An oft overlooked profession in the Continental Army is that of the Surgeon. As primitive as medicine was in the 18th Century, the Surgeon was most often a soldier's only hope for relief of his wounds and ailments. Here the good Doctor is depicted fulfilling one of his roles...as a Pharmacist. Using his mortar & pestle he grinds the ingredients, then mixing it to form a loaf, where he cuts small bits off and rolls them into pills. These medications would be administered by the Surgeon as needed, part of his never ending work.