Life on Spanish ships was fraught with constant danger, with the threat of injury and death lurking at every turn. The heat of battle was the most perilous time for sailors and soldiers, who often found themselves visiting the surgeon or “croacher” for treatment of their injuries. These traumatic wounds were often treated by surgeons, who were skilled in amputation and other forms of combat-related medicine.
The goal of these surgeons was to prepare the wounded for a return to battle, making their live-saving efforts a matter of strategic importance. Unfortunately, not all injuries could be treated successfully, with diseases such as scurvy and yellow fever taking a heavy toll on the crews of these ships.
Lack of ventilation, aeration, and sanitation on board often led to disease outbreaks, leaving the sailors vulnerable to a range of ailments. Scurvy, a disease caused by a lack of vitamin C in the diet, was a common affliction that caused severe symptoms such as skin discoloration, bleeding, and tooth loss.
Despite the challenges faced by these surgeons and the limited medical resources available, they worked tirelessly to keep the crew members fit for battle. While many survived their injuries, the dangerous conditions and diseases aboard Spanish ships meant that not everyone managed to return home safely.