds: *' it is to this 

 inestimable improvement, that Britain is in great measure 

 indebted for the high rank she at present holds among 

 nations.'* 



If we must learn the principles of preserving the health of 

 seamen from a nation, to which men are so valuable, because 

 its population is so greatly disproportionate to its establish- 

 ments ; it belongs to the celebrated Society*, to which I have 

 the honour of addressing myself, to make them known, and 

 Tender them useful to our country. 



Table of Experiments made to ascertain the relative proper* 

 tiiini of humidity in different parts of the ship le Geographe, 



Meteorolo^Tcal Oct. the 22d, 1800, at noon, lat. 49° 36' N., long. 6° 44' 

 •b^e,Ta;ionsat y^ j-^* 34' ^y\ f,om London], after several days of tempes- 



tuouftvweather, that did not allow the ports to be opened in 



any part of the ship. 



• The Medical School of Paris, in whose meiiM^irs this paper ia In- 



Mrted. 



Ow 



