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.
12. _Balm_: This is an excellent herb on many occasions; it is cooling,
and there is not a tea I have more to recommend to sea-faring people,
let their ailment be what it will; it is of a balsamic and healing
nature, and will not easily pall on the stomach, except where there is
an universal weakness in the system; where then what is more warming to
the body than balm, may with propriety be added.
13. _Sage_: This is an herb of a more hot nature; and in fevers should
be used with caution, unless where a transpiration is required. It
promotes urine and perspiration, in many cases it may be used with the
balm, and then makes a very good tea, both for the sick as well as those
in health.
14. _Sassafras_: This is one of the warming and balsamic woods, which,
if it is mixed with _lignum vitæ chips_, makes an excellent decoction
for all rheumatic complaints, and where the blood wants to be diluted or
purified.
15. _Oatmeal_: This article cannot strictly be deemed a medicine, yet,
as water gruel is frequently wanted, that of oatmeal I think the best;
besides, it is excellent for making poultices, being of a softening and
rich quality. But if it should be wanting, _pounded biscuit_ will answer
the purposes. In regard to diet, I shall say more in its proper place.
16. _cinamon_: This is a necessary article at sea, as it is of a gentle
astringent nature, together being very warming, and is undoubtedly the
best of all the spices, where the bowels are weak. Its peculiar uses I
shall speak more of hereafter, when I come to treat on loosenesses and
fluxes, and such diseases where it is useful.
17. _Allum_: This astringent medicine is very useful for gargles, for
scurvy gums, and various other uses. Burned allum (which may be done by
exposing a piece on a fire shovel over the fire till it is bubbled up
and become of a white cake) is an excellent medicine, for gently
checking proud flesh in ulcers; besides which, it makes an excellent
tooth powder.
18. _Chalk_, is as necessary an article as any medicine, and so useful
is it in long voyages, that a ship should be well stored with it; for it
is not only an excellent absorbent, and will stop fluxes, when made use
of in decoctions for that purpose, but, makes also a great purifier of
water, and thereby contributes greatly to the preservation of health; as
I shall hereafter further take under a stricter consideration.
19. _Salts_: Glauber’s purging salts, is a medicine which has had many
virtues ascribed to it; as a cooling purge it is very well, but further
I cannot recommend it: An ounce, or an ounce and an half is the dose;
and it will be best to dissolve it in a tea cup of water over night, so
that it may be taken early in the morning, and worked off with drinking
gradually some tea after every motion.