It has been suggested to me, that it would add to the utility of this Work to subjoin a list of the remedies best suited to the practice of physic at sea, with their quantities, and to give a set of formulas for the direction of young practitioners. I have accordingly made out a gross computation of the requisite quantities of the most useful and necessary articles of the Materia Medica, and also a few of the most commodious and simple forms of administering some of the most efficacious remedies for the most common diseases.
It is of consequence every where, but especially on board of a ship, to simplify practice, as much as possible, with regard to the number, the preparation, and the administration of medicines. Where a great number of compound medicines are given, it is extremely difficult to ascertain, by accurate and satisfactory observations, what are their real effects; and as there are not conveniences at sea for great pharmaceutical nicety, the plainest forms should be adhered to. And as all operations are rendered more practicable and easy by being reduced to a stated method, this is an additional inducement for studying plainness and simplicity in preparing and administering remedies. This uniformity is more attainable in the public service than in private practice; for in the former all the patients are of one sex, they are all adults, and they are generally of robust constitutions.
In the list hereto subjoined the articles are distinguished into PRINCIPAL and SECONDARY; and when a surgeon considers how limited his funds are, I hope he will not think that I have made a disproportionate assortment in reducing the number and quantities of the latter, my view in this having been that he may better afford an ample proportion of such medicines as are really efficacious and indispensable in the cure of diseases. It may be affirmed, without vanity or arrogance, that the printed list of articles with which the navy surgeons are enjoined to supply themselves is very injudicious considering the present improved state of the medical art; and it is of great importance that the due proportion of each article should be ascertained as nearly as possible, that no unnecessary expence may be incurred, and that the chest may not be encumbered with unnecessary articles.
There are no simple distilled waters in the following list, as they are very corruptible, and too bulky to carry to sea. Their place is supplied by a small quantity of oil of mint, which may be occasionally added to common water, in the proportion of a drop to an ounce. There are no tinctures inserted, except laudanum, the traumatic balsam, and compound spirit of lavender, as the surgeon, having a proper supply of spirit of wine or rum, may make them on board of the ship.
In the following list the surgical articles are not enumerated. There is a new article which I beg leave to recommend, as it has lately been found extremely useful, and is now used in large quantities in the hospitals in London. This is linseed meal for poultices. The surgeon should also be provided with a sufficient quantity of linseed oil, as it has been found to be one of the best ingredients in dressings for scorches. [See page 540.]
The quantity of each article is adapted to an hundred men for one year, so that a calculation can easily be made for any number of men, and for any length of time.
ASSORTMENT OF MEDICINES
TO BE
CARRIED TO SEA,
FOR
ONE HUNDRED MEN, FOR ONE YEAR.
PRINCIPAL ARTICLES.
Peruvian bark, ten pounds, and if the ship is destined for a hot climate, twenty pounds. This article should be provided by the Public. [See p. 359].—Calomel, two ounces and a half—a Emetic tartar, one ounce and a half—Ipecacoanha, four ounces—Opium, one ounce—b Purging salts, ten pounds—Senna leaves, two pounds.