A Manual of Elementary Chemistry Theoretical and Practical, (1861) by George Fownes, F. R. S.. Marked “U.S.A. HOSPITAL DEPARTMENT” in Gold Gilt Lettering on Front Cover

A copy of this text book is listed in the Surgeon General’s Office Library Catalogues or the list of medical textbooks which were published during the Civil War by the Army Medical Department.

From the seventh revised and corrected edition, edited by Robert Bridges, M.D., professor of chemistry in the Philadelphia College of Pharmacy.

FOWNES GEORGE, PH.D. A MANUAL OF ELEMENTARY CHEMISTRY; Theoretical and Practical. From the seventh revised and corrected London edition with one hundred and ninety seven illustrations. Edited by Robert Bridges MD. In one large royal 12mo volume of 600 pages.

Fowne’s Chemistry was one of the medical manuals given to the Union Army medical personnel by order of the Surgeon General of the United States during the Civil War. According to the records 1,640 printings of Fowne’s Chemistry were issued. This is the only one I have ever seen.

Fowne’s manual is much more than a Chemistry manual. It is more of a Pharmacy or text on Materia Medica. Essential information is included that would have given the medical staff directions on mixing various prescriptions for the wounded and sick . The text is further explained with fine engravings (197 of them).