PORTER'S JOrRNAL. 



"27 



violent and sudden chills occasioned by the dews and night 

 air while the pores are open, and the body in a profuse 

 perspiration, it is more tolerable than suffocation. Those 

 sudden and frequent changes from heat to cold must, in 

 time, wear out the strongest constitution, and produce incu- 

 rable diseases. From the number confined in so small a 

 space, the whole atmosphere of the ship becomes tainted, 

 and not only those who are compelled to sleep below, but 

 every person on board, is affected by the pernicious vapours 

 arising from the birth-deck. Various expedients have bfeen 

 adopted to remove this foul air : fumigation with gunpow- 

 der, and burning fires below, purifying by sprinkling vine- 

 gar, and ventilating by means of wind-sails. But the most 

 effectual remedy, although the most uncomfortable, and 

 perhaps not adopted for that object, is the French practice 

 of baking their bread in ovens built on the birth-deck. 

 While heating them, a constant current of air rushes to- 

 wards the fire, the foul air is carried off, and fresh air rushes 

 in to supply its place. I have not, however, found either 

 of those methods necessary, and therefore have practised 

 none except ventilation. As we have but few who sleep 

 on the birth-deck, we have no foul air generated ; and it i^ 

 found that good wind-sails, and a little vinegar evaporated 

 in the manner formerly mentioned, are sufficient to keep 

 the air perfectly sweet. The latter practice, however, is 

 in opposition to the opinion of Dr. Miller, my surgeon, 

 who declares it to be extremely injurious, in consequence 

 of the corrosive qualities of the vinegar. The smell ari- 

 sing from it, however, is very agreeable, the vapour very 

 searching ; and as I have not, after an experience of several 

 years, discovered any bad effects from it, and have from 

 that, or some other cause, been so fortunate as to have 

 healthy crews, I am determined not to discontinue that 

 mode of fumigation, until I am convinced by facts that the 

 practice is prejudicial. 



Being now in the latitude of 4° north, we begin to ex- 

 perience slight variations in the trade winds, hauhng from 

 the N. E. to E. by S. and at intervals heavy showers of 

 rain, of a few minutes continuance ; but we were not able 

 to catch any water, although our rain-awning was kept 

 spread for that purpose. We also had some distant light- 

 ning to tliQ southward, and sometimes the rain wa-s accom- 



