Part 1

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THE SEAMAN’S Medical Instructor,

IN A COURSE OF

LECTURES

ON

ACCIDENTS AND DISEASES

INCIDENT TO SEAMEN,

IN THE VARIOUS CLIMATES

OF THE WORLD.

CALCULATED FOR

SHIPS THAT CARRY NO SURGEON.

The Whole delivered in a plain Language, and founded on a long and successful Experience.

By N. D. FALCK, M. D.

LONDON: PRINTED FOR EDWARD AND CHARLES DILLY.

M,DCC,LXXIV.

THE

PREFACE.

If we consider the many benefits that navigation contributes to commerce in general, and how much the prosperity of nations are indebted to its source, we must without hesitation declare seamen, a most respectable part of mankind; and if we reflect a moment, on the many hazards and perils they are exposed to on that precarious element, and the advantages we reap from their toil, the common feelings of human society, must awake and remind us, not only how much we are obliged as social members, even from a motive of self interest, to study their preservation, but as fellow creatures, how forcibly our duty calls us to give them every aid in our power, and to lighten the burthen of their many toils.

A ship at sea may be considered as a floating kingdom; and the subjects, however few in number, are not only liable to the same accidents as those on shore, but to many more, peculiar to that precarious and fluctuating element that surrounds them. For this reason there are many things requisite to be known by the mariners besides the art of conducting a ship from port to port.

Of all the various knowledges that distinguish the human species from the brute creation, what is of more value than that which tends to the preservation of life and health? I believe that every man who is actuated by motives of philanthropy will with me wish, that mankind in general would advert more to it in the principles of education, than what they at present do. Indeed it is astonishing that so valuable an acquisition, as to have some knowledge of the body we possess, and its preservation, should be so totally neglected, as to be entirely excluded from education; an acquisition that not only enlivens the mind, but in itself is so very essential to our existence; yet what is more to be wondered at, is, that a seaman who launches into the main ocean, is cut off from every assistance, in case of an accident or sickness, and rendered wholly unable to give the least aid to himself, or those who are entrusted to his care. Large ships I own are exempt from this observation: but are not the lives of men on board of small ships equally as valuable, and worth preserving, as those of greater burthen?

I am not the first who has had the welfare of seamen at heart; various writers, and men of abilities too, have presented the world with observations, that undoubtedly have proved beneficial to that class of men; but then these books were neither intended, nor fit to be put into the hands of such seamen, as actually stand most in need of those very observations they have made, and only intended for the perusal of men of physical talents; nevertheless they merit for their labour public thanks, as useful members of society. But if we take an impartial view of the number of seamen, I believe the greatest part are employed in small ships, that either carry no surgeon, or (I am sorry to say it) sometimes one they had better be without; especially in war time, when they stand most in need of a good one.

To benefit these men, and at the same time to make that benefit universal, is the plan I have aimed at; and I believe this is the first attempt of the kind; at least I know of none whose steps I have followed in this design.

Should I ask physical writers why they have neglected so valuable a part of society as seamen, in giving them their friendly instructions respecting their health, I doubt not, but the majority would reply, that the education of masters of ships and seamen in general, has not enabled them to understand a subject so much above their comprehension, or sphere. But if seamen have not the advantage of an extensive education, are they divested therefore of common sense and understanding? and is it not possible to deliver them instructions, dressed in so plain a language as to adapt it to their capacity?

Nevertheless, though men of abilities have not thought seamen worth their pen, others have; but such whose pursuit in life has been stimulated by motives of a different cast. Those have furnished seamen not only with directions to cure _all_ diseases, but even given them medicines to do it with, into the bargain; or to speak more seriously, given them directions how to use such medicines as would yield the most profit to the apothecary, who with pretended wisdom equipt them out: and I am apt to think, that kind of quackery has stolen away the lives of many valuable seamen.

It is universally asserted that seamen are not fond of reading; this in a great measure is true, but far from being a general rule; and though blind prejudice has given them an aversion to every thing _physical_, yet I will venture to say so much in their behalf, that hitherto nothing has been offered to them that could alter their opinion in this respect, or open their eyes, in shewing them the beauties of that useful study, and in how small a compass its true principles might be contained.

Physic like religion is rendered intricate and abstruse, the more it abounds in errors and absurdities; but truth like the brilliant sun, drives away all the phantoms of perplext mysteries, and proves that both alike are simple and beautiful, founded on reason, and that its most useful part is comprehensive to common understanding. This pleads in favour of my attempt, and with every man of sense, must overpower prejudice.

That I might the better succeed in my intention, I have begun the whole at the first principles, namely the mechanism of the human body; for I cannot see how any man can pretend to know the nature of diseases, or presume to administer any thing with certainty, without he has some knowledge of the parts that suffer: this then is the subject of my first lecture; and to make it the more pleasing, and to entice the reader to pursue, I have stript it of every thing pedantic, or the unnecessary perplexing particulars, and confined myself to such things only, as gives a concise and true idea of the whole animal system; and if I may be allowed to judge from the opinion of some of my learned friends, I flatter myself, that my readers, physical or not, will give me their sanction, as well with respect to plainness of language, as conciseness of the subject, and the utility of such a short dissertation, founded on experience, and stript of prejudice and errors.

The second lecture contains equally as copious a subject as the first; contracted in a very small compass, and which I hope will give as much satisfaction as the forementioned.

Out of the whole _Materia Medica_, I have chosen but very few medicines, and these I have confined myself to throughout the whole book. Many surgeons at sea will not, I know, be contented with so small an assortment; and I remember the time that such an observation might have been applicable to myself; but as I have by long experience learned to shake off prejudices, and been taught by the help of philosophy to pry into the nature of things in general, I solemnly declare, that now, I would venture to go to any part of the globe, not only with that little assortment of medicines I have mentioned, but even with many less. The _emetick tartar_, _sublimate mercury_ and the _bark_ are powerful medicines; but they should be in very skillful hands, otherwise they are rank poisons, and therefore I have omitted them here; but strictly speaking, every good medicine is the same. I have two maxims in physic, which I strictly attend to; one is, that to my friends I give the least medicines; the other is, that the principal virtue of a medicine depends on its application.

The form of the medicine box, I have constructed so as it appears to me most convenient and handy; and every kind of medicine, I would advise to have labeled with their proper names, as well as with another mark that may take the eye at first sight; and the more to prevent mistake, one label should be fixt on the pot that contains the medicine, and the other on the box: for in medicines too much caution cannot be used.

One thing with respect to the medicines, I have omitted, and that is their quantity requisite for the box, and their prices: I intended to have taken notice of this, but found that that could not with exactness be ascertained, unless entering into another subject, and that would take off from the conciseness of my plan. As I have however many other things respecting the benefit of seamen to offer, peculiarly respecting distant climates, I shall take notice of this, where it may come in, more pertinently to the subject: till then, that must be left to the management of the apothecary who is applied to for fitting out the box. If he is a man of candour and judgment he cannot be much out of his calculation, when he knows the number of hands, and the voyage intended.

With respect to the other lectures, I have, as near as it was practicable, divided them into their different classes and sections; at the same time the whole is so linked together, that one lecture must support the other. And as I have throughout the whole course of the book differed more or less from the general mode of practice, I must hereby declare, that I have in this consulted my own experience more than any other authority, without fear of censure, or hope of applause, any farther than of truth, and my own conscience.

Though I have principally written with an intent to be understood by masters of ships who carry no surgeon; yet I am well persuaded that every practitioner, whether on sea or shore, will find many things to his improvement.

With respect to my receipts, they are simple and powerful; yet I do not enjoin so strict a conformity to them, by the practitioner, who has an extensive knowledge of the _materia medica_, and is prepossessed in favour of some particular medicines; but as he will discover my indications, it may serve greatly to compare that of mine with his own, and then he may judge for himself. I have touched very slightly on the requisite diet for patients on board a ship; though this is an essential article regarding health in general: But I found that subject also of so very extensive a kind, that it would swell the book; but as I have many valuable things to offer of the same nature, I must beg, that in the mean time, the reader will be satisfied with the universal observations in general; namely, that temperance is the principal object and that patients who are deprived of exercise ought to have the most easy digesting food. Copper and lead are pernicious; but iron and earthen ware are safest either on sea or shore.

In order to render the book as useful as my zeal has intended, I recommend it a fair perusal, from the first page to the last; a book of this nature is apt to be looked into, only when advice is wanted: that method is wrong; and in such a case, the best book in the world is apt to mislead. It is not enough that we know what we are to do with such and such disorders, but we should previously know what the disorder is; and how shall we know that, without having some idea of the evil before it comes on?

A book of this size is soon perused; taking a lecture or a section at a leisure time on board, will soon send the reader through the whole; and I flatter myself, that one perusal will lead to the second, when then it may be referred to for advice with safety; and I hope a study so essential to self-preservation, will be viewed in a more agreeable light, than it has hitherto been.

To compleat the whole, a copper-plate is annexed, wherein the most material utensils are exhibited, which was scarce capable to be explained by bare description, to men unacquainted with surgery.

To conclude, I must beg leave to observe, that the respect and esteem, with which I have been constantly honoured by every worthy seaman, whose life and health were committed to my care, have I confess, stimulated my endeavours, to offer them this book as a grateful return. And I am happy to reflect, that my experience in life enables me to make it worth their acceptance. May they reap that benefit from it, which my heart has intended them; and this is all the reward I wish to obtain.

N. D. FALCK.

_ERRATA.[1]_

Page 5. line 22. for cataplexy, read apoplexy. Page 6. line 16. read, that a pressure on that part, not only occasions an apoplexy, but even stops life itself. Page 26. line 17. for theirs, read thus. Page 35. for Sect. vii. read viii. and following ix. x. Page 61. line 4. for five or six, read about four or five. Line 21. for iniform, read inform. Page 91. line 18. read, in order to get into. Page 131. line 29. for purify, read putrefy. Page 135. line 12. delete them. Page 142. line 2. from the bottom, read, and is a sufficient. Page 158. line 6. for malignitus, read malignities. Page 239. line 7. read, the patient when not able to crawl to the tub, so revived &c.

Footnote 1:

These errors have been corrected for this ebook (May, 2019).

To the BINDER.

The Copper-Plate and its Explanation are to be placed at the End of the Book.

THE

CONTENTS.

LECTURE I.

_An anatomical and physiological description of the human body_

SECT. I. _Of the composition 2 and close connection of parts in the human body_

SECT. II. _Of the brains and 5 nerves_

SECT. III. _Of the heart and 9 lungs_

SECT. IV. _Of the circulation 12 of the blood_

SECT. V. _Of the joint 15 connection of the brains, heart, lungs, &c._

SECT. VI. _Of chylifaction, 19 and nutrition_

SECT. VII. _Of the bones, 28 muscles, ligaments, tendons and their connection._

_A skeleton of the 31 human body_

SECT. _Of the urinary 35 VIII. organs and genital parts_

SECT. IX. _Of the skin_ 40

SECT. X. _Of the external 43 senses_

LECTURE II.

_On the requisite means and medicines towards restoring health._

SECT. I. _Of the pulse_ 50

SECT. II. _Of the effects of 55 bleeding_

SECT. III. _Of the operation of 58 bleeding_

SECT. IV. _Of the requisite 63 medicines useful at sea_

_A plan of a 84 medicine box_—64. _Of utensils, and medicines_—65. _Lancets, ibid. scissars, probe, spatula_—66. _Bistouries, and incision lancets, teeth instruments, syringes_—67. _Clyster pipes and bladders, clyster syringe, scales and weights_—68. _Splints_—69. _Bandages, rags, tow, lint, tape, needles, thread and pins_—70. _Camomile flowers, balm, sage, sassafrass_—71. _Oatmeal, cinamon, allum, chalk_—72. _Salts, diachylon plaister_—73. _Mercurial plaister, blistering plaister_—74. _Spirits of wine and camphire_—75. _Liniment of soap, sweet oil, sweet spirit of nitre_—76. _Honey, yellow basilicon; elixir of vitriol_—77. _Elixir proprietatis, lenitive electuary_—78. _Turner’s Cerate, fever powders, stomachic powder_—79. _Calomel_—80. _Precipitate_—81. _Mercurial ointment_—82. _Rhubarb, jalap, ipecacuanha, liquid laudanum_—83. _Essential oil of peppermint, Turlington’s balsam_

LECTURE III.

_On accidents, and their proper method of treatment_

SECT. I. _Of falls_ 89

SECT. II. _Of wounds_—91. _Cut 92 wounds_

_bruised wounds_—94. 96 _Gun-shot wounds_

SECT. III. _Of bruises_ 98

SECT. IV. _Of dislocations_ 99

_Dislocation of the 101 arm with the shoulder_

_Dislocation of the 103 elbow or the knee_

_Of spraining the 103 wrist, or ancle_

_Dislocation of the 104 thigh bone_

SECT. V. _Of fractures_ 107

_A fracture of the 108 skull_

_Fracture of the 109 arm_

_A fracture of the 110 thigh bone_

_A fractured leg_ 111

_Compound fractures_ 114

_Conclusive 115 observations on fractures_

SECT. VI. _Of scalding_ 118

SECT. VII. _Of burning_ 119

SECT. _Of drowning_ 120 VIII.

_The method to 123 recover a drowned person_

LECTURE IV.

_On external diseases, and their cure_

SECT. I. _Of inflammation_ 130

_Of resolution_ 132

_Of suppuration_ 133

_Of tumours_ 134

_Of mortification_ _ibid._

SECT. II. _Of ulcerations_ 137

SECT. III. _Of the diseases of 142 the skin_

_Of the itch_ _ibid._

_Of boils_ 144

_Of ring-worms, 145 daw-worms, &c. &c._

_Of the lousy _ibid._ disease_

SECT. IV. _Of promiscuous 148 disorders_

_Of the tooth-ach_ 149

_To draw a tooth_ _ibid._

_Of sore eyes_ 152

_Of the ear-ach_ 153

_Of hoarseness and 154 sore throat_

SECT. V. _Of the venereal 156 disease_

_Of the gonorrhœa_ 157

_Of the phimosis and 158 paraphimosis_

_Of the chordee, and 159 priapism_

_Of the dysuria_ _ibid._

_Of shankers_ 160

_Of the bubo_ 161

_Of swelled 162 testicles_

_Of venereal 163 excrescences_

_Of the second 164 infection_

SECT. VI. _Of the bite of 166 venomous animals_

_To cure the bite of 167 a rattle snake_

SECT. VII. _Of the bite of a 170 mad dog_

_The signs of a mad 171 dog_

_The effect of a 172 bite of a mad dog_

_Of the cure of the 173 bite of a mad dog_

LECTURE V.

_Of fevers and inflammatory diseases, and their proper method of treatment_

SECT. I. _Of fevers in 182 general_

SECT. II. _Of accidental 184 fevers_

SECT. III. _Of a cold_ 192

SECT. IV. _Of intermitting 193 fevers, and agues_

SECT. V. _Of putrid and 203 malignant fever_

LECTURE VI.

_Of the various internal diseases, and their method of cure_

SECT. I. _Of diseases of the 208 head, of the apoplexy_

_Of the phrenzy and 210 delirium_

_Of a stupor and 211 lethargy_

_Of a violent 213 head-ach_

SECT. II. _Of diseases of the 214 neck_

_Of the malignant _ibid._ sore throat_

SECT. III. _Of diseases in the 219 breast_

_Of the cough_ _ibid._

_Of the pleurisy, 221 and a peripneumony_

SECT. IV. _Of diseases of the 224 bowels, and the alimentary canal._

_Of a Depraved 225 Appetite_

_Of the Colic_ 228

_Of looseness, and 230 bloody flux_

SECT. V. _Of the Scurvy_ 233

LECTURE I.

AN

Anatomical and Physiological Description

OF THE

HUMAN BODY.