Model forms to improve U.S. Army hospital administration during the American Revolution

James Tilton, 1745-1822, was a military surgeon for American forces during the Revolutionary War and served as Surgeon General of the Army during the War of 1812. He was a surgeon for the Delaware regiment from 1776 until the Continental Congress appointed him hospital surgeon in 1777. During the campaigns of 1777-80 he was in charge of hospitals at Morristown and Trenton, N. J., and at New Windsor, N. Y. He was concerned with the health and sanitary conditions of military hospitals and proposed hospitalization in small well-ventilated log huts capable of holding but six or eight patients each.

Tilton wrote Observations on animal electricity. In explanation of the metallic operation of Doctor Perkins ... (1797), and Economical observations on military hospitals; and the prevention and cure of diseases incident to an army. In three parts: Addressed I. To ministers of state and legislatures. II. To commanding officers. III. To the medical staff ... (1813).