This study delineates the domestic architecture of the early colonial period in the American tropics in the first group of British colonies that survived. In 1624, the English made their first permanent settlement on St. Christopher in the Caribbean, then expanded to the neighboring islands of Nevis, Antigua and Montserrat. Of particular interest to this research was what the architecture would reveal regarding how the first settlers adapted to the new island environment, its geography, resources, climate, and people, in the first 100 years. The research involved the examination of manuscripts of the period in archives and collections in the UK, USA and Caribbean. The historical data accumulated was primarily inventories and brief descriptions of houses, business correspondence and a small number of official maps. A key resource was a document listing the losses of buildings and possessions suffered as a result of French raids in 1705-1706. The study views the recorded items not as losses, but instead as proof of what once existed, almost as newly found "treasure", and analyzes the items both qualitatively and quantitatively in order to reveal a clearer picture of daily life for the settlers, from modest farmers to wealthier land owners. The study identified house types, stylistic trends in the houses and their furnishing, patterns of use, and construction methods. The architecture recorded the British colonists' process of adaptation to the unfamiliar environment. The study found that Leeward Islands, in the settler period of English colonization (1624-1726) there was a significant degree of interaction and exchange between the Amerindian and British peoples. In addition, it found correlations with rural houses in the wider American tropical region.

This thesis examines the impact of disease and mortality on the Royal Navy in the West Indies from 1770 to 1806. It also investigates the navy’s medical branch which was established to manage the care of sick seamen. Using an interdisciplinary approach, this thesis produces a cohesive understanding of how disease and mortality affected the navy’s presence in the West Indies and the ways in which the navy attempted to mitigate their impact. This thesis explores various aspects of naval medicine including the history of the Sick and Hurt Board, the diseases which distressed seamen, the medicines distributed by the navy, the key personnel who were integral in generating changes to the medical system and the development of hospital facilities. Largely based on Admiralty records including correspondence and minutes from the Sick and Hurt Board, ships’ muster books and surgeons’ journals, this thesis investigates the most prevalent diseases in the West Indies and the prescribed treatments advocated by the navy. It then examines how these diseases and treatments affected seamen on board ships in that region through a quantitative analysis; then focuses on a number of the integral naval personnel who ushered in sweeping changes to naval medicine; and explores the navy’s increasing desire to transition from hired sick quarters to purpose-built naval hospitals on various West Indies islands. It concludes with a case study of the development of Antigua naval hospital which demonstrates the effectiveness of these facilities in convalescing sick seamen. Through a quantitative analysis of ships’ muster books, this thesis argues that the levels of sickness and mortality in the navy in the West Indies during the late eighteenth century are largely exaggerated in historical studies while also discrediting the myth that those islands were the ‘white man’s graveyard’ for many naval personnel. By surveying over 100,000 seamen on board ships in that region, sickness and mortality figures emerge which indicate that, on average, less than 4 per cent of seamen were on the sick list at any given time and only a small percentage died, meaning that the majority remained on active duty. This thesis then argues that many of the changes to the navy’s medical system that facilitated such low percentages were primarily instigated by surgeons, physicians and captains who identified beneficial medicines and championed their general distribution among the entire fleet. By looking at these aspects of naval medicine through a multidisciplinary lens rather than a purely administrative one, it is possible to understand the true state of health of British seamen in the West Indies during the last quarter of the eighteenth century.

Les Antilles françaises constituent un contexte qui est à appréhender sous les différents traits qui les caractérisent : une approche géologique et géographique, historique et économique, géopolitique ou encore, ethnique et linguistique, culturelle et magico-religieuse. Une prégnance émane de ce lieu et se fait ressentir dans les arts plastiques : le fragment et le manque.Les démarches de six artistes, concernés par cette étude, s’inscrivent dans ce contexte insulaire. Ils transposent dans leurs œuvres, selon différentes modalités, les problématiques qui préoccupent l’Archipel des Antilles. Trois artistes de la Guadeloupe : Michel Rovelas, Christian Bracy, François Piquet, et trois artistes de la Martinique : Ernest Breleur, Christian Bertin, Chantal Charron, sont étudiés, et leurs travaux analysés selon leurs données plastiques, iconiques, procédurales et sémantiques. Ces plasticiens qui prennent des libertés vis-à-vis des codes traditionnels de la représentation, abandonnent le principe d’imitation de la réalité. Ils privilégient une esthétique du fragment dont le déclencheur est la blès (blesse), l’insondable blessure historique. Le corps archipélique, à l’insulaire structure, en est l’objet et le sujet d’expression. Il est la figure métaphorique du monde créole.Ces « renifleur[s] d’existence »1 effectuent un travail de mémoire et d’identité dont les fondations résident dans une accumulation de faits tragiques et troublants : la traite, l’esclavage, la période coloniale, la départementalisation. Il s’agit d’une mémoire lacunaire que l’art tend à sonder. / The French West Indies constructs a context which has to be apprehended from different characteristics: a geological and geographical approach, as well as a historical, economic, geopolitical, ethnic, linguistic, cultural and magico-religious approach. A resonance emanates from this place which is felt in the plastic arts: fragment and incompleteness.The approaches of six artists involved in this study subscribe to this insular context. They transpose into their works, according to different modalities, the problems that concern the French West Indies archipelago. Three artists from Guadeloupe: Michel Rovelas, Christian Bracy, François Piquet, and three artists from Martinique: Ernest Breleur, Christian Bertin, Chantal Charron, are studied, and their work analyzed according to their plastic arts, iconic, procedural and semantic information.These plastic artists, who take liberties with respect to the traditional codes of representation, abandon the principle of imitation of reality. They favor an aesthetic of “the fragment” whose generator is “la blès” (wound), the unfathomable historical wound. The archipelagic body, with an insular structure is the object and the subject of expression. It is the metaphorical figure of the Creole world.These “searchers of existence”1 perform a work of memory and identity whose foundations lie in an accumulation of tragic and disturbing facts: slave trade, slavery, the colonial period and departmentalization. It is therefore an incomplete memory that art tends to grasp.

Cette thèse a pour but de contribuer à une meilleure compréhension de la tuberculose (TB) et desmycobactéries non-tuberculeuses dans la Caraïbe. La tuberculose a hanté l’humanité depuisplusieurs millénaires et reste de nos jours une des maladies infectieuses faisant le plus de victimeschaque année (1,5 millions de décès en 2013). La connaissance de l’épidémiologie de la tuberculoseest essentielle afin de concevoir des programmes de lutte anti-TB adaptés aux spécificitésrégionales et donc plus efficaces. Dans cette optique, la première partie de ce travail fourni un suivià long-terme de la résistance aux antituberculeux observée en Guadeloupe, Martinique et Guyanefrançaise ainsi qu’un aperçu de la diversité génétique et de la résistance aux antituberculeux dansla Caraïbe. Les données montrent une baisse graduelle de la fréquence des infections causées pardes souches résistantes parmi les nouveaux cas de TB dans les départements français d’Amérique.En ce qui concerne la Caraïbe, des différences marquées ont été observées entre les différentsterritoires, ce qui semble refléter le passé historique de cette région.La deuxième partie est consacrée à la phylogénie et l’évolution de M. tuberculosis, étudié à l’aide dedivers marqueurs génétiques comme spoligotypes, LSP, SNP et MIRU-VNTR. Les profils MIRUVNTR(format 12-loci) ont été étudiés afin de déterminer leur utilité comme marqueurphylogénétique. Il a été montré que ce marqueur est adapté pour retracer la phylogénie ducomplexe M. tuberculosis et que la précision du classement basé sur les MIRUs est supérieure àcelle du classement basé sur les spoligotypes. De plus, la technique MIRU-VNTR permetégalement d’observer la diversification évolutive d’une souche de M. tuberculosis au cours del’infection ou alors d’identifier des patients infectés par plusieurs souches de M. tuberculosis enmême temps. Les deux phénomènes ont été observés au cours de ce travail de thèse et les casconcernés sont décrits dans ce deuxième chapitre.Enfin, un premier aperçu de la diversité des mycobactéries non-tuberculeuses isolées desprélèvements cliniques en Guadeloupe, Martinique et Guyane est présenté dans la troisième partiede ce travail. Des différences marquées dans la fréquence d’isolement de certaines espèces ont puêtre observées entre les trois départements français d’Amérique. M. intracellulare par exemple étaitsignificativement plus abondant en Guadeloupe. Cependant l’existence d’une niche écologiquespécifique à cette île n’a pas pu être mise en évidence. La problématique de l’identification desmycobactéries non-tuberculeuses est abordée également à travers une étude rétrospective del’utilisation de hsp65-PRA pour l’identification des mycobactéries dans un laboratoire de routinemais aussi sous forme d’un travail prospectif visant à la mise en place d’un protocoled’identification de mycobactéries non-tuberculeuses avec MALDI-TOF MS. / This thesis aims at providing a better understanding of tuberculosis (TB) and non-tuberculousmycobacteria (NTM) in the Caribbean. TB is an ancient scourge of humanity and remains one ofthe deadliest infectious diseases today having claimed around 1.5 million lives in 2013.Understanding the epidemiology of TB is essential for optimizing regional TB control programs. Inthis context, the first part of this work provides long-term data on drug-resistance in Guadeloupe,Martinique and French Guiana as well as an insight in the genetic diversity and drug-resistance ofM. tuberculosis in twelve Caribbean territories. Encouragingly, the results show a gradual decreaseof drug-resistant TB in newly infected patients in Guadeloupe, Martinique and French Guiana. Onthe Caribbean level, distinct differences were observed from one territory to the next and thecurrent epidemiological landscape seems to reflect the historical past of the region.The second part addresses the phylogeny and evolution of M. tuberculosis using various geneticmarkers such as spoligotyping, large sequence polymorphism (LSP), single nucleotidepolymorphism (SNP), and MIRU-VNTRs. The suitability of 12-loci MIRU-VNTR profiles for use inphylogenetic studies was evaluated and it was found that this marker is not only able to resolvethe evolutionary relationships within the M. tuberculosis complex but also allows to achieve ahigher phylogenetic precision than spoligotyping. MIRU-VNTR also permits the identification ofon-going evolution in TB patients (in-patient microevolution) as well as mixed strain infections.Both phenomena were observed in our setting and the respective cases are described herein.Finally, a first insight in the diversity of NTM isolated from clinical specimen in Guadeloupe,Martinique and French Guiana is provided. The isolation frequency of some NTM species variedconsiderably between the three departments, the most striking example being the relativeabundance of M. intracellulare in Guadeloupe. However, no evidence of a privilegedenvironmental niche/infection source on this island could be found. Last but not least, the subjectof NTM identification is addressed in the form of a retrospective evaluation of hsp65-PRA basedidentification in a routine laboratory and in the form of a prospective study towards theimplementation of a MALDI-TOF MS based identification of NTM at the Pasteur Institute ofGuadeloupe.

No description available.

No description available.

This dissertation examines the various discursive expressions of black agency that formed the stereotypical representations of African descendants found in Victorian racial discourse. It is, therefore, an analysis of the discursive practices of peoples of African descent and not of the actual stereotypes frequently associated with Victorian racial discourse. I believe that a close reading and analysis of the discursive practices of peoples of African descent subject to British rule will generate more focused critical narratives about the fantasies that plagued the British imagination well into the twentieth century. This study also suggest that contemporary scholars should start looking at Victorian racial discourse as an active dialogue and conversation with the Other, rather than a description of the psychology of power. / English

Cette thèse explore les relations entre histoire et archéologie sous-marine pour étudier le risque de perte en mer aux Petites Antilles à travers l' exemple de la Guadeloupe. Le phénomène du naufrage est envisagé comme un prisme pour aborder les aspects maritimes de l'histoire de la Guadeloupe à l' époque de la marine à voile, entre la fin du XVIIe siècle et la première moitié du XIXe siècle. L' étude repose sur un dépouillement exhaustif de la correspondance administrative et des sondages ciblés dans les archives de la Marine et de quelques-uns des principaux ports du royaume de France liés aux Antilles (Nantes, Bordeaux, Le Havre, Marseille). Le naufrage est défini à travers une étude quantitative des pertes en mer : nombre, fréquence, localisation, répartition chronologique. Cette perspective conduit à qualifier le phénomène de sériel mais marginal en comparaison avec la fréquentation maritime, ce qui n' ôte pas de son intérêt en tant que clé de lecture d'une colonie française d' Amérique et de son économie et de sa société si part iculières , entre cultures d'exportation et esclavage. Environ 550 naufrages son répertoriés en archives entre la fin du XVIIe siècle et le début du XIXe siècle, ce qui représente moins de 1 % de la fréquentation maritime de la colonie. Il s' agit d'un phénomène essentiellement côtier et portuaire lié à la survenue d'événements climatiques exceptionnels (coups de vent et ouragans). Mais, ponctuellement, d'autres causes sont mises en évidence. L'objectif est de dresser une typologie des pertes en mer s'intéressant aussi bien aux différents types de navires perdus qu'à leur fonction , leur cargaison et leur équipage. La question de la perception des risques de pertes (conditions de navigation, dangers d'échouage, aléas climatiques) est envisagée pour analyser les relations entre risques et les moyens mis en oeuvre pour en réduire l'impact. Les différentes pistes allant des premières missions à caractère hydrographique au XVIIIe siècle, aux premiers aménagements portuaires au XIXe siècle, sont étudiées pour voir si elles répondent aux risques de pertes en mer. L'étude des documents d'archives trouve une application dans l'évaluation du potentiel archéologique sous-marin de la Guadeloupe. Celui-ci est évalué à une fourchette entre 50 et 120 sites d'épaves. La lecture critique des sources propose par ailleurs des hypothèses d'identification de 5 sites sur les 15 sites d' épaves anciennes connus, permettant ainsi une vision différente de la question des risques maritimes. / This Ph D explores relationships between history and underwater archaeology in order to study the martime risks in West Indies through the example of Guadeloupe. Shipwreck phenomenon is presented as a prism to analyze maritime aspect of Guadeloupe history during the time of sailing, from the end of 17th to first half of 19th century. The study is based on a archivaI analysis of administrative correspondence and surveys in marine archives and French kingdom main ports linked with West Indies. Shipwreck is defined through an quantitative study of losses : quantity, frequency, localization, chronological spread. This point of view permits to qualify the this phenomenon as serial but low regarding to the maritime activity, This fact is not a lack in order to use this event as a reading key of an American French colony, its economy and society. About 550 shipwrecks have been recorded from the end of 17th to first half of 19th century, thi represents less than 1% of maritime activity of the colony .. This phenomenon is mainly a coastal and a port event, linked with climatic hazard as hurricanes, but the study focused also on others causes . The objective is to set up a losses' typology dealing with ships types, functions, cargos, and crews. The perception of losses risks (seafaring conditions, wrecks dangers and climatic hazards) is presented in order to analyze relationships between risks and means in order to prevent them or reduce their consequences. Different projects from first hydrographical missions during 18th century to first ports building projects at the beginning of 19th century have been studied in order to establish if they answer the losses risks.

Le plan de restauration des tortues marines aux Antilles françaises a été validé par le Conseil National pour la Conservation de la Nature en 2006. Les captures accidentelles dans les filets de fond, i.e. les trémail, folle et filet droit, sur le plateau continental constituent la principale menace. Des filets faisant varier la hauteur, le maillage et l’inclinaison ont été comparés à des filets professionnels au cours de 226 pêches expérimentales. Le trémail est peu sélectif. Des filets à profil bas permettent d’obtenir des rendements comparables et réduiraient les captures de tortues. Les captures accidentelles sont plus abondantes dans les trémails et les folles. Les pêches à longs temps de calée provoquent plus de 90% de taux de mortalité de tortues et augmentent les quantités de rejets. Près de deux milliers de tortues seraient capturées chaque année aux Antilles françaises, avec une mortalité avoisinant les 60%. Les tortues adultes pêchées l’ont été en période de nidification et les tortues dites résidentes sont dans la grande majorité des juvéniles ou sub-adultes, cause de la surexploitation locale passée et signe de populations non stables. La menace « pêche » est d’autant plus importante qu’elle touche les femelles nidifiantes, meilleurs espoirs de rétablissement des stocks. En étroite collaboration participative avec les professionnels de la mer, la protection des tortues et des ressources marines passerait par une réduction de la hauteur des filets et de leurs temps de calée et l’interdiction totale ou partielle de ceux à mailles larges. / The national marine turtles recovery plan in FWI was adopted in 2006 by the National council for the nature conservancy. The bottom nets bycatch, i.e. the trammel, folle and gill nets, on the continental shelf are the main threat. Experimental nets with different heights, meshing and incline was compared to professional ones during 226 experimental trials. Trammel net is non selective. Low profile nets maintain a similar productivity and reduce the turtle bycatch. Trammel and folle nets cause more bycatch. The long soak times lead to more than 90 % of turtles mortality and more discards. Each year, about two thousands of turtles would be captured in FWI, with a mortality rate closed to 60 %. The mature turtles were captured during the nesting season and the resident ones are mostly juveniles or sub-adults, because of the local past overexploitation and indicator of non stable populations. The “fishery” threat is particularly important it affect nesting females, best stocks recovery hope. Closely to the marine professionals, the marine turtle and resources protection would be effective thanks to the reduction of the height and soak times nets and the total or partial ban of large meshing size nets.

This qualitative case study addressed the problem at a West Indies theological college that lacked the ability to provide courses for spiritual care training by using the teaching methodology of clinical pastoral education (CPE). CPE is an experiential process using a clinical method of learning to interpret human conditions. Spiritual care training through CPE teaches clerics how to help persons find meaning in life's situations and make connections with their God. Guided by the frameworks of transformative learning and critical theological reflection, this study explored the lived experiences of 5 purposefully selected CPE students who participated in 1 unit of CPE training at the college. Interview data were coded and analyzed to uncover emergent themes. The findings revealed these overarching themes: (a) personal empowerment, (b) increased pastoral care competencies, (c) increased sensitivity to suffering, and (d) connectivity to self-care and ministry. The interview data provided the impetus for the developed CPE Orientation (CPEO) to help students obtain basic skills in pastoral/spiritual care and critical theological reflections. It is recommended that persons with advanced CPE training could conduct the CPEO training, negating the need for a certified CPE supervisor expertise. Positive social change may occur when pastoral/spiritual care training is provided to clergy and laity to improve basic pastoral/spiritual care skills by helping clergy and parishioners respond to stressors in a healthy manner. Theological education that promotes spiritual care for persons in crisis may benefit the world and presents an avenue for social change to occur in the communities where clergy serve.