4 STATISTICAL ACCOUNT OF THE 



ness, is to lie down on your bed. By these means I have often 

 passed in a few minutes from the most dreadful nausea to a 

 state of perfect ease, and could eat, talk, and read, as well as 

 if I were on shore. This, however, is only an escape from 

 sickness, for as soon as I came upon deck again, I found I 

 was as much affected by the motion of the ship, as at first. 

 The only way to conquer it, is to brave it. Strong exercise is 

 good, such as walking the deck. You are then not so sensi- 

 ble to the motion of the ship. The eyes and the feet are no 

 longer watchful to the slightest movement of objects. Stimu- 

 lent mental occupation is good, such as mirthful conversation, 

 tv'hich fills the mind with amusing ideas, and excludes those 

 strange sensations which seem to be the chief cause of the 

 malady. Various means of inferior importance may be 

 mentioned to diminish the effect of the motion of the vessel. 

 To go on board after a light simple meal ; to live temperately, 

 and to eat a little food at short intervals, rather than more at 

 longer. Strong drinks taken into the stomach are good, if 

 they do not produce intoxication. A single glass of brandy is 

 often useful, but enough to produce drunkenness would obvi- 

 ously be hurtful. Pure water should never be used, but ought 

 to be mixed with a little wine or lemon juice. When the 

 stomach is sufficiently strong, a glass of spirituous bitters will 

 increase the appetite and relieve the remaining sickness. 



