Loblolly boy is the informal name given to the assistants to a ship's surgeon aboard British and American warships during the Age of Sail.
The name comes from the serving of loblolly — a thick porridge, sometimes enhanced with chunks of meat or vegetables—to sick or injured crewmembers to hasten their recovery.
The rating was also used in U.S. Navy warships from the late 18th century until 1861, when the name surgeon's steward was introduced to reflect more stringent training requirements.
Stephen Maturin's loblolly boy, Padeen, features in several of O'Brian's books.
The loblolly boy's duties included serving food to the sick, but also undertaking any medical tasks that the surgeon was too busy (or too high in station) to perform.