Extracts from the reports of the Chief of the Bureau of Medicine and Surgery, Navy Department, for 1863 and 1864.

Date:
[1865?]
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: Extracts from the reports of the Chief of the Bureau of Medicine and Surgery, Navy Department, for 1863 and 1864. Source: Wellcome Collection.

Provider: This material has been provided by the National Library of Medicine (U.S.), through the Medical Heritage Library. The original may be consulted at the National Library of Medicine (U.S.)

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    019 mouth, N. H., Boston, New York, Philadelphia. Washington, Chicago, Cairo, and in the various squadrons, we cannot find enough qualified persons to accept apointments. The Army offers such greater inducements, that as a general rule, it appro- priates nearly all the available medical talent. This should not be so, for in time of war, when the chances of continued conflict are superadded to the risks of climate, and exposure, it should be the endeavor of the Government to confide the life, and health, of those upholding its honor, to no doubtful or improper hands. While the Army offers pecuniary inducements of from thirty-three to fifty per cent , perhaps, greater than is awarded to similar service in the Navy, it is not to be expected that the latter will attract the character and attainments, which are so desirable, and, indeed, so necessary; and the only-plett-that suggests itself to me, to remedy a pressing difficulty, is to equalize the induce- ments of the respective services, so as to give the Navy a fairer opportunity for competition. So long as the rates of pay of the Junior Medical Officers of the Navy are barely more, if indeed as much, as mechanical or clerical pursuits now com- mand, it would be unreasonable to expect that a man would give his education, and time, to the Navy, for such disproportioned compensation and position. It is to be borne in mind that in time of war, or during a battle, Medical Officers are called upon to decide promptly, upon their sole responsibility, grave questions involving life, or limb : such questions as in private life are made the theme of much study, and learned consultation, as it often happens, the Medical Officer is far removed from all opportunity of assistance. It is not the mere act performed, but the judgment, and knowledge, that determine the wisdom and fitness of the act, which attest the usefulness and value of the Surgeon. To illustrate the difficulties we have to meet in providing for the Medical Service of the Navy, I submit the following statements: BETWEEN JANUARY 1, 1861, AND THE CLOSE OF THE YEAR 1863. Permits issued to candidates for appointment in the Regular Service... 270 Approved for appointment 99 Withdrawn and rejected 171 SINCE JANUARY 1, 1862, Acting Assistant Surgeons examined for permanent appointment 55 Approved for appointment 16 Withdrawn and rejected 39 SINCE JANUARY 1, 1862. Candidates examined for acting appointments 188 Approved 86 Rejected 102 As I have previously stated, these latter have been examined at various points from Portsmouth, N. H., to Cairo, and in the different Squadrons. Acting Assistant Surgeons offered the opportunity of examination for permanent appointment since June 15, 1864 36 Declined 32 Examined and appointed 3 Examined and rejected 1 All of those declining assign pretty much the same reason, that they are willing to serve as a matter of principle, or duty, during the war, but desire no permaaent place under the Government.