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enable the soldier to withstand most of the hardships of a military life. It is almost needless to add," says he," that the preservatives from diseases are not to depend on medicines, nor on any thing which a soldier can have in his power to neglect." And Dr. Blane, who has written ably on the diseases of seamen, remarks, that "it could be made evident, in an economical and political point of view, independent of moral considerations, that the lives and health of men might be preserved at a much less expense than what is necessary to repair the ravages of disease."

4. Health is the main spring of action, both in public and private affairs: it is that, without which all our motions must languish, and our designs become vain. The health of an army must therefore be of equal importance with its existence; or rather, I should say, an army without health is a burden to the state it was intended to serve. In modern times the issue of a campaign is as frequently determined by sickness as by battle. In all European armies, more men are sacrificed by disease than by the sword; and the laurel is at least as often withered

on the hero's brow by the pestilential blast of contagion, as torn from it by the nervous arm of strength.

5. The preference justly given to old troops arises chiefly from their being always fit for their duty. Experience teaches the veteran soldier a variety of matters relative to the preservation of his health, with which the fresh recruit must necessarily be unacquainted. As it is the business of no particular person to teach the young soldier this useful knowledge, he can only acquire it from experience; and too often he is cut off, before this slow but necessary course of edu cation can be completed. It becomes, therefore, the duty of every officer who has at heart the real good of the service in which he is engaged, and whose superior opportu nities of information have made him acquainted with the conduct which it is proper to pursue, to enforce the practice of regulations which tend to obviate disease, as well as to exemplify a daily attention to them in his own conduct.

6. At the present period, when the necessary defence of the country calls numbers of men accustomed to sedentary or domestic

employments, as well as to full living and debilitating occupations, into the field, where they must submit to the hardships and fatigués of a military life; an attention to the preservation of their health becomes peculiarly requisite, that the effective strength and well-being of the nation may be main tained as much as possible.

7. The accommodation of the troops at large is provided for by the general staff; and that of the individual sick, by the superintendants of hospitals and other subsidiary medical arrangements. In no service is the welfare of the sick or wounded soldier more an object of attention than in the British army. With these arrangements it is not at all the purpose of the author to interfere. His primary object is merely to furnish the soldier and volunteer, &c. with that practical knowledge, which may prevent their names from appearing on the sick list; and thereby at once preserve their own comfort, as well as the integrity of the army, of which they constitute a part.

In the execution of this little work, it is hoped no person will be found, who can possibly mistake or vilify the author's design.

2. OF WOUNDS AND OTHER CASUALTIES.

1. THE casualties to which a military life is peculiarly exposed are, accidental drowning, wounds, fractures, and dislocations. As each

of these may occur at a time when no medical assistance is near, I shall point out what may be done with propriety till farther help can be procured.

2. When a person has remained more than a quarter of an hour under water, there can be but small hopes of his recovery; yet as some peculiar circumstances may have happened to continue life, and as instances of recovery are recorded after a much longer space of time, the unfortunate object should never be resigned to his fate, nor any method be left untried for his recovery.

In

3. As soon as the body is taken out of the water it should be conveyed with all convenient speed to some proper place for applying the means necessary for its recovery. doing this care should be taken not to bruise or injure the body by rolling it over a cask, or on the ground, as often has been done, or by carrying it with the head hanging downwards: it ought to be carried on men's

shoulders, or in a cart, and kept in as natural and easy a position as possible. The principal intention to be pursued is, to restore a proper degree of warmth, and re-excite the circulation of blood.

4. After taking off the wet clothes, the body should be strongly rubbed for a considerable time, with coarse flannel or woollen cloths dipped in warm spirits; it should then be laid on hot blankets, between two healthy persons, who should also be covered with the bed-clothes. At the same time, large bladders filled with hot bran and water, or brick's heated and wrapped in flannel, may be applied to the feet and stomach; while volatile salts or aromatic vinegar are rubbed on the temples, mouth, and nose.

5. Life has been restored by covering the body with warm embers, grains, or dung; but the above mode of recovering the heat is much more simple and natural, as well as more easy to be effected. In my opinion it is also preferable to the use of a warm bath, which requires some judgment and caution in using

6. Respiration has been frequently restored by blowing strongly into the mouth, at the