Entered according to the Act of Congress, in the year 1856, by

J. B. LIPPINCOTT AND CO.,

in the Office of the Clerk of the District Court of the United States in and for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania.

ΤΟ

DOCTOR THOMAS LAWSON,

SURGEON-GENERAL U. S. ARMY.

SIR:

There is obvious propriety in dedicating to you this effort to be useful to the Medical Department of the Army.

No exertion has been spared to render this condensed view of two important duties of the army surgeon perspicuous and practical, and to adapt it to the service of the United States. I have made the most of my opportunities for observation, and have drawn abundantly on the most approved authorities.

I have every reason to believe that you will not only duly estimate what may be the merit of the book, but that you will likewise kindly regard my motives in publishing it. If it should facilitate the course of duty, by enlightening the judgment of our medical officers, for whose use alone it is prepared, my object is attained, and my wishes gratified.

I have the most unaffected respect for the energy, the intelligence, and the zeal with which you direct the Department over which you preside; and with the sincerest desire that your exertions may be crowned with success, and that you may enjoy long-continued health and happiness,

I am, sir,

Very respectfully,

Your obedient servant,

THOMAS HENDERSON,

Assistant Surgeon U. S. Army.

JULY, 1840.

PREFACE.

DOCTOR THOMAS HENDERSON, the author of this manual, was born in Dumfries, Prince William County, Virginia, on the 6th January, 1789. After completing his professional studies in Philadelphia, he commenced the practice of his profession in Warrenton, Virginia. In 1816 he moved to Georgetown, and thence to Washington City in 1826, where for many years he was the Professor of the Theory and Practice of Medicine, in Columbian College. In 1833 he entered the army as Assistant Surgeon, and for upwards of twenty years he faithfully discharged his duties as a medical

officer. His death occurred on the 11th of August, 1854, in the 65th year of his age.

The favor with which the first edition of this work was received, induced Dr. Henderson to occupy a portion of the leisure moments of his declining years in the preparation of the present improved and enlarged edition, which, having been revised subsequent to his decease, so as to conform to the regulations now in force for the recruiting service, is published in accordance with the known wish of the author, and in the hope that it may guide and assist the recruiting officer and examining surgeon in the performance of their important and responsible duties.

WASHINGTON, D. C., April, 1856.

R. H. C.