The Seasick Admiral: Nelson and the Health of the Navy

The Seasick Admiral: Nelson and the Health of the Navy

by KevinBrown (Author)

Synopsis

Horatio Nelson did not enjoy robust good health. From his childhood he was prone to many of the ailments so common in the eighteenth century, and after he joined the Navy he contracted fevers that further undermined his strength: he was even seasick whenever he first put to sea. Nevertheless, he saw more action than most officers, and was often wounded - the loss of the sight in one eye and a shattered arm were the most public, but by no means his only injuries. This personal experience of sickness made him uniquely aware of the importance of health and fitness to the efficient running of a fleet, and this new book investigates Nelson's personal contribution to improving the welfare of the men he commanded. It ranges from issues of diet, through hygiene to improved medical practices. Believing prevention was better than cure, Nelson went to great lengths to obtain fresh provisions, insisted on cleanliness in his ships, and even understood the relationship between mental and physical health, working tirelessly to keep up the morale of his men.Many other people contributed to what became a revolution in naval health but because of his heroic status Nelson's influence was hugely significant, a role which this book reveals in detail for the first time.

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More Information

Format: Hardcover
Pages: 256
Publisher: Seaforth Publishing
Published: 30 Nov 2015

ISBN 10: 1848322178
ISBN 13: 9781848322172

Media Reviews
.. . an engrossing read with many facts and anecdotes. If you know any sick bay tiffees or naval doctors, this could be the book for them. Even for the average reader, this book makes a compelling diversion. --Starshell (Naval Association of Canada)
Author Bio
KEVIN BROWN is the Curator of the Alexander Fleming Museum at St Mary's Hospital, Paddington and an expert on the history of medicine. His previous books include Fighting Fit, a history of military medicine in the wars of the twentieth century and Poxed & Scurvied, the story of health and medicine at sea (Seaforth 2011).