seven o'clock in the evening
They told me , that , on Mondays , Wednesdays , and Fridays , the ship 's company had no allowance of meat , and that these meagre days were called banyan days , the reason of which they did not know ; but I have since learned they take their denomination from a sect of devotees in some parts of the East Indies , who never taste flesh . After dinner Thompson led me round the ship , showed me the different parts , described their uses , and , as far as he could , made me acquainted with the particulars of the discipline and economy practised on board . He then demanded of the boatswain a hammock for me , which was slung in a very neat manner by my friend Jack Rattlin ; and , as I had no bed-clothes , procured credit for me with the purser , for a mattress and two blankets . At seven o'clock in the evening Morgan visited the sick , and , having ordered what was proper for each , I assisted Thompson in making up his prescriptions : but when I followed him with the medicines into the sick berth , or hospital , and observed the situation of the patients , I was much less surprised that people should die on board , than that a sick person should recover . Here I saw about fifty miserable distempered wretches , suspended in rows , so huddled one upon another , that not more than fourteen inches space was allotted for each with his bed and bedding ; and deprived of the light of the day , as well as of fresh air ; breathing nothing but a noisome atmosphere of the morbid steams exhaling from their own excrements and diseased bodies , devoured with vermin hatched in the filth that surrounded them , and destitute of every convenience necessary for people in that helpless condition . A disagreeable accident happens to me in the discharge of my office -- Morgan 's nose is offended -- a dialogue between him and the Ship 's steward -- upon examination , I find more causes of complaint than one -- my hair is cut off -- Morgan 's cookery -- the manner of sleeping on board -- I am waked in the night by a dreadful noise Could not comprehend how it was possible for the attendants to come near those who hung on the inside towards the sides of the ship , in order to assist them , as they seemed barricadoed by those who lay on the outside , and entirely out of the reach of all visitation ; much less could I conceive how my friend Thompson would be able to administer clysters , that were ordered for some , in that situation ; when I saw him thrust his wig in his pocket , and strip himself to his waistcoat in a moment , then creep on all fours under the hammocks of the sick , and , forcing up his bare pate between two , keep them asunder with one shoulder , until he had done his duty . Eager to learn the service , I desired he would give me leave to perform the next operation of that kind ; and he consenting , I undressed myself after his example , and crawling along , the ship happened to roll : this motion alarming me , I laid hold of the first thing that came within my grasp with such violence , that I overturned it , and soon found , by the smell that issued upon me , that I had unlocked a box of the most delicious perfume .