314 



Dr. A. Rattray on the Effects of 



[Feb. 16, 



a loss of vitality or health ? If decreased weight originates merely in an 

 absorption of fatty tissue, and no strength is lost, the result is at least not 

 unhealthy. But when other tissues are involved (and it would be difficult 

 to decide when they are, as this doubtless varies even in the same individual), 

 it is then, if not disease, closely allied to it — and certainly an indication of 

 an impaired and debilitated physique, prone to succumb to other morbific 

 agencies, and ultimately to induce premature decay and old age. Physio- 

 logical in their earlier stage, they soon become of doubtful nature, and 

 finally decidedly pathological. And that there is a special and not merely 

 a general relation between these phenomena and the health appears, first, 

 from the results being so marked, uniform, and generally prevalent ; second, 

 from concurrent indications of debility, shown by a progressive increase in 

 the amount and severity of sickness ; and, third, by a marked decrease in 

 the loss of weight and strength in the tropics, when some of the agencies 

 which indirectly augment its influence are removed, as will be proved by 

 the following Table, which shows the effect of an improved diet. 



During a similar voyage from England to the South Atlantic, in two of 

 Her Majesty's ships, both crews were subjected to a corresponding amount 

 of tropical weather ; but the number of salt-meat days in H.M.S. ' Bristol* 

 was twelve fewer than in H.M.S. 1 Salamander ' *, the result being that in 

 the former the number of those who lost flesh and strength was reduced by 

 22 per cent. 



Table XVII. — To contrast the results of two similar voyages on the weight. 



H.M.S. « Bristol.' 



>5daysj^ int V r0pi f 

 J [won salt meat 



H.M.S. ' Salamander.' 



- J" 34 in the tropics 

 >o clays j 5() m galt meat 



Total 

 number 

 weighed. 



Number 

 and 

 percentage 

 unchanged. 



Number 

 and 

 percentage 

 who gained. 



Eange 



of 

 gain. 



Ave- 

 rage 

 gain. 



Number 

 and 

 percentage 

 who lost. 



Eange 

 of 

 loss. 



Ave- 

 rage 

 loss. 



} 379 



per cent. 

 42=11-08 



per cent. 

 172=45-38 



lb. 

 1-12 



lb. 

 2-73 



per cent. 

 165=43-53 



lb. 

 1-13 



lb. 



2-45 



j 116 



7= 603 



33=28-45 



1-13 



4-18 



76 = 65-52 



1-23 



7-2 



[This was equally apparent among the cadets (Table XVIII.). Thus, of 

 58, the number who lost weight became reduced from 65J to 40 per cent, 

 by a removal from the tropics, combined with a limited use of salt meat. 

 The improvement in their growth, as shown by their height and measure- 

 ment of chest, was equally obvious. 



* From a lately introduced issue of preserved meat every third day in the naval 

 dietary. 



