both the most prevalent, and infinitely the most fatal, out of 2,600 admissions, 1,601 being from this, and 739 deaths out of 756. The mortality, not including the most unhealthy years, would appear to have been about 17 per cent. annually. But in common with all tropical climates, that of Western Africa exhibits remarkable variations in salubrity in different years, without any obvious cause to induce such a change; between 1830 and 1836, for instance, the Colony enjoyed a succession of such healthy years as to induce the supposition that the causes which had rendered it so long a terror to Europeans were never likely to come again into operation; but the fatal epidemics of 1837 and 1838 dispelled this pleasing delusion, and showed how little reliance could be placed on what were merely the vicissitudes characteristic of a treacherous climate. "So generally prevalent is remittent fever, either in its aggravated or milder forms, on this coast, that till of late years scarcely any European ever passed twelve months without an attack; the most regular habits and the best constitution afforded no protection, nor did a residence on the coast, however long, secure any immunity. It was observed in 1825, and a few of the following years, that the appearance of ulcers, which were very common among those soldiers who indulged in intemperance, seemed to act as a safeguard against remittent fever so long as they continued open and discharged freely, but whenever they ceased to do so, that disease assailed the patient and generally proved fatal. More recently, in 1837, it was also observed that in many of the worst cases, an exudation of blood took place from the tongue, gums, nose, and anus, and, that whenever leeches were applied, the tendency to hæmorrhage was so great as to render it almost impossible to stop the effusion. Except in these respects there appears to have been little difference in the character of the disease from that which generally marks the course of yellow fever of the worst type in other Colonies. On this point, it may be proper, however, to remark, that, between 1824 and 1829, the black vomit is not mentioned in any of the Reports as one of the characteristics of the disease. This may perhaps induce a doubt in the minds of those who attach importance to that symptom, as to whether the disease in these years was genuine yellow fever, or merely the endemial remittent of the country; but as the latter is comparatively of a mild character, the cases could scarcely have been of that type, when in general one-half, and in some instances three-fourths, perished, of all those attacked.' 9. The disease, in 1835 and 1836, was more fatal at the Gambia, where three-fourths of those attacked died, than at Sierra Leone, where the deaths were about one-half. And it has been already observed that it has fluctuated remarkably in different years, both in prevalence and severity. In 1830 and the six subsequent years, it almost disappeared, while, in 1837 and 1838, it prevailed with all its ancient virulence. The following statements prove how little we know of the real causes which light up this pestilence into activity. "This disease has, in most years, appeared and raged with the greatest violence during the height of the rainy season, when vegetation was most vigorous and healthy, and the low grounds, being completely flooded, were in the state supposed least favourable to the extrication of miasma; it has also been ob. served to diminish both in prevalence and severity as the rains moderated and the marshes began to dry, but to this rule we have to record several exceptions; —for instance, in 1823, 1829, 1837, and 1838, the disease appeared in its most malignant form in the months of February and March, during what had generally been termed the dry or healthy season, and on each of these occasions its violence declined as the rainy season advanced, and the earth became completely saturated with moisture, being directly the reverse of what had been observed in other years. In most instances, too, the prevalence and fatal character of the disease have been commensurate with the quantity of rain; but here again the exceptions are so numerous as to strike completely at the root of all theories tending to establish that the former is a necessary result of the latter, for in 1812, 1823, and 1829, less rain fell than usual, yet fever was exceedingly prevalent, and though from 1830 to 1836 the Colony was almost free from fever, yet, with the exception of 1832, the quantity of rain in each year was about the usual average. Attempts have also been made to connect the appearance of this disease with the circumstance of the rains commencing earlier or later, or being heavier or lighter at the commencement than usual, but without any satisfactory result, the exceptions being always too numerous to admit of any positive conclusions. The range of temperature, the fluctuations of the barometer, the direction and prevalence of the winds, have also been carefully observed, but do not seem in any way connected with it. The latest, as well as the earliest observations, all tend to show that the circumstances which call it into operation at one season or in one year more than another, have hitherto received no satisfactory explanation. In 1823, when the fever broke out during what was deemed the healthy season, and when none of the usual theories would account for its appearance, it was supposed by some of the medical officers to have originated in noxious miasma, wafted from the Bulam shore; but, so far as could be learnt, there was nothing in the character of that shore more likely to have produced the disease in 1823, than in other years which were healthy. And its subsequent appearance in 1837 and 1838 at the same season, when there was nothing to induce such a supposition as to its origin, certainly appears to indicate that there could have been but little foundation for this theory.' The elevated spots are not exempt from the fever. The barrack, though at the height of 400 feet, bas frequently been the scene of greater mortality than the lowest situations in the town; and recently, when a body of seamen was removed to the village of Wilberforce, at an elevation of 500 feet, with the view of keeping them free from fever, they suffered even to a greater extent than on board the shipping in the harbour. The common continued fever being ten times more fatal than in other colonies, probably partook of the remittent type. Diseases of the Lungs.-The climate of this command seems rather favourable to diseases of this class, the admissions, compared with those which occur among an equal number of troops in the United Kingdom, being as 56 to 148, and the deaths as 4.9 to 7.7. The same feature was manifest in the diseases of the black troops, who are very prone to pulmonic affections in other colonies. The most marked exemption in this class is from inflammation of the lungs, by which only 8 per thousand have been attacked annually, though the usual proportion in most other colonies is from 30 to 40 per thousand. Consumption has also been comparatively rare. But really it is hard to conceive how a man is to die of consumption in these parts-he literally has not time for it. Catarrhal affections, particularly those of an acute nature, were also extremely rare during the period when these white troops were employed; but of late an epidemic, resembling influenza, has prevailed annually in the command. It pervades simultaneously very extensive districts; generally commencing about the height of the dry season, when a keen, parching, easterly wind, termed the harmattan, blows. The native inhabitants have suffered more than the troops, but it has rarely proved serious or fatal, except to aged persons, or those debilitated by disease. It is certainly singular how these epidemic catarrhs would appear to have increased, of late years, throughout the world. Abstractedly speaking, there is nothing to excite surprise in the occurrence of catarrhal affections in a climate like that of Sierra Leone. It is the increase of them that is odd. Diseases of the Liver.-This class of diseases has been nearly four times more prevalent and fatal among the white troops in the command, than in ary other colony of which the statistical details have yet been investigated. Diseases of the Stomach and Bowels.-A table shews that more than half the troops have been under treatment, and that the deaths from these diseases have averaged 41 per thousand of the force annually. As usual, dysentery was the principal source of mortality, and of so aggravated a character were the acute cases, that nearly two-fifths of them proved fatal, a degree of intensity never surpassed elsewhere. There was a marked diminution of mortality from this cause, after the alteration of rations, and the liberal issue of fresh meat. The deaths were reduced to a tenth of their former number. Similar results have attended the recent increase in the issue of fresh meat to the troops in the West Indies, a circumstance which seems to warrant the adoption of a similar remedy in other colonies, whenever there is reason to believe that the character of these diseases has been influenced by a similar cause. Diseases of the Brain.-This class of diseases has proved considerably more fatal than in any of the other Colonies, and, with the single exception of the Windward and Leeward Command, has also been more prevalent. Nor need we wonder at this when we consider the character and habits of the men. Dropsies. As these diseases are so often induced by attacks of remittent or intermittent fever, they have been much more prevalent and fatal than in other Commands. Venereal Affections.-The troops at Sierra Leone enjoy a similar exemption to those in the Windward and Leeward Command, though not to so great an extent. This is principally manifested in syphilitic affections, of which only four primary cases occurred among the whites, and but three among the black troops in the whole course of eighteen years; yet no sanatory regulations appear to have been adopted. Abscesses and Ulcers-extremely prevalent. Many were of a very serious. nature, being apt to slough, and frequently causing such loss of substance as to create a permanent disability, and in some instances to render amputation necessary. Diseased Spleen was exceedingly rife. Corporal Punishment was both common and carried to great lengths. "In seven instances death ensued before the patient came out of hospital. Six of these, however, occurred at the Gambia, where, as the majority of each detachment generally perished within three months, it is probable their fate may only have been accelerated-not induced-by the punishment." What a comment upon climate! How demoralising is pestilence! The Reporter next examines the insalubrity of the different stations in detail. He is anxious to let Sierra Leone have only the responsibility of its own deathsto give, in fact, the devil his due. First, then, of— Gambia. Could any idea bordering on the ludicrous attach to so melancholy a subject, the manner in which successive relays of troops were dispatched to or in this station would give birth to it. We know not how a sad tale of disease and death could be told more tersely and more affectingly than in the following statistic fashion. The first detachment of white troops arrived in the latter end of May 1825, just as the rains commenced. It consisted of 108 men, being all for whom accommodation could be procured. Between that date and the 21st September of the same year, the casualties among them were as follows: Died of remittent fever Of other diseases.. Total died 74 87 Owing to the want of sufficient accommodation on shore, another detachment of about 91 men was, during this period, kept at sea on board the Surrey transport, and while there, did not lose a man; but when, towards the end of September, room was provided for them in the barrack, by the death of four-fifths of their comrades, they were landed, and made up the force to about 112, of whom, between that period and the 21st December, The force having now been reduced by deaths to 39, most of whom were in the last stage of disease, another body of about 200 Europeans was sent to supply their place, and that too, as before, at the commencement of the rainy season. It does not appear whether they were all landed at once, or a portion of them kept on shipboard, as on the previous occasion, for want of accommodation; but ere three months had elapsed, half the number were in their graves. The deaths reported from 21st June to 21st September of that year, were The strength appears to have been by this time reduced to 108, of whom there died from the 21st September to 21st December Thirty-three of the survivors who were suffering under chronic affections of the liver, spleen, and other viscera, were then removed to head-quarters; of the remainder only one died, between January and July of the following year, when all the white troops were withdrawn from the station. During the whole of this dreadful mortality, a detachment of from 40 to 50 black soldiers of the 2nd West India Regiment only lost one man, and bad seldom any in hospital. Fever accounts for all. Only about a fifth of those attacked came out of hospital alive. And those who did recover had a constitution shattered for life. The men were, naturally, reckless. Constant intoxication drowned the sense of danger, and they were drunk to-day, for to-morrow they knew that they would die. Perhaps reason was more on their side than it generally is in such a case. For observe what happened at The Isles de Loss.—Deceived by the supposed advantages of its situation, General Turner selected the centre island as a suitable station for a detachment of recruits voluntarily enlisted at Chatham, whom it was deemed advisable to separate from the commuted punishment men, to prevent their initiation into habits of intemperance and debauchery. They are described as being generally men of good character, exemplary conduct, and with little inclination to inebriety, in which, however, had they been ever so much inclined, they had no opportunity of indulging, as spirits could not be procured in the island. The detachment arrived at the Isles de Loss on the 23rd of February, 1825, and consisted of 103 men. In 18 months, 62 were dead, and 21 were invalided to England. There remained then, of the original force 20, who were withdrawn at the end of the year, scarcely any being fit for duty! This, we may presume, will be the last experiment on the possibility of keeping white troops alive on the Western Coast of Africa. It appears that, in 1825 and 1826, the relative mortality of each station was as follows: Sierra Leone Gambia.... .... 650 per thousand of force employed, and making allowance for the mortality at the subordinate stations, that at Sierra Leone alone, taken on the average of the whole 18 years, will be reduced to about one-third annually of the white troops employed. Black Troops.-These have generally been recruited from the slaves captured by our cruizers, and liberated at Sierra Leone. Yet, on his native continent, supplied with all the necessaries of life, the negro soldier has not escaped disease. The mortality during the last 18 years has averaged about 30 per thousand exclusive of sudden and accidental deaths not stated in the |