Note 37 — Chapter IX

As this is an office, I believe, hitherto unknown in the navy, I shall explain the reason of its being now established. The Admiral had in a former war experienced the attention and zeal of Mr. Weir, and being well acquainted with the fatigue and danger that would unavoidably be the lot of his surgeon, if he did his duty, he pitched upon him for that office, and as an encouragement he procured permission to appoint a surgeon general to the navy, and his appointment did honour to his discernment. Mr. Weir was indefatigable in attending the wounded and sick in his own ship, and equally ready to visit others; and even where his duty had no demand on him, his humanity led him to give his advice and assistance. In his mode of treatment of that dreadful disease, the yellow fever, he was more successful than was generally the case, as the Boyne lost a less proportion of patients under that afflicting malady than any other ship on the expedition.