NationalLibraryOfScotland/medical-history-of-british-india huggingface dataset:
EXECUTIVE MEDICAL OFFICERS (MILITARY.)
[SECT. II.
137. Medico-Legal investigations .—All Medical officers of the Bri-
tish Army, and Indian Medical Department shall be held liable to attend,
and to give medical evidence when required, by the Police
or competent magisterial or judicial authority. They are
required also to examine corpses, or wounds and injuries likely to become
the subject of judicial enquiry.
138. SURGEONS IN MILITARY EMPLOY, ENTITLED TO A FEE.—For the exami-
nation of a dead body, or wounded, or injured person, a
Medical officer, not holding the office of Civil Surgeon
of the district, shall receive a fee of fifteen rupees, and travelling allowance
of eight annas a mile, if the distance travelled in connection with this particular
duty exceeds five miles.
139. Whenever practicable, corpses and wounded persons shall be taken
to the Medical officer's station, so that he may not be withdrawn from his
regular duties, except on a very pressing emergency.
140. Post-mortem examinations.—Medical officers who maybe called
upon to make postmortem examinations are (owing to the
rapidity with which decomposition occurs in hot climates)
to perform the duty with all convenient speed, after receipt of the order. In
cases of suspected poisoning they will strictly adhere to the instructions laid
down in Section III., (Chemical Examiner's duties) for the security of the
portions of the body required for chemical analysis.
141. MEDICAL EVIDENCE.—All Medical officers are bound to give evidence
in Magisterial or Judicial Courts, when required, touching the results of post-
mortem or other examinations made by them on the requisition of Police offi-
cers or other competent authority. A record of such cases should always be
kept.
142.
Records.—For a list of the records and returns to be kept by Exe-
cutive Medical Officers, Military. See Section XX.
143. Sitperannuation.—With a view to maintain the efficiency of
the Service, all Medical Officers (both of the British and
Indian Departments) of the rank of Surgeon Major,
Surgeon, and Assistant Surgeon, shall be placed on the
retired list when they shall have attained the age of
fifty-five years.
144. EXEMPTIONS.—All Medical Officers of the Indian Medical Depart-
ment, who entered the service before the promulgation
of the Royal Warrant of 1860, may be allowed to remain
doing executive duty after the age of fifty-five years, on the following con-
ditions.
Circular No. 116,
11th January 1865.
G. O., No. 1,745 of
1864, Judl. Dept.
Circular No. 2,262,
26th May 1866.
Royal Warrant 1st
Oct. 1858.
Royal Warrant 13th
Jan. 1860
G. O. G. G. No. 497,
of 1861.
SECT. II.]
EXECUTIVE MEDICAL OFFICERS (MILITARY.)
47
(a ). The perfect competency and fitness of the officer for the perform-
ance of executive duties, must be certified by a Board, consisting of two
Medical Officers, one of whom must be an Inspector General or Deputy
Inspector General, and the Commanding Officer or Senior Civil Officer under
whom the Medical Officer may have been serving.
G. O. G. G. No. 392,
of 1869.
(b). The certificate of efficiency granted by such
a Board will hold good for a period of three years only,
from the date of attaining the age of fifty-five.
( c ) I f d u r i n g t h e a b o v e p e r i o d o f t h r e e y e a r s , a n o f f i c e r m a y b e s e l e c t e d
for promotion to the rank of Deputy Inspector General;
his age will be no disqualification for a tour of service
in the higher grade.
( d ) Medical Officers who may be in England on furlough or medical
certificate, when they reach their fifty-fifth year, will be
required to appear before a Board at the India Office.
(e.) A Medical Officer who may be unable to obtain a certificate of com-
petency from the boards specified in clauses ( a) and (d), will be placed on the
retired list, receiving the rate of pension next above that to which his period
of service in India, may entitle him, provided that he be not already entitled
to retire on the highest rate, viz., to 700 £ a year.
145. Medical Officers employed on unprofessional duties, will on attain-
ing the age of fifty-five be brought under the operation
of this rule.
146. No Medical Officer who has attained the age of fifty-five, can
retire on the higher rate of pension, without being report-
ed by a Board, unfit for further effective service as an
Executive Medical Officer.
G. O.No. 2510,.(Mil.
Dept.) 1869.
D. of S. of S. No. 1,
of 1862 to Bombay.
G. O. G. G, No. 497,
of 1861.
D. of S. S. No. 95,
of 1865.
SECTION III.
EXECUTIVE MEDICAL OFFICERS.
(Civil Department.)
I.—Civil Surgeons.
II.—Civil Dispensaries.
III.—Jail Surgeons.
IV.—District Surgeons (Presidency.)
V.—District Surgeons, Neilgherries.
VI.—Chemical Examiner.
1. Duties of Civil Surgeons.—Medical Officers of the Indian Medical
Department are attached to Civil stations and. districts for the purpose of
affording medical aid to all Government servants in the Revenue, Judicial,
Police, Forest, Public Works, and all other civil departments of the State.
They are appointed to the medical charge of jails, and are eligible, if other-
wise qualified, to hold the office of superintendent of district jails.
2. CIVIL HOSPITALS.—Civil Surgeons are required to take medical
charge of all charitable Dispensaries, civil hospitals, and lunatic asylums,
established at the head-quarters of their districts.
3. SANITARY OFFICER.—Civil Surgeons are ex-officio Sanitary officers of
their districts, and are responsible for bringing to the notice of revenue and
judicial officers all circumstances which, in their opinion, are prejudicial to
the health of Government servants, prisoners in jails, andd, the civil population
generally.
4. VACCINATION.— The duties of Vaccination at the head-quarters of
the Civil Surgeon will be conducted under his supervision.
5. Rules for Medical attendance of Government officials.—(a)
All Government servants, in receipt of salaries amounting
to one hundred Rupees and upwards, are entitled to the
attendance of the Medical officer of the station or district at their own houses;
G. O., No. 792 of
1865, Pub. Dept.
SECT. III.]
EXECUTIVE MEDICAL OFFICERS (CIVIL.)
49
in cases of illness such as to prevent their consulting the Medical officer at
his house.
(b.) There will no doubt be cases of not unfrequent occurrence, in
which it will be proper for the Medical officer to visit,
at their houses Government servants in receipt of
salaries under one hundred Rupees. Government trusts to the good sense
and good feeling of the Medical profession, in preference to attempting to lay
down any precise rules for such
cases.
(c.)It is to be distinctly understood that Medical officers will not be
expected to attend Government servants in their own
houses unless the patient is unable to wait upon the
Medical officer, either at his house, or at such place and time as, having du
e consideration for the position of the servant and circumstances of the case,
may be appointed for the purpose.
6. CANDIDATES FOR PENSION.—Uncovenanted servants intending to
apply for pension, who are required to produce certifi
cates after having undergone a course of medical treat-
ment, and who are able to carry on their ordinary business, will also be
required to wait on the Medical officer
.
7. Subordinate Government servants, in stations in which there may
not be proper hospital accommodation, will be visited,
in the first instance, by the medical subordinate, and
afterwards by the district or civil Surgeon, should the case be reported as serious
.
8. FAMILIES OF GOVERNMENT SERVANTS.—Civil Surgeons are entitled to
remuneration for attendance on the families of Government servants, under
the conditions of Para. 131. Section II of these Regulations.
9. PER DIEM AND TRAVELLING ALLOWANCE FOR VISITING PATIENTS IN THE
DISTRICT.—Whenever a Civil Surgeon is required to proceed into the district
to afford professional assistance to a Government servant, or to perform any
sanitary duty, by order of competent authority, he is
entitled to travelling allowance of eight annas per mile,.
and to five rupees per diem during the period of his necessary absence from
his station.
(The presence of a medical officer at all whippings is essential, unless
the Court, which passes the sentence, shall otherwise order.—(Act VI. of
1864, Se c t i on 10. )
10. When required to proceed any distance beyond five miles from his
station to examine a corpse, or wounded person, in cases
likely to become the subject of judicial inquiry, or to
attend the corporal punishment of a prisoner, the Civil Surgeon is entitled to
travelling allowance at eight annas a mile.
G
Ibid.
Ibid.
Ibid.
G. O., No. 686 of
1852, Pub. Dept.
Cir. No. 3,078, 29th
August 1865.
50 EXECUTIVE MEDICAL OFFICERS (CIVIL.)
[SECT. III.
11. ILLNESS OF OFFICERS OF CIVIL DEPARTMENT.—Civil Surgeons will
make an immediate report to the Inspector General, Indian Medical Depart-
ment, of the indisposition of any officer holding a responsible position in the
covenanted civil service, which may incapacitate him from the performance
of his duties.
12. TO REPORT CASUALTIES OF MEDICAL SUBORDINATES.—Medical officers
in charge of districts or civil establishments are required, in addition to the
usual report to the Deputy Inspector General, to report direct to the Inspec-
tor General, Indian Medical Department, all casualties that may occur amongst
the members of the subordinate medical establishment under their orders,
immediately on their taking place.
13. CIVIL SURGEONS NOT TO QUIT THEIR DISTRICTS.—NO Medical officer in
civil employ shall, unless in the case of serious illness, to be duly certified,
quit his station or district until he has first submitted an application for leave
of absence, through the prescribed channel, to Government, and until he has
received official intimation of the leave having been granted.
14. MEDICAL CERTIFICATES.—Medical certificates having been granted to
civil servants and to military officers in civil employ, on insufficient grounds,
and to stations not deemed altogether suitable to their complaints, Deputy
Inspectors General will be particularly careful in satisfying themselves, prior
to sanctioning the measure by their countersignature, not only as to the neces-
sity of a change, but also of the suitableness or adaptation of the place fixed
upon, to the case.
15. LEAVE IN INDIA LIMITED TO 15 MONTHS.—The attention of all Medi-
cal officers in civil employ is drawn to the provisions
of the Civil Service Absentee Rules, which restrict the
period for which leave on Medical Certificate can be granted in this country
to fifteen months.
16. Forms of medical certificate for officers in the civil departments are
given in Section XIV. " MEDICAL BOARDS."
17. Privilege leave.—Civil Medical officers, who are also Superintend-
ents of Jails, must, in forwarding applications for privilege
leave, invariably specify the proposed arrangement for
conducting not only the Medical duties of the district, but also those of the
Jail Superintendent, to enable the Inspector General of Jails, should he not
approve of the latter arrangement, to make his own disposition for Jail super
- i n t e n d e n c e .
Applications should be forwarded to the Inspector General, Indian
Medical Department, previously countersigned by the Civil authorities of the
district and the Inspector General of Jails.
No application for privilege leave will be attended to, unless
Cir. No. 117, of
11th Jan. 1865.
Cir. No. 1,768, 17th
May 1867.
SECT. III.]
EXECUTIVE MEDICAL OFFICERS (CIVIL.)
51
the proposed arrangements are approved of by the Inspector General of Jails
and the Head of the Medical Department.
18. Civil Surgeons to remain at their posts until relieved .—On
all appointments of Medical officers to civil situations, or on transfer from one
civil appointment to another, the officers appointed or transferred will con
tinue in their charges until relieved by their successors, or until the local
authorities may be enabled to make such arrangements as will allow of their
proceeding to take up their new appointments, without inconvenience to the
public service.
19. QUALIFICATION FOR THE OFFICE OF CIVIL SURGEON.—Assistant Surgeons
will be required to serve two years in the Military branch before being eligible
for permanent appointment to a civil station.
20. CLASSIFICATION OF CIVIL STATIONS.—Civil stations in the Madras Pre-
sidency have been classified as follows :—
G. O., No 471 of
1868, Pub. Dept.
1st Class.
2nd Class.
Cochin.
Berhampore.
Kurnool.
Calicut.
Chingleput.
Nellore.
Coimbatore.
Chittoor.
Masulipatam.
Salem.
Cocanada.
Ootacamund.
Vizagapatam.
Coonoor and Kota
gherry.
Rajahmundry.
Tanjore.
Cuddalore.
Tellicherry.
Cuddapah.
Tinnevelly.
Guntoor.
Tranquebar.
Madura.
Trevandrum (Re
sidency).
Mangalore.
Vellore.
21. EXAMINATION OF CANDIDATES FOR THE UNCOVENANTED CIVIL SERVICE.—
Civil surgeons are required to examine as to their physical
fitness for Government employ, candidates for the Uncove-
nanted Civil Service examinations (without fee), and to
grant certificates in the required form, if the candidates are found fit.
22. BRITISH MEDICAL OFFICERS INELIGIBLE FOR CIVIL EMPLOY.—Medical
officers of the British Service are ineligible for appoint
ment to any Civil medical charge in India. A British
Medical officer, however, may be temporarily appointed when an officer of
the Indian Department is not available for the duty.
23. MISCONDUCT OF MEDICAL SUBORDINATES IN CIVIL EMPLOY.—The proper
course to pursue, when a Medical Subordinate attached to
any Civil Department misconducts himself, is for the officer
G. O., No. 263 of
1864, Pub. Dept.
G. O., No. 730 of
1866, M. D.
Cir. No. 4,120,
6th Oct. 1866.
EXECUTIVE MEDICAL OFFICERS (CIVIL.)
[SECT. III.
under whom he is serving to report the matter to the Officer Commanding the
Division or Force in which the offence occurs, for his disposal and orders, sus-
pending the offender meanwhile from his duties; but he should not be
placed in arrest until directed to be so by the Officer Commanding the Divi-
sion or Force, by whom charges will be prepared, when necessary.
24. PURCHASE OF MEDICINES FOR USE IN THE DISTRICT.—Collectors of
Districts are allowed to expend a small grant of money in the purchase of
medicines for distribution to the people, when unusual sickness or epidemic
diseases prevail. Civil medical officers are required to co-operate with Col-
lectors in procuring the necessary medicines by purchase.
25. The grant should be expended in the purchase of medicines from
the bazaar or local market, to obviate the necessity for
the Medical Department indenting more largely than
usual on the Home Government ; and only such medi-
cines as are not readily procurable from the local market
should be indented for on the Medical Department.
Civil Dispensaries.
26. How SUPPORTED.—Civil Dispensaries are supported in the Madras
Presidency, partly by the Government, and partly by the inhabitants of the
districts in which the Dispensaries are placed.
27. GOVERNMENT GRANTS.—In Dispensaries already established, or
hereafter to be sanctioned, Government undertake to provide the services of a
Medical Officer or subordinate, (or both), and to supply such European
medicines, Surgical instruments and appliances, as may be deemed requiste
for the use of the charity. A Government grant, however, will be conditional
on the local public subscribing the necessary funds to provide a suitable
building, food, clothing, and menial attendance for the sick poor who may be
treated as in-patients. In some instances Government
contribute towards the cost of building a new dispensary,
but each case of this kind is dealt with according to its
merits. Civil Dispensaries being established solely for
the benefit of the civil population, those of the inhabit-
ants of a district, who desire to obtain the advantages of an institution of
medical relief amongst them, must contribute to its support.
28. COMMITTEE OF MANAGEMENT.—The financial and economical con-
cerns of Civil Dispensaries are supervised by Committees of Management,
appointed by the Government, and including official and non-official inhabi
tants of the several districts. The Collector of a District is always ex-officio
President and the Civil Surgeon ex-officio member. Sums
of money subscribed for the endowment of Civil Hospi-
Procs., Rev. Board,
29th Jan. 1868.
Cir. No. 503, of
1868.
Notification Fort
St. George Gazette,
11th June 1863, p.
997.
G. O. No. 604 of
1869, Pub. Dept.
SECT. III.]
EXECUTIVE MEDICAL OFFICERS (CIVIL.)
53
tals, are, ordinarily, to be invested in Government secu-
rities, and whenever the cash balance at the disposal of
the Managing Committee amounts to Rupees 1,000 it
should be invested.
Accounts may be opened in Government savings banks for the deposit
of Dispensary funds in the names of the " Collector and Zillah Surgeon."
29. DISTRICT OFFICIALS TO VISIT.—The success of Civil Dispensaries
depends largely on the interest taken in them, and the supervision exercised
over them, by the public functionaries, European and
Native, of the places where they are established. Govern-
ment expect that all officials will exert their influence
not only in maintaining, but in originating such useful
institutions. It is directed that Judges and Collectors and Magistrates at
Civil stations, and Commanding Officers at Military Cantonments, make
occasional inspections, and institute inquiries as to the comfort and diet of the
patients, attending to any complaints that may be made, and entering par-
ticulars of the same in a " Visitor's Book" to be kept for the purpose in each
Dispensary.
30. VISITOR'S BOOK.—Deputy Inspectors General of Hospitals at their
annual inspections will always examine the " Visitor's
Book," and note in their Inspection Reports the
general tenor of remarks made by visitors. Medical
Officers will append to their Annual Reports, copies of
the remarks entered in the Visitor's book in the course
of the year.
31.
Duties of Medical Officers in Charge .—Government expressly
desire that Medical Officers in charge of Civil Dispensaries will, by their kind
attention to all applicants, and by prompt willingness to afford relief,
endeavour to make the medical charities thoroughly useful and advantageous
to the people.
32. OUT-PATIENTS.—The Medical Officer shall give his attendance at
the dispensary, at a fixed hour every day, when those who desire gratuitous
medical or surgical aid and advice will be attended to, and prescribed for.
The time of attendance is to be fixed by the Medical Officer in communication
with the civil authority at civil stations, and Commanding Officers at Military
Cantonments, and intimation thereof given to the inhabitants of the district.
The hour must be arranged to suit the convenience of the majority of the
people.
33. The Medical Officer shall remain for one hour, at the least, in the
dispensary building, during which time he must personally see, and prescribe
G. O. No. 1004 of
1865, Public Depart-
ment.
G. O. No. 1018 of
1866, Public Depart-
ment.
Cir. No 4196, 13th
October 1866.
G. O. No. 358 of
1867, Public Depart-
ment.
54
EXECUTIVE MEDICAL OFFICERS (CIVIL.)
[SECT.
III.
for, all applicants. The period for which the medical officer will be present
should be notified in the vernacnlar, on a board in the waiting room, or some
other conspicuous place, and the Medical Officer is enjoined to be punctual
and regular in his visits.
34. IN-PATIENTS.—Paupers, Native, East-Indian or European, suffering
under medical or surgical disease requiring hospital treatment, will, when
the means at the disposal of the Managing Committee of the Dispensary
permit, be admitted as in-patients, and treated, fed, and clothed while resident
in the hospital ; cases may also present in the richer classes, where from the
nature of the ailment, hospital treatment would be desirable ; such patients
also may be admitted, but are to diet and clothe themselves while in hospital.
35. FEMALE-PATIENTS.—One ward, or more, if necessary, will be set apart
for women. When lying-in-wards are provided, they should be detached
from the main building. It is desirable that venereal cases in women be kept
in a separate ward also.
36. CONTAGIOUS WARDS.—Cholera or Small-pox cases, should when there
is no detached building available, be treated in temporary sheds erected for the
purpose.
37. Medical Subordinates .—The Medical Subordinates attached to
Civil Dispensaries will, if not provided with quarters in the hospital, reside
conveniently near the spot, so as to be ready to give aid to any applicant during
the day or night. The Medical officer in charge will always attend when he
may be sent for to accidents, and other emergent cases.
38. HOURS FOR BUSINESS.—Civil Dispensaries shall be open from 7 till 10
o'clock A. M., and from 3 to 5 P. M. every day, for ordinary out-patients. This
regulation is not to preclude persons from getting medicines at any hour of the
clay or night, when there may be immediate necessity.
39. Dispensary furniture. —Although the Government does not pro-
vide furniture or clothing for Civil Dispensaries, it has been deemed advisable
to lay down the following general instructions for the guidance of Committees
of Management.
40. HOSPITAL COTS—Cots should be uniform in size and shape. They are
best constructed of iron. Periodical painting of the iron work with coal-tar,
and drying of the same in the sun, is the best mode of preserving these cots
free of vermin.
41. MATTRESSES.—For all ordinary cases amongst Natives, the iron
cots should be boarded ; but it is advisable that, for special cases, a few cots
should be provided with coir mattresses.
42. COTS AND BEDDING.—Each hospital should be provided with the
number of cots and bedding noted below :—
Cots...
... 10
Red Blankets
... 20
Palliasses
... 10
Blue Cloths for patients 20
Pillows with cases 10
Coir Mattresses
... 5