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NAVAL ASSISTANT-SURGEONS.
24 reform:’---" That the above resolutions be forwarded to Sir G. Grey, Home Secretary, and to Mr. Wakley, M.P.; and that a request be made to permit Mr. Jordison, of Ockendon, the honorary secretary of the society, to be examined before the parliamentary committee now sitting on medical affairs."
assistant-surgeons
in the
midshipmen’s berth, I endeavourea heavy and responsible duty which the assistant-surgeon of a ship, in con.
to draw attention to the
occasionally falls upon
sequence of the death or illness of the surgeon; and to show how necessary it is that he should at all times have a private cabin to retire to for study and improvement. I mentioned what occurred to myself on joining the Bulwark, 74, as senior ADMIRALTY INJUSTICE TO NAVAL ASSISTANT- assistant-surgeon, in 1813. I can never forget the many SURGEONS.—PROJECTED LOWERING OF THEIR anxious hours I daily passed among the sick, and restless nights in the same situation-for I preferred having my QUALIFICATIONS. hammock slung in the sick bay to sleeping in the cockpit, and To the Editor of TaE LANCET. how glad I was sometimes to get into a small cabin in the SIR,—The additional insult and degradation contemplated gun-room, used as a writing-office by the captain’s clerk, where by the naval authorities, in lowering the qualification of can- I could quietly think about the patients under my care, and didates for the naval assistantsurgeoncy, is a something so consider what preparations to make for the daily expected gross and abominable, that we trust the medical corporations engagement with the French fleet, off Flushing. When I and the medical press will most staunchly resist it. looked around me occasionally, and observed the gallant and After having kidnapped a number of highly educated distinguished Admiral Sir P. C. Durham, the brave Captain gentlemen, and these officers being so disappointed and Worth, and a numerous body of officers of all ranks, besides deceived in the naval service, and "the powers that be" a host of young Nelsons, Cochranes, and Codringtons in finding they have no candidates for the naval medical service, embryo, my anxiety, I must confess, was great, (although I from the professional dislike to be degraded and treated not had previously served twelve months in the Royal Naval better than a private marine, purpose admitting a class of Hospital at Deal, and upwards of two years as senior assistantmen on a par with the surgeons’ mates of the middle of the surgeon of the hospital ship for prisoners of war at Portseighteenth century. This is because it is desired to domesti- mouth ;) for I knew that the surgeon would never be able to cate us with learners for the best period of our lives, and to resume his duty, and my brother assistant was younger than keep us the menial tools to check dissipation amongst naval myself. The assistant-surgeons of the navy, Sir, ought not only to youngsters. We trust this subject will shortly be before Parliament. be well acquainted with their profession before embarking in Mr. Wakley can, as he knows how, convince honourable the service, but should be strictly sober, kind-hearted, wellgentlemen that our profession desires and deserves none disposed individuals; and the Admiralty should omit nothing other treatment than such as is yielded to the naval chap- to induce such persons to enter the navy, and to render them lain. comfortable and respected when there. The only excuse, so We are deeply sensible and grateful to THE LANCET for the far as I am aware, that has been alleged for not furnishing spirited and able manner in which the substantial and un- the assistant-surgeons with cabins, is the want of space; but deniable claims of our ill-treated class have ever been advo- this is not a just or fair excuse. Every person acquainted cated in its columns.-I am, Sir, your obedient servant, with the navy knows how soon a few additional cabins are AN ASSISTANT-SURGEON R.N. June, 1848. erected when a ship of the line is required for an admiral’s flag; and I never heard,although I served in three flag-ships, - viz., the "Bulwark," the " Asia," and the " Tonnant,"NAVAL ASSISTANT-SURGEONS. that these cabins were more in the way than others, when To the Editor of THE LANCET. working the ship, or clearing for action. Like your able correspondent, Dr. Healy, I have no personal SIR,-If "there is not a single qualified candidate for the naval assistant-surgeoncy," the time cannot be far distant interest in this matter; but I consider it the duty of all who when the assistant-surgeons of her Majesty’s ships will be are acquainted with the unnecessary hardships which the provided with suitable cabins, and admitted into the ward- assistant-surgeons of the royal navy have so long and so room privileges to which their rank (established by order in patiently endured, to come forward, and do everything in Council so far back as January, 1805) and their liberal their power to ameliorate the condition of that class of education so justly entitle them. officers. In serving the medical officers of the navy on this It is monstrous to talk of lowering the standard of qualifica- occasion, they serve the public. tion for the purpose of surmounting the difficulty which, it is I am, Sir, your obedient servant, A. B., LATE SURGEON R.N. Banks of the Nith, June, 1848. said, Sir William Burnett finds in supplying the navy with medical officers. Parliament would never for a moment countenance a proposition so unjust and cruel to the officers TREATMENT OF MEDICAL CLAIMS IN A and seamen of the fleet. " The brave man who risks his life in the naval service of his country is exposed to hardships, COUNTY COURT. dangers, and privations unknown anywhere else," and cerTo the Editor of THE LANCET. tainly deserves, on all occasions, the best medical and surgical SIR,—As I think it needful that my professional brethren assistance the country can afford or produce. who have not yet experienced the tender mercies of the New Previously to the order in Council of 23rd January, 1805, for Courts, should be forewarned of what they may exbettering the condition of the medical officers of the royal County as plaintiffs, I trust you will allow me space for the pect I understood that few have very navy, always properly ’, sample of county court equity. qualified medical men could be found willing to enter the following recent Upwards of two years since, I was summoned, about midservice as assistant-surgeons, or, as they were then called, to the assistance of a master builder in my neighboursurgeons’ mates; and a similar state of things, it is reasonable night, who had been thrown from the box of a street cab, and hood, to suppose, would soon be the consequence, if the qualification for the assistant-surgeoncy were lowered, and a door opened had sustained a fracture of the humerus, extending into the for the admission of an inferior class of men. But who in the elbow-joint. I paid the case great attention, and was at the time much course of events would be the greatest sufferers if the*young lord of the Admiralty’s proposal were adopted! It is agreed by pleased, as also was the patient, with the satisfactory result all the world that our navy is the mainstay of this great and of my treatment, for which I charged as follows :exemplary country. But what are ships without hale and active officers and men; and how can we expect to maintain them in health and strength without the aid of a well-educated and efficient medical staff? A late meritorious, but ill-rewarded, medical officer, Dr. Trotter, the author of the " Medicina Nautica," in a letter to Earl Spencerwhen alluding to some improvements made in the medical department of the navy, remarked-" With blocks of Every other means of obtaining a settlement of my just reasonable demand having failed, I was compelled, last timber, bars of iron, &c. &c., we can construct ships, but your lordship, like a discerning and vigilant minister, saw that a month, to appear for the first time on the stage of the new triumphant navy could not be equipped without attention to county court, where I produced a medical witness, (I could the vital fabric-the officers and men." have produced a dozen had it been thought advisable,) who In my former letter, published in THE LANCET of the 3rd of deposed, that for the services rendered the charges were very July last, commenting on the ruinous effects of placing the moderate. The judge postponed his decision, but after some ’
and
assistant-surgeons
in the
midshipmen’s berth, I endeavourea heavy and responsible duty which the assistant-surgeon of a ship, in con.
to draw attention to the
occasionally falls upon
sequence of the death or illness of the surgeon; and to show how necessary it is that he should at all times have a private cabin to retire to for study and improvement. I mentioned what occurred to myself on joining the Bulwark, 74, as senior ADMIRALTY INJUSTICE TO NAVAL ASSISTANT- assistant-surgeon, in 1813. I can never forget the many SURGEONS.—PROJECTED LOWERING OF THEIR anxious hours I daily passed among the sick, and restless nights in the same situation-for I preferred having my QUALIFICATIONS. hammock slung in the sick bay to sleeping in the cockpit, and To the Editor of TaE LANCET. how glad I was sometimes to get into a small cabin in the SIR,—The additional insult and degradation contemplated gun-room, used as a writing-office by the captain’s clerk, where by the naval authorities, in lowering the qualification of can- I could quietly think about the patients under my care, and didates for the naval assistantsurgeoncy, is a something so consider what preparations to make for the daily expected gross and abominable, that we trust the medical corporations engagement with the French fleet, off Flushing. When I and the medical press will most staunchly resist it. looked around me occasionally, and observed the gallant and After having kidnapped a number of highly educated distinguished Admiral Sir P. C. Durham, the brave Captain gentlemen, and these officers being so disappointed and Worth, and a numerous body of officers of all ranks, besides deceived in the naval service, and "the powers that be" a host of young Nelsons, Cochranes, and Codringtons in finding they have no candidates for the naval medical service, embryo, my anxiety, I must confess, was great, (although I from the professional dislike to be degraded and treated not had previously served twelve months in the Royal Naval better than a private marine, purpose admitting a class of Hospital at Deal, and upwards of two years as senior assistantmen on a par with the surgeons’ mates of the middle of the surgeon of the hospital ship for prisoners of war at Portseighteenth century. This is because it is desired to domesti- mouth ;) for I knew that the surgeon would never be able to cate us with learners for the best period of our lives, and to resume his duty, and my brother assistant was younger than keep us the menial tools to check dissipation amongst naval myself. The assistant-surgeons of the navy, Sir, ought not only to youngsters. We trust this subject will shortly be before Parliament. be well acquainted with their profession before embarking in Mr. Wakley can, as he knows how, convince honourable the service, but should be strictly sober, kind-hearted, wellgentlemen that our profession desires and deserves none disposed individuals; and the Admiralty should omit nothing other treatment than such as is yielded to the naval chap- to induce such persons to enter the navy, and to render them lain. comfortable and respected when there. The only excuse, so We are deeply sensible and grateful to THE LANCET for the far as I am aware, that has been alleged for not furnishing spirited and able manner in which the substantial and un- the assistant-surgeons with cabins, is the want of space; but deniable claims of our ill-treated class have ever been advo- this is not a just or fair excuse. Every person acquainted cated in its columns.-I am, Sir, your obedient servant, with the navy knows how soon a few additional cabins are AN ASSISTANT-SURGEON R.N. June, 1848. erected when a ship of the line is required for an admiral’s flag; and I never heard,although I served in three flag-ships, - viz., the "Bulwark," the " Asia," and the " Tonnant,"NAVAL ASSISTANT-SURGEONS. that these cabins were more in the way than others, when To the Editor of THE LANCET. working the ship, or clearing for action. Like your able correspondent, Dr. Healy, I have no personal SIR,-If "there is not a single qualified candidate for the naval assistant-surgeoncy," the time cannot be far distant interest in this matter; but I consider it the duty of all who when the assistant-surgeons of her Majesty’s ships will be are acquainted with the unnecessary hardships which the provided with suitable cabins, and admitted into the ward- assistant-surgeons of the royal navy have so long and so room privileges to which their rank (established by order in patiently endured, to come forward, and do everything in Council so far back as January, 1805) and their liberal their power to ameliorate the condition of that class of education so justly entitle them. officers. In serving the medical officers of the navy on this It is monstrous to talk of lowering the standard of qualifica- occasion, they serve the public. tion for the purpose of surmounting the difficulty which, it is I am, Sir, your obedient servant, A. B., LATE SURGEON R.N. Banks of the Nith, June, 1848. said, Sir William Burnett finds in supplying the navy with medical officers. Parliament would never for a moment countenance a proposition so unjust and cruel to the officers TREATMENT OF MEDICAL CLAIMS IN A and seamen of the fleet. " The brave man who risks his life in the naval service of his country is exposed to hardships, COUNTY COURT. dangers, and privations unknown anywhere else," and cerTo the Editor of THE LANCET. tainly deserves, on all occasions, the best medical and surgical SIR,—As I think it needful that my professional brethren assistance the country can afford or produce. who have not yet experienced the tender mercies of the New Previously to the order in Council of 23rd January, 1805, for Courts, should be forewarned of what they may exbettering the condition of the medical officers of the royal County as plaintiffs, I trust you will allow me space for the pect I understood that few have very navy, always properly ’, sample of county court equity. qualified medical men could be found willing to enter the following recent Upwards of two years since, I was summoned, about midservice as assistant-surgeons, or, as they were then called, to the assistance of a master builder in my neighboursurgeons’ mates; and a similar state of things, it is reasonable night, who had been thrown from the box of a street cab, and hood, to suppose, would soon be the consequence, if the qualification for the assistant-surgeoncy were lowered, and a door opened had sustained a fracture of the humerus, extending into the for the admission of an inferior class of men. But who in the elbow-joint. I paid the case great attention, and was at the time much course of events would be the greatest sufferers if the*young lord of the Admiralty’s proposal were adopted! It is agreed by pleased, as also was the patient, with the satisfactory result all the world that our navy is the mainstay of this great and of my treatment, for which I charged as follows :exemplary country. But what are ships without hale and active officers and men; and how can we expect to maintain them in health and strength without the aid of a well-educated and efficient medical staff? A late meritorious, but ill-rewarded, medical officer, Dr. Trotter, the author of the " Medicina Nautica," in a letter to Earl Spencerwhen alluding to some improvements made in the medical department of the navy, remarked-" With blocks of Every other means of obtaining a settlement of my just reasonable demand having failed, I was compelled, last timber, bars of iron, &c. &c., we can construct ships, but your lordship, like a discerning and vigilant minister, saw that a month, to appear for the first time on the stage of the new triumphant navy could not be equipped without attention to county court, where I produced a medical witness, (I could the vital fabric-the officers and men." have produced a dozen had it been thought advisable,) who In my former letter, published in THE LANCET of the 3rd of deposed, that for the services rendered the charges were very July last, commenting on the ruinous effects of placing the moderate. The judge postponed his decision, but after some ’
and