FEB. 1771 DEATHS AT SEA 427 
29th. Three more of the people died this day. 
30th. For the first time I found myself better and slept 
some time, which my continual pains had never suffered me 
to do before notwithstanding the opiates which were con- 
stantly administered. One person only died to-day, but so 
weak were the people in general that, officers and men 
included, there were not more than eight or nine could keep 
the deck ; so that four in a watch were all they had. 
31st. This day I got out of my bed in good spirits and 
free from pain, but very weak; my recovery had been as 
rapid as my disease was violent; but to what cause to attri- 
bute either the one or the other we were equally at a loss. 
The wind, which went to E. and 8.E. yesterday, blew to-day 
in the same direction, so we had little reason to doubt its 
being the true trade, a circumstance which raised the spirits 
of even those who were most afflicted with the tormenting 
disease which now raged with its greatest viclence. 
1st February. Fine brisk trade kept up our spirits and 
helped to raise me fast: two of the people died to-day, 
nevertheless. 
2nd. Breeze continued to-day: the surgeon began to 
think that the rapid progress of the disease was checked by 
it, but declared at the same time that several people were 
still almost without hopes of recovery. 
3rd. Some of the people who were least affected began 
now to show signs of amendment, but two of the worst 
died notwithstanding. 
6th. One more died to-day. Those of our people who 
were not very bad before the 1st of this month had now 
almost universally recovered; but there were still several in 
the ship who at that time were very bad. These remained 
unalterably the same, neither becoming better nor worse. 
Throughout the whole course of this distemper medicine has 
been of little use, the sick generally proceeding gradually to 
their end without a favourable symptom, till the change of 
weather instantaneously stopped in a manner the malignant 
quality of the disease. 
11th. One more of our people died. 
