On Oct. 24th [1831], I took up my residence at Plymouth, and remained there until December 27th when the Beagle finally left the shores of England for her circumnavigation of the world. We made two earlier attempts to sail, but were driven back each time by heavy gales. These two months at Plymouth were the most miserable which I ever spent, though I exerted myself in various ways. I was out of spirits at the thought of leaving all my family and friends for so long a time, and the weather seemed to me inexpressibly gloomy. I was also troubled with palpitations and pain about the heart, and like many a young ignorant man, especially one with a smattering of medical knowledge, was convinced that I had heart-disease. I did not consult any doctor, as I fully expected to hear the verdict that I was not fit for the voyage, and I was resolved to go at all hazards.
Autobiography, 79–80
All last autumn and winter my health grew worse and worse; incessant sickness, tremulous hands and swimming head; I thought I was going the way of all flesh. Having heard of much success in some cases from the Cold Water Cure, I determined to give up all attempts to do anything and come here [Malvern] and put myself under Dr. [William] Gully. It has answered to a considerable extent: my sickness much checked and considerable strength gained. Dr. G., moreover, (and I hear he rarely speaks confidently) tells me he has little doubt but that he can cure me, in the course of time. Time however it will take.
Darwin to J. S. Henslow,
6 May 1849, DCP 1241
I am very doubtful whether I shall be up for [the Philosophical] Club; owing to Boys holidays drawing to a close, & sickness in our house. My wife often ails, & Lenny has very frequent bad days with badly intermittent pulse.—We escaped a considerable anxiety in George having apparently a regular low fever, but it died away & has spoiled only a fortnight of his holidays. Oh health, health, you are my daily & nightly bug-bear & stop all enjoyment in life. Etty keeps very weak.—But I really beg pardon, it is very foolish & weak to howl this way. Everyone has got his heavy burthen in this world.
Darwin to J. D. Hooker,
15 January [1858], DCP 2203
I have lately spent a very pleasant week at Moor Park, & Hydropathy & idleness did me wonderful good & I walked one day 4 ½ miles,—a quite Herculean feat for me!
Darwin to W. D. Fox,
13 November [1858], DCP 2360
My health has been very bad; & I am becoming as weak as a child, & incapable of doing anything whatever except my 3 hours daily work at Proof-sheets.—God knows whether I shall ever be good for anything again—perhaps a long rest & hydropathy may do something.
Darwin to J. D. Hooker,
1 September [1859], DCP 2485
I have been talking with my wife & she joins heartily in asking whether Mrs. Huxley would not come here for a fortnight & bring all the children & nurse. But I must make it clear that this House is dreadfully dull & melancholy. My wife lives upstairs with my girl & she would see little of Mrs. Huxley, except at meal times, & my stomach is so habitually bad that I never spend the whole evening even with our nearest relations. If Mrs Huxley could be induced to come, she must look at this house, just as if it were a country inn, to which she went for a change of air.
Darwin to T. H. Huxley,
22 February [1861], DCP 3066
If [J. S.] Henslow, you thought, would really like to see me, I would of course start at once. The thought had [at] once occurred to me to offer, & the sole reason why I did not was that the journey with the agitation would cause me probably to arrive utterly prostrated. I shd. be certain to have severe vomiting afterwards, but that would not much signify, but I doubt whether I could stand the agitation at the time. I never felt my weakness a greater evil…. I suppose there is some Inn at which I could stay, for I shd not like to be in the House (even if you could hold me) as my retching is apt to be extremely loud.
Darwin to J. D. Hooker, 23 [April 1861], DCP 3125
I by no means thought that I produced a “tremendous effect” on Linn. Soc [the Linnean Society of London]; but by Jove the Linn. Soc. produced a tremendous effect on me for I vomited all night & could not get out of bed till late next evening, so that I just crawled home.—I fear I must give up trying to read any paper or speak. It is a horrid bore I can do nothing like other people.
Darwin to J. D. Hooker,
9 [April 1862], DCP 3500
Hurrah! I have been 52 hours without vomiting!!
Darwin to J. D. Hooker,
26[–27] March [1864], DCP 4436
My sickness is not from mere irritability of stomach but is always caused by acid & morbid secretions…. For 25 years extreme spasmodic daily & nightly flatulence: occasional vomiting; on two occasions prolonged during months. Extreme secretion of saliva with flatulence. Vomiting preceded by shivering, hysterical crying dying sensations or half-faint. & copious very pallid urine. Now vomiting & every paroxysm of flatulence preceded by singing of ears, rocking, treading on air & vision. focus & black dots All fatigues, specially reading, brings on these Head symptoms…. (What I vomit intensely acid, slimy (sometimes bitter) corrodes teeth.) Doctors puzzled, say suppressed gout Family gouty…. Feet coldish.–Pulse 58 to 62–or slower & like thread. Appetite good—not thin. Evacuation regular & good. Urine scanty (because do not drink) often much pinkish sediment when cold—seldom headach or nausea.—Cannot walk above ½ mile—always tired—conversation or excitement tires me most…. Eczema–(now constant) lumbago–fundament–rash.
Darwin to Dr. John Chapman,
16 May [1865], DCP 4834