Medicine During the War of 1812

Medicine Chest

By Tom Fournier

My knowledge or interests do not naturally align with science or medicine but I could not resist this list of medical supplies that come from the Messages and Letters of William Henry Harrison; Volume 2 Part 2.  Harrison was governor of the Indiana Territory and led the American military forces at the victories at Tippecanoe (1811) and Moraviantown (1813).  He had command of Fort Meigs in Ohio in 1813.
 
To my thinking, medical knowledge was at a strange crossroads at this time.  Knowledge of anatomy had become quite advanced but the understanding of how it all worked still fell to a notion that the body had an ideal equilibrium and to solve for an illness or disruption meant restoring that equilibrium.  Treatments such as bleeding, purging or blistering were still common.  Equilibrium could be restored by releasing things like blood, urine, stool or perspiration.  The body had four humours (blood, phlegm, yellow bile and black bile) and too much or too little of any of these humours would result in illness.

Many items on this list of medical supplies seem to reflect this thinking.  It was a challenge identifying some of these substances and determining their medical use during the early 19th Century.   It is entirely possible that I have missed on some of these and we welcome corrections in the comments!
 
The quantities seem quite substantial but Fort Meigs was a staging area for a military force in the thousands.
 
Medical Supplies
Fort Meigs, June 30, 1813
 
50 lb. of Peruvian Bark (in powder) for use against malaria, fever and pain

50 lb. of Opium for use against pain

10 lb. of Camphor for use on skin as an antifungal, antibacterial 

5 lb. of Calomel for use as a purgative and a fungicide   
                               
2 lb. of Corrosive Sublimate (Mercury Sublimate) for treatment of Syphilis

2 lb. of Tartar Emetic to be used as an expectorant (helps clear phlegm from the lungs) 
   
2 lb. of Gambage a resin that acts as an emetic (causes vomiting) and cathartic (accelerates defecation) 

10 lb. of Jalap a cathartic 

17 lb. of Ipecauanto (Ipecacuanha) an emetic

10 lb. of Rheubard (in powder) a cathartic and a laxative  
 
15 lb. of Kino used as an astringent (constriction or contraction of mucous membranes, also stops mucous secretions.  On skin can reduce oily skin and irritations). 

20 lb. of Colombo (in powder) which is useful with bilious diseases, diarrhea and vomiting. 

20 lb. of Nitre Crude (Saltpeter) used as a diuretic, sedative and antiseptic 

40 lb. of Nitre Sweet Spirits used as a diaphoretic (causes sweating), diuretic and an antispasmodic

50 lb. of Glaubers Salts used as a laxative

20 lb. of Prepared Chalk used as an astringent and an antacid 

12 gallons of Caster Oil used as a laxative 

5 gallons of Olive Oil used as a laxative, an ingredient in creating adhesive plasters and a skin coating under bandages

20 lb. of Gum Arabic used for coughs, sore throats, diarrhea and dysentery

5 lb. of Allume (Alum) used as an astringent 

20 lb. of Acquous (difficult to determine, there are many acquous or acqueous extracts from various substances) 

20 lb. Adhesive plaster used as sticky bandages created by a mixture of olive oil, resin and lard on muslin

2 barrels of Barley for use with indigestion, inflamed bowels or diarrhea 

300 lb. of Chocolate often used in drink to stimulate feeble patients and calm overstimulated patients

50 lb. of Tapioca (Cassava) used for treatment of flu, diarrhea and inflammations    
         
20 lb. of Blisting Ointment used to deliberately raise blisters as part of medical treatment 

20 lb. of Bees Wax used in the creation of an ointment used to seal wounds and then covered with a cloth dressing   
                                                            
4 lb. of Muriated Acid (Hydrochloric Acid) used as a cure for fever 

4 lb. of Sulphuric Acid (Oil of Vitriol) used for disinfecting and sanitizing water 

4 lb. of Nitric Acid used for a treatment of warts and cankers and in a diluted form for dyspepsia (indigestion or bloating)  
            
200 gallons of Wine used for disinfecting and as a base for mixed medicines 

100 gallons of Brandy or Rum used as a cardiac stimulant and an anesthetic  
 
200 gallons of Vinegar used to prevent headaches, infections and masking bad odours
                   
200 gallons of Molasses used as a nutrient and an anti-inflammatory
                                      
300 lb. of Coffee used as a metabolism stimulant 
                            
50 lb. of Hyson Tea used as a metabolism stimulant  
                      
5 barrels of Rice used in rice water for rehydration from diarrhea and dysentery 

6 barrels of Sugar used as a treatment for ailments and fever 
     
50 lb. of Sago (Palm Starch) used as a thickening agent, also though to cool the body
                                       
5 gross of Vials 
                                                               
3 setts of Amputation 
                                  
3 setts of Trepanning 
                                   
3 setts of Pocket  
                                                                           
No. 6 - Cases Scalpels    
                               
3 dozen Lancets
                                                               
12 setts of Splints
                                                           
7 lb. of Sponge 
​                                                
1000 yards of Muslin