OIT
THE HONGKONG
Government Gazette.
Published by Authority.
No. 48.
VICTORIA, SATURDAY, 24TH NOVEMBER, 1866.
VOL. XII.
No. 175.
GOVERNMENT NOTIFICATION.
The following Notice of the Board of Trade, stating the means of checking and preventing Scurvy on board of Ships, is published for general information.
By Order,
Colonial Secretary's Office, Hongkong, 23rd November, 1866.
W. T. MERCER, Colonial Secretary.
NOTICE
ΤΟ
SHIP OWNERS AND SHIP MASTERS.
SEA-SCURVY.
The result of the inquiries recently instituted by the Board of Trade in several cases of outbreak of Scurvy in Merchant Ships, in some even where it is manifest that the Owners have had every desire to provide for the health of the crew, leads this Board to believe that the publication of the following means, suggested by the Seamen's Hospital Society, for the prevention and check of this malady, may be attended with advantage-
The Cause of the malady is generally believed to be privation for a considerable length of time of Fresh Vegetables.
MEANS FOR PREVENTION."
AT SEA.
1. Every ship on a long voyage should be supplied with a proper quantity of Lime or Lemon Juice.
The Juice having been received in bulk from the Vendors, should be examined and analysed by a competent Medical Officer. All measures adopted for its preservation are worthless unless it be clearly ascertained that a pure article has been
supplied.
10 per cent. of Brandy (S.G. 930) or of Rum (S.G. 890) should afterwards be added to it..
It should be packed in Jars or Bottles, each containing 1 Gallon or less, covered with a layer of Oil, and closely packed
and sealed.
Each man should have at least four ounces (8 tablespoonful) a week, and should take it as part of his daily food. The quantity should be increased to an ounce daily if any symptoms of scurvy manifest themselves.
The giving out of Lime or Lemon Juice should be commenced with the issue of salt provisions, and should be continued even with fresh meat in harbour when no green or succulent vegetables accompany it.
It should certainly not be delayed longer than a fortnight after the vessel has put to sea.
2. Preserved Vegetables; of these Potatoes and Onions are the best; next-Greens, Carrots, Turnips, &c. 3. A plentiful supply of good water.
4. Attention to cleanliness and ventilation, more particularly of the quarters of the crew.
IN PORT.
A full supply of such Vegetables as may be most easily procured, viz., Potatoes, Greens, Radishes, Watercresses; the atter vegetable is a powerful antiscorbutic and easily procurable. Fruits, as Oranges, Lemons, Limes, Shaddocks, &c..
It is always well to provide an extra supply of the above-mentioned important antiscorbutics in case of an unusually protracted voyage or other contingency.
Board of Trade, September, 1866.
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