ASSIMILATED RANK IN THE NAVY.
At the annual meeting of the Medical Society of New Jersey, held at New
Brunswick, May 14th, 1850, the following Preamble and Resolutions were
adopted, viz:—
Whereas, it is a manifest duty, that organized medical bodies should exer-
cise a proper influence for the protection of the rights of such regular mem-
bers of the Profession as are necessarily detached from the great body of
their brethren; and, whereas, many of the Medical Officers included in the
military organizations of the country, are placed in this condition; and
whereas, we have heard with regret, that there is a disposition on the part of
a portion of the naval service, to deprive medical men connected with that
Department, of the benefits arising from an assimilated rank, conferred by
a general order of a late Secretary of the navy. Therefore be it
Resolved, That the 11 New Jersey State Medical Society ” regards with
much pleasure the successful efforts of the 11 Navy Boards,” in raising the
standard of Literary and Medical knowledge, for an admission to their
ranks.
Resolved, That this Society is also much pleased to learn, that in their
system of examinations the Diplomas of the schools (which are now but too
easily obtained) are wholly disregarded; and that the moral character of
the candidate, and his scientific and professional attainments, are his only
passports to the medical corps of the navy.
Resolved, That this Society cannot look with indifference on any
attempt to depress or degrade a whole class of public officers, belonging
to a liberal profession, and so indispensable in the proper organization of the
navy of their country.
Resolved, That as a well defined “Assimilated Rank.” has been assigned
to Medical officers of the Army, by an act of Congress, dated Feb. 11th,
1847, this Society cannot believe, that an invidious distinction will be
made, between the Medical Departments of the Public service; but, that the
National Legislature will protect the Surgeons and 'assistant Surgeons in
their just claims to a Nominal Rank, or a social position, as respectable
among the other grades of the Navy, as the Medical Staff of the Army now
enjoy by law, in relation to their brethren of the Line, in that ser-
vice.
Resolved, That a copy of these resolutions be forwarded to the Secretary
of the Navy, through the Chief of the Medical Department; and also that a
copy be forwarded to the chairman of the Naval Committee, in each house
of Congress.
W. Pierson, M. D., Rec. Sec. of Med. Soc. N. Jersey.
New Brunswick, N. J., May lith, 1850.