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The remarks on each tally are also to be entered on its counterfoil, so that a copy of them may be retained by the surgeon who made them.

Care of field-panniers. It is so extremely important for the welfare of patients as well as for the surgeon's efficiency, when, as often has happened in the field, the contents of the field-panniers constitute the chief surgical and medical resources of the surgeon in charge of a body of troops, that the panniers should always be at hand, and in good order for use on the line of march, and indeed in all the varied operations of field service that a few hints are added for the purpose of helping to ensure these objects being accomplished.

Pannier-mule. The mule or pony to be employed in carrying the panniers should be chosen not only for its strength, but also for good temper. Care should also be taken that the orderly told off for the duty of leading it is a man who is likely to be kind and attentive to his charge. Nothing can be more harassing for a surgeon on a line of march than to find the pannier-mule proving restive, and perhaps breaking away from the orderly with the panniers. An untrained or vicious pannier-mule is a constant source of trouble and anxiety.

Pack-saddle. It should be carefully ascertained, before starting on a march, that the pack-saddle is complete and strong in every respect, and particularly that it sits easily upon the back of the mule. It is not always easy to get repairs done when once a march has commenced, and if the saddle galls the mule anywhere, however quiet the animal may be naturally, it will certainly give trouble so long as the load is upon it.

Weight of panniers to be evenly balanced.-The two panniers should be kept so weighted as to balance each other as nearly as possible. The burden to the mule is rendered easier by attention to this rule, and the object can always be accomplished with a little management. There is very little difference in the weights of the two panniers at starting-that of No. 1 Medicine Pannier being 90 lbs.; of No. 2 Material Pannier, 80 lbs.; and the weights are equalised on the line of march by the field medical companion being strapped on the lighter of the two panniers, as ordered in the medical regulations.

On no account should articles beyond those laid down by the official regulations be permitted to be placed upon the panniermule. Attempts will not unfrequently be made on a march to get the medical officer's consent for a cloak, or some such article, trifling in itself, to be carried on the top of the panniers. The only way to escape these importunities is to have a decided rule at starting that nothing is to be added to the regulated articles which the mule is appointed to carry. As before mentioned, the panniers and their contents weigh about 170 lbs., and this is an

average weight for the animal, having regard to its always keeping up with a column, and being at hand when wanted. The only occasion when any addition to this weight should be permitted is when military circumstances render it necessary to carry some rations of corn or forage for the animal's own use.

Distribution of contents of panniers.-The regulated arrangement of the articles contained in the panniers should not be changed. The contents cannot be better distributed than they are in the authorised method, which is clearly indicated by special

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No. 1 Field-pannier open to show the general arrangement of the contents.

divisions within the panniers, and in the printed directions upon them. A fixed arrangement prevents waste of time when articles. are required in a hurry. Moreover, it is easier to ascertain if any deficiencies exist, when the set distribution of the materials and medical comforts in their regulated compartments is not permitted to be disturbed.

Deficiencies in panniers. The earliest opportunity should always be taken of replacing deficiencies in the field medical panniers from the stores in the reserve panniers. The contents of the field-panniers are to surgeons what ammunition is to com

batants; and on active service the necessity for any one of the articles carried by them may arise at a moment's notice.

Surgical instruments. The preservation of the surgeon's instruments which are carried in the No. 2 Pannier should have particular attention. This is essentially important under circumstances where if knives become much injured it may be impossible to get them repaired. It is a good plan in the field, after surgical instruments have been used and cleaned properly, to apply some oil or ointment to their surfaces, and afterwards to remove by

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No. 2 Field-pannier open to show the general arrangement of the contents.

means of a dry cloth all the grease which is readily visible; the fine coating which will still remain acts as a protection against the damp vapours which rise from the ground in tents and are exceedingly penetrating. In well-protected buildings such applications to instruments are not only unnecessary, but are generally considered to be injurious. In campaigning, however well covered an instrument case may be, even though the covering may be waterproof, instruments are found to become rapidly rusty, and it is absolutely necessary to examine them at frequent intervals. A useful addition for a surgeon to make to the contents of the

panniers will be a hone and strap for sharpening the edges of his knives when they become blunted. It will not answer to depend upon a cutler, though one may be attached to the army; he may be a long distance off at the time his services are required. A strop is supplied with the 'special' surgical panniers, but these are not likely to be always near at hand when the strop is required.

Means of light.-Means of light are provided by a supply of wax candles and matches in the No. 1, and a candle lantern in the No. 2 Pannier. The want of light has been a source of great loss of time to surgeons in the field, and suffering to patients, in former campaigns, especially when surgical operations have been rendered necessary at night-time. Many operations that would otherwise have been done were stopped at nightfall after the battle of the Alma, owing to want of means of light. The candles are used in a convenient kind of lamp, furnished with a movable reflector, and made so as to be held in the hand or suspended by hooks, as occasion may require. The light can be concealed when necessary, without putting it out-often an important point in the field. The lamp is also arranged for heating a small metal vessel of water, with which to prepare some warm stimulant or beef-tea. Some brandy and tins of extract of meat are contained in the panniers.

Case of instruments carried in the surgeon's shoulder-belt. -All army medical officers under the rank of surgeon-colonel are required to be in possession of a regulation case of pocket instruments. When on field service this case is carried in the uniform shoulder-pouch, which is worn as part of their uniform. The surgeon's shoulder-belt answers a twofold purpose. In the first place, as an article of dress, it indicates the wearer to be an army medical officer. Combatant officers of infantry wear silk sashes over the shoulder; officers of the general staff, cavalry, engineers, Army Service Corps, and others, wear shoulder-belts of special colours or patterns, all distinct from one another and from those of medical officers. The latter may therefore be readily distinguished by this article of uniform. This is especially important on field service, when a surgeon should be capable of being recognised on the instant. the instant. Secondly, the shoulder-belt serves to carry the pouch which is made to contain the small case of surgical instruments before referred to. This arrangement ensures the constant presence with the surgeon of these appliances which are so essential to his professional usefulness. All executive officers who have a due regard to their own efficiency will take care to keep their instruments in a state ready for use; but it is one of the duties of surgeons of general rank to make sure that they are complete and in good order.

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The following is a specification of the Surgeon's Case of Pocket Instruments' of regulation pattern:

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Surgeon's case of instruments.-This is now carried in the lower compartment of the No. 1 Medicine Pannier. The contents. of this case are the following:

Bistoury, straight sharp-pointed.

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1

Surgical needles with metallic thread 12 for suture wire.

12

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Half-curved needles for sutures

6

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Spencer Wells' forceps, nickelled, pairs 6

Fenestrated artery forceps, pair.

Bone forceps, pair

Dieffenbach's forceps, pair

Bullet forceps, pair

Dissecting forceps, large, pair

Bladder trocar and canula

Liston's knives, 6, 9 and 11 in.

Saw, with movable back

Scalpels

Tang scalpel

Common tenaculum

Screw tourniquet.

1

Trephine, medium

Ferguson's thread, oz.

1

Reel of ligature silk

Liston's needle, in handle

Extracting probang, double

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Reserve medical field-panniers. These, as their implies, contain reserves of medicines and materials for replenishing deficiencies as they occur in the medical field-panniers.

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