Medical log for Henry Staveley from the Convict Ship William Miles 1828

Daily Sick Book of the William Miles

Under the command of Master John G. Sampson, on March 24, 1828, the male Convict Ship, William Miles, set sail from Downs, England. There were 192 convicts aboard this vessel, destined for Hobart, Tasmania. Henry Staveley of Newark, Nottinghamshire, the son of William Twigg Staveley and Sarah BLADES, and George Hopkinson, Henry's accomplice, were two of the convicts on board, sentenced to transportation, for a crime, that by modern standards might be considered little more than aggravated petty theft.

Henry's family, although undoubtedly sorry to see him leave England, were likely relieved that he was sentenced to transportation, as Henry and George both initially received a judgement of the death penalty for their crime against Samuel Wass. It's likely that even Henry himself was relieved at the reduction in his sentence. Unfortunately, death indeed was the ultimate punishment for Henry Staveley, and it was a slow, agonizing and painful death. He was a mere 19 years of age, and one of seven men aboard who perished during the voyage, never setting foot on Tasmanian soil. His accomplice, George Hopkinson, did arrive safely, although it is not known what became of him.

Remarkably, the Surgeon's 'Daily Sick Book' for the William Miles has survived, and in it are some revealing entries that speak volumes about Henry Staveley's tortured last days aboard ship. Like so many sailors, and travelers before him, Henry appears to have acquired scurvy during his long voyage. After a protracted illness, ultimately he succumbed to repiratory failure on July 17, 1828, just 12 days before the ship arrived in Hobart.

The following is an account of Henry's last days, recorded by the ship's surgeon, E. Johnston, who implies in the autopsy notes that Henry was suffering from scurvy. Indeed, when Henry's clinical symptoms, and course of the disease that are described by Johnston are compared to the description of scurvy written below by John Huxham in 1747, it seems plausible that scurvy was the cause of Henry's premature death:

That the State of the Blood, in the common Sea-scurvy, is of this Nature, appears from the stinking breath of the sick, their rather corroded gums, high-coloured foetid Urine, sordid ulcerts, black, blue and brown spots, and eruptions on the skin, frequent feverish heats, foul tongues, bilious and bloody dysenteries, which more or less attend it. now it is also well known, that a vegetable a descent diet and regimen, fresh air, fresh provisions, subacid and vinous drinks, are its certain and speedy cure, when not very far advanced. apples, oranges, and lemons, alone have been often known to do surprising things in the cure of very deplorable scorbutic cases, that arose from bad provisions, bad water, and in long voyages.

Huxham, John. "A Method for Preserving the Health of Seamen on Long Cruises and Voyages," published with "An Essay on Fevers," London, 1757.


Copy of the Daily Sick Book of the Male Convict Ship William Miles Between the 10th day of March and the 10th day of August, 1828 E. Johnston, Surgeon
	Select image at left to view original medical log sheet in separate window.

	Select image at left to view original medical log sheet in separate window.
When Put on Sick List	Names	Age	Quality	Disease or Wound	When Put Off Sick List	How Disposed Of
May 7	Henry Stavely	19	Convict	Synocha*	May 31	Cured
the term Synocha* refers to a continued and persistent fever

	Select image at left to view original medical log sheet in separate window. Note not all prescribed treatments have been transcribed.
Nature of Disease	Number of Case	Men's Names, Ages, Qualities, Time when and where taken ill, and how disposed of	The History, Symptoms, Treatment and Daily Progress of the Disease or Hurt
Synocha	10	Henry Stavely Age 19 Convict At Sea Cured	May 7th 6PM Complains of violent vomiting and purging, great increased action, headache and pain in the lumber region. Diagnosed as a full plethoric habit disease, 24 hours standing.
			May 8th Has passed a good night, has had only 1 stool and no return of the vomiting. 6PM Has had no return of the febrile symptoms, purging still continues without pain.
			May 9th Has passed a good night but the purging still continues, stools are of a natural colour but very thin. Mouth slightly affected.
			May 10th Complains much of sickness and vomiting, soft skin moist, with slight increased heat. This man has been very subject to sea sickness. Purging much the same.
			May 11th Has passed a very bad night, the vomiting still continues, but his bowels are regular. Says he has acute pain of stomach, not tender on pressure. Stools soft. 6PM Has had no return of the sickness since the blister began to rise. Drawn and well dressed

	Select image at left to view original medical log sheet in separate window. Note not all prescribed treatments have been transcribed.
Nature of Disease	Number of Case	Men's Names, Ages, Qualities, Time when and where taken ill, and how disposed of	The History, Symptoms, Treatment and Daily Progress of the Disease or Hurt
Diarrhea	10	Henry Stavely Age 19 Convict At Sea Cured	May 12th Remains free from the vomiting and sickness at stomach, has had six stools during the night which are much the same. (Treatment) Single dose Tinct. Opii
			May 13th Is much easier. Has had only 2 stools during the night and no return of the sickness or vomiting.
			May 14th (No entries)
			May 15th Is much improved and stools becoming of a more natural consistency.
			May 18th Has had no stool for the last 30 hours and complains of pain at the umbilicus which is tender on pressure. (Treatment) Olei Ricini* 3 oz 6PM Has had several stools and is much easier which are of a natural colour. *Castor oil
			May 19th Remains free from pain in the abdomen, but the frequent thin stools have again returned.
			May 25th From this time he gradually improved. Stools becoming of a natural consistency, omitting his medicine and taking tonics.
			May 31st Cured

Although Henry's condition was apparently cured, just a few weeks later he again was taken ill. It is not clear if Henry's second illness was directly related to his first illness treated during the month of May.

	Select image at left to view original medical log sheet in separate window.
When Put on Sick List	Names	Age	Quality	Disease or Wound	When Put Off Sick List	How Disposed Of
June 25	Henry Stavely	19	Convict	Dysenteria	July 17	Died

	Select image at left to view original medical log sheet in separate window. Note not all prescribed treatments have been transcribed.
Nature of Disease	Number of Case	Men's Names, Ages, Qualities, Time when and where taken ill, and how disposed of	The History, Symptoms, Treatment and Daily Progress of the Disease or Hurt
Diarrhea Dysentery	17	Henry Stavely Age 19 Convict June 25th At Sea Died	June 25th 6PM This man was discharged from the sick list on 31st May. See Case N 10 having then had an attack of synochus and diarrhoea. Has had eight or ten stools of very thin consistence since 9 oclock this morning. No ? or tenesmus. ? soft and clean, Mm dry* *Mm = mucus membranes (treatment) ? Breta 3 oz Liquor antem 3 oz Tinct. Opii ?
			June 26th Has had only two stools of a clay colour. Is free from all pain.
			June 27th Has had five stools of the same colour.
			June 28th Purging still continues but not so frequent. (treatment) ? Opii colate
			June 29th Has had five stools and complains of slight pain in the abdomen. ? soft and clean to have a hot bath and enema
			June 30th Has had seven stools mixed with a considerable quantity of dark green matter. Complains of his mouth, slight mercurial factor. Gums spongy**. (treatment) ? of bark. Omit ? ? Sulph. Magnes 3oz 6PM Has had five stools very watery, containing a few drops of blood. Complains of increased heat. Repeat the enema with opium and hot bath.

**Spongy gums are a symptom commonly associated with scurvy. However, it is important to note here that mercury poisoning also affects the mouth and may cause the patient to have a scorbutic appearance.

	Select image at left to view original medical log sheet in separate window. Note not all prescribed treatments have been transcribed.
Nature of Disease	Number of Case	Men's Names, Ages, Qualities, Time when and where taken ill, and how disposed of	The History, Symptoms, Treatment and Daily Progress of the Disease or Hurt
Diarrhea Dysentery	17	Henry Stavely Age 19 Convict At Sea Died	July 1st Has had five stools containing a quantity of hardened feculent matter. Is much easier and is free from the increased action of last night. Slight ptyalism. (Treatment) Rept? 6PM Has had two stools containing dark green matter. Enema and hot bath.
			July 2nd Has had several stools of a more healthy appearance, but has become so disponding that I can hardly persuade him to take his medicine. (Treatment) Hot bath and Opiate enema omit ?
			July 3rd Has passed a very bad night. Stools more frequent and liquid. Skin dry. Mercurial factor entirely gone. Appeared inclined to sleep. To repeat the enema. 6PM Is evidently much worse, and his stools varying more in colour.
			July 4th Stools continue much the same. ? clean. Rx Sub? Hydrary? Opii colate qid 6PM A very great alteration for the worse. Increased debility and abdomen tender to the touch Pcx. ? clean. Continue his pill as in the morning with an opiate enema and hot bath.
			July 5th Stools are mixed with slime and is much easier. Cont ?

In the following entries, note that by July 10th Johnston implied that Henry's mouth has become significantly scorbutic (scurvy-like).

	Select image at left to view original medical log sheet in separate window. Note not all prescribed treatments have been transcribed.
Nature of Disease	Number of Case	Men's Names, Ages, Qualities, Time when and where taken ill, and how disposed of	The History, Symptoms, Treatment and Daily Progress of the Disease or Hurt
Dysentery	17	Henry Stavely Age 19 Convict At Sea Died	July 6th Has passed a very bad night, but stools not so frequent, More pain in the abdomen (treatment) Rept Sub? Hydrary 6PM Much the same. Hot bath and enema
			July 7th Has had three stools and is much easier and in much better spirits. Stools passed dark brown. Rx Pulv Rhei* 6PM Has had three very paled stools and is very easy. (treatment) Subm. Hydrary q i Opii colate qid Hot bath and enema. *a common 19th century purging powder was tincture of rhubarb, known as Rhei, or rhubarb tartrate.
			July 8th Has had several stools from the enema and is much easier, the mercurials have not the slightest effect on the system. An opiate enema. Rx. Subm. Hydrary q iiij 6PM Has had only one stool and is very easy. Continue the calomel, hot bath and an enema. Calomel was a colourless white or brown tasteless compound commonly used between 1820-1860, also called mercurous chloride, and used as a laxative, purgative, diuretic, or for disinfection
			July 9th Has passed about a pint of chocolate coloured fluid and is very easy. Considerable difficulty in throwing up the enemas 6PM Much the same. Hot bath and opiate enema.
			July 10th No alteration and is evidently sinking. Stools continue much the same. From the scorbutic state of his mouth omit the calomel. Enemas and hot bath.

Henry's condition continues to worsen, but he will survive another week on board the William Miles, under the care of the ship's surgeon, E. Johnston:

	Select image at left to view original medical log sheet in separate window. Note not all prescribed treatments have been transcribed.
Nature of Disease	Number of Case	Men's Names, Ages, Qualities, Time when and where taken ill, and how disposed of	The History, Symptoms, Treatment and Daily Progress of the Disease or Hurt
Dysentery	17	Henry Stavely Age 19 Convict At Sea Died	July 11th Stools much the same but very palid and has more pain in the abdomen Rx Olei Ricini 3 oz Has had only one stool which is more natural than any he has passed. Hot bath and opiate enema.
			July 12th Has passed two stools in bed during the night, containing a large quantity of blood, and rapidly sinking. Continue the bath and opiate enemas. 3 oz of Port wine negus* *Negus was traditionally a drink made with wine, hot water, sugar, lemon juice, and nutmeg
			July 13th Purging very much increased but no blood. To have an enema containing ? of the liquor Plumbi Acetate* 6 PM Has had no stool and is easy. Habt. Tinct. Opii ? x4. H S *Lead Acetate
			July 14th Has had a better night but stools are much the same. Pc very feeble. slightly formed at the edge with a good deal of sleep, and does not wish to be disturbed. Repeat the astringent enema and to have some negus, which is the only thing he will take. 6PM No alteration. Continue his opiates.
			July 15th Medicine has no effect, and since 1AM his stools have passed involuntarily mixed with a considerable quantity of blood and is ?. A warm bath to get him clean.

	Select image at left to view original medical log sheet in separate window. Note not all prescribed treatments have been transcribed.
Nature of Disease	Number of Case	Men's Names, Ages, Qualities, Time when and where taken ill, and how disposed of	The History, Symptoms, Treatment and Daily Progress of the Disease or Hurt
Dysentery	17	Henry Stavely Age 19 Convict At Sea Died	July 16th Has passed everything involuntarily during the night, and a considerable quantity of blood. Great dyspnea. ? soft and small ? clean edges red. To continue the astringent enema, and to be well washed. 6PM the same.
			July 17th Much the same, no evident alteration took place. Dyspnea gradually increasing until 7PM when he expired.

Post Mortem 12 hours after death, Thorax, heart natural, lungs collapsed and flabby and about 3 oz of very dark bloody fluid.

Abdomen, liver enlarged gall bladder full of very dark bile several ecchymoses over the small and large intestines. Some extensive ulcerations in the colon close to the rectum, colon very much contracted, ulceration dark green with minute red specks. Considerable swelling of the knee joints but no discoloration. Had many ecchymoses over his body. This man had been a very powerful man and accusttomed to a full diet and from his great dispondency had suffered more than many and I have no doubt was a strong exciting cause for the scorbutic symptoms.

Although overall Henry's condition resembles scurvy, except for the protracted dysentery and diarrhea it is difficult to reach a definitive diagnosis based upon these records. The treatments that Henry received, the opiates, mercury, and lead containing compounds, potentially could have caused some of the symptoms described by Johnston, including the 'sore mouth' and 'spongy gums', a classic scorbutic sign, but also a sign of mercurial poisoning.

It will likely never be determined if Henry really had scurvy, or a different underlying disease, exacerbated by some of the therapies employed by Johnston. Johnston certainly seems to have thought that the scurvy was ultimately responsible for Henry's demise, and diarrhea and dysentery were popularly considered to be classic symptoms of vitamin C deficiency in the middle 19th century, even though often that was not the cause of these dysenteries. Other nutritional deficiencies, or even food poisoning could certainly have been the source of diarrhea.

The confounding finding in the autopsy report is that Henry's knees were swollen. Although more commonly seen in children affected with scurvy, this symptom is seen in scurvy secondary to periosteal swelling and hemorrhage into the joint. Unfortunately, Johnston's description of his findings are poor, and he doesn't clearly state whether the swelling was soft tissue, fluid, or bone, so the true source of the swelling will never be known. Regardless, Henry 'suffered more than many', presumably more than the many cases of scurvy Johnston would likely have seen before.

Authors: Phil Staveley and Clare M. Staveley