MOCK ECONOMY, JOBBING, AND ABUSE OF PATRONAGE IN THE

792 when somewhat advanced in life, sent to and St. Andrew’s, and purchased OF PATRONAGE IN THE to enable him to receive fees in degree a life as an M.D. ARMY MEDICAL DEPARTMENT. Suppose the Hon. Doctor Baronet’s reasons had been valid, how can he reconcile to himself, or how can he suppose a disTo the Editor of THE LANCET. criminating body of officers can reconcile SIR,—In 1829 it was determined by the to themselves, the inconsistency of his conthen Secretary at War, Sir H. Hardinge, duct in several of his appointments at other to enforce as strict a retrenchment in the stations as principal medical officers,-for army expenditure as was consistent with example, Dr. Skey, in Canada, certainly a the public service. Accordingly, amongst respectable physician, but who, I venture others, orders were given to that effect to to say, never had an amputating knife in the chief of the above department, and his hand in his life,-Dr. John Davis, at this was followed by a very considerable Malta, who, although an aspirant for medi. reduction, including the principal medical cal fame, I believe never performed an opeofficers serving at the Mauritius and the ration, nor ever dressed a soldier’s wound,Cape of Good Hope, viz. Dr. M’Mullen and last, though not the least absurd, Staff. and Dr. John Arthur, who held the grade surgeon Dr. Barry, in Jamaica, who has of Physicians to the Forces, with the pay i even been known at the Cape of Good of 19s. per diem, and who were succeeded Hope to refuse attending surgical cases ? With such facts staring him in the face, by Staff Surgeons Collier and Murray, at the rate of 18s. 10d., making a saving of I, for any person capable of a moment’s retwopenceper diem at each colony, an ina- flection to imagine that he retains the conportant 8um. But mark the result. In fidence and respect of those who are serv1830, the two latter gentlemen were pro- ing under him, or that he will do so in the moted to the grade of Deputy Inspectors when these things are made known, General, with the pay of 30s. per diem, ; is the superlative of credulity. If surgery be so valuable in the army, and 5s. command money, making a larger sum by 16s. each of daily pay than the re- what has become of all the practical exduced physicians were in the receipt of; of the Peninsula and Waterloo?!* and what adds more to the enormity of the With a few exceptions there is scarcely to seen in the army list the name of one job, the two Deputy Inspectors General are now entitled to a retired allowance of amongst the medical staff who bore an 18, per diem more than the physicians’ full active part in those campaigns. How difpay at the period of their reduction. So ferent is the regulation of other branches much for the Doctor Baronet’s economy. of the service ! It may be necessary to observe, that Drs. Your publication of the above, if it do M’Mullen and Arthur had the highest not open the eyes of a certain great ofprobationary testimonials of the creditable ficial Dr. to his loss of popularity, will at and satisfactory manner in which they had least account for it to his friends. I reconducted the duties entrusted to them, main, Sir, your obedient servant, VEBITAS. in the hand-writing of their chief the great Feb. 19th, 1835. ’ Doctor Baronet. Is is stated, and is received as a fact, CORRESPONDENTS. that the reasons given for the preference so conspicuously shown to the staff-surR. B. will see the necessity of enabling geons, was their combining a knowledge of us to add his name to his letter, if it be surgery with medicine, forgettingthat both published, as it refers to facts quoted on the physicians had been taught surgery ; his personal authority. one of them also having served long as surgeon to a regiment, at the same time holding most respectable degrees in medicine,-Dr. M’Mullen one from Edinburgh, he being also a licentiate of the Royal College of Physicians of London, and Dr. Arthur, one from Trinity College, Dublin, perhaps the most valuable professional testimonials held by any medical officers in the army, whilst the favoured staff-surgeoris had probably only the certified qualifications for acting as army aurgeons. One of them, Murray, while serving at the Cape of Good Hope, and MOCK

ECONOMY,

JOBBING,

AND

Aberdeen

ABUSE

civil

army

perience

be

,