Of all the various knowledges that distinguish the human species from the brute creation, what is of more value than that which tends to the preservation of life and health? I believe that every man who is actuated by motives of philanthropy will with me wish, that mankind in general would advert more to it in the principles of education, than what they at present do. Indeed it is astonishing that so valuable an acquisition, as to have some knowledge of the body we possess, and its preservation, should be so totally neglected, as to be entirely excluded from education; an acquisition that not only enlivens the mind, but in itself is so very essential to our existence; yet what is more to be wondered at, is, that a seaman who launches into the main ocean, is cut off from every assistance, in case of an accident or sickness, and rendered wholly unable to give the least aid to himself, or those who are entrusted to his care. Large ships I own are exempt from this observation: but are not the lives of men on board of small ships equally as valuable, and worth preserving, as those of greater burthen? I am not the first who has had the welfare of seamen at heart; various writers, and men of abilities too, have presented the world with observations, that undoubtedly have proved beneficial to that class of men; but then these books were neither intended, nor fit to be put into the hands of such seamen, as actually stand most in need of those very observations they have made, and only intended for the perusal of men of physical talents; nevertheless they merit for their labour public thanks, as useful members of society. But if we take an impartial view of the number of seamen, I believe the greatest part are employed in small ships, that either carry no surgeon, or (I am sorry to say it) sometimes one they had better be without; especially in war time, when they stand most in need of a good one. To benefit these men, and at the same time to make that benefit universal, is the plan I have aimed at; and I believe this is the first attempt of the kind; at least I know of none whose steps I have followed in this design. Should I ask physical writers why they have neglected so valuable a part of society as seamen, in giving them their friendly instructions respecting their health, I doubt not, but the majority would reply, that the education of masters of ships and seamen in general, has not enabled them to understand a subject so much above their comprehension, or sphere. But if seamen have not the advantage of an extensive education, are they divested therefore of common sense and understanding? and is it not possible to deliver them instructions, dressed in so plain a language as to adapt it to their capacity?