Nelson supported John Dalling's operations against Spanish possessions in Central America while recurring malaria affected his own health. The naval contribution earned praise, yet disease rather than combat became the expedition's decisive enemy, with roughly 2,500 personnel lost to yellow fever. Nelson then developed severe dysentery, possibly compounded by yellow fever, in Costa Rica. His condition prevented him from assuming command of the 44-gun HMS Janus. In Jamaica, Cubah Cornwallis nursed him at what appears to have been a lodging hospital for sailors and naval officers before HMS Lion carried him home. Disease environment, shore care, and medical evacuation were central constraints on eighteenth-century amphibious campaigning.
Chapter · 21:13-24:20
Central American operations were defeated by disease
British naval support performed well in Central America, but tropical disease destroyed the expedition and prevented Nelson from taking HMS Janus.