Clift's Notes

Posted By Doctor Clift on September 25, 2009

Again we have been on the move, this time north to the small town of Carlisle, in the Pennsylvania wilderness.  Troops have been amassed here, for what purpose, I am not in a position to discuss, as no one has yet truly discussed it with me.  Clearly the French must be on the move again, however, I have not heard any full explanation as to our march here.

Upon arrival I was ordered off to the general hospital area, with a Doctor Bloodsworth, quite the knowledgeable gentleman from Virginia, near Williamsburg if memory serves me.  Together we have formed a formidable hospital, able to see all of the forces amassed without much delay or trouble.  Battallions from many different regions are arriving daily, and with them varying illnesses and melancholies, dropsies, and injuries that we have been tirelessly seeing to.  I dare say there’s been at least 2 nights I recall where we have been woken from sleep to ply our trade.

Doctor Bloodsworth has been most generous in providing me with some of the supplies I have been lacking, which are not easily obtained here on the frontier, which I am sure he will soon learn as well. Turpentine has been the most useful, but i do use it sparingly.  He has also provided me with additional Opium for which to make more laudanum, should the Men from Maryland be in the fray once again.

The most unfortunate case I have had thusfar while here has been one of the men who seems to have the symptoms of advanced consumption. While previously he had just been diagnosed with a persistent cough, he has started to spit blood more frequently.  He had been hiding it from his superior officers because of his sense of duty to King and Country, however, he ended up in my care when he passed out on the field during a troop assembly. I am most distressed to have to tell him that he will not be moving on with the troops, wherever we shall be on the march to next, but shall however be sent back to his home for treatment, which I hope for his sake will heal him and make him well enough again to fight.

Consumption is a horrible illness.  It begins with a simple cough, but then leads to blood in the spittle, trouble breathing, and if not treated appropriately, will lead to death, and a seemingly frightening death as well.  The body seems to waste away to nothingness, and the person can do naught but be attended to with comfrey tea and various poultices and balms, as well as bleeding in order to try to pull the humours back in order and restore the man’s spirits.  However, I am of a mind that perhaps there is more to this illness, as most of the individuals I have seen with this malady never seem to recover, and eventually perish as the illness assuages them.  A most distressing illness, if I dare say.  It truly makes you wonder what is on that person’s soul, that would keep that illness assaulting them.  Few things I’ve seen but a scar on the soul as well as the imbalance of humours seems to kill as harshly.

With all of the various battalions and regiments here, there has been the common practice of an Officer’s Mess for meals, and I have been so honored as of late to be allowed to dine with these Gentlemen.  At the fort, there is little ceremony to be stood upon, so it is nice for a few moments to have some Civility about, especially with such men of distinction.  Saturday night I had the great honor to dine with Mr. Washington, Commander of the Regiment of Virginia, as well as our fine Captain, and other Commanders, Sargents, etc.  The food was exceptional compared to our meager meals at Cumberland, and the wine was strong and full of flavor.  It was a much welcomed change, but even  as we enjoyed each other’s company, the somber cloud of why we are all brought together still hangs over the candles and dining table.  Many late night discussions have been had about if we are winning or losing this great war, as well as the general questions we all seem to ask ourselves in our quite moments.  What is Parliament saying about this engagement, when will more supplies and troops arrive, and what will our next move be?  There are already rumblings that we will be sent home for the winter, and I am curious as to the validity of those rumblings.  It would be nice to return to the shop for the winter months to assist Charlotte, as well as to make sure the books are in proper order and perhaps take on a partner and subsequently an apprentice.  However, that would then make me wonder if I should return to the Fort when spring begins to come, and I’ve no doubt that Charlotte would make protestations to that effect, strictly for her fear of my death.

The candle grows dim, and I must yet check on the Consumption patient once more tonight before retiring fully to my  slumbers.

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