Page:Early History of Medicine in Philadelphia - George W Norris.djvu/77

 ill feeling, and the odium of the measure was again visited upon him.

Having had some years' experience in the English military hospitals during the French war, accustomed as he had been to strict discipline, and aware of its beneficial effects, Dr. Morgan enforced it in carrying out these several orders, at the same time that he corrected minor, though hardly less flagrant abuses. But though able, faithful, and indefatigable in the discharge of his duties, yet all his exertions proved ineffectual. Strict order and economy in the medical as in other departments of the army at that day seem to have been impracticable. The difficulty of supplying the hospitals was as great as that of providing the soldiers with arms, and the stores and assistants that could be furnished by the committee of Congress proved insufficient for the increased demands made upon him. Medicines became daily more and more scarce; bandages, lint, tow, even the most common articles, such as rags, old linen, thread, pins, etc., were not to be procured in sufficient quantity. We find him at this period writing to Rush and Gerry, at that time two of the most prominent members of the medical committee, acquainting them with the wants of the sick, and urging them to direct