5. Splints: Of those there should be at least four pair; two pair for broken legs, and two pair for broken arms. They are generally made of very thin deal boards, pasted on leather, and slit, so as to bend to the parts applied, sideways, but remain stiff length-ways.
Paste-boards may however be made use of with good success; and if the paste-boards are kept in sheets, they have the advantage, that splints may be made of them occasionally; but by fomentation they are apt to become soft and flabby, which ought to be guarded against.
6. Bandages: There ought to be three or four long ones, two or three yards each, torn length-ways off an old sheet, not too much worn, stitched together so as not to make a seam, three fingers broad, and neatly rolled up, so that they always may be ready for use.
7. Rags: are a most requisite article at sea, and I can only say, the more there are the better. They should by all means be clean, and neither too coarse nor too fine.
8. Tow: is also a very requisite article. A good large bundle should be provided, and it should be cleared from the shaggins, as they render it stiff and unpliable: the grey is generally the best for medicinal purposes.
9. Lint: should also be somewhat plenty; but as this may be made at leisure, the quantity of that is not so material. Lint in the common method is best made from rags torn length-ways, about three fingers broad, and the transverse thread drawn by the help of a knife.
10. Tape: is very useful, particularly that of two fingers breadth, and ought to be pretty fine. At least a dozen of yards should be provided.
Needles, threads, and pins should by no means be omitted, being highly useful on many occasions.
Secondly. I shall now proceed to the herbs, which need but be few, as they are very subject to decay.
11. Camomile flowers are much used by some, and supposed to strengthen the stomach; I could never think them of that effect. When however a vomit is given, camomile tea is very useful, and promotes greatly the operation; but it should not be made too strong: as much as may be taken between three fingers, pouring on it a quart of scalding water, and thus made into a tea. But that kind of tea should not be too often repeated, unless it particularly agrees with the stomach.