The Ocean as a Health Resort. A handbook of practical information as to sea-voyages, for the use of tourists and invalids, etc

Front matter

THE OCEAN AS A HEALTH-RESORT % flmt-fa... OF PRACTICAL INFORMATION' AS TO SEA-VOYAGES FOR THE USE OF TOURISTS AND INVALIDS BY WILLIAM S. WILSON", L.R.C.P. Losd., M.R.GyS.E. Qill.tl) a C&art SHOWING THE OCEAN-ROUTES AND ILLUSTRATING THE PHYSICAL GEOGR..PHY OF THE SEA LONDON J. & A. CHURCHILL, NEW BURLINGTON STREET Hazell, Watson, and Viney, PrinteiB, London and Aylesbury PEEFACE. Ij FREQUENT conversations with the many fellowpassengers I have met in the course of more than one voyage to the Australian colonies have led me to believe that a small handbook, such as the present, might be of considerable use to the constantly increasing class of travellers who, without previous experience of the sea, have determined to try its invigorating or curative effects. I found that many had started with exceedingly dim notions as to what lay before them in their sea-life ; that some were inadequately provided with those necessaries of personal outfit which, though perhaps trifling in themselves, are, especially in the case of an invalid, so indispensable to comfort during a long voyage ; and that others had formed no definite plans for their stay in the country for which they were bound.

In the following pages I have endeavoured, first, to give such practical information as to routes, shipping lines, outfit, and all other preliminary matters, as may enable even the most inexperienced traveller to make a judicious choice of a voyage and ship, and to provide himself with all that he will require for the passage out and home. Next, I have tried to present a faithful PEEFACE. picture of life at sea, and of what is to be expected in the way of accommodation, food, and amusement during a long voyage ; and I have also described the climate and weather usually experienced during a passage to and from Australia, and have given some hints as to the management of the health, especially in the tropics. A chapter has been devoted to the various objects of interest that are met with at sea, an intelligent appreciation of which will not only lessen the tedium of a long voyage, but will also, by keeping the mind employed, greatly assist the beneficial effects of sea-life.

Lastly, some account has been given of Australia and South Africa with special reference to climate and the localities most suitable as a residence for such invalids as, having made the voyage to either of those countries, intend to remain there for a longer or shorter time. It has been my wish throughout this work to give not only reliable but also thoroughly 'practical information ; and if this has led me at times to lay stress on seeming trifles, it must be remembered that comfort or discomfort at sea — particularly as regards invalids — is vastly dependent on little things which to those on shore and in health might appear of the smallest consequence. Again, many of the details given may appear ridiculously unnecessary to those with any previous experience of the sea, but here again it must be borne in mind that this handbook has been written especially for those who have no such knowledge whatever.

Preface

. V been given of various other sea-routes which, though not so suitable for the great majority of those travelling for health — especially if suffering from any affection of the chest — would yet be most enjoyable and prove of the greatest benefit to those requiring change of scene rather than direct climatic treatment. The track-chart that accompanies this volume will, I believe, be found useful to the reader not only in selecting his route in the first instance, but also, when at sea, in tracing the progress of his voyage from day to day. The " regions " of the ocean, with their physical characteristics, have also been mapped out, and will enable the voyager to estimate roughly the kind of weather to be expected in the various latitudes through which he will pass. The great advance which has recently taken place in the construction of large, powerful, and commodious steamships for the Australian voyage, will no doubt lead eventually to such improved accommodation for passengers as will not only cause vessels of this class almost entirely to supersede sailing-ships for passenger traffic, but will also remove many of the objections that now exist to steamers in the case of invalids.

Some of these objections, however — such as the too rapid transi tion from one kind of climate to another — must always remain; and for the present, some of the fine sailing ships which still run to Australia, and are specially arranged for the comfort and convenience of passengers travelling for health, will, I think, afford the most favourable opportunities for reaping the full benefits of a sea voyage. VI

PREFACE.

. I cannot close this short preface without expressing my acknowledgments and thanks to my friend and fellow-traveller, E. Mawley, Esq., F.M.S., for his valuable assistance in compiling the chapter on marine meteorology, and for the complete table of observations taken by him during a homeward voyage from Australia round the Cape of Good Hope. In conclusion, I venture to hope that these pages may not only prove useful to those who are seeking, in a voyage, a means of regaining health, but that they may also be found to contain some few hints which may be of service to the larger class of travellers who go to sea for business or for pleasure. Sandown, Isle op Wight, July, 1880. PAGim CONTENTS.

PREFACE.

Chapter I. Curative Effects Of The Ocean Climate

Conditions of sea-life favourable to the restoration of health — Diseases in which a sea-voyage has been found of benefit — Consumption — Bronchitis — Asthma— The after-effects of inflammation of the lungs, pleurisy, etc.— Nervous complaints — Piseases of joints — Debility — Overwork 1

Chapter II. The Various Health-voyages

Choice of voyages limited — The voyage to the West Indies— The voyage to Brazil and the River Plate — The climate of Brazil — The voyage to the Cape of Good Hope — The voyage to India by the Suez Canal — The voyage to Australia: three routes — The Indian route — the Pacific route — The Atlantic route — The latter voyage most suitable for invalids . . . . - . 10

Chapter III. Time Of Starting Choosing

A SHIP. Best time of starting for the West Indies — Healthiest months in India — Reversal of tbe seasons in the southern hemisphere — The best time of year for Brazil and the Cape of Good Hope — Importance of leaving England in the early autumn — Choice of a ship — Respective advantages of sailing vessels and steamers — Tonnage of sailing vessels — Iron, wooden, and "composite" ships — Poop ships and flush-deck ships — Australian steam-lines —The "Orient " line— The " Colonial " line— The " Elder " line— CONTENTS. PAGE Messrs. Wigram's steamships — Australian lines of sailing vessels : Messrs. Green's "Blackwall" line — Messrs. Wigram's sailing ships — Messrs. Oevitt and Moore — Messrs. Anderson, Anderson, and Co. — Messrs. Trinder, Anderson, and Co. — Messrs. Houlder Brothers and Co. — Mr. J. H. Flint — Various other firms — New Zealand lines — The New Zealand Shipping Co. — The " Passenger " line — The Australian ports . .... 27

Chapter IV. Preliminary Arrangements

Securing a passage and engaging a berth — Personal inspection desirable — Hints on choosing a berth — Furnishing the cabin in sailing vessels — Articles of cabin furniture provided by the owners — Furniture to be provided by the passenger himself : bedding, folding-chair, lamp, bookshelf, carpet, bath, swing-tray, etc., etc. — Trunks and boxes — Travelling chest of drawers — Outfit of wearing apparel — Outfitters — Stores : medicines and sundries — Joining the ship — The ports of departure . . . .40

Chapter V. Life At Sea

The Australian voyage — Commencement of the voyage — Sea-sickness — Paily routine — General arrangement of the ship — Meals on board ship — Quality of the various articles of food in sailing vessels — Unavoidable defects of the dietary on long sea-voyages — The quantities of provisions consumed during an Australian voyage — List of officers, crew, etc., of a large passenger ship — Mode of indicating the time: the "bells" — Taking the noon "sights" — Pimensions of a large sailing vessel . . . .51

Chapter VI. Climate And Weather

Course of a sailing vessel bound for Australia — The " regions " of the ocean — Climate and weather experienced in the various portions of the Australian voyage — The English Channel — Bay of Biscay — Northern region of prevailing westerly winds — The calms of Cancer — Region of north-east trade-winds — The equatorial calms or " doldrums " — Equatorial rains — Region of south-east trade-winds — Calm-belt of Capricorn — The southern region of prevailing westerly winds — Course of sailing vessels between the CONTENTS. IX pagf: longitude of the Cape and Australia — The "roaring forties" — Occasional gales — -Rapid alteration of apparent time — Tem perature — Reversal of the characteristics of the winds — Effects of the cold weather on invalids 62

Chapter VII. Management Of The Health At Sea

The treatment of sea-sickness — Regulation of the diet — Exercise — Bathing — Ventilation of the cabin — Closet arrangements — Management of the health in the tropics — Sleeping on deck — Tropical colds — Ulcerated sore-throat — " Prickly heat " — Necessity of fresh air for invalids. ....... 79

Chapter VIII. Occupations And Amusements At Sea

Agreement of passengers amongst themselves — Reading — Open-air games — Quoits — Cricket — " Bull-board " — Shooting sea-birds — Athletic sports — Pancing — Theatricals, concerts, etc. — Newspapers — Chess tournaments— Sailors' amusements — " Crossing the line " — " Burying the dead horse " — Sailors' songs — Glimpses of land — Speaking passing ships — Sending home letters — Excursions in the ship's boats . 92

Chapter IX. Objects Of Interest At Sea

Colour of the sea — Waves — The southern constellations — Auroras— Shooting-stars and meteors — Lunar coronas and haloes — Waterspouts — Sunsets at sea — Vertical sun — Living creatures of the sea — Whales — The Greenland whale — Finbacks — The sperm whale — Food of whales — The enemies of the whale — Dolphins and porpoises — Sharks — Pilot-fish— Catching a shark — Saw-fish and sword-fish — The Bonito — Barracouta — Flying-fish — Turtles — Lower forms of marine life — Capturing Crustacea, jelly-fish, etc. — " Portuguese man-of-war " — Mode of obtaining microscopical objects — The phosphorescence of the sea — Sea-birds — Mother Cary's chicken — Soland-goose — The albatross — Sea-birds south of the Cape ; their number and variety — Cape-hen — Mutton-bird — Cape-pigeon — Boatswain-bird — Whale-bird . . 1C9 CONTENTS. X PAGE 14ti

Chapter X. End Of The

VOYAGE— FUTURE PLANS. Approaching the Australian coast — Cape Ottway— Bass' Strait — Port Phillip Heads— The " Rip "—Port Phillip harbour— Sandridge — Warehousing cabin-furniture — Melbourne hotels — Deciding on length of stay in the colonies . ...

Chapter XI. The Homeward Voyage

Various homeward routes — Steamship routes — Sailing routes — The voyage round Cape Horn — Homeward route round the Cape of Good Hope — Limited choice of ships for this route — Its advantages for invalids — Length of passage — Course, climate, and weather — South Indian Ocean — Mauritius hurricanes — Course round the African coast — Calling at Cape Town — Course after leaving the Cape — A day at St. Helena — Island of Ascension — The Azores — Passing ships — Sunsets in the Indian Ocean — Marine Zoology — Sargasso Sea„ 153

Chapter XII. Australia

: ITS CLIMATE, CITIES, AND HEALTH-RESORTS. Discovery — Population, area, etc. — The aborigines — Rivers — Mountains — Government — Industries and productions — Droughts and floods — Mineral wealth — Exports — Railways — The climate of Australia generally ; modifying influences — Climate of Victoria — Climate of South Australia — Climate of New South Wales — Climate of Queensland — Climate of Tasmania Influence of the Australian climate on disease — Melbourne — Climate of Melbourne — Hot winds — Ballarat — Sandhurst — Geelong — Victoria unsuitable for invalids in summer — Selection of a suitable climate — Tasmania as a summer residence — Crossing Bass' Strait — Launceston — Hobart Town — Climate of Hobart Town — Fruit in Tasmania — From Hobart Town to Sydney — Beauty of Sydney Harbour — Sydney — Climate of Sydney — Health-resorts of the interior — Queensland — Brisbane — Darling Downs — Adelaide — Climate of Adelaide . . .168 CONTENTS. XI PAGE 203

Chapter XIII. South Africa And Its Climate

Districts comprised in South Africa — Cape Colony — Population — Rivers — Mountains — Industries and productions — Exports — Ports — Cape Town — Suburbs of Cape Town — Railways — Cape wines — Port Elizabeth — Ea.t London — Natal — Durban — Pietermaritzburg — Orange Free State — Elevated plains of the interior — Bloemfontein — The Transvaal — Climate of Cape Town and its neighbourhood — The " Cape Doctor " — Health-resorts of the interior — Graham's Town — Cradock — Colesburg — Bloemfontein — Conveyances — Cobb and Co.'s coaches — Passenger carts — Mail carts — Private conveyances — Ox-wagons — Climate of the inland plains ; its dryness — Thunderstorms — Droughts — Meteorological observations — Influence of the climate on disease

Chapter XIV. The Meteorology Of The Ocean

Instruments required for taking observations — Barometer — Thermometer — Thermometer-screen — Hygrometer — Method of determining the humidity of the air — Observations of shade-temperature — Surface temperature of the sea — The meteorological journal — Estimation of the amount of cloud — Direction and force of the -wind — Observations of rainfall not reliable — Special meteorological conditions at sea — Distribution of storms — Log and meteorological tables of a voyage to Australia — Log, meteorological tables, and weather-report of homeward voyage by Cape of Good Hope 226

Appendix

A — Outfit required for a voyage to Australia . . 2.12

APPENDIX.

B — Names and addresses of some of the principal shipping-firms 254 INDEX Note. — One or two recent alterations with regard to the shipping lines mentioned in the following pages have come under my notice since going to press. They are as follows : Messrs. Money Wigram & Co. have discontinued their sailing vessels for Australia, and now despatch steamships only to the New Zealand and Australian ports. Messrs. Trinder, Anderson, & Co., of the " Elder " Line, no longer run steamers in connection with their Australian sailing ships. W. S. W. THE OCEAN AS A HEALTH KESOBT.

Chapter I. Curative Effects Of The Ocean Climate

Conditions of sea-life favourable to the restoration of health — Diseases in which a sea-voyage has been found of benefit — Consumption — Bronchitis — Asthma— The after-effects of inflammation of the lungs, pleurisy, etc. — Nervous complaints — Diseases of joints — Debility — Overwork. ALTHOUGH the following pages will, it is hoped, be found useful by passengers of all classes, whether invalids or otherwise, who are starting upon a long voyage without any previous experience of the sea ; yet, as the work is written with more particular reference to those who are travelling in search of health, the opening chapter will be devoted to considering, first, the particular con ditions of sea climate and sea life that exert a beneficial effect upon the constitution ; and, second, the various diseases in which a sea voyage has proved most useful.

The curative effects of the true ocean climate in certain cases of illness are now becoming, year by year, better understood and appreciated. While ten or fifteen years ago it was quite an unusual thing to meet, even in the finest Australian sailing vessels, with any one taking a voyage solely for the benefit of his health, now the favourite passenger-ships, especially in the autumn, are half-filled with invalids of every kind and degree, who are looking forward hopefully to testing the restorative influences of the ocean climate. But although the remedial effects of a long voyage, especially in well-selected cases of chest-disease, and the invigorating action of the ocean climate upon nearly all who go to sea are now fully recognised, not only by medical men, but by the public generally, the modus operandi — the way in which these beneficial results are brought about — is still only imperfectly understood, even by those who have given their best attention to the subject.

It is probable, however, that the rapid improvement which so generally takes place in the health while at sea may be attributed to some or all of the following causes : — 1. The entire change of scene, and the enforced rest from customary occupations. 2. The facilities for being constantly in the open air during the greater part of the twenty-four hours. 3. The habitual respiration, when on deck, of air free from those organic and inorganic impurities, and floating particles of dust and carbon, that are met with in even the purest air on land. 4. The greater equability of temperature at sea. 5. The presence in the air of certain substances, such as saline particles, which may exert a specific beneficial effect upon the lungs and air-passages ; also probable differences in the electrical conditions of the atmosphere and in the amount of ozone in sea-air. 6.

The sedative influence exerted on the constitution by a comparatively humid atmosphere combined with a hio-h barometric pressure. CONDITIONS PECULIAR TO SEA LIFE. 3 7. The bracing and hardening effect of almost constant sea-breezes, and of the changes of climate experienced in passing through the different "regions" of the ocean. At first sight some of the above conditions might appear to be to a certain extent contradictory. Thus, equability of temperature might seem incompatible with those changes of climate experienced between England and the southern limits of an Australian voyage. A perusal of the chapter on marine meteorology will, however, show that the equability referred to is principally that of daily range — those sudden changes of temperature so frequent, on shore, often amount ing to 15° or 20° in the twenty-four hours, and which are so trying to invalids, being almost unknown at sea, where the extreme daily limits of temperature are usually comprised within 3° or 4°.

The transition, too, from the comparative cold of the English Channel to the heats of the tropics, and back again to the cold weather south of the Cape, though great in itself, is accomplished by regular gradations, very different from the abrupt changes of our own climate. Again, the sedative influence of a humid air might appear antagonistic to the bracing effect of sea winds and chano-es of climate, did we not know that it is often a combination of opposite therapeutical conditions, such as these, which is of the greatest value in the treatment of disease.* Although a few of the conditions which have been men tioned might, under favourable circumstances, be enjoyed on shore, others are peculiar to an ocean climate far removed * I much regret that some valuable papers by Dr. Faber, on "The Influence of Sea Voyages on the Human Body," which appeared in the Practitioner during 1876-7, did not come under my notice until this work was ready to go to press.

I have, how ever, been able to avail myself of them to the extent of incorpo rating with my former list of the causes influencing health at sea, some additional ones suggested by Dr. Faber. from all land influences. Indeed, any one who has been to sea will know that not only does such a climate differ entirely in its effects upon the health and constitution from the mixed sea air that is to be obtained on our coasts, but also that an appreciable difference will be felt by delicate persons when approaching even within twenty or thirty miles of land. The peculiar combination of curative influences such as have been enumerated above is, in fact, only to be met with in a well-chosen sea voyage. It would be obviously out of place, in a little work intended for general use, to attempt to give anything like a detailed account of the diseases in which a sea voyage has been found of benefit ; but a few brief and very general observations on the subject may be found of use to non-professional readers.

It should, however, be clearly understood that no invalid is recommended to take a voyage, except under the advice and with the sanction of his physician or regular medical attendant ; for there are special circumstances and peculiarities in the case of every patient which can only be duly weighed by his own medical adviser, after careful and individual examination. The principal complaints for which invalids have hitherto been sent to sea are consumption, bronchitis, asthma, the after-effects of inflammation of the lungs and pleurisy, nervous complaints of various kinds, scrofulous diseases of joints, debility, the effects of overwork, etc. Consumption is the illness of all others for which it is now customary to prescribe a sea voyage, although it is only comparatively of late years that this has been the case.

There can be no doubt that in the first stages of consumption a judiciously selected sea voyage is often of incalculable value. The one great point is to take the dis ease sufficiently early — if possible, when the first threaten ings only have manifested themselves. Every physician is CONSUMPTION BRONCHITIS AND ASTHMA. 5 familiar with cases where, while the patient is still young and the constitution otherwise sound, symptoms arise which, though they might be regarded as trivial by the patient himself, will be at once recognised by the medical man as of grave import, especially if there should be a family predisposition to lung disease. These are, in fact, the " premonitory symptoms " of what may prove serious pulmonary mischief. It is in just such cases as these that a sea voyage acts most beneficially.

It will often eradicate the tendency to consumption and establish the constitution for life. Even in those cases where the first stage of the disease is more fully established, a few months at sea will frequently arrest the mischief, and sometimes effect a per manent cure. It is when the disease has passed into its later stages — when a cavity has formed in the lung — that the advisa bility of sending a consumptive patient to sea becomes more doubtful. Even then great benefit will sometimes be obtained ; but the question whether the possible good that may result will weigh against the certain loss of home comforts and the many inconveniences of ship life, is one that can only be decided by the physician in attendance on the case. Bronchitis and Asthma are complaints in which the cli mate of the ocean seems to be less certain in its action than in consumption.

Patients who suffer either from chronic bronchitis, or from winter attacks of acute bronchitis, often derive much benefit from a voyage, not only by escaping the English winter (if they sail in the autumn), but also from the greater equability of the climate at sea, and the opportunities afforded them of being almost constantly in the open air. The colder portions of the voyage are, how ever, sometimes trying to bronchitic invalids, especially as there is often a good deal of atmospheric humidity accom panying the cold ; but I have seldom or never seen severe attacks of bronchitis occur at sea, and the improvement in the general health usually brought about by the voyage is alone a great point gained. If the destination be Australia or South Africa, the dryness of the climate of either of these countries will render them admirably suited either as a temporary or a permanent residence for most patients suffering from bronchial affections.

Asthma — often asso ciated with bronchitis — is a complaint presenting so many varieties and individual peculiarities, that it is impossible to speak of it with anything like certainty. Some patients never suffer from asthma while at sea, whereas others have their most severe attacks on board ship. The only reliable guide w*ill be the patient's own previous experiences. If he has found, for instance, that he is most free from asthmatic attacks when staying at the seaside, he may generally safely look forward to deriving benefit from a voyage ; but if an inland climate or the smoke-laden atmo sphere of cities suits him best, he should on no account attempt to go to sea, as it is probable that the pure and somewhat humid air of the ocean would only aggravate his sufferings. Inflammation of the lungs (pneumonia) and pleurisy are diseases which sometimes leave behind them after-effects of a very serious character : the lungs may be crippled in various ways, or weakened and rendered extremely sus ceptible to climatic influences, while the general health may be also more or less affected.

In these cases — especially if the patient is young and the constitution naturally a sound one — it is impossible to speak too highly of a sea voyage as a means of insuring complete convalescence. The unfailing supply of fresh air, the enforced rest, the voracious appetite that usually sets in, have the happiest effect, and the patient often returns home with a re established constitution. JNervous complaints. — These are so numerous and so NERVOUS COMPLAINTS — AFFECTIONS OF JOINTS. varied in their manifestations that it is only possible to speak of them generally. It may, however, be stated broadly that for all those anomalous affections of the nervous system that are not accompanied by any actual disease of the brain or spinal cord, but which are often dependent either upon mental causes or derangement of the digestive organs, we have in a sea voyage a most valuable and successful mode of treatment.

In fact, there are no cases in which, as a rule, the effects of sea life are more strikingly beneficial than in these. The change of scene, the different mode of life, and the varied social conditions, usually exercise the most cheering influence, not only upon the bodily health, but also (which is equally important in complaints of this class) upon the mental state ; so that the nervous patient, after a month or two at sea, is often altogether a different being from what he was when he sailed. With regard to the more serious diseases of the nervous system, such as paralysis and epilepsy, it is necessary to speak much more guardedly ; and it is only after all the circumstances of such a case have been carefully weighed by the medical men in attendance, that it will be possible to form a decided opinion as to the advisability of a sea voyage.

Scrofulous affections of joints and all kindred affections may, in certain stages, be most successfully treated by means of a sea voyage. It would of course be inadvisable to send a patient to sea while suffering from the more acute forms of joint disease, as the constant surgical attention and the many appliances and comforts required by the sufferer could scarcely be obtained on board ship. But when the more active symptoms have subsided, and, as is so often the case, the disease assumes a chronic form, the slow and tedious convalescence may, in suitable cases, be wonderfully hastened by a sea voyage of some duration. On land, fresh air and change of locality can, as a rule, only be obtained at the expense of jolting in a carriage or some other equally objectionable mode of conveyance ; whereas at sea the patient can, during the greater portion of the voyage, recline on deck in an invalid chair, under the most health-cnvincr conditions of climate, and sur rounded by much that will serve to interest and amuse him.

Debility, though not in itself a distinct disease, is never theless a very definite condition. It may be brought about from a variety of causes. The professional man, or man of business who has broken down through over-work, — the patient who is recovering from a severe illness or the effects of a surgical operation, and whose convalescence is slow and tedious, — the lad who has "outgrown his strength," — these are a few instances out of many that could be given of the way in which a constitution may become enfeebled, and where, although no actual disease may exist at the time, a thorough change of scene and climate becomes necessary to restore strength or prevent the development of more serious complaints. For cases such as these a sea voyage is thoroughly suitable : the entire rest, the invigorating sea climate, and the fresh experiences of life on board ship, are just what are required to build up a weakened and debilitated system.

There are doubtless many other cases, besides those that have been mentioned, which the physician will from time to time see fit to send to sea ; but the foregoing will be found to include most of the disorders from which the great majority of invalids met with on board ship are found to be suffering. In by far the greater number of such cases the patient will improve during the voyao-e ; and, in fact, properly selected «ises will seldom fail to do so. But the improvement in health will not be confined only GENERAL EFFECT ON HEALTH. to actual invalids. Those who are travelling for business or pleasure will almost always derive marked benefit from the voyage, and if they are strictly careful in following out the rules as to diet and exercise that are given in the following pages, they will generally experience an astonishing increase in strength and vigour by the end of the passage.

At the same time, those who take a voyage, whether as invalids or otherwise, must not fall into the mistake of looking upon the sea as a panacea for every ill, but must make up their minds to face many inconveniences and perhaps even a few dangers in their ocean life.