Drug Supplies in the American Revolution

by George B. Griffenhagen

Contributions from
The Museum of History and Technology
Paper 16

Drug Supplies in the American Revolution
George B. Griffenhagen

[CONTINENTAL MEDICINE CHESTS 111]
[TREASON, POISON, AND SIEGE 113]
[FROM BAD TO WORSE 115]
["MEDICINES—NONE" 118]
[PRIVATEERS TO THE RESCUE 121]
[BRISK BUSINESS IN BOSTON 122]
[THE SITUATION IMPROVES 122]
[VALLEY FORGE 123]
[IN SUMMARY 129]

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DRUG SUPPLIES IN THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION

by George B. Griffenhagen

At the start of the Revolution, the Colonies were cut off from the source of their usual drug supply, England. A few drugs trickled through from the West Indies, but by 1776 there was an acute shortage.

Lack of coordination and transportation resulted in a scarcity of drugs for the army hospitals even while druggists in other areas resorted to advertising in order to sell their stocks. Some relief came from British prize ships captured by the American navy and privateers, but the chaotic condition of drug supply was not eased until the alliance with France early in 1778.

The Author: George Griffenhagen—formerly curator of medical sciences, United States National Museum, Smithsonian Institution—is director of communications, American Pharmaceutical Association, and managing editor, Journal of the American Pharmaceutical Association.