OBSERVATIONS 
ON THE 
NATURAL HISTORY, 
CLIMATE, and DISEASES 
OF 
MADEIRA, 
DURING A PERIOD OF 
EIGHTEEN YEARS. 
WILLIAM GOURLAY, M.D. 
FELLOW OF THE ROYAL COLLEGE OF PHYSICIANS, EDINBURGH; 
AND PHYSICIAN TO THE BRITISH FACTORY £IT MADEIRA. 
Hontron 
PRINTED FOR J. CALLOW, MEDICAL BOOKSELLER, 
CROWN COURT, PRINCES STREET, SOHO. 
J. Smith, Queen Street, Seven Dials. 
1811. To W. R. CRAUFURD, M.D. 
PHYSICIAN AT CLIFTON. 
My dear Sir, - 
Permit me to inscribe to you 
the present Work on a subject with which you 
are so conversant, and which formed so much 
the object of your study during your late resi- 
dence at Madeira. In doing this, lam sen- 
sible I am only paying that due respect to your 
character, as an able and scientific Physician, 
which the public have long acknowledged ; but 
I should reckon this motive insufficient, were 
not others of a private nature connected with 
it, equally creditable to your feelings as a Man. 
It is my wish to seize the present occasion, to 
express the sentiments of gratitude, by which 
I feel actuated for your unbounded and disin- 
terested kindness to my family, and I trust it 
will remain a lasting testimony of affectionate 
friendship on my part, from 
Your faithful and obliged 
humble servant. 
WILLIAM GOURLAY. 
Madeira, 
September 23d, 1808 This work being printed in England, is 
necessarily deprived of such last corrections 
as it might have received from the pen of the 
author;—a circumstance which will also suf- 
ficiently apologize for such errors, as, under 
a dubious reference to the MS. may, without 
the imputation of negligence, have escaped the 
attention of the person to whom the superin- 
tendance of the publication was entrusted, PREFACE. 
No particular History of the Climate and 
Diseases of Madeira has yet appeared in En- 
glish, which is the more surprizing, from it 
having been so long the resort of the British, 
both from the intercourse produced by trade, 
and also as the dernier resource of the consump- 
tive invalid, to escape the rigorous winter of his 
own climate. But the late changes in the politi- 
cal hemisphere, have given the British govern- 
ment a new interest in this island. A British 
garrison has been appointed for its defence, 
and the southern parts of Europe, being inac- 
cessible to patients on the score of health, this 
■spot has on both accounts a claim to particular 
attention. Every thing therefore relating to it 
at the present period becomes highly important, 
and I feel it peculiarly my duty to convey such 
information as I have acquired, during a resi- 
dence there of no less than twenty-five years, 
accompanied with all the advantages of an ex- 
tensive medical practice. Such information will. VI 
PREFACE. 
I hope, prove useful, as it is grounded on long and 
attentive investigation of the subjects on which 
it is delivered. In regard to my Observations 
on the Climate, they have not only been made 
with particular care, but they are also illustrated 
by a Meteorological Register, accurately kept 
during a period of ten years. The Diseases of the 
Island I have arranged into two divisions, of 
Endeipic, and Epidemic. To the former head 
belong Elephantiasis, the Cutaneous Affections 
of Itch, Oucas, Alfoi a, Sudamina, and Essera; 
Catarrh, Pneumonia, Phthisis, Obstructions of 
the Viscera, &c. &c, The latter includes Scarla- 
tina, Dysentery, Small-Pox, Measles, Pertus- 
sis, &c. Of these diseases. Elephantiasis, 
Phthisis, Scarlatina, Dysentery, and Measles, 
have more than the others claimed my sedulous 
attention; and when treating of Phthisis, I have 
directed my remarks chiefly to that species of 
it, which appears in those patients who arrive 
from Britain to enjoy the benelit of the climate 
of Madeira. 
To the work is subjoined a small Appendix, 
containing an Account of the Mineral Waters 
of St. Miguel. CONTENTS. 
PART I. 
NATURAL HISTORY OF THE ISLAND. 
Chap. I. On the Discovery, Situation, and Face 
Chap. 11. On its Soil 6 
of the Island I 
Chap. 111. On its Vegetable Productions 10 
Chap. IV. On its Animal Ditto 24; 
Chap. V. On the Constitution, Customs, and 
Manners of the Inhabitants 26 
PART 11. Climate. 
Chap. I. General Account of the Climate and 
Weather 31 
Chap. 11. Meteorological Register of its Varia- 
- lions 39 
PART 111. Diseases. 
DIVISION I, ENDEMIC. 
Affections of Skin. 
Elephantiasis 68 
Psora - 82 
Ouqao ............................ 83 CONTENTS. 
A/for a - 85 
Herpes 86 
Sudamina . 87 
Essera ib. 
Erysipelas - 88 
Complaints op Chest. 
Catarrh 88 
Pneumonia - 89 
Phthisis Pulmonalis. - 90 
Anomalous Diseases. 
Arthritic Affections 104: 
Colic 105 
Dropsy ..... ib. 
Hemorrhoids...... -. 106 
DIVISION 11. EPIDEMIC. 
Fevers 10S 
Scarlatina 109 
Cynanche Parotidcea 132 
Dysentery .. 133 
Small-Pox 137 
Measles ...138 
Remarks on Lues Venerea ib. 
Pertussis 140 
Ditto on Diseases of Women 141 
APPENDIX 
Account of the Mineral Waters of St. Miguel.. 143 ERRATA. 
LINE. 
2 11 for Toa, read Joa 
19 for Toa, read Joa 
5 16 for Terno, read Ferro 
7 In marginal note, for Loo beech, read Loo rock 
10 8 for Labo, read Cabo 
10 for Venta, read Ponta 
13 2 In the marginal note, for Toa Affrico Conrea, 
who died at Comera de Labos, read Joa de 
Betencourt, who died at Camera de Lobas 
6 for arevo, read arobe 
11 for Cathoa, read Calhao 
s 5 7 for Boalerdo, read Basterda 
8 for Neprinha, read Negrinha 
9 for Neprinha, read Negrinha 
for Lestrong, read Lestrang; 
13 for Dodo, read Dedo 
16 15 for Paiza, read Paixa 
IT 7 for he, read Pe 
15 for he, read Pe 
17 for he, read Pe 
20 2 for ascerbency, read ascerfaity 
28 for zayo, read fay a 
25 25 for tao fish, read Jew fish 
26 2 for abrato, read abroto 
13 for craco, read craca 
76 1 for Toaquina, read Joaquina 
102 In the prescription, for Confect. Catechu. 3(1, 
read Confect. Calech. 
103 16 for alkolescency, read alkalesccncy 
125 10 for Oyeiro, read Vyeiro 
127 12 for Ludoyiua, read Ludavina 
143 11 for Carcius, read Caverns PART I. 
NATURAL HISTORY OF MADEIRA. 
CHAP. I. 
Th E Island of Madeira, ever since its dis- 
covery, has formed a valuable possession of the 
Portuguese crown. The only authentic ac- 
counts of it, therefore, are to be found in the 
Portuguese writers. Cordeyro, the most accu- 
rate historian on this subject, gives the credit 
of its first discovery to the English, and in this 
he is confirmed by the unanimous testimony of 
cither authors. According to this writer, an 
English nobleman, of the name of Machim, 
having carried off a young lady, named Arfet, 
with intention to land in Prance, then at war 
with England, was driven from Bristol, whence 
he set sail in consequence of a tempest, which 
tost his vessel to and fro for a great many days 
to a point of land, from the summit of which 
Discovery of the Island. NATURAL HISTORY OF MADEIRA. 
was discovered a river emptying itself into the 
sea. This happened in the reign of Don John 
the First of Portugal, and Edward the Third 
of England, and the land thus discovered 
proved to be Madeira. Having disembarked 
with his crew for the purpose of refreshment, 
the return of the tempest compelled them to 
remain, and during the violence of it, on the 
third night after their landing, their vessel dis- 
appeared. The fatigues of the voyage proved 
fatal to the lady on the sixth day after reaching 
land, and this melancholy event so affected her 
lover, that he followed her in a few days after; 
having first, on the spot where she died, erected 
a monument to her memory. These circum- 
stances are thus pathetically described by the 
poet— 
u Himself scarce living; and upon her tomb, 
u Beneath the beauteous tree where they reclin’d, 
“ Plac’d the last tribute of his earthly love.” 
“ He laid her in the earth, 
His unhappy followers, thus left to them- 
selves, resolved to quit the island, and in a boat 
formed from the wreck of their vessel, or the 
trunk of a tree, according to other accounts, 
they once more committed themselves to the 
perils of the ocean. They happily, however. NATURAL HISTORY OF MADEIRA. 
3 
in a few days, reached the coast of Barbary, 
where they encountered a fresh hardship in 
being sent prisoners to Morocco. On their 
arrival in this capital they met the remainder of 
their companions, who had been separated from 
them by the storm, and reached the Barbary 
coast in the same manner. Thus situated, the 
memory of their past misfortunes occupied 
entirely their minds, and engaged their conver- 
sation, which excited the curiosity of a fellow- 
prisoner, a Spanish pilot, Toa de Amores. 
This person, during his imprisonment, made 
himself acquainted, from them, with the place 
of their departure, and the winds which blew 
during the course of their voyage, as well as 
the time it occupied. When set at liberty soon 
after, he was captured on his return to Spain 
by a Portuguese vessel, under the command of 
Toa Goncalves Zarco, off the coast of Algarve, 
and carried to Lisbon. On being captured, 
having communicated all the particulars of the 
new island to the captain, they both waited on 
the Infant Don Henry, a prince of an enter- 
prising and gallant spirit, and by him were 
referred to his father, Don John the First. 
A ship was immediately granted to Zarco, 
for the purpose of making good the discovery 
of this new island, with which he sailed from 4 
NATURAL HISTORY OF MADEIRA. 
Algarve upon the first of June, 1419. In a few 
days he reached the Island of Porto Santo, then 
governed by Bartholemeo Perestrello, and leav- 
ing it, in a few days more completed the object 
of his voyage, by discerning the new island, 
presenting the appearance of a perpetual black 
cloud. 
His first landing was at point St. Lawrence, 
which he named from his ship, and sailing 
southward he entered a spacious and beautiful 
bay, where he cast anchor. Here one of his 
followers. Uni Paes, was sent on shore to make 
observations on the situation and appearance of 
the island. He landed exactly on that spot the 
English had formerly occupied, it being the 
only place that permitted him to disembark, 
from the impenetrable trees which reached to 
the water’s edge, and logs of wood brought 
down by the river, heaped on the beach. The 
report of this observer, however, was favorable 
on the state of the country, which he found 
fertile, abounding with green fields and groves 
of trees. In his investigation, having at last, 
by marks of footsteps, traced the tombs of the 
lovers, Machim and Anna, he returned to the 
vessel with his discoveries. On this informa- 
tion, Zarco, accompanied by two priests, dis- 
embarked on the second of July, 1419, at the NATURAL HISTORY OF MADEIRA. 
5 
spot of the sepulchre, and there took possession 
of the island, having performed the ceremony 
of first returning- thanks to Heaven for the for- 
tunate discovery of it, which was followed by 
the celebration of mass in a small hut discovered 
to have been formed in the trunk of a tree. 
The service of the dead was then performed 
over the tombs of the lovers, and the business 
completed by founding a church dedicated to 
Christ. 
Situation and Face of the Country. 
Madeira is situated in 32 degrees,, 37 minutes, 
30 seconds, north latitude, and in 17 deg. 
5 min. longitude, west of Greenwich, about 80 
leagues N. by E. from Tenerilfe, 120 leagues 
from Cape Cantin, on the coast of Africa, 
nearly 100 leagues from the Isle of Ter no, and 
about 17 leagues S. W. from Porto Santo. It 
is about 120 miles in circumference, its greatest 
length from E. to W. being 45 miles, its 
greatest breadth from S. to N. 15 miles, and 
its least breadth 8- miles. 
It is formed of lofty mountains, of hills, and 
fruitful vallies, and in figure makes an oblong 
irregular quadrangle. Its capital is Funchal, 
which is situated on the south side of the island. 6 
NATURAL HISTORY OF MADEIRA. 
at the bottom of a spacious valley., open to the 
sea,, and surrounded by lofty mountains, having 
all the appearance of an amphitheatre gradually 
ascending to a great height. Its mountains 
and hills generally rise with a slow ascent, the 
highest points of land being about 8250 feet, 
or one mile and a half, above the level of the 
sea. The situation of Madeira, in some places, 
presents a most picturesque and enchanting 
appearance, while in others, huge perpendi- 
cular rocks, lofty precipices, prominent ridges, 
deep excavations and chasms, innumerable cas- 
cades, liberally supplied with rivulets, beautiful 
vallies, deep gullies and ravines, containing 
immense torrents of water, afford a highly 
varied, sublime, and no less alarming picture 
of nature. 
OHAP. 11. 
Soil of Madeira. 
There can be no doubt that this, like most 
islands, has sustained, at different periods, seve- 
ral violent concussions and derangements, from 
the action of subterraneous fires and volcanic 
eruptions. In innumerable places of the island, 
there are the most convincing proofs of this NATURAL HISTORY OF MADEIRA. 
7 
fact. There exist evident marks of two craters, 
and in all parts of the island the stone has 
compleatly the appearance of lava: strata of 
pumice, and scoria perfectly vitrified every 
where abound. * 
The soil of Madeira was for many years, I 
apprehend, after its discovery extremely fertile, 
and yielded in great luxuriance every produc- 
tion of nature, especially towards the coast 
where the lands are flat; but it must have mate- 
rially changed since that period, having been 
under cultivation for now nearly four hundred 
years. In this time it has furnished a constant 
succession of crops, with the assistance of little 
or no manure. Besides it is presumable, from 
the extreme steepness of some of the lands, 
that the greatest part of the soil proper for 
vegetation, has been carried off by the occa- 
sional torrents of rain in the winter months; 
for many situations, which formerly produced 
some of the finest wines in the island, now 
present nothing but bare rocks, or, perhaps, 
small hillocks of earth. 
The most common soil is pumice stone, of 
the consistence of soft rock, mixed with a pro- 
* This scoriated appearance, and other marks of the 
action of fire, are very evident at the landing place, which 
is opposite to the Loo beech. 8 
NATURAL HISTORY OF MADEIRA, 
portion of day,, sand, and marie, * and also 
a dark red earth, consisting' of the three latter 
ingredients, only without the pumice. Several 
of the smaller hills, consist of a black or g'rey 
sand, a great proportion of which is lava or 
scoriated matter. These varieties of soil are all 
proper for the vine; but, being very poor, they 
require the frequent assistance of manure; for 
otherwise the plants soon decay, or produce 
very scanty crops. It is however a curious fact, 
that the lands which produce the best wine, are 
in general rather poor; thence a great deal 
must also depend on local situation, f In some 
places near the river, a black mould, of a 
shingly nature, is met with, while in the small 
flats, at the bottom of declivities, and near the 
shore, there is found a stiff clay. In some of 
the higher lands there is a kind of marie, inter- 
mixed with layers of stone, which is very 
pulverisable, and is soon decomposed. When 
this last soil is properly manured, it answers 
* Pumice stone, in its natural state, being easily worked 
upon, the natives frequently make fences of it for their 
vineyards. 
t Two of the principal circumstances necessary to vege- 
tation, are known to be a certain degree of moisture and a 
proper temperature. Whenever these are properly applied 
to the vine, it is certainly always productive of good wine. NATURAL HISTORY OF MADEIRA. 
9 
well for a variety of vegetables, especially the 
potatoe. The mountainous parts of the coun- 
try, and what the natives call serras, are poor 
meagre lands, from which the natives have a 
scanty crop of rye, once only in six or seven 
years, when the soil has been previously ma- 
nured by the ashes of the broom, which has 
been suffered to grow upon it, in order to be 
burnt for this purpose. In some places, also, 
they grow potatoes, by means of the dung they 
procure from the cattle they feed. There can 
be no doubt, however, that these lands, though 
naturally of a poor quality, might be rendered 
more productive, if a proper mode of cultiva- 
tion was introduced; and by the same improve- 
ment also, it would be possible to rear a greater 
number of cattle. 
The rocks of this island consist, in general, 
of a blue stone, called by the natives pedra viva, 
something like our whin stone; but, in reality, 
lava—there are several varieties of this stone. 
It is often found having the appearance of 
basaltes; and, at other times, as at Mexico, a 
village ten miles from Funchal, in the form of 
glass embedded in loose earth. Of the free 
stone, there are here two kinds in common use, 
the one of a hard, the other of a soft nature; 
of the first there are two species, of which that 10 
NATURAL HISTORY OF MADEIRA. 
species only which is got in Estreito parish, is 
used in Funchal, the other being, from the coarse- 
ness of its grain, too hard to work, and incapa- 
ble of receiving a good polish. Of the second 
there are also two species, generally distinguished 
from each other by their colour; in the one it is 
red, in the other grey. They are both used in 
Funchal, and procured from Labo Qeram, a 
fewr miles to the westward. There is also ano- 
ther kind of this stone at Ventade Parga, about 
twenty-eight miles to the west, which has 
much the appearance of grey marble, and though 
little used takes a very fine polish. In some parts 
of the island too there is a kind of lime stone, or 
gypsum, but at too great a distance to be used 
in Funchal, which has its supply from Porto 
Santo. 
CHAP. 111. 
Vpgetable Productions. 
From this general view of the soil of Ma- 
deira, it will readily be conceived, that if pro- 
perly cultivated, it might be rendered capable 
of yielding the productions of every quarter 
pf the world, from the advantage of its tempe- 
rate climate and mild atmosphere. It is know n 
that not only tropical, but also European, and NATURAL HISTORY OF MADEIRA. 
even more northern fruits,, grow here to perfec- 
tion. The island affords a great variety of indi- 
genous plants. When first discovered it was lite- 
rally an entire wilderness; groves of trees., chief- 
ly cedar, and some of them of a very great size, 
reaching to the sea shore. But the cedar, then 
in such plenty, is now seldom to be found, ex- 
cept in the interior parts of the country, which 
are of difficult access. The tree which thrives 
best, and is most generally cultivated in the upper 
lands, is the pine tree. It arrives at a consider- 
able size, and is highly useful for most domestic 
purposes. Besides it is not nice in the soil re- 
quired for its growth, and answers on wastelands 
fit for nothing else. The chesnut tree is also 
one very common here, and grows with the same 
luxuriance and beauty as the others enumerated. 
Its fruit also is in great abundance, and in times 
of scarcity forms a useful substitute for the farri- 
naceous grains. The poplar tree is also one 
not less common than the others, and here pre- 
serves its verdure for a longer period than in 
Europe. I may also numerate the wild olive, 
the orange tree, the laurel, and many others disr 
tingnished either for their beauty or use. I can- 
not however omit the nasso wood or, lignum 
klodium, which furnishes the beautiful fine 
coloured boards that vie with mahogany for NATURAL HISTORY OF MADEIRA. 
domestic uses. The aloe plant is also a common 
production here, as well as the species of laurel, 
from which the camphor is produced. 
This island also boasts of being the first si- 
tuation in the western world where the Arundo 
Saccherifera, or sugar cane, was cultivated. 
The sugar of Madeira is uncommonly fine, and 
possesses a peculiar violet smell. At what pe- 
riod it came here from the east cannot be ac- 
curately determined, but it must have been soon 
after the discovery of the island. From Ma- 
deira it was transplanted to the Brazils, and in 
consequence of a severe blight which affected 
its cultivation in this island, it came to be discon- 
tinued, and to give place to that of the vine, as 
an article of easier management, and more pro- 
fitable growth. Hence it has been neglected 
ever since; though political reasons may have 
also had some share in its being so completely 
given up. 
The vine was introduced into Madeira from 
the Island of Cyprus, but at what period it is 
difficult to learn. Chaptal, whose authority claims 
the first respectability for philosophical research, 
relates, En 1420 plusieurs Souverains de le 
Europ voulouret obtenir de vins de liquer 
de vignes, qui croisent dans les territoires de 
leur domination les Portugais avoient introduifc NATURAL HISTORY OF MADEIRA. 
13 
dans I’lle de Medere, de plants de celle de cy- 
pre dont levin passoit alors pour le premiers 
de I’univers et cet essait reussit.” It is some- 
what to be doubted however that it was intro- 
duced at so early a period. If it had been so, 
it would have been cultivated in a very small 
quantity, as the island was only discovered the 
year before, and then abounded with such a 
quantity of wood, even down to the sea shore, 
as shewed it to be quite in an uncultivated state. 
Some time must have elapsed before much land 
could be cleared or prepared for, any purpose, 
and it is most natural to suppose that the land so 
cleared would in the first instance be appropri- 
ated to the necessaries, rather than the luxuries 
of life.* 
* It is however to be observed, that in one of the Register 
Books of Wills that oneToa Affrico Conrea, who died at 
Comera de Labos, in the year 1491, left behind him memo- 
randums of some debts which were due to him for sugar he 
had sold to different persons at the current price of 300, or 
1.—6. sterling per Arevo. These debts it was his desire 
should be employed in purchasing a sheep, a quantity of 
wine, and a sack of wheat, to be given as an offering on oc- 
casion of the first mass being said at an altar he had 
ordered to be erected in the Church of Nossa Senhora de 
Cathoa, and also it is said he left some lands, cultivated with 
the sugar cane and vine, for similar purposes. Hence it i» 
evident that the vine plant, if not introduced exactly at the 14 
NATURAL HISTORY OF MADEIRA. 
In Madeira the vine is generally propagated 
from cuttings, as the preferable mode of culture, 
father than from the seed. In former times it 
was planted with the plough, to a depth pretty 
much the same as that which the vine is now 
planted in France, being a depth of 12 or 18 
inches. But at this first period the soil must 
have been much richer, and the nature of it, as 
much as the circumstance of climate, determines 
the depth to which the vine should be planted, 
as regulating its fitness for vegetation. It is 
probable also, that the rains at that period must 
have been more regular, from the island then 
abounding more with wood. The case how- 
ever now is very different, from the poverty of 
the soil, and the frequent droughts. Hence it 
is found necessary to plant the vine to the depth 
of from 3 to 6 feet. It being protected from 
the hard ground at the bottom of the trench, 
by a quantity of loose earth placed underneath. 
Although the vine grows in any soil when 
attention is paid to the depth of planting it ac- 
cording to the nature of the land, yet it seems 
to delight in one kind of soil more than another. 
Thus a free light sandy or gravelly soil, is 
preferable for it to any other, by allowing its 
date of Chaptal’s account, might have been so at least n©t 
tone after the discovery of the Island* 15 
NATURAL HISTORY OF MADEIRA. 
roots to spread wider, and to draw nourishment 
.with ease from the extensive surface. While a 
stiff claey soil, by opposing its growth., is un- 
favourable in the same degree. A very great 
variety of grapes are produced in Madeira, 
such as the Negro Mole—-Verdelha—Bual 
Barterdo Preta—Boalerdo Branca—Babosa 
Tarantey—Neprinha—Marotta—Casuda Ne- 
prinha de Agoa de Mel—Lestrong Galija-# 
Castelhaw—Bringo—Malvazia—Malvazia Ro- 
cho—Malvaziam—Sercial—SercialGro9a--Uva 
de Lisboa—Alicant—Preto—Alicante Branca 
—Perral—Muscatel—Dodo de Dama, &c. &c. 
&c. But if this great number of kinds was 
reduced to the Negro Mole, the Verdelha, and 
the Bual, the wines would certainly be of much 
better quality. 
The vintage in Madeira begins early in Sep- 
tember—the process of making wine is extreme- 
ly simple. The grapes immediately when cut 
are put into the press, which is a machine of 
great simplicity in its construction, and not un- 
like the instrument used in England in the 
making of cyder. It consists of the Paixa, or 
reservoir, with the Fuzo, or spindle, and the 
Vara, or lever. The paixa is of a square or 
oblong square figure, made of the plank of 
chesnut tree, about two feet thick, and sup- 16 
NATURAL HISTORY OF MADEIRA, 
ported on three large beams. The vara, or 
lever, goes across the reservoir, which extending 
nine or ten feet beyond the paixa, is connected 
at its furthest extremity, where there is a female 
screw, with the fuzo, or spindle. The upper 
end of the fuzo is a male screw, while its lever 
end is fastened by means of an iron spindle to a 
large stone, the size of which is proportionate 
to that of the press. When the grapes intended 
to be prest are all cut and placed in the reser - 
voir, three, four, or more labourers enter that 
part of the machine, and with their feet tread 
the grapes so long as any juice can be expressed 
from them. The juice is allowed to run into a 
vessel under this paiza, through a hole at its 
middle, or at one corner, over which is gene- 
rally placed a small basket by way of a sieve, in 
order to prevent any of the husks, seeds, or stalks 
from escaping. After this first pressure, or tread- 
ing, the mashed grapes are collected into one 
heap, which being surrounded by a cord in close 
circles, and having boards and pieces of wood 
laid about it, is then placed under the lever, 
which is forthwith sunk upon it, and allowed to 
remain in this situation till the liquor ceases to 
flow. It is then raised, the boards and cords 
are taken off, and the mass being broken in 
pieces by tools something like hoes, is made to NATURAL HISTORY OF MADEIRA. 
17 
undergo a second treading or pressure, and 
again also subjected to the operation of the 
lever. This process is even repeated to a third 
time, with the view of obtaining a further quan- 
tity of wine from the grape; and lastly, a fourth 
time, for the purpose of procuring' the Aqua 
he. In this fourth or last time however the mass 
when broken up is as dry as a piece of chip, and 
therefore previous to treading it, it is neces- 
sary to add to it a quantity of water in the 
proportion of two barrels to every pipe that has 
been obtained of juice. Thus if twelve barrels 
of Avine or juice have been obtained, two of 
water are added. The mass for procuring Aqua 
he is generally put under the pressure in the 
evening, and allowed to remain in this situ- 
ation till next morning, when the Aqua he is 
drawn off, and put into casks for immediate use. 
The manner of making the Tinta wine from 
the black grape, called Negro Mole and Verdelha 
is somewhat different, for the grapes only un- 
dergo one pressure by the lever, and are after- 
wards drained through a common sieve, which 
allows the husks and seeds also to pass, the 
stalks only remaining behind. The whole is 
put into a vat, open at top, and stirred three or 
four times a day for about a fortnight, and when 
the fermentation is finished, it is racked off into 18 
NATURAL HISTORY OF MADEIRA. 
casks. The treatment of the must, or unfer- 
mented wine,, is also simple. It is taken out 
of the receiving cask the same day it is prest, 
and put into others in order to undergo fermen- 
tation. In fine weather the fermentation begins 
almost immediately, which appears by the 
liquor rising and evolving a considerable quan- 
tity of fixed air, or carbonic acid gas: but 
in damp or cold weather, this process is some- 
what more tardy. Wherever the grapes when 
cut have attained a proper degree of maturity, 
the fermentation is rapid, and the wine turns 
out good. The ebullition generally ceases in 
about a month or six weeks, or perhaps sooner; 
but, still a certain degree of fermentation con- 
tinues to go on, especially in the case of rich 
full wines. 
In order to clarify Madeira wine, there is 
generally mixed with it a kind of gypsum ala- 
baster, called geco, brought chiefly from Spain. 
The mixture is stirred twice a day till it begins 
to have a vinous smell, and the carbonic acid 
gas is evaporated. This clarification is in 
Madeira the last part of the process in the 
manufacture of wine, nothing further being 
considered requisite, than to rack it off from the 
lees, which is generally done about the begin- 
ning of the year. The wines from the north. NATURAL HISTORY OF MADEIRA. 
19 
side of the island, and those from some of the 
upper lands in the Serra, are allowed to ferment 
in the casks, without any assistance or addition 
whatever. Prom the variety of grapes found in 
Madeira, it might be concluded, that there 
would be a corresponding variety of wines, 
and indeed from each of the particular species 
of grapes detailed, a particular kind of wine 
may be obtained; hut the different grapes are 
generally all mixed together in making Madeira 
wine, except the Malmsey and Sarceal grapes; 
the former giving a wine which is reckoned 
superior to any sweet wine; and the latter 
another, superior to any dry wine, much 
esteemed on account of its scarcity and high 
flavour. Tinto grape also, gives a wine much 
the flavour of Burgundy, but it is commonly 
mixed with the other wines. 
There is made annually, upon an average, 
from 25 to 30,000 pipes of wine in Madeira; 
one half of which is exported, and the other 
half, and sometimes more, is consumed in the 
island. This wine is reckoned superior to any 
of the southern wanes, and certainly contains 
a greater proportion of saccharine matter, of 
alcohol, and of aroma, than any of them; the 
aroma however is not properly evolved, nor 
indeed does the wine acquire its peculiar degree 20 
NATURAL BISTORT OF MADEIRA. 
of activity, till it has lost somewhat of its 
austerity and ascerbency, by the regular appli- 
cation, for a length of time, of a certain degree 
of heat, or of heat and motion, which is found 
best obtained by allowing it to acquire a certain 
age in Madeira, or transporting it to a warmer 
climate, and there depositing it for a longer or 
shorter period. Hence has arisen the practice 
of giving such wines as are intended for British 
consumption, a voyage to the West Indies, or 
round the East Indies, China, and the Brazils, 
and occasionally allowing them to remain in 
one or other of those climates, for a few 
years before they are sent to England. The 
merchant generally ships such wines, when he 
has it in his power, on board large vessels 
nearly full of cargo, and if placed at the bot- 
tom of the hold the wine is found to improve 
most. Indeed it must be admitted, that the. 
most improved Madeira wines are those that 
have undergone such voyages. 
Besides the trees already mentioned, which 
grow on the higher lands of the island, the 
mountains are also covered with several varieties 
of brush wood. The principal of these is the 
heath, which reaches here to a great size; as 
also the broom, and a kind of beech, called 
zayo; a species of bilberry, vaccinium. liv NATURAL HISTORY OF MADEIRA. 
the midst of these the strawberry is found* 
growing wild and in great abundance* yielding 
its fruit from March to July; the myrtle like- 
wise is found in great plenty. 
Several varieties of pot-herbs growr here with 
the greatest ease* such as succory* fennel* 
water cresses* samphire and beet. Of the 
plants too styled medicinal there is a great 
variety; as the common wormwood* maiden 
hair* agrimony* winter cherry* lavender* the 
different species of mint* rosemary* wild lily* 
and daffodil. The fences chiefly consist of 
brambles* prickly pear* wild rose* honeysuckle* 
and some other thorny bushes* which render 
them almost impenetrable. 
It would be foreign to my plan to enumerate 
more particularly the plants which grow here 
spontaneously. I must not* however* pass over 
in silence the majestic palm tree* which grows 
to a great height* flowers and bears fruit in 
great abundance* though it never comes to per- 
fection* nor do the seeds* when planted* vege- 
tate ; all which proves that the plant in Madeira 
is a female* and that there is no male one in the 
island by which it might be fecundated. The 
brandies of this tree* when blanched* are used 
as ornaments in the religious processions on 
Palm Sunday. NATURAL HISTORY OF MADEIRA. 
Of the vegetables produced by culture, there 
are also in Madeira several varieties; and by a 
little more attention, the table might be supplied 
with abundance for the whole year round. 
Under this head are the several varieties of 
pulses, herbs and roots. The roots, in parti- 
cular, are much used by the inhabitants in diet, 
such as the yam, potatoe, sweet potatoe, turnip, 
onion, &c. &c. The yam grows generally in 
low situations, where there is a plentiful supply 
of water, and is very easily cultivated. The 
potatoe has proved of late years, an useful pro- 
duction, and could still be cultivated to much 
greater advantage: indeed the island might, 
during the whole year, be plentifully supplied 
with this article, the nature of the soil in those 
situations, where nothing else could be planted 
with advantage, being most favorable to its 
growth. The sweet potatoe is now very gene- 
rally propagated, is of easy growth, and like 
the common potatoe forms a cheap and nutri- 
tions article of diet. Here the onion grows to 
the greatest degree of perfection, and to an 
uncommon size, being extolled for its mildness, 
and wanting that acrimony which distinguishes 
the onion of northern climates: so abundant is 
its growth in this island, as to have been made 
an object of exportation. NATURAL HISTORY OP MADEIRA. 
23 
It has been formerly observed, that northern 
and tropical fruits grow here in great plenty, 
and might be brought to the greatest perfection, 
if a little more attention was paid to their cul- 
ture : most of the fruit trees grow here sponta- 
neously, but are, unfortunately, often subject 
to the blight, which entirely destroys their 
produce. 
Of the stone fruits, there are the cherries, 
plumbs, peach, nectarine and apricot. 
Of the apple tribe, the common apple, pear, 
medlar, quince, pine apple, orange, lemon, 
lime, bergamot, pomegranate, guava and ba- 
nana. 
Of the small seeded fruits, the strawberry, 
red and white currant, gooseberry, bilberry, 
mulberry and grapes, are the principal ones. 
Of the farinaceous fruits, the cucumber, 
melon and porapion, are the chief: the last is 
much used as an article of diet. NATURAL HISTORY OF MADEIRA. 
CHAP. IV. 
Animals. 
Madeira is known to afford a plentiful supply 
of cattle, at all seasons of the year, and were 
proper precautions taken by the inhabitants, to 
procure a sufficient supply of dry provender, for 
seasons when the grass is scarce, no want would 
be felt at any time on this head. The beef 
here is of good quality, and during the summer 
months, when provender is abundant, not much 
inferior to English beef: but in winter, when 
the grass is poor, and no dry fodder to assist in 
feeding the cattle, the meat becomes uncom- 
monly lean, and also very scarce; especially 
when there has been a want of rain, and the 
proprietor of cattle is unable to bear the expence 
of feeding them. Mutton is not so much cul- 
tivated here as it ought, and consequently not 
So fine and well-flavoured as in England. The 
flesh of the kid, or young goat, is here prefer- 
able to lamb, and generally used in its place; 
nor is the pork equal to that of America or 
Britain, though in this climate, all the quadru- 
peds of Europe might be reared to advantage. NATURAL HISTORY OF MADEIRA. 
25 
and brought to equal perfection as in the more 
northern regions. 
Fowls are here in abundance,, and easily 
reared, from the quantity of vegetables and 
fruit with which the country abounds. Of 
small birds this island possesses a great variety, 
of which may be particularly enumerated, chaf- 
finches and canaries. The canary is gene- 
rally here of a grey colour, but now and then 
is yellow, being of a mixed breed, perhaps 
owing to tame white ones having from time to 
time made their escape from the cage. The 
sw allow is also here in great abundance, at cer- 
tain seasons; and a grey bird, with a black 
head, which the natives call Unto negro, and is 
greatly admired for the beauty and melody of 
its note. Rock and wood pigeons are also here 
numerous; the latter is of a much larger size 
than in other countries, and much esteemed for 
its delicacy as food. 
Fish, the next class of animals to be noticed, 
is in this part of the world in great variety, 
and in favorable seasons the market is plen- 
tifully supplied with them. Of the large kind, 
the most esteemed are the tao fish, caught in 
deep water by the line, which is sometimes of 
a great size; the grey and sur mullet, which 
are taken by the net; the solmoneto de alto, a 26 
NATURAL HISTORY OF MADEIRA. 
very scarce and delicate fish; the dore, pargo, 
and abrato, or nape; the piscado, or pike, an- 
chovy, and tunny. Of small fish, there is the 
same variety caught at all seasons, in the bays 
or harbours. Some however come more fre- 
quently in shoals, as the mackerel, pilchard, and 
mullet, at stated periods of the year. Of the 
fresh-water fish, there is only the eel; the rivers 
are here too rapid in their course to admit of 
any other. Of the shell-fish, the lobster, crab, 
shrimp, perriwinkle, and lampern, abound 
here; as also that delicate fish, called by the 
natives craco, and the hawksbill turtle, are in 
plenty at certain seasons. The hawksbill tur- 
tle, when of proper size, and kept for some 
time previous to use in fresh water, is certainly, 
if properly drest, not much inferior to the 
green species. 
CHAP V. 
View of the Inhabitants of Madeira. 
After the observations on the natural history 
of the island, it may not be foreign to the 
subject, as an introduction to the remarks on 
its diseases, (to be afterwards offered), to take a NATURAL HISTORY OF MADEIRA. 
brief view of the temperament of body and 
mind peculiar to the natives, with their customs 
and manners. 
The natives of Madeira, particularly the 
peasantry, are distinguished by an olive or 
tawny colour of skin, and a swarthy complexion ; 
nor is it improbable that they are of a Mulatto 
or Moorish origin. Indeed only a few of the 
first families, at all resemble in complexion 
the fair inhabitants of northern Europe, and 
these are unequivocally of Portuguese extrac- 
tion. The people of Madeira are, in general, 
athletic, well made, active, and of a middle 
stature. Those of the lower class, or the 
country people, are sober, inoffensive, 
mical, and capable of enduring much hard 
labour; in the prosecution of which they are 
often reduced to great emaciation of body, and 
debility of constitution, and thus a premature 
old age is brought on. The higher classes, on 
the contrary, are inclined to corpulence, and 
at the same time more disposed to indolence, 
attended with a moroseness of temper, and dis- 
position to melancholy: though sober in respect 
to drinking, they are apt too often to indulge 
in eating to excess; from this circumstance, 
joined to the sedentary life they lead, they 
become subject to a variety of chronic disorders. 28 
NATURAL HISTORY OF MADEIRA. 
and also early arrive at a premature old age; 
nor is it to be concealed that of late years,, the 
use of spirituous liquors has become common 
here among all ranks, which has opened a new 
held for the production of a long train of 
maladies. 
Women here suffer more in their health than 
the other sex, for premature old age is the con- 
sequence of their early marriages and numer- 
ous offspring. They have often from six to 
twelve children in one family, and as they 
generally suckle, they often protract this task 
for two or three years, in order to prevent their 
having so numerous a progeny. Another source 
here of female disease, is the sedentary life 
women are forced to lead; for, except in the 
summer months, they seldom stir out, except 
to go to church, or in a moon-light night, and 
on both these occasions they are accompanied 
by attendants. Their rigid abstemiousness also 
from animal food, as a religious duty, on fast 
days and during Lent, must prove very perni- 
cious to their health: nor is the adoption of the 
monastic life by females less to be censured; a 
practice here too common among the younger 
branches of the first families, and once adopted, 
or the veil taken, they never after are allowed 
to go without the walls of the convent, which NATURAL HISTORY OF MADEIRA. 
being a poor institution,, and its regulations se- 
its wretched inhabitants suffer all the 
inconveniencies that generally attend want and 
poverty, added to the rigorous and dull mono- 
tonous course of religious exercise,, they are 
unremittingly condemned to perform,, f<r shut 
up as they thus are from the common air, and 
the common use of their limbs.” 
The temper of the Portuguese is impetuous 
and irascible; the slightest injury too often trans- 
ports them to such a pitch of anger, as occa- 
sions in them serious if not fatal disorders. 
The practice of stabbing however, the stigma 
of the Portuguese nation, from time immemo- 
rial, is by no means common in Madeira, and 
when resorted to, which is very seldom, it rs 
only by the lower classes, and seldom are they 
known to do any injury to strangers. * No 
nation is possest of more elegant manners, 
with a greater degree of courteousness, con- 
descension, and contentment, than the Portu- 
guese, although placed under an abitrary govern- 
* Since the arrival of the British troops, several instances 
of stabbing have been committed by the natives on the 
soldiers, one of which proved immediately fatal; it is to 
be lamented that the murderer has suffered no punishment 
as yet but imprisonment, as he cannot be tried for a capital 
punishment but at the court of Portugal. NATURAL HISTORY OF MADEIRA. 
and subject to great oppression; to 
strangers particularly; their kindness and gene- 
rosity overflow. The continuance of the prac- 
tice of stabbing; may be ascribed; in a great 
measure; to the penal laws not being enforced 
as they ought; for death is here very seldom 
inflicted; even for murder. Interposition is 
made by some person; in favour of the criminal, 
by a form termed empenho; and when this 
empenho, or friendly interposition; is made by 
a lady, though the crime is of the blackest dye, 
it is considered a virtue, and even a point of 
honour, out of respect to the application, to 
protect him. This is carrying the remains of the 
system of chivalry to an extravagant height. PART 11. 
CLIMATE OF MADEIRA. 
Having detailed in the preceding part of 
this work, in a concise manner, the situation, 
natural history, and productions of Madeira, 
I proceed to consider what is deemed its chief 
excellence—the state of its climate, and the 
general course of weather prevalent at different 
seasons. This information is highly necessary 
for invalids, and will enable them to regulate 
their proceedings, in respect to their voyage to 
this quarter, when meant solely on the score of 
health. 
CHAP. I 
Climate and Weather 
The salubrity of the climate in this island, so 
highly extolled, is greatly attributed to the uni- 
J formity of its temperature. A regular succes- 32 
CLIMATE OF MADEIRA. 
sion of land and sea breezes, cool and purify 
its atmosphere during- the whole year, and 
especially during the hottest months. Hence 
a drop of dew seldom falls, except in the 
higher parts of land, and any deleterious effluvia, 
which may arise from the surface of the earth, 
or from other sources, are dissipated as soon as 
they are produced. 
During the summer months the thermometer 
ranges from 68 to 76, in the course of the day, 
its medium heat in the shade being from 73 to 
75. In winter it ranges from 57 to 65, its 
medium in the shade being from 60 to 64, and 
during this colder season it only drops below 57, 
when the northerly winds prevail on the heights 
with falls of snow. It seldom also rises above 
65, except when there are easterly winds. 
Daring the summer it sometimes rises to 80 and 
upwards, and during the prevalence of hot winds 
it stands even so high as 85.—Indeed during 
the Sirocco winds, it has risen at times to 130 
and upwards, when the heat was sufficient in a 
few seconds to melt wax. The hottest time of 
the day, during the whole year, is between the 
hours of one and three, P. M. and the coolest 
period, a few hours after midnight. During 
the day the whole range of the thermometer 
will seldom at any season exceed two, or at most CLIMATE OF MADEIRA. 
33 
four degrees, and frequently for several days 
together the same degree of heat is indicated. 
The meteorological observations from which 
these deductions on the subject of temperature 
are drawn, were made in the town of Funchal; 
but, in this, as in all other lowT situations, afc 
all seasons of the year, the temperature is 10, 
12, or more degrees greater than it is found to 
be in the higher parts of the island. Indeed 
every mile of ascent from Funchal, to the sum- 
mit of the mountains immediately above it, 
shews the thermometer to fall four degrees. 
These situations, on account of the gradual rise, 
are at least three or four miles distant from each 
other. 
Where such uniformity of temperature exists, 
combined with purity of atmosphere, and 
where such a pleasing variety marks the climate, 
one would conceive that the inconveniencies of 
seasons would be unknown; and that neither 
the excessive heats of summer would molest, 
nor the colds of winter pinch the frame ; but it 
is found that this pleasing picture is not entirely 
realised, and though it may be truly said, that in 
general, spring and autumn compose the whole 
year; yet it is not to be concealed, that during 
the months of July, August, and September, 
which are the hottest months, the heat becomes Climate of Madeira. 
excessive and intolerable,, and that on one or 
two occasions, the winter has been distin- 
guished by a severe storm. Still,, however, the 
winter may be said to be known only perhaps by 
a gale of wind, which may drive the vessels 
in the roads from their anchorage, or by a tor- 
rent of rain, which produces a rapid flow of 
the rivers down the ravines.—ln 1803 such a 
storm was experienced here, that for the 
destruction it occasioned deserves particular 
notice. 
Betwixt the 30th of September and Bth of 
October, there prevailed constant rains without 
intermission. On the 9th of October, after a still 
hazy morning, during which the thermometer 
stood about 75, at half past ten A. M. the rain 
again commenced, and continued to increase 
without intermission during the day. At sun-set 
it began to fall in immense torrents, accompanied 
by flashes of lightning, uncommonly vivid, and 
by dreadful peals of thunder; a violent storm 
of wind also prevailed, and such a swelling of 
the rivers took place, that seemed to bear down 
every thing before them; for shortly they rose to 
such a height as to overflow their banks, when 
they impetuously swept away whole vineyards and 
other plantations, cattle, wine, stores, and the 
huts of the inhabitants, who, with their whole CLIMATE OF MADEIRA 
35 
families perished. Stones of immense size, 
as well as the largest trees torn up by the roots, 
were carried down by them, from the mountains 
to the sea. The remains of this dreadful flood 
are still to be seen along many of the ravines, 
in large patches of wood-lands and cultivated 
fields, which had been swept down there by 
the inundation; while their original situation 
presents only bare rocks, and the neighbourhood 
around these rocks exhibits no marks of destruc- 
tion whatever. At St. Antonio da Serra there is 
said to be a crater about three-fourths of a mile in 
circumference, surrounded by lofty mountains, 
covered by brush wood. In the superfices of 
this crater, there is now to be seen a large 
segment of its larger circumference, with 
brush wood growing upon it. This segment had 
been borne down into the bottom of the crater on 
this occasion, the former site of this piece of trans- 
posed land exhibiting, as in most other such in- 
stances, only bare rock; while in the immediate 
neighbourhood, nothing more than the ordinary 
effects of rain are to be observed. But the 
greatest havock and devastation occasioned by 
the rivers, was in Funchal. Here, as in the 
twinkling of an eye, whole streets of houses, 
with their inhabitants, were swept into the sea, 
churches, bridges, and edifices of every descrip- 36 
CLIMATE OE MADEIRA 
tion, were involved in the same general wreck, 
leaving hardly a stone or other vestige behind 
them, to be discovered on the following morn- 
ing, when the storm abated. It is computed 
that no less than 300 souls perished on this 
occasion : such were the consequences of this 
storm; and the causes producing such a scene 
of destruction, were certainly adequate to the 
effect. The following nervous lines of Lucre- 
tius well apply as delineating such a picture. 
Ac cum mollis aquas fertur natura repente. 
Flumine abundant!, quod largis imbribus auget, 
Montibus ex aids magnus decursus aquai: 
Fragmina conjicicns sylvarum, arbustaque tota; 
Nec valid! possunt pontes venientis aquai, 
Vim subitam tolerare; ita roagno turbidus imbri, 
Molibus incurrens validis cum viribus amnis 
Dat sonitu magno stragem; volvitque sub undis 
Grandia saxa, ruit qua quid quid obstat. 
Lucretii. lib 1. 97a 
But still one effect of the storm, the transposi- 
tion of large fragments and pieces of ground, 
is not accounted for, by the mere fall of rain, 
and swelling of the rivers. On this subject many 
absurd hypotheses have already been published, 
and the author finds therefore less difficulty in 
stating his opinion on this point: what he is CLIMATE OF MADEIRA. 
37 
Co state, however, must be considered as mere 
conjecture. This phenomenon, is, in his opinion, 
to be ascribed to the same cause, which produced 
the great increase of the rivers, and this cause, 
he apprehends, is to be looked for in the man- 
ner in which the water falls from the clouds upon 
the island. The general lowering appearance 
of the atmosphere, accompanying the pheno- 
mena in question, indicated an immense evapo- 
ration from the surfaces of the land and water, 
to have taken place in the heavens. This ap- 
pearance was no other than that of immense 
clouds of vapour, which, during the thunder 
storm, had descended considerably below the 
summits of the mountains. In this low situa- 
tion, and during the thunder storm, it is rea- 
sonable to conjecture that the clouds had 
become so concussed, charged, or otherwise 
alfected by the electric fluid, and had further 
acquired such an additional increase from ano- 
ther mass of water, suddenly formed from 
the accidental inflammation of the superincum- 
bent hydrogen gas, as to have become unable 
to continue longer suspended in air; but been 
precipitated, not in the form of rain, but of 
cloud cataracts, which cataracts were the cause 
both of the swell of the rivers, as well as the 
transposition of the lands. 38 
CLIMATE OF MADEIRA. 
In Madeira the coldest months of the year, 
are certainly January, February, and March; 
the winds then generally blow from N. NE. 
and in the mountainous parts of the island 
frequent heavy falls of snow are also apt to take 
place: this severe state of weather, during some 
seasons, continues occasionally to occur till the 
end of May. The other months are always 
attended by refreshing land and sea breezes, 
which at stated periods regularly set in, unless 
during the prevalence of the hot suffocating 
easterly wind, called sirocco; this wind visits 
the island for a few days at a time, twice or 
thrice every year, and at this time, the lower 
situations of the island are found the coolest 
and most bearable. The effects of this wind, 
on both animal and vegetable creation, are 
peculiar; in man it occasions diminished per- 
spiration, succeeded by languor and general 
restlessness; in immediate exposure to its in- 
fluence, the body is felt as if parched, and the 
air blows on the surface with a warmth like the 
blast from a furnace. In the same manner vege- 
tables become dry and parched by it, and an 
interruption is put to their farther growth. So 
powerful is its effect, that even household furni- 
ture cracks and becomes warped by it. CLIMATE OF MADEIRA. 
39 
CHAP. 11. 
vMeteorological Register of Weather. 
The preceding observations on the climate 
of Madeira, have been drawn up from an 
accurate account kept of the state of the 
weather, for a period of no less than sixteen 
years: this information thus derived from an 
unerring source, has been the result of much 
attention and labour, and kept for such a length 
of time, it cannot be subject to fallacy. The 
advantage of such registers has been pointed 
out by the writers on epidemics; and in a steady 
climate, such as that of Madeira, a physician, 
who is attentive to this subject, will be able to 
prognosticate the appearance and disappearance 
of disease, by this standard, and to regulate 
his precautions accordingly. The register is 
accompanied with some remarks on the state of 
vegetation, which it is proper to insert here, 
as corroborating the facts delivered in the former 
chapter. The vintage being the principal 
object in Madeira with the inhabitants, the 
remarks have been chiefly directed to mark the 
progress and changes upon it. METEOROLOGICAL REGISTER. 
State of the Thermometer, Barometer, Winds, and 
Weather, from January, 179,% to December, 1802, 
according to Observations made in the City of 
Funchal, Island of Madeira. 
THERMOMETER. 
BAROMETER. 
1793 Highest. Lowest. Medium. 
Deg. Deg. Deg. 
Jan. 66 55 61 
Highest. Lowest. Medium. 
Inches. Inches, Inches. 
30 3 29 i 30 
Wind.—N. and NE. to the 20th—after variable from NW. SE. and E. 
Weather.—Clear, cloudy, heavy showers and small rain. 
The heavy rains of this month have greatly relieved the 
country, and enabled the people to sow their grain. 
Feb. 66 55 59 
30 3 29 9i 30 | 
Wind.—N. and NE. alternately. 
Weather.—Fair, clear, shady, cloudy, small rains, blowing fresh. 
The spring very forward; orange trees coming luxuriantly 
out, and every other plant, though rather a want of rain. 
Mar. 66 51 58 
30 3 29 30 2 
Wind.—Most frequently NE. and N.—often NW.—sometimes E. 
Weather.—Fair, clear, light showers, at times heavy rain, cloudy. 
An uncommon quantity of snow lying on the mountains. 
The crops variously talked of. 
Jtir. 69 o5 59 
30 2 29 2 29 3A 
Wind.—Changeable from NE. to N. W. NW. 
Weather.—Clear and shady alternately; heavy rains and showers. 
This month, until latterly, has been accounted uncom- 
monly cold and bleak, which has kept back the vines, and 
said to have hurt the budding grapes, by occasioning too 
rapid growth 42 
METEOROLOGICAL REGISTER, 
THERMOMETER. 
15AROMEXER 
1793 Highest. Lowest. Medium. 
Highest. Lowest. Medium* 
Inches. Inches. Inches. 
May. 74 58 64 
Deg. Deg. Deg. 
30 3 29 8 30 
Wind.—Twenty-four days NE.—after E. and N. 
Weather,—Clear, shady, cloudy, light showers frequently- 
This month has been colder than usual, but there have 
come out a great shew of grapes, and nothing material 
happened to hurt them, though the cold keeps them back. 
June. 74 63 66 
Wind.—NE, to the 17lh—after N. and NE. 
30 29 9 30 f 
Weather.—Calm and breeze alternately, clear, shady, foggy, small rain. 
The fog in the beginning of this month accounted to have 
hurt the vintage in the middle lands, especially where the 
vines were chiefly in flower; and the raw cold weather 
kept hack things generally. 
July. 81 67 74 
30 li 29 9 SO § 
Wind.—E. to the 11th—sixteen days NE.—one N. and NW. 
Weather.—Clear with breeze, siroco wind calm, strong current to th« 
east. 
The strong hot wind which prevailed the beginning of this 
month, has injured considerably the vintage; the growth, 
of the grapes apparently stopt, and the fruit failing from 
the stalks. 
Aug. 75 66 69 
30 1 29 9 30 
Wind.—Alternately NE. and N.—two days E. 
Weather.—Most frequently clear, sometimes shady with light showers. 
The vintage belter talked of, even in the places accounted 
worst, so that no beginning is yet spoke of. 
Sept. 77 66 73 
30 2 29 9 29 1 
Wind.—Changeable from NE. to N.—-one day NW.. 
Weather.—Clear, shady, small rains. 
This month on the whole has proved very favourable for 
gathering the vintage, which has been desirably kept back; 
and though the grapes render not overmuch, the quality is 
expected to be uncommonly good. METEOROLOGICAL REGISTER. 
43 
4793 Highest. Lowest. Medium, 
Deg. Deg. Deg. 
Oct. 74 60 68 
THERMOMETER. 
Highest. Lowest. Medium. 
Inches. Inches. Inches. 
30 2 29 9 30 
BAROMETER. 
Wind.—NE. and N.—sometimes SW. and 8. 
Weather.—Clear, cloudy, frequent heavy showers and light rain. 
The south vintage was principally over before the remark- 
ably heavy rains, which happened towards the end of the 
month, which are accounted greatly in favour of the vines 
and country in general. The rivers never seen higher. 
JVov. 72 60 65 
Wind.—N. NE. E. NW. W.—from the 23d to the 30th N. 
Weather.—Clear, shady, cloudy, squalls, showers and small rain. 
The early favourable rains have encouraged the commence- 
ment of country labour, which appears going on with un- 
common spirit, especially as all the old wines have been 
bought up. 
30 2 29 | 29 
Dec. 67 56 58 
30 2 29 4 30 
Wind.—Variable from S. NWr, to W.—sometimes NE. and N. 
Weather.—Clear, cloudy, much heavy rain, and frequent light 
showers. 
From the abundant seasonable rains, the vines and plants 
of ail kinds appear uncommonly healthy and vigorous. 
1794. 
Jan. 65 54 bj 
Wind.—Sixteen days N.—Nine days NE.—after E. SE. and NW. 
Weather.—Clear, cloudy, heavy showers, unsettled. 
Accounted the coldest season for many years past, the snow 
has been constantly covering the tops of the mountains. 
30 3 29 9 30 
Feb. 69 59 62 
Wind.—Variable, chiefly NE. 
Weather.—Clear, cloudy, sometimes blowing fresh, showers. 
Tlie cold weather that has prevailed kept back the vege- 
tation, but the vines, trees and plants of every kind 
remarkably strong and healthy. 
30 2 29 7 30 44 
METEOROLOGICAL REGISTER. 
THERMOMETER. 
barometer. 
1794 Highest. Lowest. Medium, 
Deg. Deg. Deg. 
Mar. 68 53 61 
Highest. Lowest. Medium, 
Inches. Inches. Inches. 
30 2 26 9 30 
Wrind.—Most frequently N. and NE.—sometimes SE. E. and NW, 
Weather.—Clear, cloudy, much rain, blowing fresh, small showers. 
The season backward from the bleak cold weather which 
has generally prevailed, but the plants accounted strong 
and healthy. 
Ayr. 72 59 64 
Wind.—N. NE,—sometimes E. and NW. 
Weather.—Shady, showers, clear, calm. 
The country exceedingly in want of rain, for the grain 
crops especially, it having approached nearly to siroco 
wind sometime past, which has brought every thing for- 
ward. The vines in many places in flower. 
30 2 29 8 30 
May. 77 60 65 
Wind.—NE. to the llth.‘—after N. E. and NE. 
Weather.—Clear, shady, blowing hard, light rain. 
The high wind in the middle of the month has done some' 
harm in exposed places, but the expectations of the vin- 
tage are very sanguine. 
30 2 29 8 30 
June. 74 63 66 
Wind.—NE. and N, alternately. 
Weather.—Clear, shady, light rains, hazy. 
However changeable the weather has been, and the de- 
structive thick haze, which at times prevailed, may have 
hurt the very high lands, where the vines were yet in 
flower, great expectations are entertained of the general 
v intage. 
30 1 29 9 30 
July. 78 66 63 
Wind.'—Nineteen days NE.—changeable from NE. and NW. 
Weather.—Cloudy ; most frequently clear and settled. 
The vintage much forwarded by the hot weather which 
has prevailed, and expected to be very favourable in all, 
respects. 
30 2 28 i 29 I METEOROLOGICAL REGISTER. 
45 
1794 Highest. Lowest. Medium. 
Deg. Deg. Deg. 
Jug. 79 69 73 
THERMOMETER. 
Highest. Lowest. Medium* 
Inches. Inches. Inches. 
30 2 28 £ 29 1 
BAROMETER. 
Wind.—Twenty-five days NE.—after E. and N. 
Weather.—Clear; sometimes shady. 
As the weather has been through the whole month favour- 
able as could be wished, the vintage is generally well spoke 
of in all respects. 
Sept. 76 69 72 
30 2 28 4 29 4 
Wind.—Thirteen days NE,—twelve days N.—after E. NW. 
Weather,—Clear, cloudy, light showers. 
The weather auspicious as could be wished for the vintage, 
which has encreased every way beyond expectation; in 
some parts treble. 
Oct. 76 65 68 
30 2 29 8 30 
Wind.—Most frequently NE. and N.—five days NW.—three days E. 
Weather.—Clear, shady, hazy, light rains. 
The vintage finished in the north as well as the south, with 
the most favourable weather; since which, the continua- 
tion of drought is complained of. 
Nov. 71 59 65 
30 2 29 7 30 
Wind.—NE. N. NW. SW. E. 
Weather.—Clear, cloudy, heavy rain, light showers, hail. 
The rains which have fallen accounted by no means suf- 
ficient for many parts of the country, though enough to 
admit of labour going on. 
Dec. 66 57 65 
30 24 29 6 30 
Wind.—Most frequently NE. and N.—often NW. 
Weather.—Clear, cloudy, light showers. 
Although a good deal of rain has occasionally fallen, it 
has not ’amounted to that abundance called for in the, 
country, and required for planting. METEOROLOGICAL REGISTER. 
THERMOMETER. 
BAROMETER. 
1795 Highest. Lowest. Medium. 
Deg. Deg. Deg. 
Jan. 75 65 64 
Highest. Lowest. Medium.’ 
Inches. Indies. Inches. 
30 2 29 4 30 £ 
Wind.—Changeable from NW. N. SW. S. SE. to E. 
Weather.—Heavy rain, fair, cloudy, light showers, hazy; much 
lightning and thunder on the 12th. 
The plentiful rains which have fallen prove fully satis- 
factory. 
Feb. 74 56 63 
Wind.—Variable from E. NW. W. N. to NE. 
Weather.—Clear, shady, light showers, hazy. 
30 2 29 4 29 8 
Every thing corning out fast, so much so that the country 
people are difficulted to overtake their different branches 
of labour. Whether from the uncommon variableness of 
the weather or otherwise, there rages an epidemic cough 
of a severe kind. 
Mar. 69 65 62 
Wind.—Most frequently E. NE. and N.—sometimes NW. 
Weather.—Fresh breeze, clear, light showers; three days heavy rain; 
one day thunder. 
The weather uncommonly cold, and much snow on the 
mountains; but no complaints of its being of any preju- 
dice. 
130 2£ 29 7 29 8 
April. 71 54 63 
Wind.—N. NE,—variable from SE. W. and NW, 
Weather.—Clear, hazy, shady; heavy showers with thunder; light 
showers, cloudy. 
The rains in the first part of the month highly serviceable, 
to the grain most especially; the high wind hurtful to the 
vines, in exposed situations. 
30 2 29 3 29 
May. 75 62 66 
30 £ 29 7 29 8 
Wind.—NE. E. and NW. 
Weather.—Shady, clear, light rain and mist. 
The grain crops well spoke of, but the vines by no means' 
promising. METEOROLOGICAL REGISTER. 
47 
THERMOMETER. 
BAROMETER. 
1795 Highest. Lowest. Medium. 
Deg. Leg. Deg. 
June. 75 62 67 
Highest. Low'est. Medium. 
Inches. Inches. Inches. 
31 2 29 30 
Wind.—N. NW. most frequently NE. 
Weather,—Variable, clear, cloudy, light showers with haze. 
The uncommon coldness and uncertainty of the season 
much complained of. The grain, of which the prospect 
was very favourable, by no means answers expectation, 
and the grapes wear an unpromising aspect. 
July. 76 63 67 
31 30 29 I 
Wind.—N, most frequently NE. 
Weather.—Clear, shady, hazy, light rain, breeze. 
The vintage gives no sanguine expectations, but 
lands in particular are extremely complained of, as bare 
beyond example. 
*4ug. 77 67 70 
SO 2 29 9 30 
Wind.—N. chiefly NE. 
Weather.—Clear, shady, breeze; much thunder on the 2d. 
Since the warm weather which has prevailed in this month, 
the vintage, in the lower lands especially', is better talked 
of than would be well expected. 
Sept. 78 64 71 
30 I 29 29 T 
Wind.—N. NE. sometimes NW. 
Weather.—Clear, cloudy, light showers. 
The south vintage chiefly over, and by no means favour- 
ably talked of in the general quality of the grape, ha* 
proved very short in the upper lands especially. 
Oct. 74 64 67 
30 2 29 6 30 
Wind.—Most frequently N. and NE. sometimes NW. 
Weather.—Clear, shady, showers. 
Though no adequate fall of rain has taken place with us in 
the south, the northern vintage has been much annoyed by 
wet weather, which gives no favourable prospect of tbs 
quality, and there it has also proved short. 48 
METEOROLOGICAL REGISTER. 
THERMOMETER. 
BAROMETER. 
1795 Highest. Lowest. Medium. 
Deg. Deg. Deg. 
Nov. 70 58 64 
Highest. Lowest. Medium. 
Inches. Inches. Inches, 
30 24 29 7| 30 
Wind.—Frequently NE. and N, sometimes NW. and SW. 
Weather.—Shady, shpwers, hard squalls with rain. 
The continued drought much complained of through the 
country, on every account, a greater danger of absolute 
want of bread of every kind than has been ever known. 
Dec. 73 59 63 
30 3| 29 6 30 
Wind.—SE. E. SW. NW.—from the 18th N. and NE. 
Weather.—Clear, shady, heavy showers, windy and clear. 
The rains which fell towards the middle of the month ser- 
viceable, but by no means adequate to the wants of the 
country, for the vines in many situations. 
1796 
Jan. 66 57 62 
Wind.—NTE. S. SW.—mosl frequently NW, 
30 2| 29 5 30 
Weather.—Clear, shady, heavy showers, two days thunder, heavy 
squalls. 
The rain which has fallen in the course of this month, 
though useful, has by no means been sufficient for the vines, 
in the strong grounds particularly, and in some places they 
are shooting out very unseasonably. 
Feb. 67 55 64 
Wind.—Six days NW.—twelve days NE.—eight days N, 
Weather.—Clear, shady, light showers—one day heavy rain. 
30 3 29 6 30 
The occasional falls of rain which have occurred, though 
serviceable, are not by any means equal to what the country 
requires. The, vines accounted prematurely forward, 
though never thoroughly refreshed to the roots, and this 
has occasioned pruning generally more early than custo- 
mary.  REGISTER. 
49 
THERMOMETER. 
BAROMETER 
1196 Highest. Lowest. Medium. 
Deg-, Deg. Deg. 
Mar. 66 54 60 
Highest. Lowest, Medium, 
Indies. Inches. Inches, 
30 2 29 7 29 $ 
Wind.—N. to the Blh—after variable from SW. NW. NE. to E. 
Weather.—Clear, cloudy, shady—six days showers—two days heavy 
rain. 
The heavy falls of rain this month haVe been acceptable; 
but the very cold weather is said to have hurt the vines, 
• from the forward state they were before in. 
April. 69 55 60 
Wind.—Eighteen days NE.—sometimes NW.—from the 24th to the 
30th NE. 
2 29 7 29 9 
Weather.—Clear, shady, cloudy—six days light showers—three days 
heavy showers—oue day thunder. 
The heavy rains which have fallen in this month, have 
abundantly made up for the past drought, but accounted 
out of time ; and the cold have occasioned the vines failing 
in the formation of fruit, but running into wood. The 
crop of grain looked upon as very favourable on the 
whole. The spring uncommonly backward and severe. 
May. ' 74 60 65 
Wind.—Variable—most frequently NE. N. and NW.—two days E. 
Weather.—Shady, clear—four days showers—fresh breeze. 
Although part of this month proved warm, and favourable 
. for the bringing forward the vintage, the greatest part has 
been otherwise, which occasions fears how it may turn out, 
in the upper lands especially. 
30 2 29 7 30 
June, 15 62 67 
30 l-£ 30 30 
Wind. Twenty-two days NE.—after N. and E. 
Weather.—Clear, shady, hazy, light showers. 
The very favourable weather which has on the whole pre- 
vailed this month, for forming the grapes, occasions the vin- 
tage to be better talked of, in the upper lauds especially, 
than cvpld be.well looked for. 50 
METEOROLOGICAL REGISTER* 
THERMOMETER. 
BAROMETER 
1796 Highest. Lowest. Medium. 
Deg. Deg. Deg. 
July. 75 65 69 
Highest. Lowest. Medium 
Inches. Inches. Inches. 
31 29 9 30 
WTind.—To the 14th NE.—afterwards changeable from N. E, NE. toNW. 
Weather.—Clear, shady, cloudy. 
Though this month has proved on the whole favourable, 
yet the vintage is most inauspiciously spoken of; where 
there were the best shew of grapes, ’tis said, they have 
fallen from the stalks. 
Aug. 76 66 . 60 
SO 29 8| 30 
Wind.—Twenty-three days NE.—'thirteen days N.—and one day NW. 
Weather.—Clear, cloudy, shady. 
The weather has continued favourable during the whole 
month, and in consequence, the vintage is somewhat more 
favourably spoken of, but still as short and extremely poor 
in different places. 
Sept. 75 62 67 
30 1| 30 30 
Wind.—NE. N.—sometimes E. and NW. 
Weather.—Clear, shady, cloudy, and blowing with showers. 
This month has on the whole proved favourable for the 
vintage, which falls generally short of even that of last 
year; though the higher lands, but begun upon, are the 
most plentiful, and may compensate. 
Oct. 77 61 67 
30 2 29' 8 30 
Wind.—N. NE. NW. E, SE. S. and E. 
Weather.—Cloudy, clear, shady, squalls, heavy rain with thunder. 
The plentiful rains which have fallen this month, greatly ia 
favour of the south generally, though some of the highest 
vintage suffered with that of the north. 
Nov. 70 59 62 
30 24 29 7 29 91 
Wind.—N. NE. NW. W. SW. 
Weather.—Clear, light showers, cloudy, heavy rain, showers with 
thunder. 
The abundant rains which have fallen, accounted favour- 
able in all respects for the country—such have not happened 
for three years. METEOROLOGICAL REGISTER. 
51 
THERMOMETER. 
BAROMETER. 
IT9 6 Highest. Lowest. Medium. 
Deg. Deg. Deg. 
Dec. 70 59 64 
Highest. Lowest. Medium. 
Inches. Inches. Inches. 
30 1 29 29 6 
Wind.—Changeable—most frequently NW7.—sometimes S. and SW7. 
Weather.—Heavy showers, cloudy, frequent light showers—much 
thunder. 
Such a continuance of rough and wet weather never remem- 
bered, it has occasioned inconveniencies, but accounted a 
happy forerunner. 
1797 
Jan. 69 58 6i 
Wind.—S. NE, E. NW.—most frequently N. and NE, 
Weather.—Cloudy, clear, light showers. 
Every tiling coming fast out; but the drought of this 
month is complained of on account of the grain, the ground 
being much crusted. * 
30 4 30 Ji 30 I 
Feb. 70 60 64 
30 3 29 8 30 
Wind.—Variable from NE. SE. SW. NW. W. to E. 
Weather,—Clear, shady, cloudy, six days heavy showers, squalls, and 
light rain. 
The frequent rains of this month highly favourable to the 
grain in particular—every thing coming fast forward—- 
pruning generally earlier than usual, mostly finished in the 
month. 
Alar. 67 53 60 
Wind.—'Most frequently NE. and N.—often NW.—one day W. and SW'. 
days light showers, four days heavy rain; squalls and 
thunder; snow above. 
The extreme and universal cold which has prevailed, has 
been hurtful to the first grapes come out, but the vine# 
' appear strong. 
30 3& 29 5 29 9 
Apr. 69 7 5 60 
Wind.—Nineteen days NE.—ten days N.—one day W, 
Weather.—Strong breeze, fair, shady, light showers, sometimes hazy. 
The extreme cold of the spring has kept every thing much, 
back, and even hurt the first shew of grapes; some fruit 
trees hardly shewing signs of life. 
30 3 29 8& 30 M ETEOROLOGIC AL REGISTER. 
thermometer 
BAROMETER. 
1797 Highest. Lowest. Medium. 
Deg. Deg. Deg, _ 
.May. 72 59 65 
Highest. Lowest. Medium. 
Inches, Inches. Inches. 
30 29 8£ 30 
Wind.—Twenty-four days NE.—after variable from N, to NW. 
Weather.—Clear, shady, cloudy, light showers. 
This month has promised so favourable, that the hopes of 
an uncommon great vintage are most sanguine. 
June. 73 62 67 
Wind.—Nineteen days NE.—the remainder N. 
Weather.—Clear, shady with light showers. 
The cold which prevailed part of this month has proved 
hurtful both to the upper grounds, where the grapes were 
not yet formed, and to those further advanced ; but on the 
whole great expectations obtafii of the vintage. 
30 gj 30 i 30 
July. 75 65 72 
Wind.—Twenty-four days NE.—afterwards N. and NW, 
Weather.—Clear, shady, cloudy, sometimes drizzling. 
Although this iponth has proved throughout favourable, 
the prejudice results from the cold, and bleakness of the 
last appears considerable. 
30 1 SO 9 30 
Aug. 78 68 71 
Wind.—Twenty-three days NE.—alternately N. E. and NW. 
Weather.—Clear, misty, cloudy, dropping occasionally. 
The whole of the month has proved favourable, and the 
vintage is again talked of as a good one, provided the 
weather keeps up. 
30 '1 29 9| 30 
Sept. 18 68 61 
Wind.—Most frequently NE.—often N.—once NW. 
Weather.—Generally dear; sometimes shady with light showers. 
The month on the whole has proved happily favourable for 
gathering the vintage, which is increasing beyond expec- 
tation, especially in the middle and upper lands. 
30 li 29 H 30 METEOROLOGICAL REGISTER. 
53 
THERMOMETER. 
BAROMETER. 
1197 Highest. Lowest. Medium. 
Deg. Deg. Deg. 
Oct. 77 69 72 
Highest, Lowest. Medium. 
Inches. Inches. Inches. 
30 29 84 30 
Wind.—Thirteen days N.—nine days NE.—after NW. SW. and W. 
Weather.'—Clear, calm, cloudy, showers and drizzling ; some heavy 
rains. 
The south vintage finished in the happiest manner, but 
from constant rains in the north side, a reverse was there 
experienced. 
Nov. .72 60 65 
Wind.—S. SE. NW. W. E. NE.—very variable the whole month. 
Weather.—Heavy rain; stormy, thunder. Five vessels lost. Light 
showers. 
The very plentiful rain which have fallen this mouth, are 
every way favourable for the country. 
30 1 29 1 30 
Dec. 13 62 65 
30 2 29 9i 30 
Wind.—Changeable from NW. W. SE. E. N. to NE. 
Weather.—Light showers, cloudy, clear. 
The extraordinary drought that has lately prevailed, 
threatens plants of every kind with a premature growth no 
wavs desirable. 
1198 
Jan. 10 60 65 
30 2| 29 9 30 
"Wind.—NE. and N.—one day E. 
Weather.—Clear, light showers, cloudy, fair. 
The drought every where prejudicial and alarming. 
Feb. TO 56 60 
Wind.—Most generally N. and NE.—sometimes E. SW. NW. and W. 
Weather.—Light rains, fair, clear, windy and shady. 
The rains which have fallen at different times this month, 
a great relief to the country, and serve to inspire new 
hopes, as well of the vines not prematurely corning to 
blossom, as of the grain crop yet proving favourable; and 
pasture being supplied for the cattle, of which there has 
been the greatest want. 
30 3 29 T 30 METEOROLOGICAL REGISTER. 
1798 Highest. Lowest. Medium. 
Deg. Deg, Deg. 
THERMOMETER. 
Highest. Lowest. Medium. 
Inches. Inches. Inches. 
BAROMETER 
Mar. 68 54 60 
30 2 29 5 30 
Wind.—Variable from N. NE. E. SE. W. and NW.—most frequently NE, 
Weather.—Fair, cloudy, light showers ; sometimes heavy rain with 
thunder. 
The rains which we have had this month highly beneficial 
every way, but particularly to the pasturage. 
Apr. 71 58 60 
30 1 29 6 30 
Wind.—-Most generally N. NW.—changeable from NE. NW. SW. 
Weather.—Shady, light showers, drizzling, sometimes with squalls. 
The uncommon degree of cold which has prevailed through 
the greatest part of this month, has proved detrimental to 
the vines. 
May. 80 60 65 
Wind.—Nineteen days NE.—six days E.—changeable from N. SW. 
to SE. * 
30 IJ 29 TJ 30 
Weather.—Fair, clear, shady, cloudy, light showers, hazy all round. 
The season, until these few days, not accounted favour- 
able. 
June. 74 62 67 
Wind.—Twenty-three days NE.—variable from N. E. to NW. 
Weather.—Calm, shady, light showers, clear. 
30 24 29 9 30 
The vintage nor no kind of fruit has come forward well. If 
seems difficult to account for the unfavourable appearance, 
but a degree of blight has seized every thing since the hot 
wind of last month. 
July. 77 66 70 
30 1 29 94 30 
Wind.—Variable from NE. N. and NW. to the 20th—the remainder NE. 
Weather.—Clear, hazy, shady; one day light rain. 
The vintage very indifferently thought of in the south and 
low lands. METEOROLOGICAL REGISTER. 
THERMOMETER. 
BAROMETER, 
1798 Highest. Lowest. Medium. 
Deg. Deg. Deg. 
Highest. Lowest. Medium. 
Inches. Inches. Inches. 
Aug. SO 70 74 
30 1 29 8i 30 
Wind.—Sixteen days NE.—thirteen days N.—the remainder NW. 
Weather.—Breeze, clear, shady and cloudy. 
The weather having proved uniformly favourable this 
month, the vintage is better spoke of, the upper south 
lands and all the north especially. 
Sept. 81 68 74 
Wind.—E. to the 4th.—most generally N, and E.—•sometimes SW. W. 
and NW. 
30 1 29 8| 30 
■Weather.—Calm, clear, shady, cloudy, light showers; one day heavy 
rain. 
The vintage very defective hitherto, and even the quality 
precarious. 
Oct. SO 65 71 
30 2 27 29 9 
Wind.—Variable from N. NWr. E. SE. SW.—W. to the 15th—NE. N. 
and NW. to the end. 
Weather.—Clear, showers; one day heavy rain. 
The vintage finished with little expectation of its proving 
good, excepting in the north, where the latter fair weather 
favoured it. 
Nov. 73 59 65 
30 2 29 1, 29 9 
Wind.—Variable from N. NW. E. SE. and SW. to the 15th.—NE. N. 
and NW, to the end. 
Weather.—Clear, showers; one day heavy rain and squalls. 
The vintage finished with little expectation of its proving 
good, excepting in the north, where the latter fair weather 
favoured it. 
Bee. 73 62 65 
Wind.—Changeable from NE. N. NW.—generally NE. 
Weather,—Fair, cloudy; one day heavy rain, light squalls and light 
showers. 
30 2£ 29 6 30 
The want of a sufficient fall of rain, for various parts of 
the country, complained of. 56 
METEOROLOGICAL REGISTER, 
THERMOMETER. 
barometer 
1799 Highest. Lowest. Medium. 
■Oeg, Deg. Deg. 
Highest, Lowest. Medium. 
Inches. Inches. Inches. 
Jan. 63 55 60 
30 3 29 85 30 1 
M ind,—Twelve days N,—sixteen days NE.—the remainder NW. 
Weather.—Calm, clear, snow above, six days light showers, four 
days heavy rain. 
The drought complained of very generally. 
Feb. 72 58 67 
Wind.—Variable from NW. N. NE. SW. to S.—generally NE. 
Weather.—Clear, fair, cloudy, shady ; four days light showers. 
30 3 29 74 30 
The recent heavy rains have served greatly to relieve the 
country, and to give a favourable prospect of the year. 
Mar. 68 55 62 
Winds.—Changeable from NW, N. and NE. to the 13th.—NE. to the 
13th.—the remainder NW. 
Weather.—Cloudy, hazy, clear ; six days light showers ; strong breeze. 
Things breaking out with ranch vigour. The wind hurt- 
ful. 
30 2 29 8 30 
Jpr. 67 54 61 
Wind.—To the ISlh variable from N. NE. to NW.—generally NE, 
Weather,—Fair, cloudy, seven days showers, breeze. 
SO 2 29 8 30 
Good expectations entertained of the vintage, notwith- 
standing the cold which has prevailed, being considered 
rather as unfavourable. 
May. 70 59 63 
SO 29 8 30 
Wind.—Twenty-three days NE.—six days N.—one day W. and NW. 
Weather.—Clear and shady alternately ; four days light showers, high 
wind and cloudy. 
The high wind on lire slh complained of in high and ex- 
posed situations, yet the hopes arc generally sanguine of 
the vintage; the vines are strong. METEOROLOGICAL REGISTER. 
THERMOMETER. 
BAROMETER 
1799 Highest. Lowest. Medium. 
Dig. Deg. Deg. 
Highest. Lowest. Medium, 
Inches. laches. laches. 
June. 71 60 64 
30 2-| 29 8 30 1£ 
Wind.—To the 11th NE.—after variable from N. NW. to NE.—gene-r 
rally N. and E. 
Weather.—Shady, clear, four days light rain, windy at times. 
There has been less sun and warmth than could be wished 
to bring forward the grapes, in the higher lands particu- 
larly, where complaints, in consequence, prevail, hut ex- 
pectation good on the whole. 
July. 77 71 73 
Wind.—Twenty-seven days NE.—after N. E. and NW. 
Weather.'—Clear, strong breeze, cloudy all round, light showers oa' 
30 l-| 29 9i 30 
the 27th. 
Notwithstanding of the warm fine weather, of this month, 
the vintage is not well thought of, the grapes having from 
the cold spring corae by no means forward, in a favourable 
manner. 
Aug. 81 79 7o 
SO 1 29 If 30 
Wind.—Thirteen days E.—sixteen days NE. and two days NW. 
Weather.—Clear all round, a few days shady, one day showers. 
Notwithstanding of the intense heat which has prevailed! 
during this month, the vintage is very backward. 
Sept. 82 71 76 
30 1 § 29 9 30 
Wind.—Changeable from NE. N. NW. to SW.—generally NE. 
Weather.—Most frequently clear; four days showers, clqudy, one 
day thunder. 
The weather has on the whole been favourable for gathering 
the vintage, and continues to every appearance so ; some 
of the lower lands better off than expected. 
Oct. 80 64 72 
30 29 9 30 
Winds. Generally NE. and N.—sometimes-NW. 
Weather.—Hazy, shady, six days light showers, one day heavy rain; 
blowing hard. 
The south vintage finished with very favourable weather; 
and though in the north they were not quite so successful, 
there appears not great reason for complaint. 58 
METEOROLOGICAL REGISTER, 
THERMOMETER. 
BAROMETER 
1799 Highest. Lowest. Medium. 
Highest. Lowest. Medium, 
Deg. Deg. Deg. 
Nov. 76 61 63 
Indies. Inches. Inches. 
30 H 29 Q 29 S 
Wind.—Very changeable from W. NE. E, N. W. to SW. 
Weather.—Clear, shady, eight days light rain, five days heavy rain, 
blowing much ; thunder and lightning on the 22d. 
The rains that have fallen in this month have given uni- 
versal relief to the country, where work is going busily on. 
Dec. 66 54 59 
Winds.—Changeable from N. NW. N. SW. to W. 
Weather.—Much heavy showers and continued rain, with frequent 
light showers; blowing. 
The continuance of rain and bad weather has been greater 
than for a good many years past, but which is thought to 
30 2 29 5 f 30 
lay the foundation of a fruitful season. 
1800. 
Jan. 65 65 59 
30 2 g 29 5f 29 9§ 
Winds.—Variable from SW. S. W. to NW. to the 22d.—most generally 
NW.-—to the end N. 
Weather.—Cloudy, heavy rain, hagy and squalls.; thunder on the 28th. 
Uncommon wet and boisterous weather has continued 
during the whole of this month, but not unfavourable for 
the country. 
Feb. 6,5 55 59 
30 h 29 8 30 
Winds.—Variable from N, NE. E. NW. SW. to S, to the 20th—after- 
wards NW. 
Weather.-—Shady, fair, windy, light showers, rain and thunder on the 
20th. 
Every thing forward and coming out uncommonly strong; 
so severe a winter has not however been known for many 
years. 
Mar. 67 53 60 
Wind.—Fifteen days N.—eight days NE.—changeable from NW. N. 
to NE. 
30 3 29 4 30 
Weather.—Fair, light showers, cloudy, snow on the hills on the 23d ; 
breeze. 
The month has proved favourable to the country. METEOROLOGICAL REGISTER. 
THERMOMETER. 
BAROMETER 
iBOO Highest. Lowest. Medium. 
Deg. Deg. Deg. 
April. 67 56 60 
Highest. Lowest. Medium. 
Inches. Inches. Inches. 
30 3 29 8 30 
Wind.—Alternately NE. and N.—one day NW, 
Weather.—Clear, shady, light showers and cloudy. 
The want of rain complained of for the grain crops; but- 
the vines promise favourably in all respects, and coming 
fast into lloAver. 
May. 70 58 62 
Wind.—Variable—from NE. N. SW. and NW. to the 20th—but gene* 
rally NW. afterwards. 
30 1$ 29 7 30 
Weather.—Clear, shady, cloudy, frequent showers, some heavy rains, 
and high wind. 
The two or three windy days in the beginning of the month, 
and rains, are reckoned to have hurt the vintage in some 
exposed grounds; but the weather since has proved favour- 
able as could be wished. 
June. 72 62 66 
30 1 29 7 29 9| 
Wind.—Alternately NE. N. SW, and NW. to the 12th—afterwards NE. 
Weather.—Fair, cloudy, drizzling, windy—heavy rain on the Bth. 
This month has by no means been propitious to our hopes 
of the vintage ; wind and rain have been prejudicial, and 
the cold chilliness of the weather generally yet more so. 
July. 36 65 70 
30 1 29 9 30 
Wind.—.Changeable from NE, and SW. to the sth.—the remainder NE, 
yfeather,—-Cloudy—one day light rain—clear. 
Though the vintage by no means is allowed to promise 
being great, yet the lower and middling lands are tolerably 
well spoke of. 
Jug. 77 66 68 
Wind. NE. NW. and E.—most frequently NE. 
Weather.—Shady-—-heavy showers on the 3d—one day light rain and 
drizzily—clear. 
The vintage in the middle and lower lands said to be better 
than was looked for: the rain on the 3d accounted service- 
able. 
30 1 29 8i 30 METEOROLOGICAL REGISTER. 
1800 Highest, Lowest. Medium. 
Thermometer. 
Highest. Lowest. Medium. 
barometer. 
Deg, Deg. Deg. 
Fept. 77 60 69 
Inches. Inches. Inches. 
30 Ik 29 a 30 
Wind.—Alternately NE. N. NW. and E.—most generally NE. 
Weather.—Clear, shady, light showers, windy. 
The month has proved remarkably favourable for gathering 
the vintage, which has encreased beyond expectation in 
most places. 
Oct. 76 60 67 
Wind.—Changeable from NE. N. NW. W. S. SW. to SE. and N. 
Weather.—Fair, shady—twelve days showers—some heavy rain. 
The vintage finishing for some time—heavy rains ar« 
anxiously looked for. 
30 li 29 8 30 
Nov. 71 58 63 
30 2| 29 5 30 
Wind.—Variable from N. NE. NW. SW. to W.—most generally NE. 
and N. 
Weather.—Fair, cloudy, frequent heavy showers, and light rains, 
blowing. 
There has been no adequate fall of rain to reach the roots 
of the vines, but a sufficiency for the common coimtry 
labour. 
Dec. 64 57 60 
30 3 29 7 30 
Wind.—Generally NE, and N.—alternately NW. S, N. NE. and SE. E. 
Weather,—Clear, shady—light and heavy showers—snow on the hills. 
The want of rain universally complained of. 
1801. 
Jan. 6T 52 58 
Wind.-—E. NE. NW. N. SE.—most generally NE, 
Weather.—Clear, shady—nine days light showers—blowing. 
An uncommon drought continuing to prevail, felt in 
way> 
30 2 29 9 30 METEOROLOGICAL REGISTER. 
61 
ISO! Highest. Lowest. Medium, 
Deg. Deg. Deg. 
THERMOMETER. 
Highest. Lowest. Medium. 
Inches. Inches, Inches. 
BAROMETER 
Feb. 65 52 59 
Wind.—SE. E. NE. N. NW.—generally NE. and N. 
30 Si 29 1£ 30 
Weather.—Hazy at sea—blow ing—heavy showers on the 13th—-uncmiu 
mon fall of snow on the 14th—five days showers and light 
rain—shady and clear alternately. 
The rains which fell in the middle of the month has ia- 
some degree relieved the country, particularly as to the 
grain sown, but they were not sufficiently abundant for tlvar 
vines. 
Mar. 71 56 62 
30 2 29 8 30 
Wind.—E. to the 9th—NW. VV. to the 15th—afterwards E. and NE. 
most frequently. 
Weather,—Clear, hazy, light rain, blowing occasionally. 
Notwithstanding the uncommon drought continuing, the 
vines are coining out strongly, but all else much burnt up. 
April. 67 53 60 
Wind.—N. NW. W. NE. SW.—most frequently NE. 
Weather.—Cloudy, clear, blowing fresh, light showers, after ward* 
fair. 
The occasional little rain in this month, serviceable in some 
degree still to the grain, and greatly so to verdure of all 
sorts. 
30 I 29 6 .30 
May. 67 32 62 
30 2j 29 7 30 
Wind.—3V. SW. NW. W.—most generally N. and NE. 
Weather.—Shady, showers, heavy rain, fair and clear. 
The month has proved rather cold, and chilling for th» 
vines j hut the rain that has fallen has been serviceable to 
the grain and pasturage. 
June. 73 60 66 
30 3 29 9 20 
Wind.—NE. N. NW. SE. E.—most frequently N. and NS. 
Weather.—Clear, shady—six days light showers*—breeze. 
The crop of grain lias turned out more plentiful than was 
looked for; but the vintage seems, uot to have come forward 
s» favourably as imagined. 62 
METEOROLOGICAL REGISTER. 
THERMOMETER. 
BAROMETER 
1801 Highest. Lowest. Medium. 
Deg. Deg, Deg. 
Highest, Lowest. Medium. 
Inches. Inches. Inches. 
July. 75 66 69 
30 14 29 9 30 
Wind.—Twenty-one days NE, alternately—afterwards NW. and N. 
Weather.—Shady, clear, showers, dropping for three days. 
The vintage by no means so well thought of as was looked 
for. 
Aug. 79 67 64 
30 14 29 74 30 
Wind.—Variable from NE. N. E. SW. NW. to W. 
Weather.—Clear, shady, misty, disky and dropping —on the Bth 
showers—heavy showers on the 20th. 
The late rains not against the vintage, but not favourably 
thought of. 
Sept. 77 68 72 
30 2 29 9 30 
Wind.—Most frequently NE. and N.—sometimes NW.—once E. 
Weather.—Clear, shady—four days light showers, and one day heavy 
rain- 
The vintage rather encrcasing in the lower grounds, but the 
upper promise poorly; the rain having gone off will not 
hurt materially. 
Oct. 7 6 64 72 
30 29 9 30 
Wind.—Twenty-one days NE. alternately—frequently N. NW. and E. 
Weather.—Fair, days light showers—sometimes blowing. 
The drought much complained of, as well on account of 
the vines, as the new made wines not fermenting suffi- 
ciently. 
Nov. 72 61 65 
Wind.—Variable from NE. N. to SW.—generally NE. 
Weather.—Calm, breeze, blowing fresh, cloudy, eight days showers. 
The continued drought highly prejudicial, threatening even 
the vines which appear sickly, but rain is only wanting o% 
the south side. 
30 2 29 9 30 METEOROLOGICAL REGISTER. 
isoi Highest. Lowest. Medium. 
Deg. Deg. Deg. 
thermometer. 
Highest. Lowest. Medium. 
Inches. Inches. Inches. 
BAROMETER 
Dec. 70 58 62 
30 3 29 8 30 
Wind.—Changeable fiom NE. E. N. SE. SW. most generally N. and 
NE. 
Weather.—Fair, shady, windy, cloudy, thunder one day, disky, dark, 
three days showers and light showers. 
The drought still continuing, to the inconveniency and pre- 
judice of the country on the south side generally. 
1802. 
Jan. 65 51 58 
30 3 29 5 30 
Wind.—Changeable from NE. N. NW. to W. to the 12th—after N. E,— 
generally NE. 
Weather.—Cloudy, six days showers, heavy rain after, clear. 
The rains that have fallen in the course of this month highly 
serviceable, yet in many parts more are called for. 
Feb. 6T 54 60 
Wind.—Variable from N. NE.—two days E. 
Weather,—Fair and clear, a few days light rain, cloudy and windy. 
The renewed drought is very alarming on every account; 
but what particularly presses on attention, is the absolute 
want of any kind of sustenance for cattle, in the south side 
of the island. In the north rains have been abundant. 
30 2| 29 T| 30 
Mar. 72 55 59 
30 2 29 8 30 
Wind.—Changeable from N. S. W. NE. to E,—generally N. and NE. 
Weather.—Fair, clear, four days heavy showers continued, eight days 
light rain, dark and cloudy, for three days blowing; much 
snow on the hills on the 13th. 
The rain of this month a great relief, j>ut not sufficient for 
the vines. METEOROLOGICAL REGISTER. 
THERMOMETER. 
BAROMETER 
1802 Highest. Lowest. Medium. 
Deg. Deg. Deg. 
April. 67 54 61 
Highest. Lowest, Medium. 
Inches. Inches. Inches. 
30 2| 29 74 30 
Wind.—Variable from NE. NW. NE. to E.—generally NE. 
Weather.—Cloudy, clear, seven days showers, two days heavy rain, 
breeze. 
Until within these few days it was apprehended that the 
country was suffering in all respects from drought; as far 
as respects the crops of grain and pasturage there is now a 
better prospect. 
May. 69 56 62 
30 1 29 7 29 9 
Wind.—NW. N. and NE. to the 18th—afterwards variable from N, 
to NW. 
Weather,—Fresh breeze, seven days showers, heavy rain on the 3d, 
blowing and cloudy. 
The intervals of high winds have hurt the vintage in parts. 
June. 70 61 65 
Wind.—N, NW. and SE.—most generally NE. 
Weather.—Clear, heavy rain on the 3d, four days light showers, 
breeze and calm alternately. 
The crops of grain, contrary to expectation, have proved 
in general uncommonly good. The vintage but indifferently 
thought of, in the low lands especially. 
30 1! 29 8| 30 
July. 73 64 69 
30 2 30 1 30 li 
Wind.—Two days N.—tw enty-nine days NE. 
Weather.—Calm, fair, shady, clear alternately; generally a steady- 
breeze. . 
The vintage by no means favourably thought of, complaints 
of it more general than was imagined. 
Jug. 80 68 73 
Wind.—E. NE. and N.—most frequently E. 
Weather.—Clear, hazy, blowing, disky sky, some rain on the 31st. 
The late intense heats have served to force forward the 
vintage, but not in the gradual way, which would be more 
in its favour. 
30 1 29 9 30 METEOROLOGICAL REGISTER. 
THERMOMETER. 
BAROMETER 
1802 Highest. Lowest. Medium, 
Deg. Deg. Deg. 
Highest. Lowest. Medium 
Inches. Inches. Inches. 
Sept. 84 70 7 5 
30 3 29 8J 30 £ 
Wind.—E. NE. SW.—most generally E. 
Weather.—Clear all round, cloudy, heavy rains with thunder, and 
hazy on the 26th. The thermometer exposed to the sun 
on the 11th rose to 120, and in a few seconds melted a piece 
of wax. 
The weather has been very much against the vintage; from 
the occasional rains, and high winds, and it is feared it will 
prove a bad one. 
Ocf. 76 66 69 
Wind. E, NW. NE. N. SW. and W. alternately. 
Weather, Calm, fair, and clear; three days heavy rain; some light 
showers; cloudy, breeze; much thunder on the Ist and 2d, 
after clear. 
The prodigious fall of rain, in the commencement of the 
month, brought down the rivers in an uncommon manner, 
and they did much damage, otherwise serviceable. 
30 1 29 8| 29 9£ 
JV'ov. 70 60 65 
Wind. NW. W. N. and NE,—generally NW. 
Weather. Clear, blowing; four days heavy rain; hail with thunder; 
light showers, cloudy. 
The abundant rains that have fallen, serve to revive the 
country greatly, and recover the vines. 
30 29 4 29 8 
Lee. 63 52 57 
30 1 29 6 29 8£ 
Wind. N, S. NW, and NE. most generally NE. frequently NW, 
towards the end. 
Weather, Sixteen days rain ; eight days heavy rain; hail and thunder 
on the Bth; squally and fresh alternately. 
The uncommon fall of rain propitious to the country. 
THE editor has taken the liberty of terminating here, the series 
of Meteorological Observations. Their continuation for so long a 
period as sixteen years, afford undoubted proofs of the persevering 66 
METEOROLOGICAL REGISTER. 
attention and unwearied diligence of the author 5 but it seems ques- 
tionable whether the curiosity of any reader could overcome their 
monotonous sameness, which is augmented by the steady uniformity 
of a mild and temperate climate. 
To afford the invalid a synoptical view of the average tempera- 
ture, he is to expect, during every month in the year, in the island of 
Madeira, the following Table is inserted, taken from that masterly 
work, on the “ Temperature of different Latitudes,” by Richard 
Kirwan, F. R.S, 
“ Madeira, Funchal, lat. 32°. 37. long, 17°. mean height of the 
thermometer for every month, taken from an average of four years’ 
observations. 
Jan, 64?, 18. 
Feb. 64,3. 
March, 65, 8. 
April, 65,5. 
May, 66,53. 
June, 69,74. 
July, 73,45. 
August, 75,02. 
Sept. 75,76. 
October, 72,5. 
Nov. 69,08. 
Dec. 65. 
The following is the average temperature of Madeira, compared 
with that of London, for the whole year, as well as during the coldest 
and warmest months, which are January and July. Taking the average 
temperature of London at 1000, the heat of Madeira is 1319. In 
January 0559, July 1128. PART 111. 
DISEASES OF MADEIRA. 
Though Madeira enjoys a mild atmos- 
phere, and is not subject to those vicissitudes of 
weather, which affect the more northern regi- 
ons, still, it is equally the seat of disease as 
other countries, and the forms of these are 
neither few in number, nor mild in their 
nature, a circumstance we should not have 
expected. Indeed the island, at times, seems 
visited by sickly seasons, the cause of which 
can as little be investigated there as elsewhere. 
The diseases of Madeira, I formerly arranged 
into two divisions, as Endemic or Epidemic; 
of the former, some species are highly formi- 
dable in their nature and appearance; the 
latter, are generally very violent, though not 
of long duration. 
I. Endemic. 
The endemic comprehend the various affec- 
tions of the skin, under the names of Ele- 
phantiasis, Psora, Oucao, and Alfora; diseases of 68 
DISEASES OF MADEIRA. 
the chest, as Catarrh, Pneumonia, and Phthisis; 
with other anomalous disorders, as Rheumatism, 
Asthmatic affections. Colic, Tetanus, Dropsy, 
&c. With the consideration of these, I shall 
now begin. 
Elephantiasis, or Leprosy. 
By this term is meant the real Syrian pr 
Arabian leprosy, one of the most deplorable 
and loathsome diseases, that can afflict human 
nature. In this island, it is an old endemic, 
and no where does it shew itself under more 
distressing and aggravated forms. It is suffici- 
ently established as an hereditary disease; and 
in one or two instances, it has appeared of a 
contagious nature: it is considered, for the most 
part, as incurable, and in only one instance 
did Dr. Heberden know it removed. It is most 
conspicuous among the lower classes of the 
island, where diet is confined to salt provisions, 
chiefly fish of the least nourishing kind. 
Where it attacks the more wealthy inhabitants, 
which is not so frequent, it is milder in its 
symptoms, and less loathsome in its appearance. 
Some idea of the disease may be formed from the 
following short description of it. It generally 
shews itself, by tubercles upon the face and DISEASES OF MADEIRA. 
tipper extremities,, and sometimes upon the 
trunk of the body and penis. 111-conditioned 
ulcers of the legs also take place, in some 
instances, attended with acute pain; large in- 
dolent glandular tumours occupy the upper 
and anterior part of the thigh. The fingers 
become contracted, and the feet hard and 
swelled. The fingers also, and toes, are occa- 
sionally destroyed by ulceration ; the same dis- 
position to irregular tumours and ulceration 
attacks the throat. 
In those affected by the disease, previous to 
the age of puberty, the usual signs that mark 
this period of life do not appear. The beard, 
the usual sign of virility, is wanting; the hair 
is deficient on the pubes and scrotum, as well 
as on the axilla and breast. No desire prevails 
for the venereal passion: the voice preserves 
its puerile tone, and does not acquire the real 
strength and masculine expression. Even the 
testicles, not called upon for the exercise of 
their functions, gradually waste. 
The same morbid state, that thus distin- 
guishes the male, is no less extended to the 
female, in whom there is no increase or ful- 
ness of the breasts, no growth of the external 
parts of generation, no appearance of the 
menses, or hair on the pubes and axilla, and in DISEASES OF MADEIRA, 
short no disposition to venereal intercourse. 
Even where the disease makes its first attack, at 
a much later period, the marks of sexual matu- 
rity, which are already established, gradually 
disappear, and are attended with impotence or 
very impaired powers of generation. Thus in 
the male, the testicles gradually waste, and the 
beard disappears; while in the female, the 
breasts as well as the external generative parts 
shrink, or lose their natural fulness in a re- 
markable degree. Even the hair falls off, and 
the catamenia, or courses, cease to flow. 
These circumstances tend to shew the disease 
in Maderia, different from what is observed in 
other countries ; for in its history, it is noticed 
by every writer, that the unhappy victims of 
its attack, are distinguished by an unsalable 
desire for yenery, which they cannot restrain ; 
so that the influence of the disease, on the parts 
of generation, does not appear to lessen their 
functions; but, on the contrary, to increase 
the exercise of them. On the contrary, the 
Reverse happens in Madeira, and the loss of 
the powers of generation, or their non-appear- 
ance altogether, with a corresponding want of 
evolution in the parts of generation, or their 
gradually shrinking, forms a leading character 
of the disease. DISEASES OF MADEIRA. 
That this disease is unfortunately of a here- 
ditary nature, physicians in general admit, 
and this hereditary disposition, it is further 
observed, is derived oftener from the father 
than the other parent. With respect to its 
being of a contagious nature, it is a matter of 
doubt, and the opinions of modern authors con- 
tradict it. 
This subject is ably treated by Dr. Adams, 
in his work on Morbid Poisons, who denies the 
contagious principle of this disease; and in 
this sentiment, he is also supported by Dr. 
Thomas Heberden, who has written upon it 
in the London Medical Transactions. But 
notwithstanding these respectable authorities, 
there are some cases which clearly prove the 
contagious nature of the disease, and though 
this contagious principle may not exert itself 
on all occasions, still, these cases point out the 
necessity for pausing on this head, and taking 
such precautions, as may not unnecessarily 
expose the sound to the infection. 
About thirty years ago, in the village Pontct 
de Sol, fourteen miles distant from Funchal, the 
capital of this island, it raged with all the 
violence of an infectious malady, passing from 
one family to another, and threatening to 
extend its ravages into the neighbouring coun- DISEASES OF MADEIRA. 
try, till the governor took this prudent and 
wise step, of separating the healthy from the 
diseased, and preventing their interference with 
each other. 
There are now in the Lazaretto, and out of 
it, two or three cases of man and wife labouring 
under this disease, where, to all appearance, a 
communication of the infection took place, 
from the one*party to the other; and as a 
farther instance of the same fact, the present 
porter of the Lazaretto caught the disease 
himself, since he resided in the hospital. The 
mode of attack also, where it appears in those 
born of healthy parents, and who have them- 
selves continued healthy, till after the age of 
puberty, or a more advanced period, much 
resembles the mode of attack, which distin- 
guishes contagious diseases. It is ushered in 
with rigors and other symptoms of 
while at the same time there is no evidence of 
the presence of any other existing morbid 
cause. These circumstances acquire additional 
weight, from the observation that the disease 
uniformly assumes a more aggravated form in 
the Lazaretto, than where the patient is taken 
care of at home by his friends, even though 
the patient is introduced to the hospital on the 
first symptoms of the malady. This therefore DISEASES OF MADEIRA. 
cannot be easily accounted for, unless by sup- 
posing1 a certain vitiated state of the atmosphere 
to exist, in this receptacle of the diseased, 
depending on the effluvia arising from the 
bodies of the sick. As, to counteract as much 
as possible the morbid state, every attention 
is paid in the (economy of the place, to pro- 
per regulations, in respect" to ventilation and 
cleanliness, and the diet is of the best qualitj7, 
and in abundant supply. In continuation of 
my opinion, I may here notice the change 
which often takes place in erysipelas, which in 
crouded hospitals becomes often an epidemic 
disease, and of a highly contagious nature, 
as is well known to every medical practitioner. 
Its prevention being only effected by removing 
patients to a distance from each other. 
On the treatment of Elephantiasis our know- 
ledge is hitherto very imperfect, and must, I fear, 
continue so, while our information concerning its 
nature is so uncertain and defective, and especially 
with respect to its contagious tendency. The re- 
moval of this uncertainty will be the first step to 
a discovery of a successful method of cure. In a 
few instances, I have been able to suspend the 
progress of the disease, by the use of mercury, in 
the form of calomel: but these cases were con- 
fined to its incipient state. In other cases. 74 
DISEASES OF MADEIRA. 
I have tried the administration internally of 
the Lacerta (Agilis) or common lizard, so long 
ago as the year 1785. Of these I luckily had 
the immediate charge, and the greatest benefit 
was derived from this remedy. It is not, how- 
ever, to be concealed, that it also at times 
failed; and the same result was observed, in 
the practice of several of the Spanish physicians, 
who made a similar trial of this remedy. 
As a medicine, this reptile acts as a power- 
ful stimulant on the living solid, opening the 
several excretions, and producing large eva- 
cuations, particularly by the skin and urine, 
which are at the same time not attended with 
any debilitating efleet. By this mode of opera- 
tion, it will be found to have the certain influ- 
ence of arresting the progress of the worst 
symptoms of elephantiasis, if not the whole, 
and in many cases to have surprisingly restored 
parts, which for years had been morbidly 
enlarged, to their natural size, and even sen- 
sibility ; though for that period they had 
continued in a torpid state. Its operation 
also seems to vary somewhat in different cases; 
at times the different secretions seem increased 
by it all at once, viz. the perspiration, urine, and 
saliva; at other times, merely an increase of 
saliva takes place. Diarrhoea was not an un- DISEASES OF MADEIRA. 
common effect of its operation, but as noticed, 
and what would hardly he supposed, these 
evacuations produced no proportionate degree 
of debility. On the contrary, in every case, 
the appetite for food, and the natural strength 
and vigour continued unimpaired. One effect 
of its administration was at times to occa- 
sion vertigo or giddiness, hut this symptom 
seemed merely a transient attack, and was 
never attended with any had consequence. On 
what peculiar principle the active operation of 
this remedy depends, admits much conjecture. 
The viper, a reptile of the same structure, 
was considered by the ancients an infallible 
cure for leprosy, the active powers of which, 
were supposed to reside in its volatile saline 
parts. The form of administering this remedy, 
was that of pills of an ordinary siie, (or about 
five or six grains each), into which it was made 
up with a little flour. In order to do it, the 
head, tail and legs were previously cut off, 
the skin removed, and the intestines taken out; 
of these pills, from six to twelve or more were 
given daily. 
To illustrate this practice more completely, 
I shall subjoin a few of the cases, in which 
I gave it a fair trial, with the result which 
attended its administration, 76 
DISEASES OF MADEIRA. 
CASE I. 
Occur trig September 25, 1785. 
Maria Toaquina, about a twelvemonth before, 
in the eleventh year of her age, had been 
seized, after exposure to cold, with a violent 
inflammation of her face, of a purple livid 
appearance. This was succeeded, in six months 
after, by a number of small tubercles on the 
eye-brows, palpetree and alae nasi, with a 
falling off of the hairs from the body. Her 
arms were also much tuberculated, and her 
father, according to her report, had died of 
leprosy. She immediately began the daily 
use of the lizard to the amount of one. 
Its effect on the Bth, was to cause her to sweat 
profusely, and to pass daily four quarts of 
urine, since she begun its use. The swelling 
of the face is now evidently diminished, and 
the tubercles feel also softer. Her belly and 
appetite continue both natural. 
On the 12th, the same effects of medicine 
continue, with an evident amendment of the 
disease. 
On the 21st, the medicine is equally active, 
the secretions as hitherto, while the tubercles DISEASES OF MADEIRA. 
77 
mid swellings on the face have disappeared, and 
the eye-brows have regained their growth of 
hair, She is now apparently cured. 
CASE 11. September 1, 1785. 
Antonio, a labourer, of healthy parents, 
but of a melancholic temperament, in the 
fifty-second year of his age, about four months 
ago caught cold, when convalescent from fever. 
He was then suddenly seized with a violent 
inflammation of his legs, arms and face, of a 
purple and shining colour. The lobes of his 
ears, his lips, eye-brows and alae nasi, were 
greatly enlarged, and there soon supervened 
on these parts, a number of indolent tubercles 
of various sizes. With these symptoms was 
next joined an eruption of chopped scales on 
his arms and legs, attended here and there 
with ulcerations of a florid matter, that dis- 
charged a quantity of thick yellow matter. 
These ulcerations particularly affected the soles 
of the feet. For some time back he had 
laboured ender anaesthesia, or loss of feeling, 
and indeed a general torpor seemed to pervade 
every affected part. The integuments of the 
legs became, in the progress of the disease, so 
thick and hard, and their insensibility so great. 78 
DISEASES OF MADEIRA. 
that no sensation was felt on being1 pricked with 
pins. His eye-sight also felt' much impaired, 
and he had been seized occasionally with ver- 
tigo, accompanied with convulsive tremors. In 
short, every symptom of the disease was ra- 
pidly increasing. I prescribed for a raw lizard 
every morning, a gradual amendment soon took 
place. The indolent tubercles lessened, the 
ulcerations healed, and the itching of the skin 
diminished: his sight, which was much impaired, 
became restored to its natural perfection, and 
the sensibility of the system, which had been 
so completely lost, very much amended. The 
operation of the medicine was here attended 
with the same profuse discharge, as in the for- 
mer case, and seems to point out that this 
action is necessary to its success; if not, it 
at least shews its powerful operation on the 
system. 
CASE 111. 
A gentleman who had been in Mexico, and 
other parts of South America, and was acquaint- 
ed with the success of the medicine himself, came 
to Madeira purposely to put himself under my 
care. This case was similar to the two former, in 
the leading symptoms, though it had not made so DISEASES OF MADEIRA. 
79 
much progress as the last. He began accord- 
ingly the same course of a raw lizard every 
morning. Its operation was attended with 
the same effect as in the former patients, and 
symptoms of amendment soon appeared to take 
place. But circumstances of business obliging 
him suddenly to leave the island, I had not 
an opportunity of knowing the result of this 
case. 
To the above cases, I might add a great 
number more, in which I have prescribed the 
lizard with great advantage; but in all, the 
operation of the medicine has been the same, 
and the progress of the cure has proceeded 
in a similar gradual manner: but, I must not con- 
ceal, at the same time, that in many other cases 
I have been disappointed by it in producing a 
cure, even where I have increased the dose 
beyond the quantity stated, where its operation 
on the system has been full and severe, and 
where the cases were apparently not so bad as 
others, that had happily yielded to its influence. 
But besides leprosy, I understand, it has been 
given with much advantage, in Herpes, Chronic 
Rheumatism, Dropsy, and Scrofula. In one 
case of this last disease, which came under my 
knowledge, a child of fifteen years of age, 
atfected with soft tumours in the neck; they 80 
DISEASES OF MADEIRA 
were considerably lessened by the use of this 
medicine., which shewed the like sensible effects, 
as in the cases of leprosy, in increasing the 
different secretions of sweat, urine, and saliva. 
Several other remedies may be here enume- 
rated, that have succeeded in the hands of 
different practitioners, in counteracting the 
progress of leprosy. The arseniate of mer- 
cury has succeeded with Dr. Clarke of Domi- 
nica, in a number of instances. The nitric 
acid, has been proposed by others, as pro- 
ducing, if not a cure, strong symptoms of 
amendment. Indeed we may infer, that every 
medicine that possesses a powerful action on 
the skin, will be here of service; and in this 
view, antimonial preparations have been 
much used, and always with certain advantage, 
though not to the extent of curing. As a dry- 
ness, hardness, and at last rigid state of the 
surface, is always the fore-runner of this 
disease; those powers which immediately act 
upon it, independent of the system at large, 
cannot fail to be highly useful in accelerating 
the effect of any internal course of medicine 
resorted to. The warm bath, therefore, in all 
diseases of the skin, as well as this, has at all 
times been a powerful auxiliary; but in place 
of it, the application of the vapour bath, DISEASES OF MADEIRA, 
where heat and moisture are combined, in their 
most powerful form; would certainly deserve 
a preferable trial as an auxiliary remedy. 
That the leprosy is the consequence of a 
specific contagion, of a highly infectious 
nature, appears to me strongly confirmed, by 
the judicious precautions taken in the British 
West Indies.' So much is the slightest appear- 
ance of this disease dreaded in that quarter, 
that the unhappy victim of its attack is 
deserted, even by his nearest friends; they are 
afraid to approach him, much less to eat at 
the same table, or drink from the same cup. 
This dread, so general in every island, can 
only proceed from a strong sense of its infectious 
nature, arid a powerful conviction of that infec- 
tion being of a very subtile and active kind. 
The precautions used, we are to consider as 
not the result of an ill-founded popular preju- 
dice, since it is sanctioned by the practitioners of 
that country, and obtains among the best in- 
formed of the inhabitants. It is perhaps as 
ancient an endemic in the West Indies as in 
Madeira. 
Where the vapour bath is employed, its 
action will be much assisted by the use of 
friction, and this operation, should be con- 
ducted, during the time the vapour is applied. DISEASES OF MADEIRA. 
and while the surface is in a patulous and 
relaxed state; through the sound part of the 
skin; a variety of substances may be thus 
introduced; in the form of ointment; or blended 
with an oily matter; to accelerate their entrance; 
and both the palliation of smyptomS; as well 
as the complete cure much accelerated. 
Lesser Cutaneous Affections. 
Besides leprosy; there a few other cutaneous 
affections of a milder nature; very general in the 
island of Madeira. To these affections persons 
of all ages are subject; as well as in every 
condition of life. 
Psora. 
Psora or Itch is very prevalent here; among 
the lower orders as elsewhere; from their natu- 
ral uncleanliness; and the improper diet to 
which they are accustomed; but it is particu- 
larly aggravated also; from an unfortunate 
popular prejudice; which prevents the appli- 
cation of external remedies; which are consi- 
dered as injurious to health; and even; in 
their opinion; attended with fatal effects. Here 
the disease is allowed to run on, without any Diseases of Madeira. 
means being' employed to stop it, and numbers 
even carry it with them to their grave. In 
many cases it proves of so exasperated a 
nature, as rather to resemble herpes than itch. 
Ougao. 
By this term is understood an inveterate 
species of the former disease, more frequent 
in its attacks in infancy, than at an after 
period, and even so early as while the child 
is at the breast. Its appearance is first about 
the ancles, toes, wrists, and fingers, whence 
it generally spreads over the whole body. 
The name is given it by the natives, 
and its origin proceeds from small animalcules 
piercing the skin, which render the disease 
highly infectious. This cause is so evident, 
that a delineation of one of the animalcules 
may been seen in Dr. Adams’s Work on Mor- 
bid Poisons; and the learned author observes, 
that it possessed the power of leaping, when 
he first saw it, with a force equal to that of a 
flea. It is perfectly visible to the naked eye, 
is somewhat larger than a cheese mite, and 
belongs to the genus A cams (Siro Exulcerans of 
Linnaeus.) DISEASES OF MADEIRA. 
The first appearance of the disease, is in 
the form of a pellucid watery vesicle, attended 
with intolerable itching*, and which, on being1 
rubbed, breaks and discharges a thin watery 
fluid. A crust or scab is afterwards formed, 
from under which there is again emitted an 
acid icherous matter. This matter corrodes 
the neighbouring parts, and tends to extend 
the disease, which is further assisted by the 
ova of the original infectious animalcules, and 
the locomotive power they are ascertained to 
possess. Thus it is conveyed over the body, 
and the eruption is soon rendered very general. 
Though this disease does not in general prove 
very formidable, yet it is often difficult to cure, 
and continues chiefly confined to the parts first 
affected. 
On the removal of the animalcule, either 
by extraction, or such external applications as 
destroy it, the vesicle readily heals ; and the 
disease being more frequent among the children 
of the poor, than the richer classes, there is 
seldom employed by their relatives any other 
mode of cure, than extraction, by means of a 
needle or pin, an operation at which, from 
frequent practice, the mothers and nurses are 
very dextrous. But in the way of medicine, 
this affection readily yields to the application of DISEASES OF MADEIRA. 
85 
the mercurial and sulphur ointments; at leasts 
they are the remedies 1 have found used with 
most advantage to remove it. 
Alfora. 
Prom a similar cause of animalcular irri- 
tation is derived another cutaneous malady, 
known by the name of Alfora, from the small 
winged insect, which occasions it. This 
insect is about the size of the one described, 
as producing the itch, and the affection it 
entails is most troublesome during harvest, and 
immediately after it. From this circumstance, 
persons in the country are most liable to its 
attack. The seat of this affection in adults, 
is the ham and under the arms, and in children, 
it occupies behind the ears, and about the roots 
of the hair. 
It commences with a sense of intolerable 
itching all over the body; which is succeeded on 
scratching, by speckled swellings, resembling 
the stingings of nettles. When the skin is care- 
fully examined, there appear on it numberless 
small vesicles, turgid with a liquid fluid, and 
in some places they run together. On breaking, 
these vesicles generally form a crust, and pro- 
ceed no farther; but in children, their conse? 86 
DISEASES OF MADEIRA. 
quences are more severe,, for they not unfret 
quently leave behind them sores, that discharge 
a vast quantity of a very acrid humour, and 
are often tedious and troublesome to heal. 
Though these sores occasionally occupy different 
parts of the body, yet they are more especially 
confined to behind the ears, and round the back 
of the head. 
In this disease, like the former, extraction 
is the mode of cure preferred by the people 
themselves, and from the dextrous manner in 
which it is performed, they are generally suc- 
cessful. The great art is in having recourse to 
the operation before the animal has time to 
deposit its ova ; for after that period, the erup- 
tion becomes too general for this means of 
cure to be applied. 
Herpes. 
Herpetic eruptions are equally common here 
as elsewhere. Their origin may be traced 
to uncleanliness, and hence they are chiefly 
prevalent among the lower classes, who, from 
the habits and mode of life, are much disposed 
to be filthy. In this climate, they assume 
often a highly contagious nature, a circum- 
stance to be particularly attended to, and made DISEASES OF MADEIRA. 
87 
known by a practitioner. The different metallic 
oxyds, either in the form of a watery solution 
or ointment, generally perform a cure; but 
perhaps it may be always proper to join, with 
such external means, a mild alterative treatment, 
which, whatever the cause may be, will never 
fail to be useful, as a measure of precaution. 
The combination of the oxyd of mercury 
and lead, will be found the most successful 
external application. 
Sudamina or Frickly Heat, 
Is a disease very frequent in all warm cli- 
mates, and not less so, in the island of Madeira. 
It breaks out in minute papulae, in different 
parts of the body, sudden in their appearance, 
and as sudden in their departure. In its most 
aggravated state, a cool regimen is only neces- 
sary, and here it is seldom so severe, as to stand 
|n need of any medical treatment, 
Essera. 
The same may be said of the essera, which 
differs from the former by appearing in the 
shape of hard flat tubercles; and at the same 88 
DISEASES OF MADEIRA. 
time it differs also from the urticaria,, by the tu- 
bercles being larger. It requires as little me- 
dical assistance as the former. 
Erysipelas. 
Erysipelas is a disease here not unfrequent, 
and in the young., who are not so subject to it 
as more advanced life., it readily yields to the 
cool treatment. All persons once having this 
disease, are liable afterwards to be annually 
attacked by it; and in old people, it often 
attains that degree of violence, which consti- 
tutes carbuncle, and forthwith proves fatal, by 
suddeply terminating in gangrene. 
Affections of the Chest. 
After the diseases of the skin, I proceed tp 
consider the pulmonary complaints of the 
island, as they attack under three forms, of 
Cattarrh, Pneumonia, and Consumption. 
Cattarrh. 
Cattarrh, or slight colds, are here as com- 
mon as in the more variable climates of Europe; 
the slightest change of temperature, is sufficient 89 
DISEASES OF MADEIRA. 
to produce an attack. It is, however, in its 
nature generally mild, and unless where a 
strong predisposition exists to phthisis, seldom 
terminates in that disease. Indeed the mild- 
ness of its nature requires here but rarely 
the interference of medicine 
The contagious catarrh or influenza of the 
northern regions, has occasionally paid a visit to 
this island. It has, however, assumed on these 
occasions, a milder form, and not been distin- 
guished by the same exasperated symptoms, 
nor followed by the same alarming conse- 
quences, as when epidemic in Europe. Hence 
little aid from medicine has been found necesr 
sary in its treatment. 
Pneumonia. 
During the cold months of spring, pneumo- 
nic complaints are frequent in Madeira; for 
the same cause that produces catarrh, when 
more powerfully applied, will excite affections of 
the chest. These complaints are here sometimes 
ushered in by violent pyrexia, instead of that 
insiduous and mild commencement of the attack, 
so conspicuous with such disorders in Europe. 
They arg frequently also combined with 
typhus fevers, and in this state they form a DISEASES OF MADEIRA. 
nondescript disease,, the treatment of which 
is extremely difficulty as presenting1 such oppo- 
site indications. When its symptoms are very 
violent and rapid in their progress, spasms 
arise, which suddenly destroy the patient. These 
spasms much resemble the symptoms that are 
known to attend the peculiar affection, styled 
angina pectoris; though from the sudden attack 
here, and rapid progress of the symptoms, no 
suspicion of permanent organic change of that 
nature, which forms the cause of this disorder, 
can be supposed to have taken place. From 
this account, the treatment of pneumonia 
here can be regulated by no certain plan, but 
left entirely to the judgment of the practitioner, 
who will act according to circumstances. 
Phthisis Pulmonalis. 
Madeira, from its uniformity of temperature, 
and purity of atmosphere, has long been, and 
still continues to be, the favourite retreat of 
consumptive patients from the northern parts 
of Europe. Here the unhappy sufferers, under 
this formidable disease, cheat the winter of their 
own climate, and gain that cessation of suffer- 
ing, which such a situation is fitted to produce. 
Yet still, though so highly beneficial in this DISEASES OF MADEIRA. 
91 
disease., with the natives of other countries, it 
is not to be concealed,, that no malady is more 
prevalent here than phthisis, with the natives 
of the island. Persons of all ages, and of both 
sexes, fall victims to it; nay, whole families, 
have at times been suddenly swept away by it. 
The species of the disease that produces 
these ravages here, is that connected with 
scrophula, a disorder equally common here as 
in the colder regions of Europe : * it uniformly 
at first assumes the appearance of a mild catarrh, 
but afterwards, when the real pulmonary symp- 
toms commence, they prove more violent and 
rapid in their progress, than in the phthisis of 
northern climates. 
But it is chiefly from the itinerant pati- 
ents, who have been ordered here from Bri- 
tain, my ideas of this melancholy disease 
have been drawn, and my experience in its 
* Pneumonia has been known to terminate in phthisis, 
but only, I apprehend, in those cases, where there already 
existed a predisposition to the disease; and where catarrh 
has appeared to produce the same consequence, it must have 
been under similar circumstances; for there is scarcely an 
individual, who has not at some time or other had catarrh, 
yet, not one of 5000 has contracted phthisis, and where 
phthisis has occurred, it will be found only in those pecu- 
liarly predisposed to the disease. 92 
DISEASES OF MADEIRA. 
treatment founded. In these patients I have 
remarked, that the disorder is of that spe- 
cies, which either arises from tubercles, and is 
connected with scrofula, or else is accompanied 
with a faulty confirmation of the chest. Before 
such patients repair to-this last haven of health; 
their malady is unfortunately, in too many cases, 
in its last stage, when neither change of cli- 
mate, nor any remedy whatever can be of ser- 
vice. Prom what cause this backwardness to 
an earlier trial of a southern climate proceeds, 
is not for me to determine, but it would he well 
if the physicians of such patients, were to 
recommend a change of temperature, in the 
first stage of the malady, where the tubercle is 
yet in the inflammatory state, or where, if sup- 
puration has taken place, it is still in a slight 
degree, and the lungs have suffered little de- 
rangement in their structure and functions. It 
is then, and then only, a change of climate will 
be truly beneficial. Besides the advantage of 
the voyage itself can only be reaped by those 
who are able to bear its inconveniencies, not by 
the worn-out victim of suffering, sinking under 
the last symptoms of emaciation and debility. 
Besides this favoured climate, even on their 
arrival, is not without its inconveniencies to 
persons in their situation. The people of DISEASES OF MADEIRA. 
Funchal, and indeed the natives in general, 
will hardly, under any circumstances, receive 
into their houses a phthisical patient, on the 
idea that the disease is of a contagious nature, * 
and in this they are confirmed, by the number of 
such patients who croud here at one time of 
the season. But though winter in Great 
Britain is carefully to be avoided by the con- 
sumptive, summer is by no means unfavourable 
to this complaint. The proper period of such 
patients departing from their native shore, is 
the month of October, and under all circum- 
stances in Madeira, the fittest season for invalids, 
is from November to the beginning of June, 
This was also the opinion of the late Dr. Cullen, 
who, in his Lectures on this disease, was wont 
to observe, in directing a change of climate, 
that it was as pernicious for phthisical patients 
to pass the summer in a very warm climate. 
* A few cases have certainly occurred here, where the 
disease apparently originated from contagion. 1 have my- 
self met with instances of husbands, to all appearance, com- 
municating the disease to their wives, and wives to their 
husbands; but I have no doubt, in such instances, that the 
predisposition to the disease from tubercles existed. Whe- 
ther or not this predisposition was excited to action, by the 
frequent inspiration of the vitiated matter, exhaled front 
the lungs of those affected, I cannot determine. 94 
DISEASES OF MADEIRA. 
such as Madeira, as to remain in England 
in winter, and indeed that the most benign 
climate in such cases, was found in the south 
of England, and in the winter of southern 
latitudes. 
I have hitherto confined my remarks to that 
form of the disease which may be strictly termed 
phthisical; but it appears also, in this climate, 
in another shape, that of Marasmus, or Tabes 
Mesenterica. This species generally shews 
itself in very infancy. Poor children, perhaps 
from the bad quality of their food, are particu- 
larly liable to its attack; its chief symptoms 
are an enormous belly, a pale ghastly counte- 
nance, great emaciation, and constant fever, 
with a dry rough skin. Such cases are generally 
connected and prove fatal. In all dissections 
of this species of the disorder, I have uniformly 
found the lungs full of tubercles, some of them 
in an indolent state, and others of them arrived 
at suppuration; while the mesentery and lym- 
phatic glands were always at the same time 
affected. In one case, I recollect meeting with 
a cluster of these glands, swelled to the size of 
a child’s head, while the others adjacent equalled 
the size of a pullet’s egg, being greatly in- 
durated. Worms and acrimonious scabs are 
also found in the intestines in considerable DISEASES OF MADEIRA. 
95 
quantity: the former are generally of the spe- 
cies of lumbrici, and it has occurred to me to 
see, in one or two cases before death, immense 
quantities of these worms voided in the form of 
large balls, connected together by tough slimy 
matter. These balls could be seen and felt on 
the outside of the abdomen, and there can be 
no doubt that these insects contributed to the 
death of the patient. 
In cases of phthisis the mode of treatment I 
have found most successful, has consisted in the 
cautious administration of digitalis, with the 
use of those means that are suited to palliate 
distressing symptoms. On the subject of digi- 
talis I have the greatest satisfaction in stating, 
that in almost every instance where I have 
administered this medicine in Madeira, I have 
experienced the most beneficial effects from it. 
In incipient cases of the disease, which gene- 
rally occur only in my practice among the 
natives, I have very frequently obtained by 
means of it a perfect cure. Even in the ad- 
vanced stages of the malady, where there not 
only prevailed purulent expectoration, but 
strong hectic fever, the usual state in which 
patients arrive from England, I have had great 
reason to be satisfied with its palliative powers, 
and a few of these instances I have certainly 96 
DISEASES OF MADEIRA. 
cured by it. One constant effect of it lias been, 
delaying for a time the fatal issue of the malady. 
Where the remedy therefore has proved unsuc- 
cessful, I attribute the failure more to the dis- 
ease being allowed, from neglect and inatten- 
tion, to proceed to that confirmed height when 
neither medicine nor climate could be of service, 
than to any inadequacy of its specific influence. 
This unusual success I ascribe, in a great mea- 
sure, to the concomitant advantage in the 
benignity of the climate, and also to a constant 
attention on my part to palliate the uneasy 
symptoms. The most distressing symptoms in 
phthisis, are Cough, Dyspnoea and Pains of 
Chest, Hemoptoe, Anorexia, Hectic Sweats, 
Costiveness, and Diarrhoea. 
Cough. 
The cough accompanies almost every stage 
of this disorder, and ought to be particularly 
attended to, for whatever steps are taken to 
relieve it, serve always more or less to mitigate 
the severity of the disease. The medicine I 
have generally experienced here most service- 
able is opium, either exhibited in the form of 
draught at bed-time, or combined with some 
mucilaginous substance, as a solution of gum DISEASES OF MADEIRA. 
Arabic or tragacanth, and given in the form of 
mixture at repeated intervals during the day. 
The g’ood effects of such a combination, I 
always considered as much encreased by the 
addition of a little of the tincture of digitalis. 
Where fever accompanies the cough, to this 
mixture I add a small portion of the tartarised 
antimony, and prescribe to be used along with it 
the saline julap; or, in place of the latter, in 
order to give a free determination to the skin, 
I combine with the original anodyne mixture, 
a proportion of squill vinegar; or else give a 
pill, composed of squills, calomel, ipecacuhan, 
and opium, which is particularly serviceable in 
cases attended with little expectoration. Instead 
of opium, where the skin is not very hot, I 
prefer the paregoric elixir, either given in the 
form of draught, or combined with the former 
pectoral mixture; and in cases where this 
symptom of cough seems to depend merely on 
what is termed morbid irritability, I have often 
recourse to the narcotic influence of the hyos- 
cyamus and cicuta, or to the astringent powers 
of the uva ursi. 
Dyspncsa and Pains of Chest. 
These symptoms, which so generally attend 
the disease in every part of its course, often 98 
DISEASES OF MADEIRA. 
require great experience to discover their true 
nature., and to remove or palliafe their severity. 
Where they occur at an early period of the 
disease, and are connected with a fulness of 
the pulse, and other marks of a purely inflam- 
matory nature, then bleeding may be necessary, 
with the assistance of cooling laxative medicines, 
and the topical application of blisters. But it 
happens more frequently, that these symptoms 
appear in the advanced progress of the disease, 
when debility is the predominant symptom, and 
when they evidently partake of a spasmodic 
nature. In this case, though they are accom- 
panied sometimes with a hot skin, and qnick 
pulse, yet antispasmodics form the leading 
indication, and of this class, opium is the best. 
Its effect is here to he assisted by topical 
means, as the application of leeches and small 
blisters to the chest, and the occasional use of 
cooling purgatives. These symptoms are found 
at times to be aggravated, by the presence of 
wind in the stomach or bowels; but the latter 
circumstances are relieved by the same means 
now recommended. Some idea of the cause 
of the pain, may be drawn from the progress 
of its attack. If it shift, and exist only in a slight 
degree, then it may be generally conceived to 
be some affection of the intercostal muscles; DISEASES OF MADEIRA. 
99 
but if it is very acute and fixed in its scab then 
it must proceed from an inordinate contraction of 
the muscular fibres of the pleura. In this latter 
case, I have generally discovered on dissection, 
strong ahesions of the lungs to the diaphragm 
and ribs, by means of tendinous cords; and 
these, it is natural to suppose, must have been 
the source of the acute pain felt by such pati- 
ents, Here blisters and embrocations are the 
only useful local remedies. 
Hemoptoce. 
The course of the disease is often marked by 
the occurrence of this symptom, and when it 
appears in the latter stage, it is always an 
alarming circumstance; for it frequently at this 
period proves the sudden cause of dissolution. 
Hence it requires the most prompt use of means, 
and as it seldom occurs it the form of active 
hemorrhage, bleeding is rarely advisable. 
Practitioners are here apt to be misguided by 
the uncommon degree of tension so frequently 
felt in the pulse; but this depends on mere 
irritability as its cause. Here the use of digi- 
talis is highly successful, particularly if accom- 
panied with the application of blisters to the 
side, and the occasional administration of cooling 100 
DISEASES OF MADEIRA. 
saline laxatives. These remedies may be far- 
ther assisted by the saline jalap with nitre,, 
having in it a portion either of tartarised anti- 
mony or laudanum. Should the hemorrhage 
prove excessive and continued, joined with evi- 
dent marks of debility, then the infusion of 
roses, with the sulphuric acid, and perhaps 
laudanum, is to be frequently administered. 
The opium, in a solid form, will be also service- 
able. 
Anorexia. 
This symptom, though chiefly confined to 
the latter stage, sometimes attends the whole 
course of the disease. It is one highly distress- 
ing, and I have found it best relieved by bitters, 
particularly the quassia, columba, and angustura 
bark, which may be joined occasionally with 
aromatics; and should a predominant acidity 
attend, then a small proportion of kali wil) 
make a valuable addition, 
Hectic Sweats. 
These are always an alarming symptom in 
this malady, and often exhaust the patient so 
much, that he is ready to sink under them. DISEASES OF MADEIRA, 
101 
Besides they are difficult to combat. The 
sulphuric acid with baric, I have occasionally 
found serviceable, and great benefit I have also 
derived from causing the patient to wear a flan- 
nel shirt, and sleep at the same time in blankets. 
Costiveness. 
This is both a troublesome symptom, and also 
apt to increase every other. The most effectual 
means for its prevention in my practice I have 
found to be the occasional administration of 
some saline purgative, as the sulphat of mag- 
nesia, the soda phosphorata, or some laxa- 
tive electuary; for more active purgatives are 
seldom necessary. 
Diarrhoea. 
No symptom is so alarming in this malady, 
as the colliquative diarrhoea, which marks its 
advanced progress. It is distressing to the 
practitioner, and if not carefully attended to, 
it will soon carry off the patient. 
When it is slight, and shews a prevalence of 
acidity in the first passages, the chalk mixture 
with laudanum will be of service; or, where 
the laudanum disagrees, the extract of white 102 
DISEASES OF MADEIRA. 
poppy, or the compound spirit of vitriolic 
aether, given in the quantity of a dram, or two 
drams, twice or thrice a day, maybe substituted. 
But in general absorbent medicines are too 
insignificant to check this symptom, and astrin- 
gents must be had recource to in preference. 
The most useful and elegant form of the latter, 
I have found to be the following:—» 
R Confect. Catechu. 3 fs. 
Aq. Cinn. Simpl. 
Pontis. a 
Spt. Ammon. Comp. 31 
Tinct. Opii. gutt. C. 
Sirup. Symp. 3 fs. M. 
Sumat. Jfs. urgente Diarrhoea. 
To this mixture, I occasionally add a little 
tincture of kino, and with it I find it useful to 
administer at times a dose of opium in a solid 
form. 
Regimen. 
In the treatment of no disease is an atten- 
tion to regimen so necessary as in consumption. 
In the first stage of its progress, and so long 
as there are no very obvious symptoms of debi- DISEASES OF MADEIRA. 
103 
iity, the most strict antiphlogistic plan ought 
to be and scrupulously adhered to. 
In Madeira; however; it is often difficult to 
procure the articles of diet; which form pro- 
perly this system. In my own practice; I 
generally recommend a milk diet; and where it 
can be had, I give a preference to ass milk, 
though it is difficult to procure; from being 
both scarce and dear. Cows and goats milk, 
is only to be had in abundance; and this is 
chiefly to be depended on. To obviate the 
debility; however; which is a prevalent symp- 
tom in this disease; and always to be guarded 
against; I find it necessary to allow once a day 
a little animal food; of easy digestion; which is 
in proportion to its alkolescency. Hence game, 
chicken; and fresh fish are the articles I recom- 
mend. In these cases, the best drinks are bar- 
ley water, toast and water, or almond emulsion ; 
and if the bowels are regular, lemonade or 
orangeote,—spirituous and vinous liquors of all 
kinds are to be strictly avoided, and wine is 
indeed only admissible, where there is no fre- 
quency or fulness of pulse. Where much debility 
prevails, with exhausting hectic sweats, and 
where the patient of course appears rapidly 
sinking under the disease, in these circum- 
stances, a moderate use of it is necessary, pal- DISEASES OF MADEIRA 
liative, and indispensable to relieve the declining' 
state of the patient. From the connection of 
phthisis., as already observed, with scrofula, 
mineral waters are a remedy, which promise 
much benefit in this disease. So long ago as 
the year 1791, I communicated to my friend 
Dr. Duncan of Edinburgh, an account of a 
case, which had been cured by the mineral 
waters of St. Miguel; but whether the cure was 
to be attributed entirely to the waters, or to 
the voyage, I cannot determine. I have known 
several other cases, which have received much 
benefit from the same remedy. 
In all the cases of phthisis which I have 
dissected, the same appearances of tubercles and 
vomicae have been conspicuous, as in those 
eases which have taken their origin in Europe. 
Anomalous Disease^. 
Under this head I shall offer a few observa- 
tions on some remaining disorders endemic in 
Madeira—one of which is 
Arthritic Affections. 
Under this form may be considered, those 
wandering pains, and irregular muscular affec- DISEASES OF MADEIRA. 
105 
lions, which are supposed to arise from a gouty 
or rheumatic cause; they are confined to persons 
advanced in life, and generally here, as else- 
where, baffle the powers of medicine. The 
regular Gout, is here a disease less frequent in 
its attacks than in Europe, the violence of its 
course being, perhaps, somewhat checked by 
the influence of the climate. 
In the same manner. Rheumatism is oftener 
here in the chronic than acute form, and when 
it does occur, will not allow bleedings and that 
active treatment, which is necessary in the 
northern climates 
Colic ; 
Is a common disorder in Madeira, and parti- 
cularly among the lower classes. It often ends 
in llias, in which case its termination is gene- 
rally fatal. Country people, from being over- 
heated, and drinking suddenly cold liquids, are 
very subject to it. Excess of the use of fruit 
also may be noticed as a frequent cause of its 
attack. 
Dropsy. 
The lower classes in this country, when they 
pass middle age, are very subject to this com- 
plaint, which is generally attended with obstryc- 106 
DISEASES OF MADEIRA. 
tion of some of the viscera. The low living' of 
such persons, their hard labour, and exposure 
to every change of atmosphere, are sufficient 
causes to induce it, and as it generally marks 
a breaking up of the constitution, it is rarely 
entirely removed, though it may be palliated 
by the usual remedies for a time. Women 
about fifty, are here also the most frequent 
victims of it, and especially those who have 
devoted themselves to a monastic life, where 
low diet, religious severity, and the want of 
pure air, joined to a life of single blessedness, 
soon prey upon the health, and induce obstruc- 
tions of the principal organs. 
Hemorrhoids. 
Hemorrhoidal affections are very frequent 
among those who lead a sedentary life. They 
are more frequently attended with a sense of 
weight, uneasiness, and pain, about the aims, 
than with dangerous discharges of blood. A 
variety of dyspeptic symptoms also often super- 
vene, which, though of themselves seldom 
alarming, yet prove highly troublesome. Cases 
of this disease have likewise occurred to me, 
where the mere evacuation of blood by the 
anus, had nearly proved fatal. 1 have also 
seen the disease attended with periodical hmma- DISEASES OF MADEIRA. 
107 
temesis, where the blood vomited, proceeded 
without doubt from the hemorrhoidal veins. In 
some instances in my practice, I have had rea- 
son to be persuaded., that the disease proceeded 
from large tumors of the rectum,, extending 
several inches upwards within the gut, and 
these tumors are apt in going to stool to pro- 
duce prolapsus ani. I remember having been 
called to a case of this kind, where a number 
of such tumors had been extirpated, about 
thirty years before, by Mr. Hunter. From 
that period, the patient had been unaccountably 
subject to frequent prolapsus ani, and so great 
was it the day on which I was sent for, that 
the reduction was impossible. In consequence 
of this, in the course of a few days, an exten- 
sive sloughing of the villous coat of the rectum 
took place, when another tumor made its 
appearance, situated five or six inches within 
the gut. On the removal of this by the liga- 
ture, the patient, contrary to his most sanguine 
expectations, became free from every com- 
plaint. The parts recovered their tone, and 
thus, both the hemorrhoidal affection, and the 
prolapsus of the part disappeared. This pa- 
tient happening to die a twelvemonth after of 
ascites, an opportunity was offered me of in- 
specting the gut. This I embraced, and found 108 
DISEASES OF MADEIRA. 
the cicatrix consequent on the sloughing* of the 
rectum, extend about six inches up the gut, 
occupying at the same time its whole circum- 
ference. 
Epilepsy * 
Is a frequent disease in this country, chiefly 
attacking children, and in general symptomatic 
of teething, worms, or acid sordes in the first 
passages. In one instance it appeared sympto- 
matic of hydrocele. A gentleman, about forty, 
had been for some years subject to a swelling of 
the scrotum, which gradually attained the size 
of a young child’s head. During this period he 
had repeated attacks of epileptic fits, which 
gradually increased in frequency. He sub- 
mitted to the radical cure by injection, since 
which time, about a year and a half ago, he has 
had no epileptic paroxysm. 
Among the poorer class of persons, who live 
very low, this complaint seems to be idiopathic. 
Paralysis and Apoplexy. 
These complaints are frequently the conse- 
quences of the too free use of spirituous liquors 
of a base and unwholesome kind. They gene- 
rally attack persons advanced in life; apoplexy DISEASES OF MADEIRA. 
109 
proves in general suddenly fatal, while palsy 
conducts, by a more slow and complicated train 
of evils, to the grave. 
11. EPIDEMICS. 
In the preceding division I have treated the 
leading Endemics that occur in Madeira, and 
offered such remarks on their nature and treat- 
ment, as apply chiefly to their appearance and 
progress in that situation. Under the second, 
or next division, I am to examine the Epidemics 
of the island, which, though less frequent in 
their attack, assume a more formidable aspect 
when they do arrive, and take a wider range in 
their appearance. These all arise from a spe- 
cific contagion. The first here, as elsewhere, 
to be considered is fever. 
Fevers. 
So general is this form of disease in every 
country, that two thirds of mankind are calcu- 
lated to fall victims to it, who are cut off by 
disease. In Madeira it is equally common as 
elsewhere, but generally mild in its nature, and 
seldom fatal, where treated with proper ma- DISEASES OF MADEIRA. 
nagement. The typhoid species is the most 
frequent appearance it assumes,, and the plan 
of treatment must be directed with a view to 
support the system, and obviate the consequence 
of putrescency. It is chiefly in the country 
where fevers are fatal, and where the old prac- 
tice of bleeding prevails ; there being no other 
medical assistance there, than the barber-sur- 
geon can give, and with such practitioners, 
bleeding is in all cases the never-failing remedy. 
By such imprudence, fevers, however mild in 
their first attack, soon assume a serious aspect, 
and to this cause their fatality in this island 
may be attributed. In the towns, where the 
patients are under regular practitioners, and 
therefore properly treated, their termination is 
generally favourable, and warrants the conclu- 
sion I have stated with respect to this form of 
malady. 
Scarlatina. 
This formidable disease was the first time epi- 
demic in Madeira, in the summer of 1806, and 
was attended with a fatality, which few diseases 
in this climate have displayed. 
The characteristic symptoms which marked 
its attack, were inflammation of the tonsils, 
and mucous membrane of the fauces, attended DISEASES OF MADEIRA. 
with extensive and repeated sloughing of these 
parts ; eruption of the skin,, varied in its ap- 
pearance, form and extent, in different cases, 
and great debility of the whole of the functions. 
The affection of the throat, however, was by no 
means a constant symptom, and the attack was 
as frequently without as with this appear- 
ance. Where it occurred, the affection of the 
throat, in some cases, completely resembled 
the Scarlatina Cynanchica, in others, the Cy- 
nanche Maligna. 
The eruption also was often absent, and 
where it occurred, it was by no means uniform 
in its appearance. Still this variety proceeded 
all from one source, a specific contagion,” 
and was in every instance the same identical 
disease, however differently proportioned in 
distinct cases. 
At its commencement, so contagious was the 
nature of this epidemic to appearance, as to be 
considered as the epidemic or contagious catarrh 
combined with quinsy, and in other cases, as 
measles; and indeed from the very variable 
mode of its attack, though its nature soon ceased 
to be in the least doubtful to an experienced 
practitioner, still it could not fail, from its inci- 
pient appearance, to deceive one who looked 
only to the regular and usual form of scarlatina. 112 
DISEASES OF MADEIRA. 
In many cases,, for three or four days, deli- 
rium was the only symptom of the disease, 
attended with anxiety of the precordia, dyspnoea, 
palpitation of the heart, cough, bilious vomit- 
ings, oedematous swellings of different parts of 
the body, and, in proportion to the violence of 
these symptoms, suspension also of sense and 
motion. 
In other instances, the malady was ushered 
in by violent hemorrhage from the nose and 
mouth, attended with a quick feeble pulse, and 
occasionally frequent fits of syncope. 
Children were the chief victims of its fury, 
while those who had attained twenty-five or 
thirty years of age, seldom felt its attacks. 
When they did, the symptoms in the throat 
were much more violent than in other cases, 
particularly if they were of a robust habit, and 
the appearances of the skin were at the same 
time generally absent. 
The symptoms of the disease, when appearing 
in the true character of scarlatina simplex, were 
the following: 
On the second and third day after exposure to 
infection, the patient was seized with violent 
shiverings, suddenly succeeded by increased 
heat, and this as speedily terminated in profuse 
sweating, or at least in a general moisture of DISEASES OF MADEIRA. 
113 
the surface. Head ache then came on, succeeded 
by vertigo, anxiety about the precordia, nausea, 
with inclination to vomit, pain of the stomach, 
constipation, and paucity of urine. These symp- 
toms were attended with a quick feeble pulse and 
lassitude. The face assumed a purple redness, 
with more or less oedema, extending' towards the 
neck and breast; the extremities also, parti- 
cularly the lower ones, became oedematous, and 
shewed uniformly a bloated appearance. The 
third or fourth day, discovered the eruption 
first upon the neck, breast, belly, and thighs, 
and at length diffusing itself over the whole 
body, attended by the oedema of the face and 
extremities becoming also general. The form 
of the eruption varied in different cases; some- 
times it appeared so pale, as to be discerned with 
difficulty; sometimes it consisted of such large 
red spots, as have been said to occur in this 
disease, and in the Scarlatina Anginosa. At other 
times, small distinct spots, brightly red, were visi- 
ble, as appear in Cynanche Maligna. Sometimes 
the specked swellings of the urticaria shewed 
themselves, and not unfrequently pustules, like 
those of small or chicken pox. The malignity 
of the symptoms seemed to be proportioned to 
the degree of fever or pyrexia, and it w as in these 
cases where much fever prevailed, that vibices 114 
DISEASES OP MADEIRA. 
were observed. The skin at the same time 
having that rough inflamed fiery appearance, 
which, hy writers on the disease, has not un- 
justly been compared to the colour of a boiled 
lobster. 
Where the patient did not sink previous to the 
seventh day (which often happened on the sth 
or 6th) the efflorescence came to its height, 
and soon alter this period, began to disappear, 
attended with an abatement of febrile symptoms, 
and, in some places, a desquamation also of the 
skin, while the anasarca increased. 
When the disease was about to assume the 
type of Cynanche Maligna, the patient gene- 
rally complained first of an uneasy stiffness 
about the neck and throat, with difficult degluti- 
tion and hoarseness. Where fever was not al- 
ready present, or had preceded these symp- 
toms, it now commenced. A florid glossy red- 
ness appeared to occupy the mouth, velum pen- 
dulum palati, back part of the larynx, tonsils, 
uvula, and perhaps other parts of the fauces, 
which were covered also with crusts of a cine- 
vitious colour. The saliva seemed increased 
in quantity, which was at the same time more 
viscid than usual. The tongue was covered with 
a thick brow n crust, and the breath felt hot and 
offensive. All these symptoms became greatly DISEASES OF MADEIRA. 
aggravated towards the third day, by much 
tumefaction of the fauces, and their increased 
erysipelatous aspect. The difficulty of degluti- 
tion was also felt more severe, attended with 
head-ache, great sickness at stomach, anxiety of 
the precordia, extreme languor or coma, a 
feeble fluttering pulse, quick respiration, and 
sometimes delirium. About the fifth day, either 
the patient sunk under this aggravated state of 
the disease, or the affection of the throat begin- 
ning to subside, recovery took place, by the 
return of strength. In many cases, no erup- 
tion of the skin appeared at all. 
But these varieties of the disease, already 
stated, however malignant, were comparatively 
mild to the anomalous form, which it generally 
assumed. In many of them death ensued on the 
second or third day, without the least symp- 
tom of the characteristic affections of the throat 
or skin. Here the predominant symptoms were, 
great anxiety about the precordia, extreme 
debility, drowsiness and frequent startings from 
sleep, delirium, convulsions, quick feeble 
pulse, and hot dry skin. In other cases, the 
patient just survived, till the affection of the 
throat and skin took place, when he died 
under the influence of these or similar symp- 
toms. In such cases, the affection of the 116 
DISEASES OF MADEIRA. 
skin, was really a general inflammatory state, 
without any regular appearance of eruption, 
and the angina only manifested itself, by the 
stiffness of the neck on motion, and the appear- 
ance of sloughs in the fauces. In a few cases, 
the patient died in twenty-four hours, of appa- 
rently typhoid debility, without any euruption, 
or any affection of the throat being discovered. 
In such bad cases, it was indeed only when 
the patient survived till the fourth day, that the 
disease was distinctly marked. In such situa- 
tions it is also to be observed, that the affection 
of the throat, was seldomer absent than the cuta- 
neous eruption, which was frequently not to be 
traced. The internal fauces here generally 
presented a deep red 'colour, the sloughs and 
ulcers were very extensive, and the tongue and 
inside of the mouth were covered with nume- 
rous aphthae. The secretions of the saliva and 
mucus of the nostrils, were either so thick, as 
to endanger suffocation, or so thin and acrimo- 
nious, that the lips, chin, cheeks, and neigh- 
bouring parts, became excoriated, and some- 
times ulcerated. The discharge from the fauces 
was also in the same manner often extremely 
thick, and tenacious, and in such quantity, that 
the patient had no sooner spit out what was col- 
lected, than it became almost instantly renewed. DISEASES OP MADEIRA. 
117 
From these acrid discharges passing down the 
{esophagus into the stomach, violent looseness 
frequently took place, attended with tormina 
and ’ tenesmus, which accelerated the fatal 
event. In certain cases, I was induced to think 
that this diarrhoea might be also produced, by 
an acrid matter of the same kind passed out from 
the mucous follicles of the intestines. Though 
the thirst of the patient was entremely urgent, 
the greatest aversion prevailed to quenching it, 
from the difficulty and pain of deglutition, and 
the attempt seldom failed to excite a spasmodic 
action of the muscles of the pharynx; whence 
followed an aggravation of all the symptoms, 
and particularly the anguish about the heart, 
the most distressing of any. In all these malig- 
nant or anomalous cases, when the cutaneous 
efflorescence took place, it assumed all the va- 
rious appearances which distinguished it in the 
milder forms. The desquamation in such cases 
often continued for a length of time. Even 
the nails, and entire skin of the hands and feet, 
often fell off. Vibices, of various sizes, at times 
supervened on the legs and thighs, and not 
unfrequently, after the desquamation was 
finished, a second pustular eruption appeared, 
in which the disease seemed more infectious than 
at any former period. 118 
DISEASES OF MADEIRA 
The appearance of both the angina and ex- 
anthema at once induced a bad prognosis. 
Here the stomach was always much affected, 
and swellings of the parotid and submaxillary 
glands often supervened; in some cases to 
such a degree, as to have actually occasioned 
suffocation. In forming the prognosis in these 
cases, it may be observed, that when the fever 
suffered no abatement about the usual period of 
desquamation, but continued with unremitting 
violence: when the delirium was of the wild 
ungovernable kind: when the effloresence was 
of a dusky hue, and the quantity of viscid mat- 
ter secreted from the mouth and fauces much in- 
creased : when these parts appeared, at the same 
time, in a dry parched state, and of a blackish 
deadly hue; when the dyspnoea and difficulty of 
deglutition were also greatly increased, then 
the disease proved certainly fatal, and violent 
convulsions were the immediate precursors of 
death. 
The common sequel of the disease was ana- 
sarca, and indeed, in almost every case, this mor- 
bid symptom supervened, when the disease had 
not already proved fatal. It proved also itself the 
cause of much fatality; its so frequent occurrence 
affording strong evidence of the power of this 
specific contagion, as well as of the violent DISEASES OF MADEIRA. 
119 
excitement which takes place in the system 
while under this disease. 
In the progress of its course,, this anasarca 
began generally in the lower extremities, then 
attacked the face, which appeared at the same 
time bloated, and at last dispersed itself over 
the whole body, attended with alarming vertigo, 
oppression about the precordia, frequent start- 
ings from sleep, often such inordinate or irre- 
gular actions as accompany St. Vitus’ dance, 
and delirium. Convulsions and coma were the 
accompanying symptoms where it was to prove 
fatal. In about a week after the disappearance 
of the affection of the throat or skin, was the 
period of its commencement. Sometimes it 
immediately supervened, being merely an 
aggravation of the oedema, which already marked 
the progress of the disease. At other times, it 
was not observable till several weeks afterwards, 
when the patient had completely recovered from 
the disease, and had become as lively and well as 
usual. After death, in these”cases, on inspection 
of the body, effusion into the cavities of the brain, 
precordia or thorax were generally discovered. 
But this disease, however differently propor- 
tioned in its symptoms in different cases, seems 
in every instance to have been identically of the 
same nature, and to have proceeded from the 120 
DISEASES OF MADEIRA, 
same source,, a specific contagion. It is impos- 
sible to explain why,, in different cases., the 
disease should have assumed such a variety of 
forms. The matter however being not new to 
us, it made no essential difference as to the 
mode of treatment. Every case that presented 
was treated with the same care and attention., as 
if it had been to turn out a case of the most 
malignant form of the disease, just as when 
small pox, or typhus, are epidemic, and when 
of course there are numbers of cases of typhus 
mitior as well as of typhus gravior, and of 
distinct as well as confluent small-pox; we, in 
every case that occurs, bestow equal attention, 
not knowing what may be the future form of the 
disease. 
In may be observed also, that here, as in 
small-pox and other specific contagions, the in- 
fection was more violent from fomites, than 
when received from the human body, and even 
when received from the human body, that 
the period of desquamation rendered it stronger. 
After these observations on the history and 
cause of the disease, I proceed to its treatment. 
The disease being generally ushered in by 
pyrexia, nausea and vomiting, the use of emetics 
become strongly indicated, and these medicines 
afforded always relief, particularly where the DISEASES OF MADEIRA. 
121 
throat was much affected ; for, by the action of 
vomiting*, even the disengagement of the sloughs 
was promoted. Nor did they tend less to re- 
move that collection of viscid mucous, con- 
stantly secreted from the fauces, to which may 
he added, their emptying the stomach of any 
acrid matter lodged in it, and producing, at the 
same time, a gentle but general diaphoresis. 
Their repetition was found necessary, and cer- 
tainly superseded the use of more active medi- 
cines. 
The best emetic I generally found to be a 
combination of ipecacuhan and tartarised an- 
timony, perhaps in the proportion of fifteen or 
twenty grains of the former, to one or more of 
the latter. Their good effects were greatly kept 
up, by administering the saline mixture, con- 
taining also a small proportion of the tartarised 
antimony. 
The efficacy of cathartics was equally con- 
spicuous in this disease. It was generally 
attended, as I have stated, at its commence- 
ment with constipation. The alleviating of this 
symptom seemed always to be of the greatest 
service. The patient was immediately relieved 
by it, from the more general oppression and 
other uneasy feelings. The same relief fol- 
lowed their repetition, at every period of the 
disease, and even in the convalescent state; 122 
DISEASES OF MADEIRA. 
but it always required the most active medicines 
of this class, to affect patients in this malady. 
What evacuation they produced, was copious 
and offensive. 
The best form of the cathartic, was the sub- 
muriate of mercury, or calomel, either by itself 
or combined with jalap. Ten grains of the 
former, with a somewhat larger quantity of the 
latter, were the ordinary dose for an adult, and 
five or six grains of the mercury were by no 
means too great a dose for children. Diapho- 
retics I found of little use, as such, and when at 
all of service, they were chiefly so, by inducing 
some nausea, promoting the discharge of acrid 
matter from the fauces, and operating by stool. 
But the internal remedy from which I expe- 
rienced most benefit in this disease, was the 
sulphuric acid. Its beneficial effects apparently 
arose from its tonic and antiseptic qualities. I 
usually administered it in the infusum rosm. 
The bark also, either by itself, or with the 
sulphuric acid, I experienced in some of the 
wrorst cases a valuable medicine. 
Bleeding, in all cases of scarlatina, I ever 
found inadmissible; for though at first the 
excitement of the system was sometimes very 
considerable, so as to induce one to use the lan - 
cet, yet very soon, from the change in the pulse,. DISEASES OF MADEIRA. 
123 
this was contra-indicated. Hence evacuations of 
every kind were in general assiduously avoided, 
with the exception of purgatives, which 
were only given in such doses as to unload 
the bowels of their morbid contents. Topical 
bleeding with leeches, was found sometimes 
useful, when violent inflammation prevailed, 
threatening suffocation. Blisters applied to the 
external fauces, or nape of the neck, often pro- 
cured relief, though, from their producing much 
irritation, they were frequently avoided. Gargles 
were the principal topical remedy. They were 
much used, and proved highly beneficial. The 
gargle I chiefly employed, was an infusion of 
roses, with a little oxyginated muriatic, nitrous, 
or sulphuric acid. When with the latter, the 
same formula was employed as for internal use. 
When the ulcers were foul and very sloughy, 
the gargle was rendered more efficacious by the 
addition of a little borax or alum, tincture of 
myrrh or bark. When the secretion of the 
mouth was much increased, and the whole fauces 
loaded with tough viscid mucous, the steams of 
hot vinegar and water received into them, from 
their relaxing emollient quality, thinned the 
mucus, and rendered the excretion more free. 
The only general remedy to be particularly 
noticed, is the affusion of cold water, or spong- DISEASES OF MADEIRA. 
mg Hie face and hands with cold water and 
vinegar ; and this new practice, I am confident, 
would have been of much advantage, had it not 
been for the popular prejudice in this island 
so much against it. In the few instances 
where I had an opportunity of using it, the 
general febrile symptoms were diminished by 
it, the evening exacerbations cut short, the 
efflorescence abated, and no affection of the 
throat supervened. 
I generally directed buckets of cold water 
to be thrown over the whole body, two or three 
times a day, and always during the hot stage. 
The patient, immediately after this operation, 
felt a pleasant glow all over his bod}7, followed 
by a gentle relaxation of the skin. But the 
same effect generally followed the mere spong- 
ing of the body. 
The treatment of the secondary or dropsical 
stage, demanded always the most prompt and 
vigorous means to be employed, from the sud- 
den manner in which it supervened, and the 
violence of its attack, which rendered it often 
fatal. Here I found cathartics most useful. 
A smart dose of the, submuriated murcury, or 
calomel, seldom failed to give relief, especially 
if followed by a timely application of blisters. 
Diuretics, as squill, or fox-glove, combined with DISEASES OF MADEIRA. 
calomel, were thought to promote the effect of 
the latter. The fox-glove I often used by itself 
with manifest advantage; hut when the patient 
was much debilitated, I experienced much ad- 
vantage from if combined with the bark or 
chalybeates. 
It now only remains to illustrate what I have 
said of this disease; to relate a few cases which 
came more immediately under my care. 
CASE I. 
Antonio Oyeiro, a sprightly boy., aged five 
years, after returning from school; where he 
had been exposed to the contagion of scarlatina, 
was suddenly seized with violent shiverings, 
head-ache, giddiness, sickness and vomiting, 
great oppression about the precordia, and deli- 
rium. I ordered him an emetic and purgative ; 
but in spite of these medicines the symptoms 
Increased with great violence, and contractions 
of the limbs, and general convulsions super- 
vened : the latter became soon so severe, that 
in a few hours he expired, his face and extre- 
mities having assumed a deep purple or black 
colour. 126 
DISEASES OF MADEIRA. 
CASE 11. August 8, 1806. 
Rosa, a girl, eleven years of age, was sud- 
denly attacked while at play, in the morning, 
out of doors, with vertigo and head ache, which 
caused her to run staggering into the house; 
these symptoms became soon accompanied with 
vomiting, and great anguish and oppression 
about the precordia. The symptoms on the 
9th suffered considerable abatement; but next 
day recurred with double violence, attended 
with dimness of sight and delirium. The 
vomiting was incessant, of a bilious nature, 
with continual groanings and restlessness, to 
such a degree, that it required several persons 
to keep her quiet in bed. The evening exacer- 
bations were severe, with an aggravation of all 
the above symptoms; there prevailed a constant 
low muttering delirium, difficult articulation, 
dry skin, the superior parts of the body feeling 
hot, with partial sweats on the forehead. The 
feet on the contrary cold, the pulse feeble and 
fluttering, with great thirst, and urine in small 
quantity. Notwithstanding the exhibition of 
various medicines, these symptoms continued 
with unabated violence, especially the great an- 
guish, groanings and delirium; severe and fatal DISEASES OF MADEIRA. 
convulsions supervened, which exhausted greatly 
her strength, as indicated by her very feeble 
pulse. On inspecting her mouth, the tongue 
appeared of the colour of ink, with several foul 
Ulcers of the size of a six-pence about its root. 
This case affords another strong proof of the 
virulence of this contagion. The patient, from 
the statement of the symptoms, had not a mo- 
ment’s respite till the hour of death. The 
appearance in the mouth did not occur till the 
last day of the disease. 
CASE 111. September 24, 1806. 
Ludovina, a girl, aged seven, after returning 
from the neighbourhood where the scarlatina 
had been very prevalent, complained suddenly, 
towards evening of the 22d, of an uneasy stiff- 
ness about the neck and soreness in her mouth, 
attended with great difficulty in deglutition. 
The submaxillary glands were tumbled, and 
these local symptoms were accompanied with 
vertigo, head ache, occasional chilly fits, suc- 
ceeded by heat, great thirst, and delirium, 
especially during the night. • The fauces on in- 
spection seemed greatly tumified, of a crimson 
colour, and covered with several grey coloured DISEASES OF MADEIRA. 
sloughs, particularly the tonsils and velum pen- 
dulum palati: there was collected also a great 
quantity of viscid mucous ; the tongue was foul 
and furred, and a mottled efflorescence appeared 
on the breast and arms, with slight oedema.— 
In these circumstances I prescribed as follows: 
R Antimon. Tartarisat. gr. ii. 
Aq. pur. % iv. 
Sumat % i. omni semihora usquedum 
vomitus ciatur. 
R Rosar. Ruhr, exsiccat. 3 ii. 
Aquas pur. lb. i. coque ad Jbss. 
etcolat: adde Acid; Muriat. 31. pro 
gargarism : 
During the night of the 26th she was very 
restless and delirious; the tonsils were so much 
tumified as to be in close contact, and covered 
with several foul sloughs: the efflorescence and 
oedema were also increased, attended with a 
quick pulse, great heat, and thirst. The medi- 
cines were in the mean time continued. On 
the succeeding night the symptoms still in- 
creased, with great restlessness and delirium, 
the pulse being so high as 130; the swelling of 
the throat was also greater, and the efflores- 
cence had in some places run into large red DISEASES OP MADEIRA. 
129 
clusters, the skin continuing' hot and dry: the 
following alteration in the treatment was then 
made: 
R Submuriat. Hydrargyr. gr.iv. 
Conserv. Rosas q. s. ut f. bolus statim. s. 
R Acetat. Plumbi sib 
Aq. distillat. Ji. 
Aq. pur. lib i. faucibus externis appli- 
cetur. 
Her face was also directed to be sponged fre- 
quently with cold vinegar, and the pediluvium 
to be used at bed-time. In spite of these altera- 
tions, the night of the 28th was marked with 
delirium and coma, with great restlessness and 
anguish about the heart, severe tightness about 
the throat, and difficulty of deglutition. On 
the right tonsil there appeared a large slough, 
a vast quantity of viscid matter, tinged with 
blood, was brought up by spitting from the 
fauces, while her mouth was dry and parched, 
and her lips excoriated; the efflorescence also 
was of a dark brown colour, and the pulse so 
high as 160; a blister was then directed to be 
applied to the neck, and the_ following medi- 
cines prescribed; 130 
DISEASES OF MADEIRA. 
R Submuriat. Hydrargyr. gr. v. 
Conserv. Rosse. q. s, ut f. bolus vespere s. 
Continuentur Mixtur. Antimon. Tar- 
tarisat et Gargarism. 
Utatur vapor acet. calid. frequentur. 
The disease during the 27th progressively ad- 
vanced; it was marked by a restless delirious 
night, attended with great anxiety; a total in- 
ability to swallow took place; the fauces ap- 
peared black and parched; the nostrils plugged 
up with viscid matter; the extremities swelled; 
the eruption assuming a darker shade, and the 
pulse extremely frequent and small. In this 
unfortunate state the follow ing was directed: 
Injiciatur Ennem. ex. Decoct. Cinchonae. 
cum jure Bevino frequenter. 
Utatur gargarism vini rubri. 
She continued during the 30th struggling in 
great agony, and uttering the most doleful 
groans till midnight, when the whole body 
becoming convulsed, and she expired. 
This is a third instance of the extreme viru- 
lence of the scarlatina contagion, and it exhibits 
one of the worst eases that has fallen under my 
observation. DISEASES OF MADEIRA; 
131 
CASE IV. September 5, 1806. 
J. G. aged nine years, was the day before 
seized with vomiting, succeeded by frequent 
shiverings, and other symptoms of fever; he 
then complained of tightness about his throat 
and difficulty of swallowing, with great heat all 
over his body, a dry skin, and a full pulse at 135. 
To these symptoms was joined great head-ache,, 
with a foul tongue, and great redness and 
swelling of the tonsils and uvula. I directed 
the patient in this case to be immediately taken 
out of bed, and put into a large bathing tub, 
where several pails of cold water w ere poured 
over him: this was repeated in the evening, 
and the symptoms of fever were considerably 
abated for the time; but still the progress of 
the disease rapidly advanced as in the other 
cases, and after a succession of similar distress, 
he fell also a victim to the virulence of the 
contagion. 
The above cases are sufficient to shew the 
very formidable nature of this epidemic, which 
displayed in Madeira a degree of mortality 
beyond what is met with in Europe, and was 
equally fatal to the young, who were chiefly its 
victims, as the most contagious typhus, not 
excepting the yellow fever. DISEASES OF MADEIRA. 
Cynanche Farotidcea. 
This complaint has frequently appeared Epi- 
demic in Madeira. In general it manifests 
itself by the symptoms described by Cullen, 
4<r tumour affecting the testicles in the male sex, 
and the breasts iti the female.” Other symp- 
toms, not noticed by that writer, occasionally 
also occur, as swelling of the labia pudendi. 
I have also noticed anasarcous swellings of 
both the upper and lower extremities, and of 
the neck, which sometimes extend over the 
%hole body. DISEASES OF MADEIRA. 
Dysentery. 
This is a disease of a highly contagious 
nature, and when epidemic the peasantry are 
most subject to its attach. Autumn is the period 
of the year, when it is most apt to appear, 
and though excesses may aggravate its symp- 
toms, they are not to be considered as forming 
the source of the malady. 
The disease generally commences, like most 
other epidemics, with symptoms of general 
fever. The affection of the bowels then com- 
mences, distinguished by tormina, bloody stools 
and tenesmus. This last symptom, through the 
whole progress of the disease, is the most trou- 
blesome and painful to the patient This inor- 
dinate action of the bowels, is the consequence 
of strong inflammation, and the disease there- 
fore is properly divided into two stages; the 
stage of peculiar morbid inflammation, or ac- 
tive inflammatory contraction and spasm; and 
the stage of debility, or that atonic state which 
succeeds all inordinate action, when the cause 
is removed. This disease was particularly vio- 
lent in Madeira, in 1800, among the British 
troops that had come to garrison the island. DISEASES OF MADEIRA - 
and the different regiments lost each a greater 
or less number of their men,, from this fatal 
epidemic. 
The causes were evidently cold and moisture, 
joined with irregularities in diet, consisting in 
the too free use of wine and fruit, to which they 
had been unaccustomed. 
These causes, in all cases, act more powerful- 
ly in a warm than a cold climate, and therefore 
sooner here laid the foundation for the production 
of disease. No disease, once produced, is so 
contagious as this, and it is only by a strict at- 
tention to avoiding the causes which induce it, 
and separating the healthy from any communi- 
cation with the diseased, that its progress can 
be checked. 
Though this may be done in private life, it 
cannot in military service, and hence, from the 
intercourse of the troops with each other, it 
spreads more among the army than elsewhere. 
The 3d, 11th, and 85th regiments w«re all 
affected with it, at the same time, and from 
Dr. John Ayres, surgeon to the 3d, I was fa- 
voured with a particular account of it, as the 
disease appeared under his care. 
flence in all cases in the first appearance of 
this malady, the system of prevention is the 
great step to be resorted to, and to employ DISEASES OF MADEIRA. 
135 
every means to destroy the specific contagion 
itself; and next,, to guard against those circum- 
stances, which may still exist, and the more 
readily act as predisposing causes. 
In regard to the treatment of this disease, I 
hold it of the utmost consequence, that the 
proximate cause, the peculiarly morbid inflam- 
mation of the intestines be constantly kept in 
view; for it appears from dissection, to be in 
every case directly or indirectly the cause of 
death. That plan of cure, therefore, ought 
to be the best, which forms its indications 
from the view of removing this proximate 
cause. According to this plan, to remove the 
peculiar morbid inflammation, to unload the 
bowels, to relieve uneasy symptoms, and to 
restore to the intestines their healthy action, 
are the general indications to be formed. The 
best and most effectual means of answering at 
once all these indications, according to my 
experience, is the use of calomel alone. This 
medicine, exhibited in doses of six, eight, or 
ten grains, repeated at intervals, determined in 
their length of time by the previous effects of 
its action, and the other circumstances of the 
patient, has been uniformly found to unload the 
bowels, and to keep them open; to relieve the 
jjneasy symptoms of tormina and tenesmus, and 136 
DISEASES OF MADEIRA. 
even of vomiting, if present; to raise the pulse, 
and remove that languid look, and general de- 
pression, so constantly attendant on this disease. 
To judge from these effects, the probability is 
that it also operates it some peculiar way, in 
a way, perhaps, analogous to its mode of action 
when applied externally to an ill-conditioned 
ulcer, upon the morbid inflammation of the intes- 
tines, so as to remove it. In regard to astrin- 
gents and opiates, 1 have seldom found occa- 
sion for such articles, unless where the free 
evacuation of the intestines was neglected in 
the first instance, or large doses of such debili- 
tating cathartics, as aloes, colocynth, jalap, 
rhubarb, orglysters containing acrid materials, 
had been administered for this purpose. Indeed, 
I have found calomel to be not only the best 
remedy in the beginning, for unloading the 
bowels, and relieving uneasy symptoms, but 
also in the latter stage, to be the best and soft- 
est anodyne. 
The following is a return of the admission? 
and deaths from Dysentery in the regimental 
hospital of the 11th regiment, in the Island of 
Madeira, from the Ist of January, to the 15th DISEASES OF MADEIRA. 
137 
of 1808; as I was favored with it from 
the surgeon of that corps. 
Admitted 561—died 10. 
Total number of sick on the 15th of August 2S. 
Small-Pox. 
The small-pox, when epidemic in this island,, 
as they have frequently been; have swept off 
great numbers of the young; and particularly 
in the country; where the practice of inocula- 
tion has been opposed by popular prejudice. 
Of late years; however; this prejudice has 
considerably lessened; and the mortality from 
this disease has not been so great as at former 
periods. The introduction of the modern dis- 
covery of vaccination; promises to be here; as 
elsewhere; of the highest public utility, and 
from the experience I have hitherto had in it, 
I am ready to give it all the recommendation 
which it has been found to deserve in Europe. 
As yet the application of it is circumscribed; but 
by a due attention to the rules laid down in per- 
forming it, and a proper choice of the matter, 
I have not failed in a single instance in produc- 
ing the disease, nor have any of my patients, 
though subjected to the contagion of small pox, 
experienced any attack of that disease. DISEASES OF MADEIRA. 
Measles. 
This is a disease which is epidemic in Ma- 
deira, among children, as in other countries. 
The catarrhal symptoms are the characteristic 
marks of the malady, previous to the eruption, 
which assumes various appearances, most fre- 
quently that of a miliary eruption, and does 
not observe that distinct and regular form it dis- 
plays in Europe. In this climate the inflam- 
matory stage is very short, and soon succeeded 
by a degree of typhoid debility, from which the 
chief danger arises. A symptom that often 
occurs here, is swelling of the submaxillary 
glands, and this symptom sometimes proceeds 
to a disagreeable length. While therefore the 
disease in Europe is of a purely inflammatory 
nature, here the inflammatory stage is of short 
duration, and passes quickly into the opposite 
state ; a circumstance material to be attended to 
in the treatment. 
The treatment is to be conducted entirely 
according to the prevailing symptoms. Where 
the inflammation at the commencement runs 
high, the use of antimonials will be found of 
service, and to accelerate the progress of the 
eruption. Demulcents are highly useful against DISEASES OF MADEIRA, 
139 
the cough and other catarrhal symptoms; and 
when the diarrhoea comes on., it should not be 
suddenly checked. But in cases where the ty- 
phoid debility appears from the commencement, 
this plan of treatment must be varied. The 
eruption is here trifling, or appears under a 
miliary form, and in many cases it is even 
attended with petechise. Here evacuations 
are evidently hurtful. The strength of the 
system must be supported, and the diarrhoea 
prevented from assuming a dysenteric form, 
which in such circumstances it is apt to do. It 
is in this state the disease is chiefly fatal, and 
it is seldom known to assume such an appear- 
ance in Europe. 
One of the most distressing symptoms in this 
disease, is the anorexia at its commencement, 
and the best method of relieving this, is by un- 
loading the stomach freely by the emetic solih 
tions. It generally goes off when the eruption' 
comes out freely. 
Measles are most dreaded in the colder cli- 
mates, from the consequences they are apt to 
induce in scrofulous habits; but here these conse- 
quences do not create any alarm, and it is more 
the active state of the disease that proves inju- 
rious, and even fatal, than any effects on the 
constitution, that are to be dreaded after its 
termination. , 140 
DISEASES OF MADEIRA. 
Pertussis or Chincough. 
Chincough is a disease which is epidemic 
here, among the young, and is ' frequently so 
violent in its paroxysms, as to produce apoplexy. 
In the commencement of this malady, no re- 
medy I found so serviceable as the use of eme- 
tics. A weak solution of tartarised antimony, 
generally suspends the paroxysms, and when 
the disease has continued some time, by the oc- 
casional addition of opiates, it is completely 
removed. It is rarely protracted to such a 
length of time as takes place in Europe. 
Lues Venerea. 
The venereal disease is here very frequent; 
but, as in other mild climates, it is not in 
general so formidable in its symptoms as in 
Europe. Where bad cases occur, it is from 
neglect on the part of the patients, who are so 
inattentive to their cure, that with many the 
disease has been known to continue, without 
arriving to any formidable height, for the whole 
period of their lives. Mercury is here, as in 
Europe, the only remedy, and the climate is 
favourable to the success of its operation: it 
is seldom necessary to uso more than an alter- 
ative course. DISEASES OF MADEIRA-., 
Diseases of Women. 
The diseases peculiar to the sex are here 
common as elsewhere,, particularly fluor albus, 
from the relaxing effects of the climate, and 
the indolent life to which females are subjected. 
Parturition, however, is in general here an easy 
operation, and not attended with those dange 
rous consequences which so often attend it in 
colder countries. The child-bed or puerperal 
fever, is seldom to be met with, and in general 
the curse denounced in Holy Writ, in pain 
, f shalt thou bring forth,” may be said here to be 
partly done away; and it is so far fortunate, as 
the ignorance of the midwives here if extreme. 
The observations I have in the preceding 
pages offered, respecting the Pro- 
duce, and Salubrity of the Island of Madeira, 
will, I trust, afford some grounds for forming a 
just estimate of the value of this island, in 
the possible contingency of its becoming 
an integral part of the British dominions, 
and what is more immediately my to purpose. 142 
DISEASES OF MADEIRA. 
as a professional man, in publishing this work, 
will enable the invalid, or his professional 
adviser, duly to appreciate the advantages to 
be derived from a migration to this climate, 
in cases of impaired health, or existing disease. APPENDIX, 
CONTAINING 
A short Account of the Mineral Waters 
in the Portuguese Island of St. Miguel. 
THIS short account of the Mineral Waters 
in the Island of St. Miguel, being formerly 
ijommunicated to Dr. Duncan, of Edinburgh, 
was inserted by him in the Medical Commen- 
taries for the year 1791; I now republish it 
as an Appendix to the present work, with some 
alterations suggested since that time. 
Nearly ten leagues north-east from Ponta 
Delgada, the principal town in the Island of 
St. Miguel, is situated a small village, called 
the Furnace or Carcius, in a spacious valley, 
which is surrounded by high mountains: towards 
the south-east end of this valley there is a small 
elevation, called the Caldieras or Boilers; this 
elevation, which may be nearly a quarter of a 
mile square, consists of a number of hillocks, 
around which the action of fire is every where 
evident; in confirmation of which, is discovered 144 
APPENDIX. 
a variety of strata, pyrites, lava, pumice, marie 
and clay of different colours, oclire, iron ore, 
and calcareous earth, mixed with alum and 
sulphur. 
It is in this spot a number of boiling- foun- 
tains are met with; many of them warm, and 
others cold mineral spring's. The hot waters 
form several streams, and some of these are of 
considerable depth. In their course they bubble, 
smoke, and emit sulphureous steams, so that in 
a calm day the vapor is seen ascending in curling 
volumes to a great height. 
The largest of these boiling fountains, called 
the Caldeira, is about from 25 to 30 feet in 
diameter, and, according to the prejudice of the 
country people, who never sounded it properly, 
or perhaps never at all, it is said to have no 
bottom. 
The water is scalding hot, and in a constant 
state of ebullition, continually emitting a vapor 
highly sulphureous, and smelling much like 
burnt gun-powder. It deposits a clayey sedi-. 
ment of a light blue colour : to the taste it com- 
municates an acescent pungency. 
At a few yards distance, behind a ridge of 
lava, there is another boiling fountain, situated 
in a cavity at the bottom of a projecting rock, 
emphatically called the Forga or Forge; this APPENDIX. 
145 
fountain is second in size., and its surface is 
seldom visible,, being concealed lay a very dense 
sulphureous vapor. It boils with great violence, 
and emits a loud blowing interrupted noise, 
throwing up, at the same time, great quantities 
of a fine glutinous blue clay, mixed with vapor, 
which is scattered to a distance, and is observed 
to incrust the rock and other neighbouring 
objects. 
At a distance the noise of these boiling foun~ 
tains, resembles the sound of kettle-drums. 
Those described are the largest two, but there 
are many others, and vapor issues out in many 
places from the crevices of the rocks and banks. 
In some places, where it is scarcely perceptible, 
the noise of boiling water, on approaching the 
ear to the fissure, may be distinctly heard. In 
other places the water is squirted out at in- 
tervals, and actually scalds those who unwarily 
go too near them. In many places so hot is 
even the ground, that it cannot be stood upon 
without inconvenience and pain; it is also every 
where covered with crude sulphur, and a piece 
of bright silver, on being exposed to the air, is 
immediately changed to a gold colour. But 
the temperature of these fountains, is not all of 
the same high degree; some of them are of a 
moderate heat, and others are quite cold. The 146 
APPENDIX. 
appearance of the water in several of them is 
limpid and transparent, while that of others is 
turbid, of a whitish or redish hue, and gene- 
rally depositing a red or blue clay. Near the 
fountains chrystals of alum and sulphur, are 
found in vast abundance and variety; many of 
these productions are extremely beautiful, and 
at the spot where the vapor issues, and exudes 
from the chinks and fissures, some of the chrys- 
tals are two inches long. In some places the 
ground is of a soft clayey consistence, in others 
it is loose, dry and crumbling: on digging here 
there issues from the earth a strong sulphureous 
steam, of such heat that the hand cannot be 
kept in it above a minute. In a short time the 
bole is either filled with hot water, or else 
covered on the sides and bottom with a coat of 
sublimed sulphur or alum, resembling hoar 
frost. There are also some hot fountains close 
to the edge of a river, which runs through the 
valley, and even in the middle of the stream, 
there is a perceptible ebullition: from these 
fountains, vapor and steams arise, as from the 
other fountains described. This river deposits 
also an ochry sediment on the stones and pebbles 
of its bed; in a few places this sediment is of a 
greenish colour, resembling martial vitriol. 
The plants and bushes on the banks, are en- APPENDIX 
147 
crusted over with sulphur, alum, and other 
matters. The taste of the waters varies; in 
some it is that of a strong impregnation of the 
vitriolic acid; in others of the carbonic; and 
in others the taste is aluminous or ferruginous: 
while others again are perfectly insipid. 
It is common for the country people to place 
their culinary utensils over the hot fountains, or 
upon some of the steaming crevices, and thus 
they save the expence of fuel in preparing their 
victuals. Experience has even taught the cattle 
to approach this place, and clear themselves of 
vermin, by standing on the hillocks amid the 
sulphureous steam. 
Near to the hot springs, skirting a hill of 
pumice stone, runs a small stream of cold water, 
into which several cold springs that rise on the 
hill immediately empty themselves; in this 
short course they deposit some a pale yellow 
ochry sediment, and others a high coloured one. 
Their taste is sharp and acescent, and their 
smell ferruginous. The pungency in some is 
excessively penetrating. In a glass the water 
sparkles like champaigne. 
To the westward, at the distance of a 
quarter of a mile, is also a variety of hot mine- 
ral springs, not quite so large as those already 
mentioned, where huts have been erected with 148 
APPENDIX. 
bathing places, for the resort of persons to use 
the waters. About a mile further up the valley, 
in the. same direction, are others also of the 
same nature. 
The ground and the plants in the vicinity of 
these springs' are covered with a yellow crust. 
Still farther westward, nearly a mile, runs a 
river, called Riheira Sanguinolenta, or Bloody 
River, from its deep red colour. On the banks 
of this river rise a few cold mineral springs, 
of a strong ferruginous acescent taste and 
smell, which deposit a whitish ochry sediment. 
Beyond a range of mountains, and nearly a 
mile southward, on the borders of a lake, are a 
number of other hot springs; here the same 
difference and variety is observable, as among 
those already described; several of them boil 
violently, with a noise not unlike the humming 
of bees, and they throw up a thick glutinous 
blue clay, which is ejected to a considerable 
distance, with bubbles and vapor. On the 
surface of many there swims an oily bituminous 
scum. Here also, in the vicinity of the other 
fountains, there is a variety of beautiful chrys- 
tals and thick encrustations of alum and sulphur. 
Among the hot springs situated here, is one 
that merits particular attention; it is in the 
form of a bason or pool, 12 feet broad and APPENDIX. 
149 
twice as long', and boils with great force and 
much noise. Close adjoining to this hot pool 
rise several cold springs, from a bed of pumice: 
these, though completely cold, are in the same 
state of ebullition as the hot fountains. They 
have a very sharp acescent taste and smell, 
and are also highly impregnated with the 
serial acid. Besides what I have mentioned, 
there is also a variety of mineral springs in 
different parts of this island. 
I have to regret that I was here only a few 
days, and that I was not furnished with a 
proper apparatus for making that satisfactory 
analysis, which it was much my wish to have 
made, and which never can be properly per- 
formed except upon the spot. The extreme 
volatility of many of the component parts, and 
the almost instantaneous change in many of the 
appearances, must render every examination 
and process, entered upon at a distance, falla- 
cious and inconclusive. However what few 
experiments it was in my power to make, will 
serve to shew the principles predominant in the 
composition of the dilferent waters. 150 
APPENDIX 
The numbers refer to those inscribed on 
stones lately erected near the different foun- 
tains. 
I. Cold. 
11. Moderate. 
111. Boiling. 
IV. Steaming. 
I. COLD. 
111. BOILING. 
a Carbonic Acid. 
b Carbonat of Iron, 
c Sulphurated Hydrogen Gas. 
a Sulphurated Hydrogen Gas. 
h Do. with Alum. 
. c Do. with Vitriol. 
d Do. with Argil. 
e Do. with Alum. 
f Carbonic Acid, 
a Carbonic Acid.' 
b Carbonat of Iron, 
c Carbonat of Iron and Alum. 
d With Sulphur of Iron and 
Alum. 
e Sulphurated Hydrogen Gas, 
11. MODERATE. 
a Sulphurated Hydrogen Gas. 
b Do. with Argil. 
. c Do. with Alum, 
IV. STEAMING. 
Experiment I. 
No. 1. Two cold spring’s. One transpa- 
rent, having a penetrating acescent taste,, and 
a strong ferruginous smell; deposits an ochry 
sediment. It is turned purple by tincture of 
galls; gives a muddy precipitate with lime 
water; sparkles when shaken., and becomes 
perfectly insipid. appendix. 
Experiment 11. 
The other spring deposits a bluish sediment. 
In taste it possesses an acescent pungency, 
which on agitation dissipates to insipidity. The 
tincture of galls does not produce in it any 
sensible alteration; lime water produces a 
muddy precipitate. 
Experiment 111. 
No. 2. A hot spring. The water here boils, 
and emits a strongly penetrating sulphureous 
and ferruginous smell. With tincture of galls 
it becomes black; with lime water it gives a 
cloudy precipitate which falls to the bottom; 
and with a small portion of infusion of rhadish 
it gives a bright red colour. 
Experiment IV. 
No. 4. Another boiling hot spring. The 
water here deposits a blue sediment. Its taste 
is slightly pungent and austere; it becomes 
muddy with lime water, and effervesces with 
nitrous acid. 
Experiment V. 
A cold spring. The water here deposits an 
ochry sediment, has an acescent ferruginous APPENDIX. 
taste and smell; is changed to a dark colour by 
infusion of galls, and to a sensible red by in- 
fusion of horse rhadish. 
Experiment VI. 
No. 16. A hot boiling spring. It deposits 
a blue sediment, emits a strong smell of rotten 
eggs. In taste is sharply acescent; but be- 
comes insipid on agitation, and precipitates 
with lime water. 
Experiment VII. 
No. 20. A spring of moderate heat. This 
spring deposits an ochry sediment. Its sharp 
austere taste becomes dissipated on agitation ; 
it forms a cloudy precipitate with lime water, 
and gives a dark purple with tincture of galls. 
Experiment VIII. 
No. 13, A steaming hot spring, of a milky 
appearance, and bordered with encrustations of 
a dark red and green colour. This spring 
deposits a white clayey sediment; emits a vio- 
lent steam. In taste is sharp and austere, with 
a strong hepatic flavour. With infusion it 
assumes a light red colour. APPENDIX. 
153 
Experiment IX. 
No. 30. A cold spring, which deposits 
an ochry sediment, and possesses a taste and 
smell strongly ferruginous, accompanied with a 
pungent acescency. On agitation it emits 
bubbles, sparkles, and becomes insipid. It 
precipitates with lime water, and is changed 
to red by infusion of radish, and to purple by 
infusion of galls. 
Experiment X. 
No. 31. A cold spring, depositing a sandy 
sediment. In taste it is slightly acescent. It 
sparkles on agitation, and becomes insipid; it 
precipitates with lime water, and becomes red 
with infusion of radish. 
Notwithstanding the waters have been for so 
many years resorted to by the inhabitants, for 
the cure of every species of disease, as well as 
for pleasure and amusement, yet the only ac- 
commodation for bathing are a few thatched huts. 
In these, wooden reservoirs are sunk, two or three APPENDIX. 
feet deep in the ground: they are filled by a 
wooden spout, and emptied through a plug-hole 
in the bottom. The warmth is tempered at the 
option of the bather, by the admission of water 
from the cold mineral stream. As all ranks of 
persons indulge in a very liberal use of these 
baths, and many even soak themselves in them 
several times a day, we might be led to con- 
clude, a priori, that such frequent use of warm 
or tepid water, must produce relaxation. This 
however is not the case; on the contrary, they 
act as a stimulant to the whole system, exhila- 
rating the spirits, and exciting the appetite. 
When the waters, and particularly those of the 
cold springs, are drunk, they prove both laxa- 
tive and diuretic, and also promote the excre- 
tion by the surface. As the inhabitants are 
totally ignorant of the virtues of the cold springs, 
and also of the use of the vapor bath, I had an 
opportunity of making them acquainted with 
the properties of the former, and likewise of 
demonstrating the active power of the latter, in 
several cases. 
CASES. 
A young man, aged twenty, had been at- 
tacked with a violent rheumatism, which APPENDIX. 
155 
brought on a contraction of the joints in his 
lower extremities, particularly in the flexors of 
his knees. This contraction was so great, as to 
bring his leg nearly in contact with his thigh, 
and his knees were actually touching each other ; 
nor could he separate them more than a couple 
of inches, and that only at particular times. 
In this unhappy situation he had been confined 
to his bed for nearly five years. On applying 
to me, I directed him to use the vapor bath: 
a chair was made for the purpose; it was so 
constructed as to include the whole body, leav- 
ing the head free at the top, where there was 
an aperture, which could at pleasure be opened 
or closed, for the purpose of regulating the 
heat. This chair was placed upon the ground, 
whence the sulphureous exhalation issued. He 
remained in it seven minutes the first time, and 
was thrown by it into a profuse perspiration. On 
using it a second and third time he experienced 
sensible relief; he could sit out of bed, stretch 
his leg to an obtuse angle with the thigh, sepa- 
rate his knees, and even walk on crutches. 
He continued the use of the bath for three 
weeks, at the end of which time his family 
concerns called him home; but he went away 
much recovered, and was convinced of the very 
great efficacy of the vapor. 156 
APPENDIX. 
A person who was affected with a hemiplegia 
of the right side, and had lost the use of his 
arm, had recourse to the vapour bath. It soon 
enabled him to lift his hand to his head, and 
afforded him much relief in other respects. 
Besides these instances which fell immediately 
within my own knowledge, I have been in- 
formed of several other well authenticated cases, 
which demonstrate the- great efficacy of these 
waters, not only in rheumatic complaints, but 
also in the most inveterate cases of scrofula and 
other disorders. 
A few years ago, a Portuguese gentleman, 
aged about fifty, from the island, C— C— 
a man of family, and well known to many Bri- 
tish residents in that island, was affected with a 
variety of scrofulous ulcers, in different parts 
of his body, particularly about his neck and 
breast. The attention and skill of the most 
eminent of the faculty had been long exerted in 
his case in vain. The disease not only resisted, 
but seemed irritated by the use of medicines. 
He at last took the resolution of coming to St. 
Michael. Here he used the warm bath, in 
which he also washed his sores, while at the 
same time he drank the water. By this course, 
in a few months, he was perfectly recovered, 
and returned to Madeira, to the great surprize APPENDIX. 
157 
of his friends/ in perfect health,, and without any 
other remains of his former complaint, than the 
large cicatrices of his ulcers, then completely 
healed. 
• A young gentleman of family, also from 
Madeira, whose name I do not mention from mo- 
tives of delicacy, laboured under an inveterate 
cutaneous affection of the head, with running 
sores, in several parts of the body, particularly 
about the back. He was, by bathing in the 
waters, and also using them internally, com- 
pletely cured in a few weeks. 
An elderly priest, of a rather full corpulent 
habit, had been affected with the gout in 
his lower extremities. He was advised to use 
the warm bath a few years ago. His complaint 
wras in consequence removed, nor has it since 
returned. 
Upon the whole I think, there is much rea- 
son to believe, that these waters, both inter- 
nally and externally applied, may be found very 
efficacious in a variety of diseases. The vapour 
bath seems to be more powerful, and in gene- 
ral much preferable to the hot water bath. The 
volatile parts are more disengaged, subtle and 
active, when in the form of vapor, than when 
combined with and entangled in the water; the 
degree of heat is also more easily regulated in 
the vapour, than in the hot bath. 158 
APPENDIX* 
The cold spring’s contain a powerful chalybe- 
ate, with all the virtues the carbonic acid is pos- 
sessed of, and when drunk, cannot fail to prove 
useful tonics in cases of debility. I consider 
the morning as the most proper time, both for 
bathing in these waters, and using them inter- 
nally. In the latter case they ought to be drunk 
immediately at the source, before the virtues have 
evaporated. The dose at first may be about 
half a pint, which may be repeated in the even- 
ing, and afterwards gradually increased. 
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