Folios 24-28: General Remarks. Folio 24: Browning mentions that during the last 12...

Folios 24-28: General Remarks. Folio 24: Browning mentions that during the last 12 months there have been 420 medical cases. Of these cases, 16 were sent to hospital, 3 were invalided and the remainder were cured. Joseph Lawrence with catarrh, hepatic and splentic derangement; Richard Ellery with dysenteria; Henry Thomas with pneumonia; George Moslin with fractures and dislocations; and Mr Lark with acute rheumatism (list continues on folio 25) James Herbert with rheumatism; James Feaston with variola; Robert Boatwright with variola; William E Peake with fever suspected to be variola; John Harrier with scarlatina; William Easthorp with variola; George Thompsom with epilepsia; John Brown with hernia humoralis and hydro; Samuel Brown with phthsis pulmonalis; John Carter with contusion; John [L?] with syphilis were all sent to hospital. Of these, four died in hospital namely Ellery, Martin, Boatwright and Samuel Brown. The 3 invalided were David Green, an old man with Rheumatism; Joseph Kent with epilepsy; Thomas Barker with a hernia. Sixteen cases are given [in the journal] a number of them at some length, 'but all of them are by no means the most interesting which have presented themselves on board, but as it is the wish of the Board that, the cases of those who may have been sent to hospital should have a place in the journal', [Browning chose those] 'in preference to those of deeper interest'. (Folio 25 continued) On the cases of variola and the introduction of the variolous disease into the Alligator it is unnecessary for me [Browning] to remark considering the long paper on these accounts forwarded to Doctor Wier, and Doctor Burnett, from Seven Oaks. Browning concerned that numbers of cases on board Alligator might appear 'formidable'. Explains that during this time there were 60 desertions from Alligator on the Halifax station. These vacancies filled by men from merchant ships 'who had ' been dissipating on shore' increased the numbers on the sick list. The severity of the weather also adds to the number of sick on board. (Folio 26) But the main cause [of these illnesses] is drunkenness. Another cause is that a majority of seamen delay as long as possible to seek 'medical aid'. Browning also raises concerns that the quantity of some medicines supplied to surgeons is too low, for example, acacia orabica; confection aromot; ammonia corbous; extract cologuth compus; pulv ipeese; conpos sein; lime; liquor plumbi acetate magnesia sub carbonas; opium; si olives; ol ricini; polasse supertest; palo-sermmon; sps etheris nitrisi; linct ammamorini conpos; linct minriotis ferri; (folio 27 begins) linct ople; linct rhei; linct suillae and colico and flannel. Browning also suggests that the following medicines should be added to the surgeon's supplies: acid acetic forte; acid acetic [scillitic?]; acid nitric ether suphuricus; aloe socotor; asafoetida; axungia porcina; balsam cossaibe; bolas soda; carbonas soda and acid; fortoricum; ferri sub corbonas; res guaiaci; myrrha; puls scilla; cortex guercus roboris; sp lavendula compus; sulphurs alumina et potasse; vincum colchici (all medicines Browning supplied on the Alligator). Browning also suggests that the following utensils be added to those allowed: graduated bleeding cups; a few tin jugs (commonly called pannekins) for holding drink and lotions; two or three saucepans; one of which capable of holding at least 3 quorts, or a gallon; a stomach bottle; an inhaler; a minimum measure and a proper close stool. He adds that such additions of medicines and utensils would contribute much to the comfort and success of surgeons practice in the navy. Browning remarks that if he had not formed a sick fund on the Alligator for increasing the comforts and facilitating the recovery of patients, he would have been unhappily situated given that many medicines had been expended much quicker than anticipated. Browning claims to have spent £9 from this sick fund to replenish certain medicines, and had supplied himself with a more liberal supply of opium and camphor. His stomach bottle also 'secured much benefit to my patients'. The inhalations of the vapour of hot water by means of the inhaler, had also been useful in treating pulmonary diseases. (Folio 28) Browning also remarks about the difficulty in procuring a 'sick nurse' on board a ship and is of the opinion that a sick nurse would fill a 'most important situation'. He recommends the establishment of the rating of sick nurse.