Medical officers’ report on the condition of Nelson’s health
Enclosed in a letter from Peter Parker, dated 5 September 1780, from Princess Royal Port, Royal Harbour Jamaica to Philip Stephens, Secretary of the Admiralty.
Catalogue reference: ADM 1/242 folio 531
Pursuant to an Order from
Sir Peter Parker Knight Vice
Admiral of the Blue and
Commander in Chief of His
Majesty’s Ships and Vessels
Employed and to be Employed
at and about Jamaica and
to us directed.
We have Strictly and Carefully enquired
into the Nature of the Complaints of Captain
Horatio Nelson of His Majesty’s Ship the Janus
and find from repeated Attacks of Tertian and
Quartan, Agues, and those now degenerated into
Quotidian, attended with bilious Vomitings
Nervous headachs, Visceral Obstructions and
many other bodily Infirmities, and being
reduced quite to a Skeleton, we are of opinion
his remaining here will be attended with
fatal Consequences. Would therefore recommend
an Immediate Change of Climate as the only
Chance he has for recovery-
Given under our hands
at Port Royal the first
day of Sept[embe]r 1780
Rob[er]t Wood
Arch[ibal]d Bruce
Ja[me]s Melling
