May 25, 1776

Diseases were often more dangerous to the Continental Army than the British forces. Robert Bell published The Diseases Incident to Armies, with the Method of Cure, a translation of a work by Gerard van Swieten. He had been the personal physician to the Holy Roman Empress Maria Theresa. Bell’s volume also included advice on treating gun shot wounds, preventing scurvy at sea, and staying healthy in warm and cold climates. The advertisement in this volume included a note that “whatever contributeth to promote the health and happiness of such valuable lives as those of American soldiers and sailors, should meet with a generous reception.” Bell wanted to reach customers who were “more immediately engaged in the pecuniary superintendent of their welfare,” but also “all the friends to liberty and humanity.” He also mentioned that he had stocked “all the newest political pamphlets, either for or against independency.”

The Pennsylvania Ledger: Or the Virginia, Maryland, Pennsylvania, & New-Jersey Weekly Advertiser
Printed by James Humphreys, Jr.

Just printed, published and now selling by R. BELL, in Third-street (price ten Shillings neatly bound)

THE DISEASES incident to ARMIES, with the Method of Cure; translated from the original of Baron Van Swieten, physician to their imperial Majesties. To which are added the Nature and treatment of GUN SHOT WOUNDS, by John Ranby, Esq; Surgeon General to the British army. Likewise Directions to be observed by sea surgeons in engagements. Also Preventatives of the Scurvy at Sea, by William Northcote, surgeon many years in the sea service. With Rules for preserving Health in warm and cold climates, by Doctor Lind, published for the use of military and naval surgeons.

Memorandum. It is presumed that whatever contributeth to promote the health and happiness of such valuable lives as those of American soldiers and sailors, should meet with a generous reception, not only from those who are more immediately engaged in the pecuniary superintendent of their welfare, but also from all the friends to liberty and humanity, who are in opulent circumstances, and especially from all the capital land and sea officers, whose personal safety, either from or in diseases (as well as the very large number of privates under their command) are so very dependent on the knowledge and abilities of their physicians.

⁂ All the newest political pamphlets, either for or against independency, may be had at said Bell’s.