And here I must remark once for all, that all iron or steel instruments are ever best preserved clean and bright, by rubbing them clean with a warm dry cloth, and then wrapping them up in clean dry paper; by which method I have preserved my capital instruments with the same brightness, as they came out of the workman’s hands throughout my voyages, notwithstanding they have been made use of, and frequently too.
The notion of oiling or greasing instruments is very erroneous, and so far from preserving them, that it will never fail of making them more rusty. The wiping them quite clean and dry, and wrapping them up in warm dry paper, is certainly the best secret for keeping all iron or steel bright at sea, and deserves strictly to be attended to.
Scissars: There ought at least to be two pair, one for common use, and the other for particular purposes; and if the last mentioned are crooked, they are certainly much the better, being very handy on many occasions. The best pair should be carefully preserved as already directed.
Probe: A probe is very requisite for searching of wounds, &c. It should be of good silver, and the smaller it is in thickness, even like a small wire, the better for use, as it will bend and twist agreeable to the place it is to search. At one end it should have a neat smooth button, and at the other, be triangularly pointed, like a sail needle, in order to wrap lint round it to clean sores with; its length should be six or eight inches.
Spatula: ’Tis not much matter what the spatula is made of, whether silver or iron, be it what it will, (provided it is neither brass nor copper) one end should be flexible, so as to be handy in spreading salves upon lint, or for other the like purposes; whilst the other should be more stiff, being very useful for pressing the tongue down, in looking and examining the throat. It should be about six or eight inches long, and an inch broad.
Bistouries and Incision Lancets: A bistoury, or neat sharp cutting knife, is very useful indeed in many cases. And a large incision lancet, in the form of a common lancet, except that the point inclines more one way, is very necessary for opening aposthumes, and where a collection of matter has been formed.
Teeth Instruments: Of the whole tribe there is certainly none more universal than the key; this ought to have three different hooks, and so that they may shift and unshift, according as the operation requires. The gum lancet I have no notion of, I never saw any occasion for it, and am apt to think it rather an hindrance to the operation. The instrument should be kept clean in the same manner as I have said before.
2. Syringe: Each box ought at least to have two. Ivory is the best substance they can be made of; they ought to be pretty thick and stout, as they are liable to warp. A small one with a neat pipe, slender, and a button to it, will be very useful for the clap, or other cases, where injections are requisite. A larger one for the ulcerated sore throat, or other the like cases, where quantities are required to be injected.
3. Clyster Pipes and Bladders: There ought to be sundry. I would have them previously mounted; and to prevent the bladder from being decayed, or eaten up by vermin, or moths, fill them up with wormwood; a method I have found very effectual.
When they are to be made use of, they are easily softened by a little lukewarm water.