chases, "* and the Marshalls also continued to furnish 

 Congress with a variety of medical supplies in amounts 

 upwards of S4,000. ^^^ Drua;s were occasionally being 

 imported into Philadelphia despite the British 

 blockade. In January 1777, Robert Bass, an apothe- 

 cary in Market Street, advertised "^ "A Quantity of 

 Peruvian Bark, just imported . . . together with 

 Drugs and Medicines of most kinds."' Bass was 

 supplying the Northern Department with drugs in 

 February 1777, but, according to a letter from John 

 W'arren to Potts, "he is determined not even to pack 

 them untill he shall receive the money in payment for 

 them." "' In March, Bass wrote Potts directly that 



... if in future you want any compositions let me know in 

 time that I may have them ready. I cou'd not send a full 

 quantity [of] fly Plasters, but am this week making a large 

 quantity of most kinds and shall send of deficiency in your 

 next order. '" 



In June, Christopher and Charles Marshall also 

 received "a small assortment of valuable medicines, 

 just imported and to be sold" ''' to replenish 

 their stock. Even Congress purchased directly 

 certain of the importations, on May 28, 1778, for 

 example, ordering that "755 42/90 dollars be advanced 

 to the Committee of Commerce, to enable them to 

 pay Andrew and James Caldwell, the freight of 

 sundry medicines imported in their sloop from 

 Martinico." ^-° Many of the British prize ships were 

 carried to the French island of Martinique in the 

 West Indies for trans-shipment of their cargoes. 



These shipments however did not meet with the 

 requirements for medical supplies. In March, 

 Apothecary Cutting, then stationed at the "Con- 

 tinental Medicine Store in Fourth-Street," Phila- 

 delphia, advertised that "any price wUl be given for 

 old sheets, or half worn linen proper for lint and 

 bandages," while, in May, Commissaiy Hugh James 

 advertised that "a handsome price will be given for 



II* Ford, op. cit. (footnote 10), vol. 5, p. 748, vol. 7, p. 274, vol. 

 8, p. 538. (Smith received $2,490 on September 9, 1776, 

 $2,952 on April 17, 1777, "for sundry medicines," and Caldwell 

 & Co. received $666 on July 7, 1777, "for sundry medicine 

 delivered William Smith.") 



"5 Ibid., vol. 7, p. 321. (Christopher and Charles Marshall 

 received $4,151 on May 2, 1777, "for sundry medicines and 

 cliirurgical instruments supplied by them for the use of different 

 battalions of continental forces.") 



11° Pennsylvania Journal, ^^nuary 29, 1777. 



II' Potts Papers, vol. 2, folio 150. 



IIS Ibid., folio 153; Bass to Potts, March 17, 1777. 



11" Pennsylvania Journal, }une 11, July 9, 23, 1777. 



120 Ford, op. cit. (footnote 10), vol. 11, p. 546. 



Vials and Corks." '-' The problems of medical 

 supplies were often brought to the attention of the 

 public. Thomas Carnes, "Quarter Master and 

 Steward" of the Ainerican hospital in New England, 

 advertised in several papers that he 

 is authorized to make known in this public manner, that 

 no Expense shall be spared in future in making the most 

 ample Provision for the sick and wounded of the Army .... 

 Proper medicines will be prepared, not only by General 

 Hospitals, but by Regimental Surgeons. The Difficulties 

 the Sick and Wounded met with the last Campaign arose 

 from the unsettled State of the Army, and the Distance 

 Medicines, and other Necessaries used to be sent. "^ 

 The reorganization of the medical department by 

 Congress, including the establishment of "two 

 Apothecaries" and their duties, was published in the 

 Pennsylvania Packet on April 15, and a front page 

 account presenting "directions for preserving the 

 Health of Soldiers" was featured in the next issue. '^ 

 Dr. Potts wrote the Medical Committee in Congress 

 on April 3, 1777: 



I have the Honour to enclose you a Return of the Medicines 

 & Stores belonging to the General Hospital in the Depart- 

 ment, which I have received from Doctor Samuel Stringer, 

 these with what I brought with me from Philadelphia & 

 soine few I expect from Boston will be quite sufficient for 

 this campaign. 



In contrast to the time when stores were short in '76, 

 the chairman of the Medical Committee, M. Thorn- 

 ton, was quick to reply on .\pril 12 that 

 . . . we are highly pleased with your having the prospect 

 of a sufficient supply of medicines in your Department for 

 the ensuing Campaign, & approve of the returns you have 

 made us. i-'* 



Valley Forge 



Washington's forces were defeated at Brandywine 

 on .September 11, 1777, and on Septeinber 25 the 

 British army occupied Philadelphia. Washington, 

 after trying without success to dislodge them by a 

 sudden attack at Gcrmantown on October 4, retreated 

 to Valley Forge. 



Business in Philadelphia under British occupation 

 continued much as it had under American control, 

 except for a few missing suppliers and a few new ones. 



i-'i Pennsylvania Evening Post, March 18, May 27, 1777. 



122 Boston Gazelle, February 3, 1777; Connecticut Couranl, .\pt\\ 7, 

 1777. 



■23 Pennsylvania Packet, April 15, 22, 1777. This anonymous 

 article was written by Dr. Benjamin Rush and reprinted as a 

 pamphlet. 



i2« Potts Papers, vol. 2, folios 158, 159. 



PAPER 16: DRUG SUPPLIES IN THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION 



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