Page:Introductory lecture delivered to the class of military surgery in the University of Edinburgh, May 1, 1855 (IA b21916469).pdf/8

7 in the day, for an alleged want of bandages and dressings—a want which seems to have been nearly, if not altogether imaginary—a want which I never could very well comprehend, seeing that there were hundreds, nay thousands, of our own men and of the enemy, lying dead upon the field, each with a shirt upon his back and another in his knapsack.

When sickness succeeded to accidents, when dysentery took the place of wounds, a clamour was again raised about the want of drugs. Looking to the quantity of medical stores despatched from this country, I should, were I entitled to express an opinion, say that there was rather an excess than a deficiency. On occasions of this kind, nothing can be more important than economizing our space, and diminishing the weight and bulk of articles to be carried; and care should be taken that medicines of acknowledged power are not overlaid by those of an indifferent or questionable character, or buried, wholesale, under stores of clothing and ammunition.

When carrying on war at a distance from our own shores, and in communication with a friendly power, it is not unnatural, nor is it improper, that we should lean upon the products