A vital contribution to medicine at sea. Heermann’s rare work was published on the cusp of the War of 1812.
This desirable copy is inscribed by Heermann on the front free endpaper: “To the Honble William Jones, Secry of the U.S. Navy, The following sheets, written for the use of the Gunboat service on the New Orleans station are presented. With the sentiments of the most distinguished respect and the highest consideration, By the author.”
The work itself lists diseases such as cholera, dysentery, scurvy, rheumatism, jaundice, venereal disease, along with more prosaic afflictions like diarrhoea, rashes, headache, heartburn, ulcers and fever. These are augmented by dangers at sea such as drowning, bruising and sprains, scalds and burns, and other wounds. A list of fifty medicines follow that comprise Heermann’s medicine chest. These include laudanum, castor oil, chamomile, peppermint, plus things such as bandages, tourniquets, sticking plasters, and sponges. The work opens with a lengthy description of each medicine, which is followed by the same for each malady. The reader is referred back to the medicine chest for the relevant cure.
A lengthy addition to the text in Heermann’s hand reads: “This disposition of the stomach to reject everything, being accompanied almost always with frequent belchings, and these occasionally of a sour taste, the hourly exhibition of No. 2 [magnesia] in water is a most admirable remedy to compose the stomach … The use of all violently operating medicines must during this inevitable state of the stomach be suspended.”
Heermann (1779-1833) was born and likely educated in Cassel (Germany). He emigrated to the United States around 1800 and was appointed surgeon’s mate in the US Navy on 10 September, 1801. After a brief appointment on the Chesapeake, Heermann joined the schooner Enterprise in February, 1802 and saw action in the First Barbary War especially at Tripoli Harbour and “established a precedent for all navy doctors thereafter; to serve alongside sailors and marines wherever they go, no matter what the danger” (Naval History and Heritage Command).
He spent 1806-07 on furlough studying in London, after which he returned to Virginia and later applied for a post in New Orleans, which he was granted in August, 1810. His commitment to overhauling the inadequate facilities he found there included buying a new building for the onshore medical clinic. As if that wasn’t enough, he “strongly advocated for, and worked with the U.S. Congress, to provide finding for naval medical facilities; an effort, which directly contributed to the passing of a law in February 1811, for the establishment of various naval hospitals” (ibid).
These directions would’ve been put to immediate use at The Battle of Lake Borgne on 14 December, 1814 and the Battle New Orleans on 8 January, 1815.
“Lewis Heermann” in Naval History and Heritage Command. accessed 6 October, 2025.
Not in Garrison-Morton; not in Sabin; Jumonville, 212; Early American medical imprints, 897.
