inferior rank, but likewise to the Privates

themselves. The Section on HOSPITALS and

NURSING, perhaps, is the least likely to profit common soldiers in the perusal; but even this may serve the purpose of convincing the men in general, that their welfare is no less consulted during sickness than in health; and that, while they are incapable of helping themselves, professional gentlemen, of the, first talents, are assiduously employed in concerting measures for their recovery.

Although the well-known humanity and sympathizing regard of British officers to their fellow-soldiers, afford the strongest ground to believe, that every attempt of this nature will meet with due attention and patronage; the circumstances under which I have prepared this volume for the press, have left room for the exercise of your candour and indulgence. If, however, upon the whole, I shall have been instrumental in saving the life, or preserving the active services, of one faithful and patriotic countryman, the short inter

vals of leisure I have been able to devote to this work, amidst a variety of professional avocations, will be abundantly recompensed.

It is known, probably, to many of my readers, that on the 12th day of October last I circulated a printed paper among the different VOLUNTEER CORPS in London, a copy of which I now subjoin *; but as the necessity of my giving the weekly Lecture therein alluded to, will cease on the publication of this volume, I take the present opportunity of announcing my design to discontinue that mode of communicating my sentiments to the VoLUNTEERS and YEOMANRY, after the 2d of Dec.

One thing more should be here alluded to; which is, that I have been under the painful necessity of condemning, in the most decided terms, a dangerous (because inefficacious) method of applying the tourniquet, which a contemporary author has recently endeavoured to introduce among the VOLUNTEERS.

London, I remain, &c. &c. &c.

Νου. 25, 1803.

THE AUTHOR...

*Copy of a circular Paper which was printed and distributed by the Author, October 12, 1803.

In the event of an invasion, and of the LOYAL VOLUNTEERS being called into actual service, it may be of the utmost importance for some of them (and especially the Officers) to have previously learnt by what means they may be enabled to stop a violent effusion of blood from a recent wound, &c. Mr. BLAIR is printing a volume of Familiar Instructions on this and other subjects, for the use of MILITARY MEN, to be illustrated by engravings: but, as the emergency of the case demands that immediate information should be given to those individuals who are liable to be called forth into the service of their country, he has determined to allot one evening in every week to the duty of teaching and exemplifying this species of practical knowledge to any of the VOLUNTEERS; and for that purpose he invites Gentlemen to attend at the Bloomsbury Dispensary, N° 62, Great Russell Street, on Friday evenings, at Eight o'clock precisely. To prevent the intrusion of improper persons, Mr. BLAIR gives notice, that no one will be admitted to this gratuitous Lecture who shall not appear in his military uniform.

THE

SOLDIER'S FRIEND,

&c.

1. PRELIMINARY REMARKS.

1. Ar an eventful moment, like the present, when every thing dear to us as Britons is at stake, no person should decline to offer his best services to the country. It has now become the duty of every patriotic individual, to step forward with alacrity and zeal, in suggesting whatever he may think of use towards the common cause. I am sure my medical brethren, in every quarter of the united kingdom, are ready to exert themselves to the utmost, in this trying emergency; as appears sufficiently manifest by the voluntary offers of personal service which many of them have made to Government: but, as it seems not to have occurred to any other professional man to address the public and the various military corps on the subjects of this tract, I have been anxious to spare

B

a few hours from my daily avocations for

that purpose.

2. Medical gentlemen might render an essential benefit to the nation, by giving popular and gratuitous instructions to the volunteers in their own neighbourhood, on

THE BEST MEANS OF PRESERVING HEALTH

DURING A MILITARY CAMPAIGN; and by teaching the non-commissioned officers, &c. the different modes of applying the tourniquet to stop dangerous bleedings in the limbs. My own post is inevitably fixed in LONDON; where the numerous public as well as private calls of my profession, make it impossible for me to follow the laudable example of those who have nobly attached themselves to associations for the defence of their country. Still, however, I am willing to devote one evening in every week to the business of communicating such gratuitous instruction.

3. The celebrated Sir John Pringle has observed, that "although most of the causes of diseases can hardly be avoided in times of actual service; yet, as these only dispose men to sickness, and do not necessarily bring it on, it is incumbent on those who have the command, to make such provision as shall