404 Captain cook’s Method for 
Amongft other articles of victualling we were fur- 
nifhed with fugar in the room of oil, and with wheat in- 
ftead of much oatmeal, and were certainly gainers by the 
exchange. Sugar, I imagine, is a very good antifcorbutic ; 
whereas oil, fuch at lead as is ufually given to the navy I 
apprehend has the contrary effeCt. But the introduction 
of the mod falutary articles, either as proviilon or medi- 
cines, will generally prove unfuccelsful, unlefs fupported 
by certain rules of living. 
On this principle, many years experience, together with 
fome hints I had from Sir hugh palliser, the Captains 
Campbell, wallis, and other intelligent officers, ena- 
bled me to lay down a plan whereby all was to be con- 
ducted. The crew were at three watches, except upon 
fome extraordinary occadons. By this means they were 
not fa much expofed to the weather as if they had been 
at watch and watch : and they had generally dry cloaths 
to fhift themfelves when they happened to get wet. 
Care was alfo- taken to expofe them as little as podible. 
Proper methods were employed to keep their perfons, 
hammocks, bedding, cloaths, See. condantly clean and 
dry. Equal pains were taken to keep the dbp clean and 
dry between decks. Once or twice a week fire was aired 
with fires ; and when this could not be done, fire was 
lmoaked with gunpowder moiftened with vinegar or wa- 
ter. 1 had alfb frequently a fire made in an iron pot at the 
bottom of the well,, which greatly purified the air in the 
lower parts of the flrip. To this and cleanlinels, as well 
in tire drip as amongft the people, too great attention 
4 cannot 
