NationalLibraryOfScotland/medical-history-of-british-india huggingface dataset:
MEDICAL BOARDS AND CERTIFICATES.
[SECT. XIV.
may be granted in Form. No. 8. The practice of granting retrospective
certificates is prohibited.
68. These forms of certificates are to be strictly adhered, to on all
occasions for persons employed in the Department of Public Works,
FORM No. 6.
For Civil Members, Covenanted and Uncovenanted.
* This proportion
of the certificate may
be omitted if change
of air is not neces-
sary.
CERTIFICATES PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT.— I, A. B., Surgeon at
or of do hereby certify on honour, that E. F. (here
enter designation of office) is in bad state of health, and
I
sincerely declare that, according to the best of my judg
-
ment (a change of air is essentially* necessary to his
recovery, and that) the circumstances of his case are such
as to render leave of absence for the period of absolutely necessary
(or highly desirable).
FORM No. 7,
For Commissioned, Warrant and Non-Commissioned Officers and Soldiers
within the Presidency.
* Thi s may be omi t -
ted if change of air
is not necessary.
" I do hereby certify that A. B. is in a bad state of health, and that 1 think
it necessary he should proceed* to
and that he should be permitted to be absent from his duty
until
(Signed) A. B.
FORM No. 8.
In extension within the Presidency,
" I do hereby certify that A. B. has not sufficiently recovered his health t
o
" enable him to return to his duty. I am of opinion that he should receive further
" permission to be absent therefrom until the
(Signed) A. B.
Surgeon.
69. Uncovenanted Civil Service. —STATEMENT OF CASE TO ACCOMPANY
APPLICATION FOR LEAVE.—Applications for leave on medical certificate must
be accompanied by a statement from the applicant's medical attendant, dis-
tinctly stating from personal observation the nature of the disease; its symp
toms, causes, and duration, and by a certificate from the chief medical officer
of the station or district, and if at a Presidency town, from a district or other
official Surgeon, certifying, after careful personal investigation, the necessity
for temporary absence; and the period for which, absence is, to the best of his
SECT. XIV.]
MEDICAL BOARDS AND CERTIFICATES.
35
judgment, absolutely requisite for restoration to health. If the requisite leave
be for a longer period than six months, the certificate must be countersigned
by the Deputy Inspector General of the Circle. In cases of leave beyond sea,
the certificate must be also submitted, with the statement of the case, for the
countersignature of the Inspector General of the Indian Medical Department.
In the latter case, a duplicate copy of the statement and medical certificate
is to be furnished for record in the Inspector General's Office.
70.
EXTENSION OF LEAVE.—An application for extension of leave must, if
the applicant be in India, be accompanied by a certificate, to the like effect from
his medical attendant, and such certificate must be countersigned by the
Inspector General or Deputy Inspector General of the Circle in which the
applicant may be residing.
71. The following form of medical certificate is to be used :—
FORM No. 9
'' I Surgeon at (or of) do hereby certify on
honour, that E. F. (here enter designation of office) is in a bad state of health,
and I sincerely declare that, according to the best of my judgment, a change of
air is essentially necessary to his recovery, and that the circumstances of his case
are such as to render leave of absence for the period of
absolutely
necessary (or highly desirable").
In countersigning the above, the Deputy Inspector General of Hospitals,
or Inspector General, will adhere to the following form :—
" I do hereby certify that, according to the best of my professional judgment,
after careful consideration of his case, I believe the state of health of E, F. to be
such as to render leave of absence for a period of absolutely necessary
(or highly desirable) for his recovery."
Chaplains.
72. Chaplains applying for leave on medical certificate must produce
A statement of applicant's case from his medical adviser, distinctly
specifying, from personal observation, the nature of the disease, its symptoms,
causes, and duration, and the necessity for temporary removal ; or in eases
where extension of leave is applied for, the reasons for such extension.
The medical certificate must be in the following form :—
FORM No. 10.
I do hereby certify that, according to the best of my professional judgment.
after careful examination of his case, I consider the state of health of
to be such as to render leave of absence to
absolutely
necessary (or highly desirable) for his recovery."
(Signed) A. B.
MEDICAL BOARDS AND CERTIFICATES.
[SECT. XIV.
36
73. This certificate must be countersigned by the Inspector General
Indian Medical Department, if the applicant is in India.
74. Pension Certificates.—Medical officers are directed, in granting
certificates in support of applications for pension, or
gratuity, to conform strictly to the following instructions.
The object is that Government should, when such applications are
submitted to them, be in a position to decide, without
further reference, whether or not an applicant is entitled
to pension on medical grounds ; and much inconvenience
and delay have been experienced in consequence of medical certificates being
defective in information, or capable of misconstruction.
I. CERTIFICATES OF DISEASE.—When the certificate is granted on
account of disease, information on the following points should invariably be
given :—
(a.) Nature of disease.
(b.) Period under medical treatment.
(c.) Opinion as to benefit likely to be derived from further treatment ;
or from change of air.
(d.) Opinion whether the disqualification is the result of intemperance,
or other irregular habits.
II. CERTIFICATES OF AGE OR INFIRMITY.—When the certificate is granted
on account of old age, or premature decay, and general infirmity, information
is required on the several points following :
—
(a.) Age.
(All Medical officers of any Indian experience must be aware that, on
this point, the notions of natives are of the vaguest possible description ; and
that, in most cases, their statements are mere random guesses. The apparent
age should therefore always be given, as well as the stated age. In the case
of native applicants of the better class, the horoscope will frequently be the
most satisfactory evidence of age).
(b.) If the applicant be under 55 years of age, his disqualification from
general infirmity, at that time of life, should if possible, be accounted
for.
(c.) Opinion whether such infirmity, and consequent disqualification, is
the result of intemperance or other irregular habits.
4. Certificates are to be framed as nearly as practicable, in one or other
of the subjoined forms :-
No. II.
'' I (name the designation) do hereby certify that (name
and designation)
of the
Establishment
(place)
Cir. No. 1,517 of
25th April 1868.
G. O. No 107 of
20th April 1868, Pen-
sion Department.
SECT. XIV.]
MEDICAL BOARDS AND CERTIFICATES.
37
has been under my treatment for
months, for
(disease)
;and that he is not likely to derive permanent benefit from further treatment, or
from change of air. He is, in my opinion, unfit for , further service; and to the
best of my judgment, such disqualification is not the result of intemperance, or
other irregular habits."
No. 12.
"I
(name and designation) do hereby certify that I have carefully
examined
(name and designation) of the
Establishment
(place); that his age is, by his own statementand ,
by appearance about
; and that I find him to be unfit for further
service, from old age and infirmity, or from premature decay and infirmity, the
result of
),
not, in my opinion, attributable to
intemperance, or other irregular habits."
75. CONFIRMATION OF PENSION CERTIFICATE.—In the case of servants
drawing Rupees 50 per mensem and. upwards, the certifi-
cate shall be countersigned by the Deputy Inspector
General, after personal examination, or by a Committee
of not less than two European medical officers. In the case of servants drawing
50 rupees per mensem and upwards, a medical certificate shall be counter-
signed by the Deputy Inspector General of the Division, or by a Committee,
consisting of not less than two Europeans medical officers. In cases in which,
upon the report of the Collector, it is clearly shown that it is practically impos-
sible to carry out the requirements of the rule, the certificate of one medical
officer shall suffice ; but applicants for pension, to whom such certificates may
have been granted, shall not be regarded as permanently
pensioned until the certificate shall have been counter-
signed. by the Deputy Inspector General, and it shall be
the duty of the disbursing officer to cause such pensioners to present their
certificates, for such countersignature, on the occasion of the Deputy Inspector
General's first visit to the station, after grant of pension.
76. The expected arrival of the Deputy Inspector General should be
duly notified to pensioners by disbursing officers.
77. Applicants for pension desirous of obtaining a certificate by reason of
old age, infirmity, or other incapacitating circumstances, will also appear
before the Deputy Inspector General, whenever he may visit the station.
78. The rule requiring that, in the case of servants drawing 50 rupees
per mensem and upwards, the certificate shall be countersigned by the Deputy
Inspector General of Division, or by a Committee consisting of not less than
two European medical officers, is modified by the provision that such
G. O. No. 224, of
14th June 1866, Pen-
sion Department.
G. O. No. 314 of
28th Sept. 1866, Pen-
sion Department.
MEDICAL BOARDS AND CERTIFICATES.
[SECT. XIV.
38
Committee shall be deemed indispensable in such stations only as those in
which two such medical officers may be present.
79. DISMIS SAL FOR ILL-HEALTH, &c.—No uncovenanted official of the State
is to be dismissed on the ground of ill-health, or physical
incompetence to perform his duties, without having
undergone a medical examination, and unless a medical certificate of unfitness
has been obtained.
80. Certificates of Lunacy.—In forwarding patients for admission into
the Madras Lunatic Asylum all the documents prescribed
by the revised rules, sanctioned under the provisions of
Section 2 of Act XXXVI. of 1858, are invariably to be rendered complete.
A medical officer granting a certificate of Lunacy shall, in all cases
where the patient has been under his treatment, furnish a complete medical
history of the case in Form C, and neglect of this important duty will be
immediately brought to the notice of the Medical Officers superior. If the
lunatic has not been under the care of the certifying medical officer, he shall
then collect from the lunatic's friends all information, likely to throw any
light on the nature and cause of the disease, and forward this along with the
medical certificate. The following are the required forms :
—
No. 13.
(FORM A.)
Certificate of Medical Officer.
I, the undersigned (here enter name and official designation), hereby
certify that I, on the
day of
at
, personally examined
(here enter name and residence of lunatic), and that the said is a
lunatic (or an idiot, or a person of unsound mind) and a proper person to be
taken charge of, and detained under care and treatment, and that I have
formed this opinion on the following grounds, namely :—
1. Facts indicating insanity observed by myself (here state the facts).
2. Other facts (if any) indicating insanity, communicated to me by
others (here state the information, and from whom).
(Signed)
FORM B.
Order for the Reception of a Private Patient.
I, the undersigned, hereby request you to receive A. B., a lunatic (or an
idiot, or a person of unsound mind), as a patient into your Asylum. Subjoined
is a statement respecting the said A. B.
(Signed)
Notification, Pub.
Dept., 10th Dec.1869.
Cir. No. 1,973 of
2nd. June 1868.
SECT. XIV.]
MEDICAL BOARDS AND CERTIFICATES.
39
Occupation (if any).
Place of abode.
Degree of relationship (if any), or other circumstances of connection
with the patient.
Dated this
day of
one thousand
eight hundred and
To the Superintendent of the Asylum at (describing the Asylum).
STATEMENT.
(If any of the particulars in this statement be not known, the fact to be
so stated).
Name of patient, with Christan name at length.
Sex and age.
Married, single, or widowed. Condition of life, and previous occupation
(if any).
The religious persuasion, as far as known.
Previous place of abode.
Whether first attack.
Age (if known) on first attack.
When and where previously under care and treatment.
Duration of existing attack.
Supposed cause.
Whether subject to Epilepsy.
Whether suicidal.
Whether dangerous to others,
Whether found lunatic by inquisition, or inquiry under order of Court,
and date of commission or order for inquisition or inquiry.
Whether any member of patient's family has been, or affected with
insanity.
(Signed)
When the person signing the statement is not the person who signs the
order, the following particulars concerning the person signing the statement
are to be added, namely :—
Occupation (if any).
Place of abode.
Degree of relationship (if any), other circumstances of connection with
the patient.
MEDICAL BOARDS AND CERTIFICATES.
[SECT. XIV.
40
FORM C.
Mode of taking notes of the case of an, Insane Patient.
Disease.
Name.
Age.
Sex.
By whom sent.
Date of admission.
Temperament.
Married or single.
Number of children.
Occupation.
Where born and residence.
Religion.
Whether first attack, and duration of present attack.
Cause Moral.
Physical.
SECTION XV.
INVALIDING
I.—British Troops.
II.—Indian Troops.
I.—British Troops.
1 . M E D I C A L B O A R D S T OA
S S E M B L E
A N N U A L L Y . — M e d i c a l B o a r d s o n i n v a l i d s
(at which Administrative Officers are to preside) will assemble annually
under the orders of Officers Commanding Divisions and Forces, and the
proceedings of Medical Boards are to be considered final.
2. BOARD TO BE TIMED FOR THE DESPATCH OF INVALIDS BY OVERLAND ROUTE.
—These Boards are to be held at the Head Quarters of Circles, and at out-
stations, at such time as may be decided upon, in communication with
the Military authorities, as most convenient to admit of the invalids and
time-expired men reaching Bombay, or such port of embarkation as may here-
after be determined, immediately before the time fixed for the sailing of the
steamers by the Overland route.
3. (a) EMBARKATION ORDERS.—All men recommended to be sent to England
are to remain at their respective stations, until they receive orders to proceed
to the Port of embarkation, with the exception of those at St. Thomas'
Mount, and in Burmah.
(b.) Men serving at St. Thomas' Mount will be sent to the Depôt,
Poonamallee.
Men serving at out-stations in Burmah will be sent to Rangoon, to
appear before the final Medical Board at that station, from whence all invalids
from Burmah will be sent to the Depôt, Poonamallee, to await their final
orders for embarkation.
VOL. II.
42
INVALIDING.
[SECT. XV.
4. MEDICAL HISTORY SHEETS.—In the preparation of the Medical History
sheets of British troops the Commander-in-Chief is
pleased to rule :—
(a.) That the information required by the Medical
Regulations, Army Medical Department, page 144
stated in the margin, must be furnished to the Surgeon
of a regiment by the Adjutant, acting under the orders
of the Commanding Officer. The particulars in each
case will be noted on a separate piece of paper, and be
signed by the Adjutant.
(b.) The Surgeon will complete the Medical History
Sheets, from the information thus obtained, and sign
the document.
(c.) It is not necessary that the Adjutant or Commanding Officer of
a regiment should sign any part of the Medical History Sheet of an invalid.
5. UNMARRIED SOLDIERS.—All sick unmarried European soldiers sent to
the Coast for change, whether from beyond sea or from
stations in the interior, are to be sent to the General
Hospital, at Madras, instead of to Poonamallee, and will be under the medical
charge of the Surgeon of the British regiment stationed in Fort Saint George.
6. EXECUTIVE MEDICAL OFFICERS TO MAKE CAREFUL SELECTIONS OF CASES
FOR WELLINGTON.—Executive Medical Officers are to
make careful selection, of the cases they recommend
for change to the sanitarium of Wellington.
7. DISEASES BENEFITED AT HILL STATIONS.—The following is a list of
the diseases which are benefited by the change to Wellington, and also of
those which should not be sent to that Depôt.
Those which are generally benefited, are mild cases of Diarrhœa : con-
valescents from syphilitic cachexia, without rheumatism, or any affection of
periosteum, or bones ; convalescents from Fever ; asthenia.
8. CASES NOT SUITABLE FOR HILLS.—Cases of the following should not be
sent to Wellington :—
Chronic dysentery and diarrhœa, Asthma, phthisis, chronic bronchitis,
organic diseases of heart, of the circulatory system or brain, Diseases of liver,
Syphilis with any affection of bones, or rheumatism.
9. SOLDIER NOT TO BE KEPT AT SANITARIA TOO LONG.—AS soldiers who
have recovered their health are, on various pretexts,
permitted to remain for an indefinite period at Convales-
cent Depôts in the Hills, General Officers and other officers concerned, are re-
minded that these Depôts are intended solely for the accommodation of invalids,
G. O. C. C. No. 95
of 12th August 1865.
1. Date and place
of enlistment, birth-
place, age last birth-
day, former trade or
occupation.
2. General remarks
on h abits and conduct
in the service, tem-
perance, &c.
3. Rank and dates
of promotion, also
dates of transfer to
other regiments,
dates of punishment,
and whether corporal
or by imprisonment.
G. O. C. C. No, 28
of 19th March 1864.
B. M. S. Cir. No. 27
of 10th August 1867.
G. O. C. C. No. 93
of 7th August 1867.
SECT. XV.]
INVALIDING.
43
and that under no circumstances are men to be allowed to remain a second
year on the Hills, save on the recommendation of the annual Invaliding Board.
10. Invalid documents.—Invalid documents will be prepared accord.
ing to the forms laid down in the Medical Regulations
of the British Army.
The following are the Returns :
—
(a.) The General Return of Invalids at page 187 of the Medical Regula-
tions. This will be made up in the Inspector General's Office, at Madras,
and will include all the invalids of the season.
(b.) No. 1 Return of Invalids, as per form at page 184 of the Medical
Regulations. This Return will be made up by the medical officers in charge
of Corps and Detachments in quadruplicate, two copies to be sent to the
Inspector General British Medical Service through the Deputy Inspector
General of the Circle, one for transmission to the Director General, the other
for record, one to be given to the medical officer proceeding in charge of the
invalids, and the fourth to be forwarded, through the Officer Commanding
the Corps, to the Divisional authorities, for the information of the Quarter
Master General.
(c.) Return of men " under 3 years Service," as per form, at page 170
of the Medical Regulations. This Return also is required in quadruplicate,
the several copies to be disposed of as laid down above for the No. 1 Return.
(d.) Detailed Medical Histories of invalids and insanes, in quadruplicate,
two copies to be forwarded to the Inspector General through the Deputy
Inspector General of the Circle (one for transmission to the Director
General, the other for record) ; the third to accompany the soldier, and the
fourth, on which the recommendation of the Invaliding Board must be entered
by the Deputy Inspector General, to be attached to the Proceedings of the
Regimental Board. When insanes are sent to Bombay for embarkation, the
detailed Medical Histories must be sent with them in duplicate, for the super-
vision of the Inspector General, British Service, Bombay.
(e.) Certificates of Epilepsy, in quadruplicate, one to be attached to each
detailed Medical History.
(f.) Medical History Sheet to be completed and forwarded with the soldier.
11. PAPERS TO ACCOMPANY MEN SENT TO WELLINGTON.—The proportion of
men of various corps sent to Wellington for change
of climate, whom it has been found necessary to invalid
to England having been very considerable, and serious difficulty having been
experienced, by the medical officer in charge of the Depôt in the preparation
of their documents, from the defective and limited information frequently
given in the Nominal Roll, Form B, it is directed that every man sent to
B. M. S. Cir. No.
15 of 16th June 1868.
B. M. S. Cir. No. 1
of 7th Jan. 1868.
44
INVALIDING.
[SECT. XV.
the Convalescent Depôt be accompanied by one copy of his detailed Medical
History on W. O. Form, No. 891, under each head, of which full information
must be given up to the date of the man's leaving his corps.
12.
PAPERS TO ACCOMPANY MEN SENT TO POONAMALLEE.—All sick soldiers
sent to the Invalid Depôt at Poonamallee whether invalids for embarkation,
or men for change of climate in India, must be accompanied by a complete
set of Invalid documents, made up to the date of their leaving their regiments.
13.
INSTRUCTIONS FOR MEDICAL OFFICERS REGARDING THE INVALIDING OF
SOLDIERS.—( a .) The information required in the detailed medical history,
being very essential towards seeming a proper treatment and disposal of the
invalid at the Netley, as also towards the right adjustment of his claim upon
the bounty of the Government, medical officers are required to be exceedingly
careful, in the preparation of that document, to enter all such particulars as
may aid in the attainment of the ends desired.
(b.) In doing so however, they must carefully distinguish between the
testimony of the Invalid, or of others, and the results of their own observa-
tion and knowledge, and they should refer when necessary to authentic docu-
ments.
(c.) To facilitate reference, the " Detailed Medical History" of each
invalid must furnish the several points of information required, in as many
paragraphs, and in the order hereunder indicated.
I. Station
Date
II. Regiment or Corps
I I I . R e g i m e n t a l N o .
R a n k a n d N a m e
Age
IV. Service.
Places.
Periods.
From
To
V. Nature of disease or disability.
VI. Its origin, date, progress, and extent whether the same has been
the result of climate and military service, or of constitutional infirmity and
predisposition, or of epidemic or endemic causes, or has been excited or
aggravated by intemperance or other vice, or by misconduct, or by two or more
of these causes combined ; if the disability be the result of accident, the