THE MEDICAL EXAMINER.
PHILADELPHIA, AUGUST, 1850.
assimilated rank.
On motion of G. C. M. Roberts, M. D., the following preamble and
resolutions were unanimously adopted by the “ Medical and Chirurgical
Faculty of Maryland,” at its convention, held June 5, 1850:
Whereas, Success in the medical profession requires intelligence,
sound morality, and competent knowledge of the principles of medi-
cine, as well as liberal education; and, Whereas, humanity and patriot-
ism alike demand that all our fellow citizens who serve the Republic
in the Army and Navy should be, when sick or wounded, accompanied
by physicians as well instructed as any our country affords; therefore
Resolved, That the critical examination of candidates for admission
into the Medical Departments of the Army and Navy tends to the im-
provement of medical education, and to secure competent medical
officers in the military service of the country.
Resolved, That properly qualified members of the medical profession
are socially the equals of members of any branch of the Army and
Navy, and therefore should be assigned by law a respectable position
in every military community.
Resolved, That the “ Medical and Chirurgical Faculty of Mary-
land” regards with approbation the law of the United States which
confers military rank upon medical officers of the Army, because it
secures them an equality of rights and privileges with officers of other
staff departments.
Resolved, That the “ Medical and Chirurgical Faculty of Mary-
land” earnestly recommend that a similar law be enacted by Congress
to place officers of the medical department of theNAVY on an equality
of rights and privileges with other officers of this branch of the national
defence.
Resolved, That the Secretary of the Faculty be, and is hereby
directed to transmit immediately, copies of these resolutions, properly
signed by the officers of the Faculty, to the Secretaries of War and of
the Navy, through the chiefs of the medical department of each ser-
vice at Washington, and to the President of the Senate and Speaker of
the House of Representatives of the United States, in order that the
attention of Congress may be invited to the subject.
From the minutes.
Wm. H. Davis, Secretary.
Extract from a pamphlet on 11 Assimilated Rank in the Navy,’' by a
[presumed] Passed Midshipman.
“ A law of Congress entitled, An Act for the better government of
the Navy, approved April 23d, 1800, provides for the distribution of
prize money according to the rank of officers in the Navy and Marine
corps. Article 1st, provides for the proportion of commanders of fleets
and squadrons, and commanders of single ships. Article 2d, provides
for sea-lieutenants, captains of marines, and sailing masters. Article
3d, provides for chaplains, lieutenants of marines, surgeons, pursers,
boatswains, gunners, carpenters, and master’s mates.
“ In each of these cases the order in which the different grades are
enumerated, and the amount of prize money conceded, is indicative of
the rank of the officer specified. Being a law of Congress, fully
approved, it is as much a supreme law as any other portion of the exist-
ing naval code of which it forms a part, is in full force, and can only be
repealed by the passage and approval of another act.”
Whether the complement from this association or classification is in
favor of the “ boatswains, gunners, carpenters, and master’s mates,” or
in favor of “ chaplains, lieutenants of marines, surgeons, and pursers,”
is a question not discussed by our author, who seems to be satisfied that
the law is good and sufficient, and that his reading is the true one.
R.